TIDMCLIG
RNS Number : 1951F
City of London Investment Group PLC
19 February 2018
19th February 2018
CITY OF LONDON INVESTMENT GROUP PLC
("City of London", "the Group" or "the Company")
HALF YEAR RESULTS TO 31ST DECEMBER 2017
City of London (LSE:CLIG) announces half year results for the
six months to 31st December 2017.
SUMMARY
-- Funds under Management ("FuM") of US$5.3 billion (GBP3.9
billion) at 31st December 2017. This compares with US$4.7 billion
(GBP3.6 billion) at the beginning of this financial year on 1st
July 2017 and US$4.1 billion (GBP3.3 billion) at 31st December
2016
-- FuM at 31st January 2018 of US$5.8 billion (GBP4.1
billion)
-- Revenues representing the Group's management fees on FuM were
GBP17.1 million (31st December 2016: GBP15.4 million)
-- Profit before tax of GBP6.6 million (31st December 2016:
GBP5.8 million)
-- Increased interim dividend of 9p per share (31st December
2016: 8p) payable on 16th March 2018 to shareholders on the
register on 2nd March 2018
-- Cash and cash equivalents at the period end of GBP15.6
million (31st December 2016: GBP10.5 million)
For access to the full interim report, please follow the link
below:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1951F_-2018-2-16.pdf
This release includes forward-looking statements, which may
differ from actual results. Any forward-looking statements are
based on certain factors and assumptions, which may prove
incorrect, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions
relating to future events, the Group's operations, results of
operations, growth strategy and liquidity.
For further information, please visit www.citlon.co.uk or
contact:
Barry Olliff (CEO)
City of London Investment Group PLC
Tel: +1 215 313 3774
Martin Green
Zeus Capital Limited
Financial Adviser & Broker
Tel: +44 (0)20 3829 5000
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
A Chairman needs always to be circumspect in writing any form of
market commentary when he knows that his eventual audience, days,
weeks or even months later, will have the benefit of hindsight when
reading the report. This was brought home to me reflecting on my
first draft written before the market turmoil in the second week of
February. I had observed that by whatever yardstick one chose, PE
ratio, PEG ratio, price to book or earnings yield, markets were
very expensive. The Dow for the first time since 2008 was yielding
less than 2% and yet markets continued to climb. Whilst numerous
seasoned market professionals and observers had their doubts as to
the sustainability of these widespread gains, the Bulls pointed to
EPS growth in developed markets and emerging markets forecast as
having been 22% and 25% respectively for the full year 2017. The
outlook for earnings in 2018 was also very positive whilst market
volatility remained exceptionally low. In addition I noted that
whatever one's view on valuations, emerging markets,
notwithstanding a 37% rise in the MXEF index in 2017, arguably
offered, by comparison with developed markets, good value.
Furthermore, for our core product, investing in emerging market
closed-end funds and holding companies, value was further enhanced
by the discounts to NAV that we are able to find and exploit.
Despite gains of c. 90% from the market lows in Q1 2016, our size
weighted average discount at 15% continued to indicate compelling
value in our core strategy.
Then came the headline grabbing market hiccups, initially during
the week of 5th February. I had to review my earlier draft but on
further consideration I concluded not much had changed. Valuations
remained very high by historic standards and the return of
volatility, if sustained, would auger well for our investment
process. In addition wider discounts provided even better CEF
value. The major cause of the upset was, it seemed to me, the
increasingly strong global economic recovery that had, of course,
fuelled the major rise in stock markets in 2017!
Returning to our performance, during the final quarter of 2017
our core EM products lagged the very buoyant market. Over this
period, composite returns for the EM CEF Strategy were 6.1% versus
7.4% for the MSCI Emerging Market Index and 7.6% for the S&P
Super BMI Index. For the full calendar year 2017 composite returns
for the EM CEF Strategy were 35.7% versus 37.3% for the MSCI
Emerging Market Index and 36.4% for the S&P Super BMI Index,
both in USD. This was attributable to a number of factors including
an underweight to the Technology sector which now accounts for some
27% by value of the EM universe, an overweight to small cap
companies which have underperformed and sub-optimal country
allocations.
Over the six month period Funds under Management (FuM) increased
from US$4.7 billion (GBP3.6 billion) at the June 2017 year end to
US$5.3 billion (GBP3.9 billion) at 31st December 2017. The drivers
for this increase included the rise in emerging markets, offset by
our recent underperformance and clients rebalancing, a near
doubling of funds invested in our Developed CEF products and
increases in both our Global Tactical Asset Allocation and Frontier
products. The broadening of our product base is the result of
considerable investment made over many years now coming to
fruition.
