TIDMSGR
RNS Number : 8384I
Shore Capital Group Limited
26 March 2018
Shore Capital Group Limited
("Shore Capital", the "Group", or the "Company")
Preliminary Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2017
Strong Group performance with significant growth in revenues and
profitability
Shore Capital, the independent investment group specialising in
capital markets, asset management and principal finance, today
announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December
2017.
Financial highlights
2017 2016 Change
(GBP (GBP (%)
m) m)
------------------------------ ------ ------ -------
Group revenue 41.9 39.4 6.3
Capital Markets revenue 27.2 28.3 (3.9)
Asset Management revenue 12.9 10.4 24.0
Statutory profit before
tax 4.6 2.4 91.7
Statutory earnings per share 13.1p 6.0p 118.3
Adjusted(1) profit before
tax 6.5 5.1 27.5
Adjusted(1) earnings per
share 20.5p 13.4p 53.0
Final proposed dividend
per share 5.0p 5.0p -
Total dividends for the
year 10.0p 5.0p 100.0
(1) excluding balance sheet impairments
Operational highlights
-- Capital Markets enjoyed a successful year, building its
retained client base and participating in a high volume of
transactions
-- Capital Markets advised on three IPOs, 24 secondary
fundraisings, four takeovers and added 13 new clients, including
Oxford BioDynamics plc; Non-Standard Finance plc; and Mothercare
plc
-- Asset Management made excellent progress, growing revenues,
profits and assets under management:
-- Puma Investments grew its investment offering, launched Puma
VCT 13 and its Puma Alpha EIS Service, and was named Tax-Efficient
Group of the Year at 2017's Investment Week Tax Efficiency
Awards
-- Institutional funds advised by the Group deployed further
capital with investments in high quality real estate opportunities
and Mixer Global, the premium co-working business
Commenting on the results, Howard Shore, Chairman, said:
"The Group has enjoyed a year of growing revenues and
profitability. Our Capital Markets business has been busy,
participating in a high volume of transactions during the year and
growing its franchise. Meanwhile, our Asset Management division
performed very strongly, with significant uplifts in revenues and
profitability.
"There are excellent opportunities to grow our Asset Management
platforms and in Capital Markets, our approach to MiFID II has
ensured a wide distribution of our output to the investment
community, with strong support from institutional clients
signing-up to take our research. Consequently, we remain optimistic
about our future prospects."
Enquiries:
Shore Capital
Howard Shore, Executive
Chairman +44 (0) 20 7468
Simon Fine, Co-Chief 7911
Executive
David Kaye, Co-Chief
Executive +44 (0) 14 8172
Lynn Bruce, Director 8902
Grant Thornton UK LLP
(Nominated Adviser)
Philip Secrett +44 (0) 20 7383
Jamie Barklem 5100
Montfort Communications
(Public Relations) +44 (0) 78 1234
Olly Scott 5205
About Shore Capital
Shore Capital is an AIM quoted independent investment group.
Founded and majority owned by entrepreneurs, for three decades
Shore Capital has been helping entrepreneurial businesses reach
their full potential, find committed long-term investors and
develop into significant enterprises. The business offers
innovative corporate advice; a leading market making business; some
of the most respected investment research available in the UK; and
a diverse range of high quality investment opportunities, including
its hugely successful VCTs and principal finance activities.
The Group is based in Guernsey, London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and
Berlin. Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited, Shore Capital and
Corporate Limited, Shore Capital Limited and Puma Investment
Management Limited are each authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority. Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited is
a member of the London Stock Exchange.
www.shorecap.gg
Chairman's statement
Introduction
The Group has enjoyed a year of growing revenues and
profitability. Our Capital Markets division has been busy,
participating in a high volume of transactions during the year and
growing its franchise. Meanwhile our Asset Management division
performed very strongly, with significant uplifts in revenues and
profitability. We remain optimistic about the opportunities ahead
for our Capital Markets and Asset Management operations and the
business generally.
During the year, Capital Markets continued to focus on
delivering the best service and outcomes for its institutional and
corporate clients, growing its retained client base and working on
a diverse range of transactions. Revenues in the division of
GBP27.2 million were 4% lower year-on-year, reflecting a different
business mix and the fact that more corporate transaction
appointments were on a joint rather than a sole basis. The cost
base was impacted by the preparations for MiFID II which came into
force at the beginning of 2018, consequently profit before tax was
GBP5.2 million at a margin of 19.1% compared to a prior year of
GBP6.8 million at a margin of 24.0%.
The team added 13 new retained corporate clients, including
Oxford BioDynamics plc; Non-Standard Finance plc; and Mothercare
plc. It worked on three IPOs, 24 secondary fundraisings and four
takeovers including the IPO of Global Ports Holding plc; and
transactions for Playtech plc and Victoria Oil & Gas plc. On
the advisory side its mandates included MarketTech plc's takeover
by LabTech Investments; and the acquisition of Styles & Wood
plc by Central Square Holdings.
The business extended its distribution capabilities during the
year, whilst continuing to invest in its research and idea
generation capabilities for clients. Our approach to MiFID II
ensures a wide distribution of our output to the investment
community, and we have had strong support from institutional
clients signing-up to take our research and execution services.
