TIDMLIO
RNS Number : 1212I
Liontrust Asset Management PLC
15 June 2017
Embargoed until 0700 hours, Thursday 15 June 2017
LIONTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC
FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 31 MARCH 2017
Liontrust Asset Management Plc ("Liontrust", the "Company", or
the "Group"), the independent fund management group, today
announces its results for the year ended 31 March 2017.
Results:
-- Adjusted profit before tax of GBP17.2 million (2016: GBP14.6 million), an increase of 18%
-- Profit before tax of GBP9.1 million (2016: GBP9.4 million), a
decrease of 3%. This includes costs of GBP8.1 million (2016: GBP5.2
million) relating to the amortisation of the related intangible
asset and other non-cash and non-recurring costs (see note 5
below)
-- Revenues of GBP51 million (2016: GBP45 million), an increase
of 15%. This includes GBP4.0 million of performance fee revenues
(2016: GBP7.4 million).
Dividend:
-- Second Interim dividend per share of 11.0 pence (2016: 9.0
pence), which will be payable on 19 July 2017. This brings the
total dividend per share for the financial year ending 31 March
2017 to 15.0 pence (2016: 12.0 pence), an increase of 25%
Assets under management:
-- On 31 March 2017, assets under management ("AuM") were GBP6.5
billion (2016: GBP4.8 billion), an increase of 36%. The acquisition
of Alliance Trust Investments Limited ("ATI") completed on 1 April
2017 adding GBP2.5 billion to AuM, taking AuM on 3 April 2017 to
GBP9.1 billion
-- Assets under management as at close of business on 13 June 2017 were GBP9.344 billion
Flows:
-- Net inflows for the year to 31 March 2017 of GBP482 million (2016: GBP255 million)
Commenting on the results, John Ions, Chief Executive, said:
"It has been another successful year for Liontrust as we have
recorded a seventh successive year of positive net flows and have
continued to develop the infrastructure of the business.
Our AuM has risen to GBP9.3 billion on 13 June 2017 and we are
well positioned to move forward in an ever-more competitive and
demanding environment. The investment we have made in the
infrastructure of the Company, client servicing and distribution
combined with the broadening of the investment proposition create
an excellent platform to continue our growth.
At a time when asset management is up front and central in
providing solutions, it is more surprising how confused the
industry looks.
Well managed and focused businesses, whether large or small,
should benefit from this and continue to grow successfully."
For further information please contact:
Liontrust Asset Management 020 7412 1700
John Ions, Vinay Abrol www.liontrust.co.uk
Simon Hildrey - Chief Marketing Officer
Numis Securities Limited 020 7260 1000
Charles Farquhar, Andrew Holloway
Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited 020 3037 2000
Advisory - Jonny Allison, Kavita Choitram
Corporate Broking - Alex Reynolds, Nicholas Harland
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
In my Chairman's Statement in last year's Annual report, I wrote
that "we also face challenges from outside our industry, including
yet another year of political uncertainty". It is now clear this
was a great understatement and there can be few 12-month periods
that have produced such a series of political shocks culminating in
last week's General Election.
Stock markets, however, have largely brushed off the vote for
Brexit and Donald Trump becoming US President in January to such an
extent that the FTSE 100 has reached an all-time high in 2017 and
we have been experiencing the second longest bull market in
history. I doubt many people would have said this time last year
that markets would be where they are today if they had known in
advance the result of the UK Referendum and the US Presidential
election even if sterling has depreciated as most commentators
expected following the Brexit vote.
Now we are faced with a hung Parliament at Westminster with all
the political uncertainty that this brings, along with the
possibility of another General Election later this year. Once
again, at the time of writing, there has been a benign reaction
from the stock market in contrast to performance of Sterling.
The last year has been an important reminder of the difficulty
of predicting and timing market movements and the benefits and
value of financial advice and long-term investment as opposed to
knee-jerk reactions. Economies, markets and investors will always
be confronted by challenges and potential threats as well as
opportunities. Therefore, the key for investors is to stay focused
on what will enable them to achieve their long-term goals rather
than analyse intra-day movements in equity markets.
