London Finance & Investment Group Plc - Unaudited Preliminary Results

Friday 28^th September 2018

LONDON FINANCE & INVESTMENT GROUP P.L.C.
(“Lonfin”, “the Company” or “the Group”)

Unaudited Preliminary Results for the year ended 30^th June 2018
Dividend Declaration

London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C. (LSE: LFI, JSE: LNF), the investment company `whose assets primarily consist of Strategic Investments and a General Portfolio, today announces its unaudited Preliminary Results for the year ended 30^th June 2018 and the Board’s Dividend Declaration.

Strategy, Business Model and Investment Policy

Lonfin is an investment company whose objective is to generate growth in shareholder value in real terms over the medium to long term whilst maintaining a progressive dividend policy.

The Group’s investment policy is to invest in a range of ‘Strategic’, ‘General Portfolio’ and from time to time ‘Other Investments’.  General Portfolio Investments comprise liquid stock market investments, both in equity instruments and bonds, and, at the Board’s discretion, ‘Other Investments’ which are typically property and other physical assets. Strategic Investments are significant investments in smaller UK quoted companies; these are balanced by the General Portfolio, which consists of a broad range of investments in major USA, UK and other European companies which provides a diversified exposure to international equity markets. 

The Group’s net assets per share for 2018 have remained broadly unchanged over the previous year at 65.4p and net assets per share have increased 107% over the last five years. Shareholders’ dividends for 2018 have increased by 4.5% over the previous year and by 37.5% over the last five years.

Results

·           Net assets have remained broadly unchanged at 65.4p per share (2017 – 65.6p per share)

·           Strategic Investments have decreased in value slightly, over the year, from £10,673,000 to £10,650,000 due to the fluctuation in share price of Finsbury Food Group Plc.

·           Strategic investments are yielding 3.4% (2017 – 3.1%)

·           The General Portfolio has decreased, adjusting for investment purchases and sales, over the year, by 0.8% from £10,766,000 to £10,676,000.

·           Fair value movement is £140,000

·           No significant increase in Group operating costs

·           A final dividend of 0.60p per share is recommended, making a total of 1.15p per share for the    year (2017 – 1.1p)

The Company and its subsidiaries (“Group”) achieved an operating profit for the year, before interest, tax and changes to the fair value adjustments of investments of £306,000, compared to an operating profit for the previous year, before tax and changes to the fair value adjustments of investments, of £275,000.  The significant increases in fair value of investments that occurred last year have not been repeated this year and, as a result, the Total Comprehensive Income for the year, comprising profit after tax and the other comprehensive income (the fair value adjustments, net of tax, of Strategic Investments) was £256,000 compared to £1,658,000 for the previous year.  Basic earnings per share are 0.6p (2017- 3.5p) and headline earnings per share are 0.8p (2017 – 1.0p).

Strategic Investments

Strategic Investments have reduced in value by £23,000 due to the market movements in the share prices.

Western Selection P.L.C. (“Western”)

The Group owns 7,860,515 ordinary shares, being 43.8% of the issued share capital of the Western.

On 26^th September 2018, Western announced unaudited preliminary results showing a profit after tax of £784,000 for the year to 30^th June 2018 (2017 – profit after tax, of £850,000).  Earnings per share were 4.4p (2017- 4.7p).

Western paid an interim dividend of 1.1p in March this year and proposes a final dividend of 1.15p making 2.25p for the year (2017 – 2.2p).  Western’s net assets at market value at 30^th June 2018 were £17,342,000 equivalent to 96p per share, an increase of 1% from 95p last year.

Our share of the net assets of Western, including the value of Western’s investments at market value, was £7,595,000 (2017 - £7,500,000).  The fair value for Western recorded in the Statement of Financial Position is the market value of £3,930,000 (2017 - £3,773,000).  This represents 19% (2017 – 18%) of the net assets of the group.

Western’s objective is to generate growth in value for shareholders over the medium to long term and pay a progressive dividend.  Western’s business model is to take sizeable minority stakes in relatively small companies usually before or as their shares are admitted to trading on one of the UK’s stock exchanges and have directors in common through which they can provide advice and support for these growing companies. These may or may not become associated companies. The aim is that these companies (“Core Holdings”) will grow to a stage at which Western’s support is no longer required and its stake can be sold over time into the relevant stock market.  Companies that are targeted as Core Holdings will have an experienced management team, a credible business model and good prospects for growth.

