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BUT Brunner Investment Trust Plc

1,345.00
-5.00 (-0.37%)
10 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Brunner Investment Trust Plc LSE:BUT London Ordinary Share GB0001490001 ORD 25P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -5.00 -0.37% 1,345.00 1,345.00 1,355.00 1,360.00 1,350.00 1,355.00 94,333 16:35:24
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Unit Inv Tr, Closed-end Mgmt 46.66M 40.63M 0.9517 14.24 578.49M

Brunner Investment Trust PLC Final Results (0368F)

15/02/2018 1:44pm

UK Regulatory


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TIDMBUT

RNS Number : 0368F

Brunner Investment Trust PLC

15 February 2018

The following replaces the "Final Results" announcement dated Wednesday 14 February 2018 released at 07.00 on Thursday 15 February 2018 under RNS Number 9341E.

The payment date for the final dividend is the 29 March 2018, not 30 March 2018 as stated in the previous announcement. All other details in the announcement regarding the dividend rate and record date are correct.

The full amended text appears below.

14 February 2018

THE BRUNNER INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

Final Results for the year ended 30 November 2017.

The following comprises extracts from the Company's Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 November 2017. The full annual financial report is being made available to be viewed on or downloaded from the company's website at www.brunner.co.uk. Copies will be posted to shareholders shortly.

MANAGEMENT REPORT

Chairman's Statement

Performance

I am delighted to report a strong growth in the company's Net Asset Value (NAV) per ordinary share of 19.5% on a net dividends reinvested basis with debt at fair value(1) , our key performance measure, ahead of the composite benchmark index which was 70% FTSE World Ex UK and 30% FTSE All-Share Index from 22 March 2017 and 50% FTSE All-Share Index and 50% FTSE World Ex UK Index until 21 March 2017. The total return on the benchmark index was 15.1% over the period and our fund's pleasing outperformance of 4.4%(2) points was generated primarily by strong stock selection.

(1) 18.2% with debt at par

(2) with debt at fair value, and 3.1% outperformance with debt at par

Earnings per share

Strong underlying dividend growth from the investment portfolio contributed to an increased level of income and earnings. In addition, the first half of the financial year saw a much lower level of sterling when compared to the first half of the previous year, resulting in higher overseas dividends when translated back into sterling. As a result, earnings per share for the year rose by 12.2%, from 16.4p to 18.4p.

Debentures

The company had two long-term debentures which were taken out many years ago when interest rates were much higher.

The first debenture matured in January 2018 and as already notified to shareholders the board redeemed this with the company's cash reserves (there are more details of this on pages 54 and 55 of the annual financial report).

The second debenture does not mature until 2023. During the past year, the board has looked closely at various options to repay or refinance this loan. There would be an upfront cost in doing so, but the company would benefit over the long term from a much reduced interest cost and improved earnings profile. The board believes that these benefits outweigh the costs and therefore intends to progress this matter further over the coming months. This is not a simple exercise, but the board are keen to achieve this if the considerable practical obstacles can be overcome.

Dividends

It is proposed that a fourth and final dividend of 6.00p per share will be paid on 29 March 2018 to shareholders on the Register of Members at close of business on 23 February 2018, bringing the total payment for 2017 to 16.5p, an increase of 4.4% on last year. This dividend payment is well covered by earnings per share of 18.4p, allowing a further increase in the company's revenue reserves to 25.4p per share, after the payment of third quarterly and proposed final dividends.

If the dividend is approved, it will mark the 46th year of successive dividend increases, a clear illustration of how the investment trust model can deliver steady above inflation income returns even during volatile market environments.

Not paying the high cost of the debenture that matured in January 2018 for the forthcoming year will benefit earnings per share. Interest savings are GBP2.04 million per annum and the board intends to reflect this and the strong growth in dividends in the underlying portfolio in dividend payments going forward.

Discount

Last year I noted the large discount at which the shares had traded. It is pleasing to report an improved situation, with the average discount over the year having narrowed from 15.5% last year to 13.1% this year. Further progress has been achieved since the year end.

As always it is difficult to analyse exactly what causes discounts to change but the board and managers are pursuing a clear long-term strategy for our fund in a number of areas and we believe this has generated new shareholder interest.

