TIDMLBOW
RNS Number : 5034M
ICG-Longbow Snr Sec UK Prop DebtInv
14 October 2016
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments
Limited
Interim Report And Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim
Financial Statements
For the six months ended 31 July 2016
ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments Limited
(the "Company") is pleased to announce the release of its Interim
Financial Statements for the six months ended 31 July 2016 which
will shortly be available on the Company's website at
(www.lbow.co.uk) where further information on the Company can also
be found.
All capitalised terms are defined in the glossary of capitalised
defined terms unless separately defined.
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Interim
Financial Statements for the Group for the six months ended 31 July
2016.
Economic conditions in the period have been dominated to a great
extent by the lead up to (and subsequently the fallout from) the
referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU. During this
period of change and uncertainty, the Company has continued to
deliver a stable performance, maintaining its dividend, whilst the
repayment of two of the loans and subsequent reinvestment of
proceeds on terms accretive to shareholders has generated an
increase in NAV per share.
Portfolio
The investment portfolio saw some changes during the reporting
period, as the March 2016 repayment of the Mansion loan facility
(with associated exit and prepayment fees) allowed for redeployment
of capital into a new GBP22.40 million loan secured by two
industrial parks in Northern England, as advised in the Group's
Annual Report for the year ended 31 January 2016.
During the period, the borrower of the First Light Portfolio
repaid its loan of GBP1.75 million, together with interest and
prepayment fees of GBP0.16 million. Following the above
transactions, the portfolio now comprises 10 loans with a weighted
average portfolio LTV ratio of 57.31% (31 January 2016: 52.65%) and
the ICR has increased from 161% (31 January 2016) to 181%.
As reported by the Investment Manager below, the Sponsor of the
RAEES International loan has advised of its intention to repay its
facility (with associated exit and prepayment fees) and should this
proceed, there should be an opportunity for profitable
reinvestment, in line with the approach taken with the Mansion
proceeds.
The key potential impacts of the Brexit vote on sectors and
individual investments, where relevant, are considered in the
Investment Manager's Report in more detail below. However having
reviewed each investment in the context of the vote and its
immediate impact on the UK property market, we do not believe that
any of the investments should be subject to any impairment.
Revenue and Dividend Performance
Revenue for the six month period is GBP6.82 million (31 July
2015: GBP4.18 million), an increase on last year due to the exit
and prepayment fees received for the Mansion and First Light
redemptions.
The Company paid a first interim dividend of 1.50 pence per
share in respect of the quarter ended 30 April 2016 on 22 July
2016, and on 14 September 2016 declared a second interim dividend
in respect of the quarter ended 31 July 2016 of 1.50 pence per
share. This brings the dividends paid and payable for the six
months to 31 July 2016 to 3.00 pence per share.
NAV and Share Price Performance
Over the six month period the NAV of the Group increased to
GBP111.10 million whilst the NAV per share has increased by 2.48
pence per share to 102.66 pence per share.
The Company's shares traded in a range of 99.00 pence per share
to 104.00 pence per share finishing the quarter at a small premium
to NAV, reflecting the stable and predictable nature of the
underlying high yield income stream in a low interest
environment.
Outlook
As I outlined in our Annual Report, the effect of a UK vote to
leave the EU was likely to lead to uncertainty in both the wider
economy and property markets, and in the short period since the
referendum, this has proven to be the case. However, the underlying
property markets have shown signs of stabilisation following an
initial shock and the Board believes the defensive positioning of
the Group's loan portfolio continues to offer a good levels of
potential security.
The UK real estate debt investment market has evolved
substantially since the IPO, as demonstrated by the growth in debt
funds managed by ICG-Longbow from GBP242 million at IPO to in
excess of GBP3.1 billion today, covering senior debt, whole loan,
mezzanine and development loan investments. In support of this, the
Investment Manager's team has expanded from 11 professionals to 30
members today. Since October 2014, ICG-Longbow has been fully owned
by ICG plc, the specialist asset manager in private debt, credit
and equity and a FTSE 250 company, with assets under management of
EUR21.9 billion as at 30 June 2016.
Since its IPO on 5 February 2013, the Group has successfully
invested in a diversified portfolio of defensive senior debt
investments secured by UK commercial property. All loans have been
sourced and managed by ICG-Longbow. The predictable interest income
generated by the Group's loan portfolio has enabled payment of an
annual dividend equal to 6.00 pence per share. The NAV per share
has increased by 5% from 98.00 pence per share on 5 February 2013
to 102.66 pence per share as at 31 July 2016. Since the IPO to the
end of the period, the shares have traded with limited volatility
in a range of 99.00 pence per share to 106.75 pence per share.
The reduction in Bank of England Base Rate and fall in the
benchmark Sterling five-year swap rate gives comfort that the
Group's borrowers should be able to refinance into a benign
interest rate environment as the residual loan terms continue to
shorten, but only reinforces the fact that reinvesting loan
proceeds at the same risk and return profile as the existing
portfolio is not possible.
As highlighted in the latest Annual Report, the Board has
continued to work with the Investment Manager and our brokers
Cenkos on a review of the Group's strategy taking into account the
current interest rate environment and market conditions. The
objective of this review is to consider the investment policy and
objective ahead of the proposed continuation vote in 2017, to
facilitate the re-investment of proceeds from maturing loans, while
also forming a platform for the future growth of the Group.
The outcome of this review, is likely to contain a proposal to
invest in a wider range of UK real estate debt opportunities
including whole loans (higher LTV loans secured by a first
mortgage) and smaller loan opportunities generated by the
Investment Manager, as well as investments in loans as joint-lender
with other funds managed by ICG-Longbow and/or investments in such
funds. Any such proposal is expected to be communicated to
shareholders later this year. Our intention is to convene a General
Meeting early in 2017 at which shareholders will be asked to
approve a proposed change in the investment policy and objectives
and also the continuation of the Company for a further five years.
Further details will be announced in due course. Any change in
investment objective and policy will be subject to shareholder and
regulatory approval.
Jack Perry
Chairman
13 October 2016
Highlights
Performance
-- NAV of GBP111.10 million as at 31 July 2016 (31 January 2016: GBP108.41 million).
o NAV per share of 102.66 pence (31 January 2016: 100.18 pence).
-- Underlying earnings have increased from the prior period due
to exit and prepayment fees from the Mansion and First Light loan
repayments.
-- The capital receipts from these repayments have been
redeployed in a manner accretive to shareholders.
-- Profit after tax of GBP5.94 million for the six months ended
31 July 2016 (31 July 2015: GBP3.38 million).
o Earnings per share of 5.49 pence (31 July 2015: 3.12 pence).
Dividend
-- Total dividends paid or approved for the period ended 31 July
2016 of 3.00 pence per share (31 July 2015: 3.00 pence per share),
made up as follows:
o First interim dividend of 1.50 pence per share paid in respect
of the quarter ended 30 April 2016.
o Second interim dividend of 1.50 pence per share approved in
respect of the quarter ended 31 July 2016.
-- Second interim dividend details:
o Approved 14 September 2016
o Amount 1.50 pence per share
o Dividend ex-date 22 September 2016
o Dividend payment date 14 October 2016
Investment Portfolio
-- During the six-month period, the GBP18.07 million Mansion
loan was repaid in full together with exit and prepayment fees of
GBP2.56 million, and the proceeds reinvested into a new GBP22.40
million loan to Commercial Regional Space Ltd on terms accretive to
shareholders. The GBP1.75 million First Light Portfolio loan was
also repaid, in full, together with interest and prepayment fees of
GBP0.16 million.
-- As at 31 July 2016, the Group's investment portfolio
comprised 10 loans with an aggregate principal balance of GBP106.58
million (31 January 2016: GBP104.00 million).
-- The portfolio weighted average LTV was 57.31% (31 January
2016: 52.65%), reflecting changes to the composition of the loan
portfolio, and the weighted average ICR was 181% (31 January 2016:
161%).
