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YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    F& U.S. Smaller - Half Yearly Report

    RELATED QUOTES

    SymbolPriceChange
    TTFNF.PK43.950.00
    NETK.F0.4550.01
    36R.F7.00-1.03
    CECO6.21-0.14

    

    Date: 14 February 2012

    Contact: Robert Siddles

    F∓C Management Limited

    020 7628 8000

    F∓C US Smaller Companies PLC

    Unaudited statement of results

    for the half-year ended 31 December 2011

    Summary of Unaudited Results

    Attributable to equity shareholders

    31 December 2011

    30 June 2011

    % Change

    Net (Frankfurt: A0Z22E - news) assets

    £93.97m

    £96.20m

    -2.3

    Net asset value per share

    453.80p

    464.58p

    -2.3

    Russell 2000 Index (sterling adjusted)

    476.75

    515.39

    -7.5

    Share price

    427.13p

    433.88p

    -1.6

    Gearing/(net liquidity)*

    (2.3)%

    (3.9)%

    Increase in net asset value per share since inception on

    8 March 1993

    370.3

    Increase in the Russell 2000 Index (sterling adjusted) since 8 March 1993

    202.3

    *Calculated as loans less cash and investment debtors plus overdrafts and investment creditors at balance sheet value as a percentage of net assets.



    Chairman's Statement

    The US stock market fell sharply in August and September on fears of a global slowdown but staged a recovery subsequently as business activity improved. The value of our smaller companies holdings suffered more than blue chips, however, shareholders benefited from a rally in the dollar. Net asset value ("NAV") per share did not fall as much as the benchmark.

    Performance

    The NAV per share of your Company fell by 2.3% in the six month period to 31 December 2011, compared with a drop of 7.5% in the Company's benchmark, the sterling-adjusted Russell 2000 Index. Although it is disappointing to report a decline in NAV, it is pleasing that the Company's conservative investment approach helped protect shareholders.

    Market review

    During the six month period, the US equity market declined. The Russell 2000 Index fell 10.5% in dollar terms. The dollar's rise against sterling meant that this drop was reduced to 7.5% in sterling terms, so investors benefited slightly from the exchange rate movement because the Company's assets are valued in sterling.

    The market was negatively affected by two developments: firstly by the political impasse in Washington DC over government borrowing and secondly by a worsening of the Euro Zone crisis. This was a particular concern because of the potential for another banking crisis or, at the least, a recession in Europe (Chicago Options: ^REURUSD - news) , which might harm economic prospects elsewhere. Despite this, from September US business activity improved, as measured by the usually reliable Institute of Supply Managers indicators. Towards the period end, employment conditions improved as well, with weekly jobless claims dropping below the critical level of 400,000 that signifies declining unemployment.

    Smaller companies lagged the market: in dollar terms the 10.5% fall in the Russell 2000 exceeded that of the Standard ∓ Poor's Composite Index, which lost only 4.8% and the technology-oriented NASDAQ Composite Index, which dropped 6.1%. This underperformance by smaller companies is typical in periods of economic uncertainty because they are perceived as being more geared to changes in economic growth.

    In the six month period all sectors of the market declined but utilities, consumer staples and financial services fell least, as these are viewed as being more defensive. Those that lost most were energy, technology, and materials and processing, areas that are thought sensitive to the state of the economy.

    Portfolio review

    Good performance came from producer durables, technology, materials and processing, and consumer discretionary sectors. Conn's produced the best contribution amongst these sectors although the largest positive individual stock contribution came from Rex Energy (Frankfurt: A0MW4Y - news) . Poor performance occurred in health care, where Amedisys (Xetra: 915582 - news) did badly. Outside of health care, the largest negative contribution came from Career Education (NasdaqGS: CECO - news) . Both of these were sold.

    Overall, the portfolio still favours producer durables but avoids technology. Within financials, insurance is preferred. The manager added new holdings in analogue semiconductors, civil construction, dental supplies and intermodal transportation. Several commodity-related stocks were sold.

    Buy-backs and discount

    The price of the shares fell by 1.6% to 427.1p over the six month period. The discount to NAV per share was 5.9% at the end of the period compared to 6.6% at 30 June 2011. As at 10 February 2012, the discount was 3.1%.