At Liontrust, we have brought together a talented group of fund
management teams who believe that rigorous investment processes are
key to long-term performance and risk control. They do not get
distracted by short-term events and noise but stay true to their
own documented investment processes. The success of this
disciplined approach is shown by our teams' long-term performance
records, which also demonstrate the value that active management
can deliver for investors. The addition of our new European Income
and Sustainable Investment teams over the last year have
strengthened further our fund management capability.
Like investors, asset management businesses are continually
confronted by potential challenges and threats along with numerous
opportunities. It is easy to list the challenges that the industry
is or could be facing, whether it is political uncertainty, current
valuations in equity markets, the growth in flows into passive
investments or technological disrupters.
None of these are reasons will prevent us from growing
Liontrust, however, as we have done so successfully over the past
few years through generating net sales and acquisitions. We have
shown that sectors do not need to be in favour with investors for
us to enjoy net positive sales into our funds.
This growth has been achieved through strong leadership and
management, delivering value to investors over the long term and
continuing to develop our sales and marketing capability. We focus
on our strengths in running the business and are disciplined in
enacting our strategy to grow our AuM, earnings and profitability
as our Results for the 2016-17 financial year demonstrate.
The general election campaign in the UK has highlighted very
clearly yet again the importance of every individual taking on
responsibility for ensuring they have sufficient funds for their
retirement and to achieve their other financial goals. Financial
advice and fund management will become increasingly, not less,
important in the future to help people achieve this.
I would like to thank our shareholders, investors and staff for
all their support and loyalty to Liontrust. Due to the leadership
of the business and the hard work of everyone at the Company, we
are in a great position to continue to overcome any challenges and
benefit from the tailwinds behind the industry.
Results
Adjusted profit before tax was GBP17.235 million (2016:
GBP14.623 million). Adjusted profit before tax is disclosed in
order to give shareholders an indication of the profitability of
the Group excluding non-cash (depreciation, intangible asset
amortisation and share incentivisation related) expenses and
non-recurring (professional fees relating to acquisition, cost
reduction, restructuring, share incentivisation and severance
compensation related) expenses ("Adjustments"), see note 5 below
for a reconciliation of adjusted profit (or loss) before tax.
Profit before tax is GBP9.103 million (2016: GBP9.404
million).
Dividend
The success in fund performance and distribution has resulted in
an increase in revenues excluding performance fees of 26% and an
18% increase in our adjusted profit before tax to GBP17.2 million.
This has enabled the Board to declare a Second Interim dividend of
11.0 pence per share (2016: 9.0 pence) which will be payable on 19
July 2017 to shareholders who are on the register as at 23 June
2017, the shares going ex-dividend on 22 June 2017. The total
dividend for the financial year ending 31 March 2017 is 15.0 pence
per share (2016: 12.0 pence per share), an increase of 25% compared
with last year.
Adrian Collins
Chairman
14 June 2017
Chief Executive's Statement
Introduction
The growth of Liontrust over the past seven years has been
driven by the Company focusing on what we can control and not being
distracted by events we cannot manage. The core of our strategy has
been to generate strong investment performance for our investors
over the long term, deliver a first-class service, communicate
clearly and frequently with our investors, broaden our
distribution, deepen our client relationships and engagement, and
raise our brand awareness and profile. The expansion of the Company
over the last financial year is evidence of the continued success
of this strategy.
We generated gross sales of more than GBP2 billion and net
inflows of GBP482 million in the financial year to 31 March 2017,
with our AuM increasing by 36% to GBP6.5 billion. The adjusted
profit before tax increased by 18% to GBP17.2 million and revenues
were up 15% to GBP51 million. At a time when the ability of asset
managers to grow organically is being questioned, these figures are
especially pleasing.
This is even more so when it is considered that our expansion
over the past year has been achieved against a challenging
background for selling equity funds in general and the UK All
Companies sector in particular in the UK. The Investment
Association reported that from April 2016 to March 2017, there were
net retail outflows from equity funds in eight of the 12 months.
The Investment Association's UK All Companies sector was the worst
performing for net retail sales in seven of these months although
it was the best seller in March 2017.