Results - unaudited
Unaudited profit before taxation for the period was GBP6.6
million which compares to GBP5.8 million for the six months to end
December 2016. With the recent strengthening of Sterling vs the US
Dollar the "Brexit Bounce" in our profitability which I have
previously referred to has been partially eroded but this has been
more than offset by the strength of markets.
Gross revenue for the period rose to GBP17.1 million (2016:
GBP15.4 million), whilst commissions payable to our ex-third party
marketing consultant continued to reduce, amounting to GBP0.6
million or 4% of gross revenue (2016: GBP0.8 million, 5%). Custody
fees relating to the safekeeping and administration of the assets
of our commingled funds were GBP0.5 million (2016: GBP0.5
million).
Administrative expenses were GBP9.5 million (2016: GBP8.5
million). The largest components of which were staff costs
(essentially salaries, benefits and related employment taxes) of
GBP3.7 million (2016: GBP3.7 million) and profit-share, including
related employment taxes, of GBP3.1 million (2016: GBP2.7 million).
The cost of the EIP was GBP0.3 million (2016: nil). Basic earnings
per share, after a 22% tax charge of GBP1.4 million (2016: GBP1.5
million representing 26% of profit before tax), were 20.2p (2016:
17.6p). Diluted earnings per share were 20.0p (2016: 17.5p).
Dividends
For the year ended June 2017 your Board increased the final
dividend by 1p to 17p giving a total for the year of 25p per share.
For the current year interim dividend your Board has declared a 1p
increase from 8p to 9p per share. In reviewing the final dividend
for the year we will continue to adhere, with some flexibility, to
our now well established policy of targeting a rolling 5 year cover
of 1.2x.
Your Board
As was originally reported in 2015, Barry Olliff, our Founder,
CEO and CIO, has informed the Board that he intends to retire as of
31st December 2019. Your Board has therefore increasingly been
working on ensuring a smooth transition. The first major step in
securing succession was the appointment, announced with the interim
report in January 2014, of Mark Dwyer taking responsibility for the
Emerging Markets CEF products. Mark was subsequently appointed to
the Board in October 2015 as CIO of EM CEFs which then amounted to
over 90 per cent of our FuM. I am now delighted to announce the
appointment of Tom Griffith, a long standing director and our
current COO, as Deputy CEO working alongside Barry Olliff. I am of
the view that a successful succession is best achieved by way of an
internal appointment and we are very fortunate in having someone as
well qualified for the role as is Tom Griffith.
Outlook
Having spent nearly five decades working in the financial
markets I have learnt from experience never to forecast the future
direction of markets. Even if they appear too high the chances are
that an exit will prove to have been premature with the best of the
gains being forfeited. At City of London we will continue to focus
both on our performance across our now diversified product base and
our level of profitability. Good performance will help ensure a
growing level of FuM (see the information on our current pipeline
of new client money in Barry Olliff's report that follows) and
market pressures will determine the level of fees we can
charge.
Barry also discusses in his statement the impact on our business
of MIFID 2. Currently the Group's income accrues at a weighted
average rate of approximately 82 basis points of FuM, net of third
party commissions. We have been operating in a very competitive
environment with constant downward pressure on fees. Looking ahead,
the cost of third party commissions will continue to reduce but
arguably, even more importantly, there will be reduced competitor
pressure on fees with MIFID 2 resulting in substantially increased
costs for most of our competitors. With almost all our research
having been carried out in-house we will not be suffering the same
cost increases. Most competing fund managers now have to pay
themselves for research previously paid for by their clients
through bloated broker commissions; they are, therefore, unlikely
to want to see or afford a further erosion in the level of
fees.
With our business now much more broadly based with opportunities
that are spread across Emerging and Developed Markets, Global
Tactical Asset Allocation and Frontier CEF strategies we are
undoubtedly better placed to benefit from the inevitable surprises
that the future holds. Whilst I make no forecast, we do provide
shareholders with a template, (see page 3 of the interim accounts),
so that they can, based on their own assumptions, arrive at their
own estimates of profit for the year. In previous years we have
received much positive feedback for this innovation which is
tangible evidence of your Board's belief in openness and
transparency towards your Company's various stakeholders.
Notwithstanding the major gains witnessed in 2017 across global
equity markets, the exceptional value we find in emerging market
closed-end funds and holding companies gives us confidence that we
continue to be well placed to deliver strong relative returns.
This, combined with the traction now achieved with our
diversification products, justifies my confidence in anticipating a
successful outcome for the full year.