-- The change in manager and benchmark has improved Brunner's overall appeal to a wider audience of investors

-- The balanced stock picking approach has demonstrated that it can deliver strong returns in a range of market environments

   --      There has been a consistent growth in dividends supported by strong revenue reserves 
   --      There is an active programme to raise investor awareness 

-- There has been a small use of buybacks when the discount has looked out of line; 164,931 shares were bought back during the year at an average price of 597.4p

Brunner in the media

Brunner has a marketing programme to raise awareness of its investment profile and to improve demand. 2017 has seen Brunner enjoying a year of strong media coverage. This coupled with advertising has produced a successful marketing strategy which benefits the company's shareholders. This year the company has also focused on enhancing Brunner's online presence, and the ease with which information can be accessed by shareholders online. An important element of this programme has been the refreshing of the company's website. The board carefully oversees the expenses associated with running the marketing plan ensuring that they are kept to a sensible level.

Environmental, Social and Governance matters - responsible investment

Brunner's investment manager is an active steward of the company's assets. ESG factors are integrated into investment analysis at Allianz Global Investors as a natural extension of the risk mitigation tools used by the portfolio managers. The manager is a 'holder' not 'trader' of the assets managed for us: the manager believes in the value of working with companies to help them build sustainable businesses, rather than reacting to day-to-day news flow. Brunner's investment manager actively engages with the companies in the portfolio on governance, environmental, social and business conduct issues and believes that this can help unlock alpha potential in companies, as well as protect companies from downside risks.

There is more information about the manager's engagement, stewardship and proxy voting activities and a link to further details on page 17 of the annual financial report.

Outlook

The economic backdrop is as positive as it has been for many years. The US economy continues to make steady progress with a mostly supportive if somewhat unpredictable political environment. Continental Europe is experiencing its strongest period of economic growth since the financial crisis, which bodes well for Brunner's significant investments in the region. Less robust is the UK economy, where political uncertainty and sluggish growth suggests it may be a while before the UK regains its poise. Although the company has a significant number of UK listed investments, the vast majority of these are international businesses, meaning that overall exposure to the domestic UK economy remains modest.

Looking forward, the main risks relate to financial markets themselves. Valuations are high, especially in the US, and there are signs that market breadth is deteriorating as investors bid up the prices of certain groups of growth stocks to ever higher prices. In this environment, the board takes comfort in the investment manager's balanced approach to stock picking. Brunner's investments consist of strongly financed companies with good growth prospects on sensible valuations. The portfolio is diversified across a wide range of sectors and geographies without being overly exposed to any one particular theme or sector. This approach has served the company well over the long term and we are confident will continue to do so in the future.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held at Trinity House, Trinity Square, Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DH on 22 March 2018, and on behalf of the board, I look forward to meeting those shareholders who are able to attend.

Carolan Dobson

Chairman

14 February 2018

Risk Policy

The board operates a risk management policy to ensure that the level of risk taken in pursuit of the board's objectives and in implementing its strategy are understood. The principal risks identified by the board are set out in the table below, together with the actions taken to mitigate these risks. The process by which the directors monitor risk is described in the Audit Committee Report on page 62 of the annual financial report.

Risk Appetite

The directors' approach to risk is to identify where there are risks and to note mitigation actions taken and then to look at the probability of the event and consider the extent to which the resulting residual risk is acceptable, which is defined as the board's risk appetite. As a result of this exercise the risks are rated as 'red' or 'high' when the risk is of concern and sufficient mitigation measures are not possible or not yet in place; 'amber' or 'moderate' when the risk is of concern but sufficient measures are defined and have been or are being implemented; and 'green' or 'acceptable' when the risk is acceptable and no further measures are needed. The nature of the company's business means that a certain amount of risk must be taken for the objectives to be met and it is not surprising that portfolio risk types earn amber ratings.

Principal Risks

A more detailed version of the table below, in the form of a risk matrix, is reviewed and updated by the audit committee at least twice yearly. The principal risks are broadly unchanged from the previous year.