-- The portfolio weighted average residual term was 2.3 years,
of which on average 1.2 years remains income protected (31 January
2016: residual term 2.8 years, income protected term 1.6
years).
For further information, please contact:
Heritage International Fund Managers Limited:
Mark Huntley +44 (0)14 8171 6000
James Christie
Cenkos Securities plc:
Will Rogers +44 (0)20 7397 1920
Maitland Consultancy Limited:
Rebecca Mitchell +44 (0)20 7379 5151
Seda Ambartsumian
Corporate Summary
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Group is to construct a
portfolio of good quality, defensive, senior debt investments
secured by first ranking fixed charges predominantly against UK
commercial property investments, providing target dividends of
circa 6% per annum on the IPO issue price, paid quarterly, with an
underlying target portfolio IRR of 8% per annum.
Structure
The Company is a non-cellular company limited by shares
incorporated in Guernsey on 29 November 2012 under the Companies
Law. The Company's registration number is 55917, and it has been
authorised by the GFSC as a registered closed-ended collective
investment scheme. The Company's ordinary shares were admitted to
the premium segment of the UK Listing Authority's Official List and
to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange as part
of its IPO, which completed on 5 February 2013. The issued capital
during the year comprises the Company's ordinary shares denominated
in Pounds Sterling. The Company makes investments in its portfolio
through ICG-Longbow Senior Debt S.A., the Company's wholly owned
subsidiary.
Investment Manager
The Investment Manager, which trades under the name of
ICG-Longbow, is authorised and regulated by the FCA. The assets of
the Group are managed by the Board after receiving advice from the
Investment Manager under the terms of the Investment Management
Agreement.
Investment Manager's Report
Investment Objective
The Investment objective of the Group is "...to construct a
portfolio of good quality, defensive, senior debt investments
secured by first ranking fixed charges predominantly against UK
commercial property investments, providing target dividends of
circa 6% per annum on the IPO issue price, paid quarterly, with an
underlying target portfolio IRR of 8% per annum..."
Fund facts
--------------- --------------------- ----------- ------------------------
Closed ended investment
Fund launch: 5 February 2013 Fund type: company
--------------- --------------------- ----------- ------------------------
Investment Intermediate Capital
Manager: Managers Limited Domicile: Guernsey
--------------- --------------------- ----------- ------------------------
Base currency: GBP Listing: London Stock Exchange
--------------- --------------------- ----------- ------------------------
Issued shares: 108.22 million ISIN code: GG00B8C23S81
--------------- --------------------- ----------- ------------------------
Management
fee: 1.0% LSE code: LBOW
--------------- --------------------- ----------- ------------------------
Website: www.lbow.co.uk
----------- ------------------------
Key portfolio statistics at
Share price & NAV at 31 July 2016 31 July 2016
------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Share price (pence per
share): 103.75 Number of investments: 10
----------------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------- --------
Percentage capital invested(2)
NAV (pence per share): 102.66 : 96.29%
----------------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------- --------
Weighted average investment
Premium/(discount): 1.06% coupon: 6.83%
----------------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------- --------
GBP112.28 Weighted avg. projected
Market capitalisation: million gross IRR (3) : 8.72%
----------------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------- --------
Approved dividend (pence
per share) (1) : 1.50 pence Weighted avg. LTV: 57.31%
----------------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------- --------
Dividend payment date(1) 14 October
: 2016 Weighted avg. ICR: 181%
----------------------------- ----------- --------------------------------------- --------
(1) For Quarter ended 31 July 2016 (3) Weighted average projected
(Ex-dividend date 22/09/2016). gross IRR reflects loan cashflows
(2) Loans advanced at amortised including interest, fees, advances
cost / Total equity attributable and repayments, comprising
to the owners of the Company. (i) actual cashflows arising
from loans in current portfolio
and repaid loans since origination
to date, and (ii) projected
cashflows from the current
portfolio through to each loan's
maturity.
Summary
At 31 July 2016, the investment portfolio comprised 10 loans
following the repayment in the second quarter of the First Light
Portfolio loan.
Each investment in the portfolio remains well secured from a
capital perspective, with a weighted average LTV exposure of
57.31%, an increase from the year-end LTV of 52.65% due to the
repayment of the Mansion Group Loan (exit at 39% LTV) and
subsequent new loan to Commercial Regional Space Limited (entry LTV
of 65%). The portfolio level gross expected IRR if held to
contracted loan term maturity, and recognising prepayment/exit fees
received to date, is 8.72%.
At the portfolio level, the ICR has improved following the
redemptions in the period to 181% (31 January 2016: 161%).
Group Performance
As previously mentioned, the Group's portfolio changed in the
quarter and as a result, profit after tax for the six months is
GBP5.94 million (5.49 pence per share), benefiting from the Mansion
and First Light prepayment and exit fees.
The Group's loan portfolio continues to perform in line with
expectations and in compliance with all of the Group's investment
parameters. With 1.15 years weighted average income protection
remaining as at 31 July 2016 (ranging from 0.7 years to 1.8 years),
the Company remains well positioned to continue to deliver its
target dividend during the period of income protection of the
current portfolio.
Portfolio
Portfolio statistics 31 July 2016 31 January 2016
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Number of loan investments 10 11
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Aggregate balance GBP106,579,750 GBP104,002,150
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Weighted average LTV 57.31% 52.65%
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Weighted average ICR 181% 161%
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Weighted average interest coupon 6.83% pa 7.40% pa
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Weighted average projected gross IRR(1) 8.72% pa 8.49% pa
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Weighted average unexpired loan term 2.30 years 2.81 years
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Weighted average unexpired interest income protection 1.15 years 1.60 years
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Cash held GBP4,293,242 GBP5,306,129
------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
(1) Weighted average projected gross IRR reflects loan cashflows
including interest, fees, advances and repayments, comprising (i)
actual cashflows arising from loans in current portfolio and repaid
loan since origination to date, and (ii) projected cashflows from
the current portfolio through to each loan's maturity.
Investment Portfolio as at 31 July 2016
Day Day
Unexp. Day 1 1 1 Balance Current Current
Term term balance LTV ICR outstanding LTV ICR
Project Region Sector start (years) (GBPm) (%) (%) (GBPm) (%) (%)
IRAF North
Portfolio(1) West Industrial/distribution Jul-13 2.34 14.20 55.3 193 11.94 43.5 210
Meadows RE
Fund II London Retail Sep-13 1.42 18.07 65.0 150 18.07 63.0 113
Northlands
Portfolio London Mixed use Nov-13 2.32 7.20 61.7 192 6.48 46.1 156
Hulbert
Properties Midlands Industrial/distribution Dec-13 2.34 6.57 65.0 168 6.57 55.4 188
Halcyon Ground
Rents National Industrial/distribution Dec-13 2.35 8.60 64.8 116 8.60 63.9 116
Carrara Ground North
Rents West Regional office Dec-13 2.35 1.30 65.0 113 1.30 65.0 113
Raees
International London Mixed use Dec-13 2.36 13.25 65.0 122 13.25 53.7 120
North
Lanos (York) East Other (hotel) Mar-14 2.42 10.00 64.9 122 10.00 50.0 125
Ramada North
Gateshead East Other (hotel) Apr-14 2.75 7.98 64.4 180 7.98 63.9 192
Commercial
Regional North
Space Ltd West Industrial/distribution Mar-16 2.70 22.40 64.0 280 22.40 64.0 312
Total / weighted average 2.30 109.57 63.6 179 106.58 57.3 181
------------------------------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- ----- ---- ------------ -------- --------
(1) IRAF Portfolio loan is a replacement of the LM Real Estate
loan. It is secured on substantially the same portfolio as the
previous LM Real Estate loan but with a new borrower and on
substanitally the same commercial terms. Day 1 figures represent LM
Real Estate loan opening position.
