Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 0361Z

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC

31 January 2014

 



 31 January 2014

THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

Financial Report for the half-year ended 30 November 2013

This announcement contains regulated information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

	(Unaudited) 30 November 2013		(Unaudited) 30 November 2012	(Audited) 31 May 2013
Total net assets	£457 million		£326 million	£403 million
Net asset value per ordinary share	611.5p		435.8p	540.0p
Net asset value per ordinary share on an alternative basis*		607.3p	430.0p	535.0p
Market price per ordinary share	514.3p		354.5p	454.0p
Total return per ordinary share	78.0p		66.7p	171.0p
Revenue return per ordinary share	5.8p		2.4p	6.2p
Dividend per ordinary share	3.0p		-	6.5p
Gearing†	9.9%		7.6%	8.2%

* calculated by deducting from the net assets the debt at its market value.

^† defined here as the total market value of the Company's investments less shareholders' funds as a percentage of shareholders' funds.

PERFORMANCE: comparative total return figures for periods ended 30 November 2013

	6 months %	1 year %	2 years %	3 years %	5 years %	10 years %
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc: net asset value per ordinary share	14.51	41.89	86.50	92.01	319.22	330.91
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc: ordinary share price	14.71	46.91	111.12	103.10	497.44	352.85
Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding investment companies)	14.39	37.93	69.69	72.76	235.12	253.74
FTSE SmallCap Index (excluding investment companies)	17.37	47.19	89.30	74.29	200.19	109.93
FTSE All-Share Index	3.88	19.80	34.35	37.80	98.68	134.02

Source: AIC and Datastream

  For further information please contact:

Neil Hermon Fund Manager The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc Telephone: [phone]	Nathan Brown / David Benda Corporate Broking Numis Securities Telephone: [phone]
James de Sausmarez Director and Head of Investment Trusts Henderson Global Investors Telephone: [phone]	Sarah Gibbons-Cook Investor Relations and PR Manager Henderson Global Investors Telephone: [phone]

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT 

Half-Year ended 30 November 2013

It is my pleasure to report another good increase in the Company's net asset value (NAV). After last year's 46.1% growth in NAV, the NAV has grown by 14.5% on a total return basis in this reporting period. This is in line with the Company's performance benchmark, the Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding investment companies), which rose by 14.4% on a total return basis. The Company has been the recipient of five industry awards in recognition of its excellent performance in recent times. I am also pleased to report that at the AGM in October the shareholders voted strongly in favour of the continuation of the company for another three years.

At the start of 2013 the Board appointed Numis as the company's broker with the expressed remit of widening and diversifying the shareholder base, in the belief that this could help narrow the discount. It seems that this, combined with Neil Hermon's continued excellent performance, has indeed brought the discount in. During the year ending 31 May 2013 the company's discount ranged between 12.8% and 23.6% with an average of 18.3% and I am pleased to report that, during the period under review, the discount ranged between 9.5% and 20.2% with an average for the period of 15.8%. As I have said before, discounts are not determined scientifically, so it is important to maintain good performance and clear communication whilst promoting a high-quality and diverse share register. However, smaller company investment trusts are likely to have some discount as a result of the relative illiquidity of the underlying assets.   During the period under review no shares were bought back by the company.

The Board have decided to pay an interim dividend of 3.0p per share. This reflects the strong growth in the dividend payments from our portfolio companies as well as the change in accounting policy to charge a proportion of our expenses to capital. It is currently the Board's intention to at least maintain the final dividend which was 6.5p for the year ended 31 May 2013.

Jamie Cayzer-Colvin

Chairman

31 January 2014

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business can be divided into the following main areas:

• Investment activity and strategy

• Accounting, legal and regulatory

• Corporate governance and shareholder relations

• Operational risk

• Financial instruments and management of risk

Information on these risks and how they are managed is given in the Annual Report. In the view of the Board these principal risks and uncertainties are as applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their 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 interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

c)  the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein).