 
 Principal Risks identified                                    Controls and mitigation                                            Risk 
                                                                                                                                  Appetite* 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Portfolio Risk                                                                                                                   Amber 
  *    Significant market movements may adversely impact the     *    The board meets with the portfolio managers and 
       investments held by the company increasing the risk            considers asset allocation, stock selection and 
       of loss or challenges to the investment strategy.              levels of gearing on a regular basis and has set 
                                                                      investment restrictions and guidelines that are 
                                                                      monitored and reported on by AllianzGI. 
  *    Reduction of dividends across the market affecting 
       the portfolio yield and the ability to pay in line 
       with dividend policy.                                     *    The board monitors yields and can modify investment 
                                                                      parameters and consider a change to dividend policy. 
 
  *    Exposure to significant exchange rate volatility 
       could affect the performance of the investment            *    The board receives reports from the manager on the 
       portfolio                                                      stress testing of the portfolio at least twice each 
                                                                      year and contact is made with the chairman and board 
                                                                      if necessary between board meetings. 
 
 
                                                                 *    Currency movements are monitored closely and are 
                                                                      reported to the board. 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
      Business Risk                                                                                                               Green 
       *    An inappropriate investment strategy e.g. asset          *    The board manages these risks by diversification of 
            allocation or the level of gearing may lead to                investments through its investment restrictions and 
            underperformance against the company's benchmark              guidelines which are monitored and on which the board 
            index and peer group companies, resulting in the              receives reports at every meeting. The board monitors 
            company's shares trading on a wider discount.                 the implementation and results of the investment 
                                                                          process with the investment managers, who attend all 
                                                                          board meetings, and reviews data which shows risk 
                                                                          factors and how they affect the portfolio. The 
                                                                          manager employs the company's gearing tactically 
                                                                          within a strategic range set by the board. The board 
                                                                          also meets annually specifically to discuss strategy, 
                                                                          including investment strategy. 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Operational Risk                                                                                                                 Green 
  *    Risk of inadequate procedures for the identification,     *    AllianzGI carries out regular monitoring of 
       evaluation and management of risks at outsourced               outsourced administration functions, this includes 
       providers including Allianz Global Investors                   compliance visits and risk reviews where necessary. 
       (AllianzGI), and AllianzGI's outsourced providers,             Results of these reviews are received by the board. 
       Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM), State Street Bank and 
       Trust Company (SSBTC) and Northern Trust (NT). 
                                                                 *    Agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key 
                                                                      Performance Indicators (KPIs) are in place and the 
                                                                      board receives reports against these. 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 

Emerging Risks: The board also considers the impact from emerging risks that are not yet know or fully identifiable, such as economic, regulatory and political risks arising from the implementation of the UK's exit from the European Union or other geopolitical factors. The board maintains close relations with its advisers (auditors, lawyers and manager) and will make preparations for mitigation of these risks as and when they are known or can be anticipated.

Risk Appetite:

   Green   Risk is acceptable, no additional measures needed 
   Amber   Risk is of concern, but sufficient measures are defined and being implemented 
   Red      Risk is of concern, sufficient mitigation measures not possible or not yet in place 

* The board identifies risks, considers controls and mitigation, and then evaluates whether its risk appetite is satisfied. This column shows whether the residual risks, measured against the board's risk appetite, are satisfactory. This check enables the board to conclude that its assessment of risk is in line with its risk appetite.

In addition to the principal risks above, the board has identified more general risks, for example relating to compliance with accounting, tax, legal and regulatory requirements and to the provision of services from third parties. As in all companies, the board is alert to the risks of financial crime and threat of cyber attacks and monitors reports provided by third party service providers on how these threats are being handled. After ensuring that there are appropriate measures in place, the board considers these risks are effectively mitigated.

Directors' Responsibility Statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

   --      select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
   --      make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 
   --      state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed; and 

-- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Statement under Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 4.1.12

The directors, at the date of the approval of this Report, each confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

-- the financial statements, prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the company;

-- the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

-- the annual financial report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company's performance, business model and strategy.

