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LIVERMORE INVESTMENTS GROUP LIMITED

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

 

Livermore Investments Group Limited (the "Company" or "Livermore") today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2017.


For further investor information please go to www.livermore-inv.com.

Enquiries:

Livermore Investments Group Limited                                                          +41 43 344 3200

Arden Partners plc                                                                                           +44 (0)20 7614 5917

Steve Douglas

 

 

Chairman's and Chief Executive's Review

Introduction

We are pleased to announce the interim financial results for Livermore Investments Group Limited (the "Company" or "Livermore") for the six months ended 30 June 2017. 

During the first half of 2017, the Company generated net income of USD 8.33m (30 June 2016: USD 9.84m), which represents earnings per share of USD 0.04 (30 June 2016: USD 0.06). The NAV of the Company as of 30 June 2017 was USD 0.96 per share. During the reporting period, management continued to actively manage the financial portfolio and optimized exposure to US credit markets.

 

Financial Review

The NAV of the Company as at 30 June 2017 was USD 167.9m (30 June 2016: 150.2m). The profit after tax for the first half of 2017 was USD 8.33m, which represents earnings per share of USD 0.04. The performance relates largely to the CLO portfolio and exposure to leveraged loans.

 

30 June 2017

 

30 June 2016

 

31 December 2016

US $m

 

US $m

 

US $m

Shareholders' funds at beginning of period

157.2

 

148.6

 

148.6

 

___________

 

___________

 

___________

Income from investments

12.3

 

15.5

 

30.4

Disposal Of Wyler Park

-

 

-

 

7.6

Other income

-

 

-

 

-

Realised losses on investments

(0.1)

 

(0.7)

 

0.3

Loss on impairment on investments

-

 

(7.6)

 

-

Unrealised (losses) / gains on investments

(0.1)

 

3.9

 

(2.9)

Unrealised exchange profit

-

 

0.4

 

1.7

Administration costs

(1.9)

 

(2.0)

 

(8.2)

Net finance income / (costs)

0.5

 

0.4

 

(1.2)

Tax (charge) / credit

-

 

(0.4)

 

3.8

 

___________

 

___________

 

___________

Increase / (decrease) in net assets from operations

10.7

 

9.5

 

31.5

Purchase of own shares

 

 

(7.9)

 

(7.9)

Dividends paid

 

 

-

 

(15.0)

 

___________

 

___________

 

___________

Shareholders' funds at end of period

167.9

 

150.2

 

157.2

 

------

 

------

 

------

Net Asset Value per share

US $0.96

 

US $0.86

 

US $0.90

 

 

Livermore's Strategy

The financial portfolio is focused on fixed income instruments which generate regular cash flows and include exposure mainly to senior secured and usually broadly syndicated US loans. This part of the portfolio is geographically focused on the US.

 

Strong emphasis is given to maintaining sufficient liquidity and low leverage at the overall portfolio level and to re-invest in existing and new investments along the economic cycle. 

 

Repurchase of shares

Between 31 December 2016 and 30 June 2017, the Company did not repurchase any additional shares. On 30 June 2017, the Company held 129,306,403 shares in treasury. No additional shares were purchased between 30 June 2017 and before the beginning of the interim closed period.

 

Dividends

No dividends are declared for the period ended 30 June 2017.

 

The Board of Directors will decide on the Company's dividend policy for 2017 based on profitability, liquidity requirements, portfolio performance, market conditions, and the share price of the Company relative to its NAV.

 

 

Richard Rosenberg

Noam Lanir

Chairman

Chief Executive

 

26 September 2017

Review of Activities

Economic & Investment Environment

Global growth and macro-financial conditions continued to improve in the first half of 2017. Economic growth was more robust than previous quarters, due in large part to an upturn in emerging economies and a firmer recovery in the euro area. Favourable financing conditions alongside more synchronized regional growth dynamics across the world supported the recovery in global growth.

US GDP recorded growth of 1.4% in the first quarter and expanded at the rate of 3% in the second quarter. Labor conditions have continued to improve and there has been general optimism about tax reform from the new government to kick-start higher levels of growth. Inflation, however, has continued to stay at low levels. Against this backdrop, the US Federal Reserve continued to gradually increase interest rates from very low levels.

The euro area economic recovery continued to firm up. Domestic demand supported by the highly accommodative monetary policy continue to drive economic growth. The recovery in investment has been promoted by favorable financing conditions and improvements in corporate profitability, while sustained employment gains provided support to households' real disposable income and thus private consumption. Further, euro area export growth was better on the back of a gradual improvement in global trade.

Labor market conditions continued to improve in line with GDP growth with US, Japan, UK and Germany close to full employment. Employment conditions improved in most European Union member states as well.  Inflation, however, has remained below central bank target levels in most advanced economies.

As synchronized economic growth across the world takes hold, the key risks emanate from central bank policy actions in advanced economies as they attempt to dial back the highly accommodative and new policy tools.

More robust economic growth, optimism over US fiscal policy, and still highly accommodative monetary policies helped ease financial conditions across most advanced economies in the first half of 2017. The S&P 500 Index recorded a total return of 9.34% during this period whereas EuroStoxx 50 Index gained 6.7%. The Indian NIFTY Index was up 16.3% and the respective main stock market indices in Japan and China also recorded gains. Government bond yields in the euro area increased on better growth dynamics as well as spillover future growth optimism in the US post the US election. The strength in the US Dollar witnessed post the presidential elections in the US, however, has reversed as the market dialed back the probability and degree of tax reform that the new US administration may be able to deliver.

Spreads in Investment Grade and High Yield markets continued to tighten as investors assessed better growth prospects and limited investment options. The Leveraged Loan market saw significant inflows as expectations of higher interest rates attracted investors into floating rate assets. The high interest in the asset class along with robust CLO issuance created favorable financing conditions and borrowers refinanced to lower spreads as well as extended their loan maturities. Default activity remained at low levels and it expected to stay low in 2018 as strong liquidity and few maturities reduce default risk. High yield bonds returned 4.9% in the first half of the year as measured by Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Total Return Index whereas the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loans Index was up 1.96% during the same period.

Sources: Swiss National Bank (SNB), European Central Bank (ECB), US Federal Reserve, Bloomberg, JP Morgan

 

 

Financial Portfolio and trading activity      

 

The Company manages a financial portfolio valued at USD 152.0m as at 30 June 2017, which is invested mainly in fixed income and credit related securities.

                   

 

The following is a table summarizing the financial portfolio as at 30 June 2017

Name

30 June 2017

Book Value US $m

30 June 2016

Book Value US $m

31 December 2016

Book Value US $m

Investment in the loan market through CLOs

94.2

78.9

81.8

Open Warehouse facilities

30.5

6.1

17.3

Hedge Funds

1.1

1.1

1.0

Corporate Bonds

1.1

1.1

1.2

Other Public Equities

1.9

2.8

2.0

Invested Total

128.8

90.0

103.3

Cash

23.2

13.2

60.4

Total

152.0

103.2

163.7

 

 

Senior Secured Loans and CLOs:

The US senior secured loan market continued to offer good risk adjusted returns as a floating rate asset class with a senior secured claim on the borrower and with overall low volatility and low correlation to the equity market. CLOs are managed portfolios invested into diversified pools of senior secured loans and financed with long term financing pre-fixed at the time of issuance.

