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GCP Infrastructure Investments is an Investment Trust

To provide shareholders with regular, sustainable, long-term dividend income and to preserve the capital value of its investments over the long term by generating exposure to infrastructure debt and/or similar assets.

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Half-yearly report and financial statements 2017

25 May 2017 07:00

RNS Number : 1519G
GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd
25 May 2017
 

 

GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited ("GCP Infrastructure" and/or the "Company") (LEI 213800W64MNATSIV5Z47)

Half-yearly report and financial statements for the six month period ended 31 March 2017

Company number: 105775

 

 

The Directors of the Company are pleased to announce the Company's interim results for the six month period ended 31 March 2017. The Half-yearly report and financial statements can be accessed via the Company's website at http://gcpuk.com/gcp-infrastructure-investments-ltd and will be posted to shareholders over the course of the next few weeks.

 

Contact details:

Gravis Capital Management Limited: +44 (0)20 7518 1490

Stephen Ellis

Rollo Wright

Dion Di Miceli

 

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited: +44 (0)20 7710 7600

Mark Bloomfield

Neil Winward

Tunga Chigovanyika

 

Buchanan: +44 (0)20 7466 5000

Charles Ryland

Robbie Ceiriog-Hughes

Victoria Hayns

 

 

Notes to editors

About GCP Infrastructure

The Company is a closed-ended London Stock Exchange-listed investment company that seeks to generate returns from senior and subordinated infrastructure debt and related and/or similar assets. The Company is advised by Gravis Capital Management Limited. 

 

ABOUT US

 

GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited (the "Company") is the only UK listed fund focused primarily on investments in UK infrastructure debt.

 

The Company seeks to provide shareholders with regular, sustainable long-term dividends by investing substantially all its capital in debt secured against UK infrastructure projects that generate long-dated, public sector backed revenues. The Company is currently exposed to a diversified portfolio of partially inflation-protected loans to primarily the renewable energy, social housing and PFI sectors.

 

The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Jersey. It was admitted to the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market in July 2010 and since then it has grown to a market capitalisation of over £945 million as at 31 March 2017.

 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD

 

· Dividends of 3.8 pence per share paid or declared for the six month period to 31 March 2017

· Total shareholder return for the period of 0.8% and total return since IPO in 2010 of 95.7%

· Profit for the period of £22.1 million

· £90 million successfully raised through a significantly oversubscribed share issue

· Loans advanced totalling £74 million secured against UK renewable energy, social housing and PFI projects, with a further £21.8 million advanced post period end

· Post period end entry into a conditional, binding commitment to acquire up to £140 million of loans as part of the UK Government's sale of the GIB

· A further commitment made post period end of up to £40 million to finance supported living housing units

· Company NAV per ordinary share as at 31 March 2017 of 110.30 pence per share up 0.6% since 30 September 2016

· Third-party valuation of the Company's investment portfolio at 31 March 2017 of £773.4 million

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

 

Dividend income

Diversification

Capital preservation

To provide shareholders with regular, sustainable longterm dividends

To invest in a diversified portfolio of debt secured against UK infrastructure projects

 

To preserve the capital value of its investment assets over the long term

 

The Company has maintained or progressively increased its dividend for every period since inception and has paid

a dividend of 7.6 pence per share for each

of the previous four financial years.

 

The Company has increased the number

of investments in its portfolio from 43 at 30 September 2016 to 46 at 31 March

2017. The investment portfolio is exposed

to a wide variety of sectors in terms of project type and source of underlying cash flow.

 

The valuation of the Company's investments is in excess of the principal value outstanding. The increase in valuation has resulted in a NAV at 31 March 2017 of 110.30 pence per share. The ordinary shares have traded at a premium to NAV since IPO in 2010.

 

Key performance highlights

Key performance highlights

Key performance highlights

3.8p

Dividends per share for the six month period to 31 March 2017

46

Number of investments at 31 March 2017

 

110.30p

NAV per share at 31 March 2017

£22.1m

Profit for the six month period ended 31 March 2017

10.6%1

Size of largest investment

128.80p

Share price at 31 March 2017

 

1. The size of the largest investment is calculated by reference to the percentage of total assets. The Cardale PFI loan is secured on a cross-collateralised basis against 14 separate operational PFI projects, with no exposure to any individual project being in excess of 10% of the investment portfolio.

 

CHAIRMAN'S INTERIM STATEMENT

 

Overview

Over the six months to 31 March 2017, the period was a busy one for the Company which raised £90 million through the issuance of shares, and extended its revolving credit facility from £50 million to £75 million. The Company advanced £74 million of loans secured against a variety of UK renewable energy, social housing and PFI projects during the period, and a further £21.8 million post period end. The Company also published a prospectus in respect of a new share issuance programme for 2017. The performance of the investment portfolio enabled the Company to maintain its dividend distribution at 3.8 pence per share for the six month period to 31 March 2017.

 

On 19 April 2017, the Company entered into a conditional, binding commitment to buy loans with a value of up to c.£140 million over a c.two year period as part of the acquisition of the GIB by a Macquarie-led consortium. The delay in completing this beneficial transaction led to the Company suffering cash-drag and a consequent reduction in the earnings per share for the period. The loans are secured against projects in waste to energy, onshore wind, hydro, landfill gas and building retrofit schemes, highlighting the rare ability of the Company to analyse and acquire projects in a diverse range of sectors.

 

Market background

In terms of capital raising, this has been a very busy six months for the entire LSE listed infrastructure investment company sector. Ten companies across the PFI, renewable energy and social housing sectors issued shares raising a total of £1.6 billion, a strong indication that there remains very significant investor demand for shares, such as shares in our Company, that offer dependable yields.

It is clear, however, that rising inflation and interest rates are looming larger in the minds of most investors. Although the low interest rate environment persists, both ten-year sterling interest and inflation swap rates have risen by about 0.4% over the period.

 

One of the key attractions of an investment in the Company is the inflation protection characteristics embedded in c.67% of the investment portfolio. Furthermore, the amortising nature of loan investments provides a continual supply of fresh capital to invest at prevailing interest rates, offsetting the risk of rising interest rates.

 

Sector overview

The considerable volume of capital entering our sector, not just from listed investment companies but also from direct institutional investors and private funds, means that the infrastructure market continues to be highly competitive. Deal flow on the other hand remains sporadic and somewhat unpredictable.

 

Whereas the Chancellor expounded at some length in the November 2016 Autumn Statement as to the benefits of infrastructure spending, he was far less forthcoming in his Budget speech in March 2017. The long awaited PF2 pipeline, alluded to briefly in January 2017, is now expected to be announced sometime during the first half of this year. The industry awaits with moderate hope.

 

The renewable energy market reached a milestone as the ROC regime closed to all new generating capacity on 31 March 2017. Subsidy levels in ongoing regimes such as the FiT or RHI have been reduced to such an extent as to make the majority of new projects uneconomic. The primary mechanism for governmental support for future renewable energy projects are contracts for difference. The results of the next auction round for contracts, expected in the third quarter of 2017, will give much needed clarity as to which projects will be developed in the near term.