David Cardale
Chairman
16th February 2018
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW
Diversification
In my opinion, a significant milestone was achieved in the
development of the Group over the past six months as a result of
the success of the Developed Markets and Global Tactical Asset
Allocation Team.
With a good long term track record, a consistent approach and
the same team, they have now achieved FuM of in excess of US$500
million. At the time of writing these increased FuM are more than
replacing EM assets that continue to be reduced due to
rebalancing.
Shareholders will appreciate that the graph shown on page 5 of
the interim accounts reflects this changing mix in our business in
terms of overall fees. In my opinion the level of fees will not
reduce significantly further in the next two years.
With regards to business development, the Group continues to
maintain an active pipeline across all of its major CEF offerings
with an increased interest in the diversification CEF strategies.
In total the active pipeline is in excess of US$400 million, these
include opportunities that are spread across Emerging and Developed
Markets, Global Tactical Asset Allocation, Tactical Income, and
Frontier CEF strategies.
MIFID 2
Shareholders might not be aware of the significant impact of
MIFID 2 on our industry in terms of the cost, provision and
potential outcome of the provision of research to Fund
Managers.
In our case we are in good shape as we source NAV's internally
and conduct the vast majority of our visits and undertake our
research independently of brokers and other third party
providers.
In this respect we are to all intents and purposes independent
from, in my opinion, the correct influence of MIFID 2, which in
effect discourages Fund Managers from double dipping as they
received fees from their clients, and then effectively charged
clients again via the commissions paid to brokers for research. The
effect of MIFID 2 on our P&L will not therefore be
discernible.
Other Fund Managers will not be as immune and in some cases they
are likely to have significant bills. Having said that, these
significant bills will probably be reduced as companies take on
research staff from brokers who will inevitably suffer further
commission erosion.
This potential for Style Drift will not be lost on US
Consultants, Foundations, Endowments and Pension Funds as they
continue to review their Managers for changing personnel and
components of attribution.
As implied earlier, our payments to third parties are minuscule
and are only really relevant in terms of our Macro team, where we
have historically paid for relevant research via our P&L.
Mrs Thatcher, Cecil Parkinson (Big Bang in 1986) and Paul Myners
(Myners Report 2001) should be congratulated regarding the far
sighted effect that they had in making London such a successful
financial centre by removing both restraints on trade and conflicts
of interest. In my opinion MIFID 2 completes the job that they
started.
The bull market and the CLIG P&L
With the EM's coming up to the second anniversary of what could
be considered to be a stealth bull market, we are probably at a
point when we should try and analyse if these significant increases
in valuations are justified.
Forecasting markets is not something that we need to be good at.
Having said that, at the margin we try and work out - and add value
by picking - good Countries, Sectors and Managers in which to
invest.
Our clients "weight" us within their portfolios, and as markets
appreciate, and based upon their prearranged asset allocation, if
their exposure goes outside of a "range", they will rebalance.
If this helps to describe to shareholders both the cause and
effect of client actions during this bull market it should also, as
long as we outperform, help them value our shares during the next
bear market. At the point of its arrival though, we will be in a
very different place from previous bear markets.
Not only have we continued to hone our skills by learning from
past mistakes, but we have also a very different mix of business
now from previously. While this mix will not make us immune, it
should to some extent immunise us from some of the volatility that
might be around the corner.
Client and employee longevity
Via the bar charts shown on page 7 of the interim accounts,
shareholders can see the length of service of the major components
of our P&L. I'm never really sure of the ingredients of this
stability, but respect for colleagues is certainly a relevant
component.
I continue to believe that having respect for the three
Stakeholders in our business remains of paramount importance and
that not defining the conflicts of interest shown below creates
uncertainty, suspicion and encourages short term thinking.
Employees by department
Please review in the graph on page 8 of the interim accounts the
changing relationships in terms of the number of employees in each
department over the past ten years.
In terms of these numbers, shareholders should note the
relationship of the IM/Research/Macro and CG Team, and support
staff. Also please note recent increases in Operations and IT
staffing levels.
In my opinion it's the job of Management in a well-run business
to use Human Resources efficiently. The recent growth in Operations
and IT staff should be seen in this context and should be commented
on separately.
In terms of Operations, over the past few years the number of
client accounts has doubled. While this business mix has changed we
have kept the headcount down via the use of technology.
In terms of IT, we have developed many in-house IT solutions.
These have not only kept costs down but in addition have allowed us
to remain ahead of our peers in terms of the storage, retrieval and
use of accurate customised data.