    The Company did not buy back any shares in the six month period. The Board will continue to apply its policy of buying back shares at appropriate times with a view to limiting the discount in the longer term to around 10%.

    Outlook

    Although the US economy seems to be regaining its footing following the summer slowdown and improvements in employment are very encouraging, there are still many uncertainties ahead, especially overseas. In addition, during the run-up to the November Presidential Election, populist political measures may come to the fore.

    Absent a collapse in Europe, a property bust in the Far East or worsening of the conflict in the Middle East, the US economy should continue to progress. Help should come from a sustained recovery in the automobile industry, the benefits of cheap energy as a result of recent shale discoveries and dynamic business culture in the USA. The Company takes a risk averse approach to investment which should benefit shareholders over time.

    Gordon Grender

    14 February 2012

    Directors' Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties

    The Company's assets consist mainly of listed equities and its principal risks are therefore market related.

    Other key risks faced by the Company relate to investment strategy, currency, gearing, investment management resources, regulation, financial control and counterparties (including custodian default). These risks, and the way in which they are managed, are described in more detail under the heading "Principal risks and their management" within the Directors' Report and Business Review contained within the Company's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2011. The Company's principal risks and uncertainties have not changed materially since the date of that report and are not expected to change materially for the remainder of the Company's financial year.

    Directors' Statement of Responsibilities in Respect of the Financial Statements

    In accordance with Chapter 4 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules the Directors confirm, in respect of the report and accounts for the half-year ended 31 December 2011 of which this statement is an extract, that to the best of their knowledge:

    · the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with applicable UK Accounting Standards and gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and return of the Company;

    · the half-yearly report includes a fair review of the important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the financial statements;

    · the Directors' Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties shown above is a fair review of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remainder of the financial year; and

    · the half-yearly report includes details on related party transactions.

    Signed on behalf of the Board

    Gordon Grender

    Chairman

    14 February 2012


    Unaudited Condensed Income Statement

    for the half-year ended 31 December

    2011

    2010

    Revenue

    Capital

    Total (Other OTC: TTFNF.PK - news)

    Revenue

    Capital

    Total

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s

    (Losses)/gains on investments

    -

    (2,125)

    (2,125)

    -

    14,084

    14,084

    Foreign exchange gains/(losses)

    -

    18

    18

    -

    (61)

    (61)

    Income

    449

    -

    449

    271

    -

    271

    Management fee

    (350)

    -

    (350)

    (341)

    -

    (341)

    Other expenses

    (155)

    (2)

    (157)

    (166)

    (2)

    (168)

    Net return on ordinary activities before taxation

    (56)

    (2,109)

    (2,165)

    (236)

    14,021

    13,785

    Taxation on ordinary activities

    (67)

    -

    (67)

    (41)

    -

    (41)

    Net return attributable to equity shareholders

    (123)

    (2,109)

    (2,232)

    (277)

    14,021

    13,744

    Return per share - pence

    (0.59)

    (10.18)

    (10.77)

    (1.34)

    67.71

    66.37

    The total column is the profit and loss account of the Company. The revenue return and capital return columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.

    All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

    A statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required as all gains and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above statement.



    Unaudited Condensed Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds

    Half-year ended 31 December 2011

    Called-up

    Share

    Non-

    Capital



    Total


    share

    premium

    distributable

    redemption

    Capital

    Revenue

    shareholders'


    capital

    account

    reserve

    reserve

    reserves

    reserve

    funds


    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s









    Balance at 30 June 2011

    5,177

    2,468

    841

    8,175

    81,407

    (1,867)

    96,201

    Movements during the half-year ended 31 December 2011








    Net return attributable to equity shareholders

    -

    -

    -

    -

    (2,109)

    (123)

    (2,232)

    Balance at 31 December 2011

    5,177

    2,468

    841

    8,175

    79,298

    (1,990)

    93,969

    Half-year ended 31 December 2010
















    Balance at 30 June 2010

    5,177

    2,468

    841

    8,175

    62,016

    (1,379)

