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BPET Bmo Private Equity Trust Plc

438.00
0.00 (0.00%)
28 Mar 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Bmo Private Equity Trust Plc LSE:BPET London Ordinary Share GB0030738271 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 438.00 438.00 444.00 0.00 00:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

BMO Private Equity Trust PLC First Quarter Results & Dividend Announcement (0096A)

23/05/2019 11:41am

UK Regulatory


TIDMBPET

RNS Number : 0096A

BMO Private Equity Trust PLC

23 May 2019

 
 To: Stock Exchange   For immediate release: 
                      23 May 2019 
 

BMO Private Equity Trust PLC

Quarterly results for the three months to 31 March 2019 (unaudited)

   --      Share price total return for the three months of 8.4 per cent for the Ordinary Shares 

-- NAV total return per Ordinary Share for the three month period ended 31 March 2019 of (0.4) per cent.

   --      NAV of 381.01p per Ordinary Share. 
   --      Quarterly dividend of 3.73p per Ordinary Share 

Introduction

As at 31 March 2019, the net assets of the Company were GBP281.7 million, giving a Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share of 381.01p, which taking into account the dividend of 3.58p per share paid on 31 January, gives a decrease of 0.4% over the quarter. The portfolio has gained in value modestly, but this gain was completely offset by currency movements with Euro weakness against Sterling being the principal factor. At 31 March 2019, the Company had net debt of GBP11.0 million. Outstanding undrawn commitments were GBP121.2 million, including GBP18.0m to funds where the investment period has expired.

In line with the Company's policy to pay dividends on a quarterly basis, a dividend of 3.65p per share was paid on 30 April 2019 and a further dividend of 3.73p per share will be paid on 31 July 2019 to shareholders on the register on 5 July 2019 and an ex-dividend date of 4 July 2019.

New Investments

Three new fund commitments and three new co-investments were made during the quarter. After the quarter end a further two new fund commitments have been made.

In the UK GBP7 million was committed to Kester Capital II, a buy-out fund focusing on the lower mid-market. We are already investors with Kester, an emerging private equity firm, through their first fund and as a co-investor in Jollyes (pet shop chain) and CETA (caravan insurance).

EUR7 million was committed to Silverfleet European Development Fund, a new fund from the well-established firm Silverfleet, which will focus on lower mid-market buy-outs in the size range of enterprise value between EUR25 million and EUR75 million across Europe. These are deals which are somewhat below the size bracket usually targeted by Silverfleet and a dedicated team has been created within Silverfleet to implement this extension to their strategy. SEK 40 million (GBP3.5 million) has been committed to Summa II, a Nordic focused buyout fund focusing on companies where there is a sustainability angle. This follows on from our current investment in Summa's original fund. After the quarter end two commitments were made to Inflexion Supplemental Fund V (GBP2.7 million) and Inflexion Enterprise Fund V (GBP6.0 million), updating and adding to this long-standing successful relationship.

The new co-investments are diverse by sector and geography. GBP2.9 million has been invested in San Siro, a funeral services company based in Milan in Northern Italy. The investment is led by Augens, an Italy focused mid-market private equity firm. The investment thesis is centred around expanding from the two initial funeral homes in Milan to establish a small chain in Northern Italy. Unlike in the US, UK or France the funeral services market in Italy is highly fragmented and Augens believe that there is scope to build San Siro into a clear market leader. EUR3.5 million has been invested in STAXS a Netherlands based supplier of cleanroom consumable products, selling principally to the pharmaceutical sector. The investment is led by the lower mid-market team at Silverfleet, noted above. This company gives exposure to a growing niche market with high barriers to entry and significant scope for internationalisation. Lastly, closer to home for us, GBP2.1 million has been invested in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) company, Cyberhawk. Based in Livingston, near Edinburgh, Cyberhawk has pioneered the use of UAVs to inspect critical energy infrastructure and has a blue-chip customer base in the oil and gas, wind power and utilities sectors. Not only does this allow safer and more efficient inspections of pylons, wind turbines and oil rigs, Cyberhawk delivers inspection results via its proprietary cloud-based asset management software.

The component of the portfolio in co-investments is now 42.3%.

In the funds element of the portfolio a number of diverse new investments were made during the quarter.