The continued strength of our fund management capability is
evidenced by our long-term performance. Take the Liontrust Special
Situations Fund as an example. Since launch on 10 November 2005 to
31 March 2017, the Fund generated a total return of 333.28%
compared to 118.64% by the FTSE All-Share index. Our other teams
have delivered strong performance as well. The Cashflow Solution's
European Growth Fund has returned 153.24% since launch on 15
November 2006 compared to 77.22% by the MSCI Europe ex UK index.
These returns demonstrate the mistake of dismissing all active fund
management.
We have further expanded our fund management capability over the
past year by completing the acquisition of the Argonaut European
Income business and announcing the purchase of Alliance Trust
Investments Limited ("ATI"). The acquisition of ATI was completed
on 1 April 2017 and added GBP2.5 billion to take our AuM to GBP9.1
billion on 3 April.
The addition of the Sustainable Investment team gives us a
strong proposition in an area of investment that we believe will
only grow in demand and significance. According to the European SRI
Study of 2016, EUR11 trillion (GBP9.5 trillion) is currently
invested in sustainable and responsible investment across Europe
with EUR1.5 trillion coming from the UK.
We now have a presence in many of the core asset classes for UK
investors. These are UK and continental European growth funds;
equity income funds; risk-targeted solutions for investors seeking
to accumulate wealth and in retirement; and sustainable
investment.
We have also strengthened further our distribution capability in
the UK and internationally. Ian Chimes joined us in February 2017
as Head of Global Distribution and he has recruited two regional
salesmen for the North of England, Scotland and the Midlands. This
will enhance our client service further through understanding and
engaging with a broader range of clients.
The brand awareness and understanding of Liontrust and the
engagement with the Company has grown among intermediaries and
consumers, and reflects our distinct identity and strong messaging.
This is being driven particularly by our advertising, press
coverage, investor communications and sponsorships. Our new website
and expanding digital activity will enhance further our marketing
capability and engagement with intermediaries and consumers.
Assets under Management
On 31 March 2017, our AuM stood at GBP6,523 million (2016:
GBP4,791 million) an increase of 36% over the financial year. A
reconciliation of AuM as at 31 March 2017 is as follows:
Offshore
Process Total Institutional UK Retail MPS(1) Funds
(GBPm) (GBPm) (GBPm) (GBPm) (GBPm)
Cashflow Solution 927 525 307 - 95
Economic Advantage 3,926 265 3,596 - 65
Macro Thematic 653 254 369 - 30
European Income 240 - 240 - -
Asia 94 - 85 - 9
Structural Opps 20 - - - 20
Multi-Asset 612 352 - 260 -
Indexed 51 - 51 - -
Total 6,523 1,396 4,648 260 219
(1) Managed Portfolio Services are where we act as discretionary
fund manager to a range of model portfolios which are marketed to
advisory intermediaries in the UK.
Funds Flows
Liontrust recorded net inflows of GBP482 million in the
financial year to 31 March 2017 (2016: GBP255 million). A
reconciliation of fund flows over the financial year is as
follows:-
Offshore
Total Institutional UK Retail MPS(1) Funds
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Opening AuM - 1 April
2016 4,791 1,138 3,330 204 119
Net flows 482 3 368 32 79
Acquisitions 272 - 272 - -
Market and Investment
performance 978 255 678 24 21
Closing AuM - 31 March
2017 6,523 1,396 4,648 260 219
(1) Managed Portfolio Services are where we act as discretionary
fund manager to a range of model portfolios which are marketed to
advisory intermediaries in the UK.
Outlook
There has been much discussion about the squeezed middle in the
asset management industry. Companies either have to be global
players or niche boutiques to survive and prosper, so goes the
argument. We believe this is a simplistic and incorrect view of the
development of the market.
Liontrust is not alone in showing that you do not have to be a
boutique or a global group to be able to generate growth year after
year. We have also delivered value for our investors through strong
fund performance over the long term.
Following the investment we have made in the infrastructure of
the business over the past few years, Liontrust is now both larger
and more robust and this will enable us to drive forward the next
phase of our growth strategy.
John Ions
Chief Executive
14 June 2017
Extracts from the Strategic Report
UK Retail fund performance
Our funds continue to deliver strong long-term performance.