This responsibility statement was approved by the board of directors on 14 February 2018 and signed on its behalf by:

Carolan Dobson

Chairman

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS as at 30 November 2017

 
 Region            % of Invested 
                           Funds 
 United Kingdom            30.80 
 North America             36.21 
 Continental 
  Europe                   20.83 
 Pacific Basin              8.25 
 Japan                      2.64 
 Latin America              1.27 
 Total                    100.00 
 

TOP 20 HOLDINGS as at 30 November 2017

 
 
                                                     Value             % of 
 Name                                                (GBP)    InvestedFunds    Sector 
 
 Royal Dutch Shell 
  'B' Shares                                    11,643,770             3.04    Oil & Gas Producers 
                                                                               Health Care Equipment 
 UnitedHealth                                   11,531,465             3.01     & Services 
                                                                               Software & Computer 
 Microsoft                                      11,254,511             2.94     Services 
                                                                               Pharmaceuticals & 
 AbbVie                                         10,643,048             2.78     Biotechnology 
 Estée Lauder 
  'A' Shares                                     8,871,811             2.32    Personal Goods 
 BP                                              8,552,349             2.23    Oil & Gas Producers 
 Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft      8,131,142             2.12    Non-Life Insurance 
 Visa                                            7,518,668             1.96    Financial Services 
 HSBC                                            7,340,000             1.92    Banks 
                                                                               Software & Computer 
 United Internet                                 7,156,669             1.87     Services (Germany) 
 Accenture                                       7,015,159             1.83    Support Services 
 Iberdrola                                       6,758,688             1.77    Electricity 
                                                                               Pharmaceuticals & 
 Roche Holdings                                  6,716,198             1.75     Biotechnology (Switzerland) 
                                                                               Technology Hardware 
 Apple                                           6,706,062             1.75     & Equipment 
 Covestro                                        6,555,913             1.71    Chemicals 
                                                                               Technology Hardware 
 Microchip Technology                            6,499,332             1.70     & Equipment 
 Taiwan Semiconductor                                                          Technology Hardware 
  (ADS)                                          6,347,555             1.66     & Equipment (Taiwan) 
 Unilever                                        6,246,000             1.63    Food Producers 
                                                                               Electronic & Electrical 
 Agilent Technologies                            6,228,598             1.63     Equipment 
                                                                               Electronic & Electrical 
 Amphenol                                        6,147,124             1.60     Equipment 
 
                                                                               % of Total Invested 
                                               157,864,062            41.22     Funds 
 

INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 30 November 2017

 
                                                       2017 
                                      Revenue       Capital         Total 
                                                                   Return 
                                          GBP           GBP           GBP 
                                                                    (Note 
                                                                       C) 
 Gains on investments 
  at fair value through 
  profit or loss                            -    54,114,501    54,114,501 
 Losses on foreign currencies               -      (87,645)      (87,645) 
 Income                            10,999,706             -    10,999,706 
 Investment management 
  fee                               (539,701)   (1,259,301)   (1,799,002) 
 Administration expenses            (684,371)       (5,579)     (689,950) 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Profit before finance 
  costs and taxation                9,775,634    52,761,976    62,537,610 
 Finance costs: interest 
  payable and similar charges     (1,330,903)   (3,052,939)   (4,383,842) 
 
 Profit on ordinary activities 
  before taxation                   8,444,731    49,709,037    58,153,768 
 Taxation                           (570,660)             -     (570,660) 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Profit after taxation 
  attributable to ordinary 
  shareholders                      7,874,071    49,709,037    57,583,108 
 
 Earnings per ordinary 
  share 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 (basic and diluted) (Note 
  B)                                   18.44p       116.41p       134.85p 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

BALANCE SHEET

as at 30 November 2017

 
                                           2017 
                                            GBP 
 Fixed assets 
 Investments held at fair 
  value through profit or 
  loss                              382,956,118 
 Net current assets                  15,632,745 
                                  ------------- 
 
 Total assets less current 
  liabilities                       398,588,863 
 Creditors - amounts falling 
  due after more than one 
  year                             (30,574,987) 
                                  ------------- 
 Total net assets                   368,013,876 
                                  ------------- 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Called up share capital             10,673,181 
 Capital redemption reserve           5,326,819 
 Capital reserve                    337,109,776 
 Revenue reserve                     14,904,100 
 
 Equity shareholders' funds         368,013,876 
                                  ------------- 
 
