Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 1029J
Edinburgh Worldwide Inv Trust PLC
09 June 2014
 



RNS Announcement

 

Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust plc

 

Results for the six months to 30 April 2014

Since 1 February 2014, the Company has been invested in a diversified portfolio of companies which individually offer significant long term growth potential and typically have a market capitalisation of less than $5bn at the time of initial investment.

Over the six month period the Company's net asset value per share decreased by 12.8% while the comparative index* decreased by 3.1%. The share price fell by 11.1%.

¾ The absolute and relative performance of the portfolio over the 6 months was influenced heavily by price falls towards the end of the period. The Managers have reviewed the composition and overall positioning of the portfolio and in aggregate are satisfied that the respective investment hypotheses for the companies held remain intact and the sell off in the more technology-orientated areas of the market has resulted in increased long term investment opportunities

¾ The current environment is unprecedented with regard to innovation and the ever increasing role played by technology in both building new businesses and disrupting incumbents.  It is the nimble, more innovative smaller businesses that are best positioned to prosper in this more dynamic world.

¾ Although the focus at time of initial investment has shifted, the emphasis on strong growth and the global holistic approach to stock picking continues.  10 of the 38 holdings held at the start of the period were retained as part of the broadened investment approach and now account for nearly 20% of the portfolio's assets. 

¾ Revenue losses per share were 0.05p (six months to 30 April 2013: gains of 0.86p) and the interim dividend is unchanged at 0.50p.  Due to the decline in expected earnings for the year the amount of any final dividend will be kept under review.

¾ The investment philosophy remains index agnostic and focussed on long term capital growth so there will be periods when performance differs notably from the comparative index.

 

  Cum income with debt at fair value.

Changed from MSCI All Countries World Index (in sterling terms) on 1 February 2014 to S&P Citigroup Global Small Cap Index (in sterling terms).  Data has been chain-linked to form a single index.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

Edinburgh Worldwide aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing primarily in listed companies throughout the world. The Company has total assets of £213.8 million (before deduction of loans of £29.0 million) as at 30 April 2014.

Edinburgh Worldwide is managed by Baillie Gifford & Co, the Edinburgh based fund management group with around £107 billion under management and advice as at 6 June 2014.

 

The value of an investment and any income from it is not guaranteed and may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount invested. This is because the share price is determined by the changing conditions in the relevant stockmarkets in which the Company invests and by the supply and demand for the Company's shares. Investment in investment trusts should be regarded as medium to long-term. You can find up to date performance information about Edinburgh Worldwide on the Edinburgh Worldwide page of the Managers' website at http://www.edinburghworldwide.co.uk

 

6 June 2014

 

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

Anzelm Cydzik, Baillie Gifford & Co

Tel: 0131 275 3276

 

Roland Cross, Director, Broadgate Mainland

Tel: 020 7726 6111

 

The following is the unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months to 30 April 2014.

 

Responsibility statement

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

A. the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board's statement 'Half-Yearly Financial Reports';

B. the Half-Yearly Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months, their impact on the financial statements and a description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

C. the Half-Yearly Financial Report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein).

 

By order of the Board

David HL Reid

Chairman

6 June 2014



 

Half-yearly management report

 

Investment Managers' Review

Following shareholder approval at the Company's recent Annual General Meeting the portfolio has been realigned and is now invested in a broader portfolio of companies at an earlier stage of their development. Since 1 February 2014, the Company has been invested in a diversified portfolio of companies which individually offer significant long term growth potential and typically have a market capitalisation of less than $5bn at the time of initial investment.

The changes occurred midway through the 6 months to the end of April 2014. Over this period, the Company's net asset value per share fell by 12.8%, which compares to a 3.1% fall in the comparative index over the same period. The share price over the six months declined by 11.1% to 360p and ended the period at a 4.5% discount to the Company's net asset value, narrower than the 6.3% discount at the start of the period. The absolute and relative performance of the portfolio over the 6 months was influenced heavily by price falls towards the end of the period, brought about by a largely indiscriminate sell-off in technology and biotech stocks, an area of the market to which the portfolio is exposed. The sell-off was mainly sentiment-led, possibly reflecting some profit taking in areas of the market that had performed well over the past year and likely exacerbated by fund flows.  Whilst it is disappointing to be behind the comparative index over this short period, our investment philosophy remains index agnostic and long term, typically with at least a 5 year horizon and often longer, so there will be periods when performance differs notably from the comparative index.

