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HICL Infrastructure is an Investment Trust

To deliver a long-term, stable income to shareholders from a diversified portfolio of infrastructure investments positioned at the lower end of the risk spectrum.

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Interim Results Six Months Ended 30 September 2016

16 Nov 2016 07:00

RNS Number : 2563P
HICL Infrastructure Company Ld
16 November 2016
 

HICL Infrastructure Company Limited

 

16 November 2016

 

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

 

The Directors of HICL Infrastructure Company Limited announce the results for the six months ended 30 September 2016.

 

Interim Highlights

For the six months ended 30 September 2016

 

· Net asset value ("NAV") per share at 30 September 2016 of 145.7p; up 3.5p (2.5%) from NAV per share of 142.2p at 31 March 2016.

· Total shareholder return for the period of 10.4% (annualised), based on interim dividends declared plus uplift in NAV per share in the six month period.

· Aggregate quarterly dividends declared for the first half were 3.82p per share (2015: 3.72p); on track to achieve the Company's aggregate dividend target of 7.65p per share for the full year1.

· Value of the Company's investment portfolio up 7.9% in the six months, based on the 30 September 2016 Directors' valuation of £2,189.9m (31 March 2016: £2,030.3m).

· Four investments and one follow-on investment completed in the period and a contract signed for a further four new investments and two follow-on investments, for a combined total commitment of £102.5m.

· Over-subscribed tap issuance in September 2016 raised £113.4m to fund investments and pipeline.

· Pipeline of further attractive investment opportunities across all segments of the Company's investment strategy.

 

Summary Financial Results

 

for the six months to

30 September 2016

30 September 2015

Income

£86.2m

£72.3m1

+19.2%

Investment Basis2 Income

£99.5m

£84.4m

+17.9%

Profit before tax

£85.3m

£71.6m1

+19.1%

Earnings per share

6.1p

5.6p

+8.9%

Total interim dividends declared per share for the year to date

3.82p

3.72p

+2.7%

 

 

Net Asset Values

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) per share at 31 March 2016

142.2p

Interim dividends paid in period per share

(3.78)p

NAV return in the six months per share

7.3p

NAV per share at 30 September 2016

145.7p

 

 

1 Comparative figure has been restated. See Note 2 for details.

2 Investment Basis is same accounting basis as applied in the 31 March 2016 annual accounts and is net of forex hedging loss of £21.7m (2015: £1.2m gain).

 

 

Ian Russell, Chairman of the Board, said:

 

"We are pleased to report another period of robust performance, with cash generation on an Investment Basis slightly ahead of our expectations. As a result, the Board has re-affirmed its full year dividend target of 7.65p, representing an increase of 2.7%.

 

The Company's investment proposition - to deliver sustainable, long-term income to shareholders while preserving the capital value of its investment portfolio - remains as relevant and attractive as ever, particularly given the challenging macroeconomic conditions and market volatility in the UK. This was evidenced by the over-subscribed equity issue in September, which is testament to investors' confidence in the Company's diversified portfolio and its ability to generate the stable, inflation-correlated cashflows that underpin future dividend payments.

 

We continue to develop the portfolio of high quality infrastructure investments positioned at the lower end of the risk spectrum and have made new investment commitments of £102.5m during the period.

 

Overall, the existing portfolio is performing in line with our projections and the Board remains confident of the Company's outlook for the future."

 

 

 

Tony Roper, Director, InfraRed Capital Partners Limited, the Investment Adviser added:

 

"The portfolio has performed well during the period as our focused asset management approach continues to provide benefits for both our public sector clients and shareholders.

 

In addition, we have used our relationships to source a further eight investments and three incremental investments during the period. Although demand for operational infrastructure remains high, we remain disciplined in our approach to ensure we are able to source attractive new investments which are value accretive to the portfolio.

 

We continue to evaluate opportunities at the lower end of the risk spectrum in the target infrastructure market segments agreed with the Board and are well-positioned to take advantage of an attractive investment pipeline across a range of sectors and geographies."

 

 

This announcement contains Inside Information.

 

 

Contacts for the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Board:

 

InfraRed Capital Partners Limited: +44 (0) 20 7484 1800

Tony Roper

Keith Pickard

Harry Seekings

 

Contacts for Tulchan Communications: +44 (0) 20 7353 4200

David Allchurch

Latika Shah

 

Contacts for Canaccord Genuity Limited: +44 (0) 20 7523 8000

Dominic Waters

Neil Brierley

Will Barnett

David Yovichic

 

Copies of this announcement can be found on the Company's website, www.hicl.com. The Interim Report for the six months ended 30 September 2016 will also be available on the Company's website in due course. 

Chairman's Statement

 

Introduction

 

I am pleased to report that the Company's robust performance has continued during the six months to 30 September 2016, with a 2.5% rise in NAV per share to 145.7p, up from 142.2p at 31 March 2016. The operational performance of the portfolio has been in line with expectations while cash generation on an Investment Basis has been slightly ahead.

 

Market demand for infrastructure investments in today's low interest rate environment remains very high. While this has been positive for the valuation of the Company's existing investments, many of which were acquired in a higher return environment, it is now more challenging to find value when seeking new investments.

 

The Board held a comprehensive two-day strategy meeting with the Investment Adviser in October, which re-affirmed the Company's acquisition strategy focused on three market segments: PPP (social and transportation projects), regulated assets (gas and electricity transmission and distribution; water utilities) and demand-based assets (e.g. toll road concessions and student accommodation). The Investment Adviser targets opportunities in these market segments that are compatible with the portfolio's positioning at the lower end of the risk spectrum.

 

Financial Results and Performance

 

With a further amendment to IFRS 10 - Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exemption (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28) issued in December 2014, and adopted by the EU in September 2016, the Company has adopted the amended reporting standard for the first time in these financial statements. This requires the Company to prepare financial statements which do not consolidate any subsidiaries that are themselves investment entities.

 

In order to provide clarity to stakeholders, we have prepared pro forma summary financial information on the same basis as the Company's 31 March 2016 annual accounts, which we designate the Investment Basis, to facilitate a comparison of financial performance with prior years. Further explanation is provided in the Financial Results section.

 

Profit before tax was £85.3m (2015: £71.6m), an increase due to the reduction in weighted average discount rates used to value the portfolio and contributions from new investments, partially offset by lower assumed deposit rates over the long term. Earnings per share were 6.1p (2015: 5.6p).

 

On an Investment Basis, cash received from the portfolio by way of distributions and capital repayments was £73.0m (2015: £68.3m). After operating and finance costs on an Investment Basis, net operating cash flow of £60.9m (2015: £58.9m) covered the interim dividends paid in the six month period 1.26 times (2015: 1.30 times).

 

The ongoing charges percentage for the period on an annualised basis was 1.08%, down from 1.12% for the year to 31 March 2016.

 

During the period, the Investment Adviser's Asset and Portfolio Management teams have successfully enhanced the portfolio's value, while continuing to ensure that services are appropriately delivered to our public sector clients.

 

The Directors have approved the valuation of £2,189.9m on an Investment Basis for the portfolio at 30 September 2016 (£2,030.3m at 31 March 2016) including £133.1m of future investment commitments (£97.4m at 31 March 2016). The Directors are satisfied with the methodology and assumptions used and as usual have taken independent third party advice on the valuation. A reconciliation of the Directors' valuation to Investments at fair value on an IFRS basis held at £2,123.3m (31 March 2016: £1,973.7m) in the Balance Sheet is shown in Note 11.

 

The Company's NAV per share increased by 3.5p to 145.7p, up from 142.2p at 31 March 2016. The NAV was positively affected by the reduction in the weighted average discount rate, accretive tap issuance combined with active asset and portfolio management. This was partially offset by the reduction in long-term deposit interest rates and lower inflation than our assumptions in the period. Foreign exchange hedging resulted in a net immaterial impact on NAV from the weakening of Sterling in the period.

 

At 30 September 2016, the portfolio consisted of 107 investments and a further five that were subject to limited conditions to completion. 83% of the portfolio by value is invested in the UK with the remainder invested in Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, France and Ireland. There are currently five investments in the portfolio under construction, which collectively constitute approximately 2% of the portfolio by value. 6% of the portfolio by value is invested in concessions with demand-based revenues.

 

The first quarterly interim dividend for the year to 31 March 2017 of 1.91p was paid on 30 September 2016. The second quarterly interim dividend of 1.91p was declared on 10 November 2016 and is due to be paid on 30 December 2016. The Company remains on target to deliver aggregate dividends of 7.65p per share this financial year; and the Directors have also re-affirmed the 7.85p target for the next financial year.

 

The Company continues to offer a scrip dividend alternative, with a number of shareholders taking advantage of the offer. Full details can be found in the "Scrip Dividend Circular 2016-17" available on the Company's website (www.hicl.com).

 

Acquisitions and Disposals

 

During the period, the Group1 completed four investments and one incremental investment for £79.8m. Also during the period, the Group signed a contract to acquire four further investments and two incremental investments for £22.7m, which are included in the September 2016 Directors' valuation on an Investment Basis as commitments. Total investment commitment in the period was £102.5m.

 

The contract to acquire an interest in the A63 motorway in France remains subject to a small number of conditions outstanding and is expected to complete by Q1 2017.

 

The Investment Adviser has been actively pursuing opportunities across the three target market segments identified in the Company's Acquisition Strategy. While it is still possible to source social and transportation PPP investments via relationships, regulated and demand-based assets tend to be sold via auctions. In line with our disciplined approach, careful consideration is given to choosing which assets to pursue in these market segments.

 

__________

1 “Group” is defined in the Accounting section of the Financial Results.

 

Capital Raising

 

The Company raised proceeds of £113.4m (before expenses) through a tap issue of 66.7m Ordinary Shares in September 2016. The issue was over-subscribed and, accordingly, was increased from its initial target size of £76m.

 

At the time of writing, the Company has the authority and tap capacity to issue approximately 22 million shares; stepping up to 56 million shares during December 2016.

 

Following the completion of £22.7m of conditional investments, expected shortly, the Company will have a funding surplus of approximately £11m.

 

Governance and Regulation

 

As in previous years, and consistent with best practice, the Directors offered themselves for re-election at the AGM on 19 July 2016 and were duly re-elected.

 

I am pleased to welcome Simon Holden and Kenneth D. Reid who joined the Board in July and September 2016 respectively as non-executive directors. They bring complementary skills to the Board, which is actively involved in the oversight, strategy and management of the Company and its large investment portfolio.

 

Having established the Company's Risk Committee in 2014, we decided in 2015 to commission advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to ensure that our risk policies, procedures and reporting tools remain in the top quartile of investment trusts. This has proved a useful exercise and, although existing systems are effective, we are now implementing recommendations from PwC to further improve them. We will expand on this in the Company's annual accounts.

