Half-year Report

RNS Number : 4030X
RM Secured Direct Lending PLC
10 August 2018
 

RM SECURED DIRECT LENDING PLC

LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER ('LEI'): 213800RBRIYICC2QC958

HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

For the six months ended 30 June 2018

Investment objective

RM Secured Direct Lending plc (the 'Company') aims to generate attractive and regular dividends through investment in secured debt instruments of UK Small and Medium sized Enterprises ('SMEs'), and mid-market corporates and/or individuals including any loan, promissory notes, lease, bond, or preference share (such debt instruments, as further described in the prospectus, being 'Loans') sourced or originated by RM Capital Markets Limited (the 'Investment Manager') with a degree of inflation protection through index-linked returns where appropriate.

Financial information

 

 

Six months ended
30 June 2018

Gross Assets (£'000)2

                     £107,600

Net asset value ('NAV') per Ordinary Share - IFRS calculation (pence)

97.73

NAV per Ordinary Share - adjusted (pence)1,2

97.85

Ordinary Share price (pence)

101.50

Ordinary Share price premium to NAV2

3.73%

NAV per C Share - adjusted (pence)2,3

97.68

Entitlement per ZDP Share (pence)3

100.86

 

 

Performance summary

 

 

% change4,5

Total return (%) - NAV and dividends2

+2.98%

Total return (%) - Share price and dividends2

+3.60%

1 The difference between the adjusted and the IFRS calculated NAV of 97.73 pence is the time apportioned finance costs of the C Shares in issue at 30 June 2018.

2 These are Alternative Performance Measures ('APMs').

 

3 Based on the net assets attributable to the relevant share class as at 30 June 2018.

4 Total returns for the six months to 30 June 2018, including dividend reinvested.

5 Source: Bloomberg

 

     

Alternative Performance Measures ('APMs')

The disclosures as indicated in the footnote above are considered to represent the Company's APMs. Definitions of these and other APMs used in this half-year report, together with how these measures have been calculated can be found below.

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Introduction

On behalf of the Board of Directors (the 'Board'), I am pleased to report on a period of steady performance and continued growth for RM Secured Direct Lending plc (the 'Company') during the first half of 2018. During the period under review from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2018, the ordinary shares of the Company (the 'Ordinary Shares') generated a net asset value ('NAV') total return of 2.98% (dividends re-invested at NAV) and the Ordinary Share price has traded consistently at a modest premium to NAV.

The Company listed on the premium segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange on 15 December 2016, issuing 50,300,000 Ordinary Shares at a price of 100 pence per share and since then the Company has grown via a number of capital raises to now having 98,724,581 Ordinary Shares at the date of this report and Gross Assets of £107,600,000.

In March 2018, 30,000,000 C Shares were converted into Ordinary Shares. A further capital raise was undertaken, which closed in early April 2018, with the Company issuing 11,329,363 C Shares which subsequently converted into Ordinary Shares on 19 July 2018. At the time of the most recent capital raise, the Company sought to fix in some cost effective, 3 year debt funding and seek additional investors through the issuance of Zero Dividend Preference shares ('ZDPs') in RM ZDP plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which was established solely for the purpose of issuing the ZDPs.  On 3 April 2018, 10,869,950 ZDPs were issued at 100p. The ZDPs are listed on the standard segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and are admitted to trading to the main market of the London Stock Exchange. This issuance of ZDPs and the use of modest leverage will assist the Company in reaching its distribution target of 6.5 pence per Ordinary Share. The Company and RM ZDP plc collectively form the 'Group'. In order to facilitate this structural gearing and for it to be used for investment purposes, the Company's investment policy required amendment and the amended investment policy was approved by Shareholders at a general meeting of the Company held on 28 March 2018.

The Company was established to allow investors to participate in secured debt transactions. These investments are  typically secured over plant, property and equipment or business cash flows and are largely private in nature. The Investment Manager has reviewed a significant number of investment opportunities and I am glad to say has remained very focused on ensuring only those exhibiting the correct risk adjusted returns have been included within the portfolio. After a period of such tremendous growth for the Company, the Investment Manager is optimising the investment portfolio and seeking to maximise risk adjusted returns for investors ahead of seeking additional capital, markets conditions permitting, in the second half of the year.

Portfolio

At the half year end, the Ordinary Share portfolio has grown significantly to 30 debt investments totalling over £106 million which represented approximately 98% of the committed capital excluding the undrawn Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF').  There are some key takeaways from the portfolio statistics, the first being that during the six months to June 2018 there has been a steady rise in the number of investments linked to Libor from 39% to 55% of the portfolio, which is in line with the Investment Manager's desire to reduce duration risk within the portfolio, and not to take significant fixed rate exposure at this point of the interest rate cycle. The Investment Manager has positioned the Company's investments so that should interest rates start to move higher, investments linked to Libor will see an uptick in financial return for the Company. Secondly, the Investment Manager has increased the proportion of investments in the senior part of the capital structure, this has risen from 69% to 74%. The rationale for this adjustment reflects the Investment Manager's view around the overall economic environment, and the defensive nature of the Company. Investments in the senior part of the capital structure, on average, have higher recovery rates than that of investments in subordinated, holding company or mezzanine positions. Finally, investments are spread across 15 sectors which provides broad sector diversity and are consistent with the desire to spread risk. Other key statistics are that the average yield on investments is 8.27% and there is one US dollar investment and two euro denominated investments. These currency exposures are largely hedged back into sterling.

