Last checked at 23 Jun 2014 08:06
MINERAL & FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED
("M&FI"; "Mineral & Financial" or the "Company")
Final Results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2013
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to present the results of your Company for the year ended 31 December 2013.
This has been a quietly eventful year for Mineral and Financial Investments. We completed our first full year as "Mineral and Financial Investments" (M&FI). The name change marks and defines what we are and will be in the future. M&FI will be focused on financing, investing in and advising junior mining and exploration companies for the benefit of our shareholders. We additionally recapitalized the company and had some important changes in our shareholder base. Some large shareholders from our previous "life" have left us and new ones who understand and appreciate the direction M&FI is taking have joined our ranks.
M&FI is a Company that invests in commodities, the building blocks of basic human civilisation and our team spends significant amounts of time examining the macro-economic factors that affect demand for raw materials, in addition to analysing individual companies and their managements.
I would like to start this update with some observations on global economic activity, which continues to follow a slow but positive trend upwards. The International Monetary Fund has just scaled back its forecast for world economic growth this year to 3.6%, from January's 3.7%. The IMF predicts that a strong recovery in the U.S. will drive growth, but that a cooling off of emerging-market expansion and weakness in Japan will hamper that. It is also becoming evident that the United Kingdom and Iceland's, to name but just two examples, commitment to a path of measured austerity is resulting in a broader and stronger economic recovery than the IMF and World Bank had expected.
Interest rates may rise in 2015, as indicated by the new Federal Reserve Chair and echoed by the new head of the Bank of England. In advance of this, we are seeing some economies breaking ranks with the vast majority of Central Banks by suddenly increasing their interest rates. We have seen sudden rate rises in Turkey where, in January, overnight interest rates rose from 7.75% to 12% and in Brazil where the Central Bank increased the benchmark Selic rate for the 9th consecutive time to 11%.
I believe that competition for international capital is beginning to heat up because central bankers of non G-7 economies afford to not to have rates at levels that attract global bond investors. This is on the assumption that more rapidly growing economies require more capital to achieve their needed objectives. We believe that a growing number of economies will increase their interest rates in 2014. This will negatively impact bond markets. But it should improve the ability of the economies in question to attract capital, which will fuel their economic activity and, should improve demand for commodities.
Commodity prices have felt the recent chill of a slight slowing of emerging economies, none the more discussed than China's slowed progress. According to official data the Chinese economy will grow by about 7.5% in 2014 off a GDP base which is more than double what it was when China was growing by more than 12% per annum. The composition of Chinese growth has changed, but the quantum of new demand originating from China has changed very little. In the short term (0 to 12 months) we broadly prefer precious metals, while in the mid-term (12 to 36 months) we prefer base metals, notably zinc.
In the short to medium term we continue to stay away from bulk commodities such as iron ore and coking coal. These are the economic building blocks for "Frontier Markets" stepping up to becoming "Emerging Markets" and the development of "Emerging Markets" into "Developed Markets". Additionally, the development of these types of commodities typically requires far larger amounts of capital than we can prudently consider investing to be of utility and relevance to the investee companies.
Equity markets have experienced a rise, which we believe is largely based off artificially suppressed interest rates. When rates do begin to rise in some of these economies, equity markets are likely to experience corrections.
Our tactical investment portfolio continues to improve in structure, composition and value. Ultimately, the tactical portfolio will be composed of liquid investment grade commodities, securities and companies. At times the tactical portfolio will be "mining heavy", if we believe that we are underinvested in the sector to generate investment returns for our shareholders. However, as we develop our strategic portfolio of mining investments, the purpose of the tactical portfolio will be to protect and diversify our assets to ensure our liquidity and returns when the mining sector is in a corrective phase.
Our intention is to finance and invest in good mineral assets. If the mineral asset is mediocre, the investment will likely forever be a struggle. Whereas, we believe the other problems afflicting most junior companies today, such as insufficient capital and or management are correctible situations.
When assessing investment assets our team has a defined approach to resources investment, based on experience, cooperation and discipline. We will evaluate many elements of a given company such as: management; asset quality; probable funding needs; logistics; timelines; infrastructure; possible environmental and permitting issues in the context of the expected economic framework mentioned above.
We believe fiscal 2014 will be a far more visibly active year for M&FI, as we consider our first strategic investments. Once we have determined that a mineral asset is attractive we will most likely negotiate our investment privately, as would a private equity fund, and inject capital into the company on a conditional basis, most likely to include board representation and a right of first refusal on advisory work. Ideally our investment stake will represent between 5% and 20% of the investee company, which would allow us the manoeuvring room to make follow-on investments and /or financing solutions to the company.