 

Following a strong 2016, the leveraged loan market remained relatively stable with the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index recording a total return of 1.96% in the first half of the year. The stability, however, does not reflect the tremendous amount of refinancing activity in the market as a large percentage of borrowers took advantage of the seemingly insatiable demand for floating rate assets and reduced the spread they pay on their loans. While lower spreads provide for lower returns, these favourable financing conditions also allowed borrowers to address near term maturities and reduce the risk of default in the near term. During the reporting period, default rates continued to stay below average levels (1.54% for the S&P/LSTA Leverage Loan Index as at the end of June 2017) and the near-mid term outlook remains benign.

 

CLO equity market was relatively stable during the first half of 2017 on the back of stable credit markets. As anticipated, CLO equity distributions reduced as the loan spreads tightened and the libor floor benefit was completely erased due to rate hikes. At the same time, however, CLO debt demand increased significantly. Management has been proactively working on utilizing its option to refinance the cost of CLO liabilities lower where possible, or extend the reinvestment period of its CLO positions, or both. The reduced financing costs should help offset some of the loan spread reduction and provide optionality of higher and longer cash flows from our CLO equity positions. Management continues to follow problem credits and focus on Retail industry exposure due to the expected decline in fundamentals.

 

During the reporting period the Company's US CLO portfolio performed well despite lower cash flows as the value of optionality embedded within CLO equity increased. Management has been proactively working on benefitting from this optionality to lower financing costs or increasing the length of cash flows or both. Further, management converted all three of its open warehouses in new issue CLOs with the lowest cost of financing since the 2007 crisis. The warehouses generated strong returns and the Company received net income of USD 1.5m from the warehouses. As of the end of the reporting period, management had negotiated 3 new attractive warehouses with long tenures and non-mark-to-market financings. Two of these warehouses have already been converted to a CLO and the Company received USD 1.2m from them in the third quarter of the year. As at 30 June 2017, over 93.8% of the Company's CLO portfolio is invested in post-crisis CLOs.

 

Although management maintains a positive view on the CLO portfolio, mid-long term performance may be negatively impacted by a strong pull back in the US or European economy or geo-political events that could result in a spike in defaults.  Despite positive developments in the overall health of the US economy, we acknowledge the continued below trend growth globally as well as headwinds relating to the potential monetary tightening in advanced economies, weak commodity markets and geopolitical risks.

 

The Company's CLO portfolio is divided into the following geographical areas:

 

 

30 June 2017 Amount

Percentage

30 June  2016 Amount

Percentage

 

US $000

 

US $000

 

US CLOs

93,446

99.2%

74,752

94.7%

European CLOs

594

0.6%

688

0.9%

Global Credit CLOs

124

0.2%

3,436

4.4%

 

------

------

------

------

 

94,164

100%

78,876

100%

 

------

------

------

------

 

 

Private Equity Funds

The other private equity investments held by the Company are incorporated in the form of Managed Funds (mostly closed end funds) mainly in emerging economies. The investments of these funds into their portfolio companies were mostly done in 2008 and 2009. Overall, during the first half of 2017 the investment environment relating to most funds was challenging and the Company expects that exits of portfolio companies should materialize between 2018 and 2020.

 

The following summarizes the book value of the private equity funds as at 30 June 2017:

Name

Book Value US $m

Evolution Venture (Israel)

4.0

SRS Private (India)

1.3

Other investments

2.4

Total

7.7

 

Evolution Venture:  Evolution is an Israel focused venture capital fund. It invests in early stage technology companies. Its investments include Whitesmoke Software Ltd (a Tel-Aviv listed language enhancement products company), a software company operating in the digital radio market, a software test tool developer, and a virtualization technology company. The virtualization technology company recently raised new capital at much higher levels than the funds'.

 

SRS Private: SRS Private is a private equity fund focused on real estate in India. The fund has invested in residential and commercial projects as well as directly in certain real estate companies. The assets are primarily located in and around major cities of India such as Mumbai and Hyderabad. In the last twelve months, the fund has distributed USD 0.2m to Livermore. Further distributions are expected in 2017 - 18 from two of its investments. Remaining proceeds from the partial sale of their IT project in Mumbai is delayed due to financial condition of the buyer.

The following table reconciles the review of activities to the Group's financial assets as at 30 June 2017.  

Name

30 June 2017

Book Value US $m

Financial portfolio

128.8

Private Equity Funds

7.7

Total

136.5

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (note 4)

127.7

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (note 5)

8.8

Total

136.5

 

Events after the reporting date

Events after the reporting date are described in note 28 to the interim financial statements.

 

Litigation

Information is provided in note 26 to the interim condensed financial statements.

 

 

Livermore Investments Group Limited

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

as at 30 June 2017

 

Note

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

Assets

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

-

23

-

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

4

94,165

80,164

81,769

Financial assets at fair value through other

comprehensive income

 

5

 

7,835

 

12,477

 

5,634

Investment property

8

-

126,185

-

Investments in subsidiaries

10

6,425

-

5,252

Trade and other receivables

11

2,532

564

2,513

 

 

--------

--------

--------

 

 

110,957

219,413

95,168

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

11

3,620

4,201

5,427

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

4

33,568

9,996

20,318

Financial assets at fair value through other

comprehensive income

 

5

 

1,064

 

1,024

 

1,039

Current tax asset

 

-

4

-

Cash at bank

12

23,158

13,201

60,383

 

 

--------

--------

--------

 

 

61,410

28,426

87,167

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Total assets

 

172,367

247,839

182,335

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Equity

 

 

 

 

Share capital

13

-

-

-

Share premium and treasury shares

13

169,187

169,187

169,187

Other reserves

 

(37,415)

(32,216)

(39,842)

Retained earnings

 

36,162

13,263

27,829

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Total equity

 

167,934

150,234

157,174

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Bank loans

15

-

75,956

-

Deferred tax

 

-

4,408

-

 

 

--------

--------

--------

 

 

-

80,364

-

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Bank loans

15

-

1,504

-

Bank overdrafts

12

-

14,247

1,160

Trade and other payables

16

4,433

937

8,616

Provisions

 

-

385

385

Dividend payable

 

-

-

15,000

Derivative financial instruments

 

-

168

-

 

 

--------

--------

--------

 

 

4,433

17,241

25,161

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Total liabilities

 

4,433

97,605

25,161

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Total equity and liabilities

 

172,367

247,839

182,335

 

 

--------

--------

--------

Net asset valuation per share

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net asset valuation per share (US $)

17

0.96

0.86

0.90

 

 

--------

--------

--------

 

 

Livermore Investments Group Limited

Condensed Statement of Profit or Loss

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

 

Note

Six months

ended

30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended

30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year

ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Continuing operations

 

 

 

 

Investment Income

 

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

19

12,345

12,930

26,334

(Loss) / gain on investments

20

(2,599)

(3,602)

1,695

 

 

------

------

------

Gross profit

 

9,746

9,328

28,029

Administrative expenses

21

(1,882)

(1,812)

(7,888)

 

 

------

------

------

Operating  profit

 

7,864

7,516

20,141

Finance costs

22

(46)

(129)