Market Update
Economy and Financial Markets
The reporting period was dominated by the news of the Brexit
vote, the outcome of which took many by surprise, notwithstanding
numerous polls before the event showing the result as being too
close to call. Although a swift coronation of Theresa May as the
new Prime Minister allied to accommodative monetary policy seems to
have gone some way to improving business sentiment, concerns remain
that uncertainty surrounding the precise terms of the UK's exit
from the EU may depress business activity and investment in the
short term. Ongoing global concerns, ranging from economic
uncertainties in the wider EU and China through to the forthcoming
US election, also add uncertainty.
The Bank of England has reaffirmed that the outlook for GDP
growth in the short to medium term has weakened, and a technical
recession remains a possibility. In July, the Bank implemented a
suite of policy initiatives to support the underlying economy, and
this stimulus package, coupled with a sharp devaluation in Sterling
since the referendum, may contribute to inflation increasing above
the stated annual target of 2%. At least in the short term, the
Bank of England appears to be prioritising providing stability to
the market over inflation targets.
The likelihood of Bank Rate reducing further, or staying at
0.25% for longer, has been reflected in a flattening of the yield
curve, with the benchmark 5 year swap rate showing a contraction of
over 50 basis points (to 0.45% per annum at 31 July 2016), when
compared with pre-referendum levels.
Impact of the Brexit vote on the UK Commercial Real Estate
Market
At present, we are unable fully to quantify the potential impact
of Brexit on the commercial occupier market or capital values.
However, whilst capital values have appreciated by over 25% since
April 2013 and ICG-Longbow has previously drawn attention to the
over-valued Central London office market and the negative change of
investor sentiment more generally over the past year, we do not
expect a correction of the magnitude of 2008/9 for the following
reasons:
-- the UK economy and property markets have entered this period
of uncertainty from a position of strength - employment is at
record highs; new construction remains at historic lows;
-- both banks and property markets have deleveraged materially over the last decade;
-- with the recent flight to Government Bonds, the UK property
market still continues to benefit from a significant (c.4%)
positive yield gap over the benchmark 10 year gilt which should
help underpin the market; and
-- with the exception of the Central London (and in particular
City of London office) markets, rental values in most markets do
not appear stretched.
Occupational Markets
Continued growth in employment and the ongoing low levels of new
development highlighted in our 31 July 2015 Interim Report put
upward pressure on rental levels in many sectors - both in terms of
actual rents achieved and expectations of future growth. This may
however be tempered going forward as major occupational decisions
are deferred or tenants hold out for better deals.
Not unexpectedly, the Central London office market saw subdued
demand in Q2 2016 with only 2.3 million sq. ft. of leasing
transactions, according to Capital Economics, pushing the vacancy
rate in the City from 4.6% in Q1 to 6.2%. CBRE Group reported that
the regional office market saw demand fall, with take-up in H1 2016
of 2.72 million sq. ft., 12% lower than H1 2015 (albeit 5% up on
the H1 average of the last five years).
The retail occupier market is closely linked to the outlook for
consumer spending, and recent data show sales climbing
year-on-year. Whilst the impact of the Brexit vote on consumer
behaviour remains to be seen, Knight Frank report that retail
indicators remain positive - vacancy rates continue to reduce
across shopping centres, retail parks and town centres to an
average 12.3%, the lowest level since November 2009.
The industrial occupier market continues to perform strongly
relative to other sectors, albeit with regional variations - the
South West has seen an unprecedented level of take-up of 2.4
million sq. ft., according to Knight Frank, four times the level of
take-up in H2 2015 and almost double the level of H1 2015. In the
Midlands there was circa 6 million sq. ft. of take-up in H1 2016,
33% higher than H1 2015.
Investment Markets
Transaction volumes in the investment market fell during Q2 2016
to GBP9.8 billion, according to Lambert Smith Hampton, representing
an 18% reduction from Q1 2016. We believe this can largely be
attributed to a 'reversion to the mean' after two record years in
2014 and 2015 rather than the uncertainty caused by the referendum
announcement (particularly in Q2 2016). Volumes in H1 2016 were
ahead of the equivalent period in 2013, for example, and broadly in
line with the 10-year average.
Although the UK's referendum result was unexpected for many in
the property industry, in general investor reaction has been
sanguine with few instances of sales at distressed levels. This is
due in part to the gating of open-ended property funds
post-referendum (following a surge in redemption requests), which
has allowed the affected funds sufficient time to conduct orderly
sales processes to generate liquidity. Many funds have now
re-opened for redemptions, with others announcing they are shortly
to do so.
The MSCI Index highlights a 17 basis point outward shift in
property equivalent yields in July, implying a capital value fall
of 2.8% month-on-month following a 0.3% drop in June. This fall was
seen across all main sectors, whilst certain markets showed greater
capital value falls (e.g. City of London showed a 4.2% reduction).
Overall, whilst transactional evidence is thin, we view the market
as going through a modest adjustment rather than a sizeable
correction, and certainly do not foresee a 2008-style crash. In
certain sectors, most notably City offices, this adjustment may
have been forthcoming anyway given pricing had in some instances
reached very frothy levels.
Looking forward, the fall in Bank Rate, coupled with the revised
long-term interest rate outlook and generally favourable supply
dynamics, should serve to underpin demand (and consequently value)
for commercial property, as investors are attracted by property
yields offering what is now a historically wide premium over gilts
of circa 4% per annum.
The annual De Montfort University real estate lending survey was
released during the period, showing that for year ending December
2015, aggregate value of outstanding debt secured by UK commercial
property stood at GBP168.4 billion; a year-on-year increase of
1.9%.
Activity in the property finance markets experienced a notable
slowdown in the first half of 2016, following a significant period
of growth during 2014 and 2015. The principal reason for this was
the reduced level of transactional activity in direct property
markets, driven by the twin effects of investor nervousness about
pricing levels, and uncertainty as to the outcome (and latterly the
effect) of the Brexit vote.
The Investment Manager also observed a general widening of
lending margins continuing into H1 2016, after having reached a low
point in the summer of 2015. Following the Brexit vote, margins on
senior debt have further increased by 25 - 50 basis points in
general, albeit it is still too early to determine whether this is
a temporary rise or will prove to be enduring. The effect of margin
increases on borrowers has however been more than offset by
reductions in both the Bank Rate and the benchmark five year swap,
such that in many cases all-in interest rates are now lower than
pre-referendum levels.
Portfolio Profile and Activity
Outside of the Mansion and First Light repayments and the
replacement loan, activity across the portfolio during the year has
centred on monitoring all the loans for their performance against
agreed business plans and with regard to previous quarters. All of
the investments are performing broadly in line with the
underwritten business plans. As at the 31 July 2016, the 10 loans
in the portfolio had a weighted coupon of 6.83%, down from 7.40% as
a result of replacing the Mansion loan (7% coupon) with the
Commercial Regional Space Limited loan (4.41%). However the
projected portfolio IRR has marginally increased to 8.72% owing to
the reinvestment of the capital and exit fees from the Mansion
repayment.
As discussed above the weighted average LTV has increased to
57.31% from the year-end whilst the ICR has increased to 181% (31
January 2016: 161%) due to the redemption of the Mansion Group loan
and the addition of the new Commercial Regional Space Limited loan.
The key portfolio events in the period were:
1. First Light Portfolio - The borrower decided to repay the
loan in full in order to refinance and release some of their
equity. The early repayment has triggered prepayment fees of
GBP0.16 million to the Group.
2. Commercial Regional Space Limited - Following the advance of
the GBP22.40 million loan in March 2016, the borrower has let
43,000 sq. ft. of vacant space to a tenant at a level significantly
above ERV. There has also been rental growth via renewals, with a
total of 31 leases having been agreed since closing and the
borrower generally progressing well with their business plan.