Eight out of eleven of our UK unit trusts are in the first or
second quartile of their respective sectors since launch or since
the current managers took over the running of the funds.
Quartile ranking Quartile Quartile Quartile Launch
- Since Launch/Manager ranking ranking ranking Date/Manager
Appointed - 5 year - 3 year - 1 year Appointed
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust UK Growth
Fund 1 2 1 1 25/03/2009
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust Special
Situations Fund 1 1 1 1 10/11/2005
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust UK Smaller
Companies Fund 1 1 1 1 08/01/1998
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust UK Micro
Cap Fund 2 - - 2 09/03/2016
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust Macro Equity
Income Fund 1 3 4 3 31/10/2003
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust Macro UK
Growth Fund 1 4 4 4 01/08/2002
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust European
Growth Fund 1 2 1 1 15/11/2006
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust Asia Income
Fund 1 1 2 2 05/03/2012
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust European
Income Fund 3 3 3 4 15/12/2005
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust European
Enhanced Income Fund 4 4 4 4 30/04/2010
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Liontrust Global Income
Fund 4 - 4 3 03/07/2013
------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
Source: Financial Express, total return, bid to bid, to 31 March
2017 unless otherwise stated, based on primary share classes. The
above funds are all UK authorised unit trusts (primary share
class). Liontrust FTSE 100 Tracker Fund (index fund) not included.
Past performance is not a guide to the future; the value of
investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise.
Investors may not get back the amount originally subscribed.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 March 2017
Year Year
ended ended
31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 51,508 44,991
Cost of sales (50) (51)
-------------------- ----------
Gross profit 3 51,458 44,940
Realised (loss)/profit on sale of financial
assets 6 (1)
Unrealised profit on financial assets 134 -
Administration expenses 4 (42,506) (35,551)
-------------------- ----------
Operating profit 9,092 9,388
Interest receivable 11 16
-------------------- ----------
Profit before tax 9,103 9,404
Taxation (2,275) (2,094)
-------------------- ----------
Profit for the year 6,828 7,310
Other comprehensive income - -
Total comprehensive income 6,828 7,310
==================== ==========
Pence Pence
Earnings per share
Basic 6 15.15 16.48
Diluted 6 14.75 16.06
The notes 1 to 11 form an integral part of this condensed
consolidated financial information.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2017
31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16
GBP'000 GBP'000
Assets
Non current assets
Intangible assets 3,640 2,550
Property, plant and equipment 195 247
Deferred tax assets 964 1,052
---------- ----------
Total non current
assets 4,799 3,849
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 68,066 35,413
Financial assets 1,404 139
Cash and cash equivalents 16,956 18,967
Total Current assets 86,426 54,519
---------- ----------
Liabilities
Non current liabilities
DBVAP liability (322) -
---------- ----------
Total non current
liabilities (322) -
---------- ----------
Current liabilities
Trade and other
payables (63,960) (31,279)
Corporation tax
payable (393) (911)
Total Current liabilities (64,353) (32,190)
---------- ----------
Net current assets 22,073 22,329
---------- ----------
Net assets 26,550 26,178
========== ==========
Shareholders' equity attributable
to owners of the parent
Ordinary shares 454 454
Share premium - 17,692
Capital redemption reserve 19 19
Retained earnings 28,936 9,330
Own shares held (2,859) (1,317)
Total equity 26,550 26,178
========== ==========
The notes 1 to 11 form an integral part of this condensed
consolidated financial information.
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 31 March 2017
Year Year
ended ended
31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash received from operations 56,460 48,614
Cash paid in respect of operations (42,489) (38,337)
Net cash paid for changes in unit
trust receivables and payables (363) (583)
-------------------------- --------------------------
Net cash generated from
operations 13,608 9,694
Interest received 11 16
Tax paid (2,705) (1,833)
-------------------------- --------------------------
Net cash generated from operating
activities 10,914 7,877
-------------------------- --------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment (73) (93)
Acquisition of investment management
contracts (4,083) -
Purchase of ICIs (95) (207)
Purchase of DBVAP Financial Asset (940) -
Purchase of seeding investments (252) (98)
Sale of seeding investments 151 191
-------------------------- --------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (5,292) (207)
-------------------------- --------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchase of own shares (1,738) (1,136)
Dividends paid (5,895) (3,960)
-------------------------- --------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (7,633) (5,096)
-------------------------- --------------------------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents (2,011) 2,574
Opening cash and cash equivalents* 18,967 16,393
Closing cash and cash equivalents 16,956 18,967
========================== ==========================
* Cash and cash equivalents consists only of cash balances.