For and on behalf of the Board

Jamie Cayzer-Colvin

Chairman

 31 January 2014

FUND MANAGER'S REVIEW

Half-Year ended 30 November 2013

Market Review

Six months to 30 November 2013

The period under review was a positive one for equity markets. Markets were boosted by an acceleration in UK economic growth which exceeded most commentators' expectations. The Eurozone crisis faded, whilst China, after looking like it was set for a sharp slowdown, saw signs of stabilisation.  The US, after politicians prevaricated over the debt ceiling and budget deficit, came back on track. The major concern for equity markets was the likelihood of the Federal Reserve reducing the scale of its quantitative easing programme, but central banks globally kept policies in place which were positive for economic growth. There was also evidence that asset allocators continued to re-direct money towards equities, on the view that equities looked good value compared to other asset classes.

Smaller companies materially outperformed larger companies over the period. This was driven principally by the superior earnings growth that smaller companies have delivered over the last year plus increased risk appetite from investors.

Fund Performance

The Company outperformed the benchmark in the period. The net asset value rose 14.5%, on a total return basis. This compares to a rise of 14.4% (total return) from our benchmark, the Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding investment companies). The out-performance was due to the positive effect of gearing in the Company.

Attribution Analysis

The table below shows the top five contributors to and the bottom five detractors from the Company's relative performance. Some of the following stocks are included in the benchmark index but not held by the Company. These have an effect on relative performance

Top Five contributors to relative performance	6 month return %	Relative contribution %
Clinigen	+106.0	+0.5
WS Atkins	+55.8	+0.5
Interserve	+35.3	+0.3
KSK Power Ventur*	-59.7	+0.3
NCC Group	+54.2	+0.2
Top Five detractors from relative performance	6 month return %	Relative contribution %
Oxford Instruments	-10.0	-0.6
Anite	-30.3	-0.4
Premier Oil	-13.4	-0.3
Ocado*	+50.5	-0.3
BTG*	+54.7	-0.3
* in benchmark index but not owned by the Company

Principal Contributors

Clinigen is a specialist pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical services business; WS Atkins is a leading international engineering consultancy; Interserve is an international construction, support services and specialist equipment rental group; KSK Power Ventur is a power company based in India; and NCC Group is a provider of independent escrow and information security assurance services.

Principal Detractors

Oxford Instrumentsis a manufacturer of high technology instrumentation for the research industry; Anite is a software provider to the telecom industry; Premier Oil is an international oil and gas exploration and development company; Ocado is an on-line food retailer; and BTG is a speciality pharmaceutical business.

Portfolio Activity

Our approach is to consider our investments as long term in nature and to avoid unnecessary turnover. The focus has been on adding stocks to the portfolio that have good growth prospects, sound financial characteristics and strong management, at a valuation level that does not reflect these strengths. Likewise we have been employing strong sell disciplines to cut out stocks that fail to meet these criteria.

In the period we have added to a number of positions in our portfolio and increased exposure to those stocks we feel are set to improve or will continue with strong performance.

New additions to the portfolio include Dixons, the electrical retailer, Qinetiq, the defence services and products business, UTV Media, the radio and TV operator, CLS, a property investor, Servelec, an IT software provider to the health market and a provider of critical systems to the oil and gas industry, N Brown, a catalogue, on-line and store clothing retailer and Go-Ahead, a bus and rail operator.

To balance these additions to our portfolio we have disposed of positions in companies which we felt were set for poor price performance or where the valuation had become extended, including the holdings in Premier Farnell, Kenmare Resources, Ophir Energy, Providence Resources and RPS.

Market Outlook

The period under review has seen equity markets perform strongly helped by more positive economic tailwinds. These tailwinds remain in place and on balance the global economic situation continues to improve.

The equity market, and particularly small and mid-caps, has enjoyed two very strong years of performance. With little earnings growth generated by the corporate sector over this period there has been a major re-rating of equity valuations. One could argue the equity market has gone from being cheap to more fairly rated and is now more in line with long term averages. To see the market make further progress, we need to see earnings growth accelerate, a situation, with improving economic conditions, we believe is likely to happen.

Balance sheets are strong and dividends are growing. Mergers and acquisition activity in 2013 has been exceptionally quiet. However as corporate confidence continues to improve, M&A will increase, especially as little or no return can currently be generated from cash and debt costs are historically low. This is a trend which will help smaller companies in particular as M&A activity tends to be focused in this area.

