TIDMARTL
RNS Number : 7398G
Alpha Real Trust Limited
27 November 2020
27 November 2020
ALPHA REAL TRUST LIMITED ("ART" OR THE "COMPANY" OR THE
"GROUP")
ART ANNOUNCES ITS HALF YEAR RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30
SEPTEMBER 2020
-- NAV per ordinary share 211.1p as at 30 September 2020 (31 March 2020: 213.7p).
-- Adjusted earnings for the six months ended 30 September 2020
of 1.6p per ordinary share (31 March 2020: 6.4p per ordinary
share)*.
-- Basic losses for the six months ended 30 September 2020 of
1.3p per ordinary share (31 March 2020: earnings of 5.8p per
ordinary share).
-- Declaration of a quarterly dividend of 1.0p per ordinary
share expected to be paid on 8 January 2021.
-- Robust financial position: a cautious approach to new
investment is being taken and cash conserved as the Covid-19
situation unfolds.
-- Diversified portfolio of secured senior and secured mezzanine
loan investments; as at 30 September 2020, the size of ART's
secured loan portfolio was GBP37.5 million, representing 29.5% of
the investment portfolio. The portfolio has an average LTV of 58.8%
based on loan commitments (with mezzanine loans having a LTV range
of between 54.8% and 76.0% whilst the highest approved senior loan
LTV is 73.1%).
-- Capital recycling: the sale of the Unity and Armouries
development site in Birmingham completed at the GBP4.5 million book
value.
-- Capital recycling: the sale of the final asset in the UK
industrial portfolio completed for GBP3.8 million, a price
marginally ahead of book value.
-- Galaxia update: during the period ART recovered the total
amounts deposited by Logix in the Supreme Court of India of INR
292m (GBP3.0m). ART has now successfully recovered the full amount
of its capital originally invested into the Galaxia joint
venture.
* The basis of the adjusted earnings per share is provided in
note 9
David Jeffreys, Chairman of Alpha Real Trust, commented:
"Covid-19 and the unprecedented and continuing actions of
Governments to lock-down their citizens and shut-down their
economies has severely affected the economic backdrop in which the
Company operates. ART's investment portfolio benefits from
diversification across geographies, sectors and asset types.
Prior to the emergence of Covid-19, the Company had been
focussing on recycling capital into asset backed lending while
reducing exposure to development risk. In this time of heightened
uncertainty, the Company is benefiting from that strategy and it
has placed the Company on a robust financial footing.
ART is committed to its disciplined strategy and investment
principles which focus on opportunities that can deliver high risk
adjusted returns, while seeking to manage risk through a
combination of operational controls, diversification and defensive
return structures. We are taking a cautious approach to new
investment, including new lending, as we see how Covid-19 unfolds.
This cautious approach, while conserving cash, is likely to
significantly reduce earnings in the current year ."
The Investment Manager of Alpha Real Trust is Alpha Real Capital
LLP.
For further information please contact:
Alpha Real Trust Limited
David Jeffreys, Chairman, Alpha Real Trust +44 (0)1481 742
742
Gordon Smith, Joint Fund Manager, Alpha Real Trust +44 (0)207
391 4700
Brad Bauman, Joint Fund Manager, Alpha Real Trust +44 (0)207 391
4700
Panmure Gordon, Broker to the Company
Atholl Tweedie / Joanna Langley +44 (0)20 7886 2500
Notes to editors:
About Alpha Real Trust
Alpha Real Trust Limited targets investment, development,
financing and other opportunities in real estate, real estate
operating companies and securities, real estate services,
infrastructure, infrastructure services, other asset-backed
businesses and related operations and services businesses that
offer attractive risk-adjusted total returns.
Further information on the Company can be found on the Company's
website: www.alpharealtrustlimited.com .
About Alpha Real Capital LLP
Alpha Real Capital is a value-adding international property fund
management group. Alpha Real Capital is the Investment Manager to
ART. Brad Bauman and Gordon Smith of Alpha Real Capital are joint
Fund Managers to ART. Both have experience in the real estate and
finance industries throughout the UK, Europe and Asia.
For more information on Alpha Real Capital please visit
www.alpharealcapital.com .
Company's summary and objective
Strategy
ART targets investment, development, financing and other
opportunities in real estate, real estate operating companies and
securities, real estate services, infrastructure, infrastructure
services, other asset-backed businesses and related operations and
services businesses that offer attractive risk-adjusted total
returns.
ART currently focusses on asset-backed lending, debt investments
and high return property investments in Western Europe that are
capable of delivering strong risk adjusted cash flows. The
portfolio mix at 30 September 2020, excluding sundry
assets/liabilities, was as follows:
30 September 31 March 2020
2020
High return debt: 29.4% 31.9%
High return equity in
property investments: 21.0% 26.1%
Other investments: 0.6% 6.2%
Cash: 49.0% 35.8%
The Company currently plans to invest the majority of its cash
into secured senior or secured mezzanine debt and subject to how
the Covid-19 situation unfolds.
Dividends
The current intention of the Directors is to pay a dividend and
offer a scrip dividend alternative quarterly to all
shareholders.
Listing
The Company's shares are traded on the Specialist Fund Segment
("SFS") of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE"), ticker ARTL: LSE.
Management
The Company's Investment Manager is Alpha Real Capital LLP
("ARC"), whose team of investment and asset management
professionals focus on the potential to enhance earnings in
addition to adding value to the underlying assets, and also focus
on the risk profile of each investment within the capital structure
to best deliver attractive risk adjusted returns.
Control of the Company rests with the non-executive Guernsey
based Board of Directors.
Financial highlights
6 months 12 months 6 months
ended ended ended
30 September 31 March 30 September
2020 2020 2019
-------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Net asset value (GBP'000) 127,055 127,627 126,440
-------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Net asset value per ordinary share 211.1p 213.7p 213.5p
-------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Earnings per ordinary share (basic
and diluted) (adjusted)* 1.6p 6.4p 3.0p
-------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------------
(Losses)/earnings per ordinary share
(basic and diluted) (1.3)p 5.8p 2.7p
-------------------------------------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Dividend per ordinary share (paid
during the period) 2.0p 3.6p 1.6p
* The adjusted earnings per share includes adjustments for the
effect of the fair value revaluation of investment property and
indirect property investments, capital element on Investment
Manager's fees, the fair value movements on financial assets and
deferred tax provisions: full analysis is provided in note 9 to the
accounts.
Chairman's statement
I am pleased to present the Company's annual report and accounts
for the six months ended 30 September 2020.
The economic and social impact of Covid-19 continues to severely
affect the economic backdrop in which the Company operates. In the
period prior to the emergence of Covid-19, the Company had focused
on recycling capital into asset backed lending while reducing
exposure to development risk. During the reporting period the
result of these efforts continue to yield successes, with
noteworthy capital recycling successes being secured from the sale
of two assets and recovery of part of the court award from the
historic investment in India,
ART's investment portfolio benefits from diversification across
geographies, sectors and asset types. In this time of heightened
uncertainty, the Company continues to operate on a robust financial
footing but continues to take a cautious approach to new
investment, including new lending, as we see how Covid-19
unfolds.
Diversified secured lending investment
The Company has a diversified portfolio of secured senior and
mezzanine loan investments. The loans are typically secured on real
estate investment and development assets with attractive risk
adjusted income returns. As at 30 September 2020, ART had committed
GBP42.3 million across thirty four loans, of which GBP37.5 million
was drawn.
During the six months period to 30 September 2020, seven loans
totalling GBP4.5 million (including accrued interest and exit fees)
were fully repaid and a further GBP2.9 million (including accrued
interest) was received as part repayments. Post period end,
additional drawdowns of GBP0.9 million were made on existing loans,
four loans were fully repaid for GBP2.0 million and part payments
for other loans were received amounting to GBP0.4 million
(including accrued interest).
The largest individual loan in the portfolio as at 30 September
2020 is a mezzanine loan of GBP3.4 million which represents 8.0% of
loan portfolio (including commitments) and 2.7% of the Company's
NAV.
Portfolio loans are underwritten against value for investment
loans or gross development value for development loans as relevant
and collectively referred to as LTV in this report. As at 30
September 2020, 48.6% of the Company's loan investments were senior
loans and 51.4% were mezzanine loans. The portfolio has an average
LTV of 58.8% based on commitments, i.e. including amounts available
for drawing. Mezzanine loans have a LTV range of between 54.8% and
76.0% whilst the highest approved senior loan LTV is 73.1%.
The underlying assets in the loan portfolio as at 30 September
2020 had geographic diversification with a London and South East
focus. The South of England (including London) accounted for 63%,
of which London accounted for 32%, of the committed capital within
the loan investment portfolio.
To date, the Company has experienced no defaults but the
underlying loan portfolio continues to be closely monitored
especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Where it is
considered appropriate, on a case by case basis, underlying loan
terms may be extended.
Capital recycling
During the period the Company's capital recycling programme
continued with total proceed of GBP8.3 million being received from
investment sales.
In June 2020, the sale of the Unity and Armouries development
site in Birmingham completed in line with book value. This was
followed in September 2020 by the sale of the final asset in the
Alpha UK Property Fund Asset Company (No. 2) Limited portfolio of
UK industrial assets at a price marginally ahead of book value.
H2O, Madrid
ART has a 30% stake in joint venture with CBRE Global Investors
in the H2O shopping centre in Madrid. The government of Spain
issued a "stay-at-home" directive to the whole of Spain from 14
March 2020 in response to Covid-19. In line with other shopping
centres in Madrid, H2O was able to fully reopen on 8 June 2020,
with some stores permitted to open earlier based on their size and
activity. During the entire period, the H2O supermarket and the
pharmacy were the only shops that remained operational, being
considered essential services.
Since reopening to 30 September 2020, visitor numbers have
reduced by approximately 33%, although some stores have noted an
increased spend per head from the reduced number of customers.