Moreover we continue to be in discussion with our legacy investment companies. Our guiding principle with our capital is to protect it from avoidable risks, ensure liquidity, and paramount - preserve our capital. Despite our cautious approach the M&FI net asset value per share is now once again on the rise, having increased from 7.75 pence at the year end to 7.89 pence as at the end of March.
Jacques Vaillancourt
Chairman
Annual General Meeting and Dispatch of Accounts
The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of W H Ireland, 24 Martin Lane, London, EC4R 0DR, on Monday 21 July 2014 at 11.00 am. The Annual Report and Accounts will be dispatched to shareholders on 23rd June and will be available from the Company's website mineralandfinancial.com from that date.
For further information please call:
| |
Mineral & Financial Investments Limited Laurence Read, Director +44 20 3289 9923
WH Ireland Limited Katy Mitchell +44 161 819 8875 |
Chief Investment Officer's Review
We believe the year to 31st December 2013 was a period of extreme weakness in mining equity markets as commodities prices remained in the doldrums, gold slumped, and new money was thin on the ground. Profits were hard to come by, and as such there was intense pressure on mining companies to keep down costs. Accordingly Mineral & Financial exited several of its weaker positions, including Amara Mining, EMED Mining, Aureus, Northland, Carpathian and Jubilee Platinum.
Instead, the strategy was to focus away from the junior miners, where gains tend to be on offer only in more buoyant market conditions, and to concentrate instead on bigger companies with greater liquidity and greater profitability.
With that in mind, the Company traded in and out of several large listed companies during the period and post the period end, including Goldcorp, First Quantum, Randgold and Cameco, generating a profit on each.
The Company also traded in various commodities, both on a shorter term horizon and with the longer term in mind.
Since the period end, several adjustments have been made to the Company's portfolio, and a summary of the current major holdings is outlined below.
Gold
During the period the company traded in and out of gold, generating a profit when gold jumped on the crisis in Ukraine, and buying back in when the price subsequently dropped. The principal vehicle that Mineral & Financial currently uses to gain exposure to gold is the Zuercher KTBK gold ETF, but the Company has also traded in some of the larger equities in the sector, principally Randgold and Goldcorp.
As at the last NAV update, released on 15 April 2014, Mineral & Financial held around five per cent of its net assets in the gold ETF, although that is likely to change in response to market conditions. Currently, the company holds no listed gold equities, but retains an interest in one unlisted gold company, Toro Gold (see below).
Most analysts expect the gold price to average around US$1,300 this year, slightly higher than the current price, on the basis that the tapering of the US government's programme of quantitative easing will proceed cautiously and that the ongoing global recovery will be slow. Some commentators anticipate that the dollar may come under some further pressure later in the year as China emerges as the number one global economy by size, throwing into question the status of world's global reserve currency.
It will be interesting to see how that plays out, but certainly it has been true in the past 12 months that demand from China, and indeed from India, has been very strong, and that the floor that was encountered after the relentless selling by ETFs that so marked 2013 was reinforced by strong retail interest out of the Far East.
Mineral & Financial is bullish about gold in the long-term, but relatively cautious about the immediate prospects for the price.
Platinum ETF
Mineral & Financial has held a significant position in the Zuercher KTBK Platinum ETF for some months now. The Company took the view that the ongoing crisis in South African industrial relations would lead to increasing pressure on the supply of platinum, as stockpiles begin to be run down. Around 40 per cent of global platinum production has been taken off-line, and although there has been some recent progress in negotiations, it's still unclear whether a true resolution is in sight. Two Lonmin workers were killed in mid-May 2014, and Lonmin has now turned loss-making once again. Job cuts now look likely, but that is only likely to exacerbate the situation further. In early June 2014, the government withdrew its participation from negotiations between companies and unions.
Meanwhile, as the global recovery slowly strengthens, we believe demand from platinum in autocatalysts is likely to keep on rising. We believe the UK alone is likely to be producing a record two million cars by 2017, and the pace of car ownership across the world, particularly in China continues to accelerate. That the price has not risen higher this year in response to likely increases in demand and uncertainty in supply we believe is almost entirely due to the existence of stockpiles. But these are now beginning to be depleted.
