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CIN City Of London Group Plc

10.00
0.00 (0.00%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
City Of London Group Plc LSE:CIN London Ordinary Share GB00BD9GS058 ORD 2P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 10.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

City Of London Group PLC Half-year Report (7170Z)

19/12/2017 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMCIN

RNS Number : 7170Z

City Of London Group PLC

19 December 2017

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

LEI Number: 2138003UW63TMQ5ZFD85

19 December 2017

City of London Group plc

("COLG" or "the Company" and, together with its subsidiaries and associates, "the Group")

Results for the six month period ended 30 September 2017 & Strategy Update

The Company announces its unaudited interim results for the six month period ended 30 September 2017, along with an update on its strategy.

Financial results

   --      Loss before tax GBP0.2m (2016/17 first half loss before tax GBP0.7m *). 

-- CAML operating profit before shareholder charges GBP185k (2016/17 first half operating profit before shareholder charges GBP23k).

* Loss in 2016/17 included GBP0.2m cost of strategic review and GBP0.1m executive termination costs.

Business developments

During period

-- CAML increased its 'own book' portfolio from GBP13.8m to GBP14.1m, with new business of GBP1.4m achieved in September.

   --      Efforts to contain operational overhead costs maintained across the Group. 

Since period end

   --      Share capital re-organisation completed on 3 October 2017. 
   --      Acquisition of Milton Homes for GBP19.7m completed on 5 October 2017. 

-- Net amount of GBP3m raised through the issue of additional shares, after allowing for costs relating to the capital reorganisation, issue of additional shares and the acquisition of Milton Homes.

-- CAML has completed a re-financing exercise and arranged an additional GBP4m block funding facility with Hampshire Trust Bank on competitive terms.

Strategy update

-- COLG has in place a strong three-pronged strategy, in line with information given to shareholders in the Admission Document published in September:

o Milton Homes is advancing its market appraisal and discussions so that it can re-enter the expanding equity release market earlier than was planned in October. A key assessment is under way of current market demand and distribution methods for different types of its home reversion plans.

o Banking licence. COLG is recruiting a team under the leadership of Jason Oakley, former Managing Director of Commercial Banking and Mortgages at Metro Bank and Head of SME at Nat West and RBS, to start the process of obtaining a banking licence and creating a business with the purpose of offering a real choice in commercial, SME, bridging, and development finance. Joining Jason will be Bryce Glover, former MD of Commercial Banking at Alliance & Leicester/ Santander and an NED of Newcastle Building Society. The objective is for a full banking licence to be obtained within two years. Jason will subscribe for GBP400,000 and Bryce for GBP50,000 worth of shares in COLG.

o Lending. CAML continues to grow its loan book and has started the process of establishing a new line of business called Property & Funding Solutions Limited ("PFS") to provide bridging and development finance for commercial clients, as well as secured lending for customers of the existing CAML business.

Michael Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"During the first six months of the financial year, the business of our leasing and loans platform, CAML, continued to progress with its 'own book' portfolio increasing from GBP13.8m to GBP14.1m in September. With the increased financial strength of the Group following the completion on 5 October of the acquisition of Milton Homes and the receipt of GBP3m net from the issue of additional shares, the Company is now well placed to develop and realise the potential of both its operating platforms.

In addition, we have made good progress in delivering on the strategy set out in our recent Admission Document, ensuring that over the coming years COLG will have a strong, distinctive and value accretive business operating in three attractive market segments. I am delighted that our banking licence application will shortly be under way. We are also in the process of establishing our new business line in property bridging funding under the existing CAML business and our re-launch of the Milton Holmes equity release business may be achieved more quickly than originally envisaged. Overall, the future is looking bright with a strong leadership team in place to deliver on all our strategic objectives."

For further information:

 
                                       +44 (0)20 7490 
 City of London Group plc               8100 
------------------------------------  --------------- 
 Michael Goldstein (Chief Executive 
  Officer) 
------------------------------------  --------------- 
 
 Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser 
  and Broker) 
  James Britton                        +44 (0)20 7418 
  Guy Wiehahn                           8900 
 PRO (Financial PR adviser) 
  Marc Cohen                           +44 (0)20 7284 
  Jonny Garfield                        6969 
 

Notes to Editors:

City of London Group plc is quoted on AIM (TIDM: CIN) and is the parent company of a group which has two operating platforms, the first focused on providing finance to the SME sector, including professional services firms, through both lease finance and loan finance, and the second on providing both traditional and innovative home reversion plans in the UK residential property market.

www.cityoflondongroup.com

Chief Executive Officer's review

Having become your Company's Chief Executive Officer on 5 October, I am pleased to present this review which covers the period from 1 April 2017.

Business review

Following the approval given by shareholders on 2 October, the transactions set out in the circular sent to shareholders on 15 September were completed by 5 October with the acquisition of Milton Homes Limited ("Milton Homes") on that date.