 

In terms of existing projects, the Investment Adviser has reported the emergence of a more active secondary market in renewable energy debt, both from borrowers seeking to refinance existing facilities and from lenders looking to sell loans. This has been most clearly demonstrated by the Company's commitment to acquire a portfolio as part of the sale of the GIB by the UK Government, post period end.

 

In the social housing sector, there remains a healthy pipeline of opportunities as local care commissioners continue to embrace the benefits of the supported living model.

 

 

 

Investment focus

The Investment Adviser continues to find pockets of value in small-scale education assets, almost all identified through existing relationships. The Board remains highly supportive of further investment in public private partnership assets.

 

The Company is developing an increasing presence in the supported living sector of the social housing market and continues to work with a number of partners. Due to increased competitiveness, the focus has shifted to lending against portfolios of a smaller and more location specific nature, where the strength of the Company's existing relationships with registered providers and local authorities gives it a competitive advantage.

 

Financing new renewable energy projects has become challenging given subsidy levels and funder competition, but the ability of the Investment Adviser to fully understand and assess the opportunities from individual projects in many sectors makes the Company a highly attractive lender.

 

Placing programme

The Company raised £90 million of additional equity capital by way of a placing programme in November 2016, at a placing price of 123.50 pence per new ordinary share. The placing was significantly oversubscribed.

 

Pursuant to the Prospectus published on 28 March 2017, the new 2017 placing programme will enable the Company to issue up to 215 million new ordinary shares on a non pre-emptive basis to take advantage of suitable investment opportunities as they arise. For further details on movements in share capital, refer to note 10 in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

NAV and share price performance

The Company's NAV per ordinary share increased over the period from 109.67 pence to 110.30 pence. This was primarily driven by the accretive nature of the December 2016 placing though which new ordinary shares were issued at a premium to their prevailing NAV. The Company's net assets increased from £723.8 million as at 30 September 2016 to £809.3 million as at 31 March 2017 as a consequence of the net proceeds raised.

 

The Company's shares continued to trade at a significant premium to NAV during the period, with an average premium rating of 15.3%. At 31 March 2017 the ordinary shares traded at a 16.8% premium to NAV. The share price hit an all-time high of 134.80 pence on 3 October 2016; the low for the period of 122.00 pence on 21 December 2016 coincided with the period immediately following the December placing and the period of typically lower trading volumes in the lead up to the holiday period.

 

Financing

The Company has continued to make periodic use of its revolving credit facility in the period. On 17 January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with RBSI to increase the facility from £50 million to £75 million. All amounts drawn under the facility are to be used in or towards the making of investments in accordance with the Company's investment policy. At 31 March 2017, the facility was undrawn.

 

Dividend policy

The Directors have absolute discretion as to the payment of dividends. An interim dividend of 1.90 pence per share for the period 1 October 2016 to 31 December 2016 was paid on 3 March 2017. A further interim dividend of 1.90 pence per share for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2017 was declared on 20 April 2017 and will be paid on 2 June 2017.

 

Governance and compliance

The Board recognises the importance of a strong corporate governance culture and continues to maintain principles of good corporate governance as set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code ("UK Code"), and the Association of Investment Companies Code of Corporate Governance and accompanying guide ("AIC Code and Guide") which were published in April 2016 and June 2016 respectively. A copy of the UK Code is available at www.frc.org.uk; a copy of the AIC Code and Guide can be found atwww.theaic.co.uk.

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Directors consider that the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are substantially unchanged since the publication of the Company's 2016 annual report and financial statements and are expected to remain relevant to the Company for the next six months of its financial year.

 

Principal risks faced by the Company include (but are not limited to) execution risk, portfolio risk, financial risk, operational risk, cyber-crime risk, and regulatory, legal and compliance risk. The full details can be found on pages 30 to 33 of the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2016.

 

Going concern statement

After making enquiries and considering the impact of risks and opportunities on expected cash flows, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, in preparing the unaudited interim condensed financial statements, they have adopted the going concern basis.

 

 

 

 

Related parties

The Directors consider that the related parties and related party transactions for the six month period to 31 March 2017, are consistent with the 30 September 2016 audited financial statements and are outlined in note 12 to the unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

Mr Ian Reeves CBE

Chairman

24 May 2017

 

COMPANY PERFORMANCE

 

Key performance indicators

 

£22.1m

Profit for the period

HY 2016 - £21.9m

 

3.8p

Dividends per ordinary share for the period

HY 2016 - 3.8p

 

3.1p

Basic earnings per ordinary share for the period1

HY 2016 - 3.7p

 

110.30p

NAV per share at 31 March 2017

30 September 2016 - 109.67p

 

1.Refer to the Chairman's interim statement and Investment Adviser's report

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REPORT

 

The objective of the Company is to generate exposure to infrastructure debt and/or similar assets.

 

The Investment Adviser, Gravis Capital Management Limited (formerly Gravis Capital Partners LLP), provides investment advisory services to the Company, including investment recommendations, any necessary investment due diligence, management of and reporting on the existing loan portfolio, and financial reporting support. The Investment Adviser also provides advice regarding the Company's equity and debt funding requirements. The Investment Adviser is the AIFM to the Company. The basis of the remuneration of the Investment Adviser is set out in note 12 to the unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

The Company novated its Investment Advisory Agreement on 20 April 2017 as part of the transfer of the Investment Adviser's fund management and advisory business. Further information in relation to the reorganisation of Gravis Capital Management Limited is set out in note 13 to the unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

Investment objectives and policies

The Company's investment objective is to provide its shareholders with regular, sustained, long-term distributions and to preserve the capital value of its investment assets over the long term, by generating exposure to infrastructure debt and/or similar assets.

 

The Company makes investments in senior and subordinated debt instruments issued by infrastructure Project Companies, their owners or their lenders, and assets with a similar economic effect.

 

The Company receives debt service payments in accordance with the terms of its investments. The debt service payments, comprising interest and principal payments are covered by expected cash flows generated by the underlying infrastructure Project Company.

 

There is no, and it is not anticipated that there will be any, outright property exposure of the Company (except potentially as additional security).

 

Not more than 10% in value of the Company's total assets from time to time consist of securities or loans relating to any one individual infrastructure asset (having regard to the risks relating to any cross-default or cross-collateralisation provisions). This objective is subject to the Company having a sufficient level of investment capital from time to time, the ability of the Company to invest its cash in suitable investments and is subject to the investment restrictions described in the investment strategy (as explained in the Company's Prospectus dated 28 March 2017).

 

Similarly, it is the intention of the Directors that the assets of the Company are (as far as is reasonable in the context of a UK infrastructure portfolio) appropriately diversified by asset type (such as PFI healthcare, PFI education, solar power, social housing, biomass etc.) and by revenue source (such as NHS trusts, local authorities, FiT, ROCs etc.)

 

Advances made during the period

The Company made eleven advances totalling £74 million during the period, eight of which were made under existing facilities. Post period end the Company advanced £8.9 million under existing facilities and £12.9 million under new facilities.

