TIDMSAIN
RNS Number : 6762U
Scottish American Investment Co PLC
31 July 2020
RNS Announcement
The Scottish American Investment Company P.L.C. (SAINTS)
Legal Entity Identifier: 549300NF03XVC5IFB447
Regulated Information Classification: Interim Financial
Report.
Results for the six months to 30 June 2020
3/4 SAINTS has delivered a positive net asset value total return
(debenture at fair value) over the first six months of 2020,
returning 1.6%. Over the same period, global equities(*) returned
0.7%, whilst the Global Equity Income sector return was -5.3%. The
Company was the top performing fund in the sector in NAV terms over
the period, and remains the top performing fund in the sector over
the past five years.
3/4 SAINTS' revenues per share over the period were 6.09p
compared to 6.58p for the equivalent period last year. The
resilience of the Company's revenues in a notably challenging
period has been helped by the Manager's emphasis on
dependability.
3/4 The Company has declared a second interim dividend of 3.00p.
Taken with the first interim dividend, the dividends over the
period of 6.00p represent an increase of 2.1% over the amount paid
for the equivalent period in 2019.
3/4 To satisfy market demand the Company issued over GBP25m of
shares over the period at a premium to Net Asset Value.
3/4 The Board and the Managers are optimistic about SAINTS' long
term prospects for resilient income growth. The Company's income
has held up well, and the Managers have been able to augment the
portfolio by adding some new names which they have long admired at
attractive prices.
Fee reduction
3/4 The Board and Mangers are pleased to announce that Baillie
Gifford's fee on relevant assets above GBP500m has been reduced to
35 basis points. The first GBP500m will continue to be charged at
45 basis points and OLIM's fee for managing SAINTS' property will
remain at 50 basis points.
* FTSE All-World Index
Source: Morningstar
Interim Management Report
The net asset value total return (debenture at fair value) for
the first six months of 2020 was 1.6% and the share price total
return was -1.9%. The total return on global equities, as measured
by the FTSE All-World Index(*) in sterling, was 0.7%. These figures
mask a significant setback for the market in the first quarter, as
Covid-19 related fears and disruption grew, and a subsequent
rebound.
Earnings per share for the six months fell to 6.09p compared to
6.58p in the same period last year. Given that the world has
experienced probably the most challenging environment for corporate
dividends in living memory, we believe that this circa 7% decline
is an encouraging result. Forecasts are still somewhat
up-in-the-air, but for comparison it appears that dividends
worldwide are likely to fall by 15%-20% in 2020, compared with
2019. Meanwhile, UK corporate dividends will be down by perhaps
40%-50%.
The resilience in SAINTS' income stream, combined with the
Company's substantial revenue reserves, has allowed the Board to
raise dividends to SAINTS shareholders in these challenging times.
A first interim dividend of 3.00p was paid at the end of June and a
second interim dividend of 3.00p is payable on 18 September 2020.
The total amount of these dividends, 6.00p, is 2.1% higher than the
amount paid for the corresponding period in 2019. Inflation, as
measured by CPI, was 0.6% over the year to end June 2020.
Relative to our somewhat nervous expectations from earlier in
the year, income from the vast majority of the companies in SAINTS'
portfolio has held up well, and many have exceeded our
expectations. Investments like Microsoft, Fastenal, Roche and
Nestlé have actually increased their dividends year-on-year - truly
a signal of their financial strength and their optimism about the
future. Overall the crucial factor in the resilience of SAINTS'
dividend stream has been the type of business in which we invest.
Companies which have capital-light business models, meaning those
which do not require huge sums of capital to generate future
growth, are naturally more resilient dividend payers. These are the
types of company we favour, operating in areas such as software,
healthcare and consumer goods. In addition, SAINTS has benefited
greatly from its global approach. Examples from further afield
worth mentioning include Want Want, the Chinese food manufacturer,
and B3, the Brazilian securities exchange, both of which have
recently announced large special dividends as they have chosen to
return surplus cash to investors to help them through these
difficult times. Remarkably, it appears that special dividends paid
to SAINTS' portfolio will be higher in 2020 than in 2019. SAINTS'
property and bond income has also held up well, although to assist
certain tenants some rent has been deferred.