Zinc ETF
Mineral & Financial believes that the medium-term outlook for zinc is positive as major mines around the world close, and new supply looks increasingly harder to come by. We have observed that LME stockpiles have been consistently dropping for several months now, and are likely to continue to fall. Opinion in the industry differs as to when an increase in the zinc price is likely to happen, but there seems to be general agreement that it will either be next year or the year after. The Company's position in zinc is already showing a modest gain.
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton offers the Company exposure to a broad basket of commodities, including aluminium, manganese, nickel, potash, oil, coal and copper. Copper has been a weak performer this year, even though inventories have fallen. But the recent decision by the Chilean government not to fund expansion at Codelco may result in significant supply constraints in the future. The coal price has also been weak as supply has increased, and we believe potash is now poised for recovery at multi-year lows. We believe the outlook for nickel, manganese and aluminium is stronger, though, as the improvement in the global economy continues to gather momentum and recent Chinese data shows that the ongoing slowing of growth will not be as abrupt as first feared.
Anglo Pacific
The Company has been a long-standing holder of Anglo Pacific on the basis that Anglo Pacific's royalty model provides a minimal exposure to the cost pressures now sweeping across the industry, while still participating in project upside across a range of commodities. Mineral & Financial noted with interest Anglo Pacific's recent acquisition of a vanadium royalty for US$22 million, but Anglo Pacific is also exposed to gold, nickel, uranium, platinum group metals, chromite and iron ore.
Independence Group
Independence Group owns 30 per cent of Anglo's Tropicana gold mine in Australia, from which it derives a significant portion of its earnings. However in the most recent quarter to the end of March, Independence also earned A$16 million from the production of over 70,000 tonnes of nickel ore at its Long nickel project in Western Australia. So far this financial year Independence has already produced over 205,000 tonnes of ore, with forecast full year production running at between 230,000 and 270,000 tonnes.
Sutherland Health
The company retains 4.3 million shares in Sutherland Health as a legacy investment. The Company regards this investment as non-core and remains in frequent contact with the directors of Sutherland with regard to securing a possible exit.
Cap Energy
The Company holds 400,000 shares in Cap Energy, which has recently been acquiring off-shore oil blocks in both Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. This year Cap has been successful in raising new money to fund its exploration programmes and is now talking about a possible Aim listing
Toro Gold
Toro Gold is a privately-held gold explorer backed by serial entrepreneur Adonis Pouroulis, and run by Martin Horgan, formerly a senior banker at Barclays Capital. A recent addition to the board is Mark Connelly, who held a senior position at Endeavour Mining, before moving onto head up Papillon, now the subject of a US$550 million agreed bid from B2Gold. The company is working up the Mako gold project, and has to date booked a resource of 1.6 million ounces, grading two grams per tonne. A listing on Aim is likely to take place in 2015.
UMC Energy
Mineral & Financial holds 495,000 shares in UMC Energy, which has significant oil and gas interests off-shore Papua New Guinea, held in conjunction with the major Chinese oil company CNOOC.
Milamber
The Company also holds as a legacy investment a 15 per cent stake in Milamber Ventures, a technology and media company that is involved in events, marketing, and fundraising. At a recent general meeting, the Company voted in favour of an expansion in the directors' authority to issue new shares, and accordingly a fundraising is expected soon.
Tern
Mineral & Financial is the second biggest shareholder in Tern PLC, an Aim-traded vehicle which invests in tech start-ups. Mineral & Financial executive director Laurence Read sits on the board of Tern as the Company's representative. Tern is currently engaged in fundraising activities, and we look forward to the outcome of those with some interest.