Overall, the theme has been to focus the portfolio on non-cyclical sectors and, therefore, the largest exposures are to Health and Social Care representing 16% and Asset Finance representing 14% of the loan portfolio. We expect this level of allocation to continue into the second half of 2018 as pipeline transactions are in the Health and Social Care sector, Social Infrastructure and additional asset finance funding opportunities.

NAV and share price performance

I am pleased to report a steady Ordinary Share price and NAV per Ordinary Share over the six months to June 2018, which is consistent with the aim of the Company to be an alternative income generating investment with lower correlation to the volatility seen in broader equity and bond markets. The Ordinary Shares have traded consistently at a premium to NAV since launch and the Ordinary Shares closed the half year at a 3.7% premium to the underlying NAV.

As at 30 June 2018, the Company had 87,415,374 Ordinary Shares in issue and the closing share price was 101.5 pence per share. The adjusted NAV per Ordinary Share was 97.85 pence.

As at 30 June 2018, the Company had 11,329,363 C Shares in issue and the closing share price was 101.5 pence per share. The net assets attributable per C Share was 97.68 pence.

Dividend

During the period, the Company paid a first interim dividend for the quarter to 31 March 2018 of 1.625p per Ordinary Share and on 7 August 2018, the Directors declared a second interim dividend of 1.625p per Ordinary Share which will be payable on 14 September 2018 to Shareholders on the register at the close of business on 17 August 2018.  Therefore, the Company's aggregate dividend in respect of the six month period is 3.25 pence per Ordinary Share. As a consequence of the C Share conversions which have taken place, a small proportion of the second interim dividend will be paid from capital.

Bank facility

The Company still has the use of a £10 million RCF with Oak North Bank. This will facilitate the tactical use of borrowings ahead of any known investment redemptions or capital raises. Currently this is undrawn and aside from the initial setup costs, there is no additional cost to maintaining the facility, unless utilised. The Company has a 20% leverage limit and the use of the bank facility combined with the ZDPs will always remain within this limit.

Outlook

During the first half of the year the Board, the Investment Manager, the AIFM and the Broker undertook a considerable amount of work in order to grow the Company's Gross Assets to be in excess of £100 million. This is broadly accepted as being the threshold whereby an investment trust is sufficiently large enough to allow most institutions to be able to invest.  There have been three successful additional capital raises since launch and it is now our intention to focus on the optimisation of the portfolio ahead of further growth. With this in mind, the Investment Manager is working on closing strategic transactions over the summer period, which will enhance the overall portfolio yield and allow exposure to lower yielding investments to be reduced.

The portfolio is well positioned to benefit from the recent Bank of England decision to increase interest rates by 0.25% to 0.75%. The rise in interest rates will see additional income flow through on the 55% of the portfolio which has GBP floating rate loan exposures and which do not have a Libor floor.  The Investment Manager has positioned the portfolio to benefit from any additional uptick in interest rates which still remain, in our view, below  sustainable levels for this point in the economic cycle.

An additional benefit of growing the assets of the Company to greater than £100 million is that a wider range of potential borrowers is approaching the Investment Manager. From this larger pool it is expected that RM will be in a position to select investments that enhance the positive metrics of the portfolio while also reducing incremental risk. Therefore, the Board would still like to see the Company grow during 2018, subject to market conditions. As such when the existing capital has been optimised the Company will likely be seeking further funding. Any increase in the Company size, given it is non-dilutive, has the additional benefit to all Shareholders of spreading the fixed costs over a larger capital base thus potentially helping to reduce the Company's ongoing charges ratio.

The Board is grateful for the support of Shareholders and is delighted to have such a broad investor base. We would also like to thank RM Funds and the other professional advisors for their hard work and support. The Board believes that engaging with Shareholders is very important and we, along with the Investment Manager are available to meet with Shareholders at any time. Please contact the Company's Broker, N+1 Singer Advisory LLP if you would like to organise a meeting. 

Norman Crighton

Chairman

9 August 2018

INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REPORT

Overview

During the period, RM Capital Markets Limited ('RM' or the 'Investment Manager') focused on making additional investments along with the monitoring and review of the existing portfolio. Expedient deployment of capital is paramount given any cash balances are a drag upon returns, however this will not be at the expense of rushing into transactions or a reduction of credit standards. The Company's Broker, N+1 Singer, has also worked hard alongside RM during the first half of the year in arranging investor updates and meetings. Feedback from investors on the progress of the Company has been supportive and positive.

The initial C Shares were issued in October 2017 and converted into Ordinary Shares during March 2018. Thereafter an additional capital raise was made in order to be able to invest in an identified pipeline of transactions. The result of this fourth capital raise was that £11.3 million new C Shares and £10.9 million ZDPs were issued in early April 2018. This second C Share raise converted into Ordinary Shares during July 2018 having been largely deployed by mid-June 2018.  The ZDPs offer cost effective term debt for the Company with a 3.5% Redemption Yield and a maturity profile which matches the first liquidity event for the Company in 2021. The Company still has the ability to draw upon its RCF which will assist with the making of investments ahead of any likely repayments or new capital raises, subject to being within the overall 20% Company leverage limit.