The transaction has substantially increased the Company's financial strength with a net amount of GBP3m being raised from the issue of additional shares and shareholders' equity on a consolidated basis increasing from GBP0.8m to GBP23.7m. With the addition of Milton Homes, an equity release provider that owns and manages residential properties acquired through home reversion plans, the Group acquired a second business platform. This, in conjunction with the increase in the Group's financial strength, provides the Group with a sound base for the future development of both Milton Homes and its other business platform, Credit Asset Management Limited ("CAML").

We have already begun to move the business forward. In November CAML completed a re-financing exercise and arranged an additional GBP4m block funding facility with Hampshire Trust Bank on competitive terms. CAML has also set up a new subsidiary, Property & Funding Solutions Limited, to provide bridging and development finance for commercial clients as well as secured lending for clients. Further information is given below.

COLG has continued to maintain strict control on its underlying cost base during the period.

Credit Asset Management Limited ("CAML") and Professions Funding Limited ("PFL")

CAML, under the leadership of Martin Parsons, made continued progress during the six-month period in re-establishing its position within the market following the removal of the capital constraints that limited its activities in the first half of last year. CAML's 'own book' portfolio grew from GBP13.8m to GBP14.1m in the period. The size of the managed joint venture fund between COLG and British Business Bank Investments Ltd reduced from GBP3.2m to GBP1.9m over the same period as it continued its amortisation phase. The monthly volume of new business varied over the period with a high of GBP1.4m achieved in September. The level of new business has remained strong during October and November. Yields held up during the period particularly for loans, with continuing pressure on lease yields. The results for the business are set out in the following table.

 
                                  6 months    6 months        Year 
   GBP'000                              to          to          to 
                                  30/09/17    30/09/16    31/03/17 
------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 Revenue                             1,027       1,265       2,403 
 Operating profit before 
  shareholder capital charges          185          23         171 
 Profit/ (loss) before tax              10       (153)       (179) 
------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 

While CAML's revenue was lower than in the same period last year, the operating profit was significantly higher at GBP185k compared with GBP23k for the same period last year. The improvement in the results between the two periods was due to several factors, including the increase in the 'own book' portfolio and a reduction in both the charge for impairment of receivables and the level of overheads in the two periods. As the joint venture fund managed by CAML has continued its amortisation phase, management fees have reduced progressively, accounting for GBP41k of the reduction in revenue between the two periods.

Since the period end, CAML has established a new business, Property & Funding Solutions Limited, which will extend the scope of its financing activities. The business, which will not operate in the regulated sector, will provide bridging and development finance for commercial clients as well as secured lending for clients of the existing CAML business.

In November, CAML completed a refinancing exercise whereby it has arranged an additional GBP4m block funding facility with Hampshire Trust Bank on competitive terms. This facility, together with CAML's existing block funding facilities, provide a secure base from which CAML can continue the development and growth of its business.

Strategy Update

Banking licence

Since the financial crash of 2008 the banking industry has faced unprecedented pressure to change its image as customers lost faith in the major high street institutions, and a handful of entrepreneurial new entrants were able to capitalise on this disruption and created Challenger Banks. The political climate continues to be supportive of these new banks. There is a strong desire to break the banking oligopoly and this is further strengthened by advances in technology, making a "bricks & mortar" network of branches less significant as a barrier to entry.

COLG's objective is to provide a real choice in commercial, SME, bridging, and development finance, where relationships and speed of execution are critical. The application for a banking licence will shortly be under way and a strong team is being recruited, led by Jason Oakley. Jason built the lending business of Metro Bank as Managing Director Commercial Banking & Mortgages from GBP65m to over GBP2.5bn in less than 3 years with an income stream of approximately GBP100m and market leading margins. Prior to this he was Head of SME for NatWest and RBS with over 3,000 relationship managers looking after over 1m clients and over GBP1bn of revenue.

Joining Jason will be Bryce Glover. Bryce has operated at Board and Executive Committee level during a 36 year career focused on Corporate and Commercial Banking. He was MD of Commercial Banking at Alliance & Leicester/ Santander before joining Nationwide in 2009 as Director heading its Commercial Division running a GBP22bn lending portfolio. Bryce was Nationwide's Corporate Affairs Director from 2014 to 2016 and is an NED of Newcastle Building Society.

Jason will subscribe for GBP400,000 and Bryce for GBP50,000 of new shares in COLG at the average traded price over the previous 30 days.

Property & Funding Solutions Limited

A new line of business has been created - Property & Funding Solutions Limited ("PFS") - to provide bridging and development finance for commercial clients, as well as secured lending for clients of the existing CAML business. There is a market opportunity to fill the gap left by a sharp reduction in lending capacity in recent years.

The business's objectives are:

-- To originate bridging and short term property secured lending solutions in the UK that are competitive on terms, features and price.

