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ARGP Alpha Returns

0.50
0.00 (0.00%)
Last Updated: 01:00:00
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Alpha Returns LSE:ARGP London Ordinary Share GB00B7FD9168 ORD 0.01P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 0.50 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Alpha Returns Group plc Alpha Returns Group Plc: Half-yearly Report

29/09/2016 12:36pm

UK Regulatory


 
TIDMARGP 
 
 
   29 September 2016 
 
   Alpha Returns Group Plc 
 
   ("Alpha Returns" or "the Company") 
 
   Unaudited Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2016 
 
   Alpha Returns Group Plc today announces its unaudited interim results 
for the six months ended 30 June 2016. 
 
   Director's Statement 
 
   Review of the Six Month Period ended 30 June 2016 
 
   Alpha Returns is an investment company which operates in the Asia 
Pacific (APAC) region and is based in Hong Kong. The Company aims to 
create long-term shareholder value through early stage investments in 
high-growth Asian economies. 
 
   The Company's Investing Policy is set out in full at the end of this 
statement in Note 5 and on the Company's website at alpharet.com/rule26. 
 
   Financial Review 
 
   The unaudited results for the six month period ended 30 June 2016 show a 
profit on continuing operations after taxation of GBP423,923 (30 June 
2015: GBP54,914), after including a gain on the disposal of the 
Company's investment in Riche Bright Securities Ltd. ("RBSL") of 
GBP665,035. The profit per share was 0.06p (30 June 2015: loss 0.02p) 
from continuing operations. After a gain on translation of foreign 
subsidiaries of GBP204,219 (2015: loss GBP61,379) and loss from 
discontinued operations of GBP220,633 (2015: nil), profits after tax was 
GBP407,509 (2015: loss GBP6,645) of which GBP263,192 (2015: loss 
GBP94,536) was attributable to equity holders of the Company. 
 
   Total revenue was GBP1,005,068 (30 June 2015: GBP1,728,423). 
 
   During the period the Company issued 32,142,857 new ordinary shares to 
complete the acquisition of a 30% interest in Oriental Ventures Limited. 
At the end of the period under review net assets were GBP4,377,100, of 
which GBP4,210,525 were attributable to equity shareholders of the 
Company (31 December 2015: GBP4,222,435, attributable GBP3,049,490 and 
30 June 2015: GBP4,624,679, attributable GBP3,689,050) giving net assets 
attributable to equity shareholders of approximately 0.6p per share. 
Included in this amount are cash and cash equivalents of GBP2,159,193, 
an increase of over GBP1.75 million from that available at 31 December 
2015. 
 
   Review of Operations 
 
   On 31 May 2016 the Company, through its then 70 per cent. owned 
joint-venture investment vehicle Riche Bright Group Limited ("RBG"), 
completed the disposal of its shareholding in RBSL for a total cash 
consideration of HK$33.17 million. 
 
   RBG subsequently repurchased its own shares from its 30% minority 
shareholders at attributable net asset value, thereby becoming a wholly 
owned subsidiary available for use as an intermediate bare holding 
company for future investments in accordance with the Company's 
investing policy. 
 
   The Company's investment portfolio presently includes a 52.5% interest 
in Singapore based Telistar, a 30% investment in PRC based Maxlife, and 
a conditional 50% investment in PRC based Jesoft. 
 
   Telistar has continued to perform to expectations and is on track to 
grow revenues and profits from the previous year. Since the adoption of 
its new business model, Maxlife has been renamed Shenzhen Maxlife 
Lifestyle Commerce Co., Ltd. Maxlife continues grow its e-commerce 
platform through the expansion of product and service offerings. 
 
   The Company announced in July its intention to terminate the investment 
in Jesoft following the non-satisfaction of conditions precedent past 
the extended long-stop date. The Directors expect to conclude a 
termination agreement with the vendor in the near future with the return 
of 17,394,054 ordinary shares previously issued to the vendor as initial 
consideration. 
 
   Post Period Events 
 
   After the end of the period, on 31 August 2016, the Company's wholly 
owned subsidiary ARGP Investments Limited acquired a 6.67% interest in 
New Trend Lifestyle Group PLC (AIM: NTLG) for GBP100,000 at a price of 
1.2p per share. 
 