The half yearly target of a 3.25 pence dividend has been achieved and for the full current financial year the expectation is 6.5 pence as per the dividend target outlined in the latest prospectus. Despite volatility picking up globally in fixed income and equities the share price performance of the Company over the year has been stable, trading in a narrow range between 101 pence and 103 pence and at a premium of between 2-4% to NAV. This is consistent with the objective to be an alternative income product for investors which has low correlation to traditional equities and fixed income. RM purchased 92,214 Ordinary Shares in the Company during the period which represents half of the management fee earned and is in line with the commitment to investors made at the IPO. This takes the direct investment in the Company to 773,823 Ordinary Shares and including shares owned across the management team to in excess of 1,250,000 Ordinary Shares.  The Investment Manager feels this is the best way of demonstrating alignment with the interests of other Shareholders.

Market environment

The global equity markets have been more challenging during the first half of the year, with credit market weakness accelerating during May and June and the year so far has been characterised by an increase in volatility across asset classes. Equities have largely finished the first six months of the year in negative territory, credit indices are wider and UK government bond yields are marginally lower. The main market drivers of this have been the market starting to look forward to the unwinding of quantitative easing, the rise of populism within Europe post Italian elections, Brexit, a flattening US yield curve and concern with regards to the effect of any potential Trump trade war on global growth. Each one of these individually can give RM cause for serious concern given the potential negative impact on the market.

Looking forwards, these factors are unlikely to go away and it would appear that the next six months will bring more of the same with regards to volatility. On the domestic front the ongoing Brexit saga and any political fallout from the process will keep the market nervous and in addition to this, RM sees the same domestic themes continuing into 2019. This means pressure on consumer spending, which feeds into the high street.

Portfolio

RM has constructed a defensive portfolio given our caution around this market environment.  It was noted within the annual report for 2017 that the focus for the Investment Manager would be non-cyclical sectors due to long held concerns with regards to the consumer and the high street, given where we are within the economic cycle coupled with technological changes surrounding how people conduct their shopping. Furthermore, it was stated that exposure to Social Infrastructure would increase with a focus on Health and Social Care, given the physical nature of the assets supported by demographics which are largely not affected by the general business cycle or Brexit. RM is pleased to report that exposure within this area has increased to 16% and is likely to grow further when the next pipeline transaction closes. As previously noted, there are well known headwinds affecting this sector as staff costs are increasing and local government budgets come under pressure, however RM can source well-structured transactions with appropriate leverage supported by tangible security and stable cash flows which are attractive investments.

As at the period end, the Ordinary Share portfolio was fully deployed and the C share portfolio was 87% deployed. The average yield on investments of 8.27% is consistent with the general requirement to be in excess of 8%; however, RM will endeavour to increase the yields further over coming months during the optimisation phase. The C Shares converted during July 2018 to give an Ordinary Share class with a market capitalisation of circa £100 million. Current gross assets are circa £108 million and have the ability to be nearer £120 million should the RCF be drawn. The Company focuses on private debt and at the period end 81% of the investments are in private debt securities.

 

30 June 2018

 

Ordinary and C shares

 

 

Number of investments

30

Number of sectors

15

Weighted average life (years)

3.86

Net asset value (Ordinary Shares)

£85,537,000*

Net asset value per Ordinary Share (cum income)

97.85*

Net asset value (C Shares)

£11,066,000

Net asset value per C Share (cum income)

             97.68

 

 

Committed capital

£106,800,000

 

 

Average yield (on deployed cash)

8.27%

 

 

 

 

Senior secured / Junior secured

74% / 26%

Fixed / Floating or index-linked

45% / 55%

Private / Public investments

81% / 19%

 

      *Adjusted basis

Outlook

Despite this febrile market environment there are many reasons to be positive. The first and most important point is that low correlation to equities and fixed income should make the RMDL strategy appealing to investors given the visible and stable returns which have been historically generated and which are projected to continue into the future. Associated with this is that Secured Lending becomes very attractive as investors start seeking downside protection. Secondly, the Investment Manager continues to be able to source attractive deals as other avenues of financing start to dry up, (for borrowers) as risk appetite across the market diminishes.

The Investment Management team have a strong pipeline of opportunities to deploy capital into during the second half of 2018. As described previously the next transaction is likely to be in the Health and Social care sector where a strategic investment has been undergoing due diligence over the past two months and is expected to close early August 2018. In total, there is in excess of £40m of near term opportunities being reviewed including Health and Social Care, Asset Finance, Property and Hospitality. Finally, the RM team look forward to meeting with current and future investors during the second half of the year.