(218)

Finance income

22

515

1,143

-

 

 

------

------

------

Profit before taxation

 

8,333

8,530

19,923

Taxation charge

 

-

(18)

(38)

 

 

------

------

------

Profit for period / year from continuing operations

 

8,333

8,512

19,885

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

Profit for period / year from discontinued operations

 

-

1,327

14,091

 

 

------

------

------

Profit for period / year

 

8,333

9,839

33,976

 

 

------

------

------

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted  earnings per share (US $)

 

 

 

 

·      From continuing operations

24

0.04

0.05

0.11

·      On discontinued operations

24

-

0.01

0.08

 

 

------

------

------

 

 

0.04

0.06

0.19

 

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

Livermore Investments Group Limited

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

Six months

ended

30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended

30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year

ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period / year

 

8,333

9,839

33,976

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gains from translation of subsidiaries

 

-

403

190

 

 

------

------

------

 

 

8,333

10,242

34,166

 

 

------

------

------

Items that are not reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

 

 

 

 

Financial assets designated at fair value through other comprehensive income - fair value gains / (losses)

 

2,427

(779)

(4,301)

 

 

------

------

------

Reclassification to profit or loss

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange losses reclassified on disposal of subsidiary

 

-

-

1,538

 

 

------

------

------

Total comprehensive income for the period / year

 

10,760

9,463

31,403

 

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

Livermore Investments Group Limited

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

for the period ended 30 June 2017

 

 

Note

Share

capital

Share

premium

Treasury  Shares

Share

option reserve

Translation  reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

Total

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

Balance at 1 January 2016

 

-

215,499

(38,446)

5,506

(1,728)

(1,147)

(31,047)

148,637

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(34,471)

 

34,471

 

-

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

As restated

 

-

215,499

(38,446)

5,506

(1,728)

(35,618)

3,424

148,637

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Purchase of own shares

 

-

-

(7,866)

-

-

-

-

(7,866)

Dividends

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

(15,000)

(15,000)

Transfer on expiry of options

 

-

-

-

(5,429)

-

-

5,429

-

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Transactions with owners

 

-

-

(7,866)

(5,429)

-

-

(9,571)

(22,866)

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Profit for the year

 

-

-

 

-

-

-

33,976

33,976

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through OCI- Fair value losses

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

(4,301)

 

-

 

(4,301)

Foreign exchange gain arising from translation of subsidiaries

 

-

-

-

-

 

190

 

-

 

-

 

190

Foreign exchange losses reclassified on disposal of subsidiary

 

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,538

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,538

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

-----

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

-

-

-

-

 

1,728

 

(4,301)

 

33,976

 

31,403

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Balance at 31 December 2016

 

-

215,499

(46,312)

77

-

(39,919)

27,829

157,174

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Profit for the period

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

8,333

8,333

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through OCI- Fair value gains

 

-

-

-

-

-

2,427

-

2,427

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

-

-

2,427

8,333

10,760

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Balance at 30 June 2017

 

-

215,499

(46,312)

77

-

(37,492)

36,162

167,934

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

 

 

Share

capital

Share

premium

Treasury  Shares

Share

option reserve

Translation  reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

Retained earnings

Total

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

Balance at 1 January 2016

 

-

215,499

(38,446)

5,506

(1,728)

(1,147)

(31,047)

148,637

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

(34,471)

 

34,471

-

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

As restated

 

-

215,499

(38,446)

5,506

(1,728)

(35,618)

3,424

148,637

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Purchase of own shares

 

-

-

(7,866)

-

-

-

-

(7,866)

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Transactions with owners

 

-

-

(7,866)

-

-

-

-

(7,866)

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Profit for the period

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,839

9,839

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through OCI- Fair value losses

 

-

-

-

-

-

(779)

-

(779)

Foreign exchange gain arising from translation of subsidiaries

 

-

-

-

-

403

-

-

403

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

-

403

(779)

9,839

9,463

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

Balance at 30 June 2016

 

-

215,499

(46,312)

5,506

(1,325)

(36,397)

13,263

150,234

 

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

Livermore Investments Group Limited

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

for the period ended 30 June 2017

 

 

Note

Six months

ended

30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended

30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year

ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

 

8,333

8,530

19,923

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

21

-

3

7

Interest expense

22

7

129

216

Interest and dividend income

19

(12,345)

(12,930)

(26,334)

Loss / (gains) on investments

20

2,599

3,602

(1,695)

Exchange differences

 

(430)

(304)

(243)

 

 

------

------

------

 

 

(1,836)

(970)

(8,126)

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

Decrease in trade and other receivables

 

1,741

543

24,486

(Decrease) / increase  in trade and other payables

 

(4,183)

(1,257)

4,251

 

 

------

------

------

Cash flows from operations

 

(4,278)

(1,684)

20,611

Interest and dividend received

 

12,554

13,169

26,561

Settlement of litigation

 

(385)

(128)

(128)

Tax paid

 

-

(16)

(39)

 

 

------

------

------

Net cash generated from operating activities

 

7,891

11,341

47,005

 

 

------

------

------

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary - net of cash and cash equivalents disposed

 

-

-

31,752

Acquisition of investments

 

(68,075)

(16,841)

(37,039)

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

38,716

500

14,462

Settlement of derivative

 

-

(743)

(148)

 

 

------

------

------

Net cash from investing activities

 

(29,359)

(17,084)

9,027

 

 

------

------

------

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

Purchases of own shares

 

-

(7,866)

(7,866)

Interest paid

 

(66)

(140)

(331)

Dividends paid

 

(15,000)

-

-

 

 

------

------

------

Net cash from financing activities

 

(15,066)

(8,006)

(8,197)

 

 

------

------

------

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

   -  from continuing operations

 

(36,534)

(13,749)

47,835

   -  of discontinued operations

 

-

(423)

826

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period / year

 

59,223

12,562

12,562

Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents

 

469

564

(245)

Cash and cash equivalent of subsidiaries, removed on change in investment entity status

 

-

-

(1,755)

 

 

------

------

------

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period / year

12

23,158

(1,046)

59,223

 

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

1.     Accounting policies

The interim condensed financial statements of Livermore have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies stated in the 2016 Annual Report, available on www.livermore-inv.com. The application of the IFRS pronouncements that became effective as of 1 January 2017 has no significant impact on the Company's financial statements.

1.1  Adoption of IFRS 9

The Company elected in 2016 to apply IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments" as issued in July 2014, earlier than its effective date.  The date of the initial application of IFRS 9 was 1 January 2016.  As a result of the adoption of IFRS 9, the comparative figures for the six months ended 30 June 2016 have been restated. 

The most significant impact of the adoption of IFRS 9, was on the classification and measurement of the Company's financial assets.

The impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 on the financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2016, is summarized as follows:

 

30 June 2016

1 January 2016

 

US $000

US $000

Reclassification out of Available-for-sale financial assets

(93,238)

(81,147)

Reclassification to Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

79,737

67,196

Designated as Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

13,501

 

13,951

 

------

------

Net assets impact

-

-

 

------

------

 

 

 

Adjustment to Retained earnings

38,128

34,471

Adjustment to Investments revaluation reserve

(38,128)

(34,471)

 

------

------

Equity impact

-

-

 

------

------

 

Also, the profit or loss for the six months ended 30 June 2016 is higher by USD 3.655m (representing an increase of USD 0.02 on basic and diluted earnings per share for the period) due to the adoption of IFRS 9.  This is mostly attributable to the fact that the additional fair value losses recognised in profit or loss are less than the impairment losses on available-for-sale financial assets that would have been recognised based on IAS 39.