Western is a strategic investment which is technically a subsidiary of the Company that has not been consolidated due to the application of the investment entity exemption under IFRS 10.

David Marshall is the Chairman of Western and Edward Beale is non-executive director.

Western’s main Core Holdings are Northbridge Industrial Services Plc, Swallowfield Plc, Bilby Plc and Tudor Rose International Limited.

An extract from Western’s announcement on 26^th September 2018 relating to its main Core Holdings is set out below:

Core Holdings

Northbridge Industrial Services plc (“Northbridge”)

Northbridge hires and sells specialist industrial equipment to a non-cyclical customer base.  With offices or agents in the UK, USA, Dubai, Germany, Belgium, France, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brazil and Korea, Northbridge has a global customer base.  This includes utility companies, the oil and gas sector, shipping, construction and the public sector. The product range includes loadbanks, transformers and oil tools.  Further information about Northbridge is available on their website: www.northbridgegroup.co.uk

Northbridge, which is admitted to trading on AIM, announced its results for the year ended 31^st December 2017 on 12^th April 2018 and recorded a loss after tax of £4,626,000 for the year.  No dividend was recommended by Northbridge and no dividends were received by Western from Northbridge during the year.

During the year, Western invested £95,000 in acquiring 76,368 new ordinary shares in Northbridge pursuant to a share placing. Western now holds 3,300,000 Northbridge shares which represents 12.6% of Northbridge’s enlarged issued share capital.  The value of this investment at 30^th June 2018 was £4,290,000 (2017 - £3,320,000) which represents approximately 25% (2017 - 19%) of Western’s net assets.

David Marshall is a non-executive director of Northbridge.

Swallowfield plc (“Swallowfield”)

Swallowfield is a market leader in the development, formulation, manufacture and supply of cosmetics, toiletries and related household products for global brands and retailers operating in the cosmetics, personal care and household goods market.  Further information about Swallowfield is available on their website:  www.swallowfield.com

Swallowfield, which is admitted to trading on AIM, announced its results for the 53 weeks ended 30^th June 2018 on 25^th September 2018 and recorded a profit after tax of £3,633,000 compared to a profit after tax of £2,572,000 for the comparable period last year.  Dividends of £78,500 were received from Swallowfield during the year (2017 – £66,900).  A final dividend of 4.2p per share has been declared and, if approved, Western will receive a further £54,600 of income in December 2018.

In March this year, Western sold 200,000 Swallowfield shares, realising a profit of £443,000, during the year. At the reporting date, being 30^th June 2018, Western held 1,300,000 Swallowfield shares which represented 7.7% of Swallowfield’s issued share capital.  The market value of our reduced holding in Swallowfield on 30^th June 2018 had decreased to £4,095,000 from the value of our holding at 30^th June 2017 of £5,700,000. The value of this investment represents approximately 23.6% (2017 - 33%) of Western’s net assets.

Edward Beale is a non-executive director of Swallowfield.

Bilby Plc (“Bilby”)

Bilby is an established, and award winning, provider of gas installation, maintenance and general building services to local authority and housing associations across London and South East England.  They have a strategy of growing organically and by acquisition.  Further information about Bilby is available on their website: www.bilbyplc.com.

Bilby, which is admitted to trading on AIM, announced its results for the year ended 31^st March 2018 on 16^th July 2018 showing a profit after tax of £3,450,000 compared to a loss after tax of £180,000 for the previous year ended 31^st March 2017.  Dividends of £54,000 were received from Bilby during the year (2017 - £53,000).  Bilby announced a final dividend of 2.0p per share which was paid in July 2018 and which provided Western with further income of £54,000.

Western holds 2,700,000 Bilby shares which represents approximately 6.7% of Bilby’s issued share capital. The market value of this investment on 30^th June 2018 was £2,835,000 (2017- £1,917,000) which represents approximately 16% (2017 – 11%) of Western’s net assets.

Tudor Rose International Limited (“Tudor Rose International”)

Tudor Rose International works closely with a number of leading UK branded fast-moving consumer goods companies, offering a complete sale, marketing and logistical service.  Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Tudor Rose International sells into 78 countries worldwide including USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, Australia and China.