 

The UK 2015 Modern Slavery Act, which has now come into force, applies to qualifying businesses with financial year ends from 31 March 2016 and requires them to report publicly steps to ensure their operations and supply chains are free of trafficking and slavery. Further details are set out in the Company's Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement on the website.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The risks to which the Company is exposed, and the strategies employed to manage and mitigate those risks, have not changed materially from those set out in detail in section 2.8 of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016.

 

Uncertainty has been created by the EU Referendum on the 23 June 2016, but the impact on the Company has been minimal to date. There has been considerable weakening of Sterling since June; but while the Company's overseas investments have strengthened in value as a result of this, the gain has been materially offset by the currency hedging employed by the Group, which is designed to mitigate the impact on the Company's NAV from foreign exchange volatility.

 

The consequences of the referendum result for the UK and for Europe will remain uncertain for some time. Some economic commentators have pointed towards a weakening of the UK's economic growth in the medium term and expect higher inflation in the near term. While the long-term impact (if any) of Brexit on the Company's valuation cannot yet be determined, a short-term pick-up in inflation may result in a small improvement in financial performance. It is also worth noting that the Company's investment performance is not sensitive to movements in UK GDP.

 

Market Developments and Outlook

 

High demand for infrastructure investments globally has positively impacted the valuation of the Company's existing portfolio, but it remains challenging to secure new investment opportunities at attractive prices.

 

The Investment Adviser selects potential new investments carefully, based on accretion tests and fit with the existing portfolio. While eight new investments were secured in the period, the Company also bid for a regulated asset (a gas distribution network) and four demand-based assets (two toll roads and two student accommodation projects). We remain disciplined on pricing and were unsuccessful on these bids, further highlighting the appetite for yield from what some commentators are now calling 'super-core' infrastructure assets.

 

As I have noted previously, pricing discipline in the current environment remains vital and we are likely to see more cases in which investments are being bid on terms we consider unrealistic.

 

The Investment Adviser is evaluating a pipeline of new investments. While the UK market continues to provide a small but steady source of potential opportunities across the Company's three target market segments, the Investment Adviser is also actively pursuing deal flow in Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand. We are also considering other mature OECD infrastructure markets with good track records of seeking private investment in infrastructure.

 

Overall, the Board remains confident of the Company's outlook for the future and that the Investment Adviser's team can deliver further value to HICL through suitable, accretive acquisitions. At the same time the Company's existing portfolio is performing in line with our projections and the Investment Adviser continues to deliver incremental upside through asset-specific and portfolio-wide active asset management.

 

 

Ian Russell

Chairman

15 November 2016

 

 

 

 

Investment Adviser's Report

 

The Investment Adviser

 

InfraRed Capital Partners Limited ("InfraRed") acts as the Company's Investment Adviser and Operator in respect of the origination of new investments and the oversight of the Company's investment portfolio on a day-to-day basis. InfraRed, an independent investment management firm, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been the Investment Adviser since inception, having sourced and developed the original seed portfolio which was acquired at the time of the Company's listing.

 

Portfolio Developments

 

Financial performance

The overall portfolio operational performance has successfully delivered investment cash flow receipts on an Investment Basis of £73.0m (2015: £70.0m), despite minor, project-level issues. Net operating cash flows after finance and operating costs on an Investment Basis were £60.9m (2015: £58.9m). Dividend coverage for the period was 1.26 times (2015: 1.30 times).

 

Profit before tax increased from £71.6m to £85.3m. This was principally due to a 0.2% reduction in the weighted average discount rate used to value the portfolio and contributions from new investments which more than offset the negative impact of lower long-term deposit interest rates and actual inflation in the period below our valuation assumption.

 

Operational Performance

 

The Company currently has 112 infrastructure investments, including five commitments that are subject to limited conditions to completion, being the four new commitments signed in the period and the commitment to acquire an interest in the A63 motorway. 83% of the portfolio by value is invested in the UK, 10% in the EU, 4% in Australia and 3% in North America.

 

With the successful construction completion of the Priority Schools Building Programme North East Batch in the period, the Group now has five projects in their construction phase at 30 September 2016, accounting for approximately 2% of the portfolio by value. At 30 September 2016, 6% of the portfolio by value was attributable to three assets with revenues linked to demand from end-users. Two of these assets are road projects (4% of the portfolio by value) that have revenues that are correlated to GDP.

 

The performance of the Company's portfolio is reviewed in detail by the Investment Adviser on a quarterly basis. In aggregate, the Company's investments continue to perform as expected. Some projects experience operational challenges and have on occasion incurred deductions. These are usually reclaimed from the relevant sub-contractors but deductions have occasionally adversely impacted the Company's investment cashflows. On a portfolio basis, the impact of these deductions has been immaterial.

 

A date in 2017 has been set for a trial in the commercial court to resolve a dispute, which has been previously reported, between one of the Group's project companies and the construction subcontractor. The dispute revolves around construction defects on one of the Group's transportation assets (a road). While hopeful of a settlement prior to the case going to formal trial, the Investment Adviser remains confident in the project company's commercial position. The final outcome is not expected to have a material impact on the portfolio.

 

As previously reported, the public sector client on one of the Group's schools projects had stated its intention to serve a voluntary termination notice on the project. This notice has now been served and all parties are working to bring the concession to an end in early 2017. Under the terms of the project agreement, the Group is entitled to be paid market value for its investment as compensation for no longer being able to receive ongoing distributions from the project.

 

InfraRed's Portfolio and Asset Management teams continue to pursue value initiatives, especially with the more recent acquisitions. Successes in the period include work on the release of unutilised lifecycle cash reserves, the management of a competitive insurance portfolio and progressing variations on a number of projects.

 

Since the period end, a major variation to the Allenby & Connaught project has been signed. The UK Government has agreed approximately £680m of new capital expenditure to create more than 2,600 bed spaces, along with new and improved technical, office, catering, retail and leisure facilities. The new infrastructure is scheduled for completion by 2020 and will support forces returning from Germany under the UK Government's Army Basing Programme. It will mean that all British Army units currently based in Germany can return to the UK, resulting in significant savings for the Ministry of Defence. The project company will continue to receive availability payments from the existing Allenby & Connaught facilities, with some incremental value created by the management of delivery of the new facilities.

 

Acquisitions and Disposals

 

During the period, the Group completed four investments and one incremental investment, as follows:

 

· The acquisition of a 30% interest in the M1-A1 Link Road (Lofthouse to Bramham) DBFO Road Project for £14.5m. The Project is a 30 year shadow toll concession for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a motorway linking the M1, M621 and M62 motorways to the south of Leeds and the A1(M) south of Wetherby. The Project reached financial close in March 1996 and the concession is due to end in March 2026.

 

· A 60% shareholding in the Ireland Primary Care Centres Project. The total investment by the Group was €11.6m, which includes a commitment to invest €9.5m in 2018. The construction cost for the Project is approximately €145m. Construction is scheduled to take 27 months. The Project is a 26 year concession for the design, construction, financing and maintenance of 14 primary care centres across Ireland. New facilities will be built in Dublin, as well as at locations across Ireland.

 

· The acquisition of a 37.5% interest in the Hinchingbrooke Hospital Project in April. The Project is a 31-year concession which involves the design, construction, financing, maintenance and operation of a two storey 8,500m2 diagnostic and treatment centre situated adjacent to the existing Hinchingbrooke District General Hospital. The Project has been fully operational since October 2005. In June, a subsequent incremental investment was made increasing the Group's indirect ownership from 37.5% to 75%. The total consideration paid for the two investments was £5.3m.

 

· The acquisition of a portion of the Road Management Services (A13) PLC 2028 Index-Linked Guaranteed Secured Bonds for £50.1m in September. The project is part of a 30-year concession to design, build, finance and operate a 20km section of the A13 road on behalf of Transport for London. The bonds benefit from a guarantee from the monoline MBIA for all payments of interest and principal. The bonds are a senior secured debt investment, with direct RPI-linkage, and are expected to deliver a total return of circa.7% p.a.

 

Also during the period, the Group signed a contract, subject to limited conditions, to acquire four further investments and two incremental investments from HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions GmbH, which are included in the 30 September 2016 Directors' valuation as commitments. They are as follows:

 

· New investments in four operational schools: a 20.4% interest in Bangor and Nendrum schools, a 25.5% interest in East Ayrshire schools, a 25.5% interest in North Ayrshire Schools and a 25.5% interest in Salford Schools. These are to design, build, finance and operate schools over concessions ranging between 27 and 32 years.

 

· Incremental investments in interests of 25.5% each in both Manchester School and Cork School of Music, two of HICL's existing assets, which brings the total interests for HICL Group in these two projects to 75.5%.

 

The total consideration for all the investments detailed above is £102.5m.

 

As previously reported, the Company signed a conditional contract to acquire an investment in the A63 Motorway project in the south of France in February 2016. It is still expected that the outstanding conditions will be met by early 2017, allowing the acquisition to complete. The investment is included in the Directors' valuation of the portfolio at 30 September 2016.

 

No disposals were made during the period.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Each quarter the Board and its Risk Committee review the risk appetite of the Company. The implementation of an enhanced risk management and reporting framework, following a review by PwC in 2015, is progressing and more detail will be provided in the annual accounts. The key risks and the strategies employed to manage and mitigate those risks have not changed materially from those set out in detail in section 2.8 of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2016.

 

Operational Risks

 

Operational performance has been in line with expectations and investment cash flows received from the portfolio have been slightly ahead of projections. As previously reported, a small number of UK public sector clients in the PPP market continue to implement their contracts strictly, with some alleging asset-wide defects and making material payment deductions.

 

The impact to the Group's portfolio from this behaviour is currently immaterial, but if matters deteriorate and are not resolved satisfactorily, it could lead to the impairment in value of projects with these issues. The Investment Adviser is working actively to resolve these operational disagreements and remains cautiously optimistic that the necessary measures will be implemented as required by the contracts without any material loss to the Group.

 

UK's Vote to Leave the EU

 

The UK's vote on 23 June 2016 to leave the EU has resulted in political and economic uncertainty, together with consequent market volatility. The full implications of 'Brexit' are difficult to assess, with the process of negotiations around the UK's future relationship with the EU yet to unfold.

 

The post-Brexit depreciation of Sterling may cause overseas investments to become more expensive relative to valuations using historic foreign exchange rates. The Group's policy is to hedge such that NAV movement is limited to 1% for a 10% movement in FX rates.

 

In terms of macroeconomic impact, consensus forecasts are for short-term inflationary pressure in the UK, although medium term prospects for both inflation and growth are more uncertain. Higher inflation in the short term will benefit the valuation of the portfolio but will have limited effect on the Group's short-term cashflows; and, similarly, the Group's financial performance is not sensitive to changes in GDP.