RM Capital Markets Limited

9 August 2018

 

PORTFOLIO

 

Ten largest holdings

As at 30 June 2018

 

 

 

 Valuation

 Percentage of

Business Activity

Security type

 £'000

 Gross Assets (%)

Asset finance

Loan investment

10,000

9.3

Advertising

Loan investment

8,458

7.9

Business services

Loan investment

6,813

6.3

Healthcare

Debt security instrument

6,503

6.0

Automotive parts manufacturing

Loan investment

6,385

5.9

Healthcare

Loan investment

5,905

5.5

Nurseries

Loan investment

5,051

4.7

Student accommodation

Loan investment

4,420

4.1

Forecourt operator

Loan investment

4,396

4.1

Telecommunications

Loan investment

4,195

3.9

Ten largest holdings

 

62,126

57.7

Other debt loan investments

 

12,479

Other debt security investments

 

24,561

22.8

Total holdings

 

99,166

92.1

Other assets*

 

8,451

7.9

Gross assets

 

107,617

100.0

*Based on the Company's consolidated gross assets attributable to all share classes, before deducting the values of the C Shares and ZDP Shares, treated as debt liabilities in accordance with IFRS.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

The Directors are required to provide an Interim Management Report in accordance with the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ('DTR'). The Directors consider that the Chairman's Statement and the Investment Manager's Report in this Half-yearly Report, the following statement on Related party transactions and the Statement of Directors' Responsibility below, together constitute the Interim Management Report for the Company for the six months ended 30 June 2018. The principal risks and uncertainties to the Group are unchanged from those disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2017.  The Group's outlook for the remaining six months of the financial year ending 31 December 2018 is discussed in the Chairman's Statement and Investment Manager's Report. 

 

Related party transactions

Details of the amounts paid to the Company's Investment Manager and the Directors during the period are disclosed in notes 5 and 12 to the Financial Statements.

 

Statement of Directors' Responsibility for the Half-Yearly Report

 

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

 

·     The condensed set of financial statements contained within the Half-Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

 

·     The Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the FCA's DTR.

 

 

Norman Crighton

Chairman of the Board of Directors

9 August 2018

 

CONDENSED Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the six months ended 30 June 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six months ended
30 June 2018 (Unaudited)

Period from 27 October 2016 to 30 June 2017 (Unaudited)

Period from 27 October 2016 to 31 December 2017 (Audited)

 

 

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Losses on investments

 

-  

(416)

(416)

-  

(376)

(376)

-  

(853)

(853)

Income

 

3,788

-  

3,788

806

-  

806

3,586

-  

3,586

Investment management fee

 

(424)

-  

(424)

(139)

-  

(139)

(370)

-  

(370)

Other expenses

 

(450)

(124)

(574)

(444)

-  

(444)

(777)

-  

(777)

Return before finance costs and taxation

 

2,914

(540)

2,374

223

(376)

(153)

2,439

(853)

1,586

Finance costs

 

(144)

(354)

(498)

(3)

-  

(3)

(32)

(174)

(206)

Return on ordinary activities before taxation

 

2,770

(894)

1,876

220

(376)

(156)

2,407

(1,027)

1,380

Taxation

 

(3)

-  

(3)

-  

-  

-  

(44)

44

-  

Return on ordinary activities after taxation

 

2,767

(894)

1,873

220

(376)

(156)

2,363

(983)

1,380

Return per Ordinary Share (pence)

 

4.03p

(1.30p)

2.73p

0.43p

(0.73p)

(0.30p)

4.35p

(1.81p)

2.54p

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

'Return on ordinary activities after taxation' is also the 'Total comprehensive income for the period'.

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

CONDENSED Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

 

As at 30 June 2018 (Unaudited)

As at 30 June 2017 (Unaudited)

As at 31 December 2017 (Audited)

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Fixed assets

 

 

 

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

 

99,166

42,299

76,957

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

1,472

352

1,069

Cash and cash equivalents

 

9,308

15,946

15,441

 

 

10,780

16,298

16,510

Payables: amounts falling due within one year

 

 

 

 

Payables

 

(2,376)

(2,687)

(7,624)

C Shares in issue

 

(11,176)

-  

(29,574)

Net current (liabilities)/assets

 

(2,772)

13,611

(20,688)

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Zero Dividend Preference Shares

 

(10,963)

-  

-  

Net assets

 

85,431

55,910

56,269

 

 

 

 

 

Capital and reserves: equity

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

874

573

573

Share premium

 

33,700

6,853

6,845

Special reserve

 

48,502

48,640

48,502

Capital redemption reserve

 

2,699

-

-

Capital reserve

 

(1,877)

(376)

(983)

Revenue reserve

 

1,533

220

1,332

Total shareholders' funds

 

85,431

55,910

56,269

 

 

 

 

 

NAV per share - Ordinary Shares - adjusted (pence)

 

97.85p

97.57p

98.59p

NAV per share - Ordinary Shares - IFRS calculation (pence)

 

97.73p

97.57p

98.20p

 

 

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

For the six months ended to 30 June 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

Share premium

Special reserve

Capital  redemption reserve

Capital reserve

Revenue reserve

Total

 

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Balance as at 1 January 2018

 

573

6,845

48,502

-

(983)

1,332

56,269

 

Return on ordinary activities

 

-

-

-

-

(894)

2,767

1,873

 

C Share conversion to Ordinary Shares

 

301

26,855

-

2,699

-

-

29,855

 

Dividend paid

 