 

Investment Philosophy

Most small businesses are destined to stay small given their limited scope for both structural growth and meaningful differentiation. Such businesses constitute the bulk of the smaller companies' universe yet are of no appeal to us. However, what is intriguing about the smaller companies' universe is that it contains a subset of immature but potentially high growth companies. By identifying attractive growth companies earlier we seek to benefit from growth at an earlier stage in a company's lifecycle and retain ownership of successful companies as they grow and thrive; we see our role as investing in what are potentially the larger companies of the future as opposed to the smaller companies of today.

In refocusing the Company's remit towards the opportunity initially offered by smaller companies, we are looking to concentrate on the part of the market where we believe our analytical effort and the pursuit of genuinely transformational growth can be better exploited.   Although the focus at time of initial investment has shifted towards younger, more immature companies, the emphasis on strong growth and the global philosophy that has served the Company well over recent years is retained; in this regard it is notable that 10 of the 38 holdings held at the start of the period were retained, which now make up nearly 20% of the portfolio.

It is important to remember that big successful ideas typically start out as small, tentative and unproven. Early iterations are easy to dismiss as unworkable but experimentation with, and evolution of, an initially raw concept can, over time, yield huge commercial relevance. Our philosophy involves weighing up what is proven and tangible alongside what has promise and long term potential. Integral to this approach is recognising the role of innovation in business development; it provides the fuel for business creation, growth and long term competitive differentiation. Consequently, identifying companies that value innovation, having both a cultural acceptance of it and a means to develop commercial opportunities around it, is fundamental to our investment approach.

The current environment is unprecedented with regard to innovation and the ever increasing role played by technology in both building new businesses and disrupting incumbents. In this more dynamic world, it's the nimble, more innovative smaller businesses that are best positioned to prosper; they lack the bureaucracy of larger incumbents while the technology toolkit now at their disposal has radically changed the trajectory and magnitude of growth that a small business can achieve.  Innovation is at its most powerful when it creates novel platforms with wide ranging relevance. While technology platforms can come in many forms they appeal because validation of the initial platform can create emerging winners with a very large and highly scalable opportunity.  We would highlight the holding in the biotechnology company Alnylam as a case in point. Here is a company which is pioneering the development of highly specific gene suppression technology which, given the modular nature of its drug platform, can be customised to treat a wide range of genetically-linked disorders.  Another example would be Ocado, which is at the forefront of using automation and digitisation to create a globally-relevant platform for online grocery. All too frequently we believe the market underestimates the long term relevance of platform-based companies at it tends to obsess about their immediate relevance and near-term financial characteristics.

Growth companies, especially those which are young and hard to model, are difficult businesses to value. The wide range of potential outcomes and profitability that is heavily skewed to future years is a combination of uncertainties that many investors struggle with. We do not have all the answers but by approaching the challenge with a genuine long term perspective, accepting a degree of uncertainty, backing robust innovation and entrepreneurial management, we believe we are well positioned to identify the smaller businesses most likely to shape the world in which we live.

 

Dividend

The Company's objective remains that of generating capital growth and any income received from the underlying holdings is a by-product of this. The revenue loss per share for the period was 0.05p which compares to a revenue gain of 0.86p for the corresponding period last year reflecting the lower yield on the underlying portfolio. The Directors have declared an unchanged interim dividend 0.50p per share; however, due to the decline in earnings, the amount of any final dividend will be kept under review.