-- Lend predominantly against prime residential, commercial and development property in England and Wales.

-- To be the first choice specialist lender amongst the prominent broking houses and attract repeat business from key industry intermediaries.

This business should benefit from market conditions that are favourable compared with those in recent years and which, accordingly, should enable CAML to access high-quality loan transactions.

Milton Homes

Milton Homes is advancing its appraisal and discussions to re-enter the expanding equity release market earlier than previously planned. A key assessment is under way of current market demand and distribution methods for different types of its home reversion plans.

COLG

COLG continued to maintain strict control over its operating costs in the six months to 30 September 2017. As already reported, the Company moved from its previous office premises in May, which has reduced its underlying cost base going forward.

The Company received the balance of GBP770k owed in respect of the deferred consideration payable for the sale of Therium, on the due date in April 2017.

Shareholders' funds post the acquisition of Milton Homes

With the acquisition of Milton Homes and the net GBP3m raised from the issue of shares in October, shareholders' funds on a consolidated basis have increased materially from GBP0.8m to GBP23.7m. We have included the condensed consolidated balance sheet immediately following completion of the transactions for information. The consolidated balance sheet has been prepared on the basis summarised in Note 12. It takes account of the costs of the transactions and incorporates the "fair value" adjustments required under IFRS 3 "Business Combinations". The Investment properties and Financial assets - equity release plans of Milton Homes - are included at their 30 September 2017 values, taken from the quarterly report provided by the external valuer appointed by Milton Homes. The valuation techniques in the report are the same as those used in previous reports.

Risks

The principal risks of the Group are reviewed by the Board, which reviews and agrees policies for managing these risks. The key risks described in the Strategic Report in the 2017 Annual Report are still appropriate although, as noted above, the financial strength of the Group has increased materially following the increase in shareholders' equity in October 2017. The 2017 Annual Report also included information on financial risk management in Notes 31 and 32 of the financial statements.

Milton Homes, which owns and manages residential property acquired through home reversion plans, is subject to risks that are specific to its business sector, including property market risk, longevity risk and interest rate risk. The board of directors of Milton Homes has risk management processes in place, which include a Risk Management Committee (currently run as part of the Executive Committee) to monitor and manage risk throughout the business.

Outlook

Your Board believes that the Group's increased financial strength following completion of the acquisition of Milton Homes in October provides opportunities for its two operating platforms to develop their businesses and realise the growth potential of their business sectors. The Group is progressing its activities in line with the strategy update given above and will continue to explore specific development initiatives for each platform. While the award of a full banking licence will take around two years, the Board believes that over the medium term substantial value will be created for shareholders through investing in this process.

Board changes

On completion of the acquisition of Milton Homes, the new appointments to the Board became effective with Colin Wagman (Non-Executive Chairman) and Chris Rumsey joining the Board, while I became Chief Executive Officer. Paul Milner became an Executive Director and ceased being Non-Executive Chairman. The other directors, Andy Crossley and Lorraine Young continue as Non-Executive Directors with Andy Crossley as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Michael Goldstein

Chief Executive Officer

This half-yearly report may contain certain statements about the future outlook for COLG and its subsidiaries and associates. Although the directors believe their expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any statements about the future outlook may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes to be materially different. Such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward looking statements.

This half-yearly report has been drawn up and presented with the purpose of complying with English law. Any liability arising out of or in connection with the half-yearly report for the six months to 30 September 2017 will be determined in accordance with English law. The half-yearly results for 2017 and 2016 have neither been audited nor reviewed pursuant to guidance issued by the Auditing Practices Board.

19 December 2017

Unaudited interim results

Condensed consolidated income statement

 
                                       6 months       6 months      Year to 
                                      to 30/09/17    to 30/09/16    31/03/17 
                                       GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Revenue                                    1,062          1,326       2,569 
 Cost of sales                                  -           (27)        (42) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                               1,062          1,299       2,527 
 Administrative expenses                    (855)        (1,492)     (2,579) 
 (Loss)/profit on sale of 
  investments                                   -            (1)        (81) 
 Provision for impairment 
  of investments                                -              -        (41) 
 Share of profits and losses 
  of associates                                56             73          78 
 Other income                                  63             55         138 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) from operations                326           (66)          42 
 Finance expense                            (526)          (669)     (1,229) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Loss before tax                            (200)          (735)     (1,187) 
 Corporation tax                                -              -           - 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Loss for the period                        (200)          (735)     (1,187) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Loss for the period attributable 
  to: 
 Equity holders of the parent               (200)          (712)     (1,152) 
 Non-controlling interests                      -           (23)        (35) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                            (200)          (735)     (1,187) 
 
 Loss for the period                        (200)          (735)     (1,187) 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Earnings per share attributable 
  to equity holders of the 
  parent 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per ordinary share of 10p               (0.55)p        (1.96)p     (3.16)p 
----------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

All the operations in both the six months to 30 September 2017 and the year to 31 March 2017 are continuing.