The adoption of IFRS 9 did not have any significant impact on the Company's financial liabilities.

   

2.     Critical accounting judgements and estimation uncertainty

When preparing the interim condensed financial statements, Management undertakes a number of judgements, estimates and assumptions about recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The actual results may differ from the judgements, estimates and assumptions made by Management, and will seldom equal the estimated results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions applied in the interim condensed financial statements, including the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied in the Company's last annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

3.     Basis of preparation

These unaudited interim condensed financial statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2017. They have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2016.

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 is extracted from the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 which contained an unqualified audit report.

3.1 Investment entity status

On 28 October 2016, Livermore disposed to a third party the 100% of the shares of its subsidiary Livermore Investments AG in Switzerland, and as a result discontinued its investment property activities that constituted an operating segment of the Group.  The Directors determined that since the discontinuance of its investment property activities, Livermore meets the definition of an investment entity, as this is defined in IFRS 10 "Consolidated Financial Statements".

In accordance with IFRS 10, an investment entity is exempted from consolidating its subsidiaries, unless any subsidiary which is not itself an investment entity mainly provides services that relate to the investment entity's investment activities.

In Livermore's situation, none of its subsidiaries provides such services.

Given the above, these financial statements consolidate the Company's subsidiaries up to 28 October 2016. As of that date, the subsidiaries have been de-consolidated, and recognised as Investments in subsidiaries at their fair value as at 28 October 2016.

 

4.     Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Fixed income investments (CLO Income Notes)

94,165

78,876

81,769

Real estate entities

-

1,288

-

 

------

------

 ------

 

94,165

80,164

81,769

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Fixed income investments

31,673

7,165

18,368

Public equity investments

1,895

2,831

1,950

 

 ------

 ------

------

 

33,568

9,996

20,318

 

------

------

------

For description of each of the above categories, refer to note 6.

The above investments represent financial assets that are mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss.

The Company treats its investments in the loan market through CLOs as non-current investments as the Company generally intends to hold such investments over a period longer than twelve months.

 

 

5.     Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Private equities

7,835

12,477

5,634

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Hedge funds

1,064

1,024

1,039

 

------

------

------

For description of each of the above categories, refer to note 6.

The above investments are non-trading equity investments that have been designated at fair value through other comprehensive income.

 

6.     Financial assets at fair value

The Company allocates its non-derivative financial assets at fair value (notes 4 and 5) as follows:

 

·      Fixed income investments relate to fixed and floating rate bonds, perpetual bank debt, and investments in the loan market through CLOs, and investments in open warehouse facilities. 

 

·      Private equities relate to investments in the form of equity purchases in both high growth opportunities in emerging markets and deep value opportunities in mature markets. The Company generally invests directly in prospects where it can exert influence. Main investments under this category are in the fields of real estate. 

·      Hedge funds relate to equity investments in funds managed by sophisticated investment managers that pursue investment strategies with the goal of generating absolute returns.

 

·      Public equity investments relate to investments in shares of companies listed on public stock exchanges.

 

·      Real estate entities relate to investments in real estate projects.

 

7.     Fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities

The following table presents financial assets measured at fair value in the statement of financial position in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.  This hierarchy groups financial assets and liabilities into three levels based on the significance of inputs used in measuring the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

 

-       Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;

-       Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

-       Level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

 

Valuation of financial assets and liabilities

·      Fixed Income Investments and Public Equity Investments are valued per their closing market prices on quoted exchanges, or as quoted by market maker. Investments in open warehouse facilities that have not yet been converted to CLOs, are valued based on an adjusted net asset valuation.   

The Company values the CLOs based on the valuation reports provided by market makers. CLOs are typically valued by market makers using discounted cash flow models. The key assumptions for cash flow projections include default and recovery rates, prepayment rates and reinvestment assumptions on the underlying portfolios (typically senior secured loans) of the CLOs.

Default and recovery rates: The amount and timing of defaults in the underlying collateral and the amount and timing of recovery upon a default affect are key to the future cash flows a CLO will distribute to the CLO equity tranche. All else equal, higher default rates and lower recovery rates typically lead to lower cash flows. Conversely, lower default rates and higher recoveries lead to higher cash flows.

Prepayment rates: Senior loans can be pre-paid by borrowers. CLOs that are within their reinvestment period may, subject to certain conditions, reinvest such prepayments into other loans which may have different spreads and maturities. CLOs that are beyond their reinvestment period typically pay down their senior liabilities from proceeds of such pre-payments. Therefore the rate at which the underlying collateral prepays impacts the future cash flows that the CLO may generate.

Reinvestment assumptions: A CLO within its reinvestment period may reinvest proceeds from loan maturities, prepayments, and recoveries into purchasing additional loans. The reinvestment assumptions define the characteristics of the loans that a CLO may reinvest in. These assumptions include the spreads, maturities, and prices of such loans. Reinvestment into loans with higher spreads and lower prices will lead to higher cash flows. Reinvestment into loans with lower spreads will typically lead to lower cash flows.

Discount rate: The discount rate indicates the yield that market participants expect to receive and is used to discount the projected future cash flows. Higher yield expectations or discount rates lead to lower prices and lower discount rates lead to higher prices for CLOs.  

·      Private Equities are valued using market valuation techniques as determined by the Directors, mainly on the basis of discounted cash flow techniques or valuations reported by third-party managers of such investments. 

·      Hedge Funds are valued per reports provided by the funds on a periodic basis, and if traded, per their closing bid market prices on quoted exchanges, or as quoted by market maker.

·      Real Estates entities are valued by independent qualified property valuers with substantial relevant experience on such investments. Underlying property values are determined based on their estimated market values.    

·      Investments in subsidiaries are valued at fair value as determined on an adjusted net asset valuation basis.

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:      

 

 

30 June 2017

Unaudited

US $000

Unaudited

US $000

Unaudited

 US $000

Unaudited US $000

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

Fixed income investments

1,126

94,165

30,547

125,838

Private equities

-

-

7,835

7,835

Public equity investments

1,895

-

-

1,895

Hedge funds

-

1,064

-

1,064

Investments in subsidiaries

-

-

6,425

6,425

 

------

------

------

------

 

3,021

95,229

44,807

143,057

 

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

30 June 2016

Unaudited

US $000

Unaudited

US $000

Unaudited

 US $000

Unaudited US $000

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

Fixed income investments

1,103

78,876

6,062

86,041

Private equities

-

-

12,477

12,477

Public equity investments

2,831

-

-

2,831

Hedge funds

-

1,024

-

1,024

Real estate entities

-

-

1,288

1,288

 

------

------

------

------

 

3,934

79,900

19,827

103,661

 

------

------

------

------

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Forward contract

-

168

-

168

 

------

------

------

------

 

-

168

-

168

 

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

31 December 2016

Audited

US $000

Audited

US $000

Audited

 US $000

Audited

 US $000

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets

 

 

 

 

Fixed income investments

1,117

81,769

17,251

100,137

Private equities

-

-

5,634

5,634

Public equity investments

1,951

-

-

1,951

Hedge funds

-

1,038

-

1,038

Investments in subsidiaries

-

-

5,252

5,252

 

------

------

------

------

 

3,068

82,807

28,137

114,012

 

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

The methods and valuation techniques used for the purpose of measuring fair value are unchanged compared to the previous reporting period.