A practical approach is being taken with tenants to manage any
rent arrears whilst seeking to protect the long-term value of the
centre. A rent-free period was offered to tenants with trading
distress in return for lease extensions and/or an increase in
turnover rent to capture any future increase in trading. With the
recent resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result of
tenant trading difficulties, where warranted, additional
support/terms are being provided to selective tenants. Six tenants,
occupying 2,941 square metres (sqm) and representing 5.4% of the
centre's total leasable area, have entered into insolvency
proceedings or have either not reopened their stores as a result of
Covid-19 or pre-existing trading difficulties. Some of these
tenants were non-performing and had already been paying reduced
rents prior to Covid-19. Active tenant negotiations continue.
Limited new leasing activity was recorded during the period with a
414sqm restaurant being re-let from a nonperforming tenant to
international restaurant brand 'Tony Romas'. A 236 sqm large
terrace area of a further restaurant unit, where a lease contract
was terminated, has been leased to a newly launched brand by one of
Spain's larger restaurant franchise groups.
Covid-19 will have a significant impact on the earnings of H2O
for the current year. The centre's valuation reduced by 6.2% over
the six month reporting period.
Galaxia, India
As announced in February 2020, the Supreme Court of India ruled
in favour of ART's dispute regarding its Galaxia investment, a
50:50 joint venture with Logix Group ("Logix") that owns an 11.2
acre development site located in NOIDA, the National Capital
Region, India.
In upholding the arbitration award in favour of ART and
dismissing Logix's appeal, the Supreme Court ordered Logix to pay
ART a total of INR 860 million (GBP9.1 million at the period end
exchange rate).
During the period ART recovered a total of INR 292 million
(GBP3.0 million) which Logix had deposited with the court in line
with the court ruling. ART has now successfully recovered in excess
of the full amount of its capital originally invested into the
Galaxia joint venture: this has been recognised as a gain in the
current period.
The court permitted Logix to sell the Galaxia site, which was
previously charged in favour of ART, in order to raise capital. A
purchaser for the site has been identified who, on 20 November
2020, deposited INR 568 million with the Supreme Court towards the
INR 990 million sale price. The purchaser is seeking amendment of
development consents in relation to the land. The release of the
funds deposited with the Supreme court to ART is dependent on how
the sale process advances. Failure to recover the proceeds from a
sale would mean that Logix would be required to pay the remainder
of the liability due to ART under the court award of INR 568
million (GBP6.1 million) plus a higher interest rate applicable
under the arbitration award.
ART continues to actively pursue its claim to collect the
balance of the arbitration award. Given the uncertainty about the
quantum and timing of any future recovery, the Company carried the
joint venture in arbitration in its accounts as at 30 September
2020 at nil value.
Results and dividends
Results
Adjusted earnings for the six months ended 30 September 2020 are
GBP1.0 million (1.6 pence per ordinary share, see note 9 of the
financial statements). This compares with adjusted earnings per
ordinary share of 3.0 pence in the same period last year. As noted,
the Company continues to take a cautious approach to new
investment, including lending commitments. This, combined with the
current cost of tenant support measures at the H2O shopping centre
joint venture, has impacted reported earnings in the period.
The net asset value per ordinary share at 30 September 2020 is
211.1 pence per share (31 March 2020: 213.7 pence per ordinary
share) (see note 10 of the financial statements). This reduction is
primarily due to the impact of the reduced valuation of the H2O
shopping centre joint venture in Madrid.
Dividends
The Board announces a dividend of 1.0 pence per ordinary share
which is expected to be paid on 8 January 2021 (ex-dividend date 10
December 2020 and record date 11 December 2020).
The dividends paid and declared in respect of the twelve month
period ended 30 September 2020 totalled 4.0 pence per ordinary
share representing an annual dividend yield of 2.3% p.a. by
reference to the average closing share price over the twelve months
to 30 September 2020.
During the period, GBP413,831 dividends were paid in cash and
GBP782,371 settled by scrip issue of shares.
Scrip dividend alternative
Shareholders of the Company have the option to receive shares in
the Company in lieu of a cash dividend, at the absolute discretion
of the Directors, from time to time.
The number of ordinary shares that an Ordinary Shareholder will
receive under the Scrip Dividend Alternative will be calculated
using the average of the closing middle market quotations of an
ordinary share for five consecutive dealing days after the day on
which the ordinary shares are first quoted "ex" the relevant
dividend.
The Board has elected to offer the scrip dividend alternative to
Shareholders for the dividend for the quarter ended 30 September
2020. Shareholders who returned the Scrip Mandate Form and elected
to receive the scrip dividend alternative will receive shares in
lieu of the next dividend. Shareholders who have not previously
elected to receive scrip may complete a Scrip Mandate Form (this
can be obtained from the registrar: contact Computershare (details
below)), which must be returned by 18 December 2020 to benefit from
the scrip dividend alternative for the next dividend.
Financing
As at 30 September 2020 the Group has one direct bank loan of
EUR9.5 million (GBP8.6 million), a non-recourse facility, with no
financial covenant tests, to an SPV used to finance the acquisition
of the Hamburg property.
Further details of individual asset financing can be found under
the individual investment review sections later in this report.
Share buybacks
At the Extraordinary General Meeting on 9 June 2020,
Shareholders approved a resolution giving the Company a general
authority to buy back Ordinary Shares. No shares have been
purchased under this authority.
As at the date of this announcement, the ordinary share capital
of the Company is 62,425,772 (including 1,940,797 ordinary shares
held in treasury) and the total voting rights in the Company are
60,484,975.
Foreign currency
The Company monitors foreign exchange exposures and considers
hedging where appropriate. Foreign currency balances have been
translated at the period end rates of GBP1:EUR1.100 or
GBP1:INR94.865, as appropriate.
Brexit
In January 2020, the UK formally left the European Union ('EU')
and has now entered a transition period until the end of 2020 and
must negotiate its future trading relationship with the EU. Whilst
these developments have provided some clarity, there remains
significant uncertainty over the future impact of Brexit. The
absolute impact will be dependent on the terms of the UK's
relationship with the EU.
While the UK Parliament has demonstrated its wish to avoid a
'no-deal Brexit', there appears little consensus about what form
any future arrangement with the EU should take. No material adverse
impacts have been noted within the Company's portfolio to date and
risks are mitigated by the Company's investments held in Europe.
However, the Board continues to monitor the situation for potential
risks to the Company's investments. The economic backdrop is highly
dynamic, and the spread of possible outcomes is wide. In this
context, ART is well placed to both weather market volatility and
take advantage of any dislocation should it arise.
Covid-19 pandemic and going concern
The Company is not isolated from the impact of the Covid-19
pandemic on global economies. The Company's long term strategy
remains resilient and its short term move to cash conservation and
maintaining a cautious approach in commitments to new investments
at this time, while potentially reducing income returns, is
supporting a robust balance sheet position during these uncertain
times. As noted above the Company holds approximately 49.0% of its
assets currently in cash with GBP4.8 million of capital commitments
for undrawn secured senior loan facilities. While there is external
financing in the Group's investment interests, this is limited and
non-recourse to the Company; the borrowings in these special
purpose vehicles are compliant with their banking covenants. While
the Board's dividend policy intention is unchanged the Company
continues to actively monitor its investments and the impact of
these unusual economic circumstances on earnings and dividends. See
the investment review section for more details on the pandemic's
impact on relevant investments.
Bearing in mind the nature of the Group's business and assets,
after making enquiries and considering the above, the Directors
consider that the Group has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason,
they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the
financial statements.
Strategy and outlook
Covid-19 and the unprecedented and continuing actions of
Governments to lock-down their citizens and shut-down their
economies has severely affected the economic backdrop in which the
Company operates. ART's investment portfolio benefits from
diversification across geographies, sectors and asset types.
Prior to the emergence of Covid-19, the Company had been
focussing on recycling capital into asset backed lending while
reducing exposure to development risk. In this time of heightened
uncertainty, the Company is benefiting from that strategy and it
has placed the Company on a robust financial footing.
ART is committed to its disciplined strategy and investment
principles which focus on opportunities that can deliver high risk
adjusted returns, while seeking to manage risk through a
combination of operational controls, diversification and defensive
return structures. We are taking a cautious approach to new
investment, including new lending, as we see how Covid-19 unfolds.
This cautious approach, while conserving cash, is likely to
significantly reduce earnings in the current year.