In the Benelux region Bencis called GBP0.7 million for investment in two companies; Bons & Evers (metal forging) and Medsen - Ceban (pharmacy chain and pill compounding). August Equity IV called GBP1.0 million for Charterhouse Voice and Data (voice and data communications, hosting and cyber security). In Germany DBAG VII called GBP0.7 million for investment in KEF (steel and textile cutting machines for making tyres). Apiary Capital called GBP0.4 million for a platform investment for a childrens' nursery chain in Scotland and North West England.

Taking these co-investments and all the drawdowns for the funds together totalled GBP15.5 million in new investments for the quarter.

Realisations

The largest realisation in the quarter was the exit of August Equity II's holding in UK based cyber security company, SecureData. The company was sold after six and half years to French telecoms company Orange SA. This excellent realisation returned GBP4.0 million with an investment multiple of 7.2x and an IRR of 35%. Argan Capital has continued to sell down its holding in Swedish healthcare company Humana which is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. During the quarter two tranches were sold returning GBP1.8 million. So far the investment has yielded 5x the original investment. Hutton Collins exited its longstanding investment in restaurant chain Wagamama through the sale to UK listed Restaurant Group. This yielded GBP0.9 million (2.6x, IRR 17%). Hutton Collins also exited its holding held in both funds I and II in Healthcare at Home through a sale to private equity group Fram. This returned GBP0.6 million, representing 0.9x cost. Corpfin IV sold Spanish perfume and cosmetics retail chain Arenal to listed Portuguese company Sonae Group. This yielded GBP0.8 million, which represents 1.8x, with the potential to improve, through earn-outs and escrows, to 2.4x and an IRR of 32%. Herkules III has exited Stamina Group AS (Hjelp 24) a leading occupational health service provider in the Nordic region through a sale to Norvestor. This investment had not achieved its potential and the GBP0.7 million received represented a return of cost. TDR Capital Fund II, which now only holds companies comprising the modular buildings group Algeco Scotsman continued its realisation process. During the quarter the US remote accommodation section was spun out into a NASDAQ listed vehicle and the fund returned GBP1.3 million. Lastly from the Italian portfolio of secondary positions GBP0.7 million was received from the sale by ILP III of Clouditalia, the fibre optic telecoms network. There were a number of other realisations in the quarter with total realisations and associated income coming to GBP12.8 million.

Valuation Changes

The largest positive influence in the quarter was the uplift of specialist software company Dotmatics by GBP1.9 million. This SEP led investment is making good progress against the original plan. In the US electrical components company Sigma is growing well both organically and through bolt on acquisitions and this is uplifted by GBP1.7 million. August Equity IV was up by GBP1.1 million mainly reflecting the exit of SecureData noted above. US Fund Graycliff continues to do well with an uplift of GBP0.7 million. The Italian portfolio is up by GBP0.4 million mainly reflecting good progress for furniture company Georgetti. Swiss based adhesive company Schaetti is recovering and is up by GBP0.6 million.

On the negative side cement company Calucem is slightly behind plan and is down by GBP0.5 million. Astorg IV is down by GBP0.3 million reflecting a bumpy start to liver diagnostics equipment company Echosens. Warburg Pincus VIII, which has a number of listed shares which have been under pressure, is down by GBP0.3 million. Our residual holding in Eventbrite, which was received through the exit of Ticketscript, was realised during April once the lock-up period expired. Share price weakness since the year end resulted in a valuation reduction of GBP2.1m.

Financing

As noted above adverse currency movements meant that the progress of the underlying portfolio was offset this quarter. The Company will shortly replace its current borrowing facility with a fresh, larger and somewhat cheaper facility. This will run for five years and provide the Company with plenty of headroom for handling any mismatch of drawdowns and realisations or for securing the acquisition of assets.

Outlook

At this stage of the year, it appears that the levels of activity within the portfolio are very similar to the same point during 2018. There remains a very active market for private equity exits with many of our partners noting record amounts of 'incoming' interest in their portfolio companies. On the other side of the equation finding attractive deals is, as always, competitive with acquirers having to demonstrate a genuine 'edge' when winning over vendors and management teams. This is usually far more than the mere provision of attractively priced capital. Private equity investment harnesses strategic, and sometimes operational, expertise to capital improving the chance of a target company's success being sustained. Ideally the closer the investor's understanding of a company or sector, the more value they can add and the less they will be required to pay to invest. Private equity firms who take this approach can usually find good deals even when markets are competitive. Much fresh capital has been raised for private equity in recent years, but the increase is not out of line with overall growth in deal value, nor is it surprising given that private equity investment is growing in popularity with institutional and

retail investors alike, yet at present represents only a low single figure percentage of all equity investment. There are clearly some 'headwinds' for investment ranging from the UK/EU Brexit Impasse to trade tensions between the US and China, however these are factors which are incorporated by private equity investors into their long term investment plans and certainly do not deter our investment partners from their value creation activities nor should they discourage investors looking to participate in the output from their efforts by gaining exposure to our well diversified portfolio. At this early stage in the year we expect further growth for shareholders.

