AI Terminal

MODULE: AI_ANALYST
Interactive Q&A, Risk Assessment, Summarization
MODULE: DATA_EXTRACT
Excel Export, XBRL Parsing, Table Digitization
MODULE: PEER_COMP
Sector Benchmarking, Sentiment Analysis
SYSTEM ACCESS LOCKED
Authenticate / Register Log In

Artemis Alpha Trust PLC

Interim / Quarterly Report Oct 31, 2012

4779_ir_2012-10-31_f78d44bc-7b4c-48d3-b8ba-014864e6cce1.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

Open in Viewer

Opens in native device viewer

Artemis Alpha Trust plc Half-Yearly Financial Report

for the six months ended 31 October 2012

Contents

Group
Summary
1
Financial
Highlights
2
Chairman's
Statement
3
Investment
Manager's
Review
5
Twenty-Five
Largest
Investments
7
Portfolio
Analysis
8
Condensed
Income
Statement
9
Condensed
Balance
Sheet
10
Condensed
Statement
of
Changes
in
Equity
11
Condensed
Cash
Flow
Statement
12
Notes
to
the
Half-Yearly
Financial
Report
13
Responsibility
Statement
of
the
Directors
15
General
Information
16

Group Summary

Objective and Policy

The investment objective of the Company is to achieve above average rates of total return over the longer term and to achieve a growing dividend stream. The investment policy is to invest mainly in UK and selected international equities, with the potential for investment in limited liability hedge funds, cash and bonds, unquoted investments, derivative instruments and other investments and securities as appropriate. The Company will invest no more than 30 per cent of its net assets in unquoted investments, as valued on the lower of their cost or carrying value.

The Company will not invest more than 15 per cent of its gross assets in securities issued by other UK listed investment companies, including investment trusts.

Capital Structure

The capital structure of the Company as at 31 October 2012 consisted of 47,268,456 ordinary shares of 1p each and 6,865,972 subscription shares of 1p each. The Company held 1,427,176 ordinary shares in treasury as at 31 October 2012.

Performance for the six months Discount during the six months ended 31 October 2012 ended 31 October 2012

Total
returns
Six
months
ended
31
October
2012
Net
asset
value
per
ordinary
share
Ordinary
share
price
FTSE
All-Share
Index
1.5%
4.5%
3.3%

Source: Artemis/Datastream.

Financial Highlights

Capital As
at
31
October
2012
As
at
30
April
2012
As
at
31
October
2011
Net
assets
Net
asset
value
per
ordinary
share
Ordinary
share
price
Discount
to
net
asset
value
Gearing
£146.8m
310.59p
294.00p
(5.3)%
13.6%
£148.3m
307.64p
283.25p
(7.9)%
11.1%
£132.2m
271.56p
267.25p
(1.6)%
9.3%
Returns
for
the
period
Six
months
ended
31
October
2012
Year
ended
30
April
2012
Six
months
ended
31
October
2011
Revenue
earnings
per
ordinary
share
Ongoing
charges
1.45p
1.0%
1.76p
1.0%
0.75p
0.9%

Source: Artemis/Datastream.

Source: Artemis/Datastream.

Total
returns
3
years
5
years
Since
launch*
Net
asset
value
per
ordinary
share
29.0% 38.3% 380.8%
Ordinary
share
price
30.1% 42.1% 370.2%
FTSE
All-Share
Index
29.8% 5.2% 112.7%

* 1 June 2003 - the date when Artemis was appointed as Investment Manager. Source: Artemis/Datastream

Chairman's Statement

Performance

During the six months ended 31 October 2012, the Company's net asset value increased by 1.5 per cent. This was below the return of the FTSE All-Share Index, which rose by 3.3 per cent in the period. However, the Company's share price rose 4.5 per cent. Given the difficult macro-economic background over the reporting period, particularly the continuing worries over the Eurozone debt issues, stockmarkets were more volatile than the returns perhaps suggest. The period started with a sharp fall in May followed by a strong recovery in June. The market then moved steadily upward during the rest of the period.