Staff
On behalf of shareholders I would like to thank my colleagues
for their work as we continue to develop the business.
Barry Olliff
Chief Executive Officer
16th February 2018
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2017
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31st Dec 31st Dec 30th June
2017 (unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) 2017
Note GBP GBP (audited)
GBP
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Revenue
Gross fee income 2 17,076,005 15,438,558 31,294,370
Commissions payable (605,753) (765,261) (1,444,787)
Custody fees
payable (486,163) (462,221) (880,840)
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Net fee income 15,984,089 14,211,076 28,968,743
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Administrative
expenses
Staff costs 7,080,437 6,447,473 13,153,914
Other administrative
expenses 2,275,926 1,992,243 4,074,975
Depreciation
and amortisation 140,622 94,153 230,635
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
(9,496,985) (8,533,869) (17,459,524)
Operating profit 6,487,104 5,677,207 11,509,219
Interest receivable
and similar gains 3 81,804 122,459 81,135
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Profit before
tax 6,568,908 5,799,666 11,590,354
Income tax expense (1,439,640) (1,528,070) (2,449,217)
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Profit for the
period 5,129,268 4,271,596 9,141,137
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Profit attributable
to:
Equity shareholders
of the parent 5,129,268 4,420,214 9,289,755
Non-controlling
interest - (148,618) (148,618)
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Basic earnings
per share 4 20.2p 17.6p 36.9p
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
Diluted earnings
per share 4 20.0p 17.5p 36.7p
--------------------- ----- ------------------- ------------------- ------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2017
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 30th June
31st Dec 31st Dec 2017 (audited)
2017 (unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) GBP
GBP GBP
----------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Profit for the period 5,129,268 4,271,596 9,141,137
----------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Fair value gains
on available-for-sale
investments* 47,809 16,430 158,597
Reclassification
of fair value gains
on disposal of available-for-sale
investments* (70,702) - (253)
Foreign exchange
(losses)/gains on
non-monetary assets (31,060) 31,664 33,732
----------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Other comprehensive
income (53,953) 48,094 192,076
----------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Total comprehensive
income for the period 5,075,315 4,319,690 9,333,213
----------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders
of the parent 5,075,315 4,468,308 9,481,831
Non-controlling
interest - (148,618) (148,618)
*Net of deferred
tax
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31ST DECEMBER 2017
31st Dec 31st Dec 30th June
Note 2017 (unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) 2017 (audited)
GBP GBP GBP
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Non-current assets
Property and
equipment 500,766 524,141 560,774
Intangible assets 300,873 223,226 360,283
Other financial
assets 38,461 1,050,556 34,660
Deferred tax
asset 195,430 187,717 216,693
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
1,035,530 1,985,640 1,172,410
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Current assets
Trade and other
receivables 6,111,180 5,311,451 5,857,896
Available-for-sale
financial assets 536,095 784,724 915,649
Other financial
assets 216,081 - 135,547
Cash and cash
equivalents 15,620,633 10,456,243 13,936,558
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
22,483,989 16,552,418 20,845,650
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other
payables (3,544,063) (3,171,439) (3,402,681)
Current tax payable (507,791) (722,060) (418,513)
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Creditors, amounts
falling due within
one year (4,051,854) (3,893,499) (3,821,194)
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Net current assets 18,432,135 12,658,919 17,024,456
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Total assets
less current
liabilities 19,467,665 14,644,559 18,196,866
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax
liability (73,019) (192,862) (115,774)
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Net assets 19,394,646 14,451,697 18,081,092
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Capital and reserves
Share capital 268,617 268,967 268,617
Share premium
account 2,256,104 2,256,104 2,256,104
Investment in
own shares 5 (4,066,413) (4,930,654) (4,355,887)
Fair value reserve 143,528 24,507 166,421
Share option
reserve 410,328 537,439 442,379
EIP share reserve 352,801 - 101,497
Foreign exchange
reserve 78,079 107,071 109,139
Capital redemption
reserve 23,097 22,747 23,097
Retained earnings 19,928,505 16,165,516 19,069,725
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Total equity 19,394,646 14,451,697 18,081,092
------------------------ ------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2017
Total
attributable
Share Investment Fair Share EIP Foreign Capital to
Share premium in value option share exchange redemption Retained share-