Market Making also performed well, growing revenues and
profitability, and maintaining our reputation as a strong and
trusted counterparty ensuring market liquidity.
The Asset Management division made excellent progress during the
year, growing revenues, profits and assets under management, which
rose by 5% to GBP865 million. Our previous investments in building
the team helped enable the division to increase profits by 50% to
GBP3.0 million on revenues of GBP12.9 million, an increase of 24%
which grew net margins to 23%.
The Group's Private Client Investments business, Puma
Investments, enjoyed a strong year which combined impressive
financial results with significant operational and strategic
advances. The business made material investments in headcount and
infrastructure across all three of its focus areas - growth capital
and private equity investments; property finance; and listed
equities - and we are excited about the future opportunities for
these three platforms.
The business launched its latest VCT fund, Puma VCT 13, whilst
funds in the Puma EIS Service and the recently launched Puma Alpha
EIS grew 30% to c.GBP65 million. Puma Heritage continued to grow
and has now increased its NAV to over GBP50 million. The Puma AIM
Inheritance Tax Service again delivered impressive results, with
compound annual growth of 15.5% since inception, and has continued
to grow inflows after inclusion on a number of fund wrap
platforms.
The expertise and experience of the team at Puma Investments
again led to external recognition. The company won Tax-Efficient
Group of the Year at 2017's Investment Week Tax Efficiency Awards
and Best AIM Investment Manager at 2017's Growth Investor Awards
for the second year running.
In institutional asset management, funds advised by the Group
have made significant progress during the year. Brandenburg Realty
invested alongside Puma Brandenburg in Mixer Global, an exciting
operator of premium co-working spaces and business lounges founded
in Tel Aviv, which will enable the business to establish European
headquarters and open new sites in the EU and US. Brandenburg
Realty also purchased five properties in highly-prized Berlin
neighbourhoods where the team will implement a range of value
enhancing asset management programmes.
Puma Brandenburg completed a buyback during the year,
representing an equivalent cash distribution of GBP5.15 per share
in Shore Capital for Shore shareholders who held their shares since
the time of the demerger of Puma Brandenburg and Shore Capital in
2010. Additionally, value-enhancing development work commenced at
Cologne's Hyatt Regency and the team continues to co-operate
closely with Lidl, focusing on maximising the value of stores held
in the portfolio.
In Principal Finance, we incurred a net pre-tax reduction of
GBP1.1 million in the carrying value of various assets, including
investments in unquoted stocks and associates. Elsewhere in the
division, DBD continues to hold its remaining 32 regional radio
spectrum licences which cover many of Germany's largest
metropolitan centres and continues to test the technology as part
of its business plan for the future use of the licences.
Financial review
Income and expenditure
Revenue for the year increased by 6.3% to GBP41.9 million,
(2016: GBP39.4 million) whilst administrative expenses increased by
5.0% to GBP35.9 million, (2016: GBP34.2 million). Group profit
before tax increased by 91.7% to GBP4.6 million (2016: GBP2.4
million).
Revenue from Capital Markets decreased by 3.9% to GBP27.2
million, (2016: GBP28.3 million) and divisional profit before tax
declined 23.5% to GBP5.2 million, (2016: GBP6.8 million), with a
net margin of 19.1%, (2016: 24.0%).
Revenue from Asset Management grew by 24.0% to GBP12.9 million,
(2016: GBP10.4 million) and divisional profit before tax increased
50.0% to GBP3.0 million, (2016: GBP2.0 million) representing an
improved net margin of 23.3%, (2016: 19.0%).
The Principal Finance division recorded a pre-tax loss of GBP2.0
million (2016: GBP4.2 million loss).
Basic Earnings per Share
The Group generated earnings per share of 13.1p, (2016:
6.0p).
Liquidity
The Group maintained a strong liquidity position enabling it to
undertake a range of transactions as opportunities arise in the
near term. As at the balance sheet date, available liquidity was
GBP38.5 million, (2016: GBP32.7 million) comprising cash of GBP35.7
million, (2016: GBP23.9 million) and GBP2.8 million of gilts and
bonds, (2016: GBP8.8 million). The Group also had a GBP20 million
working capital facility which was unused at the year end.
Balance sheet
The Group's balance sheet remains strong. Total equity at the
year end was GBP67.2 million (2016: GBP67.1 million) reflecting the
profit in the year, offset by dividends paid and the net
repurchase/cancellation of shares during the year.
In addition to the GBP35.7 million of cash and GBP2.8 million of
gilts and bonds referred to above, GBP3.9 million was held in funds
advised by the Group; GBP4.7 million net in quoted equities and a
further GBP2.2 million in other unquoted holdings. The licences
held as part of the Group's Spectrum Investments were carried at
GBP2.2 million on a gross basis, before allowing for minority
interests.
The remainder of the balance sheet was GBP15.7 million net,
which included GBP18.5 million of net market and other debtors in
the Company's stockbroking subsidiary.
During the year, the Group recorded a net GBP1.1 million pre-tax
reduction in the carrying value of various assets, including
investments in unquoted stocks and associates, (2016: GBP2.7
million) in the Principal Finance division.