It is interesting to note that the FTSE Small Cap Index (+7.1 per cent) outperformed the large cap FTSE 100 Index (+2.8 per cent), yet the FTSE AIM All-Share Index significantly underperformed both, falling by 9.9 per cent since 30 April. Given the investment portfolio's sizeable weighting in businesses traded on AIM, this has affected the Company's performance.

Investments

Once again the Company's large exposure to the oil & gas sector was the main driver of performance. The holding in Africa Oil was the largest contributor in the portfolio, on the back of a significant discovery of oil in Kenya.

In the unquoted portfolio there was limited activity in the period, as a number of companies continue to work on the development of their businesses ahead of an IPO. The main changes were the reduction in the value of Lynton Holding Asia at the end of the period and an increase in the valuation of The Hut Group.

Further information on the portfolio and investment approach over the last six months is set out in the Investment Manager's review which follows.

Interim dividend

The Board is pleased to declare a first interim dividend of 1.20p per ordinary share for the year ending 30 April 2013 (2012: 1.20p). This will be paid on 1 February 2013 to those shareholders on the register as at 4 January 2013. The Board will review the second interim dividend following the year-end.

Share buy-backs

The price at which the Company's shares trade is kept under constant review to seek to ensure a low and stable discount to the net asset value. During the period the Company bought back 955,128 ordinary shares, which are currently being held in treasury. These shares were bought back at an average discount of 9.0 per cent.

Industry developments

The Retail Distribution Review – designed to improve the standard of advice to retail consumers – comes into effect on 1 January 2013. One of its main provisions is the abolition of commission payments to financial advisers. It is hoped that we will see increasing demand for investment trusts, but only time will tell. The Board and Investment Manager will continue to monitor developments in the coming months.

Chairman's Statement continued

Investment plan and ISA

Shareholders are reminded that the Investment Manager operates an Investment Plan and ISA which allows investors to acquire shares in the Company through lump sum or regular monthly investments. Further information is available from the Investment Manager, whose contact details are set out on page 16.

Outlook

The New Year will see the US President, Barack Obama, sworn in for his second term. Meanwhile, the new Politburo will be taking charge in China. A recovery seems to be starting in America, and more global growth would help to alleviate the effects of austerity in Europe. However, with the as yet unresolved 'fiscal cliff', doubts over the long term future of the Eurozone and rising tensions in the Middle East, continued volatility appears inevitable.

Many corporates have reduced their debt and cut costs to adapt to the difficult economic conditions of recent years. The portfolio contains a number of such companies and they should be well placed to generate positive returns for shareholders over the medium to long-term.

At the time of writing, the Company's net asset value stood at 307.67p per share and the share price was 278.00p per ordinary share. Regularly updated information on the Company, including a factsheet and performance data, can be found on dedicated web pages of the Investment Manager's website at artemisonline.co.uk.

I look forward to updating you on the Company and its portfolio in the Annual Report in July 2013. Your Board is always interested to hear the views of shareholders and, should you wish to do so, you can contact me at [email protected].

Simon Miller Chairman

24 December 2012

Investment Manager's Review

Performance

Over the six months to 31 October 2012, the net asset value rose by 1.5 per cent. That compares with 3.3 per cent for the FTSE All-Share Index. The stronger end to the six months overturned a very weak summer for stockmarkets, after investors' concerns about debt levels, particularly in the Eurozone, had surfaced once again.

Review

A knife-edged vote in the Greek general election saw the New Democracy party voted in. They are committed to accepting the tough austerity package imposed by Germany and the troika, thereby receiving the next bail out payment. This enabled the Greeks to remain in the Euro, for now.

This at least presaged a period of calm in stockmarkets, after a turbulent summer during which the borrowing costs of all peripheral countries in the Eurozone reached dangerously high levels. The real turning point came when the Governor of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, stated that he would "do whatever it takes" to prevent the break-up of the Euro. Subsequently, investors then really began to believe in the determination of policy makers.