 

Base Erosion Profit Sharing

 

In March 2016 a further consultation document was published by HMRC on the OECD's Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative, to which the Company and the Investment Adviser submitted responses in August 2016. If the draft proposals are implemented in their current form, they are not expected to materially impact the Company. Nonetheless, it is necessary to continue to monitor the situation and participate alongside industry peers in the consultation process such that sufficient profile continues to be given to the impact of BEPS on private sector infrastructure investment generally.

 

Investment Priorities

 

The Board and the Investment Adviser reviewed HICL's Acquisition Strategy and priorities at a two-day Board meeting held in early October. The Acquisition Strategy was re-affirmed with a focus on three infrastructure market segments, all of which offer investment opportunities at the lower end of the risk spectrum. They are:

 

· PPP (social and transportation projects),

· Regulated assets (e.g. gas and electricity transmission and distribution; water utilities), and.

· Demand-based assets (e.g. toll road concessions and student accommodation)

 

Market Developments

 

Supply and Demand

 

Demand for core infrastructure investments continues unabated. This is creating a demand and supply imbalance, driving up valuations of infrastructure investments further. Investors are willing to accept lower returns from investments in the current economic climate.

 

While the Investment Adviser has been successful to date in sourcing new investments off-market from relationships, this is becoming more difficult as market conditions encourage vendors increasingly to use auction processes. In auctions, bidders are often using more optimistic cash flow assumptions to reach the price necessary to win.

 

PPP projects

 

PPP investments remain an important source of new investment pipeline. However, in the UK, public sector procurement has slowed materially over a number of years, although there is some optimism that the Autumn Statement may reverse this trend. Overall deal flow both in the UK and internationally remains uneven. In the short term, the Investment Adviser expects PPP procurement to stay subdued in the UK, EU, North America and Australia.

 

Consistent with HICL's track record of retaining some exposure to construction risk-reward in the PPP market segment, the Company is considering greenfield investments in Europe, Australia/New Zealand and North America (where the Company was recently shortlisted on two PPP projects in the USA).

 

Regulated assets

 

Investments with regulatory price controls can provide the portfolio with attractive, value accretive opportunities, particularly in relation to inflation linkage, longevity and yield. The market segment overall is attractive as opportunities are typically not correlated to GDP and are compatible with the Company's position at the lower end of the risk spectrum.

 

In the period the Company, as part of a consortium, was narrowly beaten on the acquisition of an investment in a UK gas distribution business. Opportunities in the gas, electricity and water sectors come up for sale from time to time in the UK, Europe and North America: if an opportunity is attractive, the Company will consider bidding.

 

In relation to the UK Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) programme, the consortium of which the Company is a member was shortlisted on Tender Round 4 (TR4), being the opportunity to bid for the transmission assets of the Burbo Bank Extension wind farm. The Company also intends to submit qualifications for both phases of TR5.

 

Demand-based assets

 

During the period, and since the period end, the Company has seen a number of opportunities to invest in demand-based infrastructure, where revenues are linked to usage of the underlying assets by end-users. Examples of sectors in this market segment are toll roads (in Europe and the USA) and student accommodation. The attractive features of these investments include long concession lives and good inflation-linkage.

 

The Company has been actively bidding for operational toll road opportunities, where end-user demand is proven, in Europe and North America. Two recent bids were unsuccessful but useful market data has been gained. Further toll road opportunities are currently being considered, however, the Company's overall appetite for toll road exposure is limited: although they offer accretion through long duration concessions and inflation linkage, the assets are also typically correlated to regional or national GDP.

 

In the student accommodation sector, the Company continues to seek on-campus projects in partnership with universities. During the period the Company was unsuccessful on greenfield bids in both UK and Australia, however other initiatives are currently underway in both countries.

 

Valuation and Discount Rates

 

InfraRed, as the Investment Adviser, is responsible for preparing the fair market valuation of the Company's investments which is presented to the Directors for their approval and adoption. The valuation is carried out on a six monthly basis at 31 March and 30 September each year, with the result, the assumptions used and the key sensitivities (see below) published in the interim and annual results.

 

As mentioned in the Chairman's Statement, the Directors, who are ultimately responsible for the valuation, receive an independent third party report and opinion on this valuation.

 

As the Company's investments are mainly in non-market traded investments, with underlying projects providing long-term contractual income and costs, the valuation principles used are based on a discounted cash flow methodology, adjusted in accordance with the European Venture Capital Association's valuation guidelines where appropriate to comply with IAS 39 and IFRS 13, given the special nature of infrastructure investments. The exception to this is the listed senior debt in the A13 road project which is valued at the quoted market price of the bonds.

 

This is the same method used at the time of launch and for each subsequent six month reporting period. Further details can be found in the 2015-16 Annual Results and the February 2013 Ordinary Share prospectus, both of which are available from the Company's website.

 

The Directors' valuation of the portfolio on an Investment Basis at 30 September 2016 is £2,189.9m, compared to £2,030.3m at 31 March 2016, up 7.9%. This includes £133.1m of future investment commitments (£97.4m at 31 March 2016).

 

A breakdown of the growth in the Directors' valuation is tabled below:

 

Investments at fair value in the IFRS balance sheet have increased from £1,973.7m to £2,123.3m and include the fair value of the Fund Subsidiaries (as defined in 'Financial Results' below). A reconciliation of the Directors' valuation to Investments at fair value can be found in Note 1 to the Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet in the Financial Results section.

 

 

Valuation movement during the six months to 30 September 2016

£m

As % of rebased valuation

Directors' valuation at 31 March 2016

2,030.3

Investments

102.5

Cash receipts from investments

(73.0)

Less future commitments

 

(124.6)

Rebased valuation of the portfolio

 

1,935.2

Return

75.4

3.9%

Changes in discount rates

40.4

2.1%

Changes in economic assumptions

(16.6)

(0.9%)

Forex movement on Euro, AUD$ & CAD$

 

22.4

1.2%

6.3%

Future commitments

133.1

Directors' valuation at 30 September 2016

2,189.9

 

After taking into account acquisitions and cash distributions in the period of £73.0m, the growth over the rebased valuation of £1,935.2m at 31 March 2016 was 6.3%. The increase is driven by the return of £75.4m from the portfolio, the majority of which was generated by the unwinding of the discount rate. This was complemented by positive contributions from value accretive acquisitions in previous periods and various cost savings and efficiencies net of an adverse impact of actual inflation in the period lower than the 2.75% p.a. forecast assumption.

 

Further growth of £40.4m was derived from a 0.2% reduction in the weighted average discount rate. This was partly offset by the reduction in long-term deposit interest rates decreasing the valuation by £16.6m. For non-UK investments, foreign exchange gains attributable to the depreciation of Sterling were £22.4m. At the Group level, the net foreign exchange gain is reduced to £0.7m as a result of losses from the Group's forex hedging contracts.

 

Fair value for each unlisted investment is derived from the present value of the investment's expected future cash flows, using reasonable assumptions and forecasts, and an appropriate discount rate. We exercise our judgment in assessing the expected future cash flows from each investment based on the detailed concession life financial models produced by each Project Company, as amended to reflect known or expected changes to future cashflows.

 

Discount rates

 

The discount rates used for valuing each infrastructure investment are based on the appropriate long-dated government bond and a risk premium. The risk premium takes into account risks and opportunities associated with the project earnings (e.g. predictability and covenant of the concession income), all of which may be differentiated by project phase, and market participants' appetite for these risks.

 

We use our judgement in arriving at the appropriate discount rate. This is based on our knowledge of the market, taking into account intelligence gained from bidding activities, discussions with financial advisers knowledgeable in our markets and publicly available information on relevant transactions

 

Country

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

 

Discount Rate

Movement

Government Bond yield

Risk premium

Discount rate

UK

1.4%

5.9%

7.3%

7.5%

(0.2%)

Australia

2.1%

5.2%

7.3%

7.9%

(0.6%)

Europe

0.6%

7.2%

7.8%

7.8%

(0.0%)

North America

1.6%

5.4%

7.0%

7.1%

(0.1%)

Weighted average for the Portfolio

1.4%

5.9%

7.3%

7.5%

(0.2%)

Range

6.5%-9.9%

7.0%-10.1%

 

The risk premium for each country is derived from the market discount rate for an operational infrastructure investment less the appropriate long-term government bond yield. Government bond yields generally are currently low and this is reflected in higher country risk premia, which include a buffer to allow for increases from these historically low yields.

 

The relatively large movement shown for the discount rate for Australia is driven by a re-appraisal of the value of the AquaSure project following a sale by a co-shareholder of their investment during the period. The price on a pro-rata basis was materially higher than the value we ascribed to the Group's investment at 31 March 2016.

 

As outlined earlier in the report, the competitive dynamics seen in the market place continue to place downward pressure on discount rates. This has resulted in a 0.2% reduction in the weighted average discount rate in the period.

 

Valuation Assumptions

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

 

Inflation1

(p.a.)

UK (RPI2 & RPIx2)

Eurozone (CPI)

 

Canada (CPI)

Australia (CPI)

2.75% p.a.

1.0% p.a. until 2018, 2.00% p.a. thereafter

2.00% p.a.

2.50% p.a.

2.75% p.a.

1.0% p.a. until 2018, 2.0% p.a. thereafter

2.00% p.a.

2.50% p.a.

Deposit Rates

(p.a.)

UK

 

Eurozone

 

Canada

 

Australia

1.0% p.a. to March 2020, 2.0% p.a. thereafter

1.0% to 2020, then 2.0% p.a. thereafter

1.0% to 2020, then 2.0% p.a. thereafter

2.6% p.a. with a gradual increase to 3.0% long-term

1.0% p.a. to March 2020, 2.5% p.a. thereafter

1.0% p.a. to March 2020, 2.5% p.a. thereafter

1.0% p.a. to March 2020, 2.5% p.a. thereafter

2.6% p.a. with a gradual increase to 3.0% long-term

Foreign Exchange

CAD / GBP

EUR / GBP

AUD /GBP

0.59

0.87

0.59

0.54

0.79

0.53

Tax Rates

(p.a.)

UK

 

Eurozone

Canada

Australia

20% to March 2017, 19% to March 2020, 18% thereafter

Various (no change)

26%/27% (territory dependant)

30%

20% to March 2017, 19% to March 2020, 18% thereafter

Various (no change)

26%/ 27% (territory dependant)

30%

1. Some project income fully indexed, whilst some partially indexed

2. Retail Price Index and Retail Price Index excluding Mortgage Interest Payments

 

· The Directors' valuation assumes long-term UK inflation of 2.75% p.a. for both RPI and RPIx, the same assumption as used at 31 March 2016. The October 2016 forecasts for RPI out to December 2017 range from 0.7% to 4.4% from 21 independent forecasters, as compiled by HM Treasury, with a median forecast of 3.2%.

 

The social and transportation projects in the portfolio have contractual income streams with public sector clients which are rebased every year for the change in inflation. The projects' revenues are either partially or totally indexed (depending on the contract and the nature of the project's financing). Facilities management sub-contracts have similar indexation arrangements.