Net Asset Value per Share
Net asset value per share at the year end was 270.0p, (2016:
269.6p).
Dividend
The Board proposes a final dividend of 5.0p, (2016: 5.0p per
share), making a total for the year of 10.0p per share (2016: 5.0p
per share). The dividend will be paid on Wednesday 25 April 2018 to
shareholders on the register as at Friday 6 April 2018.
Operating review
Capital Markets
Overview
Despite political uncertainty in the UK and the costs of
implementing regulatory change, the Capital Markets division
enjoyed a successful 2017, growing its client base and developing
its service offering. Revenues in the division were slightly lower
year-on-year, reflecting a different business mix and the fact that
more corporate transaction appointments were on a joint rather than
a sole basis. The cost base was impacted by the preparations for
MiFID II which came into force at the beginning of 2018. The
uncertainty referred to above continues to impact UK institutional
investor attitudes towards domestically focused transactions, with
such institutions behaving selectively as a result. Nevertheless,
we are comfortable that the business is well positioned to take
advantage of future market opportunities as they arise.
The Corporate team participated in a significant number of high
profile transactions, as well as adding 13 new retained corporate
clients.
The Group continued to develop its distribution reach during the
year and refined its research product through ongoing investment,
ensuring relevance and the ability to add value to clients.
Throughout our planning for entry into force of the MiFID II
regulations, we continued to focus on delivering the best service
and outcomes for our institutional and corporate clients, helping
them to work within the new regime. Our preparations positioned us
well in the market and we have had strong support from
institutional clients signing-up to take our research and execution
services.
Our Market Making business performed well, growing revenues and
profitability, and maintaining its reputation as a strong and
trusted counterparty ensuring market liquidity.
The business continues to invest in high calibre individuals and
teams where the Company identifies opportunities for incremental
growth, new skills and high quality relationships.
Corporate Broking and Advisory
During 2017, we have continued to be very active and
participated in three IPOs, 24 secondary fundraisings and four
takeovers. The team also undertook a number of private placements
for unlisted companies. Significant transactions during the year
included acting as:
-- Joint bookrunner on the GBP337 million placing of ordinary
shares in Playtech plc;
-- Joint bookrunner on the GBP126.5 million placing by
NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited;
-- Lead manager on the Main Market IPO of Global Ports Holding
plc, raising US$230 million;
-- Sponsor, global co-ordinator and joint bookrunner on the Main
Market IPO of UP Global Sourcing Holdings plc, raising GBP52.6
million;
-- Lead manager on the US$125.0 million placing of ordinary
shares in Savannah Petroleum PLC;
-- Joint bookrunner on the GBP49.3 million placing of ordinary
shares in Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd;
-- Joint bookrunner on the EUR46.9 million placing of ordinary
shares in Applegreen plc;
-- Joint bookrunner on the US$23.5 million placing of ordinary
shares in Victoria Oil & Gas plc; and
-- Joint bookrunner on the EUR15.0 million placing of ordinary
shares in Amryt Pharma plc.
Our advisory work included acting as:
-- Corporate Broker to MarketTech Holdings Limited in relation
to its GBP892.3 million takeover by LabTech Investments
Limited;
-- Financial adviser to Staunton Holdings Limited in relation to
its GBP37.3 million offer for FIH Group plc; and
-- Financial and Rule 3 adviser to Styles & Wood Group Plc
in relation to its GBP42.5 million takeover by Central Square
Holdings Limited.
New retainers in the year, included Oxford BioDynamics plc,
Non-Standard Finance plc, Mothercare plc, Gfinity plc and Salt Lake
Potash plc.
Research, Idea generation and Distribution
The political and regulatory uncertainties in the UK during the
year have presented investment challenges for institutions and
businesses alike. Whilst international earners - particularly in
the FTSE 100 - retained their attractions for investors,
domestically focused fund managers investing in UK small and
mid-cap equities adopted a more selective approach. Despite this
caution, we retain confidence in the capability and adaptability of
British businesses to face the challenges ahead and of London as an
attractive market for high quality companies with strong
fundamentals to list, raise capital and thrive.
Ahead of the entry-into-force of the MiFID II regulations, the
Company ensured that it was prepared for the new regulations and
maintained its service-orientated focus on achieving beneficial
outcomes for clients. Preparations for the new regulatory
environment were implemented by a cross-Group team and we continue
to believe that MiFID II provides Shore Capital with an opportunity
to compete effectively and gain market share.
During the year we expanded our distribution capabilities where
we believe we can play a constructive role in introducing high
quality British companies to institutional investors. Our research
capabilities also play an important role in our continuing primary
and secondary activity; and our approach to MiFID II ensures a wide
distribution of our output to the investment community, something
that has been welcomed by our growing list of corporate
clients.
Shore Capital's considerable focus and capabilities in FTSE 100
and FTSE 250 equities enabled it to maintain strong support for its
research and idea generation services from the asset management
communities. Consequently, we continue to perform well in asset
managers' internal and external broker reviews, the Extel rankings
and Starmine awards.