Alastair Ford
Chief Investment Officer
20 June 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income
| 2013 | 2012 | |
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | |
Investment income | 3 | 29 | |
Net (losses)/gains on disposal of investments | (450) | (1,428) | |
Net change in fair value of investments | 22 | (622) | |
(425) | (2,021) | ||
Operating expenses | (225) | (197) | |
Operating loss | 3 | (650) | (2,218) |
Finance cost | 10 | (13) | (46) |
Loss before taxation | (663) | (2,264) | |
Taxation expense | 5 | - | - |
Loss for the year from continuing operations and total comprehensive income, attributable to owners of the Company | (663) | (2,264) | |
Loss per share attributable to owners of the Company during the year from continuing and total operations: |
6 |
Pence |
Pence |
Basic (pence per share) | (5.3) | (20.8) | |
Diluted (pence per share) | (5.3) | (20.8) |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 December 2013
2013 | 2012 | ||
Notes | £'000 | £'000 | |
CURRENT ASSETS | |||
Investments held at fair value through profit or loss | 7 | 469 | 1,425 |
Trade and other receivables | 8 | 16 | 17 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 797 | 633 | |
1,282 | 2,075 | ||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
Trade and other payables | 9 | 55 | 29 |
55 | 29 | ||
NET CURRENT ASSETS | 1,227 | 2,046 | |
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
Convertible unsecured loan notes | 10 | 161 | 435 |
161 | 435 | ||
NET ASSETS | 1,066 | 1,611 | |
EQUITY | |||
| Share capital | 11 | 2,882 | 2,859 |
| Share premium | 4,537 | 4,423 | |
| Loan note equity reserve | 12 | 85 | 104 |
| Capital reserve | 15,736 | 15,736 | |
Retained earnings | (22,174) | (21,511) | |
Equity attributable to owners of the Company and total equity | 1,066 | 1,611 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 20 June 2014.
Jacques Vaillancourt Director | Alastair Ford Director |
Statements in Changes in Equity
Share capital | Share premium | Shares to be issued | Loan note reserve | Capital reserve | Accumulated losses | Total equity | |
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
At 1 January 2012 | 1,543 | 3,658 | 1,348 | 109 | 15,736 | (19,247) | 3,147 |
Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | - | (2,264) | (2,264) |
Total comprehensive expense for the year | - | - | - | - | - | (2,264) | (2,264) |
Repayment of loan notes | - | - | - | (5) | - | - | (5) |
Share issues | 1,316 | 765 | (1,348) | - | - | - | 733 |
At 31 December 2012 | 2,859 | 4,423 | - | 104 | 15,736 | (21,511) | 1,611 |
Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | - | (663) | (663) |
Total comprehensive expense for the year | - | - | - | - | - | (663) | (663) |
Repayment of loan notes | - | - | - | (19) | - | - | (19) |
Share issues | 23 | 114 | - | - | - | - | 137 |
At 31 December 2013 | 2,882 | 4,537 | - | 85 | 15,736 | (22,174) | 1,066 |
Statements of Cash Flow | ||||
2013 | 2012 | ||
£'000 | £'000 | ||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||
Loss before taxation | (663) | (2,264) | |
Adjustments for: | |||
Shares issued in settlement of professional fees | - | 35 | |
Loss/(profit) on disposal of trading investments | 450 | 1,428 | |
Fair value loss/(gain) on trading investments | (22) | 622 | |
Investment income | (3) | (29) | |
Finance costs | 13 | 46 | |
Operating cash flow before working capital changes | (225) | (162) | |
Decrease in trade and other receivables | 1 | 64 | |
Decrease in trade and other payables | 26 | (20) | |
Net cash outflow from operating activities | (198) | (118) | |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||
Continuing operations: | |||
Purchases of investments | (215) | (1,298) | |
Disposals of investments | 743 | 1,775 | |
Investment income | 3 | 29 | |
Net cash inflow from investing activities | 531 | 506 | |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||
Continuing operations: | |||
Proceeds from share issues | 137 | - | |
Redemption of convertible loan notes | (306) | (50) | |
Net cash outflow from financing activities | (169) | (50) | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 164 | 338 | |
Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 January | 633 | 295 | |
Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December | 797 | 633 |
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 | general information | |
The Company was incorporated as a Corporation in the Cayman Islands which does not prescribe the adoption of any particular accounting framework. The Board has therefore adopted International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs). The Company's shares are listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company is an investment company, mainly investing in natural resources, minerals, metals, and oil and gas projects. The registered office of the Company is as detailed in the Company Information on page 2. | ||
2 | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES | |
BASIS OF PREPARATION The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") interpretations. All accounting standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and IFRIC effective for the periods covered by these financial statements have been applied. The principal accounting policies of the Company are set out below. | ||
GOING CONCERN The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts through to 30 June 2015 which assume no significant investment activity is undertaken unless sufficient funding is in place to undertake the investment activity. The expenses of the Company's continuing operations are minimal and the cash flow forecasts demonstrate that the Company is able to meet these liabilities as they fall due. On this basis, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Company's financial statements. | ||