 

No financial assets or liabilities have been transferred between levels, except from a certain equity instrument that was delisted and therefore transferred from Level 1 to Level 3 in 2016.

 

 

Financial assets within level 3 can be reconciled from beginning to ending balances as follows:

 

 

 

At fair value through  OCI

At fair value through  profit or loss

Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

Private equities

Fixed Income

investments

 

Total

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

As at 1 January 2017

5,634

17,251

5,252

28,137

Purchases

-

48,500

1,200

49,700

Settlement

-

(35,500)

-

(35,500)

Gains / (losses) recognised in:

 

 

 

 

-Profit or loss

-

296

(27)

269

-Other comprehensive income

2,201

-

-

2,201

 

------

------

------

------

As at 30 June 2017

7,835

30,547

6,425

44,807

 

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

At fair value through  OCI

Available-for-sale

At fair value through  profit or loss

 

 

 

Private equities

Private equities

 Real estate

Private equities

Fixed Income

investments

Total

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

As at 1 January 2016

-

12,518

1,203

330

5,021

19,072

Transfer on initial application of IFRS 9 (note 1.1)

 

12,848

 

(12,518)

 

-

 

(330)

 

-

 

-

Losses recognised in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Profit or loss

-

-

85

-

1,041

1,126

-Other comprehensive income

(371)

-

-

-

-

(371)

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

As at 30 June 2016

12,477

-

1,288

-

6,062

19,827

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

At fair value through  OCI

 

Available-

for-sale

 

At fair value through  profit or loss

Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

Private equities

Private

equities

 Real estate

Private equities

Fixed Income

investments

 

Total

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

As at 1 January 2016

-

12,518

1,203

330

5,021

-

19,072

Transfer on initial application of IFRS 9 (note 1.1)

 

12,848

 

(12,518)

 

-

 

(330)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Change in investment entity status (note 3.1)

 

-

 

-

 

(1,288)

 

-

 

-

 

5,567

 

4,279

Transfer from Level 1

369

-

-

-

 

 

369

Purchases

-

-

-

-

17,000

 

17,000

Settlement

(3,308)

-

-

-

(6,062)

-

(9,370)

Gains / (losses) recognised in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Profit or loss

-

-

85

-

1,292

(315)

1,062

-Other comprehensive income

(4,275)

-

-

-

-

-

(4,275)

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

As at 31 December 2016

5,634

-

-

-

17,251

5,252

28,137

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

------

 

The above recognised gains / (losses)  are allocated as follows: 

 

At fair value through  OCI

At fair value through  profit or loss

Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Private equities

Fixed Income

investments

 

Total

Six months ended 30 June 2017

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

Profit or loss

 

 

 

 

-Financial assets held at period-end

 

-

296

(27)

269

 

------

------

------

------

 

-

296

(27)

269

 

------

------

------

------

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

-Financial assets held at period-end

2,201

-

-

2,201

 

------

------

------

------

 

2,201

-

-

2,201

 

------

------

------

------

Total gains / (losses) for period

2,201

296

(27)

2,470

 

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

At fair value through  OCI

At fair value through  profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

Private equities

 Real estate

Private equities

Fixed Income

investments

Total

Six months ended 30 June 2016

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

Profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

-Financial assets held at period-end

 

-

 

85

 

-

 

1,041

 

1,126

 

------

------

------

------

------

 

-

85

-

1,041

1,126

 

------

------

------

------

------

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

-Financial assets held at period-end

 

(371)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(371)

 

------

------

------

------

------

 

(371)

-

-

-

(371)

 

------

------

------

------

------

Total (losses)  / gains for period

(371)

85

-

1,041

755

 

------

------

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At fair value through  OCI

 

At fair value through  profit or loss

Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Private equities

 Real estate

Private equities

Fixed Income

investments

 

Total

Year ended 31 December 2016

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

US $000

Profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Financial assets held at year-end

-

85

-

1,292

(315)

1,062

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

 

-

85

-

1,292

(315)

1,062

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Financial assets held at year -end

(4,275)

-

-

-

-

(4,275)

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

 

(4,275)

-

-

-

-

(4,275)

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

Total  (losses ) / gains for year 

(4,275)

85

-

1,292

(315)

(3,213)

 

------

------

------

------

------

------

                 

 

The Company has not developed any quantitative unobservable inputs for measuring the fair value of its level 3 financial assets at the reporting date.  Instead the Group used prices from third - party pricing information without adjustment.

 

A reasonable change in any individual significant input used in the level 3 valuations is not anticipated to have a significant change in fair values as above.

 

8.     Investment property

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Valuation as at 1 January

-

123,324

123,324

Fair value (loss) / gain  - recognised in profit or loss

-

(102)

(102)

Additions

-

102

102

Exchange differences

-

2,861

1,439

Disposal of subsidiary (note 3.1)

-

-

(124,763)

 

------

------

------

As at 30 June / 31 December

-

126,185

-

 

------

------

------

 

The investment property relates to Wyler Park property in Bern, Switzerland, which was used for earning rental income.

 

 

9.     Investment in joint venture

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

As at 30 June / 31 December

-

-

-

 

------

------

------

 

Details of the Company's joint venture are as follows:

Name of investee

Type of investment

Place of incorporation

Proportion of voting rights held

Principal activity

Silvermore Ltd

Joint venture

Cayman Islands

50%

Investment Holding (dormant)

 

 

10.  Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Valuation as at 1 January

5,252

-

-

Additions

1,200

-

5,567

Fair value losses

(27)

-

(315)

 

------

------

------

As at 30 June / 31 December

6,425

-

5,252

 

------

------

------

Additions in 2016 relate to the initial recognition of subsidiaries, following the change into investment entity status of the Company (note 3.1).

Additions in 2017 relate to the fair value of receivable amounts from two of the company's subsidiaries, that have been waived by the Company. The nominal amount of these balances was a total of USD 4.143m (Livermore Properties Ltd: USD 3.103m, and Sandhirst Ltd: USD 1.040m).    