Despite the challenges presented during the year, we remained
committed to developing our franchise and expanded our idea
generation and equity research capability, including the
appointment of Matthew Elliott as a senior political adviser; and
building on our strong capabilities in the general retail and
technology sectors with the addition of experienced analysts.
Market Making
Our Market Making business performed well, growing revenues and
profitability, and maintaining its reputation as a strong and
trusted counterparty ensuring market liquidity.
Although clearly sensitive to the overall market environment,
Shore Capital remains focused and adaptable to changing trading
conditions and client needs. Market Making operations continue to
benefit from the team's wide stock coverage and its reputation as a
strong and trusted counterparty. The team comprises highly
experienced traders who are able to identify revenue opportunities
whilst operating within a risk framework that ensures loss days are
a rare occurrence.
Fixed Income
Fixed income trading faced a tough external environment during
the year, with credit spreads continuing to trade at record low
levels and activity being further hampered by market participants
contemplating the implications of MiFID II. Notwithstanding this,
the team performed credibly, recording a solidly profitable return
albeit on lower year-on-year revenues. Since the year end, global
government bond yields have started to rise and are now higher than
at the start of 2017, which should in future lead to increased
investor interest in the fixed income markets.
Asset Management
Overview
The Asset Management division continues to make significant
progress, growing revenues, profits and assets under management.
Overall AUM for the Asset Management division at the year end grew
to GBP865 million, (2016: GBP825 million) driven by Private Client
operations. On the institutional side of the business, funds
advised by the Group achieved material strategic successes in their
real estate portfolios.
During the year Puma Investments was named Tax-Efficient Group
of the Year at 2017's Investment Week Tax Efficiency Awards and,
for the second year running, won Best AIM Investment Manager at
2017's Growth Investor Awards.
In the Institutional business, Brandenburg Realty gained
momentum, investing in a range of high quality real estate
opportunities in addition to implementing its asset management
programme to enhance value creation across the portfolio. The Group
also helped Puma Brandenburg to obtain planning consent and
commence construction of two new value-enhancing restaurants at
Cologne's Hyatt Regency, in addition to implementing plans to
maximise value across its Lidl store portfolio. Towards the end of
the year, the team assisted with Brandenburg Realty's investment
alongside Puma Brandenburg in Mixer Global, an operator of premium
co-working spaces and business lounges founded in Tel Aviv. The
investment will enable Mixer to establish European headquarters and
open new sites in the EU and US.
Private Client Investments
The Group's Private Client Investments business, Puma
Investments, enjoyed a strong year which combined impressive
financial results with significant operational and strategic
advances. The business made material investments in headcount and
infrastructure across all three of its focus areas - growth capital
and private equity investments; property finance; and listed
equities - and we are excited about the future opportunities for
these three platforms.
The expertise and experience of the team at Puma Investments
again led to external recognition. The company won Tax-Efficient
Group of the Year at 2017's Investment Week Tax Efficiency Awards
and Best AIM Investment Manager at 2017's Growth Investor Awards
for the second year running.
Growth Capital and Private Equity
Puma Investments offers retail investors access to tax efficient
private equity offerings through our long-standing Venture Capital
Trusts ("VCTs") and Enterprise Investment Scheme ("EIS") services.
We look to invest in tranches, initially deploying up to GBP5
million into UK growth businesses with high quality, credible
management teams and the potential and aspiration to grow. Our
highly experienced investment team includes specialists in a wide
range of sectors including health and social care; leisure and
hospitality; childcare; and retail.
Since 2005, the Group has raised over GBP220 million for its
Puma VCTs and over GBP110 million has been distributed to
investors. The most recently closed fund, Puma VCT 12, raised
GBP30.9 million, accounting for more than half of the total funds
raised in the limited-life VCT market in the 2015/16 tax year.
The business is making good progress in deploying available
funds raised for its active VCTs, which have recently paid out
annual tax-free dividends of between 3.0p and 6.0p to shareholders.
The Group is pleased to have launched its latest VCT for the
current tax year, Puma VCT 13, which will build on the track record
of previous funds.
The Puma EIS portfolio service, (the "EIS Service") was launched
in November 2013 to offer investors the opportunity to invest in
EIS qualifying companies utilising the team's strong track record
and expertise gained from their experience running the Puma VCTs.
In October 2017, the EIS Service closed for new subscriptions and
the Group launched its new Puma Alpha EIS Service ("Alpha EIS").
Fundraising continued successfully throughout the period,
increasing funds in both services to c.GBP65 million. To date, the
EIS Service has invested in eight portfolio companies across a
range of sectors; and Alpha EIS made its first investment towards
the end of the year.
Property Finance and Construction
Puma's Property Finance and Construction team offers investors
access to secured, first charge loans, at prudent loan-to-value
ratios on UK real estate across a range of sectors. The platform
provides lending solutions to borrowers throughout the lifecycle of
property development, via three principal offerings -
pre-development bridge loans; development finance; and development
exit loans. Ticket sizes typically range from GBP5 million to GBP20
million and the team are active across residential, commercial and
more specialist areas of real estate, including hotels and
healthcare assets.