Hamish Mair

Investment Manager

BMO Investment Business Limited

BMO PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST PLC

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the

three months ended 31 March 2019 (unaudited)

 
 
                                                  Revenue    Capital        Total 
                                                  GBP'000    GBP'000      GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Income 
 Losses on investments held at fair value               -    (1,672)      (1,672) 
 Exchange gains                                         -      1,060        1,060 
 Investment income                                    634          -          634 
 Other income                                          31          -           31 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Total income                                         665      (612)           53 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 Expenditure 
 Investment management fee - basic fee               (68)      (619)        (687) 
 Investment management fee - performance                -          -            - 
  fee 
 Other expenses                                     (208)          -        (208) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Total expenditure                                  (276)      (619)        (895) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before finance costs and 
  taxation                                            389    (1,231)        (842) 
 
 Finance costs                                       (41)      (373)        (414) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before taxation                        348    (1,604)      (1,256) 
 
 Taxation                                            (66)         66            - 
 
 Profit/(loss) for period/total comprehensive 
  income                                              282    (1,538)      (1,256) 
 
 Return per Ordinary Share                          0.38p    (2.08)p      (1.70)p 
 
 

BMO PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST PLC

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the

three months ended 31 March 2018 (unaudited)

 
 
                                                  Revenue    Capital      Total 
                                                  GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Income 
 Losses on investments held at fair value               -    (2,881)    (2,881) 
 Exchange gains                                         -        373        373 
 Investment income                                    448          -        448 
 Other income                                          24          -         24 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total income                                         472    (2,508)    (2,036) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Expenditure 
 Investment management fee - basic fee              (159)      (476)      (635) 
 Investment management fee - performance                -          -          - 
  fee 
 Other expenses                                     (188)          -      (188) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total expenditure                                  (347)      (476)      (823) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before finance costs and 
  taxation                                            125    (2,984)    (2,859) 
 
 Finance costs                                      (106)      (319)      (425) 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) before taxation                         19    (3,303)    (3,284) 
 
 Taxation                                            (15)         15          - 
 
 Profit/(loss) for period/total comprehensive 
  income                                                4    (3,288)    (3,284) 
 
 Return per Ordinary Share                          0.01p    (4.45)p    (4.44)p 
 
 

BMO PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST PLC

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the

year ended 31 December 2018 (audited)

 
 
                                                Revenue    Capital      Total 
                                                GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Income 
 Gains on investments held at fair value              -     36,966     36,966 
 Exchange gains                                       -         35         35 
 Investment income                                2,340          -      2,340 
 Other income                                        81          -         81 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total income                                     2,421     37,001     39,422 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Expenditure 
 Investment management fee - basic fee            (660)    (1,980)    (2,640) 
 Investment management fee - performance 
  fee                                                 -    (2,277)    (2,277) 
 Other expenses                                   (760)          -      (760) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total expenditure                              (1,420)    (4,257)    (5,677) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit before finance costs and taxation         1,001     32,744     33,745 
 
 Finance costs                                    (428)    (1,286)    (1,714) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit before taxation                             573     31,458     32,031 
 
 Taxation                                         (109)        109          - 
 
 Profit for year/total comprehensive income         464     31,567     32,031 
 
 Return per Ordinary Share                        0.63p     42.69p     43.32p 
 
 

BMO PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST PLC

Balance Sheet

 
                                             As at 31      As at 31   As at 31 December 
                                           March 2019    March 2018                2018 
                                          (unaudited)   (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                              GBP'000       GBP'000             GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 Non-current assets 
 Investments at fair value through 
  profit or loss                              296,830       259,870             295,242 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 
 Current assets 
 Other receivables                                 34           304                 142 
 Cash and cash equivalents                     14,789        27,893              21,335 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
                                               14,823        28,197              21,477 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Other payables                               (4,126)       (3,799)             (4,267) 
 Interest-bearing bank loan                  (25,799)             -            (26,821) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
                                             (29,925)       (3,799)            (31,088) 
 