 Net asset value per ordinary 
  share                                  862.0p 
 

INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 30 November 2016

 
                                                       2016 
                                      Revenue       Capital         Total 
                                                                   Return 
                                          GBP           GBP           GBP 
                                                                    (Note 
                                                                       C) 
 Gains on investments 
  at fair value through 
  profit or loss                            -    49,145,436    49,145,436 
 Gains on foreign currencies                -       224,450       224,450 
 Income                             9,995,903             -     9,995,903 
 Investment management 
  fee                               (459,187)   (1,071,436)   (1,530,623) 
 Administration expenses            (637,646)       (4,959)     (642,605) 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Profit before finance 
  costs and taxation                8,899,070    48,293,491    57,192,561 
 Finance costs: interest 
  payable and similar charges     (1,336,654)   (3,066,358)   (4,403,012) 
 
 
 Profit on ordinary activities 
  before taxation                   7,562,416    45,227,133    52,789,549 
 Taxation                           (511,474)             -     (511,474) 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Profit after taxation 
  attributable to ordinary 
  shareholders                      7,050,942    45,227,133    52,278,075 
 
 Earnings per ordinary 
  share 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 (basic and diluted) (Note 
  B)                                   16.40p       105.20p       121.60p 
                                 ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

BALANCE SHEET

as at 30 November 2016

 
                                            2016 
                                             GBP 
 Fixed assets 
 Investments held at fair 
  value through profit or loss       339,322,416 
 Net current assets                   28,079,711 
                                   ------------- 
 
 Total assets less current 
  liabilities                        367,402,127 
 Creditors - amounts falling 
  due after more than one year      (49,068,102) 
                                   ------------- 
 Total net assets                    318,334,025 
                                   ------------- 
 
 Capital and reserves 
 Called up share capital              10,714,414 
 Capital redemption reserve            5,285,586 
 Capital reserve                     288,392,980 
 Revenue reserve                      13,941,045 
 
 Equity shareholders' funds          318,334,025 
 
 Net asset value per ordinary 
  share                                   742.8p 
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 November 2017

 
                              Called       Capital 
                            up Share    Redemption       Capital       Revenue 
                             Capital       Reserve       Reserve       Reserve         Total 
                                 GBP           GBP           GBP           GBP           GBP 
-----------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net assets at 1 
  December 2015           10,753,104     5,246,896   244,074,684    13,555,379   273,630,063 
 Revenue profit                    -             -             -     7,050,942     7,050,942 
 Shares repurchased 
  during the year           (38,690)        38,690     (908,837)             -     (908,837) 
 Dividends on ordinary 
  shares                           -             -             -   (6,665,276)   (6,665,276) 
 Capital profit                    -             -    45,227,133             -    45,227,133 
                         -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net assets at 30 
  November 2016           10,714,414     5,285,586   288,392,980    13,941,045   318,334,025 
                         -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Net assets at 1 
  December 2016           10,714,414     5,285,586   288,392,980    13,941,045   318,334,025 
 Revenue profit                    -             -             -     7,874,071     7,874,071 
 Shares repurchased 
  during the year           (41,233)        41,233     (992,241)             -     (992,241) 
 Dividends on ordinary 
  shares                           -             -             -   (6,924,964)   (6,924,964) 
 Unclaimed dividends               -             -             -        13,948        13,948 
 Capital profit                    -             -    49,709,037             -    49,709,037 
                         -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net assets at 30 
  November 2017           10,673,181     5,326,819   337,109,776    14,904,100   368,013,876 
                         -----------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

For the year ended 30 November 2017

 
                                                 2017           2016 
                                                  GBP            GBP 
 Operating activities 
 Profit before finance costs and 
  taxation*                                62,537,610     57,192,561 
 Less: Gains on investments at 
  fair value through profit or 
  loss                                   (54,114,501)   (49,145,436) 
 Add: Special dividends credited 
  to capital                                        -      1,534,249 
 Less: Overseas tax suffered                (570,660)      (511,474) 
 Add: Losses (gains) on foreign 
  currency                                     87,645      (224,450) 
 Purchase of fixed asset investments 
  held at fair value through profit 
  or loss                                (54,668,866)   (62,313,384) 
 Sales of fixed asset investments 
  held at fair value through profit 
  or loss                                  61,973,144     61,460,784 
 Decrease (increase) in other 
  receivables                                 109,602      (272,409) 
 Increase in other payables                   153,997        112,909 
 Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities                               15,507,971      7,833,350 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 
 Financing activities 
 Interest paid                            (4,650,987)    (4,653,488) 
 Dividends paid on cumulative 
  preference stock                           (22,500)       (22,500) 
 Dividends paid on ordinary shares        (6,924,964)    (6,665,276) 
 Repurchase of ordinary shares 
  for cancellation                          (996,131)      (904,947) 
 Unclaimed dividends                           13,948              - 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash outflow from financing 
  activities                             (12,580,634)   (12,246,211) 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 
   Increase (decrease) in cash and 
   cash equivalents                         2,927,337    (4,412,861) 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents at 
   the start of the year                   28,158,052     32,346,463 
 Effect of foreign exchange rates            (87,645)        224,450 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  the end of the year                      30,997,744     28,158,052 
 Comprising: 
 Cash at bank                              30,997,744     28,158,052 
                                        -------------  ------------- 
 
