Final Results

RNS Number : 5178M

Hermes Pacific Investments PLC

22 September 2021

 

22 September 2021

HERMES PACIFIC INVESTMENTS PLC

(AIM:HPAC)

Final results for the year ended 31 March 2021

Hermes Pacific Investments Plc today reports its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2021

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to report the results of Hermes Pacific Investments Plc ("HPAC" or the "Company") for the year ended 31 March 2021. During the year, the Company had no revenues as it does not have any operating business and the Company made a loss of £106,000, which is higher than the loss of £94,000 reported for the previous financial year. We continue our focus to minimise our costs whilst we are looking for opportunities to deploy our cash. At the financial year end the Company had net assets of £3,554,000.

Review of the Company's Activities

The Company is an investing company and has previously made some investments in line with its investing policy in companies involved in financial activities within the emerging market sector. These investments have performed in line with our expectations. We are in a good position from a Balance Sheet perspective and our cash balance as at 31 March 2021 stands at £3.395 million. During the year we have continued to evaluate possible suitable opportunities to deploy our cash resources but have not found any deal that met our criteria. Our total comprehensive loss for the year was £55,000 compared to a loss of £133,000 for the previous financial year. The deficit is lower this year compared to last year as there was a gain of £51,000 on investments held by the Company.

Stock markets overall have performed well in the last year driven by rapid successful vaccinations in many countries and recovering economies and this has resulted in some lofty valuations. The stronger than expected recovery in the economy has raised fears of inflation rising. Inflation is certainly a big risk factor threatening a continuation of the rally in equities that we have seen. Recent trading updates from companies have mentioned inflation as a key risk. Some economists argue that the current factors affecting rising inflation are likely to be transitory and that conditions for a longer-term regime shift in inflation aren't in place. Whilst inflation has been low for a while it could quickly turn around. This could then force the hand of central banks use their interest rate levers that would launch major economies on a potentially painful rate hike spiral.

John Berry stepped down from the board on 28 February 2021. On behalf of the board I would like to thank John Berry for 9 years of service to the company and his significant contributions to the company. We would like to wish John Berry well for the future.

The Company continues to seek attractive investment opportunities that will enhance the shareholder value while minimising the downside risks.

Outlook

We have a strong balance sheet and cash resources that place us in a strong position to exploit investment opportunities as they arise.

Haresh Kanabar

Chairman

22 September 2021

Contacts
Hermes Pacific Investments Plc	www.hermespacificinvestments.com
Haresh Kanabar, Non-Executive Chairman	Tel:  +44 (0)  207 290 3340
WH Ireland Limited ( Nominated Adviser & Broker)	www.whirelandcb.com
Mike Coe/ Chris Savidge	Tel: [phone]

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 31 March 2021

		Year ended 31 March	Year ended 31 March
	Note	2021	2020
		£'000	£ '000
Continuing operations
Revenue		-	-
Cost of sales		-	-
g ross profit		-	-
Other operating income		-	-
Administrative expenses	3	(114)	(113)
Operating loss		(114)	(113)
Finance income		8	19
Finance costs		-	-
Loss on ordinary activities before tax		(106)	(94)
Tax expense	7	-	-
L oss for the year from continuing activities		(106)	(94)
Discontinued operations
Loss for the year from discontinued operations		-	-
L oss for the year		(106)	(94)
Other comprehensive income Gain/(losses) arising in the year on investments Total comprehensive loss for the year		51 (55)	(39) (133)
Basic and diluted loss per share
From continuing operations	8	(4.5)p	(4.0)p

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2021

		As at 31 March	As at 31 March
		2021	2020
	Notes	£'000	£'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Investments	9	173	123
		173	123
Current assets
Trade and other receivables	11	9	9
Cash and cash equivalents	10	3,395	3,506
		3,404	3,515
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	12	(23)	(29)
		(23)	(29)
Net current assets		3,381	3,486
NET ASSETS		3,554	3,609
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Issued share capital	13	3,576	3,576
Share premium account		5,781	5,781
Share based payments reserve Fair value reserve		139   1	139   (50)
Retained earnings		(5,943)	(5,837)
TOTAL EQUITY		3,554	3,609

Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 March 2021

	Note	Year ended 31 March 2021	Year ended 31 March 2020
		£'000	£'000
Cash flows from operating activities	15	(119)	(109)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of investments		-	-
Income from disposal of subsidiary undertakings		-	-
Investment income		8	19
Net cash (used in)/from investing activities		8	19
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds of share issues Other operating activities		- -	- -
Net cash from financing activities		-	-
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(111)	(90)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period	10	3,506	3,596
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	10	3,395	3,506

Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 March 2021

	Ordinary share capital	Deferred share capital	Share premium	Share based payments reserve	Retained earnings	Revaluation reserve	Total
At 1 April 2019	2,333	1,243	5,781	139	(5,743)	(11)	3,742
Total comprehensive loss/profit for the period	-	-	-	-	(94)	(39)	(133)
At 1 April 2020	2,333	1,243	5,781	139	(5,837)	(50)	3,609
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-	-	-	-	(106)	51	(55)
At 31 March 2021	2,333	1,243	5,781	139	(5,943)	1	3,554

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021

1.  General information

Hermes Pacific Investments Plc is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. The nature of the company's operations and its principal activities are set out in the Directors' Report on page 4.