-

-

-

-

-

(2,566)

(2,566)

 

Balance as at 30 June 2018

 

874

33,700

48,502

2,699

(1,877)

1,533

85,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the period from incorporation on 27 October 2016 to 30 June 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Share capital

Share premium

Special reserve

Capital  redemption reserve

Capital reserve

Revenue reserve

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Balance as at beginning of the period

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

Return on ordinary activities

 

-

-

-

-

(376)

220

(156)

 

Issue of Ordinary Shares

 

573

56,815

-

-

-

-

57,388

 

Transfer to Special reserve

 

-

(48,755)

48,755

-

-

-

-

 

Share issue costs

 

-

(1,207)

-

-

-

-

(1,207)

 

Dividend paid

 

-

-

(115)

-

-

-

(115)

 

Balance as at 30 June 2017

 

573

6,853

48,640

-

(376)

220

55,910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the period from incorporation on 27 October 2016 to 31 December 2017 (Audited)

 

 

 

Share capital

Share premium

Special reserve

Capital  redemption reserve

Capital reserve

Revenue reserve

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Balance as at beginning of the period

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

Return on ordinary activities

 

-

-

-

-

(983)

2,363

1,380

 

Issue of Ordinary Shares

 

573

56,815

-

-

-

-

57,388

 

Share issue costs

 

-

(1,215)

-

-

-

-

(1,215)

 

Transfer to Special reserve

 

-

(48,755)

48,755

-

-

-

-

 

Special reserve costs

 

-

-

(24)

-

-

-

(24)

 

Dividend paid

 

-

-

(229)

-

-

(1,031)

(1,260)

 

Balance as at 31 December 2017

 

573

6,845

48,502

-

(983)

1,332

56,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributable reserves comprise: the Revenue reserve, realised profits attributable to Capital reserve and Special reserve.

 

Share capital represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued. The Share premium includes any premiums received on the issue of share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from Share premium.

 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

                         

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2018

 

 

 

Six months ended
30 June 2018 (Unaudited)

Period from 27 October 2016 to 30 June 2017 (Unaudited)

Period from 27 October 2016 to 31 December 2017 (Audited)

 

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation*

 

2,374

(153)

1,586

 

Adjustment for losses on investments

 

416

230

844

 

Decrease/(increase) in debtors

 

403

(352)

(1,069)

 

Increase in creditors

 

88

2,687

691

 

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

3,281

2,412

2,052

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from investments

 

36,913

8,355

29,676

 

Purchase of investments

 

(65,375)

(50,884)

(100,617)

 

Net cash flow from investing activities

 

(28,462)

(42,529)

(70,941)

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs paid

 

(234)

(3)

-

 

Zero Dividend Preference share issue proceeds

 

10,870

-

-

 

Share issue proceeds

 

-

57,388

57,388

 

Share issue costs

 

-

(1,207)

(1,215)

 

C Share issue proceeds

 

11,329

-

30,000

 

C Share issue costs

 

(227)

-

(559)

 

Other costs charged to capital

 

(124)

-

-

 

Transfer to Special reserve costs

 

-

-

(24)

 

Equity dividends paid

 

(2,566)

(115)

(1,260)

 

Net cash flow from financing activities

 

19,048

56,063

84,330

 

(Decrease)/increase  in cash

 

(6,133)

15,946

15,441

 

Opening balance at beginning of the period

 

15,441

-

-

 

Balance as at 30 June 2018

 

9,308

15,946

15,441

 

*Cash inflow from interest on investment holdings was £3,326,000 (31 December 2017: £2,713,000). 

 

 

 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. General information

RM Secured Direct Lending plc (the 'Company') was incorporated in England and Wales on 27 October 2016 with registered number 10449530, as a closed-ended investment company. The Company commenced its operations on 15 December 2016. The Company is an investment trust within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 24 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

 

During the six months ended 30 June 2018, a wholly owned subsidiary was established.  RM ZDP plc ('ZDP Subsidiary') was incorporated in England and Wales on 21 February 2018, with registered number 11217952. The financial statements ('financial statements') include the results of RM Secured Direct Lending plc and RM ZDP plc. The Company and RM ZDP plc collectively form the 'Group'.

 

The Company's investment objective is to generate attractive and regular dividends through investment in secured debt instruments of UK SMEs and mid-market corporates and/or individuals including any loan, promissory notes, lease, bond or preference share sourced or originated by the Investment Manager with a degree of inflation protection through index-linked returns where appropriate.

 

2. Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ('DTRs') of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company as at and for the period ended 31 December 2017. The financial statements of the Company as at and for the period ended 31 December 2017 were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB').  The financial information for the period from incorporation on 27 October 2016 to 31 December 2017 in these interim financial statements has been extracted from the audited Annual Report and Accounts for that period.

 

When presentational guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice ('SORP') for Investment Companies issued by the Association of Investment Companies ('the AIC') in November 2014 and updated in February 2018 is consistent with the requirements of 'IFRS', the Directors have sought to prepare the financial statements on a basis compliant with the recommendations of the SORP.

 

Going concern

The Directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate operational resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.