 

Investment

Loan

Project

GCP Asset Finance 1 Limited1C notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£0.3 million

27 years

Subordinated

Construction

Construction of a number of availability based accommodation PPP assets in Scotland under the NPD procurement model.

GCP Biomass 3 Limited1

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£2.5 million

15 years

Senior

Operational

Two anaerobic digestion schemes in England.

GCP Biomass 4 Limited1

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£1.5 million

18 years

Subordinated

Construction

Construction of a waste to energy biomass facility in Widnes, England.

GCP Biomass 5 Limited1B notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£0.5 million

15 years

Senior

Construction

Construction of a food waste anaerobic digestion facility in Wales.

GCP Biomass 5 Limited1C notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£0.5 million

15 years

Senior

Construction

Construction of a food waste anaerobic digestion facility in England.

GCP Healthcare 1 Limited1

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£0.3 million

27 years

Subordinated

Operational

Various operational LIFT projects in England.

GCP Programme Funding 1 LimitedSeries 1 notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£49.9 million

35 years

Senior

Operational

Portfolio of housing units for occupation by adults with learning or physical difficulties in England and Wales.

GCP Programme Funding 1 LimitedSeries 2 notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£1.0 million

2 years

Senior

Construction

Construction and renovation of housing unit for occupation by adults with learning difficulties in England.

GCP Programme Funding 1 LimitedSeries 3 notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£6.5 million

16 years

Senior

Construction

An on-farm anaerobic digestion plant in Scotland.

GCP Social Housing 1 Limited1B notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£4.5 million

40 years

Senior

Operational

Portfolio of housing units for occupation by adults with learning or physical difficulties in England.

GCP Social Housing 1 Limited1D notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£6.5 million

35 years

Senior

Operational

Portfolio of housing units for occupation by adults with learning or physical difficulties in England.

 

 

Advances totalling £74 million

 

1. Further drawings under, or extensions to existing facilities

 

Advances made post period end

Investment

Loan

Project

GCP Asset Finance Limited1C notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£2.6 million

27 years

Subordinated

Construction

Construction of a number of availability based accommodation PPP assets in Scotland under the NPD procurement model.

GCP Programme Funding 1 LimitedSeries 4 notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£5.7 million

55 years

Senior

Operational

Portfolio of housing units for occupation by adults with learning or physical difficulties in England.

GCP Social Housing 1 Limited1B notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£6.0 million

40 years

Senior

Operational

Portfolio of housing units for occupation by adults with learning or physical difficulties in England.

GCP Programme Funding 1 LimitedSeries 3 notes

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£7.2 million

16 years

Senior

Construction

An on-farm anaerobic digestion plant in Scotland.

GCP Biomass 3 Limited1

Amount

Term

Security

Status

£0.3 million

15 years

Senior

Operational

Two anaerobic digestion schemes in England.

 

 

Advances totalling £21.8 million

 

1. Further drawings under, or extensions to existing facilities

 

Investment portfolio

As at 31 March 2017, the Company was exposed to a diversified portfolio of partially inflation protected investments in the UK comprising 46 investments with an unaudited valuation of £773.4 million.

 

As at that date, the weighted average annualised yield was 8.7% across the portfolio with a weighted average expected term of 16 years. Just over 89% of the projects the Company is exposed to are fully operational. The remaining projects are either committed or under construction.

 

Portfolio performance

The majority of the infrastructure projects that underpin the Company's investment portfolio, whether in construction or operation, are performing materially in line with expectations. The current cash flow and future forecast cash flow in each case is such that the Company expects to receive documented debt service payments in full.

 

There are two exceptions. It is expected that the cash flows receivable by the Company under two loans secured against biomass projects will be lower than initially forecast at deal completion. In the first case, delays in grid connection and slower than predicted operational ramp up resulted in a valuation reduction as reported in the previous period. During the last six months, the Company, in consultation with the Investment Adviser, has appointed technical advisers to run the assets with the result that production has stabilised at satisfactory levels. No further valuation movement has been incurred.

 

In the second case, the operational performance of the plants has been materially below forecast and the Company and Investment Adviser have been implementing a number of measures to evaluate and carry out all necessary remedial capital works to bring the project up to the required standard. A valuation reduction of £2 million was incurred during the period to reflect the uncertainty arising from this review.

 

Key exposures

Top ten investments

 

 

 

Loan

Cash flow type

Project type

% of total assets

Cardale PFI Investments Limited1

Unitary charge

Various UK PFI

10.6%

GCP Programme Funding 1 Limited Series 1 notes

Rental income

Supported living

6.3%

GCP Biomass 1 Limited

ROCs

Anaerobic digestion

5.5%

GCP Social Housing 1 Limited D notes

Rental income

Supported living

5.3%

GCP Green Energy 1 Limited

FiT

Commercial solar

4.5%

GCP Biomass 5 Limited

FiT

Anaerobic digestion

4.5%

GCP Rooftop Solar 4 Limited

FiT

Rooftop solar

4.2%

GCP Healthcare 1 Limited

Unitary charge

Various UK PFI

4.1%

GCP Rooftop Solar 5 Limited

FiT

Rooftop solar

3.4%

GCP Rooftop Solar 6 Limited

FiT

Rooftop solar

3.2%

1. The Cardale PFI loan is secured on a cross-collateralised basis against 14 separate operational PFI projects, with no exposure to any individual project being in excess of 10% of the investment portfolio.

 

Top ten project counterparties

% of total assets

E.ON Energy Ltd (Ofgem)

22.2%

Ofgem

17.4%

Power NI (Ofgem)

8.2%

First Priority Housing Association

6.9%

Bespoke Supported Tenancies

6.6%

Centrica (Ofgem)

3.3%

Inclusion

3.0%

Viridian Energy Supply Limited (Ofgem)

2.7%

Co-op Group (Ofgem)

2.7%

Various UK central and local Government

2.5%

 

Top ten facilities managers

% of total assets

A Shade Greener Maintenance Limited

21.4%

Agrivert Limited

8.2%

First Priority Housing Association

6.9%

Fairhome

6.6%

Agrikomp (UK) Limited

5.8%

Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S

5.7%

Senvion SE

3.8%

Grosvenor Facilities Management

3.8%

Vestas Celtic Wind Technology Limited

3.7%

Inclusion

3.0%

 

Investment valuation

The Valuation Agent, Mazars LLP carries out a fair market valuation of the Company's investments on behalf of the Board on a quarterly basis. The valuation principles used by the Valuation Agent are based on a discounted cash flow methodology. A fair value for each asset acquired by the Company is calculated by applying a discount rate (determined by the Valuation Agent) to the cash flow expected to arise from each asset.

 

The weighted average discount rate at 31 March 2017 was 7.91%, a decrease of two basis points from 7.93% at 30 September 2016. The valuation of investments is sensitive to changes in discount rates applied. Sensitivity analysis detailing the impact of a change in discount rates is given in note 11.

 

Financial performance

The Company has prepared its half-yearly report and financial statements in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, as with previous years.