In this environment and with a positive perspective on likely future returns from our portfolio we retain some gearing which stood at 9.9% at 30 November 2013 and remains broadly unchanged.

In conclusion, the period under review has been a positive one for the equity market. Relative and absolute performance was strong and our portfolio companies have, overall, performed robustly. Our investments are generally trading well, are soundly financed and attractively valued. Additionally, the small cap market continues to throw up exciting growth opportunities in which the Company can invest.

Neil Hermon

Fund Manager

 31 January 2014

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

at 30 November 2013

	Valuation £'000	% of Portfolio			Valuation £'000	% of Portfolio
Taylor Wimpey	13,832	2.76		Ultra Electronic	5,804	1.16
Bellway	13,699	2.73		Greene King	5,799	1.16
Spectris	13,382	2.67		SIG	5,641	1.13
Informa	12,209	2.43		Clinigen*	5,638	1.12
Interserve	12,015	2.39		Laird	5,492	1.09
Ashtead	10,919	2.17		HellermannTyton	5,430	1.08
e2v Technologies	10,850	2.16		NCC Group	5,427	1.08
Paragon	10,794	2.15		Carphone Warehouse	5,288	1.05
WS Atkins	10,752	2.14		Premier Oil	5,141	1.02
Senior	10,157	2.02		Fidessa	5,071	1.01
	----------	----------			----------	----------
Ten largest	118,609	23.62		Forty largest	321,515	64.03
Thomas Cook	9,907	1.97		NMC Health	5,050	1.01
Howden Joinery	9,660	1.92		RWS*	5,019	1.00
Oxford Instruments	9,045	1.80		Balfour Beatty	5,016	1.00
Grainger	9,035	1.80		Capital & Regional	4,831	0.96
Intermediate Capital	8,925	1.78		Dunelm	4,815	0.96
Victrex	8,915	1.78		Afren	4,724	0.94
Rotork	7,668	1.53		Ted Baker	4,684	0.93
Domino Printing	7,568	1.51		Hunting	4,589	0.92
Essentra	7,212	1.44		Countrywide	4,428	0.88
Playtech	7,000	1.39		ITE	4,361	0.87
	----------	----------			----------	----------
Twenty largest	203,544	40.54		Fifty largest	369,032	73.50
Northgate	6,930	1.38		Perform	4,265	0.85
Restaurant Group	6,886	1.37		Aveva	4,187	0.83
Jupiter Fund Management	6,478	1.29		Synergy Health	4,134	0.82
Renishaw	6,375	1.27		Qinetiq	4,078	0.81
LSL Property Services	6,278	1.25		Anite	3,963	0.79
Euromoney Institutional Investor	6,277	1.25		St Mowden Properties	3,890	0.78
Kentz	6,258	1.25		Dixons	3,855	0.77
Fenner	6,044	1.20		Hyder Consulting	3,843	0.77
Hays	5,890	1.17		Tyman*	3,782	0.75
AZ Electronic Materials	5,824	1.16		Shaftesbury	3,699	0.74
	----------	----------			----------	----------
Thirty largest	266,784	53.13		Sixty largest	408,728	81.41
					----------	----------
				Remaining 42	93,342	18.59
					----------	----------
				Total	502,070	100.00
					======	======
* listed on the Alternative Investment Market

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the half-year ended 30 November 2013