3. Lanos (York) - Having completed the refurbishment and
additional rooms the benefit is flowing through to revenue figures,
which are up circa GBP230,000 on last year. It is understood the
hotel is seeking to rebrand as a '4* plus' offering which should
provide scope to further drive room rates and revenues.
4. IRAF Portfolio - The borrower has reached an agreement with a
key tenant to vary the specification of works required to fulfil
certain landlords works obligations under the leases. Completion of
the works, which are scheduled for October 2016, triggers a key
tenant's obligation to pay rent.
5. RAEES International - The Sponsor has notified the Investment
Manager of its intention to repay the loan, together with all exit
and prepayment fees, via a refinancing from a third party
lender.
The Investment Manager continues to believe the Group's loan
portfolio to be satisfactorily secured, with a diversified risk
profile across sectors and regions, and exposure principally to
multi-property or multi-tenanted security. At a weighted average
57.31% LTV and 181% ICR, key credit metrics are believed to be
defensive.
Outlook
Although economic and property market conditions are likely to
be subject to some uncertainty in the short to medium term, the
Group's investment portfolio has entered this period from a
position of strength driven by its senior, secured exposure at
defensive LTV levels with strong interest cover. Furthermore, given
that the property profile is outside of some of the prime, mainly
central London markets, we believe that any negative impact on
commercial property valuations will be mitigated by the current
attractive yield premium over gilts.
As the residual loan terms and periods of income protection
reduce further, we may begin to see further repayments in the
underlying loan portfolio in the coming 12 months. In the short
term, we envisage the ability to reinvest any such proceeds in a
manner beneficial to the Group and in line with the investment
parameters. However, as the portfolio's income protection runs down
further, we will approach the point at which the continued
redeployment of repaid capital will not be possible in a manner
which meets both the Company's dividend target and its investment
parameters, which were collectively set in market conditions prior
to the IPO, when interest rates achievable on senior loans were
materially higher than today.
Based on our experience of investing and managing over GBP3
billion of capital in ICG-Longbow's UK commercial real estate debt
funds, covering senior debt, whole loans, mezzanine and development
funding, we do believe that investment in UK commercial real estate
debt continues to represent an attractive investment opportunity,
which delivers strong capital protection coupled with predictable
income streams. In view of this, and working in conjunction with
Cenkos Securities, we expect shortly to be in a position to bring
forward proposals to the Board to update the Company's Investment
Policy and/ or Investment Objective which will enable the Company
to reinvest repayment proceeds having regard to current and
expected market conditions, whilst continuing to deliver the
Company's shareholders attractive returns on both an absolute and
risk adjusted basis.
Loan Portfolio
As set out above, as at 31 July 2016, the Group's portfolio
comprised of 10 loans with an aggregate balance outstanding of
GBP106.58 million.
A summary of each of the individual loans as at 31 July 2016 is
set out below:
Loan 1 IRAF Portfolio
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initially a GBP14.20 million advance was made to LM Real Estate, to refinance a portfolio
of five multi-let industrial and distribution warehouse units located in the North West of
England, following which the borrower disposed of one of the properties resulting in a GBP0.9
million repayment.
LM Real Estate sold the majority of the remaining portfolio in September 2014 to an institutionally
backed borrower (IRAF Catch Ltd), managed by Infrared Capital Partners. A new GBP11.94 million
senior loan was made to IRAF Catch Ltd on substantially the same terms secured on the residual
portfolio, resulting in a net repayment of GBP1.365 million to reflect the excluded properties.
An agreement is now in place for certain upgrade works on a key tenant's warehouse unit, which
are expected to complete during Q4 2016. Upon completion gross income is forecast to increase
by circa GBP323,000. Current ICR will not be affected as currently 6 months' rent is held
on account. Performance is currently in-line with business plan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Number of properties 4 Day one debt GBP14,200,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP27,430,000 Debt outstanding GBP11,935,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP57 Original term 5.4 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 483,294 Maturity December 2018
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants 30 Current LTV 43.5%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 3.68 years Current ICR 210%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP24.70
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan 2 Meadow Real Estate Fund II
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An GBP18.07 million senior loan facility used to assist financing an established and well-supported
international real estate fund in the acquisition of a highly prominent retail park in North
London.
The borrower is an SPV owned by Meadow Real Estate Fund II LP and is managed by Meadow Partners,
an international real estate investor and asset manager. Meadow Partners' management team
has significant real estate investment experience and a proven track record, investing across
various transaction structures, geographic locations and property types.
The borrower's business plan has been to reconfigure the layout of the units to increase rents
on expiry of the three main existing leases. The sponsor is pursuing two options to improve
the scheme and a planning application has now been approved to re-configure the existing retail
space into six separate units.
Separately, the sponsor is advancing their planning application for a fully residential option
and has provided ICG-Longbow with a revised design proposal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
---------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Number of properties 1 Day one debt GBP18,070,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Property value (GBP) GBP28,700,000 Debt outstanding GBP18,070,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP309 Original term 4.3 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Property area sq. ft. 92,882 Maturity December 2017
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Number of tenants 1 Current LTV 63.0%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Weighted lease length 2.62 years Current ICR 113%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP194.55
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ---------------
Loan 3 Northlands Portfolio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP7.20 million senior loan facility used to refinance existing senior debt secured on a
mixed-use portfolio of high street retail and tenanted residential units located predominantly
in London and the South East. The borrower is Northlands Holdings and group affiliates on
a cross-collateralised basis.
The security portfolio comprises 15 properties with a highly diverse income stream from 39
retail and 57 residential tenants, with the largest tenants being Argos Distributors Ltd and
Tesco Stores Ltd, accounting for 10.3% and 8.5% of total rent respectively. The borrower completed
a small disposal from the property portfolio in July 2014, resulting in a GBP0.7 million part
prepayment of the loan, triggering prepayment and exit fees.
The borrower is progressing its business plan with residential conversions and a development
in Purley. It was agreed to release GBP110,000 from the interest reserve to fund costs to
date with a view to fund a further additional GBP500,000 to progress forthcoming works. This
has been approved by the Board (Luxco) and we await further confirmation from the borrower,
who is looking to rationalise the business structure to reduce corporate costs before proceeding.
The reserve release is reflected in a reduction in the ICR covenant test, which is still comfortably
above the cash trap limit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Number of properties 15 Day one debt GBP7,200,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP14,044,500 Debt outstanding GBP6,477,250
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP110.03 Original term 5.0 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 127,638 Maturity November 2018
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants 112 Current LTV 46.1%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 1.96 years Current ICR 156%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP50.75
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan 4 Hulbert Properties
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP6.57 million loan to refinance a well let portfolio of industrial units predominantly
located in Dudley in the West Midlands, with 80% by value being the 270,000 sq. ft. Grazebrook
Industrial Estate.
The borrower, Hulbert Properties Ltd, is a West Midlands based private property company. The
borrower is generally managing to replace tenants to enhance income and improve the leasing
profile. The borrower has secured three tenancies at will with a view to converting them to
longer, fixed term leases. The borrower has secured vacant possession of block 1 Grazebrook
that was a loss-making site, the plan is to demolish the existing units and market the resultant
yard space. This will increase net income by GBP24,000 per annum and improve the ICR by 5%.
The updated valuation (GBP11.9 million from GBP10.1 million (Day 1)) has materially reduced
the LTV from 65% to 55.4%. The property is performing well against the current business plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Number of properties 3 Day one debt GBP6,565,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP11,855,000 Debt outstanding GBP6,565,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP41.39 Original term 5.0 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 286,454 Maturity December 2018
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants 12 Current LTV 55.4%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 2.36 years Current ICR 188%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP22.92
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan 5 Halcyon Ground Rents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP8.60 million senior loan facility utilised to refinance a portfolio of freehold ground
rents.
The Halcyon security comprises a diversified portfolio of 21 freehold ground rent investments
with a weighted unexpired lease term of 87 years, of which 72% are industrial with leasehold
rents receivable geared to 22-25% of open market rentals, with the balance being leisure uses
at leasehold gearings of 50%.