 

In the six month period to 31 March 2017, the Company's portfolio generated net income/gains on investments of £26 million. The profit for the period was £22.1 million, with earnings per share of 3.1 pence.

 

The earnings per share is down from the prior period primarily due to the level of cash held on the Company's balance sheet during the period awaiting investment in the GIB assets.

 

The Company's ongoing charges percentage at 31 March 2017 was 1.14% on an annualised basis.

 

The Company has maintained an annual dividend of 7.6 pence per share, paying or declaring a dividend of 1.90 pence for each of the two quarters ending 31 December 2016 and 31 March 2017.

 

Cash position

The Company earned debt payments of £26.3 million during the period, comprising £22.8 million of interest payments and £3.5 million of loan principal repayments, materially in line with expectations. The Company paid dividends of £26.5 million (including £1.1 million in scrip dividends) during the period.

 

The Company repaid £36.5 million on its loan facility, raised £90 million of equity capital and made investments totalling £74 million. Total cash reserves at the period end were £37.7 million.

 

Project exposure

As at 31 March 2017, the Company does not have any exposure to projects purely in the regulated utilities sector or projects with demand based concessions. The Company's exposure to projects that have not yet completed construction with reference to total portfolio value at 31 March 2017 was 10.7%.

 

Conflicts of interest

The Company has given its consent for the Investment Adviser to act as the investment manager to GCP Asset Backed Income Fund Limited ("GABI"), a closed-ended investment company listed on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market. GABI is focused predominantly on debt investments secured against physical assets and/or contracted cash flows.

 

The Company has given its consent on the basis that where the Investment Adviser identifies an investment which, in its opinion acting reasonably and in good faith, falls within the Company's remit, the Company will have a right of first refusal.

 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the terms of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the UK Listing Authority, the Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly report and unaudited interim condensed financial statements in accordance with applicable regulations.

 

The Directors are required to:

 

· select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

· present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;

· provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements of IFRS are insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the Company's financial position and financial performance;

· make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

· make an assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. Legislation in Jersey governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

In preparing the half-yearly financial report and unaudited interim condensed financial statements, the Directors are responsible for ensuring that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the period and the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

 

Directors' responsibility statement

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

 

· the unaudited interim condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union;

· the Chairman's interim statement and the Investment Adviser's report constitute the Company's interim management report, which includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

· the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions and changes therein).

 

By order of the Board

 

 

Mr Ian Reeves CBE

Chairman24 May 2017

 

 

Mr David Pirouet FCA

Director24 May 2017

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT

To GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited

 

Introduction

We have been engaged by GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited (the "Company") to review the interim condensed financial statements in the half-yearly report for the six months ended 31 March 2017 which comprises the unaudited interim condensed statement of comprehensive income, the unaudited interim condensed statement of financial position, the unaudited interim condensed statement of changes in equity, the unaudited interim condensed statement of cash flows and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (the "DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (the "UK FCA").

 

Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

 

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.

As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union ("EU"). The interim condensed financial statements included in this half-yearly report have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.

 

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the interim condensed financial statements in the half-yearly report based on our review.

 

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, 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 (UK and Ireland) 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 unaudited interim condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly report for the six months ended 31 March 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK FCA.

 

 

Steven D. Stormonth

For and on behalf ofKPMG Channel Islands Limited

Chartered Accountants and Recognised AuditorJersey

24 May 2017

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017

 

Notes

Period ended

31 March

2017

£'000

Period ended

31 March

2016

£'000

Income 

 

 

 

Net income/gains on investments at fair value through profit or loss

3

26,008

25,484

Other income

3

1,015

1,214

Total income

 

27,023

26,698

Expense

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

12

(3,321)

(2,803)

Operating expenses

 

(1,057)

(1,181)

Total expense

 

(4,378)

(3,984)

Total operating profit before finance costs

 

22,645

22,714

Finance costs

 

 

 

Finance expenses

 

(518)

(813)

Total profit and comprehensive income for the period

 

22,127

21,901

Basic and diluted earnings per share (pence)

 6

3.1220

3.7273

All of the Company's results are derived from continuing operations.

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 31 March 2017

 

Notes

As at

31 March

2017

£'000

As at

30 September

2016

(audited)

£'000

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

37,712

52,057

Other receivables and prepayments

7

738

303

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

11

773,373

699,682

Total assets

 

811,823

752,042

Liabilities

 

 

 

Other payables and accrued expenses

8

(2,539)

(1,998)

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

9

-

(26,208)

Total liabilities

 

(2,539)

(28,206)

Net assets

 

809,284

723,836

Capital and reserves

 

 

 

Share capital

10

7,337

6,600

Share premium

10

783,460

694,406

Capital redemption reserve

 

101

101

Retained earnings

 

18,386

22,729

Total capital and reserves

 

809,284

723,836

Ordinary shares in issue

 

733,743,716

660,025,921

NAV per ordinary share (pence per share)

 

110.30

109.67

Signed and authorised for issue on behalf of the Board of Directors

 

 

Mr Ian Reeves CBE

Chairman24 May 2017

 

Mr David Pirouet FCA

Director

24 May 2017

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017

 

Notes

Share

capital

£'000

Share

premium

£'000

Capital

redemption

reserve

£'000

Retained

earnings

£'000

Total equity

£'000

At 1 October 2015

 

5,765

599,242

101

14,436

619,544

Total profit and comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

21,901

21,901

Equity shares issued

 

181

21,188

-

-

21,369

Share issue costs

 

-

(329)

-

-

(329)

Dividends

5

-

-

-

(22,239)

(22,239)

At 31 March 2016

 

5,946

620,101

101

14,098

640,246

At 1 October 2016

 

6,600

694,406

101

22,729

723,836

Total profit and comprehensive income for the period

 

-

-

-

22,127

22,127

Equity shares issued

10

737

90,320

-

-

91,057

Share issue costs

 

-

(1,266)

-

-

(1,266)

Dividends

5

-

-

-

(26,470)

(26,470)

At 31 March 2017

 

7,337

783,460

101

18,386

809,284

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017

 

Notes

Period ended

31 March

2017

£'000

Period ended

31 March

2016

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

22,127

21,901

Finance expense

 

518

813

Purchase of financial assets

 

(73,973)

(43,649)

Repayment of financial assets

 

3,493

15,646

Unrealised income/gains on investments at fair value through profit or loss

 

(3,210)

(1,671)

Increase in other payables and accrued expenses

 

477

135

Increase in other receivables and prepayments

 

(435)

(18)

Net cash flow used in operating activities

 

(51,003)

(6,843)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue of shares

 

88,735

19,664

Proceeds from interest bearing loans and borrowings

 

10,000

8,400

Repayment of interest bearing loans and borrowings

 

(36,500)

-

Dividends paid

5

(25,413)

(20,863)

Finance costs paid

 

(164)

(805)

Net cash flow generated from financing activities

 

36,658

6,396

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(14,345)

(447)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

52,057

4,906

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

37,712

4,459

Net cash generated from operating activities includes:

 

 

 

Investment income received

 

22,798

26,561

Deposit interest received

 

7

10

Non-cash items

 

 

 

Purchase of financial assets (capitalised loan interest)

3

(3,030)

(2,748)

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017

 

1. General information

GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited is a public company incorporated and domiciled in Jersey on 21 May 2010 with registration number 105775. The Company is governed by the provisions of the Law and CIF Law.