KEY ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS Estimates and assumptions used in preparing the financial statements are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates and assumptions form the basis of making judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Group holds investments that have been designated as held at fair value through profit or loss on initial recognition. Where practicable the Group determines the fair value of these financial instruments that are not quoted (Level 3) using the most recent bid price at which a transaction has been carried out. These techniques are significantly affected by certain key assumptions, such as market liquidity. Other valuation methodologies such as discounted cash flow analysis assess estimates of future cash flows and it is important to recognise that in that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot always be substantiated by comparison with independent markets and, in many cases, may not be capable of being realised immediately. |
| |
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE The financial statements comply with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. At the date of authorisation of these financial statements the following Standards and Interpretations affecting the Group, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue, but not yet effective. The company does not plan to adopt these standards early. | |||
Effective for accounting periods beginning on or after: | |||
IFRS 2,8,16,24,36 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2010-2012 Cycle | 1 July 2014 | |
IFRS 3,13, IAS 40 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2011-2013 | 1 July 2014 | |
IFRS 7 | Deferral of mandatory effective date of IFRS 7 and amendments to transition disclosures | 1 January 2015 | |
IFRS 9 | Deferral of mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 and amendments to transition disclosures | 1 January 2015 | |
IFRS 10 | Consolidated Financial Statements - Amendments for investment entities | 1 January 2014 | |
IFRS 11 | Joint arrangements | 1 January 2014 | |
IFRS 12 | Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities - Amendments for investment entities | 1 January 2014 | |
IAS 19 | Employee Benefits - Amended to clarify the requirements that relate to how contribution from employees or third parties that are linked to service should be attributed to periods of service | 1 July 2014 | |
IAS 27 | Amendments for investment entities | 1 January 2014 | |
IAS 28 | Investment in associates | 1 January 2014 | |
IAS 32 | Financial Instruments: Presentation - Amendments to application guidance on the offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities | 1 January 2014 | |
IAS 36 | Impairment of assets | 1 January 2014 | |
IAS 38 | Amendments resulting from Annual Improvements 2010-2012 Cycle | 1 July 2014 | |
IAS 39 | Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement - Amendments for novation of derivatives | 1 January 2014 | |
IFRIC 21 | Levies | 1 January 2014 | |
The Directors anticipate that the adoption of the above Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have little or no impact on the financial statements of the Company.
| |||
INVESTMENT INCOME Dividend income from financial assets at fair value through profit or loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on an ex-dividend basis. Interest on fixed interest debt securities is recognised using the effective interest rate method. | |||
TAXATION Current income tax assets and/or liabilities comprise those obligations to, or claims from, fiscal authorities relating to the current or prior reporting period, that are unpaid at the balance sheet date. They are calculated according to the tax rates and tax laws applicable to the fiscal periods to which they relate, based on the taxable result for the year. All changes to current tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in the income statement. Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences. This involves the comparison of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements with their respective tax bases. However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial recognition of an asset or liability, unless the related transaction is a business combination or affects tax or accounting profit. In addition, tax losses available to be carried forward as well as other income tax credits to the Company are assessed for recognition as deferred tax assets. Deferred tax liabilities are always provided for in full. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be able to be offset against future taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated, without discounting, at tax rates that are expected to apply to their respective period of realisation, provided they are enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Most changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in the income statement. Only changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities that relate to a change in value of assets or liabilities that is charged directly to equity are charged or credited directly to equity. | |||
FINANCIAL ASSETS The Group's financial assets comprise investments held for trading, cash and cash equivalents and loans and receivables, and are recognised in the Company's statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. | |||
INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS All short term investments are designated upon initial recognition as held at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Assets are de-recognised at the trade date of the disposal. Investments are initially measured at fair value plus incidental acquisition costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value in accordance with IAS 39. This is either the bid price or the last traded price, depending on the convention of the exchange on which the investment is quoted. The fair value of the financial instruments in the balance sheet is based on the quoted bid price at the balance sheet date, with no deduction for any estimated future selling cost. Unquoted investments are valued by the directors using primary valuation techniques such as recent transactions, last price and net asset value. Changes in the fair value of investments held at fair value through profit or loss and gains and losses on disposal are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as "Net change in fair value of investments". | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with other short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. | |||
LOANS AND RECEIVABLES Loans and receivable from third parties are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. | |||