After this statement, bond yields in Italy and Spain, two of the bigger economies in the periphery, started to fall and investors were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Further rounds of quantitative easing followed and, with interest rates around the world at record lows, stockmarkets rallied strongly. With liquidity being pumped into the system, equities as an asset class looked increasingly attractive. A spotlight was shone on valuations, which looked low by historic standards in spite of the macro headwinds.

Portfolio

The portfolio remained heavily exposed to its core areas of oil & gas, palm oil and other financials. We continued with our tried and trusted approach, with our emphasis on bottom-up stock picking of attractive businesses, with strong management teams and exceptional medium-term potential.

The number of holdings in the portfolio continued to be reduced over the period. With around 100 positions, the structure of the portfolio and level of concentration is pretty much where we would like it to stay.

The outstanding performer over the period was Africa Oil. Having discovered large quantities of oil in Kenya, its share price rose spectacularly as investors realised the true potential of the field. Other oil stocks that performed strongly included Providence Resources and Lansdowne Oil & Gas, following a series of upgraded estimates at their jointly owned Barryroe field in the southern Irish Sea. The two companies now await independent verification of these estimates when the competent person's report is published, before starting a formal farm-out process in the New Year.

Five largest stock contributors Five largest stock detractors

Contribution %
Africa Oil 3.9
The Hut Group 1.8
Emis Group 1.2
Providence Resources 0.9
Lansdowne Oil & Gas 0.9
Contribution %
Lynton Holding Asia (1.6)
New Britain Palm Oil (1.5)
Mulberry Group (0.8)
R.E.A. Holdings (0.6)
Ithaca Energy (0.6)

Investment Manager's Review continued

Elsewhere, Emis Group, a specialist supplier of software to the NHS, performed well. It accelerated the roll out of its Emis Web product to GPs, thereby increasing its ability to generate high levels of recurring revenues. The portfolio also benefitted from its holding in Telford Homes as the company confirmed strong on-going demand for its London developments from overseas buyers. In particular, the recent success of the London Olympics has served to highlight the areas of east London in which Telford specialises.

Among the unquoteds, the main positive was the writing up of our holding in The Hut Group, following an equity raising to fund a new online business called My Vitamins. The funds were raised at a higher valuation and the directors of the company also invested. This added 5p to the net asset value. Since the period end, The Hut Group has raised further money, at a higher valuation, to make an acquisition of another online business, bringing in a new investor in the process. The valuation was written up in December 2012 and added 5.7p to the net asset value. With the company forecasting strong earnings growth, we feel the valuation is well underpinned.

Aside from The Hut Group, the other revaluation in the unquoted portfolio was Lynton Holding Asia, which impacted the net asset value by 4.6p. Hurricane continues to seek finance to fund its drilling campaigns in 2013/14. As markets start to improve, the prospects for realisations are more encouraging.

A new unquoted investment was Hot-Can. Led by a strong management team, they have developed and patented a self-heating beverage can for soups and hot drinks. Early orders have already been received from Walmart and we expect a flotation in 2013.

On the negative side, the biggest disappointment was felt in one of our larger strategic holdings, New Britain Palm Oil. Production in Papua New Guinea was affected severely by adverse weather, which, alongside a falling price of palm oil, and a strong domestic currency, served to push up costs. We still believe in the strong fundamentals of this business and the longer term prospects for palm oil, so we added to our position at the lower levels. Other palm oil companies also suffered, including R.E.A. Holdings and Asian Plantations, both of which are held in the portfolio. Another detractor, Mulberry, suffered far lower demand for luxury goods globally. We had taken profits at higher levels, thus mitigating some of the downside.

In terms of transactions, the largest investment was supporting the mining company, Praetorian Resources, led by the highly regarded Richard Lockwood. We also sold five investments where we have found it difficult to create value, into this company in exchange for new shares. Other purchases included Rockhopper Exploration, Utilitywise, which enables businesses to minimise their energy usage, and an additional investment into Eland Oil & Gas when it listed on AIM.