Private Client investors can access these activities through an
investment into Puma Heritage plc, which utilises its diversified
loan book, (over 400 loans to date) to generate regular returns for
shareholders intended to counter long-term inflationary pressures.
An investment in Puma Heritage is intended to benefit from 100%
relief from Inheritance Tax after two years.
Puma Heritage celebrated its fourth anniversary during 2017,
having recorded a significant acceleration in its net asset value,
("NAV") during the period. Subscriptions from new shareholders and
organic profits increased the company's NAV to over GBP50 million
at the time of writing. Puma Heritage remains open for investment
and has a strong pipeline of loan opportunities to drive future
growth.
The business continues to invest heavily into the Property
Finance and Construction team. Given the platform's strong track
record, significant market demand and the retrenchment of
traditional lenders in development finance, we are seeking further
sources of capital to deploy in the real estate lending arena and
to scale this core part of our business further.
Listed Equities
The business offers retail investors access to a discretionary
equity portfolio service through its Puma AIM IHT Service, (the
"AIM Service") which seeks to mitigate Inheritance Tax by investing
in a carefully selected portfolio of AIM shares. The AIM Service is
particularly attractive for those that wish to utilise these tax
advantages whilst also investing within their ISA wrapper.
Led by award-winning manager, Justin Waine, the AIM Service
celebrated its third anniversary during the year; and by the
year-end had delivered a 15.5% compound annual growth rate since
inception, well in excess of the FTSE AIM All Share Index and the
FTSE All Share Index. Puma gained further external recognition for
the AIM Service winning Best AIM Investment Manager at the 2017
Growth Investor Awards for the second year in a row.
The AIM Service is available to clients with a Financial Adviser
directly through Puma Investments or through selected Financial
Adviser Platforms, including the Ascentric, Standard Life and
Transact platforms. Assets under management more than trebled
during the course of 2017, with a number of Financial Adviser
clients linking their assets to our service via these wrap
platforms.
Institutional Asset Management
Brandenburg Realty
Brandenburg Realty (the "Fund") gained momentum during the year,
investing in a range of high quality real estate opportunities in
addition to implementing its asset management programme to enhance
value creation across the portfolio.
The asset advisory team sourced and recommended the acquisition
of five high quality residential buildings with a total floor space
of 8,500 sq.m. The buildings are located in the highly sought-after
Berlin neighbourhoods of Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Pankow. Where
applicable, the newly acquired buildings are being prepared for
condominium sale. Planning permission is in place to construct new
rooftop units at one of the buildings and the team is progressing
this along with planning other value-enhancing renovations at each
building. Debt financing options for the five newly acquired assets
are also being evaluated.
Towards the end of the year, the team assisted with the Fund's
investment alongside Puma Brandenburg in Mixer Global, an operator
of premium co-working spaces and business lounges founded in Tel
Aviv. The investment in Mixer will enable it to establish European
headquarters and open new sites in the EU and US.
The team assisted the Fund's implementation of its strategy for
the commercial and residential portfolio in Potsdam and the
Monumentenstrasse residential building in Berlin. A full planning
application to construct c.1,800 sq.m. of new residential space has
been submitted in Potsdam and the process to obtain condominium
title for the existing residential units is underway. At
Monumentenstrasse, units continue to be sold at significantly
higher prices than the underwriting expectations at the time of
acquisition. This reflects not just the strength of Berlin's
residential property market, but also the successful efforts of the
asset advisory team.
The asset advisory team continues to seek and recommend
additional acquisition opportunities to the Fund.
Puma Brandenburg Limited ("PBL")
During the year, PBL completed a tender offer to acquire the
remaining interests of the minority shareholders at EUR6.00 per
unit comprising a combined A and B Share. The take-up and support
for the offer was extremely strong. PBL acquired 26.7% of the
company, resulting in Howard and Andrée Shore increasing their
shareholding to 90% of the company. This represented an equivalent
cash distribution of GBP5.15 per share in Shore Capital for Shore
shareholders who held their shares since the time of the demerger
of PBL and Shore Capital in 2010.
The Group has continued to help PBL achieve significant success
across its portfolio, including:
-- Obtaining planning permission at Cologne's Hyatt Regency for
the construction of two new restaurants, (total internal space of
500 sq.m.) on the river bank in front of the hotel. Following the
detailed planning for the construction of these value enhancing
restaurants, building works commenced in December 2017 and are
expected to be completed in the late summer of 2018;
-- Ongoing close co-operation with Lidl to maximise value in the
portfolio of stores located across Germany. The latest mutually
beneficial agreement was signed in August 2017 and provides for
lease extensions, (ranging from five to 12 years) at 10 stores. In
total, over the last 12 months the lease term has been extended at
14 stores; and
-- PBL's participation in the Mixer Global investment, as noted
above.
St Peter Port Capital ("SPPC")
SPPC announced its interim results for the six months ended 30
September 2017 on 9 November 2017. As at that date, it had
investments in seven companies, (excluding those companies in the
portfolio it had written down to zero).
The directors of SPPC reported that they had implemented a cost
reduction programme expected to save approximately GBP200,000 per
annum. They also reported that although some initial discussions
had taken place with potential buyers of the company, (or some of
its assets) none of these discussions had led to viable offers
being received. As a result, the Strategic Review initiated in
October 2016 was terminated on 9 November 2017.