 Net current (liabilities)/assets            (15,102)        24,398             (9,611) 
 
 Total assets less current liabilities        281,728       284,268             285,631 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Interest-bearing bank loan                         -      (26,033)                   - 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 Net assets                                   281,728       258,235             285,631 
 
 Equity 
 Called-up ordinary share capital                 739           739                 739 
 Share premium account                          2,527         2,527               2,527 
 Special distributable capital 
  reserve                                      15,040        15,040              15,040 
 Special distributable revenue 
  reserve                                      31,403        31,403              31,403 
 Capital redemption reserve                     1,335         1,335               1,335 
 Capital reserve                              230,684       207,187             234,587 
 Revenue reserve                                    -             4                   - 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 Shareholders' funds                          281,728       258,235             285,631 
---------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------------ 
 
 Net asset value per Ordinary Share           381.01p       349.24p             386.29p 
 
 

BMO PRIVATE EQUITY TRUST PLC

Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds

 
                                    Three months   Three months     Year ended 
                                  ended 31 March       ended 31    31 December 
                                            2019     March 2018           2018 
                                     (unaudited)    (unaudited)      (audited) 
------------------------------  ----------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                         GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Opening shareholders' funds             285,631        264,144        264,144 
 Profit for the period/total 
  comprehensive income                   (1,256)        (3,284)         32,031 
 Dividends paid                          (2,647)        (2,625)       (10,544) 
------------------------------  ----------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Closing shareholders' funds            281,728        258,235        285,631 
------------------------------  ----------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Notes (unaudited)

1. The unaudited quarterly results have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2018. During the year to 31 December 2018, the management fee and bank loan interest were allocated 75 per cent to capital and 25 per cent to revenue. In accordance with the Board's expected long term split of returns in the form of capital gains and income, with effect from 1 January 2019 the allocation basis has been revised to 90 per cent to capital and 10 per cent to revenue.

   2.   Investment management fee: 
 
                                  Three months ended               Three months ended           Year ended 31 December 
                                       31 March 2019                    31 March 2018                             2018 
                                         (unaudited)                      (unaudited)                        (audited) 
                       Revenue    Capital      Total    Revenue    Capital      Total    Revenue    Capital      Total 
                       GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Investment 
  management 
  fee - basic fee           68        619        687        159        476        635        660      1,980      2,640 
 Investment 
  management 
  fee - performance 
  fee                        -          -          -          -          -          -          -      2,277      2,277 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
                            68        619        687        159        476        635        660      4,257      4,917 
-------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
   3.   Finance costs: 
 
                                 Three months ended               Three months ended           Year ended 31 December 
                                      31 March 2019                    31 March 2018                             2018 
                                        (unaudited)                      (unaudited)                        (audited) 
                      Revenue    Capital      Total    Revenue    Capital      Total    Revenue    Capital      Total 
                      GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Interest payable 
  on bank loans            41        373        414        106        319        425        428      1,286      1,714 
 
 
   4.   Returns and net asset values 
 
                                      Three months ended       Three months                   Year ended 31 
                                           31 March 2019     ended 31 March                   December 2018 
                                                                       2018 
                                             (unaudited)        (unaudited)                       (audited) 
 The returns and net asset 
  values per share are based 
  on the following figures: 
 Revenue Return                               GBP282,000           GBP4,000                      GBP464,000 
 Capital Return                           (GBP1,538,000)     (GBP3,288,000)                   GBP31,567,000 
 Net assets attributable                  GBP281,728,000     GBP258,235,000                  GBP285,631,000 
  to shareholders 
 Number of shares in issue 
  during the year                             73,941,429         73,941,429                      73,941,429 
 Weighted average number 
  of shares in issue during 
  the year                                    73,941,429         73,941,429                      73,941,429 
 

5. The financial information for the three months ended 31 March 2019, which has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditor, comprises non-statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017, on which the auditor issued an unqualified report, have been lodged with the Registrar of Companies. The quarterly report is available on the Company's website www.bmoprivateequitytrust.com

Legal Entity Identifier: 2138009FW98WZFCGRN66

For more information, please contact:

 
 Hamish Mair (Investment Manager)       0131 718 1184 
 Scott McEllen (Company Secretary)      0131 718 1137 
 hamish.mair@bmogam.com / scott.mcellen@bmogam.com 
 
 

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

END

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May 23, 2019 06:41 ET (10:41 GMT)

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