EQUITY An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received net of direct issue costs. The share premium account represents premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits. Shares to be issued represents the equity which the Company has committed to issue and which has been issued subsequent to the year end. The loan note reserve represents the value of the equity component of the nominal value of the loan notes issued. The capital reserve represents amounts arising in connection with reverse acquisitions. Retained earnings include all current and prior period results as disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income together with the cumulative amount of share based expenses transferred to equity. | |
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES Financial liabilities are recognised in the Company's balance sheet when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. All interest related charges are recognised as an expense in finance cost in the income statement using the effective interest rate method. The Company's financial liabilities comprise convertible loan notes, and trade and other payables. The fair value of the liability portion of the convertible loan notes is determined using a market interest rate for an equivalent non-convertible loan note. This amount is recorded as a liability on an amortised cost basis until extinguished on conversion or maturity of the loan notes. The remainder of the proceeds is allocated to the conversion option, which is recognised and included in shareholders' equity, net of tax effects. Trade payables are recognised initially at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less settlement payments. | |
SHARE BASED PAYMENTS The Company operates equity settled share based remuneration plans for the remuneration of its employees. All services received in exchange for the grant of any share based remuneration are measured at their fair values. These are indirectly determined by reference to the fair value of the share options awarded. Their value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Share based payments are ultimately recognised as an expense in the income statement with a corresponding credit to retained earnings in equity, net of deferred tax where applicable. If vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. Estimates are subsequently revised, if there is any indication that the number of share options expected to vest differs from previous estimates. No adjustment is made to the expense or share issue cost recognized in prior periods if fewer share options ultimately are exercised than originally estimated. Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs up to the nominal value of the shares issued are allocated to share capital with any excess being recorded as share premium. Where share options are cancelled, this is treated as an acceleration of the vesting period of the options. The amount that otherwise would have been recognised for services received over the remainder of the vesting period is recognised immediately within profit or loss. |
FOREIGN CURRENCIES The Directors consider Sterling to be the currency that most faithfully represents the economic effects of the underlying transactions, events and conditions. The financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is the Company's functional and presentation currency. Foreign currency transactions are translated into Sterling using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at year end exchange rates are recognised in the income statement. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical costs in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined. | |
SEGMENTAL REPORTING A segment is a distinguishable component of the Company's activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about the allocation of resources and assessment of performance and about which discrete financial information is available. As the chief operating decision maker reviews financial information for and makes decisions about the Company's investment activities as a whole, the directors have identified a single operating segment, that of holding and trading in investments in natural resources, minerals, metals, and oil and gas projects. The directors consider that it would not be appropriate to disclose any geographical analysis of the Company's investments. |
3 | OPERATING LOSS | ||
2013 | 2012 | ||
£'000 | £'000 | ||
Loss from operations is arrived at after charging: | |||
Investment management fee | 11 | 8 | |
Foreign exchange losses | - | - | |
Auditors' remuneration: | |||
- fees payable to the Company's auditors and its associates for the audit of the Company's financial statements |
13 |
13 | |
4 | EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION | ||
The expense recognised for employee benefits is analysed below: | |||
2013 £'000 | 2012 £'000 | ||
Wages and salaries | 63 | 35 | |
63 | 35 | ||
Details of Directors' employee benefits expense are included in the Report on Remuneration on page 12. | |||
Remuneration for key management of the Company, including amounts paid to Directors of the Company, is as follows: | |||
2013 £'000 | 2012 £'000 | ||
Short-term employee benefits | 63 | 35 | |
63 | 35 | ||
5 | TAXATION | |||
No provision has been made in respect of current taxation or deferred taxation as the Company is domiciled in the Cayman Islands and no corporation tax is applicable. | ||||
6 | EARNINGS PER SHARE | |||
The basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. | ||||
2013 | 2012 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | |||
Loss attributable to owners of the Company | ||||
- Continuing and total operations | (663) | (2,264) | ||
2013 | 2012 | |||
Weighted average number of shares for calculating basic earnings per share | 12,393,723 | 10,870,865 | ||
Weighted average number of shares for calculating fully diluted earnings per share* | 12,393,723 | 10,870,865 | ||
2013 | 2012 | |||
pence | pence | |||
Loss per share from continuing and total operations | ||||
- Basic (pence per share) | (5.3) | (20.8) | ||
- Fully diluted (pence per share) | (5.3) | (20.8) | ||
* The weighted average number of shares used for calculating the diluted loss per share for 2012 and 2013 was the same as that used for calculating the basic loss per share as the effect of exercise of the outstanding share options was anti-dilutive.