Statement of compliance

The Group financial statements were prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

At the date of approval of these financial statements, various Standards and Interpretations affecting the Company, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue, but not yet effective (and in some cases had not been adopted by the EU). The Directors have considered these new standards and interpretations and do not expect them to have a material impact on the company.

2.  Accounting policies

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the company's financial statements.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as, after making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future at the time of approving the financial statements.  The outbreak of Covid 19 which has spread globally does not have any impact on our going concern status as we have sufficient cash to fund our activities in the foreseeable future.

Critical accounting estimates and judgments

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of the company's accounting policies with respect to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting year. The judgements, estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, including current and expected economic conditions. Although these judgements, estimates and associated assumptions are based on management's best knowledge of current events and circumstances, the actual results may differ. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis.  Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the year in which the estimate is revised and in any future years affected.

Management have not made any material estimates or judgements that may result in a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation is provided in full using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised, or the deferred tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short term highly liquid funds with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts.

Investments

The company carries its investments at fair value.  Gains and losses are either recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income. For investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on whether the company has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are measured at cost less any provision necessary when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are measured at original invoice amount.

3.  Operating loss

		Year ended  31 March 2021		Year ended  31 March 2020
		£'000		£'000
	The operating loss is stated after charging the following, included in administrative expenses:
	Staff costs	43		44
	Other admin costs	71		69
		114		113

4.  Auditors' remuneration

		Year ended  31 March 2021		Year ended  31 March 2020
		£'000		£'000
	Audit fees:
	- statutory audit of the accounts	12		12
		12		12

5.  Directors' emoluments

		Year ended  31 March 2021		Year ended  31 March 2020
		£'000		£'000
	Emoluments for qualifying services:
	H Kanabar	22		22
	J Berry	9		10
	J Morton	12		12
		43		44

6.  Employees and staff costs

The company has no employees. Staff costs comprises payments made in respect of services provided by the directors. 

7.  Taxation

		Year ended  31 March 2021		Year ended 31 March 2020
		£'000		£'000
	Continuing operations:
	Current tax charge	-		-
	Adjustment in respect of prior years	-		-
	Current tax credit	-		-
	Factors affecting the tax charge for the period
	Loss from continuing operations before taxation	(106)		(94)
	Loss from continuing operations before taxation multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax of 19% (2020: 19%)	(20)		(18)
	Effects of:
	Temporary timing differences	-		-
	Non deductible expenses	-		-
	Depreciation in excess of capital allowances	-		-
	Unutilised tax losses	20		18
	Current tax charge	-		-

The company has approximately £4m (2020: £3.9m) of trading losses to carry forward and offset against future trading profits

8.  Loss per share

		Year ended  31 March 2021		Year ended  31 March 2020
	Basic
	Loss from continuing activities (£'000)	(106)		(94)
		(106)		(94)
	Number of shares	2,333,295		2,333,295
	Basic loss per share (p)
	From continuing operations	(4.5)p		(4.0)p
		(4.5)p		(4.0)p

9.  Investments

					Investments
					£'000
	Cost or valuation
	Brought forward Fair value movement				123 50
	At 31 March 2021				173

The directors have elected to hold the investments at fair value through OCI as it is their intention to hold these for the long term

10.  Cash and cash equivalents 

					2021	2020
					£'000	£'000
	Cash at bank and in hand				3,395	3,506
					3,395	3,506

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts include the following for the purposes of the cash flow statement:

					2021	2020
					£'000	£'000
	Cash and cash equivalents				3,395	3,506
					3,395	3,506

11.  Trade and other receivables

					2021	2020
					£'000	£'000
	Other receivables				9	9
					9	9

12.  Trade and other payables

					2021	2020
					£'000	£'000
	Trade payables				8	11
	Accruals and deferred income				15	18
					23	29

13.  Share capital

		2021	2020
		£'000	£'000
	Issued and fully paid
	2,333,295 ordinary shares of 100p each	2,333	2,333
	13,079,850 deferred shares of 9.5p each	1,243	1,243
		3,576	3,576

All ordinary shares rank equally in respect of shareholders' rights.