    77,298

    Movements during the half-year ended 31 December 2010








    Net return attributable to equity shareholders

    -

    -

    -

    -

    14,021

    (277)

    13,744

    Balance at 31 December 2010

    5,177

    2,468

    841

    8,175

    76,037

    (1,656)

    91,042

    Year ended 30 June 2011
















    Balance at 30 June 2010

    5,177

    2,468

    841

    8,175

    62,016

    (1,379)

    77,298

    Movements during the year ended 30 June 2011








    Net return attributable to equity shareholders

    -

    -

    -

    -

    19,391

    (488)

    18,903

    Balance at 30 June 2011

    5,177

    2,468

    841

    8,175

    81,407

    (1,867)

    96,201



    Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheet

    31 Dec 2011

    31 Dec 2010

    30 June 2011

    £'000s

    £'000s

    £'000s

    Fixed assets

    Listed investments

    91,911

    89,420

    92,630

    Current assets

    Debtors

    115

    63

    522

    Cash at bank and short-term deposits

    2,195

    1,808

    3,441

    2,310

    1,871

    3,963

    Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

    (252)

    (249)

    (392)

    Net current assets

    2,058

    1,622

    3,571

    Net assets

    93,969

    91,042

    96,201


    Capital and reserves


    Called-up share capital

    5,177

    5,177

    5,177

    Share premium account

    2,468

    2,468

    2,468

    Non-distributable reserve

    841

    841

    841

    Capital redemption reserve

    8,175

    8,175

    8,175

    Capital reserves

    79,298

    76,037

    81,407

    Revenue reserve

    (1,990)

    (1,656)

    (1,867)

    Total shareholders' funds

    93,969

    91,042

    96,201



    Net asset value per share - pence

    453.80

    439.66

    464.58



    Unaudited Condensed Cash Flow Statement

    Half-year ended

    Half-year ended

    31 Dec 2011

    31 Dec 2010

    £'000s

    £'000s

    Net cash outflow from operating activities

    (180)

    (244)

    Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financial investment

    (1,084)

    1,058

    Net cash (outflow)/inflow before use of liquid resources and financing

    (1,264)

    814

    Decrease/(increase) in short-term deposits

    1,213

    (807)

    (Decrease)/increase in cash

    (51)

    7



    Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds

    (Decrease)/increase in cash

    (51)

    7

    (Decrease)/increase in short-term deposits

    (1,213)

    807

    Foreign exchange movement

    18

    (61)

    Movement in net funds

    (1,246)

    753

    Net funds at the beginning of the period

    3,441

    1,036

    Net funds at the end of the period

    2,195

    1,789

    Represented by:

    Short-term deposits

    2,188

    1,808

    Cash at bank/(bank overdraft)

    7

    (19)

    2,195

    1,789



    Notes

    1 Accounting policies

    These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's financial statements at 30 June 2011. These accounting policies are expected to be followed throughout the year ending 30 June 2012.

    2 Dividend

    The Directors do not propose to pay an interim dividend.

    3 Return per share

    Return per share attributable to shareholders reflects the overall performance of the Company in the period. Net revenue recognised in the first six months is not indicative of the total likely to be received in the full accounting year.

    Half-year ended

    Half-year ended

    31 Dec 2011

    £'000s

    31 Dec 2010

    £'000s

    Revenue return

    (123)

    (277)

    Capital return

    (2,109)

    14,021

    Total return

    (2,232)

    13,744

    Weighted average number of shares in issue

    20,707,135

    20,707,135

    4 Results

    The results for the half-year ended 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2010, which have not been audited or reviewed by auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board guidance on the review of interim financial information, constitute non-statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The latest published accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies are for the year ended 30 June 2011; the report of the independent auditors thereon was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. The abridged financial statements shown above for the year ended 30 June 2011 are an extract from those accounts.

    5 Report and accounts

    The report and accounts for the half-year ended 31 December 2011 will be posted to shareholders and made available on the website www.fandcussmallers.com shortly. Copies may also be obtained from the Company's registered office, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY.

    By order of the Board

    F∓C Management Limited, Secretary

    Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY

    14 February 2012

    ENDIR LLFSLFTISLIF
     

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