TIDMCLIG
RNS Number : 2761X
City of London Investment Group PLC
20 February 2017
20th February 2017
CITY OF LONDON INVESTMENT GROUP PLC
("City of London", "the Group" or "the Company")
HALF YEAR RESULTS TO 31ST DECEMBER 2016
City of London (LSE:CLIG) announces half year results for the
six months to 31st December 2016.
SUMMARY
-- Funds under Management ("FuM") of US$4.1 billion (GBP3.3
billion) at 31st December 2016. This compares with US$4.0 billion
(GBP3.0 billion) at the beginning of this financial year on 1st
July 2016 and US$3.8 billion (GBP2.6 billion) at 31st December
2015
-- FuM at 31st January 2017 of US$4.2 billion (GBP3.3
billion)
-- Revenues representing the Group's management charges on FuM
were GBP15.4 million (2015: GBP11.8 million)
-- Profit before tax of GBP5.8 million (2015: GBP3.6
million)
-- Maintained interim dividend of 8p per share payable on 17th
March 2017 to shareholders on the register on 3rd March 2017
-- Cash and cash equivalents at the period end of GBP10.5
million (2015: GBP8.4 million)
This release includes forward-looking statements, which may
differ from actual results. Any forward-looking statements are
based on certain factors and assumptions, which may prove
incorrect, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions
relating to future events, the Group's operations, results of
operations, growth strategy and liquidity.
For further information, please visit www.citlon.co.uk or
contact:
Barry Olliff (CEO)
City of London Investment Group PLC
Tel: +1 215 313 3774
Martin Green
Zeus Capital Limited
Financial Adviser & Broker
Tel: +44 (0)20 3829 5000
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The six months to December 2016 have, arguably, been politically
the most eventful period for decades. Waking to the consequences of
Brexit and then absorbing and analysing the implications of the
Trump victory have guaranteed employment for legions of political
and economic commentators. These have been challenging times for
fund managers focused on the emerging markets which in themselves
have diverged on an almost unprecedented scale. If, for example,
equivalent investments had been made on 1st January 2016 in both a
Brazilian ETF and in China through a representative basket of A
shares then by 31st December the Chinese investment would have been
worth just half of the Brazilian investment! I fear not even our
experienced fund managers at City of London were able to foresee
such divergences. Nevertheless over the six month period we
increased Funds under Management (FuM) from US$4.0 billion (GBP3.0
billion) at the June 2016 year end to US$4.1 billion (GBP3.3
billion) at 31st December 2016, a product of an increase in the
level of emerging markets, offset by our recent underperformance
and net client redemptions.
Results - unaudited
Unaudited profit before taxation for the period was GBP5.8
million which compares to GBP3.6 million for the six months to end
December 2015. As already foreseen in the 2016 annual report, this
encouraging financial performance was greatly helped by sterling's
accelerated depreciation relative to the US$ following the Brexit
vote.
Gross revenue for the period rose to GBP15.4 million (2015:
GBP11.8 million), whilst commissions payable to our ex-third party
marketing consultant continued to reduce in relative terms,
amounting to GBP0.8 million or 5% of gross revenue (2015: GBP0.8
million, 7%). Custody fees relating to the safekeeping and
administration of the assets of our commingled funds were
GBP0.5million (2015: GBP0.4 million).
Administrative expenses were GBP8.5 million (2015: GBP6.9
million). The largest components of which were staff costs
(essentially salaries, benefits and related employment taxes) of
GBP3.7 million (2015: GBP3.3 million) and profit-share, including
related employment taxes, of GBP2.7 million (2015: GBP1.8
million).
Basic earnings per share, after a 26% tax charge of GBP1.5
million (2015: GBP1.0 million representing 27% of profit before
tax), were 17.6p (2015: 10.6p). Diluted earnings per share were
17.5p (2015: 10.4p)
Dividends
It is your Board's well established policy that over a rolling
five year period the intention is to achieve an average dividend
cover of circa 1.2 times. We have, nevertheless, retained some
flexibility given the volatility of the emerging markets on which
we are still heavily dependent for our earnings and the importance
for many of our shareholders of a strong and consistent dividend.
Last year we took advantage of that flexibility and paid an
uncovered dividend so it is with some satisfaction that with the
turnaround in our profits on a maintained dividend there is an
excellent prospect of a dividend cover this year of well above
1.2x.
Your Board has agreed to maintain the 8p interim dividend
payable on 17th March 2017 to shareholders on the register on 3rd
March 2017. No decision on the final dividend will be taken until
both the results for the full year are known and the outlook for
the financial year ending 2018 is much clearer.