Details of the investments in which the Company has a controlling interest are as follows:

 

Name of Subsidiary

Place of incorporation

Holding

Proportion of voting rights and shares held

Principal activity

Livermore Properties Limited

British Virgin Islands

Ordinary shares

100%

Holding of investments

Mountview Holdings Limited

British Virgin Islands

Ordinary shares

100%

Investment vehicle

Sycamore Loan Strategies Ltd

Cayman Islands

Ordinary shares

100%

Investment vehicle

Livermore Israel Investments Ltd

Israel

Ordinary shares

100%

Holding of investments

Livermore Capital AG

Switzerland

Ordinary shares

100%

Administration services

Livermore Investments Cyprus Limited

Cyprus

Ordinary shares

100%

Administration services

Sandhirst Ltd

Cyprus

Ordinary shares

100%

Holding of investments

 

 

11.  Trade and other receivables

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Financial items

 

 

 

Accrued interest and dividend income

3

64

65

Amounts due by related parties (note 25)

5,532

2,527

9,634

Other receivables

-

349

-

Allowance for impairment

-

-

(2,940)

 

------

------

------

 

5,535

2,940

6,759

Non-Financial items

 

 

 

Other assets (note 25)

564

1,692

1,128

Prepayments

53

133

53

 

------

------

------

 

6,152

4,765

7,940

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

Allocated as:

 

 

 

Current assets

3,620

4,201

5,427

Non-current assets (note 25(2) and 25(3))

2,532

564

 

2,513

 

------

------

------

 

6,152

4,765

7,940

 

------

------

------

 

Allowance for impairment

The allowance relates to amounts due by subsidiaries (note 25), which are regarded as credit-impaired and have been assessed on an individual basis. 

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

As at 1 January

2,940

-

-

Additions

-

-

2,818

Charge for the year

-

-

122

Reversal

(2,940)

-

-

 

------

------

------

As at 30 June / 31 December

-

-

2,940

 

------

------

------

For the remaining receivables of financial nature, there are no lifetime expected losses. Therefore no corresponding allowance for impairment has been recognised.

 

No receivable amounts have been written-off during either 2017 or 2016.

 

12.  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement comprise the following at the reporting date:

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Cash at bank

23,158

13,201

60,383

Bank overdraft used for cash management purposes

-

(14,247)

(1,160)

 

------

------

------

Cash and cash equivalents

23,158

(1,046)

59,223

 

------

------

------

 

13.  Share capital, share premium and treasury shares   

Livermore Investments Group Limited (the "Company") is an investment company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.  The Company has an issued share capital of 304,120,401 ordinary shares with no par value.

The Company did not repurchase any additional shares for the period.  As at 30 June 2017 the Company had 129,306,403 ordinary shares held in treasury.

In the statement of financial position the amount included comprises of:

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Share premium

215,499

215,499

215,499

Treasury shares

(46,312)

(46,312)

(46,312)

 

------

------

------

 

169,187

169,187

169,187

 

------

------

------

 

In August 2017 at the Annual General Meeting of the Company, a resolution was passed to cancel 129,306,403 treasury shares registered in the name of the Company, as a capital reduction.

 

14.  Share options

The Company has 500,000 outstanding share options at the end of the period. There have been no changes to the term of the options in issue during the period.  No options have been exercised during the period.

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

No. of Options

No. of Options

No. of Options

Outstanding options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January

500,000

10,650,000

10,650,000

Options expired

-

-

(10,150,000)

 

 ---------

---------

---------

At 30 June / 31 December

500,000

10,650,000

500,000

 

---------

---------

---------

 

 

 

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

No. of Options

No. of Options

No. of Options

Exercisable options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January

500,000

10,650,000

10,650,000

Options expired

-

-

(10,150,000)

 

---------

---------

---------

At 30 June / 31 December

500,000

10,650,000

500,000

 

---------

---------

---------

 

 

15.  Bank loans

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

As at 1 January

-

76,410

76,410

Interest charge

-

529

923

Repayments of principal

-

(768)

(1,138)

Repayments of interest

-

(529)

(923)

Exchange differences

-

1,770

936

Amortization of refinancing fees

-

48

79

Disposal of subsidiary (note 3.1)

-

-

(76,287)

 

------

------

------

As at 30 June / 31 December

-

77,460

-

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

Allocated as:

 

 

 

Current bank loans

-

1,504

-

Non-current bank loans

-

75,956

-

 

------

------

------

 

-

77,460

-

 

------

------

------

 

 

16.  Trade and other payables

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Financial items

 

 

 

Trade payables

22

396

6

Amounts due to related parties (note 25)

3,895

190

3,233

Accrued expenses

516

277

2,327

 

------

------

------

 

4,433

863

5,566

Non-financial items

 

 

 

Employee benefits accrued

-

-

3,050

VAT payable 

-

74

-

 

------

------

------

 

4,433

937

8,616

 

------

------

------

 

 

17.  Net asset value per share

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders  (USD 000)

167,934

150,234

157,174

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Closing number of ordinary share in issue

174,813,998

174,813,998

174,813,998

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Basic net asset value per share (USD)

0.96

0.86

0.90

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders (USD 000)

167,934

150,234

157,174

Dilutive share options - exercise amount

195

199

185

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders including the effect of potentially diluted shares (USD 000)

168,129

150,433

157,359

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Closing number of ordinary shares in issue

174,813,998

174,813,998

174,813,998

Dilutive share options

500,000

500,000

500,000

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Closing number of ordinary shares including the effect of potentially diluted shares

175,313,998

175,313,998

175,313,998

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Diluted net asset value per share (USD)

0.96

0.86

0.90

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

 

Ordinary shares

304,120,401

304,120,401

304,120,401

Treasury shares

(129,306,403)

(129,306,403)

(129,306,403)

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

Closing number of ordinary shares in issue

174,813,998

174,813,998

174,813,998

 

-------------

-------------

-------------

The Share options granted on 13 May 2008 have a dilutive effect on the net asset value per share, given that their exercise price is lower than the net asset value per Company's share at 30 June 2017, 30 June 2016 and 31 December 2016. All other share options do not impact the diluted net asset value per share at  30 June 2016 (expired in second half of 2016) as their exercise price was higher than the net asset value per share at 30 June 2016.   

 

 

Repurchase of own shares

During the period, the Company did not repurchase any additional shares to be held in treasury.   

 

18.  Segment reporting

The Company's monitoring and strategic decision making process in relation to its investments, was  separated into two activity lines, which were also identified as the Company's operating segments. Following the discontinuance of the investment property activities in 2016 (note 3.1) the Company has a single operating segment.

 

Segment information can be analysed as follows:

Six months ended 30 June 2016 - Unaudited

 

Equity and debt

instruments

investment

activities

Investment

property

activities

 

Total per

financial

statements

 

Segment results

 

 

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Investment income

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

12,930

-

12,930

Investment property income

-

2,580

2,580

Loss on  investments

(3,602)

(102)

(3,704)

 

   ------  

------

------

Gross profit

9,328

2,478

11,806

Administrative expenses

(1,677)

(327)

(2,004)

 

   ------  

------

------

Operating profit

7,651

2,151

9,802

Finance costs

(124)

(582)

(706)

Finance income

1,143

-

1,143

 

   ------  

------

------

Profit before taxation

8,670

1,569

10,239

Taxation charge

(5)

(395)

(400)

 

   ------  

------

------

Profit for the period

8,665

1,174

9,839

 

------

------

------

Segment assets

121,235

126,604

247,839

 

------

------

------

Segment liabilities

15,298

82,307

97,605

 

------

------

------

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2016 - Audited

 

Equity and debt

instruments

investment

activities

Investment

property

activities

 

Total per

financial

statements

 

Segment results

 

 

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

26,334

-

26,334

Investment property income

-

4,036

4,036

Gain / (loss) on  investments

1,695

(102)

1,593

 

------

------

------

Gross profit

28,029

3,934

31,963

Administrative expenses

(7,692)