David Jeffreys
Chairman
26 November 2020
Investment review
Portfolio overview as at 30 September 2020
Investment name
Investment Carrying Income Investment Property type Investment notes % of Notes*
type value return location / underlying portfolio(1)
p.a. security
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
High return debt (29.4%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------
Secured senior
finance
Senior secured Senior secured
loans debt
(excluding Diversified (during the
committed loan portfolio period the average
but undrawn focussed on senior facilities
facilities real estate commitments
of GBP4.8 GBP17.9m 9.4% investments were GBP22.8m
million) (2) (3) UK and developments ) 14.0% 16
Secured mezzanine finance
Secured mezzanine
debt and
subordinated
debt
Diversified (during the
loan portfolio period the average
focussed on mezzanine facilities
Second charge real estate commitments
mezzanine GBP19.6m 14.6% investments were GBP19.7m
loans (2) (3) UK and developments ) 15.4% 16
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
High return equity in property investments (21.0%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------
H2O shopping centre
Dominant Madrid 30% shareholding;
shopping centre medium term
and separate moderately geared
Indirect GBP17.9m 1.2% development bank finance
property (EUR19.7m) (4) Spain site facility 14.0% 15
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
Long leased industrial facility, Hamburg
Long leased
industrial complex
in major European Long term moderately
GBP7.2m 7.3% industrial and geared bank
Direct property (5) (4) Germany logistics hub finance facility 5.7% 11
(EUR7.9m)
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
Cambourne Business Park
High-yield Medium term
business moderately
Indirect 10.1% park located geared bank finance
property GBP1.7m (4) UK in Cambridge facility 1.3% 15
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
Other investments (0.6%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------
Realhousingco
High-yield 100% shareholding;
Residential GBP0.6 residential no external
Investment m n/a UK UK portfolio gearing 0.5% 11
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
Healthcare & Leisure Property Limited
Indirect GBP0.1 Leisure property No external
property m n/a UK fund gearing 0.1% 14
---------------- --------------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------ ------
Cash and short-term investments (49.0%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
GBP62.4 0.1% 'On call' and
Cash (6) m (7) UK current accounts 49.0%
--------------------- ---------- ------ ---------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------
* See notes to the financial statements
(1) Percentage share shown based on NAV excluding the company's
sundry assets/liabilities
(2) Including accrued interest/coupon at the balance sheet
date
(3) The income returns for high return debt are the annualised
actual finance income return over the period shown as a percentage
of the average committed
capital over the period
(4) Yield on equity over 12 months to 30 September 2020
(5) Property value including sundry assets/liabilities and cash,
net of associated debt
(6) Group cash of GBP62.8m excluding cash held with the Hamburg
holding company of GBP0.4m
(7) Weighted average interest earned on call accounts
High return debt
Overview
ART has a portfolio of secured loan investments which contribute
a diversified return to the Company's earnings position. The
portfolio comprises high return senior (first charge) loans and
mezzanine (second charge) loans secured on real estate assets and
developments. ART loan underwriting is supported by the Investment
Manager's asset-backed lending experience and knowledge of the
underlying assets and sectors, in addition to the Group's
partnerships with specialist debt providers.
Secured Finance
Investment Investment Carrying Income Property type Investment notes
type value return / underlying
p.a. security
================== ============== ========= ======== ================== ==================
Secured senior First charge GBP17.9m 9.4%** Diversified Secured debt
finance secured * loan portfolio
loans focussed on
real estate
investments
and developments
================== ============== ========= ======== ================== ==================
Secured mezzanine Second charge GBP19.6m 14.6%** Diversified Second charge
finance secured * loan portfolio secured debt
loans focussed on and subordinated
real estate debt
investments
and developments
================== ============== ========= ======== ================== ==================
* Including accrued interest/coupon at the balance sheet date
** The income returns for high return debt are the annualised
actual finance income return over the period shown as a percentage
of the average committed capital over the period
ART's portfolio of secured senior and mezzanine loan investments
have increased in scale and diversity over the past year. These
loans are typically secured on real estate investment and
development assets with attractive risk-adjusted income returns
from either current or capitalised interest or coupon.
As at 30 September 2020, ART had invested a total amount of
GBP37.5 million across thirty four loans. Over the past twelve
months the loan portfolio has decreased by 21.1%.
During the six months period to 30 September 2020, seven loans
totalling GBP4.5 million (including accrued interest and exit fees)
were fully repaid and a further GBP2.9 million (including accrued
interest) was received as part repayments. Post period end,
additional drawdowns of GBP0.9 million were made on existing loans,
four loans were fully repaid for GBP2.0 million and part payments
for other loans were received amounting to GBP0.4 million
(including accrued interest).
Each loan will typically have a term of up to two years, a
maximum 75% loan to gross development value ratio and be targeted
to generate attractive risk-adjusted income returns. As at 30
September 2020, the portfolio had an average LTV of 58.8% (with
average approved LTV between 54.8% and 76.0% for mezzanine while
the highest approved LTV for senior is 73.1%).
Considering the Covid-19 impact on the current economic
environment, the Group has carried out a stress test of its total
Expected Credit Loss ('ECL') analysis and, in consideration of the
main qualities of its secured loan portfolio, the underlying loans'
LTVs, the number of loans where development is advanced and the
number of seasoned facilities, the resulting total ECL was
immaterial.
High return equity in property investments
Overview
ART continues to remain focused on investments that offer the
potential to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns by way of
value enhancement through active asset management, improvement of
income, selective deployment of capital expenditure and the ability
to undertake strategic sales when the achievable price is accretive
to returns.
H2O Shopping Centre, Madrid
Investment Investment Carrying Income Property type Investment notes
type value return / underlying
p.a. security
=========== =========== ============ ======== ================= ==================
H2O Indirect GBP17.9m 1.2%* High-yield, 30% shareholding;
property (EUR19.7m) dominant Madrid 6-year term
shopping centre bank finance
and separate facility
development
site
=========== =========== ============ ======== ================= ==================
* Yield on equity over twelve months to 30 September 2020
H2O shopping centre was opened in 2007 and built to a high
standard providing shopping, restaurants and leisure around a
central theme of landscaped gardens and an artificial lake. H2O has
a gross lettable area of approximately 53,250 square metres
comprising 123 retail units. In addition to a multiplex cinema,
supermarket (let to leading Spanish supermarket operator Mercadona)
and restaurants, it has a large fashion retailer base, including
some of the strongest international fashion brands, such as Nike,
Zara, Mango, Cortefiel, H&M, C&A and Massimo Dutti.
ART has a 30% stake in a joint venture with CBRE Global
Investors. The continued equity interest allows ART to participate
in the future growth of the centre. ARC, the investment manager of
ART, continues to manage the shopping centre.
The joint venture has a EUR64.8 million bank loan which matures
in 2024, secured on the shopping centre. As at 30 September 2020,
the borrowings were compliant with the loan's covenant terms and
are secured on the underlying asset and are non-recourse to the
Group's other investments.
A practical approach is being taken with tenants to manage any
rent arrears whilst seeking to protect the long-term value of the
centre. A rent-free period was offered to tenants with trading
distress in return for lease extensions and/or an increase in
turnover rent to capture any future increase in trading. With the
recent resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result of
tenant trading difficulties, where warranted, additional
support/terms are being provided to selective tenants. Six tenants,
occupying 2,941 square metres (sqm) and representing 5.4% of the
centre's total leasable area, have entered into insolvency
proceedings or have either not reopened their stores as a result of
Covid-19 or pre-existing trading difficulties. Some of these
tenants were non-performing and had already been paying reduced
rents prior to Covid-19. Active tenant negotiations continue.
Limited new leasing activity was recorded during the period with a
414sqm restaurant being re-let from a nonperforming tenant to
international restaurant brand 'Tony Romas'. A 236 sqm large
terrace area of a further restaurant unit, where a lease contract
was terminated, has been leased to a newly launched brand by one of
Spain's larger restaurant franchise groups.
The asset management highlights are as follows:
-- Valuation: 30 September 2020: EUR122.05 million (GBP111.0
million) (31 March 2020: EUR130.6 million (GBP115.5 million)). The
valuation report received from the independent valuers included a
'Material Valuation Uncertainty' paragraph in relation to the
market risks linked to the Covid-19 pandemic (see note 2).
-- Centre occupancy: 92.7% by area as at 30 September 2020.
-- Weighted average lease length to next break of 2.3 years and
8.4 years to expiry (30 September 2020).
-- Footfall: year to date footfall figures to 30 September 2020
are -39.1% versus the same period in 2019, since centre fully
reopened in June 2020 the footfall is c-32.9% down.
-- Building rights: the H2O investment includes a small vacant
site located in the same planning zone as H2O from which 9,000
square metres of building have been transferred to the H2O plot
which, subject to obtaining building licences, creates potential
for the future expansion of the shopping centre.
-- New leasable area: a new 1,100 square metre retail park unit
has recently been completed. The unit is located on part of the
centre's surface car park area, as envisaged within a recently
completed masterplan design for the shopping centre.
UK industrial portfolio
In September 2020 Alpha UK Property Fund Asset Company (No. 2)
Limited disposed of its final UK industrial asset, located in
Wolverhampton, UK, for GBP3.8 million, a price marginally ahead of
book value. Post period end, Alpha UK Property Fund Asset Company
(No. 2) has been placed in voluntary liquidation.
Long leased industrial facility, Hamburg
Investment Investment Carrying Income Property type Investment notes
type value return /
p.a. underlying
security
==================================== ================ =========== ======== ================= ====================
Industrial Direct property GBP7.2 7.3% ** High return Long leased
facility, m* industrial investment with
Werner-Siemens-Straße (EUR7.9m) facility in moderately geared,
Hamburg, Germany Hamburg Germany long term, bank
finance facility
==================================== ================ =========== ======== ================= ====================
* Property value including sundry assets/liabilities and cash, net of associated debt
** Yield on equity over twelve months to 30 September 2020
ART has an investment of EUR7.9 million (GBP7.2 million) in an
industrial facility leased to a leading international group.
The property is held freehold and occupies a site of 11.8 acres
in Billbrook, a well-established and well-connected industrial area
located approximately 8 kilometres south-east of Hamburg centre.
Hamburg is one of the main industrial and logistics markets in
Germany.
The property is leased to Veolia Umweltservice Nord GmbH, part
of the Veolia group, an international industrial specialist in
water, waste and energy management, with a 23-year unexpired lease
term. Under the operating lease, the tenant is responsible for
building maintenance and the rent has periodic inflation linked
adjustments.
The Hamburg asset is funded by way of a EUR9.5 million (GBP8.6
million) non-recourse, fixed rate, bank debt facility which matures
in 2028. The facility carries no financial covenant tests.
This investment offers the potential to benefit from a long term
secure and predictable inflation-linked income stream which is
forecast to generate stable high single digit income returns. In
addition, the investment offers the potential for associated
capital growth from an industrial location in a major German
logistics and infrastructure hub.