Your Board
After a year of unprecedented change at board level in 2015/16 I
am happy to report greater stability. We welcomed Mark Driver as a
Non-Executive Director (NED) on 1st July 2016 but Allan Bufferd,
Senior Independent Director, has informed the Board that he wishes
to retire at the year end this June. Allan has enormous demands on
his time with numerous prestigious appointments both in the US and
internationally and we have been privileged to benefit from his
wise counsel since he joined our Board in 2008. We are in the
process of selecting a replacement NED and anticipate that an
appointment will be made by our year end.
Outlook
Much, probably too much, has been written on Brexit given how
long the road ahead of us will be. Apart from Brexit's sterling
revaluation benefit to your Company, the actions of the Trump
Administration will have much more immediate and profound
consequences for the markets on which we are dependent. At the time
of writing it is early days for the new administration but we are
alert to any evidence of the actual implementation of Trump's
threatened policies and their likely impact on the emerging
markets.
From your Company's perspective a variety of crosswinds are on
the menu. Increased spending and lower taxes leading to higher
growth in the US and a further increase in the value of the US$
will benefit us by reducing our UK sterling based costs vs our US$
based income whilst also stimulating export opportunities for EM
companies - positive. Against this, protectionist actions have
already been taken, starting with the US withdrawal from the
Trans-Pacific Partnership. In addition US$ denominated debt owed by
EM countries will become that much more burdensome - earlier Fed
"tapering" gave us a taste of what could be in store. Perhaps the
only safe conclusion is that the emerging markets will experience
further volatility which we, at City of London, are well placed to
take advantage of.
We also expect to benefit from our active pipeline across all of
our major closed-end fund (CEF) offerings and we have seen an
increased interest in our diversification CEF strategies over the
past 12 months. In total, the active pipeline is currently in
excess of US$400 million, which includes opportunities that are
spread across Emerging and Developed Markets, Global Tactical Asset
Allocation, Tactical Income, and Frontier CEF strategies.
We provide shareholders with a template so that they can, based
on their own assumptions, arrive at their own estimates of profit
for the year. We have received much positive feedback for this
innovation which is tangible evidence of your Board's belief in
openness and transparency towards your Company's various
stakeholders.
In conclusion there is a high level of uncertainty across our
markets and specifically this is reflected in an exceptionally high
level of discounts for emerging market closed-end funds. The
corollary is, of course, exceptional recovery potential and I am
confident that we are particularly well placed to take advantage of
events as they unfold.
David Cardale
Chairman
17th February 2017
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW
It is with some pleasure (and not a little relief) that I can
report a significant improvement in our P&L for this half year
when compared with last year.
As with most companies receiving a large percentage of their
earnings in US$ we have benefited from Brexit. Shareholders will
see from the table presented here, an illustration of the effect of
a change in the US$/GBP exchange rate on the Group's post-tax
profits at various FuM levels, based on the assumptions given,
which are a close approximation of the Group's current operating
parameters.
Post-tax profit: Illustration of US$/GBP rate effect
FUM US$bn: 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
US$/GBP Post-tax,
GBPm
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
1.10 5.3 7.3 9.3 11.4 13.4
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
1.15 5.0 6.9 8.8 10.7 12.6
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
1.20 4.7 6.5 8.3 10.2 12.0
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
1.25 4.4 6.1 7.9 9.6 11.4
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
1.30 4.1 5.8 7.5 9.2 10.9
----------- ---------- ---- ---- ----- -----
Assumes:
Average net fee 85 bp's
Annual operating costs GBP5.0m plus US$8m plus S$1m (GBP1 =
S$1.7)
Profit-share 30% of operating profit
Average tax rate 26%
Note: The above table is intended to illustrate the approximate
impact of movement in US$/GBP, given an assumed set of trading
conditions. It is not intended to be interpreted or used as a
profit forecast.
In addition we have had some significant successes from our
Diversification products. Whilst I was overly optimistic two years
ago, we are now benefiting from staying the course as we gradually
become a fully integrated Closed-End Fund house with offerings
across the spectrum of Emerging, Developed, Frontier and Tactical
Asset Allocation. The only missing segment is REITs.
As with our peers, we have continued to find the headwinds
within the EM asset class challenging. Fortunately, as a result of
past outperformance, as well as a very focused client retention
campaign, we have not suffered commensurate redemption
requests.