(478)

(8,170)

 

------

------

------

Operating profit

20,337

3,456

23,793

Finance costs

(212)

(1,008)

(1,220)

 

------

------

------

Profit before taxation

20,125

2,448

22,573

Taxation charge

(5)

3,844

3,839

 

------

------

------

Profit for the year

20,120

6,292

26,412

 

------

------

------

Segment assets

182,335

-

182,335

 

------

------

------

Segment liabilities

25,161

-

25,161

 

------

------

------

               

 

The Company's investment income and its investments are divided into the following geographical areas:

Six months ended 30 June 2017 - Unaudited

 

 

 

 

US $000

Investment Income 

 

 

Switzerland

 

-

Other European countries

 

38

United States

 

9,876

India

 

(48)

Asia

 

(120)

 

 

------

 

 

9,746

 

 

------

Investments

 

 

Switzerland

 

726

Other European countries

 

3,291

United States

 

127,271

India

 

2,113

Asia

 

9,656

 

 

------

 

 

143,057

 

 

------

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2016 - Unaudited

Equity and debt

instruments

investment

activities

Investment

property

activities

 

Total per

financial

statements

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Investment Income 

 

 

 

Switzerland

-

2,478

2,478

Other European countries

192

-

192

United States

6,632

-

6,632

India

2,457

-

2,457

Asia

47

-

47

 

------

------

------

 

9,328

2,478

11,806

 

------

------

------

Investments

 

 

 

Switzerland

-

126,185

126,185

Other European countries

4,535

-

4,535

United States

85,896

-

85,896

India

8,912

-

8,912

Asia

4,318

-

4,318

 

------

------

------

 

103,661

126,185

229,846

 

------

------

------

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2016 - Audited

Equity and debt

instruments

investment

activities

Investment

property

activities

 

Total per

financial

statements

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Investment Income  

 

 

 

Switzerland

-

3,884

3,884

Other European countries

330

-

330

United States

27,850

-

27,850

India

102

-

102

Asia

(203)

 

(203)

 

------

------

------

 

28,079

3,884

31,963

 

------

------

------

Investments

 

 

 

Switzerland

726

-

726

Other European countries

3,341

-

3,341

United States

100,399

-

100,399

India

2,022

-

2,022

Asia

7,524

-

7,524

 

------

------

------

 

114,012

-

114,012

 

------

------

------

 

Investment income, comprising interest and dividend income, gains or losses on investments, and investment property income, is allocated on the basis of the customer's geographical location in the case of the investment property activities segment and the issuer's location in the case of the equity and debt instruments investment activities segment. Investments are allocated based on the issuer's location.

19.  Interest and dividend income

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Interest from investments

57

63

114

Dividend income

12,288

12,867

26,220

 

------

------

------

 

12,345

12,930

26,334

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

20.  (Loss) / gain  on investments

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Fair value (losses) / gains on financial assets through profit or loss

 

(2,513)

 

(2,849)

 

2,056

Fair value loss on investment in subsidiaries

(27)

-

(315)

Fair value (losses) / gains on derivative instruments

-

(694)

69

Bank custody fees

(59)

(59)

(115)

 

------

------

------

 

(2,599)

(3,602)

1,695

 

------

------

------

 

The investments disposed of during the period resulted in the following realised gains / (losses) (i.e. in relation to their original acquisition cost):

 

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

At fair value through profit or loss

(3,358)

46

(3,540)

 

------

------

------

 

(3,358)

46

(3,540)

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

21.  Administrative expenses

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Legal expenses

1

16

19

Directors' fees  and expenses

990

993

5,033

Other salaries and expenses

-

92

149

Professional and consulting fees

307

376

1,879

Management fees

339

-

-

Office cost

5

113

172

Depreciation

-

5

7

Other operating expenses

238

194

388

Audit fees

18

23

119

Audit fees - prior years

(16)

-

-

Impairment charge on receivables

-

-

122

 

------

------

------

 

1,882

1,812

7,888

 

------

------

------

 

 

 

 

 

22.  Finance costs and income

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

Finance costs

 

 

 

Bank interest 

7

129

216

Foreign exchange loss

39

-

2

 

------

------

------

 

46

129

218

Finance income

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gain

468

1,143

-

Bank interest income

47

-

-

 

------

------

------

Net Finance (income) / costs

(469)

(1,014)

218

 

------

------

------

 

23.  Dividends

No dividends are declared for the period ended 30 June 2017.

The Board of Directors will decide on the Company's dividend policy for 2017 based on profitability, liquidity requirements, portfolio performance, market conditions, and the share price of the Company relative to its net asset value.

 

24.  Earnings per share

Basic profit per share has been calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares in issue of the Company during the relevant financial periods. 

Diluted profit per share is calculated after taking into consideration other potentially dilutive shares in existence during the period.

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

Continuing operations

 

 

 

Profit / (loss) for the period / year attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent  (USD 000)

8,333

8,512

19,885

 

---------

---------

---------

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding

186,255,695

186,255,695

186,255,696

 

---------

---------

---------

Basic earnings per share (USD)

0.04

0.05

0.11

 

---------

---------

---------

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding

186,255,696

186,255,695

186,255,696

Dilutive effect of share options

171,377

-

24,715

 

---------

---------

---------

Weighted average number of ordinary shares including the effect of potentially dilutive shares

 

186,427,073

 

186,255,695

 

186,280,411

 

---------

---------

---------

Diluted earnings per share (USD)

0.04

0.05

0.11

 

---------

---------

---------

 

 

 

Six months

ended 30 June

2017

Unaudited

Six months

ended 30 June

2016

Unaudited

Year ended

31 December

2016

Audited

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

Profit / (loss) for the period / year attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent  (USD 000)

-

1,327

14,091

 

---------

---------

---------

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding

186,255,695

186,255,695

186,255,696

 

---------

---------

---------

Basic earnings per share (USD)

-

0.01

0.08

 

---------

---------

---------

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding

186,255,695

186,255,695

186,255,696

Dilutive effect of share options

-

-

24,715

 

---------

---------

---------

Weighted average number of ordinary shares including the effect of potentially dilutive shares

 

186,255,695

 

186,255,695

 

186,280,411

 

---------

---------

---------

Diluted earnings per share (USD)

-

0.01

0.08

 

---------

---------

---------

 

The Share options granted on 13 May 2008 have a dilutive effect on the weighted average number of ordinary shares only, given that their exercise price is lower than the average market price of the Company's shares on the London Stock Exchange (AIM division) during the period ended 30 June 2017 and the year ended 31 December 2016 (but higher than the average market price during the period ended 30 June 2016). All other share options do not impact the diluted earnings per share for the period ended 30 June 2016 (expired in the second half of 2016) as their exercise price was higher than the average market price of the Company's shares during the corresponding period.

 

25.  Related party transactions

 

The Company is controlled by Groverton Management Ltd, an entity owned by Noam Lanir, which

at 30 June 2017 held 76.6% of the Company's effective voting rights.