Western holds 441,090 A ordinary shares in Tudor Rose International which represents 49.5% of the company’s issued share capital.  Western also holds £1,000,000 of redeemable preference shares in Tudor Rose International at a par value of 1p per share. The Company has made available to Tudor Rose International a working capital facility of £750,000, bearing interest at the rate of base + 5% per annum, which has been fully drawn down at the year end.

Tudor Rose International, which is a private company, has a 31^st December year end and, in the year to 30^th June 2018, generated a trading profit before tax of £130,140. Turnover in the period was £19,032,000 (2017 - £17,145,000).  Western’s share of a profit after tax for the twelve months to 30^th June 2018 was £41,000 (2017 – profit £49,550) and the book value of the investment at 30^th June 2018 was £1,633,000 (2017 - £1,647,000) being 9.4 % (2017 –10%) of Western’s net assets. Including the loans to Tudor Rose International and its directors (£942,000), the total book value of the investment comes to £2,575,000 which is 15% of Western’s net assets.

Western has two nominees on the board of Tudor Rose International: Edward Beale and David Marshall.

Finsbury Food Group plc (“Finsbury”)

Finsbury is one of the largest producers and suppliers of premium cakes, bread and morning goods in the UK and currently supplies most of the UK's major supermarket chains.  Further information about Finsbury, which is admitted to trading on AIM, is available on its website: www.finsburyfoods.co.uk

At 30^th June 2018, Lonfin held 6,000,000 Finsbury shares, representing 4.6% of Finsbury’s issued share capital.  The market value of the holding was £6,720,000 as at 30^th June 2018 (cost - £1,724,000) and represents approximately 33% (2017 – 34%) of Lonfin’s net assets.

On 17^th September 2018, Finsbury announced audited adjusted profits on continuing operations after tax and minority interests of £13,508,000 for the 52 weeks ended 30^th June 2018 (2017 – adjusted profits £12,958,000).

Finsbury paid an interim dividend of 1.1p in April 2018 and has recommended to its shareholders a final dividend of 2.2p per share, making 3.3p for the year (2017 – 3p). The final dividend, if approved, will be paid in December 2018 and will provide the Company with further income of £132,000.

Edward Beale was a non-executive director of Finsbury up until 23^rd November 2017.

General Portfolio

The investments comprising the General Portfolio at 30^th June 2018 are listed below.

Composition of General Portfolio

At 30^th June 2018

	£000		%
LVMH Moet Hennessey	504		4.7
Diageo	463		4.3
Schindler Holdings	457		4.3
Investor AB	429		4.0
Pernod Ricard	427		4.0
Unilever	423		4.0
Heineken Holding	411		3.8
Henkel	400		3.7
Antofagasta	396		3.7
L'Oreal	395		3.7
HSBC Holdings	391		3.7
Royal Dutch Shell	387		3.6
Brown-Forman	380		3.6
British American Tobacco	375		3.5
Chevron Corp	373		3.5
Givaudan	361		3.4
Nestle	346		3.2
Danone	334		3.1
3M Co	328		3.1
United Technologies Corp	322		3.0
Exxon Mobil Corp	313		2.9
Phillip Morris International Inc	311		2.9
Reckitt Benckiser Group	306		2.9
BASF	304		2.8
Anheuser Busch Inbev	285		2.7
Kimberley Clark Corp	271		2.5
Procter & Gamble Co	266		2.5
Becton Dickinson & Co	254		2.4
Imperial Brands	251		2.4
Compagnie Financiere Richemont	213		2.1
	10,676		100.0
Analysis by currency	£000		%
Euro	3,060		29
Sterling	2,991		28
US Dollar	2,820		26
Swiss Franc	1,376		13
Swedish Kronas	429		4
	10,676		100.0

The General Portfolio is diverse with material interests in Food and Beverages, Natural Resources, Chemicals and Tobacco.  We believe that the portfolio of quality companies we hold has the potential to outperform the market in the medium to long term.

At 30^th June 2018, the number of holdings in the General Portfolio was 30 (2017 – 30). We have increased the amount invested in the General Portfolio over the year by £1,000 (2017 - increased by £2,767,000).

The opening value of our General Portfolio investments at 30^th June 2017 was £10,766,000 which compared with a cost of such investments at the same date of £6,053,000. After investment purchases during the year of £699,000 and investment sales (including selling expenses) during the same period of £698,000, the value of the General Portfolio investments as at 30^th June 2018 had decreased by 0.8% to £10,676,492. 