As CLIG shareholders will be aware there is always an increased
focus on certain aspects of Corporate Governance around the time of
a listed company's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Following Proxy
Advisory Reports (in relation to CLIG) from ISS, PIRC and IVIS
("the Institutions") this interim statement seems a good
opportunity for me to both comment on these Institutions' voting
recommendations and the outcome as expressed by shareholders and
their votes at the CLIG AGM. These reports, it should be noted, are
released subsequent to the publication of our annual financial
statements; this, therefore, is realistically the first available
opportunity to comment.
First, it is understood that these recommendations are made
within the context of "one size fits all". Having said that there
is a need for these Institutions to understand how the business
that they are analysing works before making their recommendations.
CLIG (and also CLIM) are small companies going about their business
in a very competitive market environment - any suggested change in
our working practices needs to be carefully considered.
My view is also that they should understand (as we do) that
small companies are run very differently from large companies.
One of our firm's strengths has been the teamwork that is
demonstrated across the five offices where we have exposure to the
various securities that we trade on behalf of our clients. Thus the
focus of these Institutions on individual performance targets or
individual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) seems totally at odds
with not just the culture of our firm but, more importantly, with
client and shareholder expectations.
For 25 years our team approach has developed superior returns
with a consistent team of investment professionals creating
significant margins (for shareholders) to a stable client base. It
is also worth making the point that the KPI used by CLIG is our
share price on a total return basis which has outperformed our
peers since we were listed ten years ago.
Conforming to the standards of these Institutions would mean
changing our Investment Process so that we start to focus on
individuals rather than the team.
My working assumption has always been that it's the cumulative
contribution or effort of CLIG/CLIM staff that is meant to benefit
shareholders.
I would further assume that it is not considered in the interest
of shareholders (or clients) to change a proven Investment
Process.
My final assumption is that any measurement of performance
should be proportionate. In other words the means via which the
measurement takes place (the human resources required) should be
proportionate to the benefit (for shareholders).
In an attempt to make shareholders and ISS, PIRC and IVIS aware
of the risks associated with this individual KPI approach, I have
listed some of the (potential) considerations that I would assume
such a divisive process could involve when measuring an employee's
KPI. In each case these could presumably individually
increase/decrease bonuses:
-- How would we relate investment and personal performance to
the P&L?
-- Which Index should we use, EM, Developed or Frontier (ISS use
ACWI and FTSE All-Share)?
-- How would we allocate between Departments - FuM, Headcount or
Profitability?
-- How would we take into account the contribution of
individuals within the Marketing, Performance and Attribution,
Operations and Client Servicing Departments who are all considered
as a part of the CLIM "Team"?
-- Given that we utilise four components of Attribution, which
component(s) would the Fund Manager be judged on?
-- If we could work out the contribution of an individual Fund
Manager within a team environment, should we use 1, 3 or 5 years of
fund performance to measure his or her performance?
-- How would we allocate between individuals - potentially very
divisive, sets employee against employee? Surely the competition is
outside, it is not within CLIM, and yet that would inevitably occur
with a finite bonus pool.
-- What about profits - margins or expenses?
-- How would subscriptions and redemptions be taken into
account? Would these be calculated over 1, 3 or 5 years?
For over 50 years, I have watched how a Partnership (Denny
Brothers and then Pinchin Denny) allocated its bonus, and how a PLC
(Laing and Cruickshank) allocated its bonus. In both cases, bonuses
were allocated based on a compromise between the success of the
firm and individual effort. The success of the firm was (and this
was not a perfect measurement tool) a function of the P&L.
Individual effort was measured by an employee's ability to
communicate, his or her ability to train staff, their management
skills and their flexibility. These skills varied in their
importance as we went through market cycles which were as volatile
then as they are now.
What I have learnt through these 50 years is that when
allocating bonuses there is a need to reward flexibility,
motivation, loyalty and honesty (openness).
Surely, if we are going down the path of KPIs we are confirming
those very aspects that have got so many companies into trouble?
There are many examples that can be found with a quick search on
the internet:
-- Deutsche Bank - Sale of Mortgage Backed Securities
-- Wells Fargo - Creation of Fictitious Accounts
-- Barclays - LIBOR manipulation
-- JP Morgan - London Whale
-- JP Morgan and Chase Bank - Unfair billing practices
-- UBS - Loss of US$2.3 billion as a result of "vast and risky
bets"
-- HSBC - Failure to block transactions involving terrorists,
drug lords and rogue regimes
-- Standard Chartered - Engaged in illegal transactions with
Iran, Libya and Burma resulting in a $300 million fine
-- Lehman - Purchase of housing related Assets, use of Repo 105
Transactions
-- JP Morgan, Ally Financial and Bank of America - Robo-signing
of documents
-- Countrywide Financial - Risky Loans
In each of these instances I would presume that certain
individuals achieved their target (KPI)?