 

Portfolio Activity

Transactions in the period were dominated by the reorganisation of the portfolio which was substantially completed by 31 January 2014. As mentioned, 10 of the stocks held at the start of the period were retained as part of the broadened investment approach. The retained stocks were Tesla, LinkedIn, TripAdvisor, Splunk, Stratasys, Seattle Genetics, FEI, IP Group, iRobot and China Financial Services.   In light of recent performance, we have reviewed the composition and overall positioning of the portfolio and in aggregate are satisfied that the respective investment hypotheses remain intact and that the seemingly indiscriminate sell off in the more technology-orientated areas of the market has resulted in increased long term investment opportunities.  Consequently, we remain geared, with gearing at the end of April standing at 12% compared to 8% six months earlier.

 

Scottish Independence

The Board is very aware of the issues arising out of the referendum on Scottish Independence on 18 September 2014 and is monitoring developments. The Board understands that in the event of a 'Yes' vote there will be a transitional period in excess of 12 months during which the Board will assess the situation and take any appropriate action.

 

 

 

 

Baillie Gifford & Co

6 June 2014

 

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.



 

Income statement (unaudited)

 

 


For the six months ended

30 April 2014

For the six months ended

30 April 2013

For the year ended

31 October 2013


Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Gains on sales of investments

103,222 

103,222 

1,120 

1,120 

4,036 

4,036 

Movements in investment holding (losses)/ gains

(129,385)

(129,385)

18,952 

18,952 

53,698 

53,698 

Currency gains/(losses)

396 

396 

(732)

(732)

(699)

(699)

Income from investments and interest receivable

522 

522 

1,024 

1,024 

1,987 

1,987 

Investment management fee (note 3)

(181)

(543)

(724)

(156)

(469)

(625)

(341)

(1,024)

(1,365)

Other administrative expenses

(217)

(217)

(231)

(231)

(435)

(435)

Net return before finance costs and taxation

124 

(26,310)

(26,186)

637 

18,871 

19,508 

1,211 

56,011 

57,222 

Finance costs of borrowings

(96)

(289)

(385)

(99)

(297)

(396)

(200)

(599)

(799)

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation

28 

(26,599)

(26,571)

538 

18,574 

19,112 

1,011 

55,412 

56,423 

Tax on ordinary activities

(52)

-

(52)

(114)

(114)

(188)

-

(188)

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

(24)

(26,599)

(26,623)

424 

18,574 

18,998 

823 

55,412 

56,235 

Net return per ordinary share (note 4)

(0.05p)

(54.28p)

(54.33p)

0.86p

37.90p

38.76p

1.68p

113.07p

114.75p

Dividends paid and proposed per ordinary share (note 5)

0.50p



0.50p



2.00p



 

The total column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company.

All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing operations.

A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required as all gains and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above statement.



 

Balance sheet (unaudited)

 

 


At 30 April 2014

£'000

At 30 April 2013

£'000

At 31 October 2013

£'000

Fixed assets




Investments held at fair value through profit or loss

207,699 

199,931 

229,025 

Current assets




Debtors

162 

622 

715 

Cash and short term deposits

6,422 

4,984 

13,081 


6,584 

5,606 

13,796 

Creditors




Amounts falling due within one year (note 6)

(29,495)

(222)

(30,675)

Net current (liabilities)/assets

(22,911)

5,384 

(16,879)

Total assets less current liabilities

184,788 

205,315 

212,146 

Creditors




Amounts falling due after more than one year (note 6)

-

(30,161)

Total net assets

184,788 

175,154 

212,146 





Capital and reserves




Called up share capital

2,450  

2,450 

2,450 

Share premium

82,180  

82,180 

82,180 

Special reserve

35,220  

35,220 

35,220 

Capital reserve

63,079 

52,840 

89,678 

Revenue reserve

1,859 

2,464 

2,618 

Shareholders' funds

184,788 

175,154 

212,146 

Net asset value per ordinary share

(after deducting borrowings at fair value) (note 6)

376.8p

356.4p

432.3p

Net asset value per ordinary share

(after deducting borrowings at par)

377.1p

357.4p

432.9p

Ordinary shares in issue (note 7)

49,004,319 

49,004,319 

49,004,319 

 



 

Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds (unaudited)

 

 

