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HRI Herald Investment Trust Plc

2,010.00
-45.00 (-2.19%)
19 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Herald Investment Trust Plc LSE:HRI London Ordinary Share GB0004228648 ORD 25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -45.00 -2.19% 2,010.00 2,010.00 2,025.00 2,055.00 2,020.00 2,055.00 51,784 16:35:04
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Mgmt Invt Offices, Open-end 63.35M 48.12M 0.8713 23.18 1.12B

Herald Investment Trust PLC Half-year Report (4161L)

18/07/2017 3:11pm

UK Regulatory


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TIDMHRI

RNS Number : 4161L

Herald Investment Trust PLC

18 July 2017

HERALD INVESTMENT TRUST plc

HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

For the six months ended 30 June 2017

SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE

 
                                                               Performance 
                        At inception        At            At         since  Performance 
                         16 February   30 June   31 December   31 December        since 
                                1994      2017          2016          2016    inception 
======================  ------------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
NAV per share 
 (including current 
 year income)                  98.7p   1230.5p       1083.2p         13.6%     1,146.7% 
======================  ------------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
NAV per share 
 (excluding current 
 year income)                  98.7p   1229.5p       1082.6p         13.6%     1,145.7% 
======================  ------------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Share price                    90.9p    996.0p        882.5p         12.9%       995.7% 
----------------------  ------------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Numis Smaller 
   Companies 
   plus AIM 
   (ex.investment 
   companies) Capital 
   Only                      1,750.0   5,555.8       5,049.8         10.0%       217.5% 
----------------------  ------------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Russell 2000 (small 
 cap) 
 Technology Index 
 Capital Only 
 (in sterling terms)          688.7*   2,429.9       2,307.0          5.3%       252.8% 
----------------------  ------------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
   *        At 9 April 1996 being the date funds were first available for international investment. 

The Russell 2000 (small cap) Technology Index was rebased during 2009 following some minor adjustments to its constituents. The rebased index has been used from 31 December 2008 onwards.

CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW

The Trust's NAV per share has appreciated during the first half by 13.6% to 1230.5p. I am delighted to report that this reflected solid progress in all regions. The UK portfolio returned 15.6% versus the total return of the Numis Index (Inc AIM) of 11.6%. It is particularly pleasing to have achieved an internal rate of return (IRR) of 19.2% on the AIM portfolio, which now accounts for GBP354m of the GBP517m in the UK market. A number of investments held for many years have borne fruit, growing to become worthwhile holdings from small beginnings. The North American portfolio's total return was 13.9% versus the sterling total return on the Russell 2000 Technology Index of 5.4%. The smaller Asian portfolio appreciated 13.4%, and the European portfolio returned 27.7%.

In the first half of last year the UK market was moribund and desperately illiquid. It is reassuring that having sprung back to life in the second half of last year this healthier state has continued thus far in 2017. The dramatic change in 2017 has been the steady stream of follow-on fund raisings in the UK, of which we have participated in 21 (and a further 9 in North America and 1 in Australia) with an aggregate investment of GBP23m. Looking forward, the pace of follow-on fund raisings is expected to slow down.

The stock market has its own cycle, but so does the technology sector, and opportunities abound. The background for technology companies seems more favourable than at any previous period this century. After all, the TMT bubble burst in 2000 leaving a hang-over of overcapacity, and before this had worked through the financial crisis hit demand. The smartphone was the bright spot of the first decade of the century, but there is now much more breadth to the vibrancy in technology and new media. Discussions about component shortages and capacity constraint are reminiscent of periods in the 1980s and 1990s. Arguably the biggest driver is the reversion to centralised computing with hosted applications in both the private and public clouds. The PC/client server drove demand and disruption in the 1980s and 1990s, which followed mainframes. The big three infrastructure suppliers - Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google - are accelerating technological change and disrupting the market. Other important markets include the use of electronics in cars, and the trend towards driverless cars, the internet of things, robotics, artificial intelligence and the cheapness of alternative energy through wind and solar. The race is now on to store energy in scale, cost effectively.