The borrower has completed the substitution of a small property in Fenny Compton currently
valued at GBP600,000 for two properties in Camberwell, London; the substituted properties
are both London light industrial ground rent investments and have a combined valuation of
GBP685,000.
At 63.9% LTV and with 116% ICR, the gearing is at the top of the Group's investment parameters.
However, the defensive nature of the freehold ground rent investments means that the loan
benefits from very strong security.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of properties 21 Day one debt GBP8,600,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP13,459,000 Debt outstanding GBP8,600,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP34.21 Original term 5.0 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 393,368 Maturity December 2018
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants 4 Current LTV 63.9%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 87.47 years Current ICR 116%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP21.86
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan 6 Carrara Ground Rents
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP1.30 million senior loan facility was used to refinance an individual ground rent investment.
The Carrara security comprises a single virtual freehold ground rent investment located in
Leeds with an unexpired lease term of 84 years, subject to a 25% rental gearing. The property
is a modern office building located on an established business park accessed from the M1 motorway,
which is fully let to a strong covenant until 2018.
At 65.0% LTV and 113% ICR the gearing is at the top of the Group's investment parameters.
However, the defensive nature of the freehold ground rent investments means that the loan
benefits from very strong security.
No material activity on the loan or security portfolio took place during the reporting period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
--------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Number of properties 1 Day one debt GBP1,300,000
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP2,000,000 Debt outstanding GBP1,300,000
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP82.00 Original term 5.0 years
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 24,470 Maturity December 2018
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants 1 Current LTV 65.0%
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 84.44 years Current ICR 113%
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP53.13
------------------------------ ------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan 7 RAEES International
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP13.25 million refinance of a mixed retail and residential portfolio in good locations
in North East London.
The borrower is 100% owned and controlled by an offshore investor, with asset management provided
by a UK asset manager.
The sponsor has notified the Investment Manager of its intention to repay the loan, together
with all exit and prepayment fees, via a refinancing from a third party lender.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Number of properties 24 Day one debt GBP13,250,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP24,685,000 Debt outstanding GBP13,250,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP299 Original term 5.0 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 82,530 Maturity December 2018
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants 114 Current LTV 53.7%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 4.44 Current ICR 120%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP160.55
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan 8 Lanos (York)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP10.00 million loan to Lanos (York) Limited, which has a maturity date of December 2018.
The advance included the funding of a GBP2.5 million capital expenditure reserve, charged
to the lender, to meet the costs of construction and extension and a refurbishment.
The borrower, part of a specialist hotel development and management group, operates the hotel
under a franchise agreement from Best Western.
The Facility is secured by a first and only charge on the 125 room Best Western York Monkbar
Hotel, which is located close to the city centre of York. The established, mid-market hotel
benefited from a stabilised income profile and offered the potential to grow income and value
through a planned refurbishment and 26 bedroom extension, funded through a ring-fenced element
of the Facility.
The benefits of the refurbishment and additional rooms are starting to come through in the
revenue figures, which are up circa GBP230,000 on this time last year, improving ICR from
107% to 125%.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property Profile Debt profile
------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Number of properties 1 Day one debt GBP10,000,000
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP20,000,000 Debt outstanding GBP10,000,000
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/bed) 160,000 Original term 4.8 years
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- --------------
Bedrooms 125 Maturity December 2018
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- --------------
Current LTV 50.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------
Current ICR 125%
------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------
Loan exposure per bed GBP80,000
------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------
Loan 9 Ramada Gateshead
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP7.98 million loan to Quay Hotels Limited, which has a maturity date of April 2019.
The investment is secured by a first and only charge over the Ramada Encore hotel in Gateshead,
a modern 200 bedroom hotel that was constructed in 2012. The secured property, which is operated
by Wyndham Hotels Group, is situated in a highly visible location in Gateshead Quays, adjacent
to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and within a short walk of the Sage Gateshead concert
venue and the Millennium footbridge, which links Gateshead and Newcastle quayside areas.
Occupancy for the period is up on last year and the hotel has recently secured Santander as
a corporate client.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Number of properties 1 Day one debt GBP7,982,500
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- -------------
Property value (GBP) GBP12,500,000 Debt outstanding GBP7,982,500
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- -------------
Property value (GBP/bed) GBP62,500 Original term 5.0 years
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- -------------
Bedrooms 200 Maturity April 2019
-------------------------- --------------- ----------------------- -------------
Current LTV 63.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
Current ICR 192%
------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
Loan exposure per bed GBP39,913
------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
Loan 10 Commercial Regional Space Limited
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A GBP22.40 million loan to Commercial Regional Space Limited and affiliates made on 16 March
2016.
The loan has a maturity date of April 2019 and is fully compliant with the parameters set
out in the Prospectus, with the GBP22.40 million loan balance representing 19.96% of the Group's
gross assets as at the date of completion.
The loan is secured by first charges against two multi-let industrial estates located in Lancashire
comprising 1.25 million sq. ft. of accommodation and providing a highly diversified income
stream from lettings to over 140 tenants.
Since financing in March 2016 headline gross contracted rent has increased by 18.4% from GBP2.95
million to GBP3.49 million though circa GBP360,000 of agreed uplifts are not due until Q316.
Consequentially this has had a positive impact on ICR, which has increased from 280% and is
projected to rise to 345%, an increase of 57%, once full headline rent is due with a forecast
NRI of circa GBP3.17 million.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property profile Debt profile
---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Number of properties 2 Day one debt GBP22,400,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP) GBP35,000,000 Debt outstanding GBP22,400,000
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property value (GBP/sq. ft.) GBP28 Original term 3 years
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Property area sq. ft. 1,249,029 Maturity April 2019
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Number of tenants/occupancy 181 Current LTV 64.0%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Weighted lease length 2.40 Current ICR 312%
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Loan exposure per sq. ft. GBP17.93
------------------------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The Company, through its subsidiary, invests primarily in UK
commercial real estate loans of a fixed rate nature; as such it is
exposed to the performance of the borrower, and underlying property
on which its loans are secured. The Company's key risks are
discussed below. In this statement references to the Company also
apply to the Group as a whole.
The Directors have identified the following as the key risks
faced by the Company:
-- inherently subjective valuations of property and property-related assets;
-- real estate loans made by the Company may, after funding, become non-performing;
-- loan principals may be repaid earlier than anticipated, which
may lead to the Company replacing such pre-paid loans with lower
yielding investments;
-- in the event of a repayment, in whole or in part, the Company
may not be able to reinvest the surplus cash on terms that are
accretive in value to shareholders; and
-- a change in tax legislation.
The principal risks and uncertainties of the Company were
identified in further detail in the Annual Financial Statements for
the year ended 31 January 2016. There have been no changes to the
Company's principal risks and uncertainties for the six months
ended 31 July 2016 and no changes are anticipated in the second
half of the year. The Company's principal risk factors are fully
discussed in the Company's Prospectus, available on the Company's
website (www.lbow.co.uk) and should be reviewed by
shareholders.
Subsequent Events
On 14 September 2016, the Company approved a second interim
dividend of 1.50 pence per Ordinary Share in respect of the quarter
ended 31 July 2016.
Intermediate Capital Managers Limited
13 October 2016
Directors' Responsibilities Statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Report
in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Directors
confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
-- the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim
Financial Reporting" and give a true and fair view of the assets,
liabilities and financial position and the profit of the Group as
required by DTR 4.2.4R; and
-- the Chairman's Statement and Investment Manager's Report meet
the requirements of an interim management report, and include a
fair review of the information required by:
a. DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an
indication of important events that have occurred during the period
from 1 February 2016 to 31 July 2016 and their impact on the
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements; and
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the
remaining six months of the financial year; and
b. DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being
related party transactions that have taken place from 1 February
2016 to 31 July 2016 and that have materially affected the
financial position or performance of the Group during that period;
and any changes in the related party transactions described in the
audited Financial Statements that could do so.