The notes 1 to 11 form an integral part of this condensed
consolidated financial information.
Consolidated Statement of Change in Equity
For the year ended 31 March 2017
Ordinary Share Capital Retained Own shares Total
shares premium redemption earnings held Equity
GBP GBP
'000 GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000 '000
Balance at 1 April
2016 brought forward 454 17,692 19 9,330 (1,317) 26,178
Profit for the
year - - - 6,828 - 6,828
Total comprehensive
income for the
year - - - 6,828 - 6,828
Dividends
paid - - - (5,895) - (5,895)
Capital reduction - (17,692) - 17,692 - -
Purchase of own
shares - - - - (1,738) (1,738)
Purchase of ICI's - - - (95) - (95)
EBT share option
settlement - - - (133) 196 63
Equity share options
issued - - - 1,209 - 1,209
Balance at 31 March
2017 454 - 19 28,936 (2,859) 26,550
======================== ========= ========= =========== ========= =========== ========
Consolidated Statement of Change in Equity
For the year ended 31 March 2016
Ordinary Share Capital Retained Own shares Total
shares premium redemption earnings held Equity
GBP GBP
'000 GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000 '000
Balance at 1 April
2015 brought forward 454 17,692 19 11,395 (5,812) 23,748
Profit for the
year - - - 7,310 - 7,310
Total comprehensive
income for the
year - - - 7,310 - 7,310
Dividends
paid - - - (3,960) - (3,960)
Purchase of own
shares - - - - (1,136) (1,136)
Purchase of ICI's - - - (5,838) 5,631 (207)
Equity share options
issued - - - 423 - 423
Balance at 31 March
2016 454 17,692 19 9,330 (1,317) 26,178
======================== ========= ========= =========== ========= =========== ========
The notes 1 to 10 form an integral part of this condensed
consolidated financial information.
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Accounting policies
The Group's accounting policies are consistent with those set
out in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March
2016.
2. Segmental reporting
The Group's operates only in one business segment - Investment
management.
The Group offers different fund products through different
distribution channels. All financial, business and strategic
decisions are made centrally by the Board, which determines the key
performance indicators of the Group. The Board reviews financial
information presented at a Group level. The Board, is therefore,
the chief operating decision-maker for the Group. The information
used to allocate resources and assess performance is reviewed for
the Group as a whole. On this basis, the Group considers itself to
be a single-segment investment management business.
3. Revenue (Gross Profit)
Year Year
Ended ended
31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16
GBP'000 GBP'000
- Revenue(1) 47,459 37,634
- Performance fee revenue 4,049 7,357
---------- ----------
Gross Profit 51,508 44,991
============================ ========== ==========
(1) Revenue includes investment management fees, initial charges
and commissions and box profits.
4. Administration expenses
Year ended Year ended
31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16
GBP'000 GBP'000
Employee related expenses
Director and employee costs 5,721 4,459
Pensions 305 217
Share incentivisation expense 1,487 671
DBVAP expense 188 -
Severance compensation 53 93
---------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
7,754 5,440
Non-employee related expenses
Members drawings charged as an expense 19,062 17,665
Share incentivisation expense members 1,762 -
Members severance compensation 165 -
Professional services (restructuring,
acquisition related and other)* 1,359 1,884
Depreciation and Intangible asset
amortisation 3,118 2,571
Other administration expenses 9,286 7,991
42,506 35,551
======================================== =========== ===========
* Includes legal expense relating to a claim made by a former
member (see note 8)
5. Adjusted profit before tax
Adjusted profit before tax is disclosed in order to give
shareholders an indication of the profitability of the Group,
non-cash (depreciation, intangible asset amortisation and share
incentivisation related) expenses and non-recurring (acquisition,
cost reduction, restructuring, share incentivisation and severance
compensation related) expenses ("Adjustments"), and is reconciled
in the table below.