 

Accounting policies

The accounting policies used by the Group in preparing these interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Company in its financial statements as at and for the period ended 31 December 2017.

 

The comparatives for the periods ended 30 June 2017 and 31 December 2017 relate to RM Secured Direct Lending plc as this was the only member of the Group in those periods.

 

3. INVESTMENT AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

 

 

 

As at
30 June 2018

As at 30 June 2017

As at 31 December 2017

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Financial assets held:

 

 

 

Debt securities and loan investments

99,166

42,299

76,957

 

99,166

42,299

76,957

 

4. INCOME

 

 

 

 

Six months ended
30 June 2018

Period from 27 October 2016 to 30 June 2017

Period from 27 October 2016 to 31 December 2017

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Income from investments

 

 

 

Bond and loan interest

3,382

754

2,834

Bank interest

4

17

20

Arrangement fees

171

-

142

Loan redemption fees

228

-

531

Other income

3

35

59

Total

3,788

806

3,586

 

5. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER EXPENSES

 

 

Six months ended
30 June 2018

Period from 27 October 2016 to 30 June 2017

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Expenses charged to revenue:

 

 

 

Investment management fees

424

139

370

Other adminstration charges

450

444

777

Total revenue expenses

874

583

1,147

 

 

 

 

Expenses charged to capital:

 

 

Prospectus issue and capital transaction costs

(124)

-

-

Total capital expenses

(124)

-

-

 

 

 

 

The Company's Investment Manager is RM Capital Markets Limited. The Investment Manager is entitled to receive a management fee payable monthly in arrears and is at a rate of one-twelfth of 0.5% if the Company's net assets are less than £75 million. If the Company's net assets are in excess of £75 million then they are entitled to receive a management fee one twelfth of 0.875% per calendar month of net assets payable a month in arrears. The combined net assets of Ordinary Shares, C Shares and ZDP Shares (if any in issue) are used as the basis of calculating the management fees.

 

There is no performance fee payable to the Investment Manager.

 

6. TAXATION

 

Six months ended 30 June 2018

Revenue

Capital

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Analysis of tax charge for the period:

 

 

 

Corporation tax

3

-

3

Total tax charge

3

-

3

             

7. Zero Dividend Preference ('ZDP') Shares

 

 

 As at
30 June 2018

 

 £'000

Opening balance

-

Issue proceeds of ZDP Shares

10,870

Accrued interest during the period

93

Closing balance

10,963

 

RM ZDP plc was incorporated for the sole purpose of issuing the ZDP Shares.  On 3 April 2018, 10,869,950 ZDP shares were issued and admitted to trading on the standard segment of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange. RM ZDP plc has made a loan of the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the ZDP Shares to the Company pursuant to the ZDP Loan Agreement between the Company and RM ZDP plc. RM ZDP plc's only material financial obligations are in respect of the ZDP Shares. Its only material assets are the ZDP Loan and the obligation of the Company, under the Undertaking between RM ZDP plc and the Company, to put RM ZDP plc in a position to meet its obligations in respect of the ZDP Shares and to pay its operating expenses.

 

The ZDP Shares are recorded as a liability in the consolidated Statement of Financial Position and are measured at amortised cost. Based on the share price of the ZDP Shares of 101.5p per ZDP Share at 30 June 2018, the fair value of the ZDP Shares was £11,033,000.

 

8. SHARE CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 30 June 2018

As at 30 June 2017

As at 31 December 2017

 

No. of Shares

£'000

No. of Shares

£'000

No. of Shares

£'000

Allotted, issued & fully paid:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares of 1 pence

87,415,374

874

57,300,000

573

57,300,000

573

C shares of 10 pence

11,329,363

1,133

-

-

30,000,000

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share movement

 

 

 

 

 

 

The table below sets out the share movement from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2018.

 

 

Opening balance

Shares issued

Share conversions

Shares in issue at
30  June 2018

 

 

Ordinary Shares

57,300,000

-

30,115,374

87,415,374

 

 

C Shares

30,000,000

11,329,363

(30,000,000)

11,329,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 16 March 2018, 30,000,000 C Shares were converted into 30,115,374 new Ordinary Shares of 1p each using the Conversion Ratio as calculated in accordance with the terms set out in the Company's Articles of Association. The Conversion Ratio of 1.00384581 Ordinary Shares of 1p each for each C Share was calculated by reference to the net asset value per share attributable to the Ordinary Shareholders of the Company and the C  Shareholders as at close of business on 28 February 2018. Based on the Conversion Ratio, a holder of 1,000 C Shares received 1,003 new Ordinary Shares upon Conversion.

The Ordinary Shares arising on Conversion rank pari passu with, and have the same rights as, the Ordinary Shares of the Company already in issue, including the right to receive dividends.

On 3 April 2018 11,329,363 C Shares were issued and allotted, raising gross proceeds of £11,329,363 pursuant to the Offer for Subscription, Initial Placing and Initial Intermediaries Offer of C Shares of 10 pence each at a issue price of 100 pence each.  These C Shares converted into 11,309,207 Ordinary Shares following the period end.  Therefore there are 98,724,581 Ordinary Shares in issue at the date of approval of these interim accounts.