On behalf of the Board
Jack Perry
Chairman
13 October 2016
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD TO 31 JULY 2016
1 February 2016 1 February 2015
to 31 July 2016 to 31 July 2015
GBP GBP
Notes (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Income
Income from loans 4,104,702 4,179,953
Other fee income from loans 2,708,330 -
Income from cash and cash equivalents 3,553 3,713
----------------------------
Total income 6,816,585 4,183,666
---------------- ----------------------------
Expenses
Investment management fees 10 548,127 536,151
Administration fees 10 89,645 82,114
Directors' remuneration 10 77,500 77,500
Luxco operating expenses 48,779 23,173
Broker fees 26,990 21,614
Audit fees 17,500 17,500
Legal & professional fees 5,497 1,675
Listing fees 4,848 3,100
Other expenses 59,763 39,738
Total expenses 878,649 802,565
---------------- ----------------------------
Profit for the period before tax 5,937,936 3,381,101
---------------- ----------------------------
Taxation 104 1,138
Profit for the period after tax 5,937,832 3,379,963
---------------- ----------------------------
Total comprehensive income for the period 5,937,832 3,379,963
---------------- ----------------------------
Basic and diluted Earnings per share (pence) 6 5.49 3.12
---------------- ----------------------------
All items within the above statement have been derived from
continuing activities.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 July 2016
31 July 2016 31 January 2016
GBP GBP
Notes (Unaudited) (Audited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents 4,293,242 5,306,129
Trade and other receivables 229,472 28,357
Loans advanced at amortised cost 5 106,981,981 104,040,510
TOTAL ASSETS 111,504,695 109,374,996
------------- ----------------
LIABILITIES
Other payables and accrued expenses 404,532 966,087
TOTAL LIABILITIES 404,532 966,087
------------- ----------------
NET ASSETS 111,100,163 108,408,909
============= ================
EQUITY
Share capital 106,038,522 106,038,522
Retained earnings 5,061,641 2,370,387
TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE OWNERS OF THE COMPANY 111,100,163 108,408,909
============= ================
Number of ordinary shares in issue at period/year end 7 108,219,250 108,219,250
============= ================
Net Asset Value per ordinary share (pence) 6 102.66 100.18
============= ================
The Interim Financial Statements were approved by the Board of
Directors on 13 October 2016 and signed on their behalf by:
Jack Perry Patrick Firth
Chairman Director
13 October 2016
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the six month period to 31 July 2016
Number Share Retained
Notes of shares capital earnings Total
GBP GBP GBP
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
As at 1 February 2016 108,219,250 106,038,522 2,370,387 108,408,909
Profit for the period - - 5,937,832 5,937,832
Dividends paid 8 - - (3,246,578) (3,246,578)
As at 31 July 2016 108,219,250 106,038,522 5,061,641 111,100,163
============ ============ ============ ============
Number Share Retained
Notes of shares capital earnings Total
GBP GBP GBP
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
As at 1 February 2015 108,219,250 106,038,522 2,172,440 108,210,962
Profit for the period - - 3,379,963 3,379,963
Dividends paid 8 - - (3,246,578) (3,246,578)
As at 31 July 2015 108,219,250 106,038,522 2,305,825 108,344,347
============ ============ ============ ============
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the six month period to 31 July 2016
Six months to Six months to
31 July 2016 31 July 2015
Notes GBP GBP
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Cash flows generated from operating activities
Profit for the period 5,937,832 3,379,963
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Movement in other receivables (201,115) 3,547
Movement in other payables and accrued expenses (563,648) (12,347)
Movement in tax payable 2,093 (14,795)
Loan amortisation (373,295) (379,500)
-------------- --------------
4,801,867 2,976,868
Loans advanced less arrangement fees 5 (22,400,000) -
Loans repaid 19,831,824 -
-------------- --------------
Net loans advanced less arrangement fees (2,568,176) -
-------------- --------------
Net cash generated from operating activities 2,233,691 2,976,868
-------------- --------------
Cash flows used in financing activities
Dividends paid 8 (3,246,578) (3,246,578)
Net cash used in financing activities (3,246,578) (3,246,578)
-------------- --------------
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents (1,012,887) (269,710)
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period 5,306,129 5,293,805
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 4,293,242 5,024,095
============== ==============
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these Interim
Financial Statements.
1. General information
ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments Limited
is a non-cellular company limited by shares and was incorporated in
Guernsey under the Companies Law on 29 November 2012 with
registered number 55917 as a closed-ended investment company. The
registered office and principal place of business of the Company is
Heritage Hall, PO Box 225, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port,
Guernsey, GY1 4HY, Channel Islands.
The Company's shares were admitted to trading on the Main Market
of the London Stock Exchange on 5 February 2013.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
comprise the financial statements of the Group as at 31 July
2016.
The investment objective of the Group is to construct a
portfolio of good quality, senior debt investments secured by first
charges against predominantly UK commercial property
investments.
The Investment Manager, which trades under the name of
ICG-Longbow, is authorised and regulated by the FCA. The assets of
the Group are managed by the Board under the advice of the
Investment Manager under the terms of the Investment Management
Agreement.
2. Accounting policies
a) Basis of preparation
The Interim Financial Statements included in this Interim
Report, have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim
Financial Reporting', as adopted by the EU, and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the FCA.
The Interim Financial Statements have not been audited or
reviewed by the Company's Auditor.
The Interim Financial Statements do not include all the
information and disclosures required in the Annual Financial
Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 January 2016,
which are available on the Company's website (www.lbow.co.uk). The
Annual Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with
IFRS as adopted by the EU.
The same accounting policies and methods of computation have
been followed in the preparation of these Interim Financial
Statements as in the Annual Financial Statements for the year ended
31 January 2016.
b) Going concern
The Directors, at the time of approving the Interim Financial
Statements, have a reasonable expectation that the Group has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future and do not consider there to be any threat to
the going concern status of the Group.
The Group is now fully invested with a total loan portfolio
representing 96% of the net capital raised and expects that the
loan portfolio will generate enough cash flows to pay on-going
expenses and returns to shareholders. The Directors have considered
the cash position and performances of current investments made by
the Group and have concluded that it is appropriate to adopt the
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Interim
Financial Statements.
The Directors have specifically considered the implications of
the continuation vote on the application of the going concern
basis. The Directors shall convene a general meeting of the Company
on or before the fifth anniversary of Admission (and every year
thereafter), and shall propose an ordinary resolution that the
Company continues its business as a closed-ended collective
investment scheme. The Directors consider that it is likely that
such a resolution would be passed, given the past performance of
the Company and therefore are satisfied that it is appropriate to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Interim Financial
Statements.
c) Segmental reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the
internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker.
The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for
allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating
segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors, as a
whole. The key measure of performance used by the Board to assess
the Company's performance and to allocate resources is the total
return on the Group's Net Asset Value, as calculated under IFRS,
and therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of
profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the Interim
Financial Statements.
For management purposes, the Group is organised into one main
operating segment, being the provision of a diversified portfolio
of UK commercial property backed senior debt investments.
The majority of the Group's income is derived from loans secured
on commercial and residential property in the United Kingdom.
The Directors do not analyse the portfolio based on geographical
segments on the basis that all of the Group's non-current assets
are invested in the United Kingdom.
Due to the Group's nature, it has no employees.
3. Seasonal and cyclical variations
The Group's results do not vary significantly during reporting
periods as a result of seasonal activity.
4. Critical accounting judgements in applying the Group's accounting policies
The preparation of the Interim Financial Statements under IFRS
requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions
that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and
associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other
factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances,
the results of which form the basis of making judgements about
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an
on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in
the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects
only that period or in the period of the revision and future period
if the revision affects both current and future periods.