As before, substantially all the value in the portfolio is made
up of four illiquid investments, two of which require significant
capital injections to progress to the next stage of their
respective evolution. A more benign regulatory environment for
mining projects in the US has improved the prospects of one of the
company's investments, (previously written down) but significant
legal barriers remain. The directors continue to seek realisations
for the portfolio.
Principal Finance
The Principal Finance division seeks to use the Group's balance
sheet to invest in attractive opportunities and seed new funds.
Puma Social Care Investments ("PSCI")
During the year the Group launched PSCI, a joint venture focused
on real estate opportunities in the supported living sector, with
equity commitments totalling GBP21 million, contributed equally
from the Group alongside two family offices in the United States.
The Asset Management division advised on PSCI's full deployment
into a portfolio of properties and, towards the end of the year,
helped realise value created in the joint venture by sourcing and
executing a sale of the portfolio, achieving an IRR of over 27% for
investors. The Group continues to work in the sector in connection
with the acquisition of further assets which if successful will
continue to generate revenue for the Group.
Spectrum Investments
The division holds the Group's investment in DBD which, through
a subsidiary, holds 32 regional radio spectrum licences in Germany
of indefinite duration, (the "Licences"). Shore Capital holds a
59.94% interest in Spectrum Investments Limited, the parent company
of DBD.
DBD has been given consent by the German Telecoms Regulator
("BNetzA") to test the LTE TDD technology which will support its
business plan for the future use of the Licences, premised upon a
small radio cells network concept. Initial pilot schemes have
commenced in Berlin, Karlsruhe, Dusseldorf, Hannover, Dresden and
Leipzig and DBD plans to roll out additional pilots in other areas
covered by the Licences.
For the initial trials, at the request of BNetzA, DBD is using
temporary test licences granted to it by BNetzA. However, DBD
believes that, as a result of Article 9a of the EU Framework
Directive (2002/21/EC, as amended) implemented in Germany by Sec.
150 para 8 of the German Telecommunications Act, it should be
permitted to use its existing Licences to conduct the pilot schemes
and to support the roll out of its services in the future.
Agreement on this point has not yet been reached with BNetzA and
correspondence between DBD and BNetzA is ongoing.
In correspondence with DBD, BNetzA has noted that its ongoing
consideration of the status and use of the Licences should be taken
in the context of its ongoing review of spectrum frequency planning
for the years after 2021/2022 and in particular its frequency
concept for the 3.5GHz band, into which the Licences fall.
During the year, the division incurred a net pre-tax reduction
of GBP1.1 million in the carrying value of various assets,
including investments in unquoted stocks and associates, which
included a permanent impairment in relation to certain assets due
to a declining assessment of recoverable value. As these
impairments are considered one-offs, they have been added back in
arriving at adjusted profits and earnings.
Current Trading and Prospects
There are excellent opportunities to grow our Asset Management
platforms and in Capital Markets, our approach to MiFID II has
ensured a wide distribution of our output to the investment
community, with strong support from institutional clients
signing-up to take our research. Consequently, we remain optimistic
about our future prospects.
Howard Shore
Chairman
26 March 2018
Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2017
Notes 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------- ------ --------- ---------
Revenue 2 41,896 39,408
Administrative expenditure (35,906) (34,187)
Balance sheet impairments (1,883) (2,664)
Share of results of associates 805 -
Operating profit 4,912 2,557
--------- ---------
Interest income 95 239
Finance costs (430) (391)
--------- ---------
(335) (152)
--------- ---------
Profit before taxation 2 4,577 2,405
Taxation (912) (554)
Profit for the year 3,665 1,851
========= =========
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 2,826 1,302
Non-controlling interests 839 549
3,665 1,851
========= =========
Earnings per share
Basic 4 13.1p 6.0p
Diluted 4 12.8p 5.8p
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2017
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------------- -------- --------
Profit after tax for the year 3,665 1,851
-------- --------
Items that may be reclassified
to the income statement
Losses on revaluation of available-for-sale
investments (14) (43)
Gains on cash flow hedges 105 70
Tax thereon (20) (14)
-------- --------
71 13
Exchange difference on translation
of foreign operations 516 468
-------- --------
Other comprehensive income for
the year, net of tax 587 481
-------- --------
Total comprehensive income for
the year, net of tax 4,252 2,332
======== ========
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 3,260 1,582
Non-controlling interests 992 750
4,252 2,332
======== ========
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2017
Notes 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------------------------- ------ --------- ---------
Non-current assets
Goodwill 381 381
Intangible assets 2,229 2,135
Property, plant & equipment 7,699 9,423
Investment properties - 2,885
Principal Finance Investments 6,475 8,221
Deferred tax asset 149 -
16,933 23,045
--------- ---------
Current assets
Trading assets 8,154 12,290
Trade and other receivables 52,767 51,774