The largest sale, Cove Energy, was sold to PTT following a fierce bidding war with Shell. Other partial sales included Africa Oil after its strong run, Mulberry Group and Oxford Catalysts. Ashmore was sold in its entirety as it was looking expensive relative to its peers.

Outlook

Unlike governments, most companies are in good health. The US 'fiscal cliff' excepted, the other pressing macro-concerns are now more muted. As a result, we believe that investors will increasingly come to recognise the value of equities, which should bode well for the Company.

John Dodd & Adrian Paterson Fund Managers

Artemis Investment Management LLP

24 December 2012

Twenty-Five Largest Investments

As at 31 October 2012

Investment Sector Country
of
incorporation
Market
Value
£'000
%
of
portfolio
Hurricane
Exploration
*
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 12,151 7.4
Providence
Resources
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
Ireland 9,456 5.7
Africa
Oil
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
Canada 7,893 4.8
Vostok
Energy
*
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 7,879 4.8
Salamander
Energy
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 5,397 3.3
The
Hut
Group
*
General
Retailers
UK 4,655 2.8
Emis
Group
Software
&
Computer
Services
UK
4,504 2.7
New
Britain
Palm
Oil
Food
Producers
Papua
New
Guinea
4,313 2.6
Brewin
Dolphin
Holdings
Financial
Services
UK 4,063 2.5
Lansdowne
Oil
&
Gas
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 3,965 2.4
Eland
Oil
&
Gas
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 3,801 2.3
Asian
Plantations
Food
Producers
Singapore 3,409 2.1
Lynton
Holding
Asia
*
Aerospace
&
Defence
Denmark 3,389 2.1
Genel
Energy
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 3,248 2.0
Ashcourt
Rowan
Financial
Services
UK 3,180 1.9
R.E.A.
Holdings
Food
Producers
UK 3,033 1.8
Polar
Capital
Holdings
Financial
Services
UK 2,955 1.8
Telford
Homes
Household
Goods
&
Home
Construction UK 2,940 1.8
Avation Industrial
Transportation
UK 2,612 1.6
Skywest
Airlines
Travel
&
Leisure
Singapore 2,385 1.4
IGAS
Energy
Oil
&
Gas
Producers
UK 2,273 1.4
Liontrust
Asset
Management
Financial
Services
UK 2,270 1.4
Praetorian
Resources
Mining UK 2,249 1.4
The
Vitec
Group
Industrial
Engineering
UK 2,135 1.3
Weir
Group
Industrial
Engineering
UK 2,090 1.3
Twenty-five
largest
investments
106,245 64.6
Other
investments
(78)
58,097 35.4
Total
portfolio
(103
investments)
164,342 100.0

* Unquoted investment.

Portfolio Analysis

Large cap – Market cap equivalent to FTSE 100 companies, Mid cap – Market cap equivalent to FTSE 250 companies, Small cap – Market cap equivalent to companies below FTSE 250.

Sector Analysis of the portfolio 31 October 2012 30 April 2012

Support Services 2.1% Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 2.0% Other 16.8%

Condensed Income Statement

For the six months ended 31 October 2012

Notes 31
October
Revenue
£'000
Six
months
2012
Capital
£'000
ended
(unaudited)
Total
£'000
31
October
Revenue
£'000
Six
months
2011
Capital
£'000
ended
(unaudited)
Total
£'000
30
Revenue
£'000
Year
April
2012
Capital
£'000
ended
(audited)
Total
£'000
Investment income
Other income
1,170
16

1,170
16
1,200
65

1,200
65
2,018
35

2,018
35
Total revenue 1,186 1,186 1,265 1,265 2,053 2,053
Gains/(losses) on investments
Losses on current asset
1,892 1,892 (25,400) (25,400) (7,274) (7,274)
investments
Currency losses
(194)

(17)
(194)
(17)
(601)

(50)
(601)
(50)
(638)