Impairment is considered to be the most critical accounting
judgement and estimate that the Directors make in the process of
applying the Group's policies and which has the most significant
effect on the amounts recognised in the Interim Financial
Statements (see note 5).
Revenue recognition is considered a significant accounting
judgement and estimate that the Directors make in the process of
applying the Group's accounting policies.
The Directors consider judgements and estimations in determining
the fair value of prepayment options embedded within the contracts
for loans advanced. The key factors considered in the valuation of
prepayment options include the exercise price, the interest rate of
the host loan contract, differential to current market interest
rates, the risk free rate of interest, contractual terms of the
prepayment option, and the expected term of the option.
5. Loans advanced
31 July 31 July 31 January 31 January
2016 2016 2016 2016
Principal At Principal advanced At amortised
advanced amortised cost
cost
GBP GBP GBP GBP
Loan 1 - Mansion Student Fund - - 18,070,000 18,094,883
Loan 2 - IRAF Portfolio 11,935,000 12,062,455 11,935,000 12,035,342
Loan 3 - Meadows Retail Estate Fund II 18,070,000 18,212,796 18,070,000 18,126,290
Loan 4 - Northlands Portfolio 6,477,250 6,488,274 6,477,250 6,461,444
Loan 5 - Hulbert Properties 6,565,000 6,581,483 6,565,000 6,555,633
Loan 6 - Halcyon Ground Rents 8,600,000 8,620,016 8,600,000 8,586,116
Loan 7 - Cararra Ground Rents 1,300,000 1,303,026 1,300,000 1,297,901
Loan 8 - Raees International 13,250,000 13,280,285 13,250,000 13,228,131
Loan 9 - Lanos (York) 10,000,000 10,011,189 10,000,000 9,970,705
Loan 10 - Ramada Gateshead 7,982,500 7,977,396 7,982,500 7,947,125
Loan 11 - First Light Portfolio - - 1,752,400 1,736,941
Loan 12 - Commercial Regional Space Limited 22,400,000 22,445,061 - -
------------ ------------ ------------------- -------------
106,579,750 106,981,981 104,002,150 104,040,510
============ ============ =================== =============
The Directors consider that the carrying value amounts of the
loans, recorded at amortised cost in the Interim Financial
Statements, are approximately equal to their fair value.
Amortised cost is calculated using the effective interest rate
method, which takes into account all contractual terms (including
arrangement and exit fees) that are an integral part of the loan
agreement. As these fees are taken into account when determining
initial net carrying value, their recognition in profit or loss is
effectively spread over the life of the loan.
The Group's investments are in the form of bilateral loans, and
as such are illiquid investments with no readily available
secondary market. Whilst the terms of each loan includes repayment
and prepayment fees, in the absence of a liquid secondary market,
the Directors do not believe a willing buyer would pay a premium to
the par value of the loans to recognise such terms and as such the
amortised cost represents the fair value of the loans.
Each property on which investments are secured was subject to an
independent, third party valuation at the time the investment was
entered into. All investments are made on a hold to maturity basis.
Each investment is monitored on a quarterly basis, in line with the
underlying property rental cycle, including a review of the
performance of the underlying property security. No market or other
events have been identified through this review process, which
would result in a fair value of the investments significantly
different to the carrying value.
The majority of loans are performing and the balance outstanding
in each case is at a substantial discount to the value of the
underlying real estate on which they are secured, the Directors do
not consider the loans to be impaired, or for there to be a risk of
not achieving full recovery.
On 8 March 2016, the Group received a repayment of GBP18,070,000
on the Mansion loan. As part of this repayment, the Group received
a total of GBP2,788,166 in interest and exit and prepayment fees in
accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.
On 16 March 2016, following the repayment of the Mansion loan,
together with exit and prepayment fees received and additional
cash, the Group made a new loan of GBP22,400,000 million to
Commercial Regional Space Limited and affiliates. The loan has a
maturity date of April 2019 and is fully compliant with the
parameters set out in the Prospectus.
On 1 July 2016, the Group received a repayment of GBP1,752,400
on the First Light Portfolio loan. As part of this repayment, the
Group received a total of GBP156,759 in interest and exit and
prepayment fees in accordance with the terms of the loan
agreement.
6. Earnings per share and Net Asset Value per share
Earnings per share
1 February 2016 to 1 February 2015 to
31 July 2016 31 July 2015
Profit for the period (GBP) 5,937,832 3,379,963
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 108,219,250 108,219,250
------------------- -------------------
Basic and diluted EPS (pence) 5.49 3.12
Adjusted basic and diluted EPS (pence) 2.98 3.12
=================== ===================
The calculation of basic and diluted Earnings per share is based
on the profit for the period and on the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period.
The calculation of adjusted basic and diluted Earnings per share
is based on the profit for the period, adjusted for one-off other
fee income during the period totalling GBP2,708,330 (31 July 2015:
GBPnil).
There are no potentially dilutive shares in issue.
Net Asset Value per share
31 July 2016 31 January 2016
NAV (GBP) 111,100,163 108,408,909
Number of ordinary shares in issue 108,219,250 108,219,250
------------- -----------------------------
NAV per share (pence) 102.66 100.18
============= =============================
The calculation of NAV per share is based on Net Asset Value and
the number of ordinary shares in issue at the period/year end.
7. Share capital
As at 31 July 2016, the Company had 108,219,250 (31 January
2016: 108,219,250) issued and fully paid ordinary shares with a par
value of GBP1 each.
8. Dividends
Dividends paid
Dividend per share Total dividend
1 February 2016 to 31 July 2016 Pence GBP
Interim dividend in respect of quarter ended 31 January 2016 1.50 1,623,289
Interim dividend in respect of quarter ended 30 April 2016 1.50 1,623,289
3.00 3,246,578
=================== ===============
Dividend per share Total dividend
1 February 2015 to 31 July 2015 Pence GBP
Interim dividend in respect of quarter ended 31 January 2015 1.50 1,623,289
Interim dividend in respect of quarter ended 30 April 2015 1.50 1,623,289
3.00 3,246,578
=================== ===============
Dividend proposed
On 14 September 2016, the Directors approved an interim dividend
in respect of the quarter ended 31 July 2016 of GBP1,623,289
equating to 1.50 pence per ordinary share to shareholders on the
register as at the close of business on 22 September 2016.
9. Financial Risk Management
The Group through its investment in senior loans is exposed to a
variety of financial risks. The main risks arising from the Group's
financial instruments are: market risk (including currency risk and
interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk and are fully
disclosed on pages 60 to 63 of the Annual Financial Statements.
10. Related Party Transactions and Directors' Remuneration
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the
ability to control the other party or exercise significant
influence over the party in making financial or operational
decisions.
In the opinion of the Directors, on the basis of shareholdings
advised to them, the Company has no immediate or ultimate
controlling party.
Directors
Mark Huntley, a Director of the Company, is also a Director of
the Company's Administrator. During the period, the Company
incurred administration fees in relation to services provided by
the Company's Administrator of GBP89,645 (31 July 2015: GBP82,114)
of which GBP30,833 (31 January 2016: GBP25,669) was outstanding at
the period/year end. Mark Huntley also received a Director's fee
for the period of GBP13,750 (31 July 2015: GBP13,750) of which
GBP6,875 (31 January 2016: GBP6,875) was outstanding at the
period/year end.
The Company Directors' fees for the period amounted to GBP77,500
(31 July 2015: GBP77,500) with outstanding fees of GBP38,750 (31
January 2016: GBP38,750) due to the Directors at 31 July 2016.
Investment Manager
Investment Management fees for the period amounted to GBP548,127
(31 July 2015: GBP536,151) of which GBP277,189 (31 January 2016:
GBP813,075) was outstanding at the period/year end.