Derivative financial instruments 32 123
Cash and cash equivalents 35,673 23,937
--------- ---------
96,626 88,124
--------- ---------
Total assets 2 113,559 111,169
--------- ---------
Current liabilities
Trading liabilities (1,017) (765)
Trade and other payables (34,602) (31,126)
Derivative financial instruments (12) (224)
Tax liabilities (966) (770)
Borrowings (9,726) (431)
(46,323) (33,316)
--------- ---------
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings - (10,649)
Deferred tax liability - (15)
Provision for liabilities and
charges (66) (104)
--------- ---------
(66) (10,768)
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 2 (46,389) (44,084)
--------- ---------
Net assets 67,170 67,085
========= =========
Capital and reserves
Share capital - -
Share premium 1,866 336
Merger reserve 14,903 17,151
Other reserves 1,596 1,596
Retained earnings 39,882 39,587
--------- ---------
Equity attributable to equity
holders of the parent 58,247 58,670
Non-controlling interest 8,923 8,415
Total equity 67,170 67,085
========= =========
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2017
Share Share Merger Other Retained Non-controlling Total
capital premium reserve reserves earnings interest
account
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------------- --------
At 1 January
2016 - 336 17,151 2,164 38,845 8,546 67,042
Profit for
the year - - - - 1,302 549 1,851
Revaluation
of available
for sale investments - - - (43) - - (43)
Foreign currency
translation - - - - 278 190 468
Valuation
change on
cash flow
hedge - - - 56 - 14 70
Tax on cash
flow hedge - - - (11) - (3) (14)
Total comprehensive
income - - - 2 1,580 750 2,332
Decrease in
deferred tax
asset recognised
directly in
equity - - - (581) - - (581)
Dividends
paid to /
rebalancing
of non controlling
interests - - - - (838) (1,221) (2,059)
Credit in
relation to
share based
payments - - - 11 - - 11
Investment
by non controlling
interest in
subsidiaries - - - - - 340 340
At 31 December
2016 - 336 17,151 1,596 39,587 8,415 67,085
========== ========= ========= ========== ========== ================ ========
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2017
Share Share Merger Other Retained Non-controlling Total
capital premium reserve reserves earnings interest
account
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------------- --------
At 1 January
2017 - 336 17,151 1,596 39,587 8,415 67,085
Profit for
the year - - - - 2,826 839 3,665
Revaluation
of available
for sale investments - - - (14) - - (14)
Foreign currency
translation - - - - 380 136 516
Valuation
change on
cash flow
hedge - - - 84 - 21 105
Tax on cash
flow hedge - - - (16) - (4) (20)
Total comprehensive
income - - - 54 3,206 992 4,252
Decrease in
deferred tax
asset recognised
directly in
equity) - - - (62) - - (62)
Equity dividends
paid - - - - (2,167) - (2,167)
Dividends
paid to non
controlling
interests/
rebalancing
of non controlling
interest - - - - (744) (694) (1,438)
Issue of shares - 1,530 - - - - 1,530
Repurchase/cancellation
of own shares - - (2,248) - - - (2,248)
Credit in
relation to
share based
payments - - - 8 - - 8
Investment
by non controlling
interest in
subsidiaries - - - - - 210 210
At 31 December
2017 - 1,866 14,903 1,596 39,882 8,923 67,170
========== ========= ========= ========== ========== ================ ========
Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2017
Notes 2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------- ------ -------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit 4,912 2,557
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and impairment
charges 2,775 3,534
Share-based payment expense 8 11
Fair value losses/(gains) on
Principal Finance investments 320 (255)
Share of results of associates (805) -
-------- ---------
Reduction on provision for national
insurance on options (38) (431)
-------- ---------
Operating cash flows before movements
in working capital 7,172 5,416
(Increase)/decrease in trade
and other receivables (902) 19,896
Increase/(decrease) in trade
and other payables 3,369 (12,765)
Increase/(decrease) in trading
liabilities 252 (181)
Decrease/(increase) in trading
assets 4,136 (2,946)
-------- ---------
Cash generated by generated by
operations 14,027 9,420
Interest paid (430) (391)
Corporation tax paid (962) (717)
-------- ---------
Net cash generated by operating
activities 12,635 8,312
-------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (681) (517)
Sale of property, plant and equipment 80 -
Sale / (purchase) of investment
property 2,885 (2,885)
Investment in associate (7,000) -
Redemption of shares in associate 7,750 -
Income from associate 55 -
Purchase of Principal Finance
investments - (1,808)
Sale of Principal Finance investments 314 141
Interest received 95 239
-------- ---------
Net cash generated by/(used in)
investing activities 3,498 (4,830)
-------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of shares 1,530 -
Investment by non controlling
interest in subsidiaries 210 340
Repurchase of own shares (2,248) -
Decrease in borrowings (393) (430)
Dividends paid to equity shareholders 3 (2,167) -
Dividends paid to non controlling
interests (1,438) (2,059)
-------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (4,506) (2,149)
-------- ---------
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 11,627 1,333
Effects of exchange rate changes 109 491
Cash and cash equivalents at
the beginning of the year 23,937 22,113
-------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at
the end of the year 35,673 23,937
======== =========
Notes
1. Financial information
Basis of preparation
The annual financial statements of Shore Capital Group Limited
(the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European
Union ("Adopted IFRS").