Cambourne Business Park, Phase 1000, Cambridge
Investment Investment Carrying Income Property type Investment notes
type value return /
p.a. underlying
security
=================== =========== ========= ======== =============== ===================
Cambourne Business Indirect GBP1.7 10.1% High-yield Medium term
Park property m * business park moderately geared
located in bank finance
Cambridge facility
=================== =========== ========= ======== =============== ===================
* Yield on equity over twelve months to 30 September 2020
The Company has an investment of GBP1.7 million in a joint
venture that owns Phase 1000 of Cambourne Business Park. The
property consists of three Grade A specification modern office
buildings constructed in 1999 and located in the town of Cambourne,
approximately 8 miles west of Cambridge city centre. The property
comprises 9,767 square metres of lettable area, is self-contained
and has 475 car parking spaces. Phase 1000 is situated at the front
of the business park with good access and visibility.
Phase 1000 is a high-quality asset, fully let to Netcracker
Technology EMEA Ltd, Cambridge Cambourne Centre Ltd (previously
called 'Regus (Cambridge Cambourne) Ltd') and Carl Zeiss Microscopy
Ltd & Carl Zeiss Ltd. The property has open B1 Business user
planning permission and has potential value-add opportunities.
Phase 1000 was purchased in a joint venture partnership with a
major overseas investor. ART's equity interest is 10.0% of the
total equity invested into a joint venture entity, a subsidiary of
which holds the property.
The Cambourne asset is funded by way of a GBP12.9 million (as at
30 September 2020) non-recourse bank debt facility which matures in
2023.
ARC is the investment manager to the joint venture owning the
Cambourne property and continues to pursue opportunities to add
value to the investment.
Cash balances
Investment Investment Carrying Income Property type Investment notes
type value return / underlying
p.a. security
============= =========== ========= ======== ================== =================
Cash balance Cash GBP62.4m 0.1% ** 'On call' and n/a
* current accounts
============= =========== ========= ======== ================== =================
* Group cash of GBP62.8m excluding cash held with the Hamburg holding company of GBP0.4m
** weighted average interest earned on call accounts
As at 30 September 2020, the Group had cash balances of GBP62.8
million, excluding cash held with the Hamburg holding company of
GBP0.4 million.
The Group's cash is held with established banks with strong
credit ratings.
Galaxia, National Capital Region, NOIDA, India
As announced in February 2020, the Supreme Court of India ruled
in favour of ART's dispute regarding its Galaxia investment, a
50:50 joint venture with Logix Group ("Logix") that owns an 11.2
acre development site located in NOIDA, the National Capital
Region, India.
In upholding the arbitration award in favour of ART and
dismissing Logix's appeal, the Supreme Court ordered Logix to pay
ART a total of INR 860 million (GBP9.1 million at the period end
exchange rate).
During the period ART has successfully recovered a total of INR
292 million (GBP3.0 million) which Logix had deposited with the
court in line with the court ruling. ART has now successfully
recovered the full amount of its capital originally invested into
the Galaxia joint venture.
The court permitted Logix to sell the Galaxia site, which was
previously charged in favour of ART, in order to raise capital. A
purchaser for the site has been identified who, on 20 November
2020, deposited INR 568 million with the Supreme Court towards the
INR 990 million sale price. The purchaser is seeking amendment of
development consents in relation to the land. The release of the
funds deposited with the Supreme court to ART is dependent on how
the sale process advances. Failure to recover the proceeds from a
sale would mean that Logix would be required to pay the remainder
of the liability due to ART under the court award of INR 568
million (GBP6.1 million) plus a higher interest rate applicable
under the arbitration award.
ART continues to actively pursue its claim to collect the
balance of the arbitration award. Given the uncertainty about the
quantum and timing of any future recovery, the Company carried the
joint venture in arbitration in its accounts as at 30 September
2020 at nil value.
Summary
ART has a diversified portfolio focussed on asset-backed lending
and high return property investments in Western Europe that are
capable of delivering strong risk adjusted returns.
Over the past year, the Company has focused on recycling capital
into asset backed lending while reducing exposure to development
risk. In this time of heightened uncertainty, the Company is
benefiting from that strategy and it has placed the Company on a
robust financial footing.
Brad Bauman and Gordon Smith
For and on behalf of the Inv estment Manager
26 November 2020
Independent review report
To Alpha Real Trust Limited
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed
consolidated set of financial statements in the half year report
for the six months ended 30 September 2020 which comprises the
condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed
consolidated balance sheet, condensed consolidated cash flow
statement, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
and related notes. We have read the other information contained in
the half year financial report and considered whether it contains
any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the
information in the condensed set of financial statements.
Directors' responsibilities
The half year report is the responsibility of and has been
approved by the Directors. The Directors are responsible for
preparing the half year report in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European
Union.
As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the
Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The
condensed consolidated set of financial statements included in this
half year report have been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial
Reporting', as adopted by the European Union.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on
the condensed consolidated set of financial statements in the half
year report based on our review.
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International
Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of
Interim Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the
Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the
United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists
of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review
procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing
(UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain
assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters
that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not
express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that
causes us to believe that the condensed consolidated set of
financial statements in the half year report for the six months to
30 September 2020 is not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by
the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the
United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Emphasis of Matter - property valuations
We draw attention to Note 2 of the financial statements, which
details that as a result of Covid-19 the Company's independent
property valuers have advised that less certainty, and a higher
degree of caution, should be attached to their valuations than
would normally be the case. Our conclusion is not modified in
respect of this matter.
Use of our report
Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our
engagement to assist the Company in meeting its responsibilities in
respect of half year reporting in accordance with the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct
Authority and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely
on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely
upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of
engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior
written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for
this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we
hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.
BDO Limited
Chartered Accountants
Place du Pré
Rue du Pré
St Peter Port
Guernsey
26 November 2020
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the six months ended For the six months ended
30 September 2020 (unaudited) 30 September 2019 (unaudited)
-------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Income
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Revenue 3 2,775 - 2,775 2,729 - 2,729
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Change in the revaluation of
investment properties and assets
held for sale 11-12 - 84 84 - 697 697
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Gains/(losses) on financial assets
and liabilities held at fair
value through profit or loss 6 36 (256) (220) 207 (348) (141)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total income/(expense) 2,811 (172) 2,639 2,936 349 3,285
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Profit on investment properties'
disposals - 110 110 - - -
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Expenses
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Property operating expenses (57) - (57) (77) - (77)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Investment Manager's fee 23 (1,159) - (1,159) (1,183) - (1,183)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Other administration costs (644) - (644) (646) - (646)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total operating expenses (1,860) - (1,860) (1,906) - (1,906)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit/(loss) 951 (62) 889 1,030 349 1,379
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Share of profit of joint ventures
and associates 15 164 (2,315) (2,151) 843 (473) 370
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Gain on joint venture in
arbitration 13 - 513 513 - - -
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Finance income 4 2 80 82 94 - 94
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Finance costs 5 (104) - (104) (104) (42) (146)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Profit/(loss) before taxation 1,013 (1,784) (771) 1,863 (166) 1,697
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Taxation 7 (29) - (29) (23) - (23)
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Profit/(loss) after taxation 984 (1,784) (800) 1,840 (166) 1,674
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Other comprehensive
income/(expense) for the period
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Items that may be reclassified to
profit or loss in subsequent
periods:
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Exchange differences arising on
translation of foreign operations - 6 69 6 69 - 930 930
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Other comprehensive income for the
period - 6 69 6 69 - 930 930
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total comprehensive
income/(expense) for the period 984 (1,115) (131) 1,840 764 2,604
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
(Losses)/earnings per
ordinary share (basic
& diluted) 9 (1.3)p 2.7p
----------------------------------- ------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Adjusted earnings per
ordinary share and A
share (basic &
diluted) 9 1.6p 3.0p
The total column of this statement represents the Group's
statement of comprehensive income, prepared in accordance with
IFRS. The revenue and capital columns are supplied as supplementary
information permitted under IFRS. All items in the above statement
derive from continuing operations. The accompanying notes form an
integral part of these financial statements.
Condensed consolidated balance sheet
Notes 30 September 2020 31 March 2020
(unaudited) (audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Non-current assets
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Investment property 11 15,878 15,389
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Joint venture in arbitration 13 - 2,510
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Investments held at fair
value 14 139 139
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Investment in joint ventures
and associates 15 19,557 21,227
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Loans advanced 16 4,922 8,631
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
40,496 47,896
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Current assets
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Assets held for sale 12 - 8,065
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Derivatives held at fair
value through profit or
loss - 203
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Loans advanced 16 32,563 31,253
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Collateral deposit 17 1,366 1,364
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Trade and other receivables 18 53 2,427
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Cash and cash equivalents 62,820 46,068
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
96,802 89,380
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Total assets 137,298 137,276
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Current liabilities
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Trade and other payables 19 (1,568) (1,291)
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Derivatives held at fair (53) -
value through profit or
loss
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Corporation tax (80) (51)
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Bank borrowings 20 (33) (32)
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Total current liabilities (1,734) (1,374)
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Total assets less current
liabilities 135,564 135,902
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Non-current liabilities
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Bank borrowings 20 (8,509) (8,275)
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Total liabilities (10,243) (9,649)
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Net assets 127,055 127,627
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Equity
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Share capital 21 - -
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Special reserve 65,873 65,118
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Translation reserve 697 28
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Capital reserve 38,566 40,350
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Revenue reserve 21,919 22,131
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Total equity 127,055 127,627
------------------------------ ------ ------------------ --------------
Net asset value per ordinary
share 10 211.1p 213.7p
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors
and authorised for issue on 26 November 2020. They were signed on
its behalf by Melanie Torode.
Melanie Torode
Director
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial
statements.