Surely if we were smart about this we would focus on the source
(hiring practices) and find a solution there, instead of focusing
on the outcome (greed?).
Surely instead of focusing on KPIs we should be focusing on
employing the right people?
What follows is a list of some of the attributes we consider
when making appointments at CLIM:
-- Ability to work in a team environment
-- Ability to communicate well
-- Ability to work in a small company environment
-- Ability to motivate staff
-- Ability to accept the CLIM corporate culture
From time to time we get it wrong. When we do, the employee does
not survive very long.
In passing all nineteen resolutions that were proposed at our
AGM on Monday 17th October 2016 I would like to thank our
shareholders for their support. I would also like to thank them for
being knowledgeable regarding both how we run the company and for
their research.
Furthermore, I thought that shareholders would be interested in
an update regarding the level of support from staff for the
recently introduced Employee Incentive Plan, approved under
resolution nineteen. As of the closing date for participation, 43
of 71 staff had elected to participate. This level of support was
significantly greater than anticipated.
Shareholders will recall that these shares are non-dilutive (as
they are purchased in the market) and staff are investing money
from their bonuses. Shareholders will also recall that the Board
requested that for the first four years of the Plan, the staff
bonus pool be increased to a maximum of 35% (from 30%). The
estimated effect on this year's P&L is 0.5% (thus increasing
the bonus pool to 30.5% of pre-bonus, pre-tax operating profit) and
the estimate on next year's bonus pool is an additional 2% (32%) as
stated under the assumptions in the template, which can be viewed
on our website:
http://www.citlon.co.uk/shareholders/announcements.php.
The dividend cover template illustrates the quarterly estimated
cost of a maintained dividend over a three year period against
actual post-tax profits and assumed post-tax profit based upon some
key assumptions.
Given these assumptions it should be possible for shareholders
and other interested parties to construct models projecting our
profitability based upon their own opinions while taking into
account changing market conditions. It should be noted that each
month we disclose our updated FuM on the announcements page of our
website:
http://www.citlon.co.uk/shareholders/announcements.php.
Barry Olliff
Chief Executive Officer
17th February 2017
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2016
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended
31st 31st Dec 30th June
Dec 2016 2015 (unaudited) 2016
(unaudited)
Note GBP (audited)
GBP GBP
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Revenue
Gross fee income 2 15,438,558 11,761,261 24,412,826
Commissions payable (765,261) (823,557) (1,514,707)
Custody fees
payable (462,221) (361,730) (735,200)
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Net fee income 14,211,076 10,575,974 22,162,919
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Administrative
expenses
Staff costs 6,447,473 5,114,846 10,606,490
Other administrative
expenses 1,992,243 1,696,006 3,631,993
Depreciation
and amortisation 94,153 75,806 168,298
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
(8,533,869) (6,886,658) (14,406,781)
Operating profit 5,677,207 3,689,316 7,756,138
Interest receivable
and similar gains 3 122,459 (112,506) 212,595
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Profit before
tax 5,799,666 3,576,810 7,968,733
Income tax expense (1,528,070) (982,495) (2,115,404)
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Profit for the
period 4,271,596 2,594,315 5,853,329
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Profit attributable
to:
Equity shareholders
of the parent 4,420,214 2,632,839 5,791,354
Non-controlling
interest (148,618) (38,524) 61,975
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Basic earnings
per share 4 17.6p 10.6p 23.3p
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
Diluted earnings
per share 4 17.5p 10.4p 23.1p
--------------------- ----- -------------- ------------------- ------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2016
Six months Six
ended months Year
31st Dec ended ended
2016 (unaudited) 31st 30th
Dec June
GBP 2015 2016
(unaudited) (audited)
GBP
GBP
--------------------------- ----------------- ------------ -----------
Profit for the period 4,271,596 2,594,315 5,853,329
--------------------------- ----------------- ------------ -----------
Fair value gains/(losses)
on available-for-sale
investments* 16,430 (1,971) (542)
Foreign currency movements
in foreign operations - 96,018 -
Foreign exchange gains
on non-monetary assets 31,664 28,245 83,058
--------------------------- ----------------- ------------ -----------
Other comprehensive
income 48,094 122,292 82,516
--------------------------- ----------------- ------------ -----------
Total comprehensive
income for the period 4,319,690 2,716,607 5,935,845
--------------------------- ----------------- ------------ -----------
Attributable to:
Equity holders of
the parent 4,468,308 2,755,131 5,873,870
Non-controlling interest (148,618) (38,524) 61,975