 

The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated under the laws of Jersey and its ordinary shares are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

The Company makes infrastructure investments, typically by acquiring interests in debt instruments issued by infrastructure Project Companies (or by their existing lenders or holding vehicles) that are contracted by UK public sector bodies to design, finance, build, and operate infrastructure projects and by investing in other assets with a similar economic effect to such instruments.

 

2. Significant accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation

The unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the six month period to 31 March 2017 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union.

 

The unaudited interim condensed financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual financial statements as at 30 September 2016. The financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2016 were audited by KPMG Channel Islands Limited who issued an unqualified audit opinion thereon.

 

The audited financial statements of the Company as at and for the year ended 30 September 2016 were prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.

 

The financial information contained in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017 have not been audited but have undergone a review by the Company's Auditor in accordance with International Standards on Review Engagements (UK & Ireland) 2410, Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK.

 

The unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets held at fair value through profit or loss.

 

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the unaudited interim condensed financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2016.

 

Going concern

The Directors have made an assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and are satisfied that the Company has the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Directors are not aware of any material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt upon the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

 

2.2 Significant accounting judgements and estimates

The preparation of unaudited interim condensed financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the Directors of the Company to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts recognised in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability in the future. As the Company's financial assets are in the form of debt instruments, judgement has been involved in determining their valuation. The valuation process is dependent on assumptions and estimates which are significant to the reported amounts recognised in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements taking into account the structure of the Company and the extent of its investment activities.

 

The Directors have determined that the SPVs through which the Company invests fall under the control of the Company in accordance with the control criteria prescribed by IFRS 10 and therefore meet the definition of subsidiaries. In addition the Directors continue to hold the view that the Company meets the definition of an investment entity and therefore can measure and present the SPVs at fair value through profit or loss.

 

 

 

2.3 (a) Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements of the Company are measured in the primary economic environment in which the Company operates.

 

The primary objective of the Company is to generate returns in Pound Sterling, its capital-raising currency. The Company's performance is evaluated in Pound Sterling. Therefore, the Directors consider Pound Sterling as the currency that most faithfully represents the economic effects of the underlying transactions, events and conditions and have adopted it as the Company's presentation currency. All values have been rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000) except where otherwise indicated.

 

2.3 (b) Segmental information

For management purposes, the Company is organised into one main operating segment. All of the Company's activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent on the others. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon the analysis of the Company as one segment. The financial results from this segment are equivalent to the unaudited interim condensed financial statements of the Company as a whole. The following table analyses the Company's underlying operating income per geographical location. The basis for attributing the operating income is the place of incorporation of the underlying counterparty.

 

 

31 March

2017

£'000

31 March

2016

£'000

Channel Islands

12

10

United Kingdom

27,011

26,688

Total

27,023

26,698

 

3. Operating income

The table below analyses the Company's operating income for the period per investment type:

 

31 March

2017

£'000

31 March

2016

£'000

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

12

10

Net movement in fair value of financial assets through profit or loss

26,008

25,484

Other income

1,003

1,204

Total

27,023

26,698

 

The table below analyses the operating income derived from the Company's financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:

 

 

31 March

2017

£'000

31 March

2016

£'000

Loan interest - cash

19,768

23,813

Loan interest - capitalised

3,030

2,748

Unrealised gains on investments at fair value through profit or loss

7,136

4,023

Unrealised losses on investments at fair value through profit or loss

(3,926)

 (5,100)

Total

26,008

25,484

 

4. Taxation

Profits arising in the Company for the period from 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017 are subject to tax at the standard rate of 0% (31 March 2016: 0%) in accordance with the Income Tax (Jersey) Law 1961, as amended.

 

5. Dividends

Total dividends paid or declared for the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017 were 3.8 pence per share as follows:

 

Pence

31 March

2017

£'000

31 March

2016

£'000

Current period dividends

 

 

 

31 March 2017

1.9

-

-

31 December 2016/15

1.9

13,929

11,286

Total

3.8

13,929

11,286

Prior period dividends

 

 

 

30 September 2016/15

1.9

12,541

10,953

30 June 2016

1.9

-

-

Total

3.8

12,541

10,953

Dividends in statement of changes in equity

 

26,470

22,239

Dividends settled in shares1

 

(1,057)

 (1,376)

Dividends in cash flow statement

 

25,413

20,863

1. The dividends settled in shares are where shareholders have elected to take the scrip dividend alternative

 

6. Earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing profit for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

 

 

Total

profit

£'000

Weighted

average

number of

ordinary

shares

Pence

per share

Period ended 31 March 2017

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share

22,127

708,723,471

3.1220

Period ended 31 March 2016

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share

21,901

587,571,646

3.7273

 

7. Other receivables and prepayments

 

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

Other receivables

375

227

Prepayments

363

76

Total

738

303

 

8. Other payables and accrued expenses

 

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

Investment advisory fees

1,704

1,540

Payables

835

458

Total

2,539

1,998

 

9. Interest bearing loans and borrowings

 

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

RBSI loan facility

-

26,500

Unamortised arrangement fees

-

(292)

Total

-

26,208

 

The table below analyses the movement for the period:

 

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

Opening balance

26,500

41,600

Proceeds from interest bearing loans and borrowings

10,000

76,900

Repayment of interest bearing loans and borrowings

(36,500)

 (92,000)

Total

-

26,500

On 23 March 2015, the Company entered into a three-year £50 million revolving credit facility with RBSI (the "Facility"). Interest on amounts drawn under the Facility is charged at LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum. A commitment fee is payable on undrawn amounts. The total costs incurred to establish the Facility of £754,000 (including the arrangement fee of £675,000) were offset against the amount drawn down. During the period, the Company drew down a further £10 million on 22 November 2016, resulting in a total amount of £36.5 million drawn down. The Company repaid the balance of £36.5 million on 7 December 2016.

 

On 17 January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with RBSI in respect of a £25 million increase to the Facility. The increased Facility is for an amount of £75 million. All amounts drawn under the Facility are to be used in or towards the making of investments in accordance with the Company's investment policy.

 

The Facility is secured against the portfolio of assets held by the Company.

 

10. Authorised and issued share capital

 

31 March 2017

30 September 2016

Share capital

Number

of shares

£'000

Number

of shares

£'000

Ordinary shares issued and fully paid

 

 

 

 

At 1 October

660,025,921

6,600

576,481,586

5,765

Equity shares issued through:

 

 

 

 

Dividends settled in shares

843,301

8

2,217,500

22

Placing programmes

72,874,494

729

81,326,835

813

Total

733,743,716

7,337

660,025,921

6,600

Share capital is the nominal amount of the Company's ordinary shares in issue.