Condensed consolidated cash flow statement
For the six months For the six months
ended ended
30 September 2020 30 September 2019
(unaudited) GBP'000 (unaudited) GBP'000
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Operating activities
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
(Loss)/profit for the period
after taxation (800) 1,674
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Adjustments for:
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Change in revaluation of investment
property and assets held for
sale (84) (697)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Net losses on financial assets
and liabilities held at fair
value through profit or loss 220 141
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Profit on investment properties' (110) -
disposals
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Taxation 29 23
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Share of loss/(profit) of joint
ventures and associates 2,151 (370)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Gain on joint venture in arbitration (513) -
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Interest receivable on loans
to third parties (2,190) (2,263)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Finance income (82) (94)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Finance cost 104 146
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Operating cash flows before
movements in working capital (1,275) (1,440)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Movements in working capital:
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Movement in trade and other
receivables 2,371 (2,685)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Movement in trade and other
payables 281 929
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash flows generated from/(used
in) operations 1,377 (3,196)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Interest received 2 94
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Interest paid (96) (95)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Tax paid (2) (2,690)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash flows generated from/(used
in) operating activities 1,281 (5,887)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Investing activities
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Disposal of investment properties 8,175 -
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Redemption on preference shares'
investments - 193
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash recognised on Alpha2 transaction - 5,787
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Capital return from joint venture 2,981 -
in arbitration
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Loans granted to third parties (2,802) (18,396)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Loans repayment from third parties 6,799 8,741
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Loan interest received 628 721
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Dividend income from joint ventures
and associates 20 2,776
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Collateral deposit account increase/(decrease) - 16
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash flows generated from/(used
in) investing activities 15,801 (162)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Financing activities
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Share issue costs (27) (68)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Share buyback - (22,960)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Share buyback costs - (72)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Ordinary dividends paid (414) (371)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash flows used in financing
activities (441) (23,471)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents 16,641 (29,520)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 46,068 58,181
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Exchange translation movement 111 87
------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period 62,820 28,748
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial
statements.
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the six months ended Notes Special Translation Capital Revenue Total
30 September 2020 reserve reserve reserve reserve equity
(unaudited) GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 April 2020 65,118 28 40,350 22,131 127,627
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income/(expense)
for the period
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Profit/(loss) for the period - - (1,784) 984 (800)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income
for the period - 669 - - 669
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income/(expense)
for the period - 669 (1,784) 984 (131)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Transactions with owners
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Cash dividends 8 - - - (414) (414)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Scrip dividends 8 782 - - (782) -
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Share issue costs 21 (27) - - - (27)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Total transactions with
owners 755 - - (1,196) (441)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
At 30 September 2020 65,873 697 38,566 21,919 127,055
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
For the six months ended Notes Special Translation Capital Revenue Total
30 September 2019 reserve reserve reserve reserve equity
(unaudited) GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 April 2019 76,032 (582) 40,689 20,534 136,673
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
for the period
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Profit/(loss) for the period - - (166) 1,840 1,674
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income
for the period - 930 - - 930
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
for the period - 930 (166) 1,840 2,604
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Transactions with owners
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Cash dividends 8 - - - (371) (371)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Scrip dividends 8 701 - - (701) -
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Share issue for acquisition 21 10,634 - - - 10,634
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Share issue costs 21 (68) - - - (68)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Share buyback 21 (22,960) - - - (22,960)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Share buyback costs 21 (72) - - - (72)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
Total transactions with
owners (11,765) - - (1,072) (12,837)
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
At 30 September 2019 64,267 348 40,523 21,302 126,440
------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial
statements.
Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the
period ended 30 September 2020
1. General information
The Company is a limited liability, closed-ended investment
company incorporated in Guernsey. The Group comprises the Company
and its subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial
statements are presented in pounds Sterling as this is the currency
in which the funds are raised and in which investors are seeking a
return. The Company's functional currency is Sterling and the
subsidiaries' currencies are Euro, Indian Rupees and Sterling. The
presentation currency of the Group is Sterling. The period end
exchange rate used is GBP1:INR94.865 (31 March 2020:
GBP1:INR93.539) and the average rate for the period used is
GBP1:INR95.117 (30 September 2019: GBP1:INR88.086). For Euro based
transactions the period end exchange rate used is GBP1:EUR1.100 (31
March 2020: GBP1:EUR1.130) and the average rate for the period used
is GBP1:EUR1.116 (30 September 2019: GBP1:EUR1.126).
The address of the registered office is given below. The nature
of the Group's operations and its principal activities are set out
in the Chairman's Statement. The half year report was approved and
authorised for issue on 26 November 2020 and signed by Melanie
Torode on behalf of the Board.
2. Significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in the
half year report for the six months ended 30 September 2020 have
been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard
(IAS) 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European
Union. This half year report and condensed consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual
report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31
March 2020, which have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by
the European Union and are available at the Company's website (
www.alpharealtrustlimited.com ).
The accounting policies adopted and methods of computation
followed in the condensed consolidated financial statements are
consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Group's
annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31
March 2020 and are expected to be applied to the Group's annual
consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 March
2021.
The valuation reports received from the independent valuers of
the H2O shopping centre (asset held in joint venture) and the
Liverpool investment property included a 'Material Valuation
Uncertainty' paragraph in relation to the market risks linked to
the Covid-19 pandemic: this paragraph explains that valuers have
attached less weight to previous market evidence for comparison
purposes to achieve an informed opinion on value. Valuers therefore
recommend that a higher degree of caution should be attached to
these valuations compared to valuations carried out under normal
circumstances. The fair value of the Cambourne property (asset held
in joint venture) was arrived at on the basis of a Directors'
valuation: considering the market uncertainty caused by the
Covid-19 pandemic and as noted by external valuers above, at the
present time, a higher degree of caution should be attached to this
valuation.
3. Revenue
For the six months For the six months
ended ended
30 September 2020 30 September 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Rental income 558 445
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Service charges 27 19
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Rental revenue 585 464
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Interest receivable on loans
to third parties 2,190 2,263
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Interest revenue 2,190 2,263
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Other income - 2
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Other revenue - 2
------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Total 2,775 2,729
4. Finance income
For the six months For the six months
ended ended
30 September 2020 30 September 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Bank interest received 2 94
------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Foreign exchange gain 80 -
------------------------ ------------------- -------------------
Total 82 94
5. Finance costs
For the six months For the six months
ended ended
30 September 2020 30 September 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Interest on bank borrowings 104 104
----------------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Foreign exchange loss - 42
----------------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Total 104 146
6. Net gains and losses on financial assets and liabilities held
at fair value through profit or loss
For the six months For the six months
ended ended
30 September 2020 30 September 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Unrealised gains and losses on
financial assets and liabilities
held at fair value through profit
or loss
---------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Movement in fair value of investments - 1
------------------- -------------------
Movement in fair value of foreign
exchange forward contract (256) (349)
------------------- -------------------
Realised gains and losses on financial
assets and liabilities held at
fair value through profit or loss
------------------- -------------------
Movement in fair value of loans 36 207
------------------- -------------------
Net losses on financial assets
and liabilities held at fair value
through profit or loss (220) (141)
------------------- -------------------
7. Taxation
For the six months For the six months
ended ended
30 September 2020 30 September 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------- ------------------- -------------------
Current tax 29 23
-------------- ------------------- -------------------
Deferred tax - -
-------------- ------------------- -------------------
Tax expense 29 23
The Company is exempt from Guernsey taxation on income derived
outside of Guernsey and bank interest earned in Guernsey. A fixed
annual fee of GBP1,200 is payable to the States of Guernsey in
respect of this exemption. No charge to Guernsey taxation arises on
capital gains. The Group is liable to foreign tax arising on
activities in the overseas subsidiaries. The Company has
investments, subsidiaries and joint venture operations in
Luxembourg, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany,
Cyprus, Jersey and India.
The current tax charge is due in Cyprus, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands.
Unused tax losses in Luxembourg, Spain, Germany and the United
Kingdom can be carried forward indefinitely. Unused tax losses in
the Netherlands can be carried forward for nine years. Unused tax
losses in Cyprus can be carried forward for five years.
Due to the unpredictability of future taxable profits, the
Directors believe it is not prudent to recognise a deferred tax
asset for the Group's unused tax losses.
8. Dividends
Dividend reference period Shares Dividend Paid Date of payment
'000 per share GBP
Quarter ended 31 December
2019 29,741 1.0p 297,417 9 April 2020
--------------------------- ------- ---------- -------- ----------------
Quarter ended 31 March
2020 11,641 1.0p 116,414 17 July 2020
--------------------------- ------- ---------- -------- ----------------
Total paid in the period 413,831
--------------------------- ------- ---------- -------- ----------------
Quarter ended 30 June 23 October
2020 11,096 1.0p 110,963 2020
--------------------------- ------- ---------- -------- ----------------
Total 524,794
--------------------------- ------- ---------- -------- ----------------
The Company will pay a dividend of 1.0p per share for the
quarter ended 30 September 2020 on 8 January 2021.
In accordance with IAS 10, the dividends for quarters ended 30
June 2020 and 30 September 2020 have not been included in these
financial statements as the dividends were declared or paid after
the period end. The current intention of the Directors is to pay a
dividend quarterly.
Dividends paid and payable after the balance sheet date have not
been included as a liability in the half year report.
Scrip dividend alternative
In the circular published on 18 December 2018, the Company
sought shareholders' approval to enable a scrip dividend
alternative to be offered to ordinary shareholders whereby they
could elect to receive additional ordinary shares in lieu of a cash
dividend, at the absolute discretion of the Directors, from time to
time. This was approved by shareholders at the extraordinary
general meeting on 8 January 2019.
The number of ordinary shares that an ordinary shareholder will
receive under the scrip dividend alternative will be the average of
the closing middle market quotations of an ordinary share for five
consecutive dealing days after the day on which the ordinary shares
are first quoted "ex" the relevant dividend.
The Board elected to offer the scrip dividend alternative to
shareholders for all quarterly dividends from the quarter ended 31
December 2018 onwards. These issued shares are ranked pari passu in
all respects with the Company's existing issued ordinary shares:
during the six month period ended 30 September 2020, the Company
issued 471,844 ordinary shares.
9. Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per ordinary
share is based on the following data:
For the Year For the
six months ended six months
ended 30 31 March ended 30
September 2020 September
2020 2019
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Ordinary Ordinary Ordinary
share share share
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
(Losses)/earnings per statement
of comprehensive income (GBP'000) (800) 3,517 1,674
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Basic and diluted earnings pence
per share (1.3)p 5.8 2.7
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
(Losses)/earnings per statement
of comprehensive income (GBP'000) (800) 3,517 1,674
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net change in the revaluation
of investment properties and assets
held for sale (84) (1,194) (697)
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
(Profit)/loss on investment property
disposal (110) 167 -
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Gain on joint venture in arbitration (513) - -
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Movement in fair value of investments - 58 (1)
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Movement in fair value of foreign
exchange forward contract 256 146 349
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net change in the revaluation
of the joint ventures' and associates'
investment property and interest
rate swaption 2,315 1,107 473
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss (80) 55 42
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Adjusted earnings 984 3,856 1,840
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Adjusted earnings (pence per share) 1.6p 6.4 3.0
----------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Weighted average number of shares
('000s) 60,009 60,381 61,219
The adjusted earnings are presented to provide what the Board
believes is a more appropriate assessment of the operational income
accruing to the Group's activities. Hence, the Group adjusts basic
earnings for income and costs which are not of a recurrent nature
or which may be more of a capital nature.
10. Net asset value per share
At 30 September At 31 March At 30 September
2020 2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Net asset value (GBP'000) 127,055 127,627 126,440
------------------------------ ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Net asset value per ordinary
share 211.1p 213.7p 213.5p
------------------------------ ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Number of ordinary shares
('000s) 60,185 59,713 59,225
11. Investment property
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Fair value of investment property
at 1 April 15,389 13,764
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Additions - 610
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Fair value adjustment in the period/year 84 629
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Foreign exchange movements 405 386
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Fair value of investment property
at 30 September / 31 March 15,878 15,389
Investment property is represented by a property located in
Hamburg (Werner-Siemens-Straße), Germany and a property located in
Liverpool, UK.
The fair value of the Hamburg property of EUR16.8 million
(GBP15.3 million) (31 March 2020: EUR16.7 million (GBP14.8
million)) has been arrived at on the basis of an independent
valuation carried out at the balance sheet date by Cushman &
Wakefield ('C&W').
The fair value of the Liverpool property of GBP0.6 million (31
March 2020: GBP0.6 million; Directors' valuation) has been arrived
at on the basis of an independent valuation carried out at the
balance sheet date by ASL Chartered Surveyors & Valuers
('ASL'). The ASL's valuation included a Material Uncertainty clause
due to significant market risks linked to the Covid-19 pandemic
(see note 2 for more details).
C&W and ASL are independent valuers and are not connected to
the Group.
The valuation basis used is fair value as defined by the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors Appraisal and Valuations
Standards ("RICS"). The approved RICS definition of fair value is
"the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to
transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date".
Foreign exchange movement is recognised in other comprehensive
income.
12. Assets held for sale
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
----------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Fair value at 1 April 8,065 4,500
----------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Additions - 8,225
----------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Disposals (8,065) (5,225)
----------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Fair value adjustment in the year - 565
----------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Fair value of investment property
at 30 September / 31 March - 8,065
On 11 June 2020, the Group disposed of the Unity and Armouries
property in Birmingham (UK) for GBP4.5 million; no gain or loss was
generated on the sale. On 11 September 2020, the Group disposed of
its industrial property located in Wolverhampton (UK) for GBP3.8
million; the sale generated a gain of GBP0.1 million.
13. Joint venture in arbitration
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
------------------------------- ------------- --------------
As at 1 April 2,510 3,882
------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Capital return (2,468) (1,232)
------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Effect of foreign exchange (42) (140)
------------------------------- ------------- --------------
As at 30 September / 31 March - 2,510
During the period ended 30 September 2020, the original
investment in the Galaxia joint venture was fully recovered.
Following a breach of the terms of the shareholders agreement by
its joint venture partner, Logix Group ("Logix"), ART initiated
arbitration proceedings which were awarded in the Company's favour.
ART subsequently successfully defended appeals by Logix at the
Delhi High Court. Logix latterly appealed to the Supreme Court of
India, which eventually upheld the award to ART in February 2020.
As a result of this process, the Supreme Court ordered Logix to pay
ART a total of INR 860 million (GBP9.1 million at the period end
exchange rate).
During the period ended 30 September 2020, INR 292.0 million
(GBP3.0 million) was paid by the Supreme Court to ART.
The court permitted Logix to sell the Galaxia site, which was
previously charged in favour of ART, in order to raise capital. A
purchaser for the site has been identified who, on 20 November
2020, deposited INR 568 million with the Supreme Court towards the
INR 990 million sale price. The purchaser is seeking amendment of
development consents in relation to the land. The release of the
funds deposited with the Supreme court to ART is dependent on how
the sale process advances. Failure to recover the proceeds from a
sale would mean that Logix would be required to pay the remainder
of the liability due to ART under the court award of INR 568
million (GBP6.1 million) plus a higher interest rate applicable
under the arbitration award.
ART continues to actively pursue its claim to collect the
arbitration award. Given the uncertainty about the quantum and
timing of any future recovery, the Company has only recognised
physical cash received under the award and has not recognised any
future entitlements. Accordingly, the Company carried the joint
venture in arbitration in its accounts as at 30 September 2020 at
nil value.
Foreign exchange movement is recognised in other comprehensive
income.
14. Investments held at fair value
30 September 31 March 2020
Non-current 2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
--------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
As at 1 April 139 390
--------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Redemptions - (193)
--------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Movement in fair value of investments - (58)
--------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
As at 30 September / 31 March 139 139
The investments, which are disclosed as non-current investments
held at fair value, are as follows:
-- Europip (participating redeemable preference shares): Europip
is currently in the process of being voluntarily wound up; ART's
residual value of the investment as at 30 September 2020 was
approximately GBP30,000 (31 March 2020: GBP30,000).
-- HLP (participating redeemable preference shares): HLP
provides quarterly valuations of the net asset value of its shares;
the net asset value of the investment as at 30 September 2020 was
GBP0.1 million (31 March 2020: GBP0.1 million).
The Board considers that the investments in Europip and HLP will
be held for the long term and has therefore disclosed them as
non-current assets.
15. Investment in joint ventures and associates
The movement in the Group's share of net assets of the joint
ventures and associates can be summarised as follows:
H2O SPHL Total Alpha2 H2O SPHL Total
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 31 March 31 March 31 March 31 March
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
As at 1 April 19,486 1,741 21,227 7,403 19,434 1,698 28,535
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Group's share of
joint venture and
associate profits
before fair value
movements and dividends 91 73 164 117 1,318 144 1,579
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Fair value adjustment
for interest rate
swaption - - - - (3) - (3)
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Fair value adjustment
for investment property (2,222) (93) (2,315) (421) (650) (33) (1,104)
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Dividends paid by
joint venture and
associate to the
Group - (20) (20) (1,597) (1,141) (68) (2,806)
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Foreign exchange
movements 501 - 501 - 528 - 528
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Transfer of the associate's
assets and liabilities
for consolidation - - - (5,502) - - (5,502)
----------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
As at 30 September
/ 31 March 17,856 1,701 19,557 - 19,486 1,741 21,227
The Group's investments in joint ventures and associates can be
summarised as follows:
-- Joint venture investment in the H2O shopping centre in
Madrid, Spain: the Group holds a 30% equity investment in CBRE H2O
Rivas Holding NV ('CBRE H2O'), a company based in the Netherlands,
which in turn owns 100% of the Spanish entities that are owners of
H2O. CBRE H2O is a Euro denominated company hence the Group
translates its share of this investment at the relevant year end
exchange rate with movements in the period translated at the
average rate for the period. As at 30 September 2020, the carrying
value of ART's investment in CBRE H2O was GBP17.9 million (EUR19.7
million) (31 March 2020: GBP19.5 million (EUR22.0 million)).
-- Joint venture investment in the Phase 1000 of Cambourne
Business Park, Cambridge, UK: the Group holds a 10% equity
investment in the Scholar Property Holdings Limited ('SPHL') group,
owner of the property. As at 30 September 2020, the carrying value
of ART's investment in Scholar Property Holdings Limited was GBP1.7
million (31 March 2020: GBP1.7 million).
Foreign exchange movement is recognised in other comprehensive
income.
The fair value of the H2O property in Madrid (Spain) of EUR122.1
million (GBP111.0 million) (31 March 2020: EUR130.6 million
(GBP115.5 million)) has been arrived at on the basis of an
independent valuation carried out at the balance sheet date by
Aguirre Newman Valoraciones y Tasaciones S.A. ("Aguirre"), an
independent valuer not connected to the Group. The Aguirre's
valuation included a Material Uncertainty clause due to significant
market risks linked to the Covid-19 pandemic (see note 2 for more
details).
The fair value of Phase 1000 of Cambourne Business Park,
Cambridge (UK) is GBP29.6 million (31 March 2020: GBP30.5 million),
which has been arrived at on the basis of a Directors'
valuation.
The valuation basis used is fair value as defined by the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors Appraisal and Valuations
Standards ("RICS"). The approved RICS definition of fair value is
"the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to
transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date".
16. Loans advanced
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Non-current
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Loans granted to third parties 4,922 8,523
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Interest receivable from loans granted
to third parties - 108
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Total loans at amortised cost 4,922 8,631
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Loans at fair value through profit - -
or loss
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Total non-current loans 4,922 8,631
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Current
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Loans granted to third parties 29,864 28,569
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Interest receivable from loans granted
to third parties 2,196 1,421
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Total loans at amortised cost 32,060 29,990
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Loans at fair value through profit
or loss 503 1,263
---------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Total current loans 32,563 31,253
As at 30 September 2020, the Group had granted a total of
GBP37.5 million (31 March 2020: GBP38.4 million) of secured senior
and secured mezzanine loans to third parties. These comprised
thirty four loans to UK entities, which assisted with the purchase
of property developments, predominantly residential, in the UK.