   Board Changes 
 
   During the period non-executive director Eric Leung resigned to focus on 
other commitments and post period end the resolution to re-appoint Tony 
Drury was not passed by shareholders. The Board thanks them both for 
their contributions and continues to search for suitable replacements. 
 
   Corporate Governance 
 
   The Company operates Audit, AIM Compliance, Nominations and Remuneration 
committees. The roles and composition of these committees are kept under 
regular review. 
 
   Risk Assessment 
 
   The Directors consider that the main risk is a loss of some or all value 
at one or more of its investee companies. The Executive Directors 
maintain a close liaison with the management of each company to limit, 
as far as possible, this exposure to risk, whilst not themselves being 
involved in the day-to-day operations of investee companies. 
 
   Outlook 
 
   Following UK's historic EU referendum, we have seen a sharp drop in the 
value of sterling which resulted in a boost in the value of the 
Company's assets which are mainly denominated in foreign currencies but 
are reported in sterling. Whilst we expect to see continued global 
uncertainty and market volatility, the Board believes that Alpha Returns 
will be able to continue to identify high quality investments in the 
Asia Pacific region. 
 
   Christopher Neo 
 
   Executive Director 
 
   29 September 2016 
 
   A copy of this interim report will shortly be available on the Company's 
website at alpharet.com/rule26 
 
   For further information please call: 
 
 
 
 
Alpha Returns Group Plc 
Christopher Neo, Executive Director     0203 286 6388 
 
ZAI Corporate Finance 
Peter Trevelyan-Clark / Tim Cofman      0207 060 2220 
 
Peterhouse Corporate Finance (Broker) 
Duncan Vasey / Lucy Williams            0207 220 9797 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Statement of Comprehensive Income 
 
   For the six months ended 30 June 2016 
 
 
 
 
                                                               Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited 
                                                               6 Months 
                                                                 to 30    6 Months to   12 months 
                                                                 June       30 June      to Dec 
                                                                 2016        2015         2015 
                                                         Note     GBP         GBP          GBP 
Continuing operations 
Revenue                                                        1,005,068    1,728,423    2,256,770 
Cost of sales                                                  (666,172)    (754,136)  (1,388,507) 
 
Gross profit                                                     338,896      974,287      868,263 
Administration costs                                           (575,280)  (1,010,609)  (1,251,988) 
Share based payments                                             (6,241)     (67,000)    (134,000) 
Other income                                                          53      201,224       28,880 
Other losses                                                           -            -     (37,000) 
 
Operating profit/(loss)                                        (242,572)       97,902    (525,845) 
 
Gain on disposal of investments                                  665,035            -            - 
 
 
Profit/(loss) before financing                                   422,463       97,902    (525,845) 
 
Finance cost                                                           -            -          (1) 
Finance income                                                       236            5            6 
Investment income                                                     58          226        6,515 
Gain on foreign exchange                                           6,506        1,895        3,167 
Profit/(loss) on continuing operations before taxation           429,263      100,028    (516,158) 
 
Taxation                                                         (5,340)     (45,114)      (6,193) 
 
Profit/(loss) on continuing operations after taxation            423,923       54,914    (522,351) 
 
Gain on translation of foreign subsidiaries                      204,219     (61,379)       19,689 
 
Discontinued operations 
(Loss)/profit from operations reclassified as held 
 for sale                                                      (220,633)            -        5,258 
 
Profit/(loss) after taxation and total comprehensive 
 income/(expense)                                                407,509      (6,465)    (497,404) 
 
 
Attributable to: 
Equity holders of the company                                    263,192     (94,536)    (554,320) 
Non- controlling interests                                       144,317       88,071       56,916 
 
Basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share 
 
 
- Basic and diluted - continuing operations                 3      0.06p      (0.02p)      (0.09p) 
- Basic and diluted - operations reclassified as held 
 for sale                                                        (0.03p)        0.00p        0.00p 
 
- Total basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share 
                                                                   0.03p      (0.02p)      (0.09p) 
 
 
 
   Statement of Financial Position 
 
   As at 30 June 2016 
 
 
 
 
                                              Unaudited    Unaudited         Audited 
                                               30 June      30 June      31 December 
                                                2016         2015               2015 
                                                 GBP          GBP                GBP 
                                   Assets 
                       Non-Current Assets 
              Property, plant and equipment      120,119      131,103        107,477 
                          Intangible assets      638,780    1,317,457      1,276,407 
                                Investments    1,243,785      581,586        790,883 
                   Investments in associate            -      295,699              - 
                                               2,002,684    2,325,845      2,174,767 
 