Having a global portfolio, invested in capital-light companies
that have great growth opportunities ahead of them, goes a long way
towards generating a resilient income stream. This is not to say
that we have sat on our hands however, despite our consistent focus
on growth and dependability. At the start of the Covid-19 crisis we
undertook another of our regular stress-tests of the portfolio and
concluded that two holdings in particular were likely to pay far
less in income, on a long term view, than we had previously thought
likely. Both were European banks, Bankinter and Handelsbanken,
which we had judged to be extremely well-capitalised, to the point
of generating surplus cash flow for dividends. However, such is the
intensity of the downturn we are witnessing, and so stringent have
European bank regulators been in preventing even well-capitalised
banks from paying dividends, that we now expect both names to
generate considerably lower dividends in the long term. We
therefore disinvested from both companies. We also disinvested from
Total, the French oil and gas company. This has been an unusual
holding for us, indeed it was the only oil and gas company in the
portfolio. Our investment case was that, unlike most of its peers,
its early and significant investments into gas (which is replacing
coal) and renewables (notably its solar business Sunpower) set the
company up well to manage the energy transition we are expecting to
happen over the next ten years. But commodity prices have been
weaker than we expected, to the point the company is now struggling
to cover its dividend after capital expenditures. The company is in
a difficult position and we think it should probably cut its
dividend, so we have sold the holding. It is interesting to reflect
that ten years ago, oil and gas companies would have been a central
feature of most portfolios, certainly of most income funds. Today
SAINTS has no exposure to hydrocarbons; our only energy investments
are in lithium and wind farms.
But where there is change there is always opportunity. A large
number of excellent companies have seen their share prices fall
unfairly in the past few months, and we have invested the proceeds
from our sales into a range of new names we are excited about. We
have taken a holding in Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK savings
platform, for the first time. This is a tremendous business with
great growth opportunities ahead of it, as more savers take control
of their investments and the company branches into new areas, such
as advice. It also has a strong dividend commitment. For years we
have been drawn to the company but felt the valuation looked
acceptable rather than compelling, so when the shares fell heavily
during the quarter we took a holding. A similar story is Medtronic,
the American medical devices maker. The company has a strong
pipeline of products to drive future growth, but there was a point
during the past few months where the share price fell
precipitously. Apparently Wall Street was fretting about lower
numbers of surgeries taking place in hospitals, resulting in 'a bad
quarter' for the company's earnings. We took advantage of this to
invest in the shares for the first time. Two other new purchases
worth mentioning briefly are Cisco, the network equipment maker,
where we are enthused about the company's prospects to win market
share with its latest innovations, and T Rowe Price, the asset
manager, which has a great track record and the potential for
growth outside its home market in the US. Both companies have
capital-light business models and strong commitments to paying a
resilient dividend. Overall, turnover within the equity portfolio
remained consistent with a five year holding period, reflecting our
long term, stock driven approach to investment.
During the period SAINTS published its first Governance and
Sustainability report, and we would stress the importance we place
on engaging with the companies in which we invest on your behalf.
In recent months we have used video calls to speak with management
teams and/or boards across almost all of SAINTS' holdings since the
start of this year. Besides offering our support as long term
shareholders, a question we have been keen to put to them is
whether they are doing the right thing by their employees and other
stakeholders, as well as continuing to invest in their business. In
the long term this will pay off in spades, and those companies that
behave poorly will suffer for it. We have wanted to gain
reassurance that the companies in your portfolio that have
increased their dividends - of which there have been many - are
still doing the right thing for the long term.
Happily, we have been satisfied that these companies are indeed
behaving like good corporate citizens. Many have been making
substantial community contributions, as well as supporting their
employees through these difficult times. One interesting example
worth highlighting is Carsales.com, the online used car advertising
platform in Australia, which for a period has allowed many of its
customers to use its service free of charge, to help them cope with
the crisis. Another is Admiral, the UK motor insurer, which
voluntarily partly refunded premiums to its customers for a period
when many have not been using their cars.
Turning to the Company's property investments SAINTS' property
managers OLIM have reported that over 93% of revenues due for Q2
have been received, with the remainder being deferred. In addition,
whilst there has been an overall fall in capital value, it has been
ameliorated by some increases. The property portfolio has delivered
a positive overall return over the period, and this looks like a
good result in comparison to property generally. OLIM acknowledge
that most sectors of the UK property market face a very difficult
year this year, and probably another in 2021, but believe that the
special characteristics of SAINTS' portfolio leave it well
positioned. Thus far certainly, OLIM's focus on industrial assets,
alternatives and supermarkets has stood the portfolio in relatively
good stead.