capital account own reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings holders NCI Total
GBP GBP shares GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
GBP
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---- -------------
At 1st
July 2017 268,617 2,256,104 (4,355,887) 166,421 442,379 101,497 109,139 23,097 19,069,725 18,081,092 - 18,081,092
Profit
for the
period - - - - - - 5,129,268 5,129,268 - 5,129,268
Comprehensive
income - - - (22,893) - (31,060) - - (53,953) - (53,953)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---- -------------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - (22,893) - - (31,060) - 5,129,268 5,075,315 - 5,075,315
Transactions
with owners
Share option
exercise - - 401,630 - (52,503) - - - 52,503 401,630 - 401,630
Purchase
of own
shares - - (112,156) - - - - - - (112,156) - (112,156)
Share-based
payment - - - - 20,452 - - - - 20,452 - 20,452
EIP provision - - - - - 251,304 - - - 251,304 - 251,304
Deferred
tax - - - - - - - - (27,262) (27,262) - (27,262)
Current
tax share
opts - - - - - - - - 34,897 34,897 - 34,897
Dividends
paid - - - - - - - - (4,330,626) (4,330,626) - (4,330,626)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---- -------------
Total
transactions
with owners - - 289,474 - (32,051) 251,304 - - (4,270,488) (3,761,761) - (3,761,761)
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---- -------------
As at
31st December
2017 268,617 2,256,104 (4,066,413) 143,528 410,328 352,801 78,079 23,097 19,928,505 19,394,646 - 19,394,646
-------------- --------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---- -------------
Total
attributable
Share Investment Fair Share EIP Foreign Capital to
Share premium in value option share exchange redemption Retained share-
capital account own reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings holders NCI Total
GBP GBP shares GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
GBP
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
At 1st
July 2016 268,967 2,256,104 (5,298,916) 8,077 563,350 - 75,407 22,747 15,593,570 13,489,306 631,943 14,121,249
Profit
for the
period - - - - - - - 4,420,214 4,420,214 (148,618) 4,271,596
Comprehensive
income - - - 16,430 - - 31,664 - - 48,094 - 48,094
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - 16,430 - - 31,664 - 4,420,214 4,468,308 (148,618) 4,319,690
Transactions
with owners
Derecognisation
of NCI
investment - - - - - - - - - - (483,325) (483,325)
Share option
exercise - - 368,262 - (60,180) - - - 60,180 368,262 - 368,262
Share-based
payment - - - - 34,269 - - - - 34,269 - 34,269
Deferred
tax - - - - - - - - 91,691 91,691 - 91,691
Current
tax share
opts - - - - - - - - 20,980 20,980 - 20,980
Dividends
paid - - - - - - - - (4,021,119) (4,021,119) - (4,021,119)
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
transactions
with owners - - 368,262 - (25,911) - - - (3,848,268) (3,505,917) (483,325) (3,989,242)
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
As at
31st December
2016 268,967 2,256,104 (4,930,654) 24,507 537,439 - 107,071 22,747 16,165,516 14,451,697 - 14,451,697
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- -------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
attributable
Share Investment Fair Share EIP Foreign Capital to
Share premium in value option share exchange redemption Retained share-
capital account own reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings holders NCI Total
GBP GBP shares GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP GBP
GBP
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
At 1st
July 2016 268,967 2,256,104 (5,298,916) 8,077 563,350 - 75,407 22,747 15,593,570 13,489,306 631,943 14,121,249
Profit
for the
period - - - - - - - - 9,289,755 9,289,755 (148,618) 9,141,137
Comprehensive
income - - - 158,344 - - 33,732 - - 192,076 - 192,076
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - 158,344 - - 33,732 - 9,289,755 9,481,831 (148,618) 9,333,213
Transactions
with owners
Derecognisation
of
NCI investment - - - - - - - - - - (483,325) (483,325)
Share option
exercise - - 1,132,727 - (147,464) - - - 147,464 1,132,727 - 1,132,727
Purchase
of own
shares - - (189,698) - - - - - - (189,698) - (189,698)
Share
cancellation (350) - - - - - - 350 (128,007) (128,007) - (128,007)
Share-based
payment - - - - 26,493 - - - - 26,493 - 26,493
EIP provision - - - - - 101,497 - - - 101,497 - 101,497
Deferred
tax - - - - - - - - 124,750 124,750 - 124,750
Current
tax share
opts options - - - - - - - - 90,158 90,158 - 90,158
Dividends
paid - - - - - - - (6,047,965) (6,047,965) - (6,047,965)
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Total
transactions
with owners (350) - 943,029 - (120,971) 101,497 - 350 (5,813,600) (4,890,045) (483,325) (5,373,370)
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
As at
30th June
2017 268,617 2,256,104 (4,355,887) 166,421 442,379 101,497 109,139 23,097 19,069,725 18,081,092 - 18,081,092
---------------- --------- ----------- ------------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31ST DECEMBER 2017
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 30th June
31st Dec 31st Dec 2017 (audited)
2017 (unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) GBP
GBP GBP
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Cash flow from operating
activities
Operating profit 6,487,104 5,677,207 11,509,219
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 93,930 68,633 167,748
Amortisation of