For the six months ended 30 April 2014


Called up share
capital

£'000

Share
premium

£'000

Special reserve

£'000

Capital

reserve*

£'000

Revenue reserve

£'000

Shareholders'
funds

£'000

Shareholders' funds at 1 November 2013

2,450

82,180

35,220

89,678 

2,618 

212,146 

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

-

-

-

(26,599)

(24)

(26,623)

Dividends paid during the period (note 5)

-

-

-

-

(735)

(735)

Shareholders' funds at 30 April 2014

2,450

82,180

35,220

63,079 

1,859 

184,788 

 

For the six months ended 30 April 2013


Called up share
capital

£'000

Share
premium

£'000

Special reserve

£'000

Capital

reserve*

£'000

Revenue reserve

£'000

Shareholders'
funds

£'000

Shareholders' funds at 1 November 2012

2,450

82,180

35,220

34,266

2,775 

156,891 

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

-

-

-

18,574

424 

18,998 

Dividends paid during the period (note 5)

-

-

-

-

(735)

(735)

Shareholders' funds at 30 April 2013

2,450

82,180

35,220

52,840

2,464 

175,154 

 

For the year ended 31 October 2013


Called up share
capital

£'000

Share
premium

£'000

Special reserve

£'000

Capital

reserve*

£'000

Revenue reserve

£'000

Shareholders'
funds

£'000

Shareholders' funds at 1 November 2012

2,450

82,180

35,220

34,266

2,775 

156,891 

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

-

-

-

55,412

823 

56,235 

Dividends paid during the year (note 5)

-

-

-

-

(980)

(980)

Shareholders' funds at 31 October 2013

2,450

82,180

35,220

89,678

2,618 

212,146 

*      The Capital reserve as at 30 April 2014 includes investment holding losses of £16,387,000 (30 April 2013 - gains of £78,253,000 and 31 October 2013 - gains of £112,998,000).



 

Condensed cash flow statement (unaudited)

 

 


Six months to

30 April 2014

£'000

Six months to

 30 April 2013

£'000

Year to

31 October 2013

£'000

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

(518)

(264)

365 

Net cash outflow from servicing of finance

(389)

(394)

(801)

Total tax paid

(51)

(110)

(199)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financial investment

(4,966)

3,130 

11,339 

Equity dividends paid (note 5)

(735)

(735)

(980)

(Decrease)/increase in cash

(6,659)

1,627 

9,724 





Reconciliation of net cash (outflow)/inflow to movement in net debt




(Decrease)/increase in cash in the period

(6,659)

1,627 

9,724 

Exchange movement on bank loans

779 

(843)

(505)

Movement in net debt in the period

(5,880)

784 

9,219 

Net debt at start of the period

(16,742)

(25,961)

(25,961)

Net debt at end of the period

(22,622)

(25,177)

(16,742)





Reconciliation of net return before finance costs and taxation to net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities




Net return before finance costs and taxation

(26,186)

19,508 

57,222 

Losses/(gains) on investments

26,163 

(20,072)

(57,734)

Currency (gains)/losses

(396)

732 

699 

Changes in debtors and creditors

(99)

(432)

178 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

(518)

(264)

365 

 



 

Portfolio and equity performance at 30 April 2014 (unaudited)

 

 

Name

Business

Value

£'000

% of total assets

Performance

Absolute

%

Relative

%

IP Group

Intellectual property commercialisation

7,249

3.4

27.5*

27.2 

Zillow

US online real estate portal

5,848

2.8

29.8 

27.8 

Stratasys

3D printer manufacturer

5,828

2.7

 (18.3)*

(18.5)

Tesla Motors

Electric cars

5,526

2.6

24.2*

23.9 

Ocado

Online food retailer

5,359

2.6

(34.1)

(35.1)

TripAdvisor

Online travel review platform

5,284

2.5

(7.1)*

(7.3)

Marketaxess

Electronic bond trading platform

5,266

2.5

(14.3)

(15.6)

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

RNA interference based biotechnology

5,124

2.5

(42.7)

(43.6)