Over the past few years we have reduced SAINTS' exposure to
bonds, faced with yields that had fallen to levels so low that made
it difficult for us to get excited. But the Covid-19 crisis has
caused bond spreads to widen, and for the first time in some time
we have seen a number of interesting investments available.
The proceeds from share issuance have been helpful in funding
these new investments. Over the six month period 6,330,000 shares
(representing just under 4.3% of issued share capital at 1 January
2020) were issued at a premium to net asset value, with SAINTS'
share price ending the period modestly above net asset value.
Summary
SAINTS' aim is to continue to provide shareholders with a
dependable source of income, together with growth in income and
capital that exceeds inflation over time. Our focus as always
remains on the long term. There is still great uncertainty about
2020, and we have no particular insights to offer about the
immediate course of the current crisis or the precise speed and
extent of the eventual economic recovery.
But we are as optimistic as ever about your portfolio's
long-term prospects for resilient income growth. After the most
incredible stress-test for dividends we could have devised, the
portfolio's income has held up well. Where operational performance
has been affected, companies have generally taken appropriate
action to harbour their resources and behave responsibly towards
their employees, customers and suppliers. The long-term prospects
of the holdings therefore remain bright, and we have been able to
augment the portfolio by adding some new names which we have long
admired, at attractive prices. There is a long road ahead for all
of us, as the global economy recovers from Covid-19. But we believe
SAINTS has the right portfolio to march down it with
confidence.
The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set
out at the end of this announcement. Related party transaction
disclosures are set out in note 10.
Baillie Gifford & Co
30 July 2020
* See disclaimer at the end of this announcement.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
Responsibility Statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
a) the condensed set of Financial Statements has been prepared
in accordance with FRS 104 'Interim Financial Reporting';
b) the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the
information required by Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule
4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months,
their impact on the Financial Statements and a description of
principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of
the year); and
c) the Interim Financial Report includes a fair review of the
information required by Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule
4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes
therein).
By order of the Board
Peter Moon
Chairman
30 July 2020
Income Statement (unaudited)
For the six months ended For the six months ended For the year ended
30 June 2020 30 June 2019 31 December 2019 (audited)
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
(Losses)/gains on sales
of investments -
securities - (19,857) (19,857) - 17,319 17,319 - 11,575 11,575
Gains on sales of
investments - property - - - - - - - 2,055 2,055
Changes in fair value of
investments - securities - 22,586 22,586 - 57,082 57,082 - 83,560 83,560
Changes in fair value of
investments - property - (1,550) (1,550) - - - - (1,436) (1,436)
Currency (losses)/gains - (212) (212) - 72 72 - (56) (56)
Income - dividends and
interest 9,579 - 9,579 9,910 - 9,910 17,576 - 17,576
Income - rent and other 2,708 - 2,708 2,604 - 2,604 5,374 - 5,374
Management fees (note 3) (509) (946) (1,455) (504) (937) (1,441) (1,047) (1,945) (2,992)
Other administrative
expenses (799) - (799) (813) - (813) (1,247) - (1,247)
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Net return before finance
costs and taxation 10,979 21 11,000 11,197 73,536 84,733 20,656 93,753 114,409
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Finance costs of
borrowings (976) (1,813) (2,789) (985) (1,829) (2,814) (1,970) (3,659) (5,629)
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Net return on ordinary
activities before
taxation 10,003 (1,792) 8,211 10,212 71,707 81,919 18,686 90,094 108,780
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Tax on ordinary
activities (917) 131 (786) (856) 114 (742) (1,590) 363 (1,227)
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Net return on ordinary
activities after
taxation 9,086 (1,661) 7,425 9,356 71,821 81,177 17,096 90,457 107,553
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Net return per ordinary
share (note 4) 6.09p (1.11p) 4.98p 6.58p 50.53p 57.11p 11.87p 62.81p 74.68p
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
Note:
Dividends paid and
payable per share
(note 5) 6.00p 5.875p 11.875p
========================= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial
Statements.
The total column of this statement is the profit and loss
account of the Company. The supplementary revenue and capital
columns are prepared under guidance published by the Association of
Investment Companies.
All revenue and capital items in the above statements derive
from continuing operations.