These facilities typically range from a 6 to 36 month term and
entitle the Group to a weighted average overall return on the
investment of 14.6% for mezzanine loans and 9.4% for senior
loans.
All senior and mezzanine loans granted by the Group are secured
asset backed real estate loans. Senior loans have a first charge
security and mezzanine loans have a second charge security on the
property developments.
Loans at fair value through profit or loss represents loans that
failed the 'solely payment of principal and interest' criteria of
IFRS 9 to be measured at amortised cost: this is due to a loan
facility agreement's clause that links those loans to a return
other than interest.
Loans maturity of the total GBP37.5 million loans granted by the
Group at year end, can be analysed as follows:
Less than Between Between Over 24 Total
6 months 6 to 12 12 to months GBP'm
GBP'm months 24 months GBP'm
GBP'm GBP'm
------------- ---------- --------- ----------- -------- -------
Non-current - - 4,922 - 4,922
------------- ---------- --------- ----------- -------- -------
Current 25,673 4,694 - - 30,367
------------- ---------- --------- ----------- -------- -------
As at 30 September 2020, no loans are overdue for payment.
Post period end, additional drawdowns of GBP0.9 million were
made on existing loans, four loans were fully repaid for GBP2.0
million and part payments for other loans were received amounting
to GBP0.4 million (including accrued interest).
Despite all of the loans having a set repayment term all but one
of the loans have a repayable on demand feature so the Group may
call for an early repayment of their principal, interest and
applicable fees at any time.
Considering the 'on demand' clause, the Group concluded that the
loans are in stage 3 of the IFRS 9 model as should the loans be
called on demand the borrowers would technically be in default as
repayment would only be possible on demand if the property had
already been sold. The loan without a repayable on demand clause
amounts to GBP3.4 million, has repayment term of 4 July 2022 and
remains in stage 1 of the IFRS 9 model.
The Group has calculated the lifetime ECLs of the loans
advanced: based on this process the Directors have concluded that
ECLs on loans advanced are immaterial to the financial
statements.
17. Collateral deposit
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
-------------------- ------------- --------------
Collateral deposit 1,366 1,364
The collateral deposit of GBP1.4 million (31 March 2020: GBP1.4
million) is a cash deposit with Barclays Bank PLC ('Barclays') in
Guernsey in relation to the foreign exchange forward contract
entered into by the Group at period end: this cash has been placed
on deposit.
18. Trade and other receivables
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
--------------- ------------- --------------
Current
--------------- ------------- --------------
Trade debtors 6 189
--------------- ------------- --------------
VAT - 4
--------------- ------------- --------------
Other debtors 47 2,234
--------------- ------------- --------------
Total 53 2,427
In August 2020, the Group collected the final completion payment
in relation to the prior year sale of the Frankfurt data centre,
amounting to GBP2.0 million (EUR2.2 million). The Directors
consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables
approximates to their fair value.
19. Trade and other payables
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Trade creditors 49 205
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Deferred revenue - 143
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Investment Manager's fee payable 560 561
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Accruals 283 342
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
VAT 672 -
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Other creditors 4 40
---------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Total 1,568 1,291
Trade and other payables primarily comprise amounts outstanding
for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The Group has financial risk
management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid
within the credit time frame. The Directors consider that the
carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair
value.
20. Bank borrowings
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Current liabilities: interest payable 33 32
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 33 32
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Non-current liabilities: bank borrowings 8,509 8,275
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Total liabilities 8,542 8,307
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
The borrowings are repayable as follows:
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Interest payable 33 32
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
On demand or within one year - -
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
In the second to fifth years inclusive - -
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
After five years 8,509 8,275
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------
Total 8,542 8,307
Movements in the Group's non-current bank borrowings are
analysed as follows:
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
As at 1 April 8,275 8,039
------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Amortisation of deferred finance
costs 8 16
------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign currencies 226 220
------------------------------------- ------------- --------------
As at 30 September / 31 March 8,509 8,275
As at 30 September 2020, bank borrowings represent the Nord LB
(a German bank) loan for EUR9.5 million (GBP8.6 million), which was
used to partly fund the acquisition of the investment property in
Hamburg (Werner-Siemens-Straße), Germany. This loan is composed of
two tranches of EUR4.9 million and EUR4.6 million, which bear a
1.85% and 2.7% fixed rate respectively and that are due to mature
in August 2028.
The borrowings are non-recourse to ART and the facility carries
no financial covenant tests.
The table below sets out an analysis of net debt and the
movements in net debt for the period ended 30 September 2020.
Derivatives Liabilities from
financing activities
------------------------------ ------------ ------------------------ ---------
Foreign Interest Borrowings Total
exchange payable GBP'000 GBP'000
forward GBP'000
GBP'000
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Net asset/(debt) as at 1
April 2020 203 (32) (8,275) (8,104)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Cash movements - 96 - 96
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Non cash movements
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Foreign exchange adjustments - 7 (226) (219)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Unrealised loss on foreign
exchange forward contract (256) - - (256)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Loan fee amortisation and
other costs - - (8) (8)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Interest charge - (104) - (104)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Net debt as at 30 September
2020 (53) (33) (8,509) (8,595)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Derivatives Liabilities from
financing activities
------------------------------ ------------ ------------------------ ---------
Foreign Interest Borrowings Total
exchange payable GBP'000 GBP'000
forward GBP'000
GBP'000
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Net asset/(debt) as at 1
April 2019 514 (30) (8,039) (7,555)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Cash movements - 95 - 95
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Non cash movements
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Foreign exchange adjustments - 7 (235) (228)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Unrealised loss on foreign
exchange forward contract (349) - - (349)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Loan fee amortisation and
other costs - - (8) (8)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Interest charge - (104) - (104)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
Net asset/(debt) as at 30
September 2019 165 (32) (8,282) (8,149)
------------------------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------
21. Share capital
Number
of shares
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Authorised
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Ordinary shares Unlimited
of no par value
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Ordinary Ordinary Ordinary
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Issued and fully treasury external total
paid
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
At 1 April 2020 1,940,797 59,713,445 61,654,242
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Share issue for
scrip dividend - 471,844 471,844
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Shares bought back - - -
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Shares cancelled - - -
following buyback
-------------------- ---------- ----------- -----------
At 30 September
2020 1,940,797 60,185,289 62,126,086
The Company has one class of ordinary shares. The Company has
the right to reissue or cancel the remaining treasury shares at a
later date.
During the period, the Company made no share buybacks.
As at 30 September 2020, the ordinary share capital of the
Company was 60,185,289 (including 1,940,797 ordinary shares held in
treasury) and the total voting rights in the Company is
62,126,086.
Scrip dividend alternative
In the circular published on 18 December 2018, the Company
sought shareholders' approval to enable a scrip dividend
alternative to be offered to ordinary shareholders whereby they
could elect to receive additional ordinary shares in lieu of a cash
dividend, at the absolute discretion of the Directors, from time to
time. This was approved by shareholders at the extraordinary
general meeting on 8 January 2019.
The number of ordinary shares that an ordinary shareholder will
receive under the scrip dividend alternative will be the average of
the closing middle market quotations of an ordinary share for five
consecutive dealing days after the day on which the ordinary shares
are first quoted "ex" the relevant dividend.
The Board elected to offer the scrip dividend alternative to
shareholders for all quarterly dividends from the quarter ended 31
December 2018 onwards. These issued shares are ranked pari passu in
all respects with the Company's existing issued ordinary shares.
During the six month period ended 30 September 2020, the Company
issued 471,844 ordinary shares: on 9 April 2020, 186,628 were
issued at the price of GBP1.606 and, on 17 July 2020, 285,216 were
issued at the price of GBP1.692.
Post period end, the Company made no share buybacks. On 23
October 2020, as a result of the scrip dividend elections related
to the dividend of the quarter ended 30 June 2020, the Company
issued 299,686 ordinary shares at the price of GBP1.638. At the
date of signing these financial statements the ordinary share
capital of the Company is 60,484,975 (including 1,940,797 ordinary
shares held in treasury) and the total voting rights in the Company
is 62,425,772.
22. Events after the balance sheet date
Post period end, additional drawdowns of GBP0.9 million were
made on existing loans, four loans were fully repaid for GBP2.0
million and part payments for other loans were received amounting
to GBP0.4 million (including accrued interest).
On 23 October 2020, as a result of the scrip dividend elections
related to the dividend of the quarter ended 30 June 2020, the
Company issued 299,686 ordinary shares at the price of GBP1.638
(note 21).
23. Related party transactions
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the
ability to control the other party or exercise significant
influence over the other party in making financial or operational
decisions. ARC is the Investment Manager to the Company under the
terms of the Management Agreement and is thus considered a related
party of the Company.
The Investment Manager is entitled to receive a fee from the
Company at an annual rate of 2% of the net assets of the Group,
payable quarterly in arrears. The Investment Manager is also
entitled to receive an annual performance fee calculated with
reference to total shareholder return ("TSR"), whereby the fee is
20% of any excess over an annualised TSR of 15% subject to a
rolling three year high water mark.
Prior to the 70% disposal of the H2O property, ARC had a
management agreement directly with the H2O property company, Alpha
Tiger Spain 1, SLU ('ATS1') under which it earned a fee of 0.9% per
annum based upon the gross assets of ATS1. In order to avoid double
counting of fees, ARC provided a rebate to the Company of a
proportion of its fee equivalent to the value of the Group's net
asset value attributable to the H2O investment. Subsequent to the
sale of ATS1 to CBRE H2O Rivas Holding NV ('CBRE H2O'), ARC has
been appointed as Asset Manager to ATS1 and Investment Manager to
CBRE H2O. ARC has agreed to rebate to ART all of the fees charged
by ARC directly to CBRE H2O and ATS1 that relate to the Company's
30% share in CBRE H2O.