 

Changing the assumption for future inflation by +1/-1.0% per annum (i.e. +/- 1.00% on 2.75% for the UK investments) has the effect of increasing/ decreasing, respectively, the forecast return from the portfolio (being 7.3% the weighted average discount rate) by approximately 0.7%.

 

· The Directors' valuation assumes UK deposit interest rates are 1% p.a. to March 2020 and 2.0% p.a. thereafter. The long term deposit rate assumption is 50bps lower than that used in the March 2016 valuation.

 

Each project in the portfolio has cash held in bank deposits, which is a requirement of its senior debt financing. At 30 September 2016, cash deposits for the portfolio were earning interest at a rate of 0.4% p.a. on average.

 

The interest costs on the senior debt financing of each project are either inflation-linked or fixed rate. This is achieved through fixed rate or inflation-linked bonds, or bank debt which is hedged with an interest rate swap. A project's sensitivity to interest rates therefore relates only to the cash deposits required to be maintained as part of the project funding.

 

· The profits of each UK project company are subject to UK corporation tax. The corporation tax assumptions applied in the 30 September 2016 valuation are unchanged from those used in the 31 March 2016 valuation. A further reduction in the UK corporation tax rate to 17% in 2020 has been enacted but not taken into account in this valuation.

 

Valuation Sensitivities

 

Changing the key assumptions by plus or minus 0.5% (or 5.0% in the case of Foreign Exchange Rates) has the following effect on the NAV per share:

 

 

Change in NAV in pence/share

+ve delta

-ve delta

Discount Rate +/- 0.5%

-6.9

7.4

Inflation -/+ 0.5%

5.2

-4.9

Deposit Rates -/+ 0.5%

1.7

-1.7

Tax Rates +/- 5%

-4.8

4.9

Foreign Exchange Rates +/- 5%

0.2

-0.2

 

1. Analysis is based on the 20 largest investments, which is extrapolated for the whole portfolio. Foreign exchange rate sensitivity is net of current Group hedging

 

Financing

 

The Company's financing strategy involves the use of a £200m revolving credit facility to fund new acquisitions, to provide letters of credit for future investment obligations and, if appropriate, to provide a prudent level of debt for the portfolio to improve the operational gearing. This acquisition financing is then repaid through tap issuance or, where the annual tap capacity limit of 10% of shares in issue is fully utilised, through the issue of new shares accompanied by a full prospectus.

 

In September, the Company raised £113.4m of gross proceeds through a tap issuance of 66.7m shares. The issue was oversubscribed and so the Directors determined to increase the size from its initial target of £76m in light of the Company's contracted commitments and anticipated investment opportunities. The issue price of 170.0 pence per share was a narrow discount to the then prevailing market price and represented a premium to net asset value per share. As with prior issues, it was therefore value accretive to shareholders.

 

As noted in the Chairman's Statement, following the completion of £22.7m of conditional investments (expected shortly) the Company will have a net funding surplus of approximately £11m. At 15 November 2016, the Company had unutilised tap capacity of 22m shares, increasing to 56m shares in December 2016.

 

There continues to be good take-up of the scrip dividend alternative by shareholders, with approximately 1.6m new Ordinary Shares being issued in June and a further 1.0m shares at the end of September for the first quarterly interim dividend.

 

Every project in the portfolio has project-specific debt in place. All are long-term debt financing, with the exception of AquaSure which requires refinancing, in a series of tranches, to meet its business plan. At 30 September 2016 the weighted average project concession length remaining was 20.8 years (31 March 2016: 21.5 years) and the weighted average debt tenor was 19.5 years (31 March 2016: 19.5 years), excluding AquaSure and the A13 senior bonds.

 

Counterparty Exposures

 

The Company has a broad, diversified range of facilities management companies with which it has service supply contracts at individual project level.

 

On a regular basis, we review and report to the Board on the portfolio's counterparty exposure to both the operational supply chain, and the providers of bank deposit accounts and interest rate swaps. In the period, the review processes have not identified any significant counterparty concerns for any of the portfolio's main facilities management contractors. The largest exposure by value at 30 September 2016 was to Carillion plc and its subsidiaries.

 

 

Financial Results

 

Accounting

 

The Company applies IFRS 10, 11 and 12 as well as Investment Entities - Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27. A further amendment to IFRS 10 - Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exemption (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28) as issued in December 2014 has been adopted by the Company for these financial statements following adoption of the amendment by the EU in September 2016. This requires the Company to prepare IFRS financial statements which do not consolidate any subsidiaries that are themselves investment entities.

 

This has resulted in a change from the March 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements in which the Company consolidated the results of HICL Infrastructure S.a.r.l. 1, HICL Infrastructure S.a.r.l. 2 and Infrastructure Investments Limited Partnership (together the "Fund Subsidiaries") as under the current IFRS basis the Fund Subsidiaries can no longer be consolidated.

 

The Company and its Fund Subsidiaries together form the Group.

 

The adoption of the latest IFRS 10 Amendments has not changed the NAV per share or earnings per share compared to the previous approach used for the March 2016 Annual Report.

 

The Company and its advisers have concluded that in order to continue reporting the most relevant financial performance and position to stakeholders, the Company will prepare pro forma summary financial information on the basis that the Company consolidates the results of the Fund Subsidiaries. This basis we designate the Investment Basis and presents the financial information in the same manner as previously in the March 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements. In particular they provide shareholders with further information regarding the Group's gearing and expenses, coupled with greater transparency in the Company's capacity for investment and ability to make distributions.

 

A reconciliation between the summary financial information prepared on the Investment Basis below and the results of the Company included in the Financial Statements under IFRS can be found in the Pro Forma Statements.

 

Investment Basis financial statements

 

 

Investment Basis Summary Income Statement

 

Six months to 30 September 2016

Six months to 30 September 2015

£m

Investment Basis

Consolidation adjustments

IFRS Basis

Investment Basis

Consolidation adjustments

IFRS Basis

Total Income1

99.5

(13.3)

86.2

84.4

(12.1)

72.3

Expenses & finance costs

(13.9)

13.0

(0.9)

(12.7)

12.0

(0.7)

Profit/(loss) before tax

85.6

(0.3)

85.3

71.7

(0.1)

71.6

Tax

(0.3)

0.3

-

(0.1)

0.1

-

Earnings

85.3

-

85.3

71.6

-

71.6

Earnings per share

6.1p

-

6.1p

5.6p

-

5.6p

 

 

1Includes forex hedging loss of £21.7m (2015: £1.2m gain).

 

 

On an Investment Basis, Total Income of £99.5m (2015: £84.4m) represents the return from the portfolio recognised as income comprising dividends, sub-debt interest and valuation movements. Total Income has increased by 18% (£15.1m) reflecting a 0.2% reduction in the weighted average discount rate and contributions from new acquisitions partially offset by a 0.5% reduction in long-term deposit rates. Further detail on the valuation movements is given in the Investment Adviser's Report.

 

On an IFRS basis, both Total Income and Fund expenses are lower than the Investment Basis as they do not include expenses incurred by the Fund Subsidiaries. Total Income of £86.2m (2015: £72.3m) comprises interest income received by the Company and valuation movements in its investments.

 

Foreign exchange movements have not materially impacted profits as a £22.4m foreign exchange gain (2015: £6.2m loss) on revaluing the non-UK assets in the portfolio using September 2016 exchange rates has been offset by £21.7m (2015: £1.2m gain) foreign exchange hedging losses.

 

Earnings on an Investment Basis and IFRS basis were £85.3m, an increase of £13.7m against the prior period. This reflects the factors stated above whilst Group expenses and finance costs were higher at £13.9m compared with £12.7m in the comparable period, reflecting acquisition activity and the growth in the portfolio. Earnings per share were 6.1p (2015: 5.6p).

 

A reconciliation between the Investment Basis Income Statement and the Condensed Unaudited Income Statement of the Company can be found further below.

 

 

Investment Basis Cost Analysis

Six months to 30 September 2016

Six months to 30 September 2015

£m

Interest expense

1.0

1.0

Investment Adviser fees

10.9

10.3

Auditor - KPMG - for the Group

0.2

0.1

Directors' fees & expenses

0.2

0.2

Acquisition bid costs

1.0

0.4

Professional fees

0.5

0.6

Other expenses

0.1

0.1

Expenses & finance costs

13.9

12.7

 

 

Total fees accruing to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited (the Investment Adviser) were £10.9m (2015: £10.3m) for the period, comprising the 1.1% p.a. management fee for assets up to £750m, 1.0% for assets above £750m, 0.9% for assets above £1.5bn and 0.8% for assets above £2.25bn, a 1.0% fee on acquisitions made from third parties, and the £0.1m p.a. advisory fee.

 

The increase in the Investment Adviser's fees is due to increased fees from a larger portfolio and includes acquisition fees of £0.8m (2015: £1.1m).

 

In the period, the Group incurred £1.0m of third party bid costs (2015: £0.4m) on bids (mainly legal, technical and tax due diligence) which did not lead to an acquisition in the period.

 

Neither the Investment Adviser nor any of its affiliates receives other fees from the Group or the Group's portfolio of investments.

 

On an IFRS basis, expenses and finance costs were £0.9m (2015: £0.7m) which exclude those incurred by the Fund Subsidiaries.

Investment Basis Ongoing Charges

Six months to

30 September 2016

Six months to

30 September 2015

 

£m

 

 

Investment Adviser1

10.1

9.2

 

 

Auditor - KPMG - for the Group

0.2

0.1

 

 

Directors' fees and expenses

0.2

0.2

 

 

Other ongoing expenses

0.6

0.6

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

11.1

10.1

 

 

Average NAV

2,048.7

1,791.3

 

 

Ongoing charges (annualised)

1.08%

1.13%

 

1. Excludes acquisition fees of £0.8m (2015: £1.1m).

 

Ongoing charges, in accordance with AIC guidance, is defined as annualised ongoing charges (i.e. excluding acquisition costs and other non-recurring items) divided by the average published undiluted net asset value in the period. On this basis, the Ongoing charges percentage is 1.08% (March 2016: 1.12%) with the small reduction arising from the impact of the £113.4m tap issue in September 2016.

 

 

 

Investment Basis Summary Balance Sheet

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

 

£m

Investment Basis

Consolidation adjustments

IFRS Basis

Investment Basis

Consolidation adjustments

IFRS Basis

 

 

Investments at fair value

2,056.8

66.5

2,123.3

1,932.9

40.8

1,973.7

 

 

Working capital

(16.6)

16.1

(0.5)

(11.7)

11.4

(0.3)

 

 

Net cash

83.2

(82.6)

0.6

52.7

(52.2)

0.5

 

 

Net assets attributable to Ordinary shares

2,123.4

-

2,123.4

1,973.9

-

1,973.9

 

 

NAV per share (before dividend)

145.7p

-

145.7p

142.2p

-

142.2p

 

NAV per share (post dividend)

143.8p

-

143.8p

140.3p

-

140.3p

 

On an Investment Basis, Investments at fair value increased to £2,056.8m (March 2016: £1,932.9m), being the Directors' valuation of £2,189.9m (March 2016: £2,030.3m) net of £133.1m of future investment obligations (March 2016: £97.4m). Further detail on the movement in Investments at fair value is given in the Valuation section of the Investment Adviser's Report.