*Net of deferred tax
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31ST DECEMBER 2016
31st 31st 30th
Note Dec 2016 Dec 2015 June
(unaudited) (unaudited) 2016
(audited)
GBP GBP GBP
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Non-current assets
Property and equipment 524,141 398,916 431,017
Intangible assets 223,226 205,816 201,801
Other financial
assets 1,050,556 2,073,625 2,200,099
Deferred tax asset 187,717 451,013 86,106
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
1,985,640 3,129,370 2,919,023
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Current assets
Trade and other
receivables 5,311,451 4,082,052 5,044,107
Available-for-sale
financial assets 784,724 - -
Cash and cash equivalents 10,456,243 8,382,280 10,150,799
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
16,552,418 12,464,332 15,194,906
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other
payables (3,171,439) (2,012,317) (3,122,371)
Current tax payable (722,060) (686,771) (732,795)
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Creditors, amounts
falling due within
one year (3,893,499) (2,699,088) (3,855,166)
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Net current assets 12,658,919 9,765,244 11,339,740
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Total assets less
current liabilities 14,644,559 12,894,614 14,258,763
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liability (192,862) (102,865) (137,514)
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Net assets 14,451,697 12,791,749 14,121,249
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Capital and reserves
Share capital 268,967 267,973 268,967
Share premium account 2,256,104 2,117,888 2,256,104
Investment in own
shares 5 (4,930,654) (5,607,771) (5,298,916)
Fair value reserve 24,507 6,648 8,077
Share option reserve 107,071 116,612 75,407
Foreign exchange
reserve 537,439 854,417 563,350
Capital redemption
reserve 22,747 22,747 22,747
Retained earnings 16,165,516 14,416,559 15,593,570
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Total equity 14,451,697 12,195,073 13,489,306
Non-controlling
interest - 596,676 631,943
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
Total equity 14,451,697 12,791,749 14,121,249
-------------------------- ------ ------------- ------------- -----------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2016
Total
attributable
Share Investment Fair Foreign Share Capital to
Share premium in own value exchange option redemption Retained share-
capital account shares reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings holders NCI Total
GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
At 1st
July 2016 268,967 2,256,104 (5,298,916) 8,077 75,407 563,350 22,747 15,593,570 13,489,306 631,943 14,121,249
Profit
for the
period - - - - - - 4,420,214 4,420,214 (148,618) 4,271,596
Comprehensive
income - - - 16,430 31,664 - - - 48,094 - 48,094
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - 16,430 31,664 - - 4,420,214 4,468,308 (148,618) 4,319,690
Transactions
with owners
Derecognisation
of NCI
investment - - - - - - - - - (483,325) (483,325)
Share option
exercise - - 368,262 - - (60,180) - 60,180 368,262 - 368,262
Share-based
payment - - - - - 34,269 - - 34,269 - 34,269
Deferred
tax - - - - - - - 91,691 91,691 - 91,691
Current
tax share
opts - - - - - - - 20,980 20,980 - 20,980
Dividends
paid - - - - - - - (4,021,119) (4,021,119) - (4,021,119)
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
transactions
with owners - - 368,262 - - (25,911) - (3,848,268) (3,505,917) (483,325) (3,989,242)
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
As at
31st December
2016 268,967 2,256,104 (4,930,654) 24,507 107,071 537,439 22,747 16,165,516 14,451,697 - 14,451,697
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
attributable
Share Investment Fair Foreign Share Capital to
Share premium in own value exchange option redemption Retained share-
capital account shares reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings holders NCI Total
GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
At 1st
July 2015 269,123 2,117,888 (5,692,430) 8,619 (7,651) 807,106 21,597 16,127,877 13,652,129 595,387 14,247,516
Profit
for the
period - - - - - - 2,632,839 2,632,839 (38,524) 2,594,315
Comprehensive
income - - - (1,971) 124,263 - - - 122,292 - 122,292
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - (1,971) 124,263 - - 2,632,839 2,755,131 (38,524) 2,716,607
Transactions
with owners
Forex movement
on NCI
investment - - - - - - - - - 39,813 39,813
Share option
exercise - - 84,659 - - (13,746) - 13,746 84,659 - 84,659
Share
cancellation (1,150) - - - - - 1,150 (375,502) (375,502) - (375,502)
Share-based
payment - - - - - 9,479 - - 9,479 - 9,479
Deferred
tax - - - - - 51,578 - 100 51,678 - 51,678
Current
tax share
opts - - - - - - - 2,516 2,516 - 2,516
Dividends
paid - - - - - - - (3,985,017) (3,985,017) - (3,985,017)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
Total
transactions
with owners (1,150) - 84,659 - - 47,311 1,150 (4,344,157) (4,212,187) 39,813 (4,172,374)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
As at
31st December
2015 267,973 2,117,888 (5,607,771) 6,648 116,612 854,417 22,747 14,416,559 12,195,073 596,676 12,791,749