In the UK portfolio 29 holdings returned more than GBP1m, but IQE, Bango, GB Group and Next Fifteen Communications contributed the most by value. Wandisco, Spectra Systems and Taptica more than doubled as well as Bango and IQE. IQE was first acquired in 1999 and has delivered cumulative profits of GBP21.5m to the end of June. However, GBP13.9m of that return has been achieved in 2017. IQE manufactures compound semiconductor wafers which are being used in optics as well as power amplifiers. Adesto, Everspin and Hydrogenics have all appreciated from distressed levels by more than 100% in the North American portfolio, but the star performer by value has been Pegasystems, a Massachusetts based software company for productivity in customer relationship management. This holding was first acquired in 2003 at an average price of $3.95 per share (split adjusted), and ended the period at $58. It is impressive that the founder and CEO, Alan Trefler, still retains a controlling 51% stake. His lack of inclination to issue paper has meant the company has long been overlooked, with minimal research coverage, but his success has at last been noticed. It is in stark contrast to a number of US software and internet companies that issue shares prolifically to directors and employees, and dilute returns to outside shareholders. It seems to us that valuations often do not sufficiently discount this cost to shareholders, particularly when the focus is on adjusted earnings which exclude the cost of share based payments.

In Europe, the star performers have been BE Semiconductor Industries in the Netherlands, Isra Vision in Germany and Data Respons in Norway. BE Semiconductor Industries was first acquired in the portfolio in 2011 at an average price of EUR5.8 and stood at EUR46.7 at the period end. Cumulatively the total return has been GBP16.5m. Isra Vision was acquired in 2003 at a book cost of GBP483k and the value at the period end was GBP7.1m, which is nearly 15x the initial investment. Isra's exposure to robotics has stimulated the rerating. In Asia, the South Korean portfolio had an IRR of 24.2% and delivered over half the region's return with useful contributions from PSK and Innox.

During the period, 1.495m shares were repurchased for GBP13.9m. This represents 2% of the outstanding capital. Buybacks are made on an opportunistic basis.

The period has had fewer takeovers than we have seen in previous years. Netdimensions was the only significant one in the first half. However in North America, Sandvine, Bankrate and MRV Communications are all in play. In aggregate all the takeovers announced this year will yield GBP15.6m if completed, and GBP37.7m cash has been received during the period from takeovers announced last year.

The IPO market in the US was particularly poor in 2016. There has been a marginal improvement this year, but pricing is generally unappealingly high. Companies are being held for longer in private hands, but will presumably need an exit at some stage. Not all exits will be trade takeovers.

The background for the sector is positive, but valuations are higher than they have been. Equities seem likely to experience the headwind from central banks' tightening and raising interest rates. Against this background companies with genuine growth may become more expensive. On this basis the sector still has attractions.