(68)
(638)
(68)
Total income 992 1,875 2,867 664 (25,450) (24,786) 1,415 (7,342) (5,927)
Expenses
Investment
management fee
Performance fee
Other expenses
(51)

(219)
(456)

(3)
(507)

(222)
(56)
40
(210)
(502)
363
(10)
(558)
403
(220)
(103)
40
(407)
(929)
363
(6)
(1,032)
403
(413)
Profit/(loss) before finance
costs and tax
722 1,416 2,138 438 (25,599) (25,161) 945 (7,914) (6,969)
Finance costs (22) (195) (217) (41) (370) (411) (63) (568) (631)
Profit/(loss) before tax 700 1,221 1,921 397 (25,969) (25,572) 882 (8,482) (7,600)
Tax (12) (12) (29) 15 (14) (24) (24)
Profit/(loss) for the period 688 1,221 1,909 368 (25,954) (25,586) 858 (8,482) (7,624)
Earnings per ordinary
share (basic)
2
Earnings per ordinary
1.45p 2.56p 4.01p 0.75p (53.29)p (52.54)p 1.76p (17.44)p (15.68)p
share (diluted)
2
1.45p 2.56p 4.01p 0.75p (53.29)p (52.54)p 1.76p (17.44)p (15.68)p

The total column of this statement represents the Statement of Comprehensive Income of the Group, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are both prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

All income is attributable to the equity shareholders of Artemis Alpha Trust plc. There are no minority interests.

Condensed Balance Sheet

As at 31 October 2012

Notes 31
October
2012
(unaudited)
£'000
31
October
2011
(unaudited)
£'000
30
April
2012
(audited)
£'000
Non-current
assets
Investments
164,342 141,650 162,480
Current
assets
Investments
held
by
subsidiary
Other
receivables
Cash
and
cash
equivalents
1,570
1,009
5,508
2,256
615
2,986
1,635
664
404
8,087 5,857 2,703
Total
assets
172,429 147,507 165,183
Current
liabilities
Other
payables
Bank
loan
(1,620)
(24,000)
(25,620)
(783)
(14,500)
(15,283)
(834)
(16,000)
(16,834)
Net
assets
146,809 132,224 148,349
Equity
attributable
to
equity
holders
Share
capital
Share
premium
Special
reserve
Capital
redemption
reserve
Retained
earnings

revenue
Retained
earnings

capital
5
556
634
67,027
34
1,813
76,745
557
594
70,938
33
2,050
58,052
557
630
69,649
33
1,956
75,524
Total
equity
146,809 132,224 148,349
Net
asset
value
per
ordinary
share
(basic)
3
Net
asset
value
per
ordinary
share
(diluted)
3
310.59p
310.59p
271.56p
271.56p
307.64p
307.64p

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

For the six months ended 31 October 2012

At 31 October 2012 556 634 67,027 34 1,813 76,745 146,809
Dividends paid (831) (831)
Conversion of subscription shares 4 4
Cancellation of treasury shares (1) 1
Repurchase of ordinary shares
into treasury
(2,622) (2,622)
recorded directly to equity:
Transactions with owners
Profit for the period 688 1,221 1,909
Total comprehensive income:
At 1 May 2012 557 630 69,649 33 1,956 75,524 148,349
Share
capital
£'000
Share
premium
£'000
Special
reserve
£'000
Capital
redemption
reserve
£'000
Retained earnings
Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
Total
£'000
Six months ended 31 October 2012 (unaudited)
Six months ended 31 October 2011 (unaudited)
Capital
Share
capital
£'000
Share
premium
£'000
Special
reserve
£'000
redemption
reserve
£'000
Retained earnings
Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
Total
£'000
At 1 May 2011 557 69,136 2,807 33 2,485 84,006 159,024
Total comprehensive income:
Profit/(loss) for the period
Transactions with owners
recorded directly to equity:
368 (25,954) (25,586)
Cancellation of share premium
Repurchase of ordinary shares
(68,595) 68,595
into treasury (464) (464)
Conversion of subscription shares 53 53
Dividends paid (803) (803)
At 31 October 2011 557 594 70,938 33 2,050 58,052 132,224
Year ended 30 April 2012 (audited)
Share
capital
£'000
Share
premium
£'000
Special
reserve
£'000
Capital
redemption
reserve
£'000
Retained earnings
Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
Total
£'000
At 1 May 2011 557 69,136 2,807 33 2,485 84,006 159,024
Total comprehensive income:
Profit/(loss) for the year
Transactions with owners
recorded directly to equity:
858 (8,482) (7,624)
Cancellation of share premium
Repurchase of ordinary shares
(68,572) 68,572
into treasury (1,730) (1,730)
Conversion of subscription shares 66 66
Dividends paid (1,387) (1,387)
At 30 April 2012 557 630 69,649 33 1,956 75,524 148,349