                     

9. RETURN PER ORDINARY SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return per Ordinary Share is based on the gain on ordinary activities after taxation of £1,873,000.

 

Based on the weighted average of number of 68,614,063 (30 June 2017: 51,608,081; 31 December 2017: 54,349,738) Ordinary Shares in issue for the six months ended 30 June 2018, the returns per share were as follows:

 

Six months ended
30 June 2018

Period ended
30 June 2017

 

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

Return per Ordinary Share

4.03p

(1.30p)

2.73p

0.43p

(0.73p)

(0.30p)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period ended
31 December 2017

 

 

 

 

Revenue

Capital

Total

Return per Ordinary Share

 

 

 

4.35p

(1.81p)

2.54p

10. NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

The net asset value per share attributable to the Ordinary Shareholders at the period end were as follows:

 

 

Net Asset Value
 per share
30 June 2018

Net assets attributable
30 June 2018

Net Asset Value
 per share
30 June 2017

Net assets attributable
30 June 2017

 

 

(pence)

£'000

(pence)

£'000

 

Ordinary Share NAV

97.85

85,537

97.57

55,910

 

IFRS adjustment (Loss attributable to C Shares)

(0.04)

(33)

-

-

 

IFRS adjustment (C Share finance costs)

(0.08)

(73)

-

-

 

Ordinary Share NAV (IFRS calculation)

97.73

85,431

97.57

55,910

 

The net asset value per share is based on total Shareholders' funds of £85,537,000 (30 June 2017: £55,910,000), and on 87,415,374 (30 June 2017 and 31 December 2017: 57,300,000) Ordinary Shares in issue at the period end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value
 per share
31 December 2017

Net assets available
31 December 2017

 

 

 

 

(pence)

£'000

 

Ordinary Share NAV

 

 

98.59

56,490

 

Loss attributable to C Shares

 

 

(0.09)

(47)

 

IFRS adjustment (C Share finance costs)

 

 

(0.30)

(174)

 

Ordinary Share NAV (IFRS calculation)

 

 

98.20

56,269

 

The IFRS adjustment is in respect of the C Shares finance costs in relation to the classification of the C Shares as debt in accordance with IFRS requirements. The impact on the NAV reverses at conversion of the C Shares into Ordinary Shares.

 

 

11. DIVIDEND

 

 

 

 

 The Company's distributable reserves comprise: the Company's Revenue reserve, realised profits attributable to the Capital reserve and the Special reserve. 

 

On 15 February 2018, the Directors approved the payment of a fourth interim dividend for the period ended 31 December 2017 at the rate of 2.0 pence per Ordinary Share. The dividend had a record date of 23 February 2018 and was paid on 23 March 2018.

 

 

On 23 May 2018, the Directors approved the payment of an interim dividend for the quarter to March 2018 at the rate of 1.625 pence per Ordinary Share. The dividend had a record date of 8 June 2018 and was paid on 29 June 2018. The dividend was funded from the Company's Revenue reserve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 7 August 2018, the Directors approved the payment of an interim dividend in respect of the quarter to June 2018 at the rate of 1.625 pence per Ordinary Share. The dividend will have a record date of 17 August 2018 and will be payable on 14 September 2018. The dividend will be funded from the Company's Distributable reserves.

 

 

12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees payable to the Investment Manager are shown in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. As at 30 June 2018 the fee outstanding to the Investment Manager was £78,000.

Fees are payable at an annual rate of £36,000 to the Chairman, £33,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and £30,000 to the other Directors. There were no Directors' fees outstanding as at 30 June 2018.

The Directors had the following shareholdings in the Company, all of which are beneficially owned.

 

 

 

 

 

As at 30 June 2018

As at 30 June 2017

As at 31 December 2017

 

Ordinary Shares

Ordinary Shares

Ordinary Shares

Norman Crighton

20,000

20,000

20,000

Guy Heald

20,000

20,000

20,000

Marlene Wood

20,000

20,000

20,000

 

 

 

 

In addition to the above holding, Norman Crighton held 10,000 C Shares at 30 June 2018, which subsequently converted to 9,982 Ordinary Shares in July 2018.

In April 2018, the Company entered into a  ZDP Loan Agreement, between the RM ZDP plc ('ZDP Subsidiary') (as lender) and the Company (as borrower) pursuant to which, immediately following Admission, the ZDP Subsidiary lent the Company the Gross ZDP Placing Proceeds, which has been applied by the Company towards making investments in accordance with its Investment Policy and for working capital purposes.

 

13. CLASSIFICATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IFRS 13 requires the Group to classify its investments in a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. IFRS 13 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritises the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of fair value hierarchy under IFRS 13 are as follows:

 

Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inputs other than quoted market prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The classification of the Company's investments held at fair value is detailed in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 June 2018

30 June 2017

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets - Debt securities

-

18,982

-

18,982

-

21,491

-

21,491

 

Financial assets -  loan investments

-

-

80,184

80,184

-

-

20,808

20,808

 

Total

-

18,982

80,184

99,166

-

21,491

20,808

42,299

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zero Dividend Preference Shares (market value)

-

-

11,033

11,033

 

 

 

 

 

C Shares in issue (market value)*

11,556

-

-

11,556

-

-

-

-

 

Total financial liabilities

11,556

-

11,033

22,589

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets - Debt securities

 

 

 

 

-

36,074

-

36,074

 

Financial assets -  loan investments

 

 

 

 

-

-

40,883

40,883

 

Total

 

 

 

 

-

36,074

40,883

76,957

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C Shares in issue (market value)*

 

 

 

 

30,600

-

-

30,600

 

Total financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

30,600

-

-

30,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*These have been recorded in the Statement of Financial Position at amortised cost. The net assets attributable to the C Shares as at 30 June 2018 was £11,066,000, which is equivalent to 97.68 pence per C Share.