Board Changes

Following Michael Robotham’s retirement on 6^th December 2017, after a long period of service to the Company as a non-executive director, it is with regret that the Board reports to shareholders that Michael passed away peacefully on 16^th April 2018.  Along with his family and friends, he will be greatly missed by members of the Board who he, as a fellow director, supported and provided good counsel to the Company for many years.

Following Michael Robotham’s retirement, the Board looked to strengthen the Board and on 31^st January 2018, the Company announced the appointment of Warwick Marshall. Warwick is the son of David Marshall, the Chairman.  In 1996, Warwick established the trading division of the Monteagle Group initially trading in retailer branded fast moving consumer goods, and then later diversifying into metals, minerals and logistics.  This profitable division of the Monteagle Group now turns over in excess of US$350 million annually. He also has extensive investment experience in his private capacity.

Whilst the Board is satisfied that it now has a sufficient spread of skills, experience and support within the Board to operate the Company and to develop the Company’s investment business, the Board will be seeking to identify further suitable Board candidates who can add value.

Operations, Directors and Employees

All of our operations and those of Western, with the exception of investment selection, are outsourced to our subsidiary, City Group PLC (“City Group”). City Group also provides office accommodation, company secretarial and head office finance services to a number of other companies.  City Group is responsible for the initial identification and appraisal of potential new strategic investments for the Company and the day to day monitoring of existing strategic investments.  

Dividend

The Board recommends a final dividend of 0.60p per share, making a total of 1.15p per ordinary share for the year (2017 – 1.1p).  Subject to shareholders’ approval at the Company’s AGM to be held on 4^th December 2018, the dividend will be paid on Tuesday, 18^th December 2018 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on Friday, 23^rd November 2018. 

Shareholders on the South African register will receive their dividend in South African rand converted from sterling at the closing rate of exchange on Thursday, 20^th September 2018 being GBP1= ZAR 18.73341.

JSE Disclosure Requirements

In respect of the normal gross cash dividend, and in terms of the South African Tax Act, the following dividend tax ruling only applies to those shareholders who are registered on the South African register on Friday, 23^rd November 2018.

·           The number of shares in issue as at the dividend declaration date is 31,207,479;

·           The dividend has been declared from income reserves, funds are sourced from the Company’s main bank account in London and is regarded as a foreign dividend by South African shareholders; and

·           The Company’s UK Income Tax reference number is 948/L32120.

Dividend dates:

Last date to trade (SA)	Tuesday, 20th November 2018
Shares trade ex-dividend (SA)	Wednesday, 21st November 2018
Shares trade ex-dividend (UK)	Thursday, 22nd November 2018
Record date (UK and SA)	Friday, 23rd November 2018
Pay date	Tuesday, 18th December 2018

The JSE Listings Requirements requires disclosure of additional information in relation to any dividend payments.

Shareholders registered on the South African register are advised that a dividend withholding tax will be withheld from the gross final dividend amount of 11.24005 SA cents per share at a rate of 20% unless a shareholder qualifies for an exemption; shareholders registered on the South African register who do not qualify for an exemption will therefore receive a net dividend of 8.99204 SA cents per share.  The dividend withholding tax and the information contained in this paragraph is only of direct application to shareholders registered on the South African register, who should direct any questions about the application of the dividend withholding tax to Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Limited, Tel: [phone].

Share certificates may not be de-materialised or re-materialised between Wednesday, 21^st November 2018 and Friday, 23^rd November 2018, both days inclusive.  Shares may not be transferred between the registers in London and South Africa during this period either.

Outlook

Political and economic uncertainty around the world continues and in particular in the UK given the ongoing negotiations with the EU over the terms for Brexit. There are clearly greater challenges ahead but your Board believes the Company’s mix of Strategic Investments and the Company’s General Portfolio of international investments will give us opportunity to outperform the broader market in the medium to long term.

Future Developments

The future development of the Group is dependent on the success of the Group’s Investment Strategy in the light of economic and equity market developments and the continued support of its Shareholders. A resolution will be put to Shareholders at the forthcoming AGM to amend the Company’s Investment Policy so that up to 40 investments may be held in the Company’s General Portfolio at any time. Aside from this change, the Board will maintain the current Investment Policy for the foreseeable future and has no plans to make any further changes to the policy.