A Statement of Comprehensive income is not required as all gains
and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above
statement.
Balance Sheet (unaudited)
At 31 December 2019
At 30 June 2020 (audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-current assets
Investments - securities 619,270 591,664
Investments - property 83,250 84,800
Deferred expenses 207 207
====================================== =============== ===================
702,727 676,671
====================================== =============== ===================
Current assets
Debtors 2,428 1,501
Cash and deposits 6,792 7,457
====================================== =============== ===================
9,220 8,958
====================================== =============== ===================
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year (5,922) (3,211)
Net current assets 3,298 5,747
====================================== =============== ===================
Total assets less current liabilities 706,025 682,418
Creditors
Debenture stock (note 7) (81,519) (81,930)
Net assets 624,506 600,488
====================================== =============== ===================
Capital and reserves
Share capital 38,463 36,880
Share premium account 76,530 52,535
Capital redemption reserve 22,781 22,781
Capital reserve 469,288 470,949
Revenue reserve 17,444 17,343
====================================== =============== ===================
Shareholders' funds 624,506 600,488
====================================== =============== ===================
Net asset value per ordinary share* 405.9p 407.1p
====================================== =============== ===================
Ordinary shares in issue (note 8) 153,850,943 147,520,943
====================================== =============== ===================
* See Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures at the end of this announcement.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial
Statements.
Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)
For the six months ended 30 June 2020
Share
Share premium Capital redemption Shareholders'
capital account reserve Capital reserve* Revenue reserve funds
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
======================= ======== ======== ======================= ================ =============== =============
Shareholders' funds at
1 January 2020 36,880 52,535 22,781 470,949 17,343 600,488
Shares issued 1,583 23,995 - - - 25,578
Net return on ordinary
activities after
taxation - - - (1,661) 9,086 7,425
Dividends paid (note 5) - - - - (8,985) (8,985)
Shareholders' funds at
30 June 2020 38,463 76,530 22,781 469,288 17,444 624,506
======================= ======== ======== ======================= ================ =============== =============
For the six months ended 30 June 2019
Share
Share premium Capital redemption Shareholders'
capital account reserve Capital reserve* Revenue reserve funds
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
======================= ======== ======== ======================= ================ =============== =============
Shareholders' funds at
1 January 2019 35,233 27,694 22,781 380,492 17,253 483,453
Shares issued 756 10,949 - - - 11,705
Net return on ordinary
activities after
taxation - - - 71,821 9,356 81,177
Dividends paid (note 5) - - - - (8,317) (8,317)
Shareholders' funds at
30 June 2019 35,989 38,643 22,781 452,313 18,292 568,018
======================= ======== ======== ======================= ================ =============== =============
* The Capital Reserve balance at 30 June 2020 includes
investment holding gains of GBP214,862,000 (30 June 2019 - gains of
GBP168,784,000).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial
Statements.
Cash Flow Statement (unaudited)
Six months to Six months to
30 June 2020 30 June 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Net return on ordinary activities before taxation 8,211 81,919
Net gains on investments - securities (2,729) (74,401)
Net losses on investments - property 1,550 -
Currency losses/(gains) 212 (72)
Finance costs of borrowings 2,789 2,814
Overseas withholding tax (791) (729)
Changes in debtors and creditors (913) (793)
Other non-cash changes 13 (18)
Cash from operations 8,342 8,720
Interest paid (3,200) (3,200)
================================================== ============= =============
Net cash inflow from operating activities 5,142 5,520
================================================== ============= =============
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions of investments (57,272) (68,227)
Disposals of investments 35,084 61,605
Net cash outflow (22,188) (6,622)
================================================== ============= =============
Equity dividends paid (8,985) (8,317)
Shares issued 25,578 11,705
================================================== ============= =============
Net cash inflow from financing activities 16,593 3,388
================================================== ============= =============
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (453) 2,286
Exchange movements (212) 72
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period* 7,457 7,464
================================================== ============= =============
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period* 6,792 9,822
================================================== ============= =============
* Cash and cash equivalents represent cash at bank and short
term money market deposits repayable on demand.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Financial
Statements.