 

The 73,717,795 shares issued in the period represent 72,874,494 ordinary shares issued under the placing programme and 843,301 ordinary shares issued under the scrip dividend alternative. These are further analysed below.

 

The Company is authorised to issue 1.5 billion ordinary shares, 300 million C shares and 300 million deferred shares, each having a par value of one pence per share.

 

Quantitative information about the Company's share capital is also provided in the statement of changes in equity.

 

Share premium

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

Premium on ordinary shares issued and fully paid

 

 

Opening balance

694,406

599,242

Premium on equity shares issued through:

 

 

Dividends settled in shares

1,049

2,616

Placing programmes

89,271

94,187

Share issue costs charged to premium

(1,266)

(1,639)

Total

783,460

694,406

Share premium relates to amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value less associated issue costs of the subscription.

 

Date

No of shares issued

Description

Period

21 October 2016

211,066

Ordinary shares issued in respect ofthe offer of a scrip dividend alternative

1 July 2016 to

30 September 2016

1 December 2016

72,874,494

Ordinary shares issued by wayof a fundraising of £90 millionunder a placing programme

n/a

3 March 2017

632,235

Ordinary shares issued in respect ofthe offer of a scrip dividend alternative

1 October 2016 to

31 December 2016

Total

73,717,795

 

 

As at 31 March 2017, the Company's issued share capital comprised 733,743,716 ordinary shares, none of which were held in treasury.

 

The ordinary shares carry the right to dividends out of the profits available for distribution attributable to each share class, if any, as determined by the Directors. Each holder of an ordinary share is entitled to attend meetings of shareholders and, on a poll, to one vote for each share held.

 

11. Financial instruments

11.1 Capital management

The Company is wholly funded from equity balances, comprising issued ordinary share capital, as detailed in note 10 and retained earnings, as well as a revolving credit facility, as detailed in note 9.

 

The Company may seek to raise additional capital from time to time, to the extent that the Directors and the Investment Adviser believe the Company will be able to make suitable investments. The Company raises capital on a highly conservative basis only when it has a clear view of a robust pipeline of highly advanced investment opportunities.

 

The Company may borrow up to 20% of its NAV as at such time any such borrowings are drawn down. At the period end, borrowings amounted to 0% of NAV (2016: 3.7%).

 

11.2 Financial risk management objectives

The Company has an investment policy and strategy as summarised in its prospectus dated 28 March 2017 that sets out its overall investment strategy and its general risk management philosophy and has established processes to monitor and control these in a timely and accurate manner. These guidelines are the subject of regular operational reviews undertaken by the Investment Adviser to ensure that the Company's policies are adhered to as it is the Investment Adviser's duty to identify and assist in the control of risk. The Investment Adviser reports regularly to the Directors who have ultimate responsibility for the overall risk management approach.

 

The Investment Adviser and the Directors ensure that all investment activity is performed in accordance with the investment guidelines. The Company's investment activities expose it to various types of risk that are associated with the financial instruments and markets in which it invests. Risk is inherent in the Company's activities and it is managed through a process of ongoing identification, measurement and monitoring. The financial risks to which the Company is exposed include market risk which includes other price risk and interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.

 

 

11.3 Market risk

There is a risk that market movements in interest rates, credit markets and observable yields may decrease or increase the fair value of the Company's financial assets without regard to the asset's underlying performance. The fair value of the Company's financial assets is measured and monitored on a quarterly basis by the Investment Adviser with the assistance of the Valuation Agent.

 

The Valuation Agent considers the movements in comparable credit markets and publicly available information in respect of each project in assessing the expected future cash flows from each investment.

 

The valuation principles used are based on a discounted cash flow methodology. A fair value for each asset acquired by the Company is calculated by applying a relevant market discount rate to the contractual cash flows expected to arise from each asset.

 

The Valuation Agent determines the discount rate that it believes the market would reasonably apply to each investment taking into account, inter alia, the following significant inputs:

 

· Pound Sterling interest rates;

· movements of comparable credit markets; and

· observable yields on other comparable instruments.

 

In addition, the following are also considered as part of the overall valuation process:

 

· general infrastructure market activity and investor sentiment; and

· changes to the economic, legal, taxation or regulatory environment.

 

The Valuation Agent exercises its judgement in assessing the expected future cash flows from each investment. Given that the investments of the Company are generally fixed-income debt instruments (in some cases with elements of inflation protection) or other investments with a similar economic effect, the focus of the Valuation Agent is on assessing the likelihood of any interruptions to the debt service payments, in light of the operational performance of the underlying asset.

 

The valuations are reviewed by the Investment Adviser and the subsequent NAV is reviewed and approved by the Directors on a quarterly basis.

 

The table below shows how changes in discount rate affect the changes in the valuation of financial assets at fair value. The range of discount rates used reflects the Investment Adviser's view of a reasonable expectation of valuation movements across the portfolio in a six month period.

 

31 March 2017

Change in discount rate

0.50%

0.25%

0.00%

(0.25%)

(0.50%)

Valuation of financial assetsat fair value (£'000)

745,376

759,137

773,373

788,107

803,363

Change in valuation of financial assetsat fair value (£'000)

(27,997)

(14,236)

-

14,734

29,990

As at 31 March 2017, the discount rates used in the valuation of financial assets ranged from 6.5% to 10.4%.

 

11.4 Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk has the following effect:

 

Fair value of financial assets

Interest rates are one of the factors which the Valuation Agent takes into account when valuing the financial assets.

 

Future cash flows

The Company primarily invests in senior and subordinated debt instruments of infrastructure Project Companies. The financial assets have fixed interest rate coupons, albeit with some inflation protection, and as such movements in interest rates will not directly affect the future cash flows payable to the Company.

 

Interest rate hedging may be carried out to seek to provide protection against falling interest rates in relation to assets that do not have a minimum fixed rate of return acceptable to the Company in line with its investment policy and strategy.

 

Where the debt instrument is subordinated, the Company is indirectly exposed to the gearing of the infrastructure Project Companies. The Investment Adviser ensures as part of its due diligence that the Project Company debt ranking senior to the Company's investment has been hedged against movement in interest rates where appropriate, through the use of interest rate swaps.

 

Borrowings

During the period the Company made use of its Facility with RBSI, which was used to finance investments made by the Company. Details of the RBSI Facility are given in note 9.

 

Any potential financial impact of movements in interest rates on the cost of borrowings on the Company is mitigated by the short-term nature of such borrowings.

11.5 Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that the counterparty to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation or commitment that it has entered into with the Company. The assets classified at fair value through profit or loss do not have a published credit rating, however the Investment Adviser monitors the financial position and performance of the Project Companies on a regular basis to ensure that credit risk is appropriately managed.