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 
                                              6 months        6 months           Year 
                                           to 30/09/17     to 30/09/16    to 31/03/17 
                                               GBP'000         GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Loss from continuing operations                 (200)           (735)        (1,187) 
 
 Other comprehensive (expense)/income 
  from continuing operations 
 Items that will or may be 
  reclassified to profit or 
  loss 
 'Available-for-sale' financial 
  assets 
 - Valuation gains/(losses) 
  taken on equity investments                        -              12           (43) 
 - Provision for impairment 
  transferred to income statement                    -               -             41 
 - Loss on sale transferred 
  to income statement                                -               1             78 
 Other comprehensive (expense)/income 
  from continuing operations                         -              13             76 
--------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Total other comprehensive 
  (expense)/income                                   -              13             76 
--------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Total comprehensive (expense)/income 
  from continuing operations                     (200)           (722)        (1,111) 
 Total comprehensive (expense)/income 
  from discontinued operations                       -               -              - 
--------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Total comprehensive (expense)/income            (200)           (722)        (1,111) 
--------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
 Total comprehensive (expense)/income 
  attributable to: 
 Equity holders of the parent                    (200)           (699)        (1,076) 
 Non-controlling interests                           -            (23)           (35) 
--------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
                                                 (200)           (722)        (1,111) 
--------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

 
                                                                        Provisional 
                                                                         post Milton 
                                                                            Homes 
                                                                         acquisition 
                              Notes   30/09/17    31/03/17   30/09/16    on 5/10/17 
                                       GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000        GBP'000 
                                                 (audited) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets 
  - deferred tax                                                               1,626 
 Investment properties                                                        39,253 
 Investment properties 
  - held for sale                                                              6,137 
 Financial assets: 
 equity release 
  plans                                                                       27,625 
 equity release 
  plans held for 
  sale                                                                         2,892 
 Property, plant 
  and equipment                             10          16         20             21 
 'Available-for-sale' 
  financial assets                           8           8        164              8 
 Interests in associates                   245         224        218            245 
 Legal case Investments                    130         132        132            130 
 Loans                                   4,117       4,665      7,205          4,117 
 Finance leases                          2,583       2,916      3,255          2,583 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total non-current 
  assets                                 7,093       7,961     10,994         84,637 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Loans                                   4,827       5,054      4,559          4,827 
 Finance leases                          2,256       2,211      2,214          2,256 
 Trade and other 
  receivables                    12      2,072       1,225        925          1,433 
 Cash and cash equivalents               3,146       1,763        910          7,121 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total current assets                   12,301      10,253      8,608         15,637 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total assets                           19,394      18,214     19,602        100,274 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings                            (5,150)     (5,160)    (5,226)        (5,150) 
 Trade and other 
  payables                       12    (4,166)     (1,685)    (1,603)        (3,086) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total current liabilities             (9,316)     (6,845)    (6,829)        (8,236) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                            (9,280)    (10,371)   (11,386)       (68,145) 
 Other creditors                                                               (158) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total non-current 
  liabilities                          (9,280)    (10,371)   (11,386)       (68,303) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total liabilities                    (18,596)    (17,216)   (18,215)       (76,539) 
 
 Net assets                                798         998      1,387         23,735 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                           3,685       3,685      3,685          4,223 
 Share premium                          14,332      14,332     14,332         37,382 
 Accumulated losses                   (17,219)    (17,019)   (16,444)       (17,870) 
 Fair value reserve                          -           -       (63)              - 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Equity attributable 
  to owners of the 
  parent                                   798         998      1,510         23,735 
 Non-controlling                                                                   - 
  interests                                  -           -      (123) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 Total equity                              798         998      1,387         23,735 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------- 
 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

 
                                              Attributable to owners 
                                               of the parent company 
                         -------------------------------------------  --------------------  --------- 
                                                                              Attributable 
                           Retained      Share      Share               to non-controlling      Total 
                           earnings    premium    capital      Total             interests     Equity 
                            GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000               GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 At 31 March 2017          (17,019)     14,332      3,685        998                     -        998 
 'Available-for-sale' 
  investments 
 - Valuation gains 
  taken to equity                 -          -          -          -                     -          - 
 - Loss on sale 
  transferred to 
  income statement                -          -          -          -                     -          - 
-----------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 Net income recognised 
  directly in equity              -          -          -          -                     -          - 
 Loss for the 
  period -continuing 
  operations                  (200)          -          -      (200)                     -      (200) 
-----------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                      (200)          -          -      (200)                     -      (200) 
-----------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 At 30 September 
  2017                     (17,219)     14,332      3,685        798                     -        798 
-----------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 
 