 

* Cash inflow from dividends was GBP10,253,557 (2016 - GBP8,981,499) and cash inflow from interest was GBP161,029 (2016 - GBP154,481).

NOTES

Note A

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and UK Accounting Standards (UK GAAP), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 - the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and in line with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts" issued by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC SORP) in November 2014.

Note B

The return per ordinary share is based on a weighted average number of shares in issue of 42,701,435 (30 November 2016: 42,990,969) ordinary shares in issue.

Note C

The total column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the company.

The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns are both prepared under the guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.

All revenue and capital items in the Income Statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.

The profit for the year disclosed in the Income Statement represents the company's total comprehensive income.

Included in the cost of investments are transaction costs and stamp duty on purchases of GBP93,831 (2016: GBP229,538) and transaction costs on sales of GBP44,641 (2016: GBP51,108).

Note D

Valuation - As the company's business is investing in financial assets with a view to profiting from their total return in the form of increases in fair value, financial assets are designated as held at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with FRS 102 Section 11: 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12: 'Other Financial Instruments'. The company manages and evaluates the performance of these investments on a fair value basis in accordance with its investment strategy, and information about the investments is provided on this basis to the board.

Note E

Dividends on Ordinary Shares

 
                                             2017        2016 
                                              GBP         GBP 
 Dividends paid on ordinary shares: 
 Third interim dividend - 3.3p 
  paid 14 December 2016 (2015 
  - 3.2p)                               1,417,603   1,376,398 
 Final dividend - 5.9p paid 24 
  March 2017 (2016 - 5.7p)              2,518,871   2,451,708 
 First interim dividend - 3.5p 
  paid 30 June 2017 (2016 - 3.3p)       1,494,245   1,418,585 
 Second interim dividend - 3.5p 
  paid 20 September 2017 (2016 
  - 3.3p)                               1,494,245   1,418,585 
                                       ----------  ---------- 
                                        6,924,964   6,665,276 
 

Dividends payable at the year end are not recognised as a liability under FRS 102 Section 32 'Events After the End of the Reporting Period' (see Annual Financial Report - Statement of Accounting Policies). Details of these dividends are set out below.

 
                                         2017        2016 
                                          GBP         GBP 
 
 Third interim dividend - 3.5p 
  paid 14 December 2017 (2016 
  - 3.3p)                           1,494,245   1,417,603 
 Final proposed dividend - 6.0p 
  payable 29 March 2018 (2017 
  - 5.9p)                           2,561,564     2,528,602 
                                   ----------  ------------ 
                                    4,055,809     3,946,205 
 

The proposed final dividend accrued is based on the number of shares in issue at the year end. However, the dividend payable will be based on the numbers of shares in issue on the record date and will reflect any changes in the share capital between the year end and the record date.

All dividends disclosed in the tables above have been paid or are payable from the revenue reserves.

Note F

The financial information for the year ended 30 November 2017 has been extracted from the statutory accounts for that year. The auditor's report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The annual financial report has not yet been delivered to the registrar of companies.

The financial information for the year ended 30 November 2016 has been extracted from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to the registrar of companies. The auditor's report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 498(2) or section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The full annual financial report will shortly be available to be viewed on or downloaded from the company's website at www.brunner.co.uk. Neither the contents of the company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of this announcement.

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

FR UVSORWUAUAAR

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 15, 2018 08:44 ET (13:44 GMT)

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