 

 

Investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs are classified within Level 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 3 holdings are valued using a discounted cash flow analysis and benchmarked discount/interest rates appropriate to the nature of the underlying loan and the date of valuation.

 

Interest rates are a significant input into the Level 3 vvaluation methodology.

 

There have been no movements between levels during the reporting period. The Company considers factors that may neccessitate the transfers between levels using the definition of the levels 1, 2 and 3 above.

 

                                           

 

14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - RISK PROFILE

 

The principal risks relating to financial instruments held by the Group remain the same as disclosed in the Company's last Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2017.

 

15. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

 

There are no other post period end events other than those disclosed in this report.

 

16. STATUS OF THIS REPORT

 

These consolidated financial statements are not the Group's or the Company's statutory accounts for the purposes of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. They are unaudited. The Half-yearly financial report will be made available to the public at the registered office of the Company. The report will be available in electronic format on the Investment Manager's website (www.rm-funds.com).

The Half-yearly financial report was approved by the Board on 9 August 2018.

 

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES ('APMs')

Discount

 

 

 

 

The amount, expressed as a percentage, by which the share price is less than the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share.

There is no calculation of discount shown as the Company's Ordinary Shares were trading at a premium of 3.73% at the period end.

 

 

 

 

 

Gearing

 

 

 

 

A way to magnify income and capital returns, but which can also magnify losses.

 

 

 

 

 

Gross asset

 

 

 

 

The Group's gross assets comprise the net asset values of the Company's Ordinary and C Shares in addition to the accrued capital entitlement of the ZDP Shares, with the breakdown as follows:

As at 30 June 2018  (Unaudited)

 

£'000

Per Share (pence)

Ordinary Shares - NAV

a

85,500

97.85

C Shares - NAV

b

11,100

97.68

RM ZDP plc - Accrued entitlement

c

11,000

100.86

Gross asset

a+b+c

107,600

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing charges

 

 

 

 

A measure, expressed as a percentage of average net assets, of the regular, recurring annual costs of running an investment company.

 

 

 

 

 

Premium

 

 

 

 

The amount, expressed as a percentage, by which the share price is more than the Net Asset Value per share.

As at 30 June 2018  (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

NAV per Ordinary Share (p)

a

97.85

 

 

Share price (p)

b

101.50

 

 

Premium

(b÷a)-1

3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return

 

 

 

 

A measure of performance that includes both income and capital returns. This takes into account capital gains and reinvestment of dividends paid out by the Company into its Ordinary Shares on the ex-dividend date.

Six months ended 30 June 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Share price

NAV

 

Opening at 1 January 2018 (p)

a

101.50

98.59

 

Closing at 30 June 2018 (p)

b

101.50

97.85

 

Dividend adjustment factor

c

1.0361

1.0376

 

Adjusted closing (d = b x c)

d

105.16

101.53

 

Total return

(d÷a)-1

     3.60%

2.98%

 

 

DIRECTORS, MANAGER AND ADVISERS

DIRECTORS

Norman Crighton (Non-Executive Chairman)

Guy Heald

Marlene Wood

 

INVESTMENT MANAGER

RM Capital Markets Limited

7 Melville Crescent

Edinburgh

EH3 7JA

 

 

BROKER

N+1 Singer Advisory LLP

1 Bartholomew Lane

London

EC2N 2AX

 

 

REGISTERED OFFICE*

Mermaid House

2 Puddle Dock

London

EC4V 3DB

 

CUSTODIAN

US Bank

125 Old Broad Street

London

EC2N 1AR

 

ADMINISTRATOR AND COMPANY SECRETARY

PraxisIFM Fund Services (UK) Limited

Mermaid House

2 Puddle Dock

London

EC4V 3DB

 

AIFM

International Fund Management Limited

Sarnia House

Le Truchot

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 4NA

 

REGISTRAR

Link Asset Services

The Registry

34 Beckenham Road

Beckenham

Kent BR3 4TU

 

AUDITORS

Ernst & Young LLP

One Atria

144 Morrison Street

Edinburgh

EH3 8EX

 

 

Solicitors to the Company

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

4 More London Riverside

London

SE1 2AU

 

 

VALUATION AGENT

Mazars LLP

Tower Bridge House

Katherine's Way

London

E1W 1DD

* Registered in England and Wales No. 10449530

For further information contact:

Anthony Lee / Ciara McKillop

PraxisIFM Fund Services (UK) Limited

Tel: 020 7653 9690

The Half-yearly financial report will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM

 END


This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
END
 
 
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