                           Current Assets 
                Trade and other receivables      492,743    1,937,290        620,260 
        Financial assets available for sale            -      111,379      1,860,773 
                  Cash and cash equivalents    2,159,193    1,280,138        394,963 
                                               2,651,936    3,328,807      2,875,996 
 
                               Total Assets    4,654,620    5,654,652      5,050,763 
 
                              Liabilities 
   Liabilities of disposal group classified 
                           as held for sale            -            -        107,926 
                   Trade and other payables      277,520    1,029,973        720,402 
                                                 277,520    1,029,073        828,328 
 
                          Total Liabilities      277,520    1,029,973        828,328 
 
                                 Net Assets    4,377,100    4,624,679      4,222,435 
 
                                   Equity 
                              Share capital    1,354,838    1,351,624      1,351,624 
                              Share premium    7,516,010    7,069,224      7,069,224 
                        Revaluation reserve       11,176            -          8,275 
                       Share option reserve      267,999      194,758        261,758 
       Foreign currency translation reserve      343,510       33,896        109,975 
                    Profit and loss account  (5,283,008)  (4,960,452)    (5,751,366) 
 
      Attributable to equity holders of the 
                                    company    4,210,525    3,689,050      3,049,490 
                  Non-controlling interests      166,575      935,629      1,172,945 
                               Total equity    4,377,100    4,624,679      4,222,435 
 
 
 
 
   Statement of Changes in Equity 
 
   For the six months ended 30 June 2016 
 
 
 
 
                                                                       Profit 
                                      Revalua-   Share     Foreign       and                     Non- 
                  Share      Share      tion     option    currency      loss       Total     controlling 
                 capital    premium    reserve   reserve   reserve     account      equity     interest      Total 
                   GBP        GBP       GBP       GBP        GBP         GBP         GBP         GBP          GBP 
Balance at 1 
 Jan 2015       1,348,580  6,525,522         -   127,758     87,870  (4,987,944)  3,101,786     1,166,658  4,268,444 
 
Shares issued 
 in year            3,044    543,702         -         -          -            -    546,746             -    546,746 
Share based 
 payment 
 charge                 -          -         -    67,000          -            -     67,000             -     67,000 
Foreign 
 Currency 
 reserve                -          -         -         -   (53,974)                (53,974)       (7,405)   (61,379) 
Acquisitions 
 during the 
 year                   -          -         -         -          -       68,054     68,054     (319,100)  (251,046) 
Profit for the 
 6 months to 
 30 June 2015           -          -         -         -          -     (40,562)   (40,562)        95,476     54,914 
                                                                                                        - 
Balance at 30 
 June 2015      1,351,624  7,069,224         -   194,758     33,896  (4,960,452)  3,689,050       935,629  4,624,679 
 
 
Balance at 1 
 Jan 2015       1,348,580  6,525,522         -   127,758     87,870  (4,987,944)  3,101,786     1,166,658  4,268,444 
Prior year 
 adjustment             -          -         -         -          -    (255,050)  (255,050)       255,050          - 
Shares issued 
 in year            3,044    543,702         -         -          -            -    546,746             -    546,746 
Share based 
 payment 
 charge                 -          -         -   134,000          -            -    134,000             -    134,000 
Revaluation of 
 investment             -          -     8,275         -          -            -      8,275             -      8,275 
Foreign 
 Currency 
 reserve                -          -         -         -     22,105            -     22,105        13,421     35,526 
Acquisitions 
 during the 
 year                   -          -         -         -          -       65,637     65,637     (319,100)  (253,463) 
Loss for the 
 year                   -          -         -         -          -    (574,009)  (574,009)        56,916  (517,093) 
 
Balance at 31 
 Dec 2015       1,351,624  7,069,224     8,275   261,758    109,975  (5,751,366)  3,049,490     1,172,945  4,222,435 
 
Shares issued 
 in the 
 period             3,214    446,786         -         -          -            -    450,000             -    450,000 
Share based 
 payment 
 charge                            -         -     6,241          -            -      6,241             -      6,241 
Revaluation of 
 investment             -          -     2,901         -          -            -      2,901             -      2,901 
Foreign 
 Currency 
 reserve                -          -         -         -    233,535            -    233,535      (29,316)    204,219 
Share buyback           -          -         -         -          -     (23,900)   (23,900)     (973,795)  (997,695) 
Profit for the 
 period and 
 total 
 comprehensive 
 income                 -          -         -         -          -      492,258    492,258       (3,259)    488,999 
 