 

The Group had net cash, on an Investment Basis, at 30 September 2016 of £83.2m (31 March 2016: net cash of £52.7m), which covers the 1.91p second quarterly interim dividend of £27.8m due for payment at the end of December 2016. The Group expects to invest approximately £40m by December 2016 by completing conditional acquisitions and making loan note subscriptions. An analysis of the movements in net cash is shown in the cashflow analysis below.

 

On an IFRS basis, Investments at fair value increased to £2,123.3m (March 2016: £1,973.7m), reflecting the Investment Basis movements above as well as a £25.7m increase in the fair value of the Fund Subsidiaries as a result of changes in working capital balances. On an IFRS basis, cash and cash equivalents increased to £0.6m (March 2016: £0.5m) as the cash is mainly held in the Fund Subsidiaries.

 

NAV per share was 145.7p before the 1.91p distribution (31 March 2016: 142.2p). NAV per share has increased 3.5p, of which 1.2p was as a result of the 67m shares issued at a premium in September 2016. The expected NAV growth, being the return attributable to the unwinding of the discount rate, less the dividends paid, was 0.4p.

 

A reconciliation between the Investment Basis Balance Sheet and the Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet of the Company can be found further below.

 

Analysis of the Growth in NAV per Share

Pence per share

NAV per share at 31 March 20161

140.3p

Valuation movements

Reduction in discount rates of 0.2%

2.9p

Reduction in long-term deposit rates by 0.5%

(1.2)

1.7p

Portfolio Performance

Project outperformance

0.2p

Expected NAV growth

 

0.4p

0.6p

Accretive Tap Issuance of shares

1.2p

Total

3.5p

NAV per share at 30 September 20161

143.8p

1. Post interim dividend declared.

 

 

Cashflow Analysis

 

Investment Basis Summary Cash Flow

Six months to

30 September 2016

Six months to

30 September 2015

£m

Net cash on Investment Basis

at start of period

52.7

33.5

Cash from investments

73.0

70.01

Operating and finance costs outflow

(12.1)

(11.1)

Net cash inflow before acquisitions/financing

60.9

58.9

Disposal of investments

-

7.22

Cost of new investments

(75.8)

(135.6)

Share capital raised net of costs

112.5

90.5

Forex movement on borrowings/hedging

(18.9)

1.9

Distributions paid:

Relating to operational investments

(47.4)

(43.9)

Relating to investments in construction

(0.8)

(1.4)

Distributions paid

(48.2)

(45.3)

Net cash on Investment Basis at end of period

83.2

11.1

1. Includes £1.7m profit on disposal based on historic cost

2. Historic cost of £7.2m and profit on disposal of £1.7m equals the proceeds from disposal of investments of £8.9m

 

On an Investment Basis, cash inflows from the portfolio increased to £73.0m (2015: £70.0m). The growth in cash generation was driven by contributions from acquisitions combined with active cash management across the portfolio.

 

Cost of investments on an Investment Basis of £75.8m (2015: £135.6m) includes the cash cost of four new investments and a loan note subscription on PSBP North East, plus acquisition costs of £0.7m (2015: £1.5m).

 

On an IFRS basis, interest received from a Fund Subsidiary increased to £51.7m (2015: £47.8m), reflecting cash received to pay dividends to shareholders. Cost of investments of £115.1m (2015: £92.6m) reflects funds paid to Fund Subsidiaries following issuance of equity to shareholders.

 

The placing of 66.7m Ordinary Shares via a tap issue in September 2016 provided net cash receipts in the year of £112.5m (2015: £90.5m).

 

The £18.9m cash outflow (2015: £1.9m cash inflow) in foreign exchange rate hedging arises mainly from the weakening of the Sterling in the period. The Group enters forward sales to hedge forex exposure on its foreign investments, in line with the Company's hedging policy.

 

Dividends paid increased £2.9m to £48.2m (2015: £45.3m) for the period.

 

Dividend cash cover, which compares operational cash flow of £60.9m (2015: £58.9m) to dividends attributable to operational assets, was 1.28 times (2015: 1.34 times). The proportion of the total dividend attributable to operational assets (98.4%) and construction assets (1.6%) is based on their respective share of the Directors' valuation during the period (rather than at 30 September 2016, as reported elsewhere in the results).

 

A reconciliation between the Investment Basis Cash Flow and the Condensed Unaudited Cash Flow Statement of the Company can be found further below.

 

Gearing

 

The Group has a revolving credit facility to £200m provided by HSBC, Lloyds Bank, National Australia Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and The Royal Bank of Scotland, which expires in May 2019. This facility is used to fund acquisitions and is on a recourse basis to the Group. The Company's Articles of Incorporation limit the Group's recourse debt to 50% of Adjusted Gross Asset Value of its investments and cash balances.

 

To manage interest rate risk the Group may, from time to time, use interest rate swaps to convert floating-rate drawings under the Group's credit facility to a fixed rate.

 

Foreign Exchange Hedging

 

Foreign exchange risk from non-Sterling assets has been managed, but not eliminated, by hedging investment income from overseas assets through the forward sale of the respective foreign currency (for up to 24 months) combined with balance sheet hedging through the forward sale of Euros, Australian Dollars and Canadian Dollars and by debt drawings under the Group's credit facility. This has minimised the volatility in the Group's NAV from foreign exchange movements. The hedging policy is designed to provide confidence in the near-term yield and to limit NAV per share sensitivity to no more than 1% for a 10% forex movement.

 

Pro Forma Financial Statement Reconciliations

 

Below are reconciliations between the Company's IFRS financial statements and the Group's Investment Basis financial statements.

 

The IFRS financial statements comprise the Company only and all subsidiaries are measured at fair value through profit or loss. The Investment Basis financial statements consolidate the Fund Subsidiaries in the Company's financial statements, while all other subsidiaries are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

 

All the adjustments in the reconciliations are due to the IFRS 10 Amendments under which the Company cannot consolidate the Fund Subsidiaries. Further details are in Note 2 of the financial statements.

 

The below reconciliations are for the six months ended 30 September 2016 for the Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement and for the year ended 31 March 2016 for the Balance Sheet.

 

Further reconciliations for the six months ended 30 September 2015 for the Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement and for the years ended 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2015 for the Balance Sheet can be found in Note 2.

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Income Statement

 

for the six months ended 30 September 2016

Investment Basis

Adjustments

IFRS Basis

£m

£m

£m

Investment income

99.4

(13.2)

86.2

Total income

99.4

(13.2)

86.2

Fund expenses

(12.9)

12.0

(0.9)

Profit before net finance costs and tax

86.5

(1.2)

85.3

Finance costs

(1.0)

1.0

-

Finance income

0.1

(0.1)

-

Profit before tax

85.6

(0.3)

85.3

Income tax expense

(0.3)

0.3

-

Profit for the period

85.3

-

85.3

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the parent

85.3

-

85.3

85.3

-

85.3

Earnings per share - basic and diluted (pence)

6.1

-

6.1

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet

At 30 September 2016

Notes

Investment Basis

Adjustments

IFRS Basis

£m

£m

£m

Non-current assets

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

1

2,056.8

66.5

2,123.3

Total non-current assets

2,056.8

66.5

2,123.3

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

 1.2

 (1.2)

-

Cash and cash equivalents

83.2

(82.6)

0.6

Total current assets

84.4

(83.8)

0.6

Total assets

2,141.2

(17.3)

2,123.9

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(13.6)

13.1

(0.5)

Other current financial liabilities

(4.2)

4.2

-

Total current liabilities

(17.8)

17.3

(0.5)

Total liabilities

(17.8)

17.3

(0.5)

Net assets

2,123.4

-

2,123.4

Equity

Ordinary Share capital

0.1

-

0.1

Share premium

1,493.2

-

1,493.2

Retained reserves

630.1

-

630.1

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent

2,123.4

-

2,123.4

Total equity

2,123.4

-

2,123.4

Net assets per Ordinary Share (pence)

145.7

-

145.7

 

Note 1 to the Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

£million

£million

Directors' valuation

2,189.9

2,030.3

Less: future commitments (Note 14)

(133.1)

(97.4)

Investments at fair value on Investment Basis

2,056.8

1,932.9

Net Cash in Fund Subsidiaries

82.6

52.2

Working capital in Fund Subsidiaries

(16.1)

(11.4)

Investments at fair value per Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet

2,123.3

1,973.7

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Cash Flow Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2016

Investment Basis

Adjustments

IFRS Basis

£m

£m

£m

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax

85.6

(0.3)

85.3

Adjustments for:

Investment income

(99.4)

13.2

(86.2)

Finance costs

1.0

(1.0)

-

Finance income

(0.1)

0.1

-

Operator acquisition investment fees

0.8

(0.8)

-

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

(12.1)

11.2

(0.9)

Changes in working capital:

Decrease in receivables

0.3

(0.3)

-

Decrease in payables

2.3

(2.2)

0.1

Cash flow from operations

(9.5)

8.7

(0.8)

Interest received on bank deposits

0.1

(0.1)

-

Interest paid

(0.8)

0.8

-

Corporation tax paid

(0.1)

0.1

-

Interest received on investments

44.9

6.8

51.7

Dividends received

22.8

(22.8)

-

Fees and other operating income

2.9

(2.9)

-

Loanstock and equity repayments received

2.4

(2.4)

-

Net cash from operating activities

62.7

(11.8)

50.9

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of investments

(75.8)

(39.3)

(115.1)

Net cash used in investing activities

(75.8)

(39.3)

(115.1)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

112.5

-

112.5

Proceeds from issue of loans and borrowings

32.5

(32.5)

-

Repayment of loans and borrowings

(32.5)

32.5

-

Foreign exchange (loss)

(18.9)

18.9

-

Distributions paid to Company shareholders

(48.2)

-

(48.2)

Net cash from / (used in) financing activities

45.4

18.9

64.3

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

32.3

(32.2)

0.1

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

52.7

(52.2)

0.5

Exchange gains on cash

(1.8)

1.8

-

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

83.2

(82.6)

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors' statement of responsibilities

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

§ the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting ["IAS 34"] as adopted by the European Union as required by DTR 4.2.4; and

 

§ the interim management report, comprising the Chairman's Statement, Investment Adviser's Report and Financial Results, includes a fair review of the information required by:

 

a. DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

 

b. DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

 

On behalf of the Board

 

 

 

 

I Russell

Chairman

15 November 2016

 

 

 

Independent review report to HICL Infrastructure Company Limited

 

Introduction

We have been engaged by HICL Infrastructure Company Limited ("the Company") to review the condensed set of financial statements ("the financial statements") of the Company in the interim report for the six months ended 30 September 2016 which comprise the Condensed Unaudited Income Statement, Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet, Condensed Unaudited Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, Condensed Unaudited Cash Flow Statement and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the 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 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 interim report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim 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 as adopted by the EU. The financial statements included in this interim report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting, as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the financial statements in the interim 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 financial statements in the interim report for the six months ended 30 September 2016 are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK FCA.