Dexcom

Real time blood glucose monitoring

3,919

1.8

(13.1)

(14.4)

Xaar

Ink jet printing technology

3,896

1.8

(27.3)

(28.4)

Dialog Semiconductor

Analogue chips for mobile phones

3,896

1.8

19.2 

17.4 

Xero

Cloud-based accounting software

3,857

1.8

(23.0)

(24.2)

Novadaq Technologies

Medical systems for intra-surgical imaging

3,783

1.8

(26.9)

(28.0)

IPG Photonics

Produces high-power fibre lasers and

  amplifiers

 

3,741

 

1.7

 

(14.3)

 

(15.6)

Seek

Online recruitment portal

3,670

1.7

38.9 

36.7 

ASOS

Online fashion retailer

3,631

1.7

(28.8)

(29.9)

IMAX

Film and cinema equipment

3,624

1.7

(7.5)

(8.9)

Opentable

Online restaurant booking platform

3,556

1.7

(16.8)

(18.1)

Aerovironment

Small unmanned aircraft systems

3,438

1.6

14.9 

13.2 

iRobot

Robot manufacturer

3,383

1.6

(5.9)*

(6.1)

Linkedin

Professional networking site

3,297

1.5

(34.7)*

(34.9)

Morphosys

Antibody development company

3,235

1.5

(7.1)

(8.5)

Seattle Genetics

Antibody conjugates based biotechnology

3,088

1.4

(5.2)*

(5.5)

FEI

Electron microscopes

3,046

1.4

(14.7)*

(14.9)

Financial Engines

Investment advisory firm

3,013

1.4

(23.8)

(22.1)

Imagination Technologies

Graphics semiconductor designer

2,982

1.4

4.8 

3.2 

Wirecard

Internet payment and processing services

2,981

1.4

(5.4)

(6.8)

Oxford Instruments

Advanced instrumentation equipment

2,877

1.3

(24.0)

(25.2)

Genomic Health

Genomic-based diagnostic tests for cancer

2,877

1.3

(17.3)

(18.5)

Temenos

Banking software

2,781

1.3

1.5 

0.0 

Autonavi

Manufactures map software and products

2,616

1.2

41.8 

39.7 

Nanoco

Quantum dot manufacturer

2,575

1.2

(15.8)

(16.5)

Renishaw

Measurement and calibration equipment

2,556

1.2

(1.8)

(3.2)

Splunk

Data diagnostics

2,504

1.2

(17.3)*

(17.5)

Victrex

High-performance thermo-plastics

2,366

1.1

5.8 

4.3 

Bitauto

Chinese automotive website

2,342

1.1

12.1 

10.5 

Digital Garage

Internet business incubator

2,331

1.1

(48.2)

(49.1)

Next

Provides online property information

2,304

1.1

(14.4)

(15.8)

M3

Online medical database

2,276

1.1

(10.9)

(12.3)

Genus

Animal breeding services

2,234

1.0

(31.3)

(32.4)

Stamps.com

Website for postage services

2,200

1.0

(12.1)

(13.4)

Faro Technologies

Designs and develops measurement devices

2,194

1.0

(25.3)

(26.5)

Rightmove

UK online property portal

2,169

1.0

(4.1)

(5.5)

Angie's List

Household services review website

2,144

1.0

(32.3)

(33.3)

Galapagos

Drug discovery company

2,143

1.0

(11.6)

(12.9)

AKR Corporindo

Distributes chemical products

2,126

1.0

9.6 

9.7 

Xing

Professional networking

2,124

1.0

12.3 

10.7 

EPAM Systems

Outsourced software and services

2,111

1.0

(26.3)

(27.5)

Yoox

Online luxury fashion retailer

1,977

0.9

(10.6)

(12.1)

CTS Eventim

Event ticketing and promotion

1,903

0.9

16.0 

14.3 

AAC Technologies

Miniature acoustic components

1,829

0.9

24.7 

22.7 

Acacia Research

Patent licenser

1,826

0.9

15.1 

13.4 

MonotaRO

Distributor of business supplies

1,758

0.8

(8.3)