Condensed Cash Flow Statement

For the six months ended 31 October 2012

Six months
ended
31
October
2012
(unaudited)
£'000
Six
months
ended
31
October
2011
(unaudited)
£'000
Year
ended
30
April
2012
(audited)
£'000
Operating
activities
Profit/(loss)
before
tax
Interest
payable
(Gains)/losses
on
investments
Currency
losses
Losses
on
current
asset
investments
Increase
in
other
receivables
Decrease
in
other
payables
1,921
217
(1,892)
17
194
(2)
(34)
(25,572)
411
25,400
50
601
(68)
(462)
(7,600)
631
7,274
68
638
(87)
(441)
Net
cash
inflow
from
operating
activities
before
interest
and
tax
421 360 483
Interest
paid
Irrecoverable
overseas
tax
suffered
(217)
(12)
(411)
(14)
(631)
(24)
Net
cash
inflow/(outflow)
from
operating
activities
192 (65) (172)
Investing
activities
Purchases
of
investments
Sales
of
investments
(27,130)
27,508
(28,175)
46,009
(53,526)
69,240
Net
cash
inflow
from
investing
activities
378 17,834 15,714
Financing
activities
Repurchase
of
ordinary
shares
into
treasury
Conversion
of
subscription
shares
Dividends
paid
(2,622)
4
(831)
(464)
53
(803)
(1,730)
66
(1,387)
Net
cash
outflow
from
financing
activities
(3,449) (1,214) (3,051)
Net
(decrease)/increase
in
cash
and
cash
equivalents
(2,879) 16,555 12,491
Cash
and
cash
equivalents
at
the
start
of
the
period
Effect
of
foreign
exchange
rate
changes
(15,596)
(17)
(28,019)
(50)
(28,019)
(68)
Cash
and
cash
equivalents
at
the
end
of
the
period
(18,492) (11,514) (15,596)
Bank
loan
Cash
(24,000)
5,508
(14,500)
2,986
(16,000)
404
(18,492) (11,514) (15,596)

Notes to the Half-Yearly Financial Report

1. Accounting policies

The Group's Half-Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' ('IAS 34'), the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and with the guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice for Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies in January 2009.

The Half-Yearly Financial Report has been prepared under the same accounting policies as the Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 April 2012.

2. Earnings per ordinary share

Six
months
ended
31
October
2012
Six
months
ended
31
October
2011
Year
ended
30
April
2012
Earnings
per
ordinary
share
is
based
on:
Revenue
earnings
(£'000)
688
Capital
earnings
(£'000)
1,221
368
(25,954)
858
(8,482)
Total
earnings
(£'000)
1,909
(25,586) (7,624)
Weighted
average
number
of
ordinary
shares
in
issue
during
the
period
(basic)
47,613,465
Weighted
average
number
of
ordinary
shares
in
issue
during
the
period
(diluted)
47,613,465
48,704,648
48,704,648
48,635,430
48,635,430

3. Net asset value per ordinary share

As
at
31
October
2012
As
at
31
October
2011
As
at
30
April
2012
Net
asset
value
per
ordinary
share
is
based
on:
Net
assets
(£'000)
146,809
132,224 148,349
Number
of
ordinary
shares
in
issue
at
the
end
of
the
period
(basic)
47,268,456
Number
of
ordinary
shares
in
issue
at
the
48,690,588 48,222,422
end
of
the
period
(diluted)
47,268,456
48,690,588 48,222,422

During the period the Company bought back 955,128 ordinary shares into treasury. 1,162 subscription shares were exercised and the same number of ordinary shares were issued in respect of these.