28^th September 2018

The annual report and accounts will be finalised shortly and sent to shareholders.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

London Finance & Investment Group P.L.C.: 020 7796 9060
(David Marshall/Edward Beale)

Johannesburg Sponsor: 
Sasfin Capital (a member of the Sasfin Group)

Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 30^th June                                                                                                                       

Operating Income		2018		2017
		£000		£000
Dividends received		674		608
Rental and other income		107		109
Profits on sales of investments		26		3
Management service fees		274		296
		1,081		1,016
Administrative expenses
Investment operations		(411)		(352)
Management services		(364)		(389)
Total administrative expenses		(775)		(741)
Operating profit		306		275
Unrealised changes in the carrying value of General Portfolio investments		(117)		989
Interest payable		(14)		(33)
Profit before taxation		175		1,231
Tax Income/ (expense)		20		(121)
Profit after taxation		195		1,110
Non-controlling interest		(8)		(7)
Profit attributable to shareholders		187		1,103
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Unrealised changes in the carrying value of Strategic investments		(23)		477
Profit on sale of investments		-		217
Other taxation -
Deferred tax		42		99
Corporation tax		50		(238)
Total Other Comprehensive Income		69		555
Total Comprehensive Income attributable to owners of the parent		256		1,658
Reconciliation of headline earnings
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.6p		3.5p
Adjustment for the unrealised changes in the carrying value of investments, net of tax		0.2p		(2.5)p
Headline earnings per share		0.8p		1.0p

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

At 30^th June

		2018		2017
		£000		£000
Non-current Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment		13		14
Investments		10,650		10,673
		10,663		10,687
Current Assets
Listed investments		10,676		10,766
Trade and other receivables		251		220
Cash and cash equivalents		304		222
		11,231		11,208
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables		(346)		(250)
Current tax liabilities		-		(236)
Borrowings		(325)		-
		(671)		(486)
Net Current Assets		10,560		10,722
Deferred Taxation		(722)		(829)
Total Assets less Total Liabilities		20,501		20,580
Capital and Reserves
Ordinary share capital		1,560		1,560
Share premium account		2,320		2,320
Unrealised profits and losses on investments		8,056		8,265
Share of retained realised profits and losses of subsidiaries		4,207		3,794
Company’s retained realised profits and losses		4,253		4,544
Capital and reserves attributable to owners		20,396		20,483
Non-controlling equity interests		105		97
Total Capital and Reserves		20,501		20,580

Company Statement of Financial Position

At 30^th June

		2018		2017
		£000		£000
Non-current Assets
Investments in Group companies		902		1,071
Current Assets
Listed investments		10,676		10,766
Trade and other receivables		36		26
Cash and cash equivalents		99		101
		10,811		10,893
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables		(126)		(117)
Borrowings		(325)		-
		(451)		(117)
Net Current Assets		10,360		10,776
Deferred Taxation		(343)		(408)
Total Assets less Total Liabilities		10,919		11,439
Capital and Reserves
Ordinary share capital		1,560		1,560
Share premium account		2,320		2,320
Unrealised profits and losses on investments		2,786		3,015
		6,666		6,895
Realised Profit and Loss
Balance at 1st July		4,544		4,928
Net Profit/(Loss) for the period		52		(41)
Dividends paid		(343)		(343)
Balance at 30th June		4,253		4,544
Equity shareholders’ funds		10,919		11,439

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 30^th June

	Not	2018		2017
		£000		£000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax		175		1,231
Adjustments for non-cash -
Finance expense		14		33
Depreciation charges		9		8
Unrealised changes in the fair value of investments		117		(989)
Realised gain on disposal of investments		(26)		(3)
Decrease/(Increase)in trade and other receivables		(32)		52
(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables		96		(66)
Taxes paid	7	(230)		(45)
Net cash inflow from operating activities		123		221
Cash flows from investment activity
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(8)		-
Acquisition of current investments		(699)		(2,856)
Disposal of current investment	12	698		207
Disposal of non-current investment		-		2,438
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investment activity		(9)		(211)
Cash flows from financing
Interest paid		(14)		(33)
Equity dividends paid		(343)		(343)
Net drawdown of loan facilities	15	325		-
Net cash outflow from financing		(32)		(376)
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents	19	82		(366)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year		222		588
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year		304		222