Julian Cazalet

Chairman

18 July 2017

TOP TWENTY EQUITY HOLDINGS AT 30 JUNE 2017

 
 Company                    Business                                   Value       % of 
                                                                     GBP'000      total 
                                                                                assets* 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Distributor of components 
 Diploma                     and systems                            24,753          2.7 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Design and manufacture 
                             of compound semiconductor 
 IQE                         wafers                                  23,191         2.6 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Intelligent identity data, 
 GB Group                    software and services                  21,160          2.3 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Supplier of software solutions 
                             primarily to the UK public 
 IDOX                        sector                                  18,980         2.1 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Next Fifteen               Supplier of marketing communications 
  Communications             services                                17,361         1.9 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Develops applications for 
 Pegasystems                 sales, marketing and operations         14,651         1.6 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Silicon Motion 
  Technology ADR            Develops controllers used 
  **                         in flash memory                         14,183         1.6 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Provider of carrier billing 
                             and other alternative payment 
 Bango                       methods                                 13,516         1.5 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Developer of semiconductor 
 BE Semiconductor            packaging and assembly 
  Industries                 equipment                               13,115         1.4 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Global marketing services 
 M&C Saatchi                 business                               12,718          1.4 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Supplier of wireless machine 
 Telit Communications        to machine modems and services          11,528         1.3 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Licensor of semiconductor 
                             signal processing intellectual 
 Ceva                        property                                11,086         1.2 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Developer of application 
                             delivery and cyber security 
 Radware                     solutions                               9,685          1.1 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 SQS Software               Specialist in software 
  Quality Systems            quality and software testing            9,524          1.0 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Supplier of telecommunications 
 Telecom Plus                services and other utilities            9,403          1.0 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Euromoney Institutional    Business to business media 
  Investor                   group                                   9,058          1.0 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Supplier of logistics management 
 Descartes Systems           software                               8,918           1.0 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Provider of portfolio analytics 
 Statpro                     and risk management software            8,843          1.0 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            International opinion data 
 YouGov                      and analytics                          8,408           0.9 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                            Digital content management 
                             and language translation 
 SDL                         tools and services                      8,364          0.9 
-------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
                                                                    268,445        29.5 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

* Total assets before deduction of bank loans

** American Depositary Receipt

INCOME STATEMENT

(UNAUDITED)

 
                                             For the six months ended               For the six months ended 
                                              30 June 2017                           30 June 2016 
------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
                                             Revenue        Capital     Total       Revenue        Capital    Total 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000        GBP'000    GBP'000 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Gains on investments                        -              22,830      22,830      -              6,183      6,183 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Movements in unrealised gains on 
  investments                                -              81,809      81,809      -              (1,989)    (1,989) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Currency losses                             -              (2,255)     (2,255)     -              (5,230)    (5,230) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Gains on derivative instruments             -              -           -           -              3,844      3,844 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Income                                      5,649          -           5,649       4,945          -          4,945 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Investment management fee                   (4,242)        -           (4,242)     (3,294)        -          (3,294) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Other administrative expenses               (240)          (1)         (241)       (273)          (1)        (274) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 
   Profit before finance costs and 
   taxation                                    1,167          102,383     103,550     1,378          2,807      4,185 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Finance costs of borrowings                 (259)          -           (259)       (822)          -          (822) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Profit before taxation                      908            102,383     103,291     556            2,807      3,363 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 Taxation                                    (193)          -           (193)       (159)          -          (159) 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 
   Profit after taxation                       715            102,383     103,098     397            2,807      3,204 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 
   Profit/(loss) per ordinary share (note 
   4)                                          0.99p          142.14p     143.13p     0.53p          3.72p      4.25p 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 
   Weighted average number of ordinary 
   shares in issue during each period          72,031,127                             75,456,694 
------------------------------------------  -------------  ----------  ----------  -------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The total column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company, prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards.

The profit after taxation is the total comprehensive income and therefore no additional statement of comprehensive income is presented. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are presented for information purposes in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations and the Company. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.

BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)

 
                                                                            As at          As at 
                                                                          30 June    31 December 
                                                                             2017           2016 
                                                                          GBP'000        GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Fixed assets 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Investments held at fair value through profit or loss                    818,522        712,969 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Current assets 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                 88,262         82,448 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Other receivables                                                          2,021         23,529 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
                                                                           90,283        105,977 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Current liabilities 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Other payables                                                          (28,175)       (27,532) 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Net current assets                                                        62,108         78,445 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Total net assets                                                         880,630        791,414 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Capital and reserves 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Called up share capital                                                   17,892         18,266 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Share premium                                                             73,738         73,738 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Capital redemption reserve                                                 4,060          3,686 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Capital reserve                                                          783,550        695,049 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 Revenue reserve                                                            1,390            675 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Shareholders' funds                                                      880,630        791,414 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Net asset value per ordinary share (including current year income)      1230.50p       1083.21p 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Net asset value per ordinary share (excluding current year income)      1229.51p       1082.63p 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Ordinary shares in issue                                              71,566,882     73,061,801 
--------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------- 
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