The deferred shares have no voting and dividend rights. On winding up of the company, they will be entitled to the nominal value only after all ordinary shareholders receive the nominal value of their shares plus £10m per share.

As at 31 March 2021and 31 March 2020 the authorised share capital was 3,500,000 ordinary shares of 100p and 200,000,000 deferred shares of 9.5p.

14.  Financial Instruments

Financial risk management

The company's activities expose the company to a number of risks including credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk.  The Board manages these risks through a risk management programme. The fair value of the company's assets and liabilities at 31 March 2021 are not materially different from their book value.

		2021	2020
		£'000	£'000
Financial assets at fair value  through other comprehensive income		173	123
		173	123

The fair value measured is categorised within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

	Financial assets at amortised cost		2021	2020
			£'000	£'000
	Loan and receivables:
	Trade and other receivables		9	9
	Cash and cash equivalents		3,395	3,506
			3,404	3,515
	Financial liabilities at amortised cost		2021	2020
			£'000	£'000
Trade and other payables			23	29
			23	29

Credit risk

The company monitors credit risk on an on-going basis and manages risk by concentrating on trading and placing bank deposits with reliable counterparties. The company has no significant concentration of credit risk associated with trading counterparties. Credit risk predominantly arises from cash and cash equivalents. 

Interest rate risk

The company has interest bearing assets. Interest bearing assets comprise cash balances which earn interest at a variable rate. The financial liabilities in the current year are all non-interest bearing. The company has not entered into derivatives transactions and has not traded in financial instruments during the period under review. The entire company's debt is non-interest bearing there would be no effect on the company if interest rates changed.

Liquidity risk

The company seeks to manage liquidity risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. All cash and cash equivalents are immediately accessible. 

Price risk

The company's exposure to equity securities price risk arises from investments held by the company and classified in the statement of financial position either as at fair value through other comprehensive income or at fair value through profit or loss. The risk is managed by regular reviews of the portfolio of investments held to ensure that exposure to price movements is within acceptable limits. 

The maturity dates of the company's financial instruments are shown below and are based on the period outstanding at the balance sheet date up to the contractual maturity date.

	Less than 6 months	Between 6 months and 1 year	Between 1 and 5 years	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
2021
Financial Assets
Variable interest rate instruments	3,395	-	-	3,395
Non-interest bearing	-	9	-	9
	3,395	9	-	3,404
Financial Liabilities
Non-interest bearing	23	-	-	23
	23	-	-	23

	Less than 6 months	Between 6 months and 1 year	Between 1 and 5 years	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
2020
Financial Assets
Variable interest rate instruments	3,506	-	-	3,506
Non-interest bearing	-	9	-	9
	3,506	9	-	3,515
Financial Liabilities Non-interest bearing	29	-	-	29
	29	-	-	29

15.  Cash flows from operating activities

	Year ended 31 March 2020	Year ended 31 March 2020
	£'000	£'000
Loss on ordinary activities before tax	(114)	(113)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	-	-
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital	(114)	(113)
Decrease in trade and other receivables	-	(8)
(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables	(5)	12
Cash flows from operating activities	(119)	(109)

16.  Related party transactions

Key Management Personnel and Director Transactions

A number of key management personnel, or their related parties, hold positions in other entities that result in them having control or significant influence over the financial and operating policies of these entities.

A number of these entities transacted with the company during the year. The terms and conditions of these transactions with key management personnel and their related parties were no more favourable than those available, or which might reasonably be expected to be available, on similar transactions to non-key management personnel related entities on an arm's length basis.

The aggregate value of transactions related to key management personnel and entities over which they have control or significant influence was £42,800 (2020: £43,600).

During the year, the company used the services of Poonam & Roshni Limited totalling £21,600 (2020: £21,600). H Kanabar is a director of both companies. No balance was outstanding at the year end (2020: Nil).

During the year the company used the services of John Berry Associates Limited totalling £9,000 (2020: £10,000). J Berry resigned on 28 February 2021 but was a director of both companies. No balance was outstanding at the year end (2020: Nil).

During the year the company used the services of Thirty Acre Stables totalling £12,000 (2020: £12,000). J Morton is the owner of that business. No balance was outstanding at the year end (2020: Nil).

The compensation of key management is as disclosed in the directors' emoluments note.

17.  Annual report

The Annual Report will be posted to shareholders shortly and will be available on the Company's website http://www.hermespacificinvestments.com. Copies will be available thereafter in hard copy format from the Company's registered office, 22 Great James Street, London WC1N 3ES.

 

END

 

 

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