Year ended Year ended
31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit for the year 6,828 7,310
Taxation 2,275 2,094
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
Profit 9,103 9,404
Share incentivisation expense 3,249 671
DBVAP expense 188 -
Severance compensation 218 93
Professional services (restructuring, acquisition
related and other)(1) 1,359 1,884
Depreciation and Intangible asset amortisation 3,118 2,571
----------------------------------------------------
Adjustments 8,132 5,219
Adjusted profit before tax 17,235 14,623
Interest receivable (11) (16)
Adjusted operating profit 17,224 14,607
==================================================== =========== ===========
Adjusted basic earnings per share(2) 30.60 26.38
Adjusted basic earnings per share (excluding
performance fees) (2)(3) 28.19 22.07
Adjusted diluted earnings per share(2) 29.79 25.70
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (excluding
performance fees)(2)(3) 27.45 21.50
---------------------------------------------------- ----------- -----------
(1) Includes legal expense relating to a claim made by a former
member (see note 8)
(2) Assumes a tax rate of 20% (2016: 20%)
(3) Performance fee revenues contribution calculated in line
with operating margin of 33% (2016: 33%)
6. Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profit
after taxation for the year and the weighted average number of
Ordinary Shares in issue for each year. The weighted average number
of Ordinary Shares was 45,059,188 for the year (2016:44,346,674).
Shares held by the Liontrust Asset Management Employee Trust are
not eligible for dividends and are treated as cancelled for the
purposes of calculating earnings per share.
Diluted earnings per share are calculated on the same bases as
set out above, after adjusting the weighted average number of
Ordinary Shares for the effect of options to subscribe for new
Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Shares held in the Liontrust Asset
Management Employee Trust that were in existence during the year
ended 31 March 2017. The adjusted weighted average number of
Ordinary Shares so calculated for the year was 46,285,217 (2016:
45,518,720). This is reconciled to the actual weighted number of
Ordinary Shares as follows:
2017 2016
number number
Weighted average number of Ordinary
Shares 45,059,188 44,346,674
Weighted average number of dilutive Ordinary
shares under option:
- to the Liontrust Long Term Incentive
Plan 789,963 -
- to the Liontrust Option Plan 30,949 37,062
- to the Deferred Bonus and Variable
Allocation Plan 395,144 324,602
- to the Liontrust Members Incentive
Plan 9,973 810,382
Adjusted weighted average number of
Ordinary Shares 46,285,217 45,518,720
=========== ===========
7. Financial assets
The Group holds financial assets that have been categorised
within one of three levels using a fair value hierarchy that
reflects the significance of the inputs into measuring the fair
value. These levels are based on the degree to which the fair value
is observable and are defined as follows:
a) Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted
prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and
liabilities;
b) Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs
other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as
prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and
c) Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from
valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability
that are not based on observable market data.
As at the balance sheet date all financial assets are
categorised as Level 1.
Assets held at fair value through profit and loss:
The Group's assets held at fair value through profit and loss
represent shares in the Liontrust GF Global Strategic Equity Fund,
and units in the Liontrust Global Income Fund, the Liontrust Macro
Equity Income Fund, the Liontrust UK Growth Fund and the Liontrust
Asia Income Fund. Any Foreign currency assets are translated at
rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and any exchange
rate differences arising are shown in note 6 of the financial
statements.
Assets held as available-for-sale:
The Group's assets held as available-for-sale represent shares
in the Liontrust GF Water & Agriculture Fund, the GF Global
Strategic Equity Fund, the GF European Smaller Companies Fund, the
GF European Strategic Equity Fund, The GF Asia Income Fund, the GF
Macro Equity Income Fund and the GF UK Growth Fund (all sub-funds
of Liontrust Global Funds PLC) and are valued at bid price); and
units in the Liontrust Global Income Fund, The Liontrust Macro
Equity Income Fund, the Liontrust Asia Income Fund and the
Liontrust UK Growth Fund. The gain on the fair value adjustments
during the year net of tax was GBPnil (2016:GBPnil). Any Foreign
currency assets are translated at rates of exchange ruling at the
balance sheet date and any exchange rate differences arising are
shown in other comprehensive income.