11. Subsequent events
On 14 September 2016, the Company approved a second interim
dividend of 1.50 pence per Ordinary Share in respect of the quarter
ended 31 July 2016.
glossary of capitalised defined terms
"Administrator" means Heritage International Fund Managers
Limited;
"Admission" means the admission of the shares to the premium
listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the London
Stock Exchange;
"Annual Report" or "Annual Report and Consolidated Financial
Statements" means the annual publication of the Group provided to
the shareholders to describe their operations and financial
conditions, together with their Consolidated Financial
Statements;
"AST" means assured shorthold tenancy;
"Audit Committee" means the Audit and Risk Management Committee,
a formal committee of the Board with defined terms of
reference;
"Bank Rate" means the Bank of England Base Rate;
"Board" or "Directors" or "Board of Directors" means the
directors of the Company from time to time;
"Brexit" means the potential departure of the UK from the
EU;
"Companies Law" means the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, (as
amended);
"Company" means ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt
Investments Limited;
"Disclosure and Transparency Rules" or "DTRs" means the
disclosure rules and transparency rules made by the FCA;
"EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortisation;
"EPS" or "Earnings per share" means Earnings per ordinary share
of the Company and is expressed in Pounds Stirling;
"ERV" means Estimated Rental Value;
"EU" means the European Union;
"Euro" or "EUR" means Euros, the currency introduced at the
start of the third stage of European economic and monetary
union;
"FCA" means the UK Financial Conduct Authority (or its successor
bodies);
"Financial Statements" or "Consolidated Financial Statements"
means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group,
including the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated
Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows, and associated notes;
"GDP" means gross domestic product;
"GFSC" means the Guernsey Financial Services Commission;
"Group" means the Company, ICG Longbow Senior Secured UK
Property Debt Investments Limited together with its wholly owned
subsidiary, ICG Longbow Senior Debt S.A. (Luxco);
"IAS" means international accounting standards as issued by the
Board of the International Accounting Standards Committee;
"ICG" means Intermediate Capital Group PLC;
"IFRS" means the International Financial Reporting Standards,
being the principles-based accounting standards, interpretations
and the framework by that name issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board, as adopted by the EU;
"IRR" means Internal Rate of Return;
"Interest Cover Ratio" or "ICR" means the debt/profitability
ratio used to determine how easily a company can pay interest on
outstanding debt;
"Interim Financial Statements" means the unaudited interim
condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group, including
the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and associated
notes;
"Interim Report" means the Company's interim report and
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for
the period ended 31 July;
"Investment Manager" or "ICG-Longbow" means Intermediate Capital
Managers Limited;
"IPD" means the Investment Property Databank;
"IPO" means the Company's initial public offering of shares to
the public, which completed on 5 February 2013;
"ISIN" means an International Securities Identification
Number;
"Listing Rules" means the listing rules made by the UK Listing
Authority under section 73A Financial Services and Markets Act
2000;
"London Stock Exchange" or "LSE" means London Stock Exchange
plc;
"LTV" means Loan to Value ratio;
"Luxco" means the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, ICG-Longbow
Senior Debt S.A.;
"Luxembourg Administrator" means MAS International S.à r.l.
being the administrator of Luxco;
"Management Engagement Committee" means a formal committee of
the Board with defined terms of reference;
"MSCI Index" means the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Index;
"NAV per share" means the Net Asset Value per ordinary share of
the Company and is expressed in Pounds Stirling;
"Net Asset Value" or "NAV" means the value of the assets of the
Group less its liabilities, calculated in accordance with the
valuation guidelines laid down by the Board, further details of
which are set out in the Prospectus;
"Nomination Committee" means a formal committee of the Board
with defined terms of reference;
"NRI" means Net Rental Income;
"Official List" is the list maintained by the Financial Conduct
Authority (acting in its capacity as the UK Listing Authority) in
accordance with Section 74(1) of the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000;
"Prospectus" means the prospectus published on 31 January 2013
by the Company in connection with the IPO of ordinary shares;
"Registrar" Capita Registrars (Guernsey) Limited;
"REIT" means Real Estate Investment Trust;
"SDLT" means stamp duty land tax;
"SPV" means special purpose vehicle;
"UK" or "United Kingdom" means the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland;
"UK Listing Authority" or "UKLA" means the Financial Conduct
Authority;
"US" means the United States of America; and
"GBP" or "Pounds Sterling" means British pound sterling and
"pence" means British pence.
directors and general information
Board of Directors Independent Auditor English Solicitors to
Jack Perry (Chairman) Deloitte LLP the Company
Stuart Beevor Chartered Accountants King & Wood Mallesons
Patrick Firth PO Box 137 LLP
Mark Huntley Regency Court 10 Queen Street Place
Paul Meader Glategny Esplanade London
St. Peter Port EC4R 1BE
Guernsey
Audit Committee GY1 3HW
Patrick Firth (Chairman) Guernsey Advocates to
Jack Perry the Company
Stuart Beevor Guernsey Administrator Carey Olsen
Paul Meader and Company Secretary Carey House
Heritage International PO Box 98
Fund Managers Limited Les Banques
Management Engagement Heritage Hall St Peter Port
Committee PO Box 225 Guernsey
Jack Perry (Chairman) Le Marchant Street GY1 4BZ
Stuart Beevor St. Peter Port
Patrick Firth Guernsey
Paul Meader GY1 4HY Bankers
ABN AMRO (Guernsey)
Limited
Nomination Committee Luxembourg Administrator PO Box 253
Jack Perry (Chairman) MAS International Admiral Park
Stuart Beevor 6c Rue Gabriel Lippmann Martello Court
Patrick Firth Munsbach St Peter Port
Mark Huntley Luxembourg Guernsey
Paul Meader L-5365 GY1 3QJ
Barclays Bank plc
Investment Manager Registrar 6-8 High Street
Intermediate Capital Capita Registrars (Guernsey) St Peter Port
Managers Limited Limited Guernsey
Juxon House Longue Hougue House GY1 3BE
100 St Paul's Churchyard St Sampson
London Guernsey Lloyds Bank International
EC4M 8BU GY2 4JN Limited
PO Box 136
Sarnia House
Registered office Corporate Broker and Le Truchot
Heritage Hall Financial Adviser St Peter Port
PO Box 225 Cenkos Securities plc Guernsey
Le Marchant Street 6-8 Tokenhouse Yard GY1 4EN
St Peter Port London
Guernsey EC2R 7AS The Royal Bank of Scotland
GY1 4HY International
Royal Bank Place
1 Glategny Esplanade
Identifiers St Peter Port
ISIN: GG00B8C23S81 Guernsey
Sedol: B8C23S8 GY1 4BQ
Ticker: LBOW
Website: www.lbow.co.uk
-------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------
cautionary statement
The Chairman's Statement and Investment Manager's Report have
been prepared solely to provide additional information for
shareholders to assess the Company's strategies and the potential
for those strategies to succeed. These should not be relied on by
any other party or for any other purpose.
The Chairman's Statement and Investment Manager's Report may
include statements that are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can
be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including
the terms "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects",
"intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their
negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements include all matters that are
not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout
this document and include statements regarding the intentions,
beliefs or current expectations of the Directors and the Investment
Manager, concerning, amongst other things, the investment
objectives and investment policy, financing strategies, investment
performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity,
prospects, and distribution policy of the Company and the markets
in which it invests.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance.
The Company's actual investment performance, results of
operations, financial condition, liquidity, distribution policy and
the development of its financing strategies may differ materially
from the impression created by the forward-looking statements
contained in this document.
Subject to their legal and regulatory obligations, the Directors
and the Investment Manager expressly disclaim any obligations to
update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to
reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
statement is based.
ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments
Limited
Heritage Hall, PO Box 225,
Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey,
GY1 4HY, Channel Islands.
T +44 (0) 1481 716000
F +44 (0) 1481 730617
Further information available online:
www.lbow.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR BUBDGCUBBGLX
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 14, 2016 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Icg-longbow Senior Secur... (LSE:LBOW)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Icg-longbow Senior Secur... (LSE:LBOW)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024