 

The Company is exposed to differing levels of credit risk on all its assets. The Company's total exposure to credit risk is £811 million (2016: £752 million) being the balance of total assets less prepayments. Cash is held at a number of financial institutions to spread credit risk, with cash awaiting investment being held on behalf of the Company at banks which carry a minimum rating of A-1, P-1 or F-1 from Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch respectively or in one or more similarly rated money market or short-dated gilt funds.

 

Before an investment decision is made the Investment Adviser performs extensive due diligence complemented by professional third-party advisers, including technical advisers, financial and legal advisers and valuation and insurance experts. After an investment is made the Investment Adviser uses detailed cash flow forecasts to assess the continued credit worthiness of Project Companies and their ability to pay all costs as they fall due. The forecasts are regularly updated with information provided by the Project Companies in order to monitor ongoing financial performance.

 

The Project Companies receive a significant portion of revenue from government departments and public sector or local authority clients.

 

The Project Companies are also reliant on their subcontractors, particularly facilities managers, continuing to perform their service delivery obligations such that revenues are not disrupted. The credit standing of each significant subcontractor is monitored on an ongoing basis, and period end significant exposures are reported to the Directors quarterly.

 

The concentration of credit risk to any individual project did not exceed 10% of the Company's portfolio at the period end. The Investment Adviser also monitors the concentration of risk based upon the nature of each underlying project.

 

The concentration of credit risk associated with counterparties is deemed to be low. The counterparties are typically public sector entities which generate pre-determined, long-term, public sector backed revenues in the form of subsidy payments (FiT and ROCs payments) for renewables transactions, unitary charge payments for PFI transactions or lease payments for social housing projects. In the view of the Investment Adviser and Board, the UK Government has both the ability and willingness to satisfy its obligations to these public sector entities.

 

The credit risk associated with each Project Company is further mitigated because the cash flows receivable are secured over the assets of the Project Company, which in turn has security over the assets of the underlying projects. The debt instruments held by the Company are held at fair value, and the credit risk associated with these investments is one of the factors which the Valuation Agent takes into account when valuing the financial assets.

 

The Investment Adviser regularly monitors the concentration of risk based upon the nature of each underlying project to ensure appropriate diversification and risk remains within acceptable parameters.

 

Changes in credit risk affect the discount rate. The Directors have assessed the credit quality of the portfolio at the period end and based on the parameters set out above are satisfied that the credit quality remains within an acceptable range for long-dated debt.

 

11.6 Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. Exposure to liquidity risk arises because of the possibility that the Company could be required to pay its liabilities earlier than expected. The Company's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of bank deposits and interest bearing loans and borrowings.

 

The following table analyses all of the Company's financial assets and liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period from 31 March 2017 to the contractual maturity date. The Directors have elected to present both assets and liabilities in the liquidity disclosure below to illustrate the net liquidity exposure of the Company.

 

All cash flows in the table below are on an undiscounted basis.

 

31 March 2017

Less than

one month

£'000

One to

three months

£'000

Three to

twelve months

£'000

Greater than

twelve months

£'000

Total

£'000

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

37,712

-

-

-

37,712

Other receivables and prepayments

-

-

738

-

738

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

17,743

8,935

65,582

1,568,633

1,660,893

Total financial assets

55,455

8,935

66,320

1,568,633

1,699,343

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Other payables and accrued expenses

-

2,539

-

-

2,539

Total financial liabilities

-

2,539

-

-

2,539

Net exposure

55,455

6,396

66,320

1,568,633

1,696,804

 

 

30 September 2016

Less than

one month

£'000

One to

three months

£'000

Three to

twelve months

£'000

Greater than

twelve months

£'000

Total

£'000

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

52,057

-

-

-

52,057

Other receivables and prepayments

-

-

303

-

303

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

14,998

9,074

48,164

1,373,897

1,446,133

Total financial assets

67,055

9,074

48,467

1,373,897

1,498,493

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Other payables and accrued expenses

-

1,998

-

-

1,998

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

-

26,208

-

-

26,208

Total financial liabilities

-

28,206

-

-

28,206

Net exposure

67,055

(19,132)

48,467

1,373,897

1,470,287

 

11.7 Fair values of financial assets

Basis of determining fair value

The Valuation Agent carries out quarterly fair valuations of the financial assets of the Company. These valuations are reviewed by the Investment Adviser and the subsequent NAV is reviewed and approved by the Directors on a quarterly basis. The basis for the Valuation Agent's valuations is described in note 11.3.

 

Fair value measurements

Investments are measured and reported at fair value and are classified and disclosed in one of the following fair value hierarchy levels depending on whether their fair value is based on:

 

· Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

· Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices); and

· Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

An investment is always categorised as Level 1, 2 or 3 in its entirety. In certain cases the fair value measurement for an investment may use a number of different inputs that fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgement and is specific to the investment.

 

The table below summarises all securities held by the Company based on the fair valuation technique adopted:

 

Fair value

hierarchy

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

Loan notes - PFI and renewables excluding biomass

Level 2

582,935

520,296

Loan notes - biomass

Level 3

190,438

179,386

The Directors have classified the financial instruments as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on whether or not there is a consistent data set of comparable and observable market transactions. Due to the limited number of comparable and observable market transactions in the biomass sector, the Directors have classified the Company's investments in biomass projects as Level 3. Discount rates between 7.2% and 10.3% were applied to the investments categorised as Level 3.

 

The following table shows a reconciliation of all movements in the fair value of financial instruments categorised within Level 3 between the beginning and end of the period:

 

 

31 March

2017

£'000

30 September

2016

£'000

Opening balance

179,386

165,431

Purchases

11,465

29,827

Repayments

(1,350)

(7,125)

Unrealised gains on investments at fair value through profit or loss

3,089

1,081

Unrealised losses on investments at fair value through profit or loss

(2,152)

(9,828)

Closing balance

190,438

179,386

 

For the Company's financial instruments categorised as Level 3, changing the discount rate used to value the underlying instruments alters the fair value. A change in the discount rate used to value the Level 3 investments would have the following effect on profit before tax:

 

31 March 2017

Level 3

0.50%

0.25%

0.00%

(0.25%)

(0.50%)

Valuation of financial assetsat fair value (£'000)

184,719

187,543

190,438

193,406

196,449

Change in valuation of financial assetsat fair value (£'000)

(5,720)

(2,895)

-

2,968

6,011

In determining the discount rate for calculating the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, movements to Pound Sterling interest rates, comparable credit markets and observable yield on comparable instruments could give rise to changes in the discount rate.

 

The Directors consider the inputs used in the valuation of investments and the appropriateness of their classification in the fair value hierarchy. In particular the Directors are satisfied that significant inputs into the discount rate, other than in respect of the biomass investments as noted above, are market observable. Should the valuation approach change causing an investment to meet the characteristics of a different level of the fair value hierarchy, it will be reclassified accordingly. During the period, there were no transfers of investments between levels therefore no further disclosure is considered necessary by the Directors.

 

12. Related party disclosures

As defined by IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial or operational decisions.

 

Directors

The non-executive Directors of the Company are considered to be the key management personnel of the Company. Directors' remuneration for the period totalled £160,000 (31 March 2016: £165,000). At 31 March 2017, liabilities in respect of these services amounted to £78,000 (30 September 2016: £67,000).