 

 

 

Dermot A. Dempsey

For and on behalf of KPMG Channel Islands Limited

Chartered Accountants

Guernsey

 

15 November 2016

 

 

 

 

Condensed Unaudited Income Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2016

Six months ended

30 September 2016

Six months ended

30 September 2015

* Restated

Unaudited

Unaudited

Note

£million

£million

Investment income

4

86.2

72.3

Total income

86.2

72.3

Fund expenses

5

(0.9)

(0.7)

Profit before net finance costs and tax

85.3

71.6

Profit before tax

85.3

71.6

Profit for the period

85.3

71.6

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the parent

85.3

71.6

85.3

71.6

Earnings per share - basic and diluted (pence)

8

6.1

5.6

 

All results are derived from continuing operations. There is no other comprehensive income or expense apart from those disclosed above and consequently a statement of other comprehensive income has not been prepared. The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

⃰ Comparative information has been restated. See Note 2 for details.

 

 

 

 Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet

As at 30 September 2016

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

* Restated

Unaudited

Audited

Note

£million

£million

Non-current assets

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

11

2,123.3

1,973.7

Total non-current assets

2,123.3

1,973.7

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

-

0.1

Cash and cash equivalents

0.6

0.5

Total current assets

0.6

0.6

Total assets

2,123.9

1,974.3

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(0.5)

(0.4)

Total current liabilities

(0.5)

(0.4)

Total liabilities

(0.5)

(0.4)

Net assets

2,123.4

1,973.9

Equity

Ordinary Share capital

12

0.1

0.1

Share premium

12

1,493.2

1,376.5

Retained reserves

630.1

597.3

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

2,123.4

1,973.9

Total equity

2,123.4

1,973.9

Net assets per Ordinary Share (pence)

9

145.7

142.2

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

⃰ Comparative information has been restated. See Note 2 for details.

 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 15 November 2016, and signed on its behalf by:

 

 

 

 

I Russell S Evans

Director Director

 

 

 

Condensed Unaudited Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

for the six months ended 30 September 2016

 

 

 

Six months ended 30 September 2016

Attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Share capital and share premium

Retained reserves

Total shareholders' equity

£million

£million

£million

 

Shareholders' equity at 31 March 2016

1,376.6

597.3

1,973.9

Profit for the period

-

85.3

85.3

Distributions paid to Company shareholders in cash

-

(48.2)

(48.2)

Distributions paid to Company shareholders by scrip issue

-

(4.3)

(4.3)

Total distributions paid to Company shareholders in the period

-

(52.5)

(52.5)

 

Ordinary Shares issued for cash

113.4

-

113.4

Ordinary Shares issued for scrip dividend

4.3

-

4.3

Total Ordinary Shares issued in the period

117.7

-

117.7

Costs of Ordinary Shares issued

(1.0)

-

(1.0)

Shareholders' equity at 30 September 2016

1,493.3

630.1

2,123.4

 

 

 

Six months ended 30 September 2015

Attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Share capital and share premium

Retained reserves

Total shareholders' equity

£million

£million

£million

 

Shareholders' equity at 31 March 2015

1,194.3

538.6

1,732.9

Profit for the period

-

71.6

71.6

Distributions paid to Company shareholders in cash

-

(45.3)

(45.3)

Distributions paid to Company shareholders by scrip issue

-

(3.1)

(3.1)

Total distributions paid to Company shareholders in the period

-

(48.4)

(48.4)

 

Ordinary Shares issued for cash

91.2

-

91.2

Ordinary Shares issued for scrip dividend

3.1

-

3.1

Total Ordinary Shares issued in the period

94.3

-

94.3

Costs of Ordinary Shares issued

(0.7)

-

(0.7)

Shareholders' equity at 30 September 2015

1,287.9

561.8

1,849.7

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Condensed Unaudited Cash Flow Statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2016

Six months ended

 30 September 2016

Six months ended

30 September 2015

* Restated

£million

£million

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax

85.3

71.6

Adjustments for:

Investment income

(86.2)

(72.3)

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

(0.9)

(0.7)

Changes in working capital:

Increase in payables

0.1

0.1

Cash flow from operations

(0.8)

(0.6)

Interest received on investments

51.7

47.8

Net cash from operating activities

50.9

47.2

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of investments

(115.1)

(92.6)

Net cash used in investing activities

(115.1)

(92.6)

Cash flows from financing activities

Net proceeds from issue of share capital

112.5

90.5

Distributions paid to Company shareholders

(48.2)

(45.3)

Net cash from / (used in) financing activities

64.3

45.2

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

0.1

(0.2)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

0.5

0.7

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

0.6

0.5

 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

⃰ Comparative information has been restated. See Note 2 for details.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements

for the six months ended 30 September 2016

 

1. Reporting entity

 

HICL Infrastructure Company Limited (the "Company") is a company domiciled in Guernsey, Channel Islands, whose shares are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. The interim condensed unaudited financial statements of the Company (the "interim financial statements") as at and for the six months ended 30 September 2016 comprises the Company only. Up to and including 31 March 2016 the Company consolidated three subsidiaries which are no longer consolidated due to a change in IFRS 10 - see Note 2 for details.

 

The Company and its group invest in infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and Australia.

 

The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016 were approved by the Directors on 17 May 2016 and are available from the Company's Administrator and on the Company's website www.hicl.com. The auditor's report on these accounts was unqualified.

 

2. Key accounting policies

 

Basis of preparation

 

The interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 15 November 2016.

 

The interim financial statements included in this report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The interim financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and in compliance with the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.

 

The interim financial statements are prepared using accounting policies in compliance with the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union ("EU") using the historical cost basis, except that the financial instruments classified as Investments at fair value through profit and loss and derivative financial instruments are stated at their fair values.

 

The Company is judged to be an investment entity and its portfolio of investments is classified as Investments at fair value through profit and loss and stated at their fair values.

 

The Company has three fund level subsidiaries being HICL Infrastructure S.a.r.l. 1, HICL Infrastructure S.a.r.l. 2 and Infrastructure Investments Limited Partnership (each a "Fund Subsidiary" and together "Fund Subsidiaries"). The Company and its Fund Subsidiaries together form the "Group".

 

The interim financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is the Company's functional currency.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker (the "CODM") is of the opinion that the Company is engaged in a single segment of business, being investment in infrastructure.

 

The Directors believe that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim report.

 

The Company's financial performance does not suffer materially from seasonal fluctuations.

 

 

Change in accounting policy

 

The Company has applied Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS27) and in these interim financial statements it has for the first time applied Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exemption (Amendment to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28) - this amendment was issued in December 2014 and adopted by the EU in September 2016.

 

The effect of applying the latest amendment is that the Company cannot consolidate subsidiaries that are themselves judged to be investment entities and as a result the Fund Subsidiaries are no longer consolidated but instead included in Investments at fair value through profit or loss.

 

The change in accounting has not affected the Profit for the period or Net assets of the Company in this period or in comparative periods.

 

A reconciliation for the financial statements for the current period comparing the current IFRS basis with the previous basis, which is designated the Investment Basis, is shown in the Financial Results section.

 

 

Comparatives

 

 

Below is a reconciliation for each of the income statement and cash flow as reported originally for 30 September 2015 compared to the restated results for September 2015 as well as a reconciliation for the balance sheet as reported originally for 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2015 compared to the restated results.

 

The movements shown in the adjustments column are all as a result of the adoption of Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exemption (Amendment to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28). The impact on the accounts of adopting the current IFRS basis, as opposed to the Investments Basis, can be summarised as follows:

 

Income Statement

 

As discussed in the interim statement, fund expenses previously reported in the Consolidated Income Statement included fees payable to the Investment Adviser (see Note 13 for further details). These expenses are incurred by a Fund Subsidiary whose results are no longer consolidated within the financial statements of the Company.

 

Balance Sheet

 

The increase in the Investments at fair value on the balance sheet is a result of now including the fair value of the Fund Subsidiaries within this amount, including cash and working capital balances at the period end.

 

The reduction in cash and cash equivalents is due to the Fund Subsidiaries no longer being consolidated within the results of the Company. The Group's treasury function is undertaken by a Fund Subsidiary, which receives distributions from the Group's investment portfolio.

 

Cash Flow Statement

 

The Net cash from operating activities for the Company is lower on the restated basis because the only funds distributed to the Company are those to enable the Company to pay dividends and meet its sundry expenses.

 

 

Restated Condensed unaudited income statement

 

for the six months ended 30 September 2015

Original

Adjustments

Restated

£million

£million

£million

Investment income

83.2

(10.9)

72.3

Total income

83.2

(10.9)

72.3

Fund expenses

(11.7)

11.0

(0.7)

Profit before net finance costs and tax

71.5

0.1

71.6

Finance costs

(1.0)

1.0

-

Finance income

1.2

(1.2)

-

Profit before tax

71.7

(0.1)

71.6

Income tax expense

(0.1)

0.1

-

Profit for the period

71.6

-

71.6

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Company

71.6

-

71.6

71.6

-

71.6

Earnings per share - basic and diluted (pence)

5.6

-

5.6

 

 

 

 

Restated Condensed unaudited balance sheet

As at 31 March 2016

Original

Adjustments

Restated

£million

£million

£million

Non-current assets

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

1,932.9

40.8

1,973.7

Total non-current assets

1,932.9

40.8

1,973.7

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

 1.5

 (1.4)

 0.1

Other financial assets

0.2

(0.2)

-

Cash and cash equivalents

52.7

(52.2)

0.5

Total current assets

54.4

(53.8)

0.6

Total assets

1,987.3

(13.0)

1,974.3

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(11.3)

10.9

(0.4)

Other current financial liabilities

(2.1)

2.1

-

Total current liabilities

(13.4)

13.0

(0.4)

Total liabilities

(13.4)

13.0

(0.4)

Net assets

1,973.9

-

1,973.9

Equity

Ordinary Share capital

0.1

-

0.1

Share premium

1,376.5

-

1,376.5

Retained reserves

597.3

-

597.3

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

1,973.9

-

1,973.9

Total equity

1,973.9

-

1,973.9

Net assets per Ordinary Share (pence)

142.2

-

142.2

 

 

 

 

 

Restated Condensed unaudited balance sheet

As at 1 April 2015

Original

Adjustments

Restated

£million

£million

£million

Non-current assets

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

1,709.7

22.7

1,732.4

Total non-current assets

1,709.7

22.7

1,732.4

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

 0.7

 (0.6)