                                               Attributable to owners 
                                                of the parent company 
                               ------------------------------------------------------  --------------------  --------- 
                                    Fair                                                       Attributable 
                                   value    Retained      Share      Share               to non-controlling      Total 
                                 reserve    earnings    premium    capital      Total             interests     Equity 
                                 GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000               GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 At 31 March 2016                   (76)    (15,732)     14,332      3,685      2,209                 (100)      2,109 
 'Available-for-sale' 
  investments 
 - Valuation losses 
  taken to equity                     12           -          -          -         12                     -         12 
 - Loss on sale 
  transferred to 
  income statement                     1           -          -          -          1                     -          1 
-----------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 Net income recognised 
  directly in equity                  13           -          -          -         13                     -         13 
 Loss for the period 
  -continuing operations               -       (712)          -          -      (712)                  (23)      (735) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                              13       (712)          -          -      (699)                  (23)      (722) 
 At 30 September 
  2016                              (63)    (16,444)     14,332      3,685      1,510                 (123)      1,387 
 'Available-for-sale' 
  investments 
 - Valuation losses 
  taken to equity                   (55)           -          -          -       (55)                     -       (55) 
 - Provision for 
  impairment transferred 
  to income statement                 40           -          -          -         40                     -         40 
 - Profit on sale 
  transferred to 
  income statement                    78           -          -          -         78                     -         78 
-----------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 Net income recognised 
  directly in equity                  63           -          -          -         63                     -         63 
 Loss for the period 
  -continuing operations               -       (440)          -          -      (440)                  (12)      (452) 
 Total comprehensive 
  income                              63       (440)          -          -      (377)                  (12)      (389) 
 Contributions 
  by and distributions 
  to owners                            -           -          -          -          -                     -          - 
 Reduction in non-controlling 
  interests                            -       (135)          -          -      (135)                   135          - 
-----------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 At 31 March 2017                      -    (17,019)     14,332      3,685        998                     -        998 
-----------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------------  --------- 
 

The fair value reserve shows the movement in the fair value of the 'available-for-sale' financial assets.

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

 
                                                   6 months       6 months           Year 
                                                to 30/09/17    to 30/09/16    to 31/03/17 
                                                    GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Loss before taxation                                 (200)          (735)        (1,187) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Depreciation                                             6              7             16 
 Impairment of 'available-for-sale' 
  financial assets                                        -              -             41 
 (Profit)/loss on disposal 
  of 'available-for-sale' 
  investments                                             -              1             81 
 Share of profits and losses 
  of associates                                        (56)           (73)           (78) 
 Interest payable                                       526            669          1,229 
 Changes in working capital: 
 (Increase) in trade and 
  other receivables                                    (10)          (115)          (415) 
 (Decrease) in trade and 
  other payables                                      (234)        (1,409)        (1,508) 
 Proceeds from sale of 'available-for-sale' 
  financial assets                                        -              -             97 
 Leases advanced                                    (1,197)        (2,688)        (3,717) 
 Leases repaid                                        1,485          1,331          2,702 
 Loans advanced                                     (5,014)        (6,383)       (10,510) 
 Loans repaid                                         4,444          6,898         11,838 
 Loans repaid by related 
  parties                                               575          2,125          3,000 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash generated from/ (used 
  in) operations                                        325          (372)          1,589 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Corporation tax paid                                     -              -              - 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash generated from/ 
  (used in) operating activities                        325          (372)          1,589 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flow from investing 
  activities 
 Disposal of assets classified 
  as held for sale, including 
  part repayment of deferred 
  consideration                                         770             47            404 
 Return of seed capital 
  in legal case investments                               2              6              6 
 Distribution of profits 
  from related parties                                   35              -              - 
 Purchase of property, plant 
  and equipment                                           -              -            (6) 
 Proceeds from sale of equipment                          -              -              1 
 Net cash generated from 
  investing activities                                  807             53            405 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Cash flow from financing 
  activities 
 Subscription moneys received 
  in advance of the issue 
  of shares in October less 
  transaction costs paid 
  in the period                                       1,784              -              - 
 Loans drawn down                                     2,802          6,010          9,897 
 Repayment of loans                                 (3,903)        (6,570)       (11,538) 
 Interest paid                                        (432)          (708)        (1,087) 
 Net cash generated from/ 
  (used in) financing activities                        251        (1,268)        (2,728) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
 Net increase/ (decrease) 
  in cash and cash equivalents                        1,383        (1,587)          (734) 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  brought forward                                     1,763          2,497          2,497 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash and cash equivalents                        3,146            910          1,763 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents                            3,146            910          1,763 
 Bank overdraft                                           -              -              - 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 Net cash and cash equivalents                        3,146            910          1,763 
--------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Notes to condensed financial statements

   1          Basis of preparation 

1.1 These interim financial results do not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and have neither been audited nor reviewed pursuant to guidance issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017 were approved by the directors on 4 July 2017 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement within the meaning of section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

1.2 Accounting policies

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union, save for the inclusion of the Provisional post Milton Homes acquisition condensed consolidated balance sheet as at 5 October 2017 to provide fuller information on the effect of the acquisition. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017, which were prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017.