Presentation of the financial statements and financial
information
The financial information set out in the announcement does not
constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31
December 2017 within the meaning of section 244 of the Companies
(Guernsey) Law, 2008.
The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 is
derived from the statutory accounts of the Company for that year.
The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was
unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of
emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain a
statement under section 263(2) or (3) of the Companies (Guernsey)
Law, 2008. Those accounts were prepared under Adopted IFRS and have
been reported on by the Company's auditors.
The audit of the statutory accounts of Shore Capital Group
Limited for the year ended 31 December 2017 is not yet complete.
These accounts will be finalised on the basis of the financial
information presented by the directors in this preliminary
announcement.
The statutory accounts have been prepared in accordance with
IFRS as adopted by the European Union. Details of the accounting
policies that will be applied in the statutory accounts are set out
in the 2017 Annual Report and Accounts of the Company.
A copy of this statement is available on the Company's website
at www.shorecap.gg.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical
cost basis, except for the revaluation of certain financial
instruments. The financial statements are rounded to the nearest
thousand except where otherwise indicated.
2. Segment Information
For management purposes, the Group is organised into business
units based on their services, and has four reportable operating
segments as follows:
-- Capital Markets provides research in selected sectors,
broking for institutional and professional clients, market-making
in AIM and small cap stocks, fixed income broking and corporate
broking and advisory for mid and small cap companies.
-- Asset Management provides advisory services and manages
specialist funds.
-- Central Costs comprises the costs of the Group's central
management team and structure
-- Principal Finance comprises investments and other holdings
acquired, together with principal finance activities conducted,
using the Group's own balance sheet resources.
Management monitors the operating results of its business
segments separately for the purpose of making decisions about
resource allocation and performance assessment. Segmental
performance is evaluated based on operating profit or loss.
Transfer prices between operating segments are on an arms-length
basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties.
Year ended Capital Asset Central Principal Consolidated
31 December Markets Management costs Finance
2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------ --------- ------------ -------- ---------- -------------
Revenue 27,230 12,906 - 1,760 41,896
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Results
Share of results
of associates - - - 805 805
Balance sheet
impairments - - - (1,883) (1,883)
Depreciation (262) (87) (65) (477) (891)
Interest expense (103) - - (327) (430)
Profit/(loss)
before tax 5,193 3,001 (1,651) (1,966) 4,577
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Assets 66,317 8,319 2,948 35,975 113,559
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Liabilities (33,300) (2,622) (637) (9,830) (46,389)
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Year ended Capital Asset Central Principal Consolidated
31 December Markets Management costs Finance
2016
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------ --------- ------------ -------- ---------- -------------
Revenue 28,286 10,446 - 676 39,408
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Results
Balance sheet
impairments - - - (2,664) (2,664)
Depreciation (298) (85) (57) (606) (1,046)
Interest expense (64) - - (327) (391)
Profit/(loss)
before tax 6,787 1,980 (2,119) (4,243) 2,405
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Assets 61,503 5,894 3,535 40,237 111,169
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
Liabilities (29,274) (2,149) (828) (11,833) (44,084)
========= ============ ======== ========== =============
No material amounts of revenue or profit before tax were
generated outside Europe.
3. Rates of Dividends Paid and Proposed
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------- --------
Amounts recognised as distributions
to equity holders in the
period:
Final dividend for the 1,088 -
year ended 31 December
2016 of 5.0p per share
Interim dividend for the 1,079 -
year ended 31 December
2017 of 5.0p per share
-------- --------
2,167 -
-------- --------
The directors propose a final dividend of 5.0p per share for the
year ended 2017 (2016: 5.0p per share).
4. Earnings per Share
The earnings and number of shares in issue or to be issued used
in calculating the earnings per share and diluted earnings per
share in accordance with IAS 33 were as follows:
As at 31 December 2017 there were 21,573,322 ordinary shares in
issue (2016: 21,768,791).
During the period the Group repurchased for cancellation 621,598
of its ordinary shares of no par value ("Ordinary Shares") at a
price of GBP2.38 per share and a further 320,000 at GBP2.40 per
share, a total cancellation of GBP2,247,000.
The Group also issued 746,129 new ordinary shares of no par
value pursuant to the exercise of options at GBP2.05 per share
totalling GBP1,530,000.
2017 2016
Basic Diluted Basic Diluted
-------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings (GBP) 2,826,000 2,826,000 1,302,000 1,302,000
Number of shares 21,645,329 22,019,172 21,768,791 22,347,760
Earnings per share (p) 13.1 12.8 6.0 5.8
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Calculation of number 2017 2016
of shares
Basic Diluted Basic Diluted
Weighted average number
of shares 21,645,329 21,645,329 21,768,791 21,768,791
Dilutive effect of share
option schemes - 373,843 - 578,969
21,645,329 22,019,172 21,768,791 22,347,760
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Notes
A copy of this announcement is available on the Company's
website at www.shorecap.gg. The annual report & accounts will
be sent to shareholders in due course and will also be available on
the Company's website from the date of posting.
FR PGUWGWUPRGPA
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