Balance at 30 
 June 2016      1,354,838  7,516,010    11,176   267,999    343,510  (5,283,008)  4,210,525       166,575  4,377,100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Statement of Cash Flow 
 
   For the six months ended 30 June 2016 
 
 
 
 
                                                           Unaudited  Unaudited    Audited 
                                                           6 Months   6 Months    12 months 
                                                            to June    to June   to December 
                                                             2016       2015        2015 
 
                                                              GBP        GBP         GBP 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Loss after taxation                                          423,923     54,914    (435,100) 
Adjustments for: 
Depreciation and amortisation                                  6,172      9,489       20,451 
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment                    -          -        3,854 
Share based payments                                           6,241     67,000      134,000 
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of investment                      (665,035)          -       37,000 
Dividend income                                                    -          -     (88,383) 
(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables           789,411   (77,054)      951,826 
Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables            (849,031)  (482,364)    (815,618) 
Foreign exchange differences                                (86,406)      5,423     (24,982) 
Taxation                                                       5,340     45,114       43,293 
Income tax paid                                              (8,867)   (24,902)     (14,844) 
 
Net cash used in operating activities                      (378,252)  (402,380)    (188,503) 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                    (4,675)   (38,010)     (80,576) 
Disposal of property, plant and equipment                          -          -      102,221 
Purchase of investments                                            -          -     (75,617) 
Disposal of investments                                    2,709,678          -            - 
Purchase of financial assets                                       -  (114,907)            - 
 
Net cash used in investing activities                      2,705,003  (152,917)     (53,972) 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Net proceeds from issue of share capital                           -        847            - 
Share buyback                                              (808,811)          -            - 
 
Net cash generated from financing activities               (808,811)        847            - 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents       1,517,940  (554,450)    (242,475) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period             394,963  1,848,183    1,848,183 
Cash and cash equivalents in disposal group at beginning 
 of period                                                    15,950          -  (1,287,573) 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and 
 cash equivalents                                            230,340   (13,595)       76,828 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                 2,159,193  1,280,138      394,963 
 
 
 
 
 
   Notes to the Interim Results 
 
   For the six months ended 30 June 2016 
 
 
 
 
   1. General information 
 
 
   The financial information set out in this consolidated interim report 
for the six months ended 30 June 2016 and the comparative figures for 
the six months ended 30 June 2015 are unaudited. The financial 
information for the six months ended 30 June 2016 does not constitute 
statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. 
The Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 
December 2015, prepared under International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS), received an unmodified audit report, did not contain 
statements under sections 498(2) or section 498(3) of the Companies Act 
2006 and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 
 
 
   1. Basis of Preparation 
 
 
   The 30 June 2016 consolidated interim financial statements of Alpha 
Returns Group Plc are for the six months ended 30 June 2016. They do not 
include all of the information required for full annual financial 
statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group prepared under IFRS for the year ended 
31 December 2015. 
 
   The comparative figures for the six months ended 30 June 2015 have been 
extracted from the accounting records of the Group and were prepared on 
a consistent basis with the results presented for the year ended 31 
December 2015 and have been neither reviewed nor audited by the Group's 
auditors. 
 
   The accounting policies applied are consistent with those of the 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015, as described 
in those financial statements and as expected to be adopted in the 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016. 
 
 
   1. Earnings per share 
 
 
   The basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the 
profit/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted 
average number of shares in issue. 
 
