TRADING UPDATES: Schroder Asian, AVI Japan both outperform benchmarks

(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Co PLC - invests in equities and equity-related securities of companies trading in the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan - For the six months ended June 30, net asset value total return is 5.8%, ahead of the reference index, the MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan index which returned 5.7%. At the end of June, net asset value per share rose 31% to 499.72 pence from 380.43p the same date a year prior.

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AVI Japan Opportunity Trust PLC - Japan-focused investor - For the six months ended June 30, net asset value total return was 2.7%, outperforming the 1.4% return from the MSCI Japan Small Cap Total Return index. Net asset value per share at the end of June rose 9.0% to 111.08 pence from 101.95p the same date a year before.

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GENinCode PLC - Oxford-based cardiovascular disease detection and prevention company - For the first half of 2021, pretax loss widens to GBP1.0 million from GBP379,599 a year prior, due to higher administrative costs from staffing and preparations for the company's IPO. Revenue grew 45% year-on-year to GBP599,793 from GBP414,050 on higher sales in Europe.

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Mobeus Income & Growth 4 VCT PLC - investor in UK unquoted companies - As at June 30, net asset value per share was 104.76 pence, up 62% from 64.59p the same date a year before, as the portfolio nearly doubled in size to GBP60.0 million from GBP33.3 million, driven by a recovery from the low point of the pandemic. Declares interim dividend of 5.00 pence per share.

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Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust PLC - Edinburgh-based management buyout and buy-in equity financier - For the six months ended June 30, net asset total return is 20.5%, underperforming against the FTSE Small Cap excluding Investment Companies Index, which returned 28.5%. As at June 30, net asset value per share was 496.5 pence, up 20% from 413.9p at the end of December, reflecting the realisation of the U-POL investment.

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Income & Growth VCT PLC - venture capital trust - As at June 30, net asset value per share rises 7.9% over the third quarter to 102.19 pence from 94.71p at the end of March, due to a rise in unrealised portfolio valuations.

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Cora Gold Ltd - West African focused gold company - For the six months ended June 30, pretax loss widens to USD716,000 from USD623,000, due to higher overhead costs. Described period as one of "intense activity" with the launch of an expanded 40,000 metre drilling programme at the Sanankoro project, which brought forward encouraging results. Looking ahead, will seek to update mineral resource estimate in the second half of 2021 and finish a definitive feasibility study in the first half of 2022.

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Regional REIT Ltd - real estate investment trust focused on UK offices outside London - At the end of June 30, net asset value per share declined 2.9% to 98.5 pence from 101.4p the same date a year before, as the portfolio's fair value dips to GBP729.1 million from GBP732.4 million. For the six month period, pretax profit is GBP18.0 million, swinging from a loss of GBP27.0 million due to a gain of GBP2.0 million in the revaluation of investment properties compared to a loss of GBP33.2 million. Declares interim dividend of 3.2 pence per share, down from 3.4p a year prior, and is targeting an annual payout of 6.5p.

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Conduity Capital PLC - cash shell - For the six months ended June 30, pretax loss widens to GBP157,000 from GBP53,000 a year before, on higher administrative expenses. Is currently still seeking to make an acquisition, and is working towards the potential acquisition of Smarttech247 for GBP33.5 million in shares.

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Checkit PLC - Cambridge-based workflow management software provider - For the six months ended July 31, pretax loss remains flat at GBP2.7 million, as a rise in operating expenses offset growth in revenue by 13% to GBP7.9 million from GBP7.0 million. Looking ahead, remains confident on its outlook for its financial year as a whole.

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ECO Animal Health Group PLC - Surrey-based pet and livestock pharmaceuticals - For the five months ended August 31, group revenue was 6% lower year-on-year, due to a sharp fall in revenue from China driven by an easing in the Chinese market. "The commodity price reduction seen in China since our year end has put additional pressure on the pork production industry. Many producers are trading at or below breakeven point, and this has resulted in significant headwinds in our sales efforts. We expect ongoing improvements in the prospects for sales in China, as the current imbalance of supply and demand is rectified and the typical seasonal increase in the demand for Aivlosin in the winter months develops," said CEO Marc Loomes.

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RTW Venture Fund Ltd - New York-based investment company which invests in life sciences, biopharmaceutical, and medical technology companies - As at June 30, net asset value per share drops 3% year-on-year to USD1.91 from USD1.34, despite the size of its portfolio rising to 34 companies from 13.

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Keystone Law Group PLC - London-headquartered law firm - For the six months ended July 31, pretax profit more than doubles to GBP4.3 million from GBP2.0 million the year before, on revenue which rises 38% year-on-year to GBP33.7 million, due to high activity from all practice areas , with the total amount of principals rising to 386 for the period. Declares interim dividend of 4.5 pence per share.

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Chamberlin PLC - West Midlands-based castings and engineering company - For the 14 months ended May 31, expects to post loss of no less than GBP4.0 million, along with GBP26 million in revenue, in line with management expectations. First quarter of current financial year is in line with expectations, and Chamberlin expects stronger sales in the second quarter as well as profitability. For the year ending May 31, 2022, earnings per share is set to be no less than 1.0 pence.

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Aseana Properties Ltd - property developer in Malaysia and Vietnam - For the six months ended June 30, pretax loss narrows to USD3.2 million from USD8.3 million a year before, due to a foreign exchange gain of USD852,000, lower expenses and the generation of USD516,000 in revenue from projects in Malaysia.

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North Atlantic Smaller Cos Investment Trust PLC - investor in smaller companies based in countries bordering North Atlantic Ocean - As at July 31, net asset value per share rises 19% to 6,280 pence from 5,292p at the end of January. Leads to outperformance of S&P Composite Index, which returned 16.7%. Share price at end of July is 4,800p, reflecting a 24% discount to NAV.

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Mobeus Income & Growth VCT PLC - London-based investment firm - As at June 30, net asset value per share rises 45% year-on-year to 85.56 pence from 58.86p the same date a year prior.

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CEPS PLC - Bath, England-based investment company focussed on the industrial sector - For the six months ended June, swings to pretax profit of GBP477,000 from loss of GBP18,000 the same period a year before, on revenue which rose 67% year-on-year to GBP9.0 million from GBP5.4 million. Also plans to raise GBP1.6 million via placing, which will go towards making a GBP100,000 loan to Aford Awards, as well as fund future acquisitions.

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By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

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