8. Contingent assets and liabilities
The Group can earn performance fees on some of the segregated
and fund accounts that it manages. In some cases a proportion of
the fee earned is deferred until the next performance fee is
payable or offset against future underperformance on that account.
As there is no certainty that such deferred fees will be
collectable in future years, the Group's accounting policy is to
include performance fees in income only when they become due and
collectable and therefore the element (if any) deferred beyond 31
March 2017 has not been recognised in the results for the year.
In the normal course of business a contingent liability has
arisen in relation to a claim made by a former member against
Liontrust Asset Management Plc, Liontrust Investment Partners LLP
("LIP"), Liontrust Investment Services Limited and the individual
members of LIP. As the timing and amount of any potential liability
is unknown and cannot be reliably estimated at this stage they are
not disclosed.
9. Key risks
The Directors have identified the risks and uncertainties that
affect the Group's business and believe that they are substantially
the same for this year as the current risks as identified in the
2016 Annual Report and Accounts. These can be broken down into
risks that are within the management's influence and risks that are
outside it.
Risks that are within management's influence include areas such
as the expansion of the business, prolonged periods of
under-performance, loss of key personnel, human error, poor
communication and service leading to reputational damage and
fraud.
Risks outside the management's influence include falling
markets, terrorism, a deteriorating UK economy, investment industry
price competition and hostile takeovers.
Management monitor all risks to the business, they record how
each risk is mitigated and have warning flags to identify increased
risk levels. Management recognise the importance of risk management
and view it as an integral part of the management process which is
tied into the business model.
10. Directors responsibility statement
To the best of their knowledge and belief, the Directors confirm
that:
The consolidated financial statements of Liontrust Asset
Management PLC, prepared on a going concern basis in accordance
with IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of Liontrust
Asset Management PLC and the undertakings included in the
consolidation taken as a whole;
The announcement includes a fair summary of the development and
performance of the business and the position of Liontrust Asset
Management PLC and the undertakings included in the consolidation
taken as a whole and a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face.
11. Events after the reporting period
On 1 April 2017, the Company acquired all of the ordinary shares
in Alliance Trust Investments Limited (subsequently renamed
Liontrust Investments Limited) for GBP29.14 million, satisfied
partly in cash and partly by means of an issue of the Company's
ordinary share capital.
The equity instruments issued on completion date comprise of
4.06 million of the Company's ordinary shares and the fair value is
GBP15.84 million.
Additionally, the group has agreed to pay the seller additional
consideration which will be satisfied by the allotment and issue of
1.02m of the Company's ordinary shares valued at the date of
exchange of the shares. The fair value of the deferred
consideration is GBP3.96 million at the acquisition date.
The net assets acquired on 1 April 2017 is GBP9.34m.
The difference between the consideration and net assets acquired
is due to intangibles and/or goodwill but at the date of issue of
these financial statements, the valuation of these is not complete.
An updated disclosure, including the valuation of the balances,
will be included in the Half- Yearly Report.
Forward Looking Statements
This Full Year Results announcement contains certain
forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition,
results of operations and businesses and plans of the Group. These
statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they
relate to events and depend upon circumstances that have not yet
occurred. There are a number of factors that could cause actual
results or developments to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. As a
result, the Group's actual future financial condition, results of
operations and business and plans may differ materially from the
plans, goals and expectations expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Liontrust undertakes no obligation
publicly to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as
may be required by applicable law and regulation (including the
Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority). Nothing in this
announcement should be construed as a profit forecast or be relied
upon as a guide to future performance.
The Annual Report and Accounts is expected to be posted to
shareholders on or around 28 June 2017.
The release, publication, transmission or distribution of this
announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be
restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into
which this announcement is released, published, transmitted or
distributed should inform themselves about and observe such
restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may
constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction.
END
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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June 15, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
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