(9.8)

Start Today

Internet fashion retailer

1,729

0.8

(9.1)

(10.6)

Teradyne

Semiconductor testing equipment

1,569

0.7

(9.8)

(11.1)

Xeros

Commercial laundry manufacturer

1,564

0.7

(16.9)

(14.3)

Makemytrip

Indian travel website

1,556

0.7

(3.2)

(4.6)

Cosmo Pharmaceuticals

Therapies for gastrointestinal diseases

1,550

0.7

27.9 

29.0 

Abcam

Scientific reagent supplier

1,536

0.7

(24.2)

(25.3)

Barco

Designs and develops visualisation solutions

1,470

0.7

(2.9)

(4.5)

SDL

Language translation services

1,454

0.7

(14.2)

(15.5)

EXA

Simulation software and services

1,392

0.7

(19.9)

(21.1)

Perform

Commercialises online sports rights

1,381

0.6

(8.3)

(9.6)

Horizon Discovery

Customised cell lines to aid drug discovery

1,350

0.6

2.8 

5.2 

Zumtobel

Lighting company

1,282

0.6

1.3 

(0.3)

Power Integrations

Analogue integrated circuits

1,170

0.5

(22.3)

(23.5)

Genomma Lab

Distributes over-the-counter drugs and  

  personal care products

 

1,170

 

0.5

 

(4.8)

 

(5.0)

4D Pharma

Biotechnology company

1,138

0.5

80.0 

77.7 

Thin Film Electronics

Develops printed, rewritable memory media

1,133

0.5

(15.2)

(16.6)

Suss Microtec

Fabrication and inspection equipment

1,120

0.5

0.7 

(0.8)

Sarine Technologies

Systems for diamond grading and cutting

1,117

0.5

42.6 

40.3 

Intralinks

Secure collaboration tools

1,054

0.5

(20.4)

(21.6)

Retroscreen Virology

Outsourced pre-clinical analytical services

978

0.5

(1.0)

(3.4)

China Financial Services

SME lending in China

950

0.5

(6.3)*

(6.5)

Ricardo

Automotive engineer

927

0.5

3.6 

2.1 

Medgenics

Therapeutic protein delivery technology

866

0.4

(4.2)

(5.6)

Westport Innovations

Natural gas engines technology

849

0.4

(23.4)

(21.9)

Basware

Software solutions for financial transactions

838

0.4

17.6 

15.8 

Tissue Regenix

Regenerative medical devices company

799

0.4

22.0 

20.1 

Oisix

Organic food website

727

0.3

(52.8)

(53.6)

Noah

Distributes wealth management products in

  China

 

716

 

0.3

 

(7.7)

 

(9.1)

Summit Corporation

Drug discovery and development company

697

0.3

(1.3)

(1.0)

Velocys

Gas to liquid technology

652

0.3

10.0 

8.3 

Just Dial

Offers a search engine to users throughout

  India

 

643

 

0.3

 

(13.9)

 

(14.6)

Cellectis

Biotech focused on genetic engineering

541

0.3

45.6 

43.2 

GI Dynamics

Develops and markets medical devices

385

0.2

(33.5)

(34.5)

Applied Graphene Materials

Manufactures graphene nanoplatelets

382

0.2

19.5 

18.4 

Kingdee

Enterprise management software

351

0.2

(21.9)

(23.2)

Total equities


207,699

97.1



Net liquid assets


6,132

2.9



Total assets at fair value (before deduction of loans)

213,831

100.0



†      Absolute and relative performance has been calculated on a total return basis over the period 1 November 2013 to 30 April 2014. Absolute performance is in sterling terms; relative performance is against S&P Citigroup Global Small Cap Index (in sterling terms).

*      Investments marked with an asterisk were held at 31 October 2013; the performance for these investments is for the six months to 30 April 2014.  All other investments were purchased following the portfolio re-organisation and their performance figures are part-period returns.

 

Source: Baillie Gifford & Co, StatPro.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.