1.3 Adoption of new standards and interpretations

There were no new accounting standards or interpretations that were adopted in the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017.

1.4 Consistency

The interim report, including the financial information contained therein is the responsibility of, and was approved by, the directors on 19 December 2017. The AIM Rules require that accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing annual accounts except where any changes, and the reason for them, are disclosed. There have been no changes to the Group's accounting policies for the period ended 30 September 2017.

   2          Segmental reporting 

A reportable segment is identified based on the nature and size of its business and risk specific to its operations. It is reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, which is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the full Board of the Company.

The Group is managed through operating platforms: lease and professions funding and, in prior periods, legal case funding. The COLG segment includes the Group's central functions and, in prior periods, an investment portfolio.

 
 Pre-tax profit                                                Share 
  and loss                                                of profits              Profit/(loss) 
  6 months ended                          Operating       and losses    Finance          before 
  30/09/17                 Revenue    profit/(loss)    of associates    expense             tax 
                           GBP'000          GBP'000          GBP'000    GBP'000         GBP'000 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------  -------------- 
 COLG 
 Intra-Group                    70               87                -       (58)              29 
 Other                           -            (255)                -       (36)           (291) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------  -------------- 
                                70            (168)                -       (94)           (262) 
 Platforms 
 Lease and professions 
  financing 
 CAML/ PFL                   1,027              401                -      (391)              10 
 Other                          94               94               56       (99)              51 
 Other                          35                1                -          -               1 
 Intra-Group                 (164)             (58)                -         58               - 
                             1,062              270               56      (526)           (200) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------  -------------- 
 

The Profit from operations in the Consolidated income statement of GBP326,000 comprises the profit of GBP270,000 plus the profit of GBP56,000 as shown above.

 
 Pre-tax profit                                                Share 
  and loss                                                of profits              Profit/(loss) 
  6 months ended                          Operating       and losses    Finance          before 
  30/09/16                 Revenue    profit/(loss)    of associates    expense             tax 
                           GBP'000          GBP'000          GBP'000    GBP'000         GBP'000 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------  -------------- 
 COLG 
 Intra-Group                    81              134                -       (58)              76 
 Other                           2            (688)                -       (33)           (721) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------  -------------- 
                                83            (554)                -       (91)           (645) 
 Platforms 
 Lease and professions 
  financing 
 CAML/ PFL                   1,225              310                -      (463)           (153) 
 Other                          99              160               73      (173)              60 
 Other                           -                3                -          -               3 
 Intra-Group                  (81)             (58)                -         58               - 
                             1,326            (139)               73      (669)           (735) 
-----------------------  ---------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------  -------------- 
 

The Loss from operations in the Consolidated income statement of GBP66,000 comprises the loss of GBP139,000 less the profit of GBP73,000 as shown above.

Consolidated Net Assets at 30/09/17

 
                                                              Total 
                                                 GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------  ---------------------------------  --------  --------- 
              'Available-for-sale' financial 
 COLG          assets                                             8 
  Legal case investments                                        130 
 
 Platforms    Lease and professions financing      2,010 
  Other                                              150 
                                                -------- 
                                                              2,160 
  Net liabilities                                           (1,576) 
 ---------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
                                                                722 
 Other net assets of subsidiary companies                        76 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Consolidated net assets                                        798 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

Consolidated Net Assets at 31/03/17

 
                                                              Total 
                                                 GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------  ---------------------------------  --------  --------- 
              'Available-for-sale' financial 
 COLG          assets                                             8 
  Legal case investments                                        132 
 
 Platforms    Lease and professions financing      2,010 
  Other                                              150 
                                                -------- 
                                                              2,160 
  Net liabilities                                           (1,317) 
 ---------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
                                                                983 
 Other net assets of subsidiary 
  companies                                                      15 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Consolidated net assets                                        998 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 
 

Consolidated Net Assets at 30/09/16

 
                                                              Total 
                                                 GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------  ---------------------------------  --------  --------- 
              'Available-for-sale' financial 
 COLG          assets                                           164 
  Legal case investments                                        132 
 
 Platforms    Lease and professions financing      2,010 
  Other                                              150 
                                                -------- 
                                                              2,160 
  Net liabilities                                           (1,040) 
 ---------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
                                                              1,416 
 Other net liabilities of subsidiary 
  companies                                                    (29) 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 Consolidated net assets                                      1,387 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

The Board reviews the assets and liabilities of the Group on a net basis.