Company Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 30^th June

		2018		2017
		£000		£000
Cash flows from operating activities
(Loss)/Profit before tax		(197)		878
Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating activities -
Finance expense		14		33
Unrealised changes in the fair value of investments		117		(989)
Realised gain on disposal of investments		(26)		(3)
(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables		(10)		1
Increase in trade and other payables		8		24
Overseas Taxes paid		(44)		(45)
Net cash (outflow) from operating activities		(138)		(101)
Cash flows from investment activity
Acquisition of investments		(699)		(2,856)
Disposal of investments		698		207
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investment activity		(1)		(2,649)
Cash flows from financing
Interest paid		(14)		(33)
Equity dividends paid		(343)		(343)
Decrease in loan to subsidiary		169		2,776
Net drawdown/(repayment) of loan facilities		325		-
Net cash inflow from financing		137		2,400
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents		(2)		(350)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year		101		451
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year		99		101

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

	Ordinary Share Capital	Share Premium Account	Unrealised Profits and Losses on Investments	Share of Retained Profits and Losses of Subsidiaries	Retained Realised Profits & Losses	Total	Non-Controlling Interests	Total Equity
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Year ended 30th June 2017
Balances at 1st July 2016	1,560	2,320	8,539	1,821	4,928	19,168	90	19,258
Profit for the Year	-	-	913	231	(41)	1,103	7	1,110
Other Comprehensive Income/(Expense)	-	-	(1,187)	1,742	-	555	-	555
Total comprehensive income	-	-	(274)	1,973	(41)	1,658	7	1,665
Dividends paid and total transactions with shareholders	-	-	-	-	(343)	(343)	-	(343)
Balances at 30th June 2017	1,560	2,320	8,265	3,794	4,544	20,483	97	20,580
Year ended 30th June 2018
Balances at 1st July 2017	1,560	2,320	8,265	3,794	4,544	20,483	97	20,580
Profit/(loss) for the Year	-	-	(228)	363	52	187	8	195
Other Comprehensive Income/(Expense)	-	-	19	50	-	69	-	69
Total comprehensive income	-	-	(209)	413	52	256	8	264
Dividends paid and total transactions with shareholders	-	-	-	-	(343)	(343)	-	(343)
Balances at 30th June 2018	1,560	2,320	8,056	4,207	4,253	20,396	105	20,501

Company Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

	Ordinary Share Capital	Share Premium Account	Unrealised Profits and Losses on Investments	Realised Profits & Losses	Equity Total
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
Year ended 30th June 2017
Balances at 1st July 2016	1,560	2,320	2,219	4,928	11,027
Profit/(loss)for the Year and total comprehensive income	-	-	796	(41)	755
Dividends paid and total transactions with shareholders	-	-	-	(343)	(343)
Balances at 30th June 2017	1,560	2,320	3,015	4,544	11,439
Year ended 30th June 2018
Balances at 1st July 2017	1,560	2,320	3,015	4,544	11,439
Profit/(loss) for the Year and total comprehensive income	-	-	(229)	52	(177)
Dividends paid and total transactions with shareholders	-	-	-	(343)	(343)
Balances at 30th June 2018	1,560	2,320	2,786	4,253	10,919

Notes:

1.       Basic earnings per share and Headline earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are based on the profit attributable to the shareholders after tax and non-controlling interests of £187,000 (2017 - £1,103,000) and on 31,207,479 shares (2017 – 31,207,479) being the weighted average of the number of shares in issue during the year.

Headline earnings are required to be disclosed by the JSE.

Headline earnings per share are based on the profit attributable to the shareholders after tax and non-controlling interests, before unrealised changes in the fair value of investments net of tax, of £240,000 (2017 - £309,000) and on 31,207,479 (2017 – 31,207,479) shares being the weighted average of the number of shares in issue during the year.

The adjustments for the unrealised changes in the carrying value of investments, net of tax, are £53,000 (2017 - £794,000).

2.       Net assets per share

The net assets per share are calculated taking investments at fair value and on 31,207,479 shares (2017 – 31,207,479) being the weighted average of the number of shares in issue during the year.

3.       Financial information

The financial information in this preliminary announcement does not constitute the Company’s statutory accounts for the year ended 30th June 2018.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.  The accounts are prepared on the historical cost bases, except for certain assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value, in accordance with IFRS. The audited accounts for the Group for the year ended 30^th June 2017 were reported on with an unqualified audit report and did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph or any statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Copies of this notification are held at the Company’s office, 6 Middle Street, London, EC1A 7JA (tel. [phone]) and are available for a period of 14 days from the date of this announcement.

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