	(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2013			(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2012			(Audited) Year ended 31 May 2013
	Revenue return	Capital return	Total	Revenue return	Capital return	Total	Revenue return	Capital return	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Investment income	5,156	-	5,156	3,574	-	3,574	8,447	-	8,447
Other income	53	-	53	85	-	85	158	-	158
Gains on investments held at fair value through profit or loss	-	55,348	55,348	-	49,249	49,249	-	125,057	125,057
	---------	----------	--------	----------	----------	----------	---------	----------	--------
Total income	5,209	55,348	60,557	3,659	49,249	52,908	8,605	125,057	133,662
Expenses
Management and Performance fee	(228)	(599)	(827)	(563)	(1,171)	(1,734)	(1,206)	(2,000)	(3,206)
Other expenses	(253)	-	(253)	(230)	-	(230)	(489)	-	(489)
	---------	----------	--------	---------	----------	----------	---------	----------	--------
Net return before finance costs and taxation	4,728	54,749	59,477	2,866	48,078	50,944	6,910	123,057	129,967
Finance costs	(365)	(850)	(1,215)	(1,091)	-	(1,091)	(2,235)	-	(2,235)
	---------	----------	--------	---------	----------	----------	---------	----------	--------
Net return before taxation	4,363	53,899	58,262	1,775	48,078	49,853	4,675	123,057	127,732
Taxation	-	-	-	-	-	-	(14)	-	(14)
	---------	----------	--------	---------	----------	----------	---------	----------	--------
Net return for the period and total comprehensive income	4,363	53,899	58,262	1,775	48,078	49,853	4,661	123,057	127,718
	=====	======	=====	=====	======	======	=====	======	=====
Return per ordinary share (note 3)	5.84p	72.15p	77.99p	2.38p	64.35p	66.73p	6.24p	164.72p	170.96p
	=====	======	=====	=====	======	======	=====	======	=====

The total column of this statement represents the Company's Statement of Comprehensive Income, prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.  The revenue return and capital return columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

	(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2013
	Called up share capital		Capital  redemption reserve		Other capital reserves		Revenue reserve		Total
	£'000		£'000		£'000		£'000		£'000
Total equity at 31 May 2013	18,676		26,745		347,087		10,912		403,420
Total comprehensive income:    Profit for the period					53,899		4,363		58,262
Transactions with owners,   recorded directly to equity:
Ordinary dividend paid							(4,856)		(4,856)
Buyback of ordinary shares
	----------		----------		----------		--------		-----------
Total equity at 30 November 2013	18,676		26,745		400,986		10,419		456,826
	======		======		======		=====		======
	(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2012
	Called up share capital	Capital  redemption reserve		Other capital reserves		Revenue reserve		Total
	£'000	£'000		£'000		£'000		£'000
Total equity at 31 May 2012	18,686	26,735		224,150		10,355		279,926
Total comprehensive income:   (Loss)/profit for the period	-	-		48,078		1,775		49,853
Transactions with owners,   recorded directly to equity:
Ordinary dividend paid	-	-		-		(4,105)		(4,105)
Buyback of ordinary shares	(10)	10		(120)		-		(120)
	----------	----------		----------		--------		-----------
Total equity at 30 November 2012	18,676	26,745		272,108		8,025		325,554
	======	======		======		=====		======
	(Audited) Year ended 31 May 2013
	Called up share capital	Capital  redemption reserve		Other capital reserves		Revenue  reserve		Total
	£'000	£'000		£'000		£'000		£'000
Total equity at 31 May 2012	18,686	26,735		224,150		10,355		279,926
Total comprehensive income:    Profit for the year	-	-		123,057		4,661		127,718
Transactions with owners,    recorded directly to equity:   Ordinary dividend paid	-	-		-		(4,104)		(4,104)
Buyback of ordinary shares	(10)	10		(120)		-		(120)
	----------	----------		----------		---------		----------
Total equity at 31 May 2013	18,676	26,745		347,087		10,912		403,420
	======	======		======		=====		======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