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
Total
attributable
Share Investment Fair Foreign Share Capital to
Share premium in own value exchange option redemption Retained share-
capital account shares reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings holders NCI Total
GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
At 1st
July 2015 269,123 2,117,888 (5,692,430) 8,619 (7,651) 807,106 21,597 16,127,877 13,652,129 595,387 14,247,516
Profit
for the
period - - - - - - - 5,791,354 5,791,354 61,975 5,853,329
Comprehensive
income - - - (542) 83,058 - - - 82,516 - 82,516
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - (542) 83,058 - - 5,791,354 5,873,870 61,975 5,935,845
Transactions
with owners
Forex movement
on NCI
investment - - - - - - - - - (25,419) (25,419)
Share option
exercise 994 138,216 393,514 - - (74,059) - 74,059 532,724 - 532,724
Share
cancellation (1,150) - - - - - 1,150 (375,502) (375,502) - (375,502)
Share-based
payment - - - - - 16,868 - - 16,868 - 16,868
Deferred
tax - - - - - (186,565) - (129,958) (316,523) - (316,523)
Current
tax share
opts options - - - - - - - 87,461 87,461 - 87,461
Dividends
paid - - - - - - - (5,981,721) (5,981,721) - (5,981,721)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
Total
transactions
with owners (156) 138,216 393,514 - - (243,756) 1,150 (6,325,661) (6,036,693) (25,419) (6,062,112)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
As at
30th June
2016 268,967 2,256,104 (5,298,916) 8,077 75,407 563,350 22,747 15,593,570 13,489,306 631,943 14,121,249
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- --------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- -------------
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2016
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 30th June
31st Dec 31st Dec 2016 (audited)
2016 (unaudited) 2015 (unaudited) GBP
GBP GBP
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Cash flow from operating
activities
Operating profit 5,677,207 3,689,316 7,756,138
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 68,633 51,028 118,742
Amortisation of intangible
assets 25,520 24,778 49,556
Share-based payment
charge 34,269 9,479 16,868
Fair value gain on
investments 69,066 - - -
Translation adjustments (132,793) (79,804) (243,072)
Loss/(profit) on
disposal of fixed
assets 202 (50) (515)
Cash generated from
operations before
changes
in working capital 5,742,104 3,694,747 7,697,717
(Increase)/decrease
in trade and other
receivables (267,344) 427,132 (534,923)
Increase/(decrease)
in trade and other
payables 49,068 (597,627) 512,427
Cash generated from
operations 5,523,828 3,524,252 7,675,221
Interest received 14,883 22,246 40,195
Taxation paid (1,496,140) (1,123,995) (2,094,937)
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Net cash generated
from operating activities 4,042,571 2,422,503 5,620,479
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Cash flow from investing
activities
Purchase of property
and equipment (177,240) (72,042) (139,164)
Proceeds from sale
of property and equipment - 225 2,047
Purchase of non-current
financial assets (810) - -
Proceeds from sale
of non-current financial
assets - - 23,098
Purchase of current - - -
financial assets
Proceeds from sale - - -
of current financial
assets
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Net cash used in
investing activities (178,050) (71,817) (114,019)
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Cash flow from financing
activities
Proceeds from issue
of ordinary shares - - 139,210
Ordinary dividends
paid (4,021,119) (3,985,017) (5,981,721)
Purchase and cancellation
of own shares - (375,502) (375,502)
Proceeds from sale
of own shares by
employee
share option trust 368,262 84,659 393,514
Net cash used in
financing activities (3,652,857) (4,275,860) (5,824,499)
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Net increase/(decrease)
in cash and cash
equivalents 211,664 (1,925,174) (318,039)
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at start of period 10,150,799 10,226,705 10,226,705
Effect of exchange
rate changes 93,780 80,749 242,133
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 10,456,243 8,382,280 10,150,799
--------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------
NOTES
1 BASIS OF PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial information contained herein is unaudited and does
not comprise statutory financial information within the meaning of
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The information for the year
ended 30th June 2016 has been extracted from the latest published
audited accounts. The report of the independent auditor on those
financial statements contained no qualification or statement under
s498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
These interim financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the
Financial Conduct Authority and IAS 34 "Interim Financial
Reporting" as adopted by the European Union. The accounting
policies are consistent with those set out and applied in the
statutory accounts of the Group for the period ended 30th June
2016, which were prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by
the European Union.