 

Distribution of total assets* (unaudited)

 


 

 

 

 

Industry Analysis

 

 

 

30 April 2014

%


Portfolio Weightings

(relative to comparative index†)

at 30 April 2014

%

Equities:

Internet Software and Services

10.9


9.5


Internet and Catalogue Retail

9.5


8.9


Biotechnology

9.0


6.9


Electronic Equipment, Instrument and Supplies

8.2


5.8


Software

7.5


4.9


Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment

6.1


3.6


Media

5.3


2.7


Capital Markets

5.1


2.3


Computers and Peripherals

5.0


4.4


Health Care Equipment and Supplies

3.8


2.0


IT Services

3.5


1.5


Professional Services

3.1


1.7


Automobiles

2.6


2.3


Diversified Financial Holdings

2.5


1.4


Pharmaceuticals

2.3


0.7


Life Sciences Tools and Services

2.3


1.5


Trading Companies and Distributors

1.8


0.1


Aerospace and Defence

1.6


0.3


Household Durables

1.6


(0.6)


Chemicals

1.3


(2.2)


Health Care Technology

1.1


0.8


Machinery

0.9


(3.9)


Commercial Services and Supplies

0.7


(1.5)


Electrical Equipment

0.6


(0.7)


Consumer Finance

0.5


-


Energy Equipment and Services

0.3


(1.5)


Net Liquid Assets

2.9


-

Total assets

100.00



* Total net assets before deduction of bank loans




S&P Citigroup Global Small Cap Index. Weightings exclude industries where the Company has no exposure.




 



 

 

 

Geographical Analysis

30 April 2014

%

31 October 2013

%

Australasia

3.7

-

 

Australia

1.9

-

 

New Zealand

1.8

-

 

 

 

 

North America

43.8

51.8

 

USA

42.1

51.8

 

Canada

1.7

-

South America


0.5

-

 

Mexico

0.5

-

Europe


37.2

24.3

 

United Kingdom

23.7

5.4

 

Eurozone

11.0

13.5

 

Developed Europe (non euro)

2.5

5.4

Asia


11.9

18.5

 

Japan

5.2

1.4

 

China

3.3

14.7

 

India

1.0

2.4

 

Indonesia

1.0

-

 

Hong Kong

0.9

-

 

Singapore

0.5

-

Net Liquid Assets

2.9

5.4

Total Assets

100.0

100.0

 

 


Sectoral Analysis

30 April 2014

%


31 October 2013

%

Equities:






Consumer Discretionary

19.0


31.9


Consumer Staples

-


6.3


Energy

0.3


-


Financials

8.0


3.6


Health Care

18.5


10.0


Industrials

8.7


5.0


Information Technology

41.2


37.8


Materials

1.4


-


Net Liquid Assets

2.9


5.4

Total Assets


100.0


100.0

Notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited)

 

 

1.

 

The condensed financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the same accounting policies as set out in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements at 31 October 2013 and in accordance with the ASB's Statement 'Half-Yearly Financial Reports' and have not been audited or reviewed by the Auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board Guidance on 'Review of Interim Financial Information'.

The Company's assets, the majority of which are investments in quoted securities which are readily realisable, exceed its liabilities significantly. All borrowings require the prior approval of the Board. Gearing levels and compliance with borrowing covenants are reviewed by the Board on a regular basis. Accordingly the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as it is the Directors' opinion that the Company will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

2.

The financial information contained within this Half-Yearly Financial Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in sections 434 to 436 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the year ended 31 October 2013 has been extracted from the statutory accounts which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' Report on those accounts was not qualified and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

3.

Baillie Gifford & Co are appointed as Managers and Secretaries. The management agreement is terminable on not less than three months' notice. With effect from 1 April 2013 the annual management fee became 0.95% on the first £50m of net assets and 0.65% on the remaining net assets, calculated quarterly. The fee previously was 0.8% per annum of the market value of the Company's shares, calculated quarterly, plus a performance fee. No performance fee was payable for the period to 31 March 2013 and none is payable under the new arrangements.