intangible assets 46,692 25,520 62,886
Share-based payment
charge 20,452 34,269 26,493
EIP charge 251,304 - 101,497
Fair value gain
on investments - 69,066 35,367
Translation adjustments 147,040 (132,793) (57,966)
Loss on disposal
of fixed assets - 202 202
Cash generated from
operations before
changes
in working capital 7,046,522 5,742,104 11,845,446
Increase in trade
and other receivables (253,285) (267,344) (813,789)
Increase in trade
and other payables 141,382 49,068 280,310
Cash generated from
operations 6,934,619 5,523,828 11,311,967
Interest received 21,785 14,883 28,925
Interest paid - - (64,064)
Taxation paid (1,358,849) (1,496,140) (2,764,001)
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Net cash generated
from operating activities 5,597,555 4,042,571 8,512,827
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Cash flow from investing
activities
Purchase of property
and equipment (52,263) (177,240) (485,345)
Proceeds from sale - - -
of property and
equipment
Purchase of non-current
financial assets (1,480) (810) (768)
Proceeds from sale
of non-current financial
assets 71 - 2,538
Proceeds from sale
of subsidiary - - 1,073,438
Purchase of current
financial assets (148,037) - (155,963)
Proceeds from sale
of current financial
assets 443,623 - -
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Net cash generated
from/(used in) investing
activities 241,914 (178,050) 433,900
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Cash flow from financing
activities
Ordinary dividends
paid (4,330,626) (4,021,119) (6,047,965)
Purchase and cancellation
of own shares - - (128,007)
Purchase of own
shares by employee
benefit trust (112,156) - (189,698)
Proceeds from sale
of own shares by
employee
benefit trust 401,630 368,262 1,132,727
Net cash used in
financing activities (4,041,152) (3,652,857) (5,232,943)
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Net increase in
cash and cash equivalents 1,798,317 211,664 3,713,784
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at start of period 13,936,558 10,150,799 10,150,799
Effect of exchange
rate changes (114,242) 93,780 71,975
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 15,620,633 10,456,243 13,936,558
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------
NOTES
1 BASIS OF PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial information contained herein is unaudited and does
not comprise statutory financial information within the meaning of
section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The information for the year
ended 30th June 2017 has been extracted from the latest published
audited accounts. The report of the independent auditor on those
condensed financial statements contained no qualification or
statement under s498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
These condensed financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the
Financial Conduct Authority and IAS 34 "Interim Financial
Reporting" as adopted by the European Union. The accounting
policies are consistent with those set out and applied in the
statutory accounts of the Group for the period ended 30th June
2017, which were prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by
the European Union.
The consolidated financial information contained within this
report incorporates the results, cash flows and financial position
of the Company and its subsidiaries for the period to 31st December
2017.
The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has
adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable
future. They therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis in
preparing these interim financial statements.
As at 31st December 2017 the Company held 39% in one of the
Group's funds, the International Equity CEF Fund, on a temporary
basis pending subsequent investment by external investors.
Therefore, in the judgement of the management it has been treated
as an available-for-sale financial asset at the reporting date.
There would have been no significant difference in the net assets
of the Group if the fund had been consolidated.
As of 1st January 2018 the fund received third party funding
reducing the Company's holding to 2%.
2 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS
The directors consider that the Group has only one reportable
segment, namely asset management, and hence only analysis by
geographical location is given.
Europe
USA Canada UK (ex Other Total
GBP GBP GBP UK) GBP GBP
GBP
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
Six months
to 31st Dec
2017
Revenue 15,757,242 502,842 235,029 580,892 - 17,076,005
Non-current
assets:
Property and
equipment 361,800 - 93,275 - 45,691 500,766
Intangible
assets 283,382 - 17,491 - - 300,873
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
Six months
to 31st Dec
2016
Revenue 14,263,256 479,438 235,821 460,043 - 15,438,558
Non-current
assets:
Property and
equipment 453,829 - 60,547 - 9,765 524,141
Intangible
assets 223,226 - - - - 223,226
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
Year to 30th
June 2017
Revenue 28,893,685 983,509 463,821 953,355 - 31,294,370
Non-current
assets:
Property and
equipment 413,257 - 107,080 - 40,437 560,774
Intangible
assets 339,876 - 20,407 - - 360,283
------------- ---------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
The Group has classified revenue based on the domicile of its
clients and non-current assets based on where the assets are held.