   3          Administrative expenses 
 
                                           6 months       6 months           Year 
                                        to 30/09/17    to 30/09/16    to 31/03/17 
                                            GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Staff costs 
    Payroll expenses                            451            578            948 
    Termination costs of executives               -            148            301 
    Other staff costs                            12             40             46 
 Establishment costs 
    Property costs                               78            157            309 
    Other                                       190            282            518 
 Auditor's remuneration                          50             34             94 
 Legal fees                                      20             17             50 
 Consultancy fees                                 -            173            188 
 Other professional fees                         48             56            109 
 Depreciation                                     6              7             16 
 Total                                          855          1,492          2,579 
------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------- 
 
   4          Taxation 

Because the charge for taxation is for a period of less than one year, the provision is based on the best estimate of the effective rate for the full year.

   5          Dividends 

The directors have not declared an interim dividend for the year ending 31 March 2018 (2016/17: nil). The directors did not recommend payment of a dividend for the year ended 31 March 2017.

   6          Earnings per share 

The basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of the Group by the weighted average number of ordinary shares of 10p each in issue during the period less those held in treasury and in the Employee Benefit Trust.

The basic earnings per share is as follows:

 
                                     30/09/17   30/09/16   31/03/17 
 
 Loss attributable to equity 
  holders (GBP'000)                     (200)      (712)    (1,152) 
 Weighted average number of 
  ordinary shares of 10p in issue 
  ('000)                               36,426     36,426     36,426 
 Basic and diluted earnings 
  per ordinary share of 10p           (0.55)p    (1.96)p    (3.16)p 
----------------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
   7          Non-controlling interests 
 
                                          30/09/17   31/03/17   30/09/16 
                                           GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 At 1 April                                      -      (100)      (100) 
 Loss attributable to non-controlling 
  interests                                      -       (35)       (23) 
 Transferred to equity on acquisition 
  of non-controlling interests 
  (a)                                            -        135          - 
 At end of period                                -          -      (123) 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 

(a) Credit Asset Management Limited ("CAML") became a wholly-owned subsidiary in January 2017, when the Company acquired all the ordinary shares not already held by it for GBP1 from the non-controlling interests. It had previously held 85% of the ordinary share capital.

Under IFRS3, such an increase in a parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction. An amount of GBP135,000, being the difference between the cost of acquiring the additional ownership interest and the increase in the attributable net assets of the subsidiary was written off to equity as a reserve movement.

Following the acquisition of the shares in CAML from the non-controlling interests, all the Company's subsidiaries are wholly-owned and there are no non-controlling interests.

   8          Related party transactions 

Amounts due from associates

 
                                30/09/17   31/03/17   30/09/16 
                                 GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 Amounts due from associates 
  are included in: 
 Non-current assets 
 Loans                               675      1,250      2,125 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables         213        232        104 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Total                               888      1,482      2,229 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

In addition to the above, the Group made full provision against all amounts owed by its associate Trade Finance Partners Limited ("TFPL") in its accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016 and has not recognised any income from loan notes issued by TFPL since that date. TFPL went into administration in March 2017.

   9          Commitments 

The holder of the GBP3,000,000 7% Redeemable Preference Shares issued on 15 July 2015 by a subsidiary, Credit Asset Management Limited, may require the Company to purchase these shares at their face value and any accrued but unpaid dividend if the shares are not redeemed after 7 years or in the event of a change of control in either the Company or Credit Asset Management Limited. This right was waived by the holder in respect of the transactions in October 2017 (see note 12).

   10        Financial risk management 

Notes 31 and 32 to the annual financial statements to 31 March 2017 include the Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and its exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk, price risk, foreign exchange risk and liquidity risk.

The 2017 Annual Report identified the main risk factors around the cash flow forecast in the Strategic Report at that time. The key assumptions and the risk factors have been reassessed following completion of the transactions in October 2017 outlined in Note 12.

The Company has a revolving credit facility of GBP4.8m with a maturity of 31 December 2018. GBP3.5m of the facility was undrawn at 30 September 2017.

   11        Financial instruments 

Price risk

The Group is subject to price risk on its legal case investments and, previously, on its portfolio of financial assets. At 30 September 2017, the only investment held, other than residual investments, was an unlisted

security.   There is no material sensitivity on the valuation of the legal case investments or the available-for-sale financial assets. 

Fair value hierarchy

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly

Level 3: techniques that use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

The fair value of unlisted investments is determined using valuation techniques described in note 2 of the annual financial statements to 31 March 2017.

The fair value of investments in legal funds is taken to be cost because at 30 September 2017 there was not a sufficient track record on which to base a valuation. Due to their short maturity profiles, management is of the opinion that there is no material difference between the fair value and carrying value of trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, and trade and other payables. The directors therefore consider that the carrying value of financial instruments equates to fair value.