 

At 31 March 2017, Mr Paul De Gruchy, together with his family members held 467,493 ordinary shares in the Company. At 31 March 2017, Mr Clive Spears held 25,756 ordinary shares.

 

Investment Adviser

The Company is party to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser, which was amended and restated in November 2015 and novated on 20 April 2017 (see note 13), pursuant to which the Company has appointed the Investment Adviser to provide advisory services relating to the assets on a day-to-day basis in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, subject to the overall supervision and direction of the Board of Directors. As a result of the responsibilities delegated under this Agreement, the Company considers it to be a related party by virtue of being "key management personnel".

 

For its services to the Company, the Investment Adviser receives an annual fee at the rate of 0.9% (or such lesser amount as may be demanded by the Investment Adviser at its own absolute discretion) multiplied by the sum of:

 

· the NAV of the Company; less

· the value of the cash holdings of the Company pro rata to the period for which such cash holdings have been held.

 

The Investment Adviser is also entitled to claim for expenses arising in relation to the performance of certain duties and, at its discretion, 1% of the value of any transactions entered into by the Company (where possible the Investment Adviser seeks to charge this fee to the borrower).

 

The Investment Adviser has committed additional resource in providing its client funds, including the Company, a more comprehensive service which strengthens the level of transaction and marketing support for the Company, in a cost-efficient manner. The Investment Adviser receives a fee of 0.25% of the aggregate gross proceeds from any issue of new shares in consideration for the provision of marketing and investor introduction services. The Investment Adviser has appointed Highland Capital Partners Limited ("Highland Capital") to assist it with the provision of such services and pays all fees due to Highland Capital out of the fees it receives from the Company.

 

With effect from 22 July 2014, the Company's Investment Adviser was authorised as an AIFM by the FCA under the AIFMD regulations. The Company has provided disclosures on its website, www.gcpuk.com/gcp-infrastructure-investments-ltd, incorporating the requirements of the AIFMD regulations.

 

During the period, the Company expensed £3,596,000 (31 March 2016: £2,803,000) in respect of investment advisory fees and expenses, marketing fees and transaction management and documentation services, £3,321,000 which is included within administration expenses in the consolidated income statement and £275,000 included within the share issue costs relating to share issues during the period. As at 31 March 2017, liabilities in respect of these services amounted to £1,704,000 (30 September 2016: £1,540,000).

 

The Directors of the Investment Adviser also sit on the boards of several SPVs through which the Company invests. The Company has delegated to the Investment Adviser through the Investment Advisory Agreement, the day-to-day operations of these SPVs.

The voting Directors of the Investment Adviser hold directly or indirectly, and together with their family members, 2,877,787 ordinary shares in the Company.

 

The non-voting Directors of the Investment Adviser hold directly or indirectly, and together with their family members, 5,838,674 ordinary shares in the Company.

 

13. Subsequent events after the report date

On 19 April 2017, the Company entered into a conditional, binding commitment to subscribe for two series of loan notes with a value of c.£140 million as part of the acquisition of GIB by a Macquarie-led consortium.

 

On 26 April 2017, the Company committed to subscribe for a loan note of up to £40 million. The loan note, with an expected term of c.35 years, will be used to provide funding for the acquisition of operational supported living housing units.

 

Three loans totalling £21.8 million have been advanced to Project Companies since the period end, £8.9 million under existing facilities with a further £12.9 million under new facilities.

 

On 20 April 2017, the Company approved the novation of its Investment Advisory Agreement from Gravis Capital Partners LLP to Gravis Capital Management Limited as part of the transfer of the Investment Adviser's fund management and advisory business from a limited liability partnership to a newly incorporated limited company under substantially the same ownership.

 

14. Non-consolidated SPVs

As explained in note 2.2, the Company invests through certain SPVs which are not consolidated as the Company meets the consolidation exemption criteria as prescribed by IFRS 10.

 

For details of the non-consolidated SPVs, refer to the Company's annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2016.

 

15. Ultimate controlling party

It is the view of the Directors that there is no ultimate controlling party.

 

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

 

 

AIFM

Alternative Investment Fund Manager

AIFMD

Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive

Borrower

The entity which issues loan notes to GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited, usually a special purpose vehicle

CIF Law

Collective Investment Funds (Jersey) Law 1988

The Company

GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited

C shares

A share class issued by the Company from time to time. Conversion shares are used to raise new funds without penalising existing shareholders. The funds raised are ring-fenced from the rest of the Company until they are substantially invested

Facility

Revolving credit facility with RBSI

FCA

Fellow of the Institute of the Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

FiT

Feed-in tariff

GIB

Green Investment Bank

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards

LIFT

Local Improvement Finance Trust

LSE

London Stock Exchange

The Law

The Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, (as amended)

NAV

Net asset value

NPD

Non-profit distributing procurement model

Ordinary shares

The ordinary share capital of GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited

PFI

Private Finance Initiative

PF2

Private Finance 2

PPA

Power purchase agreement

PPP

Public private partnership

Project Company

A special purpose company which owns and operates an asset

RBSI

Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited

RHI

Renewable heat incentive

ROCs

Renewable obligation certificates

SPV

Special purpose vehicle

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORPORATE INFORMATION

 

The Company

GCP Infrastructure Investments Limited

12 Castle StreetSt HelierJersey JE2 3RT

 

Administrator, secretary andregistered office of the Company

Capita Financial Administrators (Jersey) Limited

12 Castle StreetSt HelierJersey JE2 3RT

 

Advisers on English law

Stephenson Harwood LLP

1 Finsbury CircusLondon EC2M 7SH

 

Advisers on Jersey law

Carey Olsen

47 EsplanadeSt HelierJersey JE1 0BD

 

Depositary

Capita Trust Company (Jersey) Limited

12 Castle StreetSt HelierJersey JE2 3RT

 

Directors

Ian Reeves CBE (Chairman)Clive Spears (Deputy Chairman)Julia Chapman

Michael Gray

Paul De Gruchy

David Pirouet

 

Financial adviser and broker

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited

150 CheapsideLondon EC2V 6ET

 

Financial PR

Buchanan Communications

107 CheapsideLondon EC2V 6DN

 

Independent Auditor

KPMG Channel Islands Limited

37 EsplanadeSt HelierJersey JE4 8WQ

 

Investment Adviser and AIFM

Gravis Capital Management Limited(formerly Gravis Capital Partners LLP)

53/54 Grosvenor StreetLondon W1K 3HU

 

Operational bankers

Lloyds Bank International Limited

9 Broad StreetSt HelierJersey JE4 8NG

 

Royal Bank of ScotlandInternational Limited

71 Bath StreetSt HelierJersey JE4 8PJ

 

Registrar

Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited

12 Castle StreetSt HelierJersey JE2 3RT

 

Valuation Agent

Mazars LLP

Tower Bridge HouseSt Katherine's WayLondon E1W 1DD

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR EZLFLDEFXBBQ
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