Performance Attribution (unaudited)
Average allocation Total return
===================================
SAINTS Benchmark SAINTS Benchmark
Portfolio Breakdown % % % %
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
Global equities 95.2 100.0 2.5 0.7
Bonds 2.8 (10.8)
Direct property 14.7 1.4
Deposits 1.5 -
Debenture at book value (14.2) 3.4
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
Portfolio total return (debenture
at book value) 1.5 0.7
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
Other items* (0.3)
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
Fund total return (debenture
at book value) 1.2
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
Adjustment for change in fair
value of debenture 0.4
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
Fund total return (debenture
at fair value) 1.6 0.7
=================================== ======== =========== ======= ==========
The above returns are calculated on a total return basis with
net income reinvested.
Source: Baillie Gifford and relevant underlying index
providers.
* Includes Baillie Gifford and OLIM management fees.
See disclaimer at end of this announcement
Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
Twenty Largest Equity Holdings (unaudited)
Value at
30 June
2020 % of
Name Business GBP'000 total assets*
=================================== ============================================== ======== ==============
Roche Holdings Pharmaceuticals and diagnostics 21,601 3.1
Deutsche Boerse Securities exchange owner/operator 20,147 2.9
Procter & Gamble Household product manufacturer 18,929 2.7
Fastenal Distribution and sales of industrial supplies 18,903 2.7
Microsoft Computer software 18,541 2.6
Nestlé Food producer 17,390 2.5
Sonic Healthcare Laboratory testing 17,015 2.4
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Semiconductor manufacturer 16,606 2.3
Coca Cola Beverage company 16,249 2.3
United Parcel Service Courier services 15,942 2.3
Pepsico Snack and beverage company 15,718 2.2
B3 S.A. Securities exchange owner/operator 14,508 2.0
Partners Group Asset management 13,940 2.0
Admiral Car insurance 13,708 1.9
Edenred Voucher programme outsourcer 13,419 1.9
CH Robinson Delivery and logistics 12,954 1.8
Atlas Copco Engineering 11,900 1.7
Analog Devices Integrated circuits 11,835 1.7
Anta Sports Products Sportswear manufacturer and retailer 11,431 1.6
Schneider Electric Electrical power products 11,293 1.6
312,029 44.2
================================================================================== ======== ==============
* Before deduction of the debenture.
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. The condensed Financial Statements for the six months to 30 June 2020 comprise the statements
set out on the previous pages together with the related notes below. They have been prepared
in accordance with FRS 104 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the AIC's Statement of Recommended
Practice issued in November 2014 and updated in October 2019 with consequential amendments
and have not been audited or reviewed by the Auditor pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board
Guidance 'Review of Interim Financial Information'. The Financial Statements for the six months
to 30 June 2020 have been prepared on the basis of the same accounting policies as set out
in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements at 31 December 2019.
Going Concern
The Directors have considered the nature of the Company's principal risks and uncertainties,
as set out below, together with its current position. The Board has, in particular, considered
the impact of heightened market volatility since the Covid-19 outbreak but does not believe
the Company's going concern status is affected. In addition, the Company's investment objective
and policy, its assets and liabilities and projected income and expenditure, together with
the Company's dividend policy, have been taken into consideration and it is the Directors'
opinion that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future. The Company's assets, the majority of which are investments in quoted
securities which are readily realisable, exceed its liabilities significantly. All borrowings
require the prior approval of the Board. Gearing levels and compliance with borrowing covenants
are reviewed by the Board on a regular basis. The Company has no short term borrowings and
the redemption date for the Company's debenture is April 2022. Accordingly, the Directors
consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these
Financial Statements and confirm that they are not aware of any material uncertainties which
may affect the Company's ability to continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months
from the date of approval of these Financial Statements.
2. The financial information contained within the Interim Financial Report does not constitute
statutory accounts as defined in sections 434 to 436 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial
information for the year ended 31 December 2019 has been extracted from the statutory accounts
which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditor's Report on those accounts
was not qualified, and did not contain statements under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies
Act 2006.
3. Baillie Gifford & Co Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford & Co, has been
appointed by the Company as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) and Company Secretary.
The investment management function has been delegated to Baillie Gifford & Co. The management
agreement can be terminated on six months' notice. With effect from 1 April 2020, the annual
management fee, calculated quarterly, is 0.45% on the first GBP500m of total assets and 0.35%
on the remaining total assets, where 'total assets' is defined as the total value of the assets
held, excluding the value of the property portfolio, less all liabilities (other than any
liability in the form of debt intended for investment purposes). Prior to 1 April 2020, the
annual management fee was 0.45% of total assets, excluding the value of the property portfolio,
less current liabilities.