For the six months ended 30 June 2017

 
                         Called                Capital                         Share- 
                       up share     Share   redemption   Capital   Revenue   holders' 
                        capital   premium      reserve   reserve   reserve      funds 
                        GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Shareholders' 
 funds at 1 January 
 2017                    18,266    73,738        3,686   695,049       675    791,414 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Profit after 
 taxation                     -         -            -   102,383       715    103,098 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Shares bought 
 back (note 8)            (374)         -          374  (13,882)         -   (13,882) 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Shareholders' 
 funds at 
 30 June 2017            17,892    73,738        4,060   783,550     1,390   880,630 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
 

For the six months ended 30 June 2016

 
                         Called                Capital                         Share- 
                       up share     Share   redemption   Capital   Revenue   holders' 
                        capital   premium      reserve   reserve   reserve      funds 
                        GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Shareholders' 
 funds at 1 January 
 2016                    19,028    73,738        2,924   575,202       245    671,137 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Profit after 
 taxation                     -         -            -     2,807       397      3,204 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Shares bought 
 back (note 8)            (340)         -          340   (9,345)         -    (9,345) 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
Shareholders' 
 funds at 
 30 June 2016            18,688    73,738        3,264   568,664       642    664,996 
--------------------  ---------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------- 
 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

   1        Financial Statements 

The condensed financial statements for the six months to 30 June 2017 within the Half Yearly Report comprise the statements set out above together with the related notes that follow below. The condensed financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in sections 434 to 436 of the Companies Act 2006 and have been neither audited or reviewed by the Company's auditors. Financial information in relation to the year ended 31 December 2016 has been extracted from the statutory accounts which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The Company's assets, the majority of which are investments in quoted securities, exceed its liabilities significantly. All borrowings require the prior approval of the Board. Gearing levels and compliance with loan covenants are reviewed by the Board on a regular basis. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, shareholders have the right to vote on the continuation of the Company every three years with the next vote being in April 2019. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as it is the Directors' opinion that the Company will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

   2        Accounting policies 

The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting and the Statement of Recommended Practice Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts, issued by the Association of Investment Companies in November 2014, as amended in January 2017.

The accounting policies applied for the condensed financial statements are as set out in the Company's annual report for the year ended 31 December 2016.

   3        Investment management fee 

Herald Investment Management Limited is appointed investment manager under a management agreement which is terminable on twelve months' notice. Its annual remuneration is 1.0% of the Company's net asset value based on middle market prices, calculated on a monthly basis payable in arrears. The management fee is levied on all assets except the holding in Herald Ventures II Limited Partnership managed by Herald Investment Management Limited.

   4        Net return per ordinary share 
 
                                                    Six months      Six months 
                                                         ended           ended 
                                                  30 June 2017    30 June 2016 
                                                       GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Revenue profit after taxation                             715             397 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Capital profit after taxation                         102,383           2,807 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total net return                                      103,098           3,204 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 
   Weighted average number of ordinary shares       72,031,127      75,456,694 
----------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Net return per ordinary share is based on the above totals of revenue and capital and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during each period.

There are no dilutive or potentially dilutive shares in issue.

   5        Dividends 

In accordance with FRS 102 Section 32 'Events After the End of the Reporting Period', the final dividend payable on ordinary shares is recognised as a liability when approved by shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised only when paid.

Dividends paid on ordinary shares in respect of earnings for each period are as follows:

 
                                                                            Six months      Six months 
                                                                                 ended           ended 
                                                                          30 June 2017    30 June 2016 
                                                                               GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Amounts recognised as distributions in the period: 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 - nil (2015 - nil)               -               - 
----------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

No interim dividend will be declared.

6 The Company has a sterling loan facility of GBP25 million and a GBP25 million multi-currency revolving advance loan maturing 31 December 2017.

At 30 June 2017, the sterling loan facility was fully drawndown. Interest on the loan is payable in quarterly instalments in January, April, July and October. The estimated repayment value of the loan at 30 June 2017 was GBP25 million. The indicative costs of repaying the loan as at 30 June 2017 were not materially different in the context of the above figures.