The following tables present the Group's assets that are measured at fair value at 30 September 2017 and 31

March 2017 respectively.   No Level 1 or Level 2 assets were held at either date. 
 
                                      Level 
                                          3      Total 
 30 September 2017                  GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 'Available-for-sale' financial 
  assets 
 Equity securities                        8          8 
 Investments in legal cases             130        130 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                                        138        138 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
                                      Level 
                                          3      Total 
 31 March 2017                      GBP'000    GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 'Available-for-sale' financial 
  assets 
 Equity securities                        8          8 
 Investments in legal cases             132        132 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                                        140        140 
--------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The movement on level 3 assets is as follows:

 
                            30/09/17   31/03/17   30/09/16 
                             GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
 Balance at beginning of 
  period                         140        151        151 
 Impairment                        -        (5)          - 
 Disposals                       (2)        (6)        (6) 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
                                 138        140        145 
-------------------------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
   12        Post balance sheet events 

The proposed transactions set out in the circular sent to shareholders on 15 September 2017 were completed by 5 October 2017 following approval given by shareholders at the general meeting on 2 October: the share capital re-organisation of the Company, the issue of ordinary shares under the Open Offer and the Subscription and the completion of the acquisition of Milton Homes Limited.

Prior to 30 September, the Company received moneys in advance of the issue of the new shares and had incurred costs both in respect of the issue of the new shares and of the acquisition of Milton Homes Limited. These amounts were carried forward in the balance sheet at 30 September 2017 under the headings below as follows:

 
                                                30/09/17 
                                                 GBP'000 
-----------------  --------------------------  --------- 
                    Costs in respect of 
                     the issue of new shares 
 Trade and other     and the acquisition 
  receivables        of Milton Homes Limited         740 
                                               --------- 
 
 Trade and other    Moneys received for 
  payables           subscription of shares        2,024 
                                               --------- 
 
 

As the financial position of the Group changed substantially following completion of the transactions on 5 October 2017, the consolidated balance sheet of the Group as at that date is shown alongside the consolidated balance sheet at 30 September 2017.

The consolidated balance sheet has been prepared from the consolidated accounts of both the Group and the Milton Homes group as at 30 September 2017, adjusted to reflect the following:

(a) the issue of the Open Offer Shares on 3 October;

(b) the issue of the Subscription Shares on 5 October;

(c) the acquisition by the Company of Milton Homes Limited, which comprised the purchase of all its issued shares as well as the purchase of all the Deep Discount Bonds issued by Milton Homes Limited; and

(d) the costs associated with these transactions, which comprise the costs related to the issue of new shares (charged against the share premium account) and the costs related to the acquisition of Milton Homes Limited (expensed in the income statement).

The consolidated accounts of Milton Homes for the period to 30 September 2017 were unaudited management accounts prepared using the same bases as in the statutory accounts and incorporating its Investment properties and Financial assets at their 30 September 2017 fair values, as set out in the quarterly report provided by the external valuer appointed by Milton Homes.

The acquisition method of accounting has been used for the transaction with Milton Homes Limited, with identifiable assets and liabilities acquired being measured at their fair values at the acquisition date. In accordance with IFRS 3, "Business Combinations" it has been determined that Milton Homes was acquired.

The Company purchased Milton Homes Limited, which is an equity release provider that owns and manages residential properties acquired through home reversion plans, in order to acquire a second business platform that has the potential to grow in the expanding equity release sector. Details of the purchase consideration, the net assets acquired and goodwill are as follows:

The consideration for the purchase of the Deep Discount Bonds and the ordinary shares in Milton Homes Limited of GBP19,700,000 was met by a cash payment of GBP6,500,000 and by the issue of the Consideration Shares - 14,666,667 shares with a fair value of GBP13,200,000. The shares were issued at their fair value of 90p, the issue price of both the Open Offer Shares and the Subscription Shares.

The assets and liabilities recognised as a result of the acquisition are as follows:

 
                                    Carrying   Provisional   Provisional 
                                    value at    fair value          fair 
                                 acquisition    adjustment         value 
                                     GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Investment properties                45,390                      45,390 
 Financial assets - equity 
  release plans                       30,517                      30,517 
 Property, plant and 
  equipment                               11                          11 
 Deferred tax asset                                  1,626         1,626 
 Trade and other receivables              79                          79 
 Cash and cash equivalents             1,499                       1,499 
 Borrowings                         (58,865)                    (58,865) 
 Other creditors                       (158)                       (158) 
 Trade and other payables              (399)                       (399) 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total                                18,074         1,626        19,700 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
                                                                 GBP'000 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net assets acquired                                              19,700 
 Goodwill                                                              - 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Consideration                                                    19,700 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

The consideration for the purchase was agreed on the basis that the fair value of the assets acquired would equal the consideration given so that no goodwill would arise.

By order of the Board

Michael Goldstein

Chief Executive Officer

19 December 2017

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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