The Company invests in Alpha2, where ARC is the Investment
Manager. ARC rebates fees earned in relation to the Company's
investment in Alpha2.
The Company has invested in Europip, where ARPIA, a subsidiary
of ARC, is the Investment Adviser. ARC rebates fees earned in
relation to the Company's investment in Europip.
The Company has invested in Phase 1000, Cambourne Business Park,
Cambridge, and ARC was appointed as Asset and Property Manager of
the joint venture entity. ARC rebates to ART the relevant
proportion of fees earned by ARC, which apply to the Company's
investment.
Details of the Investment Manager's fees for the current period
are disclosed on the face of the condensed consolidated statement
of comprehensive income and the balance payable at 30 September
2020 is provided in note 19.
The Directors of the Company received total fees as follows:
For the six For the six
months ended months ended
30 September 30 September
2020 2019
----------------- -------------- --------------
David Jeffreys 18,000 18,000
----------------- -------------- --------------
Phillip Rose 12,500 12,500
----------------- -------------- --------------
Jeff Chowdhry 12,500 12,500
----------------- -------------- --------------
Melanie Torode 3 2,835 23,750
----------------- -------------- --------------
William Simpson 12,500 12,500
----------------- -------------- --------------
Total 8 8,335 79,250
The Directors' interests in the shares of the Company are
detailed below:
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 Number of ordinary
Number of ordinary shares held
shares held
----------------- -------------------- --------------------
David Jeffreys 1 5,171 15,082
----------------- -------------------- --------------------
Phillip Rose 9 23,536 908,691
----------------- -------------------- --------------------
Jeff Chowdhry 5 ,000 5,000
----------------- -------------------- --------------------
Melanie Torode - -
----------------- -------------------- --------------------
William Simpson 1 8,000 18,000
Alpha Global Property Securities Fund Pte. Ltd, a company
registered in Singapore, owned directly by the partners of ARC,
held 23,299,073 shares in the Company at 31 March 2020 (31 March
2020: 23,018,851).
ARC did not hold any shares in the Company at 30 September 2020
(31 March 2020: nil). The following, being partners of the
Investment Manager, hold direct interests in the following shares
of the Company:
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 Number of ordinary
Number of ordinary shares held
shares held
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Rockmount Ventures
Limited 2,332,567 2,304,512
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Brian Frith 1,162,370 1,148,390
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Phillip Rose 9 23,536 908,691
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Brad Bauman 56,287 55,613
Karl Devon-Lowe, a partner of ARC, received fees of GBP2,844 (31
March 2020: GBP7,200) in relation to directorial responsibilities
on a number of the Company's subsidiary companies.
Melanie Torode is the Operations Director of Estera
Administration (Guernsey) Limited ('Estera'), the Company's
administrator and secretary. During the period the Company paid
Estera fees of GBP51,350 (31 March 2020: GBP95,600) and no amount
was outstanding at period end.
24. Financial assets and liabilities held at fair value through
profit or loss
Financial assets and liabilities
carrying value
---------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
30 September 31 March 2020
2020 GBP'000
GBP'000
---------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Financial assets at fair value through
profit or loss
---------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Investments held at fair value 139 139
----------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Foreign exchange forward contract - 203
----------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Loans advanced 503 1,263
----------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss 642 1,605
----------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Financial liabilities at fair value
through profit or loss
----------------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
Foreign exchange forward contract (53) -
Fair value measurement
The Group discloses fair value measurements by level of the
following fair value measurement hierarchy:
-- Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1)
-- Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that
are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that
is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level
2)
-- Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (level
3).
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the financial
asset or financial liability is categorised is determined on the
basis of the lowest input that is significant to the fair value
measurement. Financial instruments are classified in their entirety
into one of the three levels.
The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate fair
values:
Level 1
-- As at 30 September 2020, the Group does not hold any
investment which can be categorised as Level 1.
Level 2
-- The fair value of the foreign exchange forward contract is
determined by reference to the quarter end applicable forward
market rate provided by the contractual counter party.
Level 3
-- The fair value of the HLP investment is based upon the price
provided by the issuer for the relevant share class owned: this is
calculated by reference to the net asset value of the investment
and principally driven by the fair value of HLP's underlying
property investments. This net asset value is therefore mainly
based on unobservable inputs and is deemed to be a level 3
financial asset. HLP's accounts are audited annually. HLP's
underlying investment properties are fair valued as per RICS
definition and the ART Board considers that any reasonable possible
movement in the valuation of HLP's individual properties would not
be material to the value of ART's investment.
-- The fair value of the Europip investment is based upon the
price provided by the issuer for the relevant share class owned:
this is calculated by reference to the net asset value of the
investment and principally driven by the fair value of Europip's
underlying property investments. This net asset value is therefore
mainly based on unobservable inputs and is deemed to be a level 3
financial asset. Europip's accounts are audited annually. As at 30
September 2020, Europip has sold its remaining property and has
partly distributed the related proceeds to shareholders; Europip is
currently preparing to distribute the final proceeds to
shareholders.
Financial assets and liabilities held at fair value are valued
on a recurring basis as indicated above. There have been no changes
to the valuation methods applied from the Group's annual report and
accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020.
The Board determines whether transfers have occurred between
levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on
the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value
measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.
The following table shows an analysis of the fair values of
financial instruments recognised in the balance sheet by level of
the fair value hierarchy described above:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair
value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
30 September 2020 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Assets measured at fair
value
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Non-current
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Investment property - - 15,878 15,878
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Investments held at fair
value - - 139 139
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Loans advanced - - 503 503
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Liabilities measured at
fair value
------------------------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Foreign exchange forward
contract - (53) - (53)
Assets and liabilities measured at fair
value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
31 March 2020 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Assets measured at fair
value
-------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Non-current
-------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Investment property - - 15,389 15,389
-------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Investments held at fair
value - - 139 139
-------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Loans advanced - - 1,263 1,263
-------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Current
-------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Foreign exchange forward
contract - 203 - 203
There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 fair value
measurements and no transfers into or out of level 3 fair value
measurements during the six month period ended 30 September
2020.
Directors and Company information
Directors Independent valuers Legal advisors in Guernsey
David Jeffreys (Chairman) in India Carey Olsen
Jeff Chowdhry Colliers International PO Box 98, Carey House
William Simpson (Hong Kong) Limited Les Banques
Phillip Rose Suite 5701 Central Plaza St Peter Port
Melanie Torode 18 Harbour Road Guernsey GY1 4BZ
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Registered office Independent valuers Legal advisors in the
Floor 2, Trafalgar Court in Spain UK
Les Banques Savills Aguirre Newman Norton Rose
St Peter Port Paseo de la Castellana, 3 More London Riverside
Guernsey 81 London SE1 2AQ
GY1 4LY Madrid, 28046
Spain
Investment Manager Independent valuers Legal advisors in India
Alpha Real Capital LLP in Germany AZB & Partners
Level 6, 338 Euston Cushman & Wakefield Plot A-8 Sector 4
Road Rathenauplatz, 1 NOIDA 201 301
London NW1 3BG Frankfurt, 60313 India
Germany
Administrator and secretary Independent Auditor Legal advisors in Spain
Ocorian Administration BDO Limited Ashurst LLP
(Guernsey) Limited Place du Pré, Alcalá, 44
Floor 2, Trafalgar Court Rue du Pré Madrid, 28014
Les Banques, St Peter St Peter Port Spain
Port Guernsey GY1 3LL
Guernsey
GY1 4LY
Broker Tax advisors in Europe Registrar
Panmure Gordon (UK) KPMG LLP Computershare Investor
Limited 15 Canada Square Services (Jersey) Limited
One New Change London E14 5GL 13 Castle Street
London Grant Thornton UK LLP St Helier
EC4M 9AF 30 Finsbury Square Jersey JE1 1ES
London EC2A 1AG
Independent valuers
in the UK
GVA
3 Brindley place
Birmingham B1 2JB
Savills
Ground Floor, City Point
12 King Street
Leeds LS1 2HL
CBRE Limited
Henrietta House
Henrietta Place
London W1G 0NB
Shareholder information
Further information on the Company can be found at the Company's
website:
www.alpharealtrustlimited.com
Dividends
Ordinary dividends are declared and paid quarterly. Shareholders
who wish to have dividends paid directly into a bank account rather
than by cheque to their registered address can complete a mandate
form for this purpose. Mandates may be obtained from the Company's
Registrar. Where dividends are paid directly to shareholders' bank
accounts, dividend vouchers are sent directly to shareholders'
registered addresses.
Share price
The Company's Ordinary Shares are listed on the SFS of the
LSE.
Change of address
Communications with shareholders are mailed to the addresses
held on the share register. In the event of a change of address or
other amendment, please notify the Company's Registrar under the
signature of the registered holder.
Investment Manager
The Company is advised by Alpha Real Capital LLP, which is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the
United Kingdom.
Financial calendar
Financial Reporting/ Dividend Ex-dividend Record Last date Share Payment
reporting Meeting period date date for election certificates date
dates to scrip posted
dividend (if applicable)
(if applicable)
-------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------
Half year 27 Quarter 10 December 11 December 18 7 8
report and November ending 2020 2020 December January January
dividend 2020 30 September 2020 2021 2021
announcement 2020
-------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------
Trading 26 Quarter 11 12 19 1 9
update February ending March March March April April
(Qtr 3) 2021 31 December 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021
2020
-------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------
Annual report 11 Quarter 24 25 2 15 16
and dividend June ending June June July July July
announcement 2021 31 March 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021
2021
-------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------
Annual report 25
published June
2021
-------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------- ---------------- ---------
Annual 6
General August
Meeting 2021
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END
IR FIFFDLILDFII
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