At 31 October 2012, the Company held 1,427,176 ordinary shares in treasury, having cancelled 150,000 ordinary shares from treasury during the period.

Notes to the Half-Yearly Financial Report continued

4. Dividends

Six
months
ended
31
October
2012
£'000
Six
months
ended
31
October
2011
£'000
Year
ended
30
April
2012
£'000
Second
interim
dividend
for
the
year
ended
30
April
2011

1.65p
First
interim
dividend
for
the
803 803
year
ended
30
April
2012

1.20p
Second
interim
dividend
for
the
year
ended
30
April
2012

1.75p

831

584
831 803 1,387

A first interim dividend for the year ending 30 April 2013 of £567,000 (1.20p per ordinary share) has been declared. This will be paid on 1 February 2013 to those shareholders on the register at close of business on 4 January 2013.

5. Analysis of retained earnings – capital

31
October
2012
£'000
31
October
2011
£'000
30
April
2012
£'000
Retained
earnings
-
capital
(realised)
Retained
earnings
-
capital
(unrealised)
83,836
(7,091)
63,649
(5,597)
75,561
(37)
76,745 58,052 75,524

6. Comparative information

The financial information for the six months ended 31 October 2012 and 31 October 2011 has not been audited and does not constitute statutory financial statements as defined in Section 234 of the Companies Act 2006.

The information for the year ended 30 April 2012 has been extracted from the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 April 2012. These financial statements contained an unqualified auditor's report and have been lodged with the Registrar of Companies and did not contain a statement required under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

7. Principal risks and uncertainties

Pursuant to DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the principal risks faced by the Company include general market price risk, liquidity risk, regulatory and financial risks.

These risks, which have not materially changed since the Annual Report for the year ended 30 April 2012, and the way in which they are managed, are described in more detail in the Annual Report for the year ended 30 April 2012 which is available on the Investment Manager's website at artemisonline.co.uk.

8. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the period.

Responsibility Statement of the Directors in respect of the Half-Yearly Financial Report

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge, in respect of the Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 31 October 2012:

  • the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as adopted by the EU;
  • the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:
  • (a) Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and
  • (b) Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.8R (related party transactions).

For and on behalf of the Board Simon Miller Chairman 24 December 2012

General Information

Directors

S E C Miller (Chairman) D J Barron T Cross Brown A D Dalrymple I R Dighé

Investment Manager and Company Secretary

Artemis Investment Management LLP Cassini House 57 St James's Street London SW1A 1LD

Telephone: 0800 092 2051 Email: [email protected] Website: artemisonline.co.uk

The Investment Manager is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HA.

Registered Office

Cassini House 57 St James's Street London SW1A 1LD

Administrator

J.P. Morgan Europe Limited 25 Bank Street Canary Wharf London E14 5JP

Stockbroker

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe One America Square 17 Crosswall London EC3N 2LS

Auditors

KPMG Audit Plc Saltire Court 20 Castle Terrace Edinburgh EH1 2EG

Registrars

Capita Registrars The Registry 34 Beckenham Road Beckenham Kent BR3 4TU

Shareholder helpline: 0871 664 0300

(calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday).

Bankers

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA London Branch 25 Bank Street Canary Wharf London E14 5JP

Custodian

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA London Branch 25 Bank Street Canary Wharf London E14 5JP

Solicitors

Dickson Minto W.S. Broadgate Tower Primrose Street London EC2A 2EW

A member of the Association of Investment Companies.

An investment company as defined under Section 833 of the Companies Act 2006.

Registered in England Number: 253644.

Artemis Alpha Trust plc 18

Talk to a Data Expert

Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.