The consolidated financial information contained within this
report incorporates the results, cash flows and financial position
of the Company and its subsidiaries for the period to 31st December
2016.
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company and are
included from the date that control commences until the date that
control ceases. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed
to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with
the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its
power over the entity.
As of 31st October 2016, the Company ceased to have the majority
interest in the International Equity CEF fund as a result of the
fund attracting a major third-party investor. The Company has
retained its interest in the fund but the fund is no longer
consolidated as a subsidiary of the Company.
When a Company ceases to have control of an entity any retained
interest in the entity is re-measured to its fair value at the date
when control is lost, with the change in carrying amount recognised
in the income statement. This fair value is the new carrying amount
for the purposes of the subsequent accounting treatment for the
retained interest, and in this instance the investment has been
classified as an available-for-sale financial asset. Any future
gains or losses arising from changes in fair value will be included
as part of other comprehensive income.
The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has
adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable
future. They therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing these interim financial statements.
2 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS
The directors consider that the Group has only one reportable
segment, namely asset management, and hence only analysis by
geographical location is given.
Europe
USA Canada UK (ex Other Total
GBP GBP GBP UK) GBP GBP
GBP
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
Six months
to 31st Dec
2016
Revenue 14,263,256 479,438 235,821 460,043 - 15,438,558
Non-current
assets:
Property and
equipment 453,829 - 60,547 - 9,765 524,141
Intangible
assets 223,226 - - - - 223,226
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
Six months
to 31st Dec
2015
Revenue 10,910,715 376,544 147,723 326,279 - 11,761,261
Non-current
assets:
Property and
equipment 328,289 - 67,754 - 2,873 398,916
Intangible
assets 205,816 - - - - 205,816
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
Year to 30th
June 2016
Revenue 22,609,241 798,158 344,259 661,168 - 24,412,826
Non-current
assets:
Property and
equipment 358,742 - 63,715 - 8,560 431,017
Intangible
assets 201,801 - - - - 201,801
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
The Group has classified revenue based on the domicile of its
clients and non-current assets based on where the assets are held.
Any individual client generating revenue of 10% or more would be
disclosed separately, as would assets in a foreign country if they
are material.
3 INTEREST RECEIVABLE
AND SIMILAR GAINS 31st Dec 31st 30th
2016 Dec June
2015 2016
GBP GBP GBP
------------------------ ---------- ---------- --------
Interest 14,883 22,246 40,195
Loss on sale of
investments - - (197)
Unrealised gain/(loss)
on investments 107,576 (134,752) 172,597
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------
122,459 (112,506) 212,595
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------
4 EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit for
the period of GBP4,420,214 (30th June 2016 - GBP5,791,354; 31st
December 2015 - GBP2,632,839) divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue for the six months ended 31st
December 2016 of 25,096,005 (30th June 2016 - 24,903,965; 31st
December 2015 - 24,856,431).
As set out in note 5 the Employee Benefit Trust held 1,720,213
ordinary shares in the company as at 31st December 2016. The
Trustees of the Trust have waived all rights to dividends
associated with these shares. In accordance with IAS33 "Earnings
per share", the ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust
have been excluded from the calculation of the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue.
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the
profit for the period of GBP4,420,214 (30th June 2016 -
GBP5,791,354; 31st December 2015 - GBP2,632,839) divided by the
diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the
six months ended 31st December 2016 of 25,287,295 (30th June 2016 -
25,045,522; 31st December 2015 - 25,215,721).
5 INVESTMENT IN OWN SHARES
Investment in own shares relates to City of London Investment
Group PLC shares held by an Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of
City of London Investment Group PLC.
At 31st December 2016 the Trust held 1,720,213 ordinary 1p
shares (30th June 2016 - 1,852,213; 31st December 2015 -
2,000,913), of which 1,376,620 ordinary 1p shares (30th June 2016 -
1,566,620; 31st December 2015 - 1,772,655) were subject to options
in issue.
6 DIVIDS
A final dividend of 16p per share in respect of the year ended
30th June 2016 was paid on 31st October 2016.
An interim dividend of 8p per share (2016 - 8p) in respect of
the year ended 30th June 2017 will be paid on 17th March 2017 to
members registered at the close of business on 3rd March 2017.
7 PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and
equity prices will affect the Group's income and the value of its
investments.
Most of the Group's revenues, and a significant part of its
expenses, are denominated in currencies other than sterling,
principally US and Canadian Dollars. These revenues are derived
from fee income which is based upon the net asset value of accounts
managed, and have the benefit of a natural hedge by reference to
the underlying currencies in which investments are held.
