Interim Results

F&C Global Smaller Companies PLC 07 December 2007 Date: 6 December 2007 Contact: Peter Ewins F&C Management Limited 020 7628 8000 F&C GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES PLC Unaudited Interim Statement of Results for the half-year ended 31 October 2007 KEY POINTS • Portfolio outperformed in the UK and Europe, but underperformed the overall Benchmark • Interim dividend increased by 3.3% • More difficult market conditions for smaller company shares • Share price fell by 5.8% and the net asset value per share total return fell by 3.4% SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2007 Attributable to equity shareholders 31 October 2007 30 April 2007 % Change Share price 445.75p 473.25p -5.8 Net asset value per share (debenture at nominal value) 491.35p 512.21p -4.1 Net asset value per share (debenture at market value) 484.48p 505.14p -4.1 Half-year ended Half-year ended 31 October 2007 31 October 2006 % Change Revenue return per share 2.81p 2.41p +16.6 Interim dividend per share* 1.58p 1.53p +3.3 * Payable on 30 January 2008 to shareholders on the register at 4 January 2008. Chairman's Statement The six months to the end of October 2007 proved difficult for equity markets worldwide. As the scale of losses emanating from securities linked to the US mortgage market became apparent, turbulence in credit markets, together with the ensuing well publicised problems of Northern Rock in the UK, fed through to falling share prices. At such times, smaller company shares tend to lose favour reflecting their inherent lower liquidity and perceived higher risk. Your Company has not been immune to these trends, and the share price and net asset value ('NAV') per share total return fell by 5.8% and 3.4% respectively over the period. It is disappointing to report that these falls exceeded the 1.6% fall in the Company's Benchmark, which is a blended index of the returns from the Hoare Govett UK Smaller Companies Index (40%) and the MSCI World ex UK Small Cap Index (60%). However, the longer-term perspective indicates a strong performance record. Despite the difficult markets, revenue in the form of dividends from stocks held in the portfolio has continued to be healthy, and the Board is therefore in a position to declare another increase in your Company's own interim dividend to 1.58p per share, up 3.3% on the 2006/7 payment. Discount Taking the NAV per share calculated with the debenture at market value, the discount ended the period at 8.0%, compared to 6.3% at the end of the previous financial year. The Board's aim is to keep the discount measured in this way at close to 5% and it uses its share buyback powers to try to achieve this, with the result that during the period 3.8% of the issued share capital was bought in and cancelled. In the last few months the discounts on a number of smaller company investment trusts have risen, some to the high teens in percentage terms. When these trusts fail to buy in shares to moderate their discounts, this can impact on those that do, which become the source of liquidity if there are investors looking to reduce their exposure to smaller companies. When markets are particularly weak and volatile, it is sometimes sensible to stand back from buying in, but the Board continues to believe that it is appropriate to be active in more stable market conditions to ensure that shareholders do not suffer from a prolonged, meaningful widening in the discount. Market background While banks and other investment entities investing in credit instruments were the initial losers from the US sub-prime mortgage market fall-out, the broader concern for stock markets has been that banks will become less willing to lend to the corporate sector. This could ultimately lead to reduced business activity across a broader spectrum. In terms of macro-economic news, growth in the US economy slowed as weakness in the housing market took its toll, and the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in response. This action served to put further pressure on an already weak US dollar in the currency markets, but it did lead to a rally in stock market sentiment later in the period under review. The Japanese economy also appears to have slowed. Growth continued to be respectable in the UK and Europe, and significantly more dynamic in Asia where many regional stock markets reached new highs. Inflation is now perceived to be more of a threat given continuing high oil, base metal and food prices. Portfolio performance In each market or region we compare performance to a relevant local small cap benchmark. We outperformed in the UK and Europe, but were behind in North America, Japan and the rest of Asia. All returns are measured in sterling terms, with the main currency impact in this period being on US returns given the substantial weakening of the dollar. While the UK still represents the largest individual part of the portfolio, we also have a large exposure to the US small cap market given its size and scope, and it is here that relative underperformance cost the most against the overall Benchmark. Underperformance in Japan and the rest of Asia, while more marked, affected the overall relative performance less, as these are smaller parts of the portfolio and the Benchmark. In the UK portfolio, the largest individual contributor to outperformance was Aveva Group, the software company, which remains the Company's biggest holding. We benefited from good stock selection in engineering, and from being underweight to UK focused real estate stocks, which fell heavily on evidence that domestic commercial property values had peaked. Weak and volatile equity markets impacted a number of our financial stocks, but we gained from a number of takeover approaches for holdings including oil service technology company Sondex, retailer Dobbies Garden Centres and miner Consolidated Minerals. The