Any individual client generating revenue of 10% or more would be
disclosed separately, as would assets in a foreign country if they
are material.
3 INTEREST RECEIVABLE Six months Six months Year ended
AND SIMILAR GAINS ended ended 30th June
31st Dec 31st Dec 2017 (audited)
2017 (unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) GBP
GBP GBP
Interest 21,785 14,883 28,925
Gain on sale of
investments 60,019 - 187,142
Unrealised gain/(loss)
on investments - 107,576 (70,868)
Interest payable
on restated US state
tax returns - - (64,064)
--------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
81,804 122,459 81,135
--------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
4 EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the profit for
the period of GBP5,129,268 (30th June 2017 - GBP9,289,755; 31st
December 2016 - GBP4,420,214) divided by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue for the six months ended 31st
December 2017 of 25,427,142 (30th June 2017 - 25,188,897; 31st
December 2016 - 25,096,005).
As set out in note 5 the Employee Benefit Trust held 1,365,935
ordinary shares in the company as at 31st December 2017. The
Trustees of the Trust have waived all rights to dividends
associated with these shares. In accordance with IAS33 "Earnings
per share", the ordinary shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust
have been excluded from the calculation of the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue.
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the
profit for the period of GBP5,129,268 (30th June 2017 -
GBP9,289,755; 31st December 2016 - GBP4,420,214) divided by the
diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the
six months ended 31st December 2017 of 25,596,064 (30th June 2017 -
25,316,917; 31st December 2016 - 25,287,295).
5 INVESTMENT IN OWN SHARES
Investment in own shares relates to City of London Investment
Group PLC shares held by an Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of
City of London Investment Group PLC.
At 31st December 2017 the Trust held 1,078,509 ordinary 1p
shares (30th June 2017 - 1,477,935; 31st December 2016 -
1,720,213), of which 886,092 ordinary 1p shares (30th June 2017 -
1,062,342; 31st December 2016 - 1,376,620) were subject to options
in issue.
The Trust also held in custody 287,426 ordinary 1p shares (30th
June 2017 - nil; 31st December 2016 - nil) for employees in
relation to restricted share awards granted in October 2017 under
the Group's new Employee Incentive Plan.
6 DIVIDS
A final dividend of 17p per share in respect of the year ended
30th June 2017 was paid on 31st October 2017.
An interim dividend of 9p per share (2017 - 8p) in respect of
the year ended 30th June 2018 will be paid on 16th March 2018 to
members registered at the close of business on 2nd March 2018.
7 PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
In the course of conducting its business operations, the Group
is exposed to a variety of risks including market, liquidity,
operational and other risks that may be material and require
appropriate controls and on-going oversight.
Each department/line of business reviews its risks and business
processes and these are assigned both an inherent and residual risk
rating, as whilst all risk cannot be eliminated, the aim is to
proactively identify and manage those risks that have been
identified.
The Board has established a Risk and Compliance Committee ("the
RCC") which is chaired by the Head of Compliance. The other members
of the RCC are the four executive Directors, the US Chief
Compliance Officer and a representative covering US Corporate
Governance.
The principal risks to which the Group will be exposed in the
second half of the financial year are substantially the same as
those described in the last annual report (see pages 26 to 27),
being the potential for loss of funds under management as a result
of poor investment performance, client redemptions, breach of
mandate guidelines or market volatility, loss of key personnel,
business continuity, legal and regulatory risks.
Changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and
equity prices will affect the Group's income and the value of its
investments.
Most of the Group's revenues, and a significant part of its
expenses, are denominated in currencies other than sterling,
principally US dollars. These revenues are derived from fee income
which is based upon the net asset value of accounts managed, and
have the benefit of a natural hedge by reference to the underlying
currencies in which investments are held. Inevitably, debtor and
creditor balances arise which in turn give rise to currency
exposures.
8 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group's financial assets include cash and cash equivalents,
investments and other receivables. Its financial liabilities
include accruals and other payables. The fair value of the Group's
financial assets and liabilities is materially the same as the book
value.
Fair value measurements recognised in the statement of financial
position
The following table provides an analysis of financial
instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at
fair value, grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which
the fair value is observable.
-- Level 1: fair value derived from quoted prices (unadjusted)
in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
-- Level 2: fair value derived from inputs other than quoted
prices included within level 1 that are observable for the assets
or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e.
derived from prices).