 0.1

Other financial assets

1.9

(1.9)

-

Cash and cash equivalents

33.5

(32.8)

0.7

Total current assets

36.1

(35.3)

0.8

Total assets

1,745.8

(12.6)

1,733.2

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(12.3)

12.0

(0.3)

Other current financial liabilities

(0.6)

0.6

-

Total current liabilities

(12.9)

12.6

(0.3)

Total liabilities

(12.9)

12.6

(0.3)

Net assets

1,732.9

-

1,732.9

Equity

Ordinary Share capital

0.1

-

0.1

Share premium

1,194.2

-

1,194.2

Retained reserves

538.6

-

538.6

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

1,732.9

-

1,732.9

Total equity

1,732.9

-

1,732.9

Net assets per Ordinary Share (pence)

136.7

-

136.7

 

 

 

Restated Condensed unaudited cash flow statement

for the six months ended 30 September 2015

Original

Adjustments

Restated

£million

£million

£million

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax

71.7

(0.1)

71.6

Adjustments for:

Investment income

(83.2)

10.9

(72.3)

Finance costs

1.0

(1.0)

-

Finance income

(1.2)

1.2

-

Operator acquisition investment fees

1.1

(1.1)

-

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

(10.6)

9.9

(0.7)

Changes in working capital:

Decrease in receivables

0.3

(0.3)

-

Decrease in payables

(0.3)

0.4

0.1

Cash flow from operations

(10.6)

10.0

(0.6)

Interest received on bank deposits

0.1

(0.1)

-

Interest paid

(0.8)

0.8

-

Interest received on investments

47.0

0.8

47.8

Dividends received

13.5

(13.5)

-

Fees and other operating income

3.5

(3.5)

-

Loanstock and equity repayments received

4.3

(4.3)

-

Net cash from operating activities

57.0

(9.8)

47.2

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of investments

8.9

(8.9)

-

Purchases of investments

(135.6)

43.0

(92.6)

Net cash used in investing activities

(126.7)

34.1

(92.6)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

90.5

-

90.5

Proceeds from issue of loans and borrowings

58.7

(58.7)

-

Repayment of loans and borrowings

(31.9)

31.9

-

Distributions paid to Company shareholders

(45.3)

-

(45.3)

Net cash from / (used in) financing activities

72.0

(26.8)

45.2

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

2.3

(2.5)

(0.2)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

33.5

(32.8)

0.7

Exchange gains on cash

1.8

(1.8)

-

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

37.6

(37.1)

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Financial instruments

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:

§ Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

§ Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices)

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

30 September 2016

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

£million

£million

£million

£million

Investments at fair value through profit or loss (Note 11)

-

-

2,123.3

2,123.3

-

-

2,123.3

2,123.3

 

31 March 2016

 

Restated

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

£million

£million

£million

£million

Investments at fair value through profit or loss (Note 11)

-

-

1,973.7

1,973.7

-

-

1,973.7

1,973.7

 

There were no transfers between Level 1, 2 or 3 during the period.

Level 3

 

Valuation methodology

 

The Directors have satisfied themselves as to the methodology used, the discount rates and key assumptions applied, and the valuation. All investments in PPP or similar projects are valued using a discounted cashflow methodology. The valuation techniques and methodologies have been applied consistently with those used in the prior period. This valuation uses key assumptions which are benchmarked from a review of recent comparable market transactions in order to arrive at a fair market value. Valuations are performed on a six monthly basis every September and March for all investments.

For the valuation of investments, the Directors have also obtained an independent opinion from a third party with experience in valuing these types of investments, supporting the reasonableness of the valuation.

 

 

Investments - the key valuation assumptions and sensitivities for the valuation are:

 

Discount rates

 

Judgement is used in arriving at the appropriate discount rate for each investment based on the Investment Adviser's knowledge of the market, taking into account intelligence gained from bidding activities, discussions with financial advisers knowledgeable of these markets and publicly available information on relevant transactions.

 

The discount rate used for valuing each infrastructure investment vary project-by-project and takes into account risks and opportunities associated with the project earnings (e.g. predictability and covenant of the concession income), all of which may be differentiated by project phase, and market appetite for these risks.

 

The discount rates used for valuing the projects in the portfolio are as follows:

 

Period ending

 

Range

Weighted average

30 September 2015

7.3% to 10.4%

7.7%

31 March 2016

7.0% to 10.1%

7.5%

30 September 2016

6.5% to 9.9%

7.3%

 

 

A change to the weighted average rate of 7.3% by plus or minus 0.5% has the following effect on the valuation:

Discount rate

 

-0.5% change

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

+0.5% change

March 2016

+£101.5m

£1,973.7m

-£93.7m

September 2016

+£108.4m

£2,123.3m

-£100.1m

Implied change in NAV per Ordinary Share 1 - September 2016 ( March 2016)

+7.4 pence

(+7.3 pence)

145.7 pence

 (142.2 pence)

-6.9 pence

 (-6.7 pence)

 

1. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share based on 1,457.7 million Ordinary Shares as at 30 September 2016

 

Inflation rates

 

All projects in the portfolio have contractual income streams with public sector clients, which are rebased every year for inflation. UK projects tend to use either RPI (Retail Price Index) or RPIx (RPI excluding mortgage payments), and revenues are either partially or totally indexed (depending on the contract and the nature of the project's financing). Facilities management sub-contracts have similar indexation arrangements.

 

The portfolio valuation assumes long term UK inflation of 2.75% per annum for both RPI and RPIx. For non-UK investments, long term CPI of 2.0% per annum is used for Netherlands, Ireland, Canada and France, and 2.5% for Australia. The near term inflation assumption to March 2018 in the Eurozone is 1.0% per annum. These are the same assumptions used at 31 March 2016.

 

 

A change to the inflation rate by plus or minus 0.5% has the following effect on the valuation:

 

Inflation assumption 1

-0.5% p.a. change

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

+0.5% p.a.

change

March 2016

-£65.3m

£1,973.7m

+£72.0m

September 2016

-£72.0m

£2,123.3m

+£76.1m

Implied change in NAV per Ordinary Share 2 - September 2016 ( March 2016)

-4.9 pence

(-4.7 pence)

145.7 pence

(142.2 pence)

+5.2 pence

(+5.2 pence)

 

 

1. Analysis is based on the Group's 20 largest investments, pro-rata for the whole portfolio

 

2. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share based on 1,457.7 million Ordinary Shares as at 30 September 2016

 

Deposit rates

 

Each project in the portfolio has cash held in bank deposits, which is a requirement of its senior debt financing. As at 30 September 2016 cash deposits for the portfolio were earning interest at a rate of 0.4% per annum on average.

 

The September 2016 portfolio valuation assumes UK deposit interest rates are 1% p.a. to March 2020 and 2.0% p.a. thereafter - a 0.5% reduction in long term rate compared to the assumption used at 31 March 2016.

 

Each project's interest costs are either inflation-linked or fixed rate. This is achieved through fixed rate or inflation-linked bonds, or bank debt which is hedged with an interest rate swap. A project's sensitivity to interest rates relates to the cash deposits required as part of the project funding.

 

 

A change to the deposit rate by plus or minus 0.5% has the following effect on the valuation:

 

Cash deposit rate

Base case is 1.0% p.a. to March 2020, then 2.0% p.a.

 

-0.5% p.a. change

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

+0.5% p.a. change

March 2016

-£24.5m

£1,973.7m

+£23.2m

September 2016

-£24.6m

£2,123.3m

+£24.9m

Implied change in NAV per Ordinary Share 1 2 - September 2016 (March 2016)

-1.7 pence

(-1.8 pence)

145.7 pence

 (142.2 pence)

+1.7 pence

(+1.7 pence)

 

1. Analysis is based on the Group's 20 largest investments, pro-rata for the whole portfolio

 

2. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share based on 1,457.7 million Ordinary Shares as at 30 September 2016

 

 

Tax Rates

 

The profits of each UK project company are subject to UK corporation tax which was 20% at 31 March 2016. Further reductions to 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and to 17% (effective 1 April 2020) were substantively enacted in September 2016.

 

The UK corporation tax assumption for the portfolio valuation at 30 September 2016 was 20% to March 2017, 19% to March 2020 and 18% thereafter, unchanged from the assumption at 31 March 2016.

 

A change to the tax rate by plus or minus 1.0% has the following effect on the valuation:

 

Tax rate assumption 1

 

-1% p.a. change

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

+1% p.a. change

March 2016

+£13.5m

£1,973.7m

-£13.4m

September 2016

+£14.3m

£2,123.3m

-£14.0m

Implied change in NAV per Ordinary Share 2 - September 2016 (March 2016)

+1.0 pence

(+1.0 pence)

145.7 pence

 (142.2 pence)

-1.0 pence

(-1.0 pence)

 

1. Analysis is based on the Group's 20 largest investments, pro-rata for the whole portfolio

 

2. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share based on 1,457.7 million Ordinary Shares as at 30 September 2016

 

 

Foreign exchange

 

The Company's hedging policy is designed to provide confidence in the near-term yield and to limit NAV per share sensitivity to no more than 1% for a 10% forex movement.

 

A change to foreign currency/Sterling exchange by plus or minus 5.0% has the following effect on the valuation:

 

Foreign Exchange sensitivities 1

-5%

 change

 

Investments at fair value through profit or loss

+5%

change

March 2016

-£5.5m

£1,973.7m

+£5.5m

September 2016

-£2.7m

£2,123.3m

+£2.7m

Implied change in NAV per Ordinary Share 2 - September 2016 (March 2016)

-0.2 pence

(-0.4 pence)

145.7 pence

(142.2 pence)

+0.2 pence

(+0.4 pence)

 

1. Analysis is based on the Group's 20 largest investments, pro-rata for the whole portfolio net of foreign exchange hedging

 

2. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share based on 1,457.7 million Ordinary Shares as at 30 September 2016

 

 

4. Investment income

 

Six months ended

30 September 2016

Six months ended

30 September 2015

Restated

£million

£million

Interest from investments

51.7

48.0

Gains on investments

34.5

24.3

86.2

72.3

 

On an Investment Basis, Investment income for the six months ended 30 September 2016 was £99.4 million (2015: £83.2 million), the difference being attributable to fund expenses, including fees payable to the Investment Adviser, by a Fund Subsidiary whose results are no longer consolidated within the financial statements of the Company. The reconciliation between the above IFRS basis and Investment Basis is shown in the Financial Results.

 

 

5. Fund expenses

 

Six months ended

30 September 2016

 Six months ended 30 September 2015

Restated

£million

£million

Fees paid to auditor and its associates

0.1

0.1

Investment Adviser fees

0.1

0.1

Directors' fees (Note 13)

0.2

0.2

Professional fees

0.5

0.3

0.9

0.7

 

On an Investment Basis, Fund expenses for the six months ended 30 September 2016 are £12.9 million (2015: £11.7 million), the difference being the costs incurred by the Company's Fund Subsidiaries. The reconciliation from the above IFRS basis to the Investment Basis is shown in the Financial Results.