BALANCE SHEET

at 30 November 2013

	(Unaudited) 30 November 2013	(Unaudited) 30 November 2012	(Audited) 31 May 2013
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Non current assets
Investments held at fair value through   profit or loss	502,070	350,175	436,659
	-----------	-----------	----------
Current assets
Securities sold for future settlement	-	1,957	580
Taxation recoverable	22	35	14
Prepayments and accrued income	672	601	1,437
Cash and cash equivalents	818	201	2,595
	-----------	----------	----------
	1,512	2,794	4,626
	----------	----------	----------
Total assets	503,582	352,969	441,285
	-----------	----------	----------
Current liabilities
Securities purchased for future settlement	(2,381)	(142)	(197)
Performance fee	(67)	(1,171)	(2,000)
Accruals and deferred income	(154)	(88)	(133)
Bank loans	(24,150)	(6,010)	(15,531)
	-----------	----------	----------
	(26,752)	(7,411)	(17,861)
	-----------	----------	----------
Total assets less current liabilities	476,830	345,558	423,424
Non current liabilities	(20,004)	(20,004)	(20,004)
	-----------	----------	----------
Net assets	456,826	325,554	403,420
	======	======	======
Equity attributable to equity shareholders
Called up share capital (note 5)	18,676	18,676	18,676
Capital redemption reserve	26,745	26,745	26,745
Retained earnings:
Capital reserves	400,986	272,108	347,087
Revenue reserve	10,419	8,025	10,912
	-----------	----------	----------
Total equity	456,826	325,554	403,420
	======	======	======
Net asset value per ordinary share (note 6)	611.5p	435.8p	540.0p
	======	======	======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