As AIFM, Baillie Gifford & Co Limited has delegated the management of the property portfolio
to OLIM Property Limited. OLIM receives an annual fee from SAINTS of 0.5% of the value of
the property portfolio, subject to a minimum quarterly fee of GBP6,250. The agreement can
be terminated on three months' notice.
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
(ctd)
4. Net return per ordinary share Six months to Six months to
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
=========================================================================== ============= =============
Revenue return on ordinary activities after taxation 9,086 9,356
Capital return on ordinary activities after taxation (1,661) 71,821
=========================================================================== ============= =============
Total net return 7,425 81,177
=========================================================================== ============= =============
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 149,249,816 142,128,144
=========================================================================== ============= =============
Net return per ordinary share is based on the above totals of revenue and capital and the
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during each period.
There are no dilutive or potentially dilutive shares in issue.
=========================================================================================================
5. Dividends Six months to Six months to
30 June 30 June
2020 2019
GBP'000 GBP'000
=========================================================================== ============= ===============
Amounts recognised as distributions in the period:
Previous year's final of 3.00p (2019 - 2.925p), paid 9 April 2020 4,447 4,132
First interim of 3.00p (2019 - 2.925p), paid 23 June 2020 4,538 4,185
8,985 8,317
=============================================================================== ============= ===============
Amounts paid and payable in respect of the period:
First interim of 3.00 (2019 - 2.925p), paid 23 June 2020 4,538 4,185
Second interim of 3.00 (2019 - 2.95p) 4,616 4,255
9,154 8,440
=============================================================================== ============= ===============
The second interim dividend was declared after the period end date and therefore has not been
included as a liability in the Balance Sheet. It is payable on 18 September 2020 to shareholders
on the register at the close of business on 14 August 2020. The ex-dividend date is 13 August
2020. The Company's Registrars offer a Dividend Reinvestment Plan and the final date for elections
for this dividend is 27 August 2020.
6. Fair Value Hierarchy
The fair value hierarchy used to analyse the basis on which the fair values of financial instruments
held at fair value through the profit or loss account are measured is described below. Fair
value measurements are categorised on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant
to the fair value measurement.
Level 1 - using unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in an active market;
Level 2 - using inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are directly
or indirectly observable
(based on market data); and
Level 3 - using inputs that are unobservable (for which market data is unavailable).
An analysis of the Company's financial asset investments based on the fair value hierarchy
described above is shown below.
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
(ctd)
As at 30 June 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
======================= ========= =================== ========= =======================
Securities
Listed equities/funds 591,937 - 265 592,202
Bonds - 27,068 - 27,068
Property
Freehold - - 83,250 83,250
======================= ========= =================== ========= =======================
Total financial asset
investments 591,937 27,068 83,515 702,520
======================= ========= =================== ========= =======================
As at 31 December 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
======================== ========= =================== ========= =======================
Securities
Listed equities/funds 577,131 726 265 578,122
Bonds - 13,542 - 13,542
Property
Freehold - - 84,800 84,800
======================== ========= =================== ========= =======================
Total financial asset
investments 577,131 14,268 85,065 676,464
======================== ========= =================== ========= =======================
There have been no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the period.
The fair value of listed investments is bid value or, in the case of holdings on certain
recognised
overseas exchanges, last traded price. They are categorised as Level 1 if they are valued
using unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in an active market and Level 2 if
they do not meet all these criteria but are, nonetheless, valued using market data. The fair
value of unlisted investments is determined using valuation techniques, determined by the
Directors, based upon observable and/or non-observable data such as latest dealing prices,
stockbroker valuations, net asset values and other information, as appropriate. The
Company's
holdings in unlisted investments are categorised as Level 3 as the valuation techniques
applied
include the use of non-observable data.
7. The market value of the 8% Debenture Stock 2022 at 30 June 2020 was GBP88.9m (31 December
2019 - GBP91.0m).
8. At 30 June 2020, the Company had the authority to buy back 22,219,818 ordinary shares and
to issue 13,603,092 ordinary shares without application of pre-emption rights in accordance
with the authorities granted at the AGM in June 2020. During the six months to 30 June 2020,
6,330,000 (31 December 2019 - 6,590,000) shares were issued at a premium to net asset value
raising proceeds of GBP25,578,000 (31 December 2019 - GBP26,488,000). Between 1 July 2020
and 30 July 2020, the Company issued a further 1,155,000 shares at a premium to net asset
value raising proceeds of GBP4,853,000. No shares were bought back (31 December 2019 - nil).