 

The Company had no employees during the period (31 March 2016: Nil).

 

6. Net finance income

 

In the six months ended the Company had de minimus net finance income consisting of interest earned on bank deposits offset by some bank charges.

 

On an Investment Basis, the Group incurred net finance costs of £0.9 million (2015: 0.9 million), the difference being finance costs payable by a Fund Subsidiary whose results are no longer consolidated within the financial statements of the Company. The reconciliation from the above IFRS basis to the Investment Basis is shown in the Financial Results.

 

 

7. Income tax

 

Guernsey

 

Under the current system of taxation in Guernsey, the Company itself is exempt from paying taxes on income, profits or capital gains. Therefore, income from investments is not subject to any further tax in Guernsey.

 

Overseas tax jurisdictions

 

The interim financial statements do not include the tax charges for any of the Group's 112 investments or intermediate companies as these are held at fair value. All of these investments and intermediate companies are subject to taxes in the countries in which they operate.

 

 

8. Earnings per share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period.

 

Six months ended 30 September 2016

Six months ended

30 September 2015

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company

£85.3 million

£71.6 million

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue

1,390.7 million

1,288.1 million

Earnings per Ordinary Share - basic and diluted

6.1 pence

5.6 pence

 

9. Net assets per Ordinary Share

 

 

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

£million

£million

Shareholders' equity

2,123.4

1,973.9

Less: second interim dividend (2016: fourth interim dividend)

(27.8)

(26.0)

2,095.6

1,947.9

Number of shares (million)

1,457.7

1,388.4

Net assets per share after deducting second interim dividend (2016: fourth interim dividend)

143.8p

140.3p

Add second interim dividend (2016: fourth interim dividend)

1.91p

1.87p

Net assets per Ordinary Share

145.7p

142.2p

 

 

 

 

10. Dividends

Six months ended

30 September 2016

Six months ended

30 September 2015

£million

£million

Total distributions paid to Company shareholders in the period:

Fourth quarterly interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2016 of 1.87p (2015: 1.87p) per share

26.0

23.7

First quarterly interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2017 of 1.91p (2016: 1.86p) per share

26.5

24.7

52.5

48.4

 

The fourth quarterly interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2016 of £26.0 million, representing 1.87 pence per share, was paid on 30 June 2016. The first quarterly interim dividend for the year ending 31 March 2017 of £26.5 million, representing 1.91 pence per share, was paid on 30 September 2016. Both dividends are included in the condensed unaudited statement of changes in shareholders' equity.

 

On 10 November 2016 the Board approved a second quarterly interim dividend for the year ending 31 March 2017 of 1.91 pence per share which will result in a total expected distribution of £27.8 million, payable on 30 December 2016. The second quarterly interim dividend is offered to shareholders as a cash payment or alternatively as a scrip dividend, as with previous distributions. The second quarterly interim dividend has not been included as a liability as at 30 September 2016.

 

Year

ending 31 March

2017

Year

ending 31 March

2016

Year ended 31 March 2015

Year ended 31 March 2014

Year ended 31 March 2013

Year ended 31 March 2012

Interim dividend for the 3 month period ending 30 June

1.91p

1.86p

1.81p

Interim dividend for the 3 month period ending 30 September

1.91p

1.86p

1.81p

Interim dividend for the 3 month period ending 31 December

1.86p

1.81p

Interim dividend for the 3 month period ending 31 March

1.87p

1.87p

Interim dividend for the 6 month period ending 30 September

3.5p

3.425p

3.35p

Interim dividend for the 6 month period ending 31 March

3.6p

3.575p

3.5p

7.45p

7.3p

7.1p

7.0p

6.85p

 

 

11. Investments at fair value through profit or loss

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

Restated

£million

£million

Opening balance

1,973.7

1,732.4

Investments in the period

115.1

180.9

Gain on valuation

34.5

60.4

Carrying amount at period end

2,123.3

1,973.7

 

This is represented by:

Greater than one year

2,123.3

1,973.7

Carrying amount at period end

2,123.3

1,973.7

 

 

Investments in the period reflect funds paid to Fund Subsidiaries following issuance of equity to shareholders.

 

Refer to Note 3 for the valuation techniques and key model inputs used for determining investment fair values.

 

The following economic assumptions were used in the discounted cashflow valuations for the six months ended 30 September 2016:

 

UK inflation rates

2.75%

Eurozone inflation rates

1.0% to March 2018 and 2.0% thereafter

Australia inflation rate

2.5%

Canada inflation rate

2.0%

UK deposit interest rates

1% to March 2020 and 2.0% thereafter

UK corporation tax rate

20% to March 2017, 19% to March 2020, 18% thereafter

Euro/Sterling exchange rate

0.87 for all future periods

Aus$/Sterling exchange rate

0.59 for all future periods

Can$/Sterling exchange rate

0.59 for all future periods

 

The following economic assumptions were used for the year ended 31 March 2016:

 

UK inflation rates

2.75%

Eurozone inflation rates

1.0% to March 2018 and 2.0% thereafter

Australia inflation rate

2.5%

Canada inflation rate

2.0%

UK deposit interest rates

1% to March 2020 and 2.5% thereafter

UK corporation tax rate

20% to March 2017, 19% to March 2020, 18% thereafter

Euro/Sterling exchange rate

0.74 for all future periods

Aus$/Sterling exchange rate

0.46 for all future periods

Can$/Sterling exchange rate

0.50 for all future periods

 

 

 

The valuation of the Group's portfolio at 30 September 2016 reconciles to the Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet as follows:

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

£million

£million

Directors' valuation

2,189.9

2,030.3

Less: future commitments (Note 14)

(133.1)

(97.4)

Investments at fair value on Investment Basis

2,056.8

1,932.9

Net Cash in Fund Subsidiaries

82.6

52.2

Working capital in Fund Subsidiaries

(16.1)

(11.4)

Investments at fair value per Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet

2,123.3

1,973.7

 

Included in the 30 September 2016 Portfolio valuation and future commitments is £98.1million (March 2016: £69.0 million) conditional investment commitments to acquire five new investments and two incremental investments (March 2016: one new investment). The commitments are accounted for as a derivative and the fair value reflected in investments at fair value through profit or loss.

 

 

Acquisitions

 

The Group, via its Fund Subsidiaries, made the following acquisitions for the six months ended 30 September 2016:

 

· In April 2016 the Group acquired a 30% equity and loan interest in the M1-A1 Link Road (Lofthouse to Bramham) DBFO Road project for a total consideration of £14.5 million.

 

· In April 2016 and June 2016 the Group acquired through two transactions a 75% equity and loan interest in the Hinchingbrooke Hospital project for a total consideration of £5.3 million through an existing joint venture holding company, Redwood Partnership Ventures 2 Limited in which the Group has a 75% shareholding.

 

· In May 2016 the Group acquired a 60% equity and loan interest in the Ireland Primary Care Centres project for a total consideration of €11.6 million including a loanstock subscription obligation of €9.5 million in 2018.

 

· In September 2016 the Group acquired a proportion of the Road Management Services (A13) PLC Index-Linked Guaranteed Secured Bonds 2028 for a total consideration of £50.1 million.

 

 

 

12. Share capital and reserves

 

Ordinary Shares

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

million

million

In issue at beginning of period

1,388.4

1,267.7

Issued for cash

66.7

117.1

Issued as a scrip dividend alternative

2.6

3.6

In issue at end of period - fully paid

1,457.7

1,388.4

 

The holders of the 1,457,706,805 Ordinary Shares (31 March 2016: 1,388,426,479) are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

 

 

Ordinary Share capital and share premium

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

£million

£million

Opening balance

1,376.6

1,194.3

Premium arising on issue of Ordinary Shares

117.7

183.7

Costs of issue of Ordinary Shares

(1.0)

(1.4)

Closing balance

1,493.3

1,376.6

 

Share capital is £145.8 thousand (31 March 2016: £138.8 thousand).

 

For the six month period ended 30 September 2016

 

On 30 June 2016, 1.6 million new Ordinary Shares of 0.01p each fully paid in the Company were issued at a reference price of 162.6p as a scrip dividend alternative in lieu of cash for the fourth quarterly interim dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2016.

 

On 30 September 2016, 1.0 million new Ordinary Shares of 0.01p each fully paid in the Company were issued at a reference price of 175.72p as a scrip dividend alternative in lieu of cash for the first quarterly interim dividend in respect of the year ending 31 March 2017.

 

In the period ended 30 September 2016, 66.7 million new Ordinary Shares were issued to various institutional investors at an issue price per share (before expenses) of 170.0p.

 

 

Retained reserves

Retained reserves comprise retained earnings and the balance of the share premium account, as detailed in the condensed unaudited statement of changes in shareholders' equity.

 

 

13. Related party transactions

 

The Investment Adviser to the Company and the Operator of Infrastructure Investments Limited Partnership, the limited partnership through which the Group holds its investments, is InfraRed Capital Partners Limited ("InfraRed").

 

The total fees charged to the Group by the Operator of Infrastructure Investments Limited Partnership, a Fund Subsidiary, was £10.1 million of which the balance remained payable at the period end (2015: £9.2 million). The total charge for new portfolio investments was £0.8 million of which the balance remained payable at the period end (2015: £1.1 million). The Operator charges and new investment charges are reflected in the fair value of Infrastructure Investments Limited Partnership included in the Company's Investments at fair value through profit or loss and therefore Investment income in the Condensed Unaudited Income Statement is stated net of these costs.

 

The Investment Adviser fee charged to the Company was £0.1 million (disclosed as Fund expenses in Note 5) of which the balance remained payable at the period end (2015: £0.1 million).

The Directors of the Company, who are considered to be key management, received fees for their services. Their fees were £175,288 (disclosed as Directors' fees in Note 5) in the period (2015: £158,245). One Director also receives fees for serving as Director of the two Luxembourg subsidiaries - the annual fees are £5,000 (2015: £5,000).

 

All of the above transactions were undertaken on an arm's length basis and there have been no changes in material related party transactions since the last annual report.

 

 

14. Guarantees and other commitments

 

As at 30 September 2016 the Group had £133.1 million of commitments for future project investments (31 March 2016: £97.4 million).

 

The Group also has a contingent commitment of €16.8 million to acquire a further 32% equity and loanstock interest in the N17/N18 Project from existing co-shareholders which is currently expected to occur in 2019, following completion of construction.

 

 

15. Events after balance sheet date

 

 

The second quarterly interim dividend for the year ended March 2017 of 1.91pence per share was approved by the Board on 10 November 2016 and is payable on 30 December 2016 to shareholders on the register as at 25 November 2016.

 

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