   7        Financial Instruments 

The Company's investments as disclosed in the Company's balance sheet are valued at fair value.

Nearly all of the Company's portfolio of investments are in the Level 1 category as defined in FRS 102 as amended for fair value hierarchy disclosures (March 16).

The three levels set out in FRS 102 are as follows:

Level 1: The unadjusted quoted price in an active market for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable (ie developed using market data) for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable (ie for which market data is unavailable) for the asset or liability.

The analysis of the valuation basis for the financial instruments based on the hierarchy is as follows:

 
                                  30 June 2017          31 December 2016 
--------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------ 
                          Assets   Liabilities      Assets   Liabilities 
                         GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
--------------------  ----------  ------------  ----------  ------------ 
 Level 1                 895,330      (28,175)     807,216      (27,532) 
--------------------  ----------  ------------  ----------  ------------ 
 Level 3                  13,475             -      11,730             - 
--------------------  ----------  ------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
   Total net assets      908,805      (28,175)     818,946      (27,532) 
--------------------  ----------  ------------  ----------  ------------ 
 

The fair value of listed security investments is bid value. Investments on the Alternative Investment Market are included at their bid value. The fair value of unlisted investments uses valuation techniques determined by the directors on the basis of latest information in line with the relevant principles of the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines.

8 At the Annual General Meeting held on 18 April 2017 the Company's authority to buy back up to 14.99% of its issued share capital at that date was renewed. In the six months to 30 June 2017 a total of 1,494,919 (30 June 2016 - 1,358,941) ordinary shares of 25p each were bought back at a total cost of GBP13,881,514 (30 June 2016 - GBP9,344,635). At 30 June, the Company had authority to buy back a further 9,275,678 ordinary shares. .

9 During the period, cost of purchases amounted to GBP61,924,000 (30 June 2016 - GBP33,258,000) and proceeds of sales amounted to GBP60,752,000 (30 June 2016 - GBP43,247,000). Transaction costs of GBP229,000 (30 June 2016 - GBP100,000) were incurred on the purchase of investments and GBP204,000 (30 June 2016 - GBP168,000) on sales of investments.

INVESTMENT POLICY

Herald's objective is to achieve capital appreciation through investments in smaller quoted companies, in the areas of telecommunications, multimedia and technology (TMT). Investments may be made across the world. The business activities of investee companies will include information technology, broadcasting, printing and publishing and the supply of equipment and services to these companies.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risks facing the Company relate to the Company's investment activities. These risks are market risk (comprising other price risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. An explanation of these risks and how they are managed is contained in note 18 of the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2016. The principal risks and uncertainties have not changed since the publication of the Annual Report which can be obtained free of charge from Herald Investment Management Limited and is available on the Manager's website: www.heralduk.com. Other risks facing the Company include the following: regulatory risk (that the loss of investment trust status or a breach of applicable legal and regulatory requirements could have adverse financial consequences and cause reputational damage), operational/financial/custody risk (failure of service providers' accounting and/or settlements systems could lead to inaccurate reporting or financial loss), the risk that the discount can widen and gearing risk (the use of borrowings can magnify the impact of falling markets). Further information can be found on page 23 of the latest Annual Report and Financial Statements.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

a) the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with FRS104 "Interim Financial Reporting" published by the FRC and gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company;

b) the Half Yearly Report and interim management report (Chairman's Review) includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months, and their impact on the financial statements and a description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

c) the Half-Yearly Financial Report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein - see note 3 above).

By order of the Board

Julian Cazalet

Chairman

18 July 2017

The Half Yearly Financial report will be posted to shareholders on or around 3 August 2017 and published on the Manager's website: www.heralduk.com

Contacts:

   Katie Potts, Manager                                                     020 7553 6300 
   Law Debenture Corporate Services Limited                       020 7696 5285 

Company Secretary

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR BSGDRDGBBGRI

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