   In the six months to 30 June 2016, the exercise price of the options and 
warrants exceeded the average market price of ordinary shares in the 
period, thus there is no dilutive effect on the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares or the diluted earnings per share. 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share                                         Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                                                                     12 months 
                                                          6 Months to  6 Months to  to December 
                                                           June 2016    June 2015      2015 
Net profit/(loss) for the period attributable to equity 
 owners of the parent                                        263,192     (94,536)     (554,320) 
Add: loss/(profit) from discontinued operations               220,633            -      (5,258) 
 Non-controlling interest in discontinued operations         (66,190)            -        1,577 
 
Net profit/(loss) for the period attributable to equity 
 owners of the parent from continuing operations              417,635     (94,536)    (558,001) 
 
Weighted average number of shares in issue                676,959,503  649,515,679  654,029,897 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share                            0.06p      (0.02p)      (0.09p) 
 
 
 
   4. Investments held at fair value through profit and loss 
 
 
 
 
                       Unaudited        Unaudited          Audited 
                      6 Months to    6 Months to June   12 months to 
                       June 2016           2015         December 2015 
Non-current 
portion 
Fair value at 1 
 January 2016               790,883           583,720          583,720 
Acquisitions                450,000                 -          244,163 
Net gain on 
 disposal of 
 investments                      -           (2,134)                - 
Impairment review             2,902                 -         (37,000) 
                          1,243,785           581,586          790,883 
Current portion 
Acquisitions                      -           111,379                - 
 
Fair value at 30 
 June 2016                1,243,785           692,965          790,883 
 
Categorised as: 
Level 1 - quoted 
 investments                 21,652           177,452           18,750 
Level 3 - unquoted 
 investments              1,222,133           515,513          772,133 
 
 
 
   The table of investments sets out the fair value measurements using the 
IFRS 7 fair value hierarchy.  Categorisation within the hierarchy has 
been determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is 
significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset as 
follows: 
 
   Level 1 - valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical 
assets. 
 
   Level 2 - valued by reference to valuation techniques using observable 
inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1. 
 
   Level 3 - valued by reference to valuation techniques using inputs that 
are not based on observable market data. 
 
   5. Investing Policy 
 
   With its Asia-centric focus, Alpha Returns Group Plc will actively seek 
to acquire and consolidate holdings in companies operating in 
high-growth Asian economies, with the intention to create and sustain 
long-term value. The Company may invest in any business sector within 
its targeted geographic focus. 
 
   The Directors see Asia- Pacific as having considerable growth potential 
for the foreseeable future and many of the prospects they have 
identified are in this region. The Directors will focus on early stage 
investments and the opportunities would be generally have some or all of 
the following characteristics, namely: 
 
 
   -- A majority of their revenue derived from the Asia-Pacific, and strongly 
      positioned to benefit from the region's growth; 
 
   -- A trading history which reflects past profitability or potential for 
      significant capital growth going forward; and 
 
   -- Where all or part of the consideration could be satisfied by the issuance 
      of new Ordinary Shares or other securities in the Company. The Company 
      does not currently intend to fund any investments with debt or other 
      borrowings but may do so if appropriate. 
 
 
   continued. 
 
   5. Investing Policy (continued) 
 
   It is anticipated that the main driver of success for the Company will 
be its focus, during the investment screening process, on the management 
involved in the potential investee companies and the potential value 
creation that the team of people is capable of realising. The Company 
will identify and assess potential investment targets and where it 
believes further investigation is required, intends to appoint 
appropriately qualified advisers to assist in the due diligence process. 
 
   The Company intends to be an active investor, and the Directors will 
seek representation on the board of the investee company where they feel 
that an investee company would benefit from their skills and expertise. 
 
   Investments may be made in all types of assets falling within the remit 
of the Investing Policy and there will be no sector-driven investment 
restrictions. Investments may be made in either quoted or unquoted 
companies and structured as a direct acquisition, joint venture or as a 
direct interest in a project. 
 
   New investments will be held for the medium to longer term, although 
shorter term disposal of any investments cannot be ruled out. There will 
be no limit on the number of projects into which the Company may invest 
and the Company's financial resources may be invested in a number of 
propositions or in just one investment, which may be deemed to be 
reverse takeover pursuant to Rule 14 of the AIM Rules. Where the Company 
builds a portfolio of related assets it is possible that there may be 
cross-holdings between such assets. 
 
   The Company intends to deliver Shareholder returns principally through 
capital growth rather than capital distributions via dividends. 
 
   The Directors believe that their broad collective business and investing 
experience in the areas of investment and trading natural resources will 
assist in the identification and evaluation of suitable opportunities 
and will enable the Company to achieve its investing objectives. 
 
   This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf 
of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. 
 
   The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely 
responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information 
contained therein. 
 
   Source: Alpha Returns Group plc via Globenewswire 
 
 
  http://www.alpharet.com 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 29, 2016 07:36 ET (11:36 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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