9. During the period, transaction costs on equity purchases amounted to GBP54,000 (30 June 2019
- GBP73,000) and on equity sales GBP25,000 (30 June 2019 - GBP24,000). There were no
transaction
costs on property purchases or sales during the six months to 30 June 2020 or 30 June 2019.
10. Related party transactions
There have been no transactions with related parties during the first six months of the
current
financial year that have materially affected the financial position or the performance of
the Company during that period and there have been no changes in the related party
transactions
described in the last Annual Report and Financial Statements that could have had such an
effect
on the Company during that period.
11. The Interim Financial Report will be available on the SAINTS page of the Managers' website:
www.saints-it.com (++) on or around 14 August 2020.
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The principal risks facing the Company are financial risk, investment strategy risk,
regulatory
risk, custody and depositary risk, operational risk, discount risk, leverage risk and
political
risk. An explanation of these risks and how they are managed is set out on pages 7 and 8 of
the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year to 31 December 2019 which
is available on the Company's website: www.saints-it.com (++) . The principal risks and
uncertainties
have not changed since the date of that report with the exception of the current
unprecedented
situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. These and other risks facing the Company are
reviewed regularly by the Audit Committee and the Board, including the recently identified
ongoing risk of the Covid-19 pandemic and its potential impact on the Company and its
portfolio.
We have been even more rigorous in reviewing our investment portfolio to consider the likely
impact of the pandemic on this over the medium to longer term and we continue to monitor
developments
on a regular basis. Covid-19 also impacts our third party service providers, who have
implemented
business continuity plans and have been working almost entirely remotely and the Board is
kept informed of any operational issues as they arise.
Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures (APM)
Total Assets
Total assets less current liabilities, before deduction of all borrowings.
Net Asset Value
Net Asset Value (NAV) is the value of total assets less liabilities (including borrowings).
The NAV per share is calculated by dividing this amount by the number of ordinary shares in
issue.
Net Asset Value (Debenture at Fair Value) (APM)
Borrowings are valued at an estimate of their market worth.
Net Asset Value (Debenture at Book Value)
Borrowings are valued at adjusted net issue proceeds. Book value approximates amortised
cost.
============================================================================================
30 June 2020 31 December 2019
=================================== ============================== =======================
Shareholders' funds (debenture at GBP624,506,000 GBP600,488,000
book value)
Add: book value of debenture GBP81,519,000 GBP81,930,000
Less: fair value of debenture (GBP88,920,000) (GBP91,024,000)
----------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------
Shareholders' funds (debenture at GBP617,105,000 GBP591,394,000
fair value)
----------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------
Shares in issue 153,850,943 147,520,943
----------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------
Net Asset Value per ordinary share
(debenture at fair value) 401.1p 400.9p
=================================== ============================== =======================
Discount/Premium (APM)
As stockmarkets and share prices vary, an investment trust's share price is rarely the same
as its NAV. When the share price is lower than the NAV per share it is said to be trading
at a discount. The size of the discount is calculated by subtracting the share price from
the NAV per share and is usually expressed as a percentage of the NAV per share. If the
share
price is higher than the NAV per share, this situation is called a premium.
============================================================================================
30 June 2020 30 June 2020 31 December 2019 31 December 2019
NAV (book) NAV (fair) NAV (book) NAV (Fair)
========= ============= ==================== =================== =======================
Closing
NAV per
share 405.9p 401.1p 407.1p 400.9p
Closing
share
price 412.0p 412.0p 426.0p 426.0p
========= ============= ==================== =================== =======================
Premium 1.5% 2.7% 4.6% 6.3%
========= ============= ==================== =================== =======================
Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures (APM) (Ctd)
Total Return (APM)
The total return is the return to shareholders after reinvesting the net dividend on the date
that the share price goes ex-dividend.