 

 

 

 

30 June

2017

Unaudited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

31 December

2016

Audited

 

 

US $000

US $000

US $000

 

Amounts receivable from subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Livermore Properties Limited

-

-

3,103

(1)

Sandhirst Limited

-

-

1,018

(1)

Allowance for impairment

-

-

(2,940)

(1)

 

------

------

------

 

 

-

-

1,181

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

Amounts receivable from key management

 

 

 

 

Directors' current accounts

3,000

2,527

3,000

(1)

Other assets

564

1,692

1,128

(2)

Loan receivable

2,532

-

2,513

(3)

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

6,096

4,219

6,641

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

Amounts payable to subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Livermore Investments Cyprus Limited

(179)

-

(169)

(4)

Livermore Capital AG

(752)

-

(687)

(4)

Livermore Israel Investments Ltd

(2,603)

-

(2,210)

(4)

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

(3,534)

-

(3,066)

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

Amounts payable to other related party

 

 

 

 

Loan payable

(149)

(149)

(149)

(5)

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

(149)

(149)

(149)

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

Amounts payable to key management

 

 

 

 

Directors' current accounts

(205)

(41)

(13)

(4)

Other key management personnel

(7)

-

(5)

(6)

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

(212)

(41)

(18)

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key management compensation

 

 

 

 

Short term benefits

 

 

 

 

Executive directors' fees

398

398

795

(7)

Executive directors' reward payments 

564

564

4,128

 

Non-executive directors' fees

28

32

60

 

Non-executive directors' reward payments

-

-

50

 

Other key management fees

146

146

1,092

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

1,136

1,140

6,125

 

 

-------

-------

-------

 

 

(1)    The amounts receivable from subsidiaries and the Director's current accounts with debit balances are interest free, unsecured, and have no stated repayment date.

 

(2)   Loans of USD 5.523m were made to a key management employee for the acquisition of shares in the Company. Interest was payable on these loans at 6 month US LIBOR plus 0.25% per annum and the loans were secured on the shares acquired. The loans were repayable on the earlier of the employee leaving the Company or April 2013. In December 2012 the Board decided to renew the outstanding amount of these loans for a period of another five years. Based on the Board's decision, the outstanding amount is reduced annually on a straight line over five years, as long as the key management employee remains with the Company. The relevant reduction in the loan amount for the period was USD 0.564m. The loans are classified as "other assets" and are included under trade and other receivables (note 11).

(3)   A loan of USD 2.500m was made to a key management employee for the acquisition of shares in the Company. Interest is payable on the loan at 6 month US LIBOR plus 0.25% per annum and the loan is secured on the shares acquired. The loan is repayable on the earlier of the employee leaving the Company or April 2020. The loan is included within trade and other receivables (note 11).

(4)     The amounts payable to subsidiaries and Director's current accounts with credit balances are interest free, unsecured, and have no stated repayment date. 

(5)   A loan with a balance at 30 June 2017 of USD 0.149m has been received from a related company (under common control) Chanpak Ltd. The loan is free of interest, unsecured and repayable on demand. This loan is included within trade and other payables (note 16).

(6)   The amount payable to other key management personnel relates to a payment made on behalf of the Company for investment purposes and accrued consultancy fees. 

(7)   These payments were made directly to companies to which they are related.

 

No social insurance and similar contributions nor any other defined benefit contributions plan costs incurred for the Group in relation to its key management personnel in either 2017 or 2016.

 

Noam Lanir, through an Israeli partnership, is the major shareholder of Babylon Limited, an Israel based Internet Services Company. The Company as of 30 June 2017 held a total of 1.941m shares at a value of USD 1.020m which represents 4% of its effective voting rights. The investment in Babylon Ltd is held through the subsidiary Livermore Israel Investments Ltd. 

 

As at the reporting date Livermore had 335,816 shares of Wanaka Capital Partners Mid-Tech Opportunity Fund registered in its name but held for the absolute benefit of a related company (under common control). These shares are not included in the financial assets on the statement of financial position.

 

During the period ended 30 June 2016 the Company received administrative services of USD 0.028m (December 2016: USD 0.048m), in connection with investments, from its related company (under common control) Mash Medical Life Tree Marketing Ltd. For the period ended 30 June 2017 the Company has not received any relevant services.

 

 

26.    Litigation

Fairfield Sentry Ltd vs custodian bank and beneficial owners

One of the custodian banks that the Company uses faces a contingent claim up to USD 2.1m, and any interest as will be decided by a US court and related legal fees, with regard to the redemption of shares in Fairfield Sentry Ltd, which were bought in 2008 at the request of Livermore and on its behalf. The same case was also filed in BVI where the Privy Council ruled against the plaintiffs.

 

As a result of the surrounding uncertainties over the existence of any obligation for Livermore, as well as for the potential amount of exposure, the Directors cannot form an estimate of the outcome for this case and therefore no provision has been made.

 

No further information is provided on the above case as the Directors consider it could prejudice its outcome.

 

 

27.    Commitments

The Company has expressed its intention to provide financial support to its subsidiaries, where necessary to enable them to meet their obligations as they fall due.

Other than the above, the Company has no capital or other commitments as at 30 June 2017.

28.    Events after the reporting date

Two out of the three warehouse facilities that the Company invested in, during 2017, were converted to CLOs in August 2017. For these two warehouses, with a carrying amount as at 30 June 2017 of USD 25.5m, Livermore's investment amount plus net carry amounting to USD 26.193m became receivable as of the end of August 2017.  For the other one, with a carrying amount as at 30 June 2017 of USD 5m, the Company invested an additional amount of USD 10m after the reporting date. The amount to be received for that warehouse has not yet been determined, however it is expected that it will exceed Livermore's investment amount. 

In August 2017 at the Annual General Meeting of the Company, a resolution was passed to cancel 129,306,403 treasury shares registered in the name of the Company, as a capital reduction. 

There were no other material events after the reporting date, which have a bearing on the understanding of these interim condensed financial statements. 

 

29.    Preparation of interim financial statements

Interim condensed financial statements are unaudited. Financial statements for Livermore Investments Group Limited for the year ended 31 December 2016, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union, on which the auditors gave an unqualified audit report are available from the Company's website www.livermore-inv.com.

 

 

Review Report to Livermore Investments Group Limited

 

Report on the Review of the Interim Condensed Financial Statements

 

Introduction

 

We have reviewed the accompanying interim condensed financial statements of Livermore Investments Group Limited (the ''Company''), which are presented in pages 7 to 34 and comprise the condensed statement of financial position as at 30 June 2017 and the condensed statements of profit or loss, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2017, and other explanatory information.

 

The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these interim condensed financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 ''Interim Financial Reporting'' as adopted by the European Union (EU). Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on these interim condensed financial statements based on our review.

 

Scope of Review

 

We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagement 2410 ''Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity''. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

Conclusion

 

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying interim condensed financial statements do not give a true and fair view, in all material respects, of the financial position of Livermore Investments Group Limited as at 30 June 2017 and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2017 in accordance with the International Accounting Standard 34 ''Interim Financial Reporting'' as adopted by the EU.

 

Other Matter

 

This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the Company and for no other purpose.  We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whose knowledge this report may come to.

 

 

Nicos Mouzouris

Certified Public Accountant and Registered Auditor

for and on behalf of

               

Grant Thornton (Cyprus) Ltd             

Certified Public Accountants and Registered Auditors             

 

Limassol, 26 September  2017