European portfolio also beat its benchmark with winners coming from a range of sectors. Odim, which provides winding equipment to oil services companies using seismic equipment, rose significantly as the industry benefited from the high oil price. Q-Cells, involved in solar power markets, Outotec, the mining technology company, and Frigoglass, which provides refrigeration equipment for the beverage market, were also strong. US performance was undermined in the summer by selling pressure on some of our holdings, as hedge funds focused on the value end of the market were forced to cut their positions in view of the credit market situation. We also suffered from some stock specific issues. Beacon Roofing, a distributor of materials for the building market, was hit harder than we expected by the housing market slowdown, while Dollar Thrifty, the car rental company, and dealership operator Lithia Motors, also produced poor results. Japanese performance was disappointing as our focus on the consumer side of the market at the expense of industrials failed to pay off in the period. The yen remained weak, benefiting exporters. Two of our retail holdings, Bookoff, which sells books and music, and Jin, a chain of opticians, both suffered from increased competition. In the Asian portfolio, where we invest in specialist small cap funds, we lagged the benchmark, although it should be recalled that this followed a good 2006/7. We were under-exposed to some of the best performing markets in the region. Some markets, such as China, look over-heated in terms of stock market valuations. As with all parts of the portfolio we will keep a close eye on performance of the funds in case changes need to be made. Asset allocation and gearing We reduced the scale of the UK overweight position against the Benchmark as we have become slightly less positive about the domestic economy, and topped up the US to closer to a neutral position, as valuations in parts of this market became more attractive. We also increased the weighting to Asia during the period and would expect this part of the portfolio to grow further over the long-term. Gearing on the portfolio fell from 2.7% to just 1.6% over the period as we became less optimistic about the immediate outlook for markets. VAT Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has recently accepted the European Court of Justice ruling that investment trusts should be regarded as special investment funds with the consequence that the Company will not be subject to VAT in future on its investment management fees. It is also probable that at least some of the VAT suffered in the past on such fees will be recovered. The Board is in discussion with the Manager and the Association of Investment Companies on this issue, and a number of legal and procedural matters need to be resolved. No asset is as yet being recognised given the uncertainties. Board Gerry Grimstone and Bruce Farmer retired from the Board after the Annual General meeting on 30 July 2007 having given five and eight years service respectively. I would like to take this first opportunity to place on record the Board's thanks for their invaluable contributions over the years. We shall miss their experience and wise counsel. Andrew Adcock and Mark White joined the Board at that point and have already made their impact. They bring many years' investment skills to our deliberations and we are fortunate to have secured their services. Outlook Markets have been very unsettled in the early weeks of the second half and the scale of recent gyrations in equity, credit, commodity and currency markets is indicative of uncertain times. In the near-term, clarity on the economic outlook for the US is important, as is the likely trend in interest rates here and elsewhere. Smaller companies are not currently top of the priority list for many investors and this is likely to continue until the markets as a whole are more settled. However, volatile times can present some good opportunities. The Manager is continuing to focus on companies with strong balance sheets and the potential to deliver good growth. Investors are favouring companies which do not have near-term funding requirements given the current situation in bond and equity markets. The Board and Manager continue to believe that investors will be well served over the long-term by having exposure to the greater growth that small stocks deliver. Anthony Townsend Chairman December 2007 UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT Half-year ended 31 October 2007 Half-year ended 31 October 2006 Revenue Capital Total* Revenue Capital Total* £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Losses on investments - (9,525) (9,525) - (6,565) (6,565) Exchange losses - (200) (200) (1) (42) (43) Income 2,183 - 2,183 1,977 - 1,977 Management fee (148) (345) (493) (129) (303) (432) Performance fee - - - - (138) (138) Other expenses (406) (23) (429) (324) (32) (356) Return before finance costs and taxation 1,629 (10,093) (8,464) 1,523 (7,080) (5,557) Finance costs (178) (409) (587) (178) (415) (593) Return on ordinary activities before taxation 1,451 (10,502) (9,051) 1,345 (7,495) (6,150) Taxation on ordinary activities (156) 25 (131) (183) 53 (130) Return attributable to equity shareholders 1,295 (10,477) (9,182) 1,162 (7,442) (6,280) Return per share - pence 2.81 (22.73) (19.92) 2.41 (15.45) (13.04) *The total column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. A statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required as all gains and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above statement. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Half-year ended 31 October 2007 Called up Share Capital Total equity share premium redemption Capital Revenue shareholders' capital account reserve reserves reserve funds £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Balance at 30 April 2007 11,693 23,132 14,490 183,286 6,973 239,574 Movements during the half-year ended 31 October 2007 Return attributable to equity - - - (10,477) 1,295 (9,182) shareholders Dividends paid - - - - (1,460) (1,460) Shares purchased by the Company (449) - 449 (7,944) - (7,944) Balance at 31 October 2007 11,244 23,132 14,939 164,865 6,808 220,988 Half-year ended 31 October 2006 Called up Share Capital Total share premium redemption Capital Revenue shareholders' capital account reserve reserves reserve funds £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Balance at 30 April 2006 12,088 23,132 14,095 170,960 7,377 227,652 Movements during the half-year ended 31 October 2006 Return attributable to equity - - - (7,442) 1,162 (6,280) shareholders Dividends paid - - - - (1,944) (1,944) Shares purchased by the Company (119) - 119 (1,865) - (1,865) Balance at 31 October 2006 11,969 23,132 14,214 161,653 6,595 217,563 Year ended 30 April 2007 Called up Share Capital Total share premium redemption Capital Revenue shareholders' capital account reserve reserves reserve funds £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Balance at 30 April 2006 12,088 23,132 14,095 170,960 7,377 227,652 Movements during the year ended 30 April 2007 Return attributable to equity - - - 19,039 2,270 21,309 shareholders Dividends paid - - - - (2,674) (2,674) Shares purchased by the Company (395) - 395 (6,713) - (6,713) Balance at 30 April 2007 11,693 23,132 14,490 183,286 6,973 239,574 UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET 31 October 2007 31 October 2006 30 April 2007 £'000s £'000s £'000s Fixed assets Investments 224,693 223,716 246,970 Current assets Debtors 1,681 744 3,050 Taxation recoverable 9 9 19 Cash at bank and short-term deposits 6,459 5,404 5,548 8,149 6,157 8,617 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,854) (2,310) (6,013) Net current assets 6,295 3,847 2,604 Total assets less current liabilities 230,988 227,563 249,574 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Debenture (10,000) (10,000) (10,000) Net assets 220,988 217,563 239,574 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 11,244 11,969 11,693 Share premium account 23,132 23,132 23,132 Capital redemption reserve 14,939 14,214 14,490 Capital reserves 164,865 161,653 183,286 Revenue reserve 6,808 6,595 6,973 Total equity shareholders' funds 220,988 217,563 239,574 Net asset value per ordinary share - pence 491.35 454.43 512.21 UNAUDITED SUMMARY CASH FLOW STATEMENT Half-year ended Half-year ended 31 October 2007 31 October 2006 £'000s £'000s Net cash inflow from operating activities 594 1,633 Cash outflow from servicing of finance (577) (591) Total tax paid (121) (129) Net cash inflow from financial investment 10,610 8,900 Equity dividends paid (1,460) (1,944) Net cash inflow before use of liquid resources and financing 9,046 7,869 Increase in short-term deposits (4,210) (1,000) Net cash outflow from financing (7,938) (4,865) (Decrease)/increase in cash (3,102) 2,004 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt (Decrease)/increase in cash (3,102) 2,004 Increase in short-term deposits 4,210 1,000 Decrease in short-term loans - 3,000 Movement in net debt resulting from cash flows 1,108 6,004 Exchange movement (197) (44) Movement in net debt 911 5,960 Net debt brought forward (4,452) (10,556) Net debt carried forward (3,541) (4,596) Represented by: Cash at bank 249 3,404 Short-term deposits 6,210 2,000 6,459 5,404 Debenture (10,000) (10,000) (3,541) (4,596) Notes 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES These results have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's financial statements at 30 April 2007. These accounting policies are expected to be followed in the year ending 30 April 2008. 2 RETURN PER ORDINARY SHARE Revenue return The revenue return per share for the half-year ended 31 October 2007 is based on the revenue return attributable to equity shareholders of £1,295,000 profit (half-year ended 31 October 2006: £1,162,000 profit). Capital return The capital return per share for the half-year ended 31 October 2007 is based on the capital return attributable to equity shareholders of £10,477,000 loss (half-year ended 31 October 2006: £7,442,000 loss). Weighted average number of shares in issue Both the revenue and capital returns per share for the half-year ended 31 October 2007 are based on a weighted average number of 46,103,339 shares in issue (half-year ended 31 October 2006: 48,176,100). 3 DIVIDEND The Directors have declared an interim dividend of 1.58p per ordinary share, payable on 30 January 2008 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 4 January 2008. The amount of this dividend will be £708,000 based on 44,779,781 shares in issue at 6 December 2007. This amount has not been accrued in the results for the half-year ended 31 October 2007. 4 RESULTS The results for the half-year ended 31 October 2007 and for the half-year ended 31 October 2006, which are unaudited, constitute non-statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The latest published accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies are for the year ended 30 April 2007; the report of the auditors thereon was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237 of the Companies Act 1985. The abridged financial statements shown above for the year ended 30 April 2007 are an extract from those accounts. 5 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS The Report and Accounts for the half-year will be posted to shareholders later this month. Copies may be obtained during normal business hours from the Company's Registered Office, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY. By order of the Board F&C Management Limited, Secretary 6 December 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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