Net Asset Value 30 June 30 June 30 June 31 Dec 31 Dec 31 Dec
2020 2020 2020 2019 2019 2019
NAV NAV share NAV NAV share
(book) (fair) price (book) (fair) price
=================== ------------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- -----------
Opening NAV per
share/
share price (a) 407.1p 400.9p 426.0p 343.0p 336.4p 351.0p
Closing NAV per
share/
share price (b) 405.9p 401.1p 412.0p 407.1p 400.9p 426.0p
Dividend
adjustment
factor* (c) 1.015028 1.015457 1.01432 1.030459 1.03118 1.030751
Adjusted closing
NAV per
share/share price (d = b x c) 412.0p 407.3p 417.9p 419.5p 413.4p 439.1p
------------------- ------------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- -----------
(d ÷ a)
Total return -1 1.2% 1.6% (1.9%) 22.3% 22.9% 25.1%
=================== ============= ========= ========= ======== ========= ======== ===========
(*) The dividend adjustment factor is calculated on the assumption that the dividends paid
out by the Company are reinvested into the shares of the Company at the cum income NAV at
the ex-dividend date.
Ongoing Charges (APM)
The total expenses (excluding borrowing costs) incurred by the Company as a percentage of
the average net asset value (with debt at fair value). The ongoing charges have been calculated
on the basis prescribed by the Association of Investment Companies.
Performance Attribution (APM)
Analysis of how the Company achieved its performance relative to its benchmark.
Gearing (APM)
At its simplest, gearing is borrowing. Just like any other public company, an investment trust
can borrow money to invest in additional investments for its portfolio. The effect of the
borrowing on the shareholders' assets is called 'gearing'. If the Company's assets grow, the
shareholders' assets grow proportionately more because the debt remains the same. But if the
value of the Company's assets falls, the situation is reversed. Gearing can therefore enhance
performance in rising markets but can adversely impact performance in falling markets.
Gearing represents borrowings at book less cash and cash equivalents expressed as a percentage
of shareholders' funds.
Potential gearing is the Company's borrowings expressed as a percentage of shareholders' funds.
Equity gearing is the Company's borrowings adjusted for cash, bonds and property expressed
as a percentage of shareholders' funds.
Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures (APM) (Ctd)
Leverage (APM)
For the purposes of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive, leverage is
any method which increases the Company's exposure, including the borrowing of cash and the
use of derivatives. It is expressed as a ratio between the Company's exposure and its net
asset value and can be calculated on a gross and a commitment method. Under the gross method,
exposure represents the sum of the Company's positions after the deduction of sterling cash
balances, without taking into account any hedging and netting arrangements. Under the commitment
method, exposure is calculated without the deduction of sterling cash balances and after certain
hedging and netting positions are offset against each other.
Active Share (APM)
Active share, a measure of how actively a portfolio is managed, is the percentage of the listed
equity portfolio that differs from its comparative index. It is calculated by deducting from
100 the percentage of the portfolio that overlaps with the comparative index. An active share
of 100 indicates no overlap with the index and an active share of zero indicates a portfolio
that tracks the index.
++ Neither the contents of the Managers' website nor the
contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Managers'
website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part
of, this announcement.
None of the views expressed in this document should be construed
as advice to buy or sell a particular investment.
SAINTS' objective is to deliver real dividend growth by
increasing capital and growing income. Its policy is to invest
mainly in equity markets, but other investments may be held from
time to time including bonds, property and other asset classes.
Baillie Gifford & Co Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Baillie Gifford & Co, is appointed as investment managers and
secretaries to SAINTS. Baillie Gifford & Co, the Edinburgh
based fund management group has around GBP267 billion under
management and advice as at 30 July 2020.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. SAINTS is
a listed UK company. As a result, the value of its shares and any
income from those shares is not guaranteed and could go down as
well as up. You may not get back the amount you invested. As SAINTS
invests in overseas securities, changes in the rates of exchange
may also cause the value of your investment (and any income it may
pay) to go down or up. You can find up to date performance
information about SAINTS on the SAINTS page of the Managers'
website www.saints-it.com . Neither the contents of the Company's
website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks
on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated
into, or forms part of, this announcement.
For further information please contact:
James Budden, Baillie Gifford & Co
Tel: 0131 275 2816
Mark Knight, Four Communications
Tel: 0203 697 4200 or 07803 758810
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therefrom.
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data or to otherwise notify a recipient thereof in the event that
any matter stated herein changes or subsequently becomes
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whether or not based on the content, information or materials
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- ends -
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END
IR FLFFRDTIIVII
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