for the half-year ended 30 November 2013

	(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2013	(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2012	(Audited) Year ended 31 May 2013
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities  (note 7)	(5,540)	4,246	(2,882)
	----------	----------	----------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before use of financing	(5,540)	4,246	(2,882)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities	3,763	(4,315)	5,207
	----------	----------	----------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash   and cash equivalents	(1,777)	(69)	2,325
Cash and cash equivalents at the start   of the period	2,595	270	270
	----------	--------	----------
Cash and cash equivalents at the period end	818	201	2,595
	=====	=====	=====
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.	Accounting policies - basis of preparation The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc ('the Company') is a company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 May 2013 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. These comprise standards and interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB'), together with interpretations of the International Accounting Standards and Standing Interpretations Committee approved by the International Financial Reporting Standards Committee ('IFRSC') that remain in effect, to the extent that IFRS have been adopted by the European Union. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and on the historical cost basis, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. Where presentational guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice ('the SORP') for investment trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies ('the AIC') in January 2009 is consistent with the requirements of IFRS, the directors have sought to prepare the financial statements on a basis consistent with the recommendations of the SORP.
2.	Expenses Expenses, finance costs and taxation for the period included a performance fee provision of £67,000 in respect of the Company's outperformance relative to its benchmark over the six months to 30 November 2013 (30 November 2012: £1,171,000). The provision was charged 100% to capital.  The actual performance fee, if any, payable to the Manager for the year to 31 May 2014 will depend on outperformance over the full financial year, subject to a cap on the total fees paid to the Manager of 1% of the average value of the net assets of the Company during the year. Details of the performance fee arrangements are set out in the Company's 2013 Annual Report. As from 1 June 2013, 70% of management fees and finance costs are charged to capital.
3.	Earnings per ordinary share The earnings per ordinary share figure is based on the net profit for the half-year of £58,262,000 (half-year ended 30 November 2012: £49,853,000; year ended 31 May 2013: £127,718,000) and on 74,701,796 (half-year ended 30 November 2012: 74,708,900; year ended 31 May 2013: 74,705,358) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. The earnings per ordinary share figure detailed above can be further analysed between revenue and capital, as below.
		(Unaudited) 30 November 2013 £'000			(Unaudited) 30 November 2012 £'000		(Audited) 31 May 2013 £'000
	Net revenue profit	4,363			1,775		4,661
	Net capital profit	53,899			48,078		123,057
		-----------			-----------		-----------
	Net total profit	58,262			49,853		127,718
		======			======		======
	Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period	74,701,796			74,708,900		74,705,358
		Pence			Pence		Pence
	Revenue profit per ordinary share	5.84			2.38		6.24
	Capital profit per ordinary share	72.15			64.35		164.72
		---------			---------		---------
	Total profit per ordinary share	77.99			66.73		170.96
		=====			=====		=====
4.	Dividends The Board has declared an interim dividend of 3.0p (2012: nil) to be paid on 7 March 2014  to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 14 February 2014. The ex dividend date will be 12 February 2014. No provision has been made for the interim dividend in these condensed financial statements. The final dividend of 6.5p per ordinary share, paid on 11 October 2013, in respect of the year ended 31 May 2013, has been recognised as a distribution in the period.
5.	Called up share capital At 30 November 2013 there were 74,701,796 ordinary shares in issue (30 November 2012: 74,701,796; 31 May 2013: 74,701,796).  During the half-year ended 30 November 2013 the Company bought no ordinary shares in the market for cancellation (half-year ended 30 November 2012:40,000; year ended 31 May 2013: 40,000). The cost of the share buy-backs, including stamp duty, amounted to nil (half-year ended 30 November 2012: £120,000; year ended 31 May 2013: £120,000). No further shares have been bought back since the period end.
6.	Net asset value per ordinary share The net asset value per ordinary share is based on the net assets attributable to the equity shareholders of £456,826,000 (30 November 2012: £325,554,000; 31 May 2013: £403,420,000) and on 74,701,796 (30 November 2012: 74,701,796; 31 May 2013: 74,701,796) ordinary shares, being the number of ordinary shares in issue at the period end.
7.	Reconciliation of the profit/(loss) before taxation to the net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities
				(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2013		(Unaudited) Half-year ended 30 November 2012		(Audited) Year ended 31 May 2013
				£'000		£'000		£'000
	Profit before taxation			58,262		49,853		127,732
	Gains on investments held   at fair value through profit or loss			(55,348)		(49,249)		(125,057)
	Increase in purchases for future    settlement creditor			2,184		142		197
	Decrease/(increase) in sales for   future settlement debtor			580		(1,957)		(580)
	Net (purchases)/sales of investments			(10,063)		3,407		(7,269)
	Decrease in other receivables			775		902		98
	Increase in other debtors			(10)		(10)		(42)
	(Decrease)/increase in accruals			(1,912)		1,165		2,039
	Taxation on investment income			(8)		(7)		-
				---------		---------		---------
				(5,540)		4,246		(2,882)
				=====		=====		=====
8.	Transaction costs Purchase transaction costs for the half-year ended 30 November 2013 were £232,000 (half-year ended 30 November 2012: £158,000; year ended 31 May 2013: £350,000). These comprise mainly stamp duty and commission.  Sale transaction costs for the half-year ended 30 November 2013 were £45,000 (half-year ended 30 November 2012: £39,000; year ended 31 May 2013: £85,000).
9.	Going concern The directors consider that it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.  The assets of the Company consist almost entirely of securities that are readily realisable and, accordingly, the Company has adequate financial resources to continue in existence for the foreseeable future.
10.	Related Party Transactions During the first six months of the current financial year, no transactions with related parties have taken place which have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Company during the period. Details of related party transactions are contained in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2013.
11.	Comparative information The financial information contained in this half-yearly financial report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.  The financial information for the half-years ended 30 November 2013 and 30 November 2012 has not been audited. The information for the year ended 31 May 2013 has been extracted from the statutory accounts for that year, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.  The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified and contained no statement under either section 498(2) or section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
12.	General Information a)   Investment Objective and Benchmark The Company's investment objective is to maximise shareholders' total returns by investing mainly in smaller companies that are quoted in the United Kingdom. The benchmark is the Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding investment companies). b) Company Status The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is registered in England and Wales No. 25526, has its registered office at 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The SEDOL number is 0906506. The London Stock Exchange (EPIC) Code is HSL. c) Directors and Secretary The Directors of the Company are Jamie Cayzer-Colvin (Chairman of the Board), Beatrice Hollond (Chairman of the Audit Committee), David Lamb, Keith Percy (Senior Independent Director) and Mary Ann Sieghart. The Secretary is Henderson Secretarial Services Limited, represented by Rachel Peat ACIS. d) Website Details of the Company's share price and net asset value, together with general information about the Company, monthly factsheets and data, profiles of the Board, copies of announcements, reports and details of general meetings can be found at www.hendersonsmallercompanies.com
13.	Financial Report for the half-year ended 30 November 2013 The Half-Year Report will shortly be available in typed format on the Company's website or from the Company's registered office. An abbreviated version, the 'Update', will be circulated to shareholders in February and will be available from the Secretary at the Company's Registered Office, 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE.

- END -

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

 

END

 

 

IR GMGFMKMKGDZM