Until 31 March 2013, the Company paid a secretarial fee to Baillie Gifford which was adjusted annually in line with the Retail Price Index. The secretarial fee for the five months to 31 March 2013 was £34,000.

4.

Net return per ordinary share

Six months to

30 April 2014

£'000

Six months to

30 April 2013

£'000

Year to

31 October 2013

£'000

 

Revenue return on ordinary activities after taxation

(24)

424

823 

 

Capital return on ordinary activities after taxation

(26,599)

18,574

55,412

 

Total return

(26,623)

18,998

56,235

 

Net return per ordinary share is based on the above totals of revenue and capital and on 49,004,319 ordinary shares, being the number of ordinary shares in issue during each period. There are no dilutive or potentially dilutive shares in issue.

 



 

Notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited) (ctd)

 

 

5.

Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions in the period:

Six months to

30 April 2014

£'000

Six months to

30 April 2013

£'000

Year to

31 October 2013

£'000

 

Previous year's final dividend of 1.50p (2012 - 1.50p), paid 6 February 2014

735

735

735

 

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 October 2013 paid 18 July 2013

-

-

245

 


735

735

980

 

Paid and proposed in respect of the financial period:




 

Interim dividend for the year ending 31 October 2014 of 0.50p (2013 - 0.50p)

245

245

245

 

Final dividend (31 October 2013 - 1.50p)

-

-

735

 


245

245

980

 

The interim dividend was declared after the period end date and has therefore not been included as a liability in the balance sheet. It is payable on 17 July 2014 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 June 2014. The ex-dividend date is 18 June 2014. The registrars offer a dividend reinvestment plan. The final date for the receipt of elections for the dividend reinvestment plan is 26 June 2014.

6.

Creditors include borrowings of £29,044,000 (30 April 2013 - £30,161,000; 31 October 2013 - £29,823,000) drawn down under a three year fixed rate loan facility expiring on 30 September 2014 in loans of €11.4m, US$16.35m and £10.0m (30 April 2013 - same; 31 October 2013 - same).

The fair value of the bank loans at 30 April 2014 was £29,179,000 (30 April 2013 - £30,647,000; 31 October 2013 - £30,117,000).

7.

The Company has authority to buy back its ordinary shares. In the six months to 30 April 2014 no ordinary shares were bought back therefore the Company's authority remains unchanged at 7,345,747 ordinary shares.

8.

During the period the Company incurred transaction costs on purchases of investments of £351,000 (30 April 2013 - £27,000; 31 October 2013 - £55,000) and transaction costs on sales of £118,000 (30 April 2013 - £21,000; 31 October 2013 - £34,000).

9.

None of the views expressed in this document should be construed as advice to buy or sell a particular investment.

 



 

Notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited) (ctd)

 

 

10.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The principal risks facing the Company relate to the Company's investment activities. These risks are market risk (comprising currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk), liquidity risk and credit risk. An explanation of these risks and how they are managed is contained in note 19 of the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 October 2013. The principal risks and uncertainties have not changed since the publication of the Annual Report which can be obtained free of charge from Baillie Gifford & Co: www.bailliegifford.com and is available on the Edinburgh Worldwide page of the Managers' website: www.edinburghworldwide.co.uk. Other risks facing the Company include the following:

 

¾  Regulatory Risk - the loss of investment trust status or a breach of the UKLA Listing Rules could have adverse financial consequences and cause reputational damage;

 

¾  Operational/Financial Risk - failure of service providers' accounting systems could lead to inaccurate reporting or financial loss;

 

¾  Discount Volatility - the risk that the discount can widen; 

 

¾  Gearing Risk - the use of borrowing can magnify the impact of falling markets;

 

¾  Political Risk - the Scottish Referendum vote introduces elements of political uncertainty which may have practical consequences.

Further information can be found on page 7 of the Annual Report.

11.

The Half-Yearly Financial Report will be available on www.edinburghworldwide.co.uk and will be posted to shareholders on or around 16 June 2014.

‡      Neither the contents of the Managers' website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Managers' website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

 

- Ends -


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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