Inevitably, debtor and creditor balances arise which in turn give
rise to currency exposures.
8 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group's financial assets include cash and cash equivalents,
investments and other receivables. Its financial liabilities
include accruals and other payables. The fair value of the Group's
financial assets and liabilities is materially the same as the book
value.
Fair value measurements recognised in the statement of financial
position
The following table provides an analysis of financial
instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at
fair value, grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which
the fair value is observable.
-- Level 1: fair value derived from quoted prices (unadjusted)
in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
-- Level 2: fair value derived from inputs other than quoted
prices included within level 1 that are observable for the assets
or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e.
derived from prices).
-- Level 3: fair value derived from valuation techniques that
include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable market data.
The fair values of the financial instruments are determined as
follows:
-- Investments in own funds are determined with reference to the
net asset value (NAV) of the fund. Where the NAV is a quoted price
the fair value is shown under level 1, where the NAV is not a
quoted price the fair value is shown under level 2.
-- Forward currency trades are valued using the forward exchange
bid rates and are shown under level 2.
The level within which the financial asset or liability is
classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant
input to the fair value measurement.
Group
Level Level 2 Level Total
1 3
31st December 2016 GBP GBP GBP GBP
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Available-for-sale
financial assets
Investment in own funds - 817,568 - 817,568
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total - 817,568 - 817,568
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Financial assets at
fair value through
profit or loss
Investment in other
financial assets 1,017,712 - - 1,017,712
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total 1,017,712 - - 1,017,712
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Financial liabilities
at fair value through
profit or loss
Forward currency trades - 80,605 - 80,605
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total - 80,605 - 80,605
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Level Level 2 Level Total
31st December 2015 1 GBP 3 GBP
GBP GBP
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Available-for-sale
financial assets
Investment in own funds - 25,372 - 25,372
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total - 25,372 - 25,372
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Financial assets at
fair value through
profit or loss
Investment in other
financial assets 1,983,241 64,998 14 2,048,253
Total 1,983,241 64,998 14 2,048,253
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Financial liabilities
at fair value through
profit or loss
Forward currency trades - 126,021 - 126,021
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total - 126,021 - 126,021
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Level Level 2 Level Total
30th June 2016 1 GBP 3 GBP
GBP GBP
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Available-for-sale
financial assets
Investment in own funds - 27,454 - 27,454
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total - 27,454 - 27,454
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Financial assets at
fair value through
profit or loss
Investment in other
financial assets 2,160,174 12,457 14 2,172,645
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total 2,160,174 12,457 14 2,172,645
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Financial liabilities
at fair value through
profit or loss
Forward currency trades - 276,743 - 276,743
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Total - 276,743 - 276,743
------------------------- ----------- --------- ------- -----------
Level 3
Level 3 assets as of 31st December 2016 consist of nil (30th
June 2016: one security valued at GBP14; 31st December 2015: one
security valued at GBP14). The Level 3 asset in the prior year was
an investment fund where significant unobservable inputs are being
used to assign value as the investment fund was in liquidation.
Previously quoted prices in active markets were being used in the
valuation of the security. When the shares were placed into
liquidation and market activity ceased, significant unobservable
inputs were used to assign a value to the security as of period
end.
The Fund establishes valuation processes and procedures to
ensure that the valuation techniques for investments that are
categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are fair,
consistent, and verifiable. The Group is responsible for overseeing
the implementation of the valuation policies and procedures, which
includes the valuation process of the Fund's Level 3
investments.
There were no transfers between any of the levels in the
reporting period, however as described in Note 1, the investment in
the International Equity CEF fund has been reclassified as an
available-for-sale financial asset, and is now classed as a Level 2
investment.
All fair value gains and losses included in other comprehensive
income relate to the investment in own funds.
Where there is an impairment in the investment in own funds, the
loss is reported in the income statement. No impairment was
recognised during the period or the preceding year.
The fair value gain on the forward currency trades is offset in
the income statement by the foreign exchange losses on other
currency assets and liabilities held during the period and at the
period end. The net loss reported for the period is GBP136,867
(30th June 2016: net loss GBP179,495; 31st December 2015: net loss
GBP99,737).
9 GENERAL
The interim financial statements for the six months to 31st
December 2016 were approved by the Board on 17th February 2017.
These financial statements are unaudited, but they have been
reviewed by the auditors, having regard to the bulletin "Review of
Interim Financial Information" issued by the Auditing Practices
Board.
Copies of this statement are available on our website
www.citlon.co.uk.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR PGUGCPUPMUMU
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 20, 2017 02:46 ET (07:46 GMT)