-- Level 3: fair value derived from valuation techniques that
include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable market data.
The fair values of the financial instruments are determined as
follows:
-- Investments in own funds are determined with reference to the
net asset value (NAV) of the fund. Where the NAV is a quoted price
the fair value is shown under level 1, where the NAV is not a
quoted price the fair value is shown under level 2.
-- Forward currency trades are valued using the forward exchange
bid rates and are shown under level 2.
The level within which the financial asset or liability is
classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant
input to the fair value measurement.
Group
Level Level Level Total
1 2 3
31st December 2017 GBP GBP GBP GBP
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Available-for-sale
financial assets
Investment in own
funds - 574,556 - 574,556
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Total - 574,556 - 574,556
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Financial assets
at fair value through
profit or loss
Investment in other
financial assets 216,081 - - 216,081
Forward currency
trades - 121,323 - 121,323
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Total 216,081 121,323 - 337,404
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Level Level Level Total
31st December 2016 1 2 3 GBP
GBP GBP GBP
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Available-for-sale
financial assets
Investment in own
funds - 817,568 - 817,568
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Total - 817,568 - 817,568
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Financial assets
at fair value through
profit or loss
Investment in other
financial assets 1,017,712 - - 1,017,712
Total 1,017,712 - - 1,017,712
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Financial liabilities
at fair value through
profit or loss
Forward currency
trades - 80,605 - 80,605
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Total - 80,605 - 80,605
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Level Level Level Total
30th June 2017 1 2 3 GBP
GBP GBP GBP
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Available-for-sale
financial assets
Investment in own
funds - 950,309 - 950,309
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Total - 950,309 - 950,309
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Financial assets
at fair value through
profit or loss
Investment in other
financial assets 135,547 - - 135,547
Forward currency
trades - 65,151 - 65,151
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Total 135,547 65,151 - 200,698
----------------------- ----------- -------- ------- -----------
Level 3 assets as of 31st December 2017 consist of nil (30th
June 2017: nil; 31st December 2016: nil).
The Fund establishes valuation processes and procedures to
ensure that the valuation techniques for investments that are
categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are fair,
consistent, and verifiable. The Group is responsible for overseeing
the implementation of the valuation policies and procedures, which
includes the valuation process of the Fund's Level 3
investments.
There were no transfers between any of the levels in the
reporting period.
All fair value gains and losses included in other comprehensive
income relate to the investment in own funds.
Where there is an impairment in the investment in own funds, the
loss is reported in the income statement. No impairment was
recognised during the period or the preceding year.
The fair value gain on the forward currency trades is offset in
the income statement by the foreign exchange losses on other
currency assets and liabilities held during the period and at the
period end. The net profit reported for the period is GBP57,998
(30th June 2017: net loss GBP90,181; 31st December 2016: net loss
GBP136,867).
9 GENERAL
The interim financial statements for the six months to 31st
December 2017 were approved by the Board on 16th February 2018.
These financial statements are unaudited, but they have been
reviewed by the auditors, having regard to the bulletin "Review of
Interim Financial Information" issued by the Auditing Practices
Board.
Copies of this statement are available on our website
www.citlon.co.uk.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of
financial statements, in accordance with applicable law and
regulations and confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:
-- this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared
in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial
Reporting", as adopted by the European Union, and
-- this condensed set of financial statements includes a fair
review of the information required by Sections DTR 4.2.7R and DTR
4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
By order of the Board
Barry Olliff
Chief Executive Officer
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO CITY OF LONDON INVESTMENT GROUP
PLC
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set
of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the
six months ended 31st December 2017 which comprises Consolidated
Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income,
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated
Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other
information contained in the half-yearly financial report and
considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or
material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set
of financial statements.
This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with
International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410
"Review of Interim Financial Information performed by the
Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices
Board and for the purpose of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules
of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. Our review
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company
those matters we are required to state to them in an independent
review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to
anyone other than the Company, for our review work, for this
report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Directors' Responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report, is the responsibility of, and
has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible
for preparing and presenting the half-yearly financial report in
accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United
Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the
Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards and International Financial Reporting
Interpretations Committee pronouncements as adopted by the European
Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this
half-yearly financial report has 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 set of financial statements in the half-yearly
financial 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 Financial 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 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 set of financial statements
in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31st
December 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in
accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim
Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union, and the
Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial
Conduct Authority.
RSM UK Audit LLP
Chartered Accountants
25 Farringdon Street
London
EC4A 4AB
16th February 2018
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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