7 | INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS | |||
2013 | 2012 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | |||
1 January - Investments at fair value | 1,425 | 3,262 | ||
Cost of investment purchases | 215 | 1,988 | ||
Proceeds of investment disposals | (743) | (1,775) | ||
Loss on disposal of investments | (450) | (1,429) | ||
Fair value adjustment | 22 | (621) | ||
31 December - Investments at fair value | 469 | 1,425 | ||
Categorised as: | ||||
Level 1 - Quoted investments | 381 | 981 | ||
Level 3 - Unquoted investments | 88 | 444 | ||
469 | 1,425 | |||
The Company has adopted fair value measurements using the IFRS 7 fair value hierarchy Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset as follows: Level 1 - valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Level 2 - valued by reference to valuation techniques using observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1. Level 3 - valued by reference to valuation techniques using inputs that are not based on observable market criteria. | ||||
LEVEL 3 investments Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurement of investments | ||||
2013 | 2012 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | |||
Brought forward | 444 | 190 | ||
Purchases | - | 404 | ||
Disposals | - | (133) | ||
Fair value adjustment | (356) | (17) | ||
Carried forward | 88 | 444 | ||
Level 3 valuation techniques used by the Group are explained on page 18 (Fair value of financial instruments) | ||||
8 | TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES | ||
2013 | 2012 | ||
£'000 | £'000 | ||
Other receivables | 8 | - | |
Prepayments | 8 | 17 | |
Total | 16 | 17 | |
The fair value of trade and other receivables is considered by the Directors not to be materially different to carrying amounts. At the balance sheet date in 2013 and 2012 there were no trade receivables past due. | |||
9 | TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES | ||
2013 | 2012 | ||
£'000 | £'000 | ||
Trade payables | 23 | 7 | |
Other payables | 7 | - | |
Accrued charges | 25 | 22 | |
Total | 55 | 29 | |
The fair value of trade and other payables is considered by the Directors not to be materially different to carrying amounts.
| |||
10 | CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED LOAN NOTES | ||
The outstanding convertible loan notes are zero coupon, unsecured and unless previously purchased, redeemed or converted they are redeemable at their principal amount between 31 December 2013 and 31 October 2015. The net proceeds from the issue of the loan notes have been split between the liability element and an equity component, representing the fair value of the embedded option to convert the liability into equity of the Company as follows: | |||
2013 | 2012 | ||
£'000 | £'000 | ||
Liability component at 1 January | 435 | 434 | |
Repayment of loan notes | (306) | (50) | |
Equity component of loan notes repaid or converted | 19 | 5 | |
148 | 389 | ||
Interest charged | 13 | 46 | |
Liability component at 31 December | 161 | 435 | |
The interest charged during the period is calculated by applying an effective average interest rate of 10% to the liability component for the period since the loan notes were issued. The Directors estimate the fair value of the liability component of the loan notes at 31 December 2013 to be approximately £161,000 (2012: £435,000). This fair value has been calculated by discounting the future cash flows at the market rate of 10%.
| |||
11 | SHARE CAPITAL | ||
Number of shares | Nominal Value | ||
£'000 | |||
AUTHORISED | |||
At 31 December 2012 | |||
Ordinary shares of 0.25p each | 4,000,000,000 | 10,000 | |
At 31 December 2013 | |||
Ordinary shares of 1p each | 160,000,000 | 1,600 | |
Deferred shares of 24p each | 35,000,000 | 8,400 | |
10,000 | |||
ISSUED AND FULLY PAID | |||
At 31 December 2011 | |||
Ordinary shares of 0.25p | 617,114,097 | 1,543 | |
Shares issued in year | 526.392.157 | 1,316 | |
At 31 December 2012 | 1,143,506,254 | 2,859 | |
Share reorganisation: | |||
Ordinary shares of 1p each | 11,435,062 | 114 | |
Deferred shares of 24p each | 11,435,062 | 2,745 | |
2,859 | |||
Ordinary shares issued in year | 2,287,000 | 23 | |
At 31 December 2013: | |||
Ordinary shares of 1p each | 13,722,062 | 137 | |
Deferred shares of 24p each | 11,435,062 | 2,745 | |
2,882 | |||
On 12 April 2013 the share capital was reorganised with the effect that the shares were consolidated on a one for one hundred basis into ordinary shares of 1p and deferred shares of 24p. The restricted rights of the deferred shares are such that they have no economic value. On 31 July 2013, 2,287,000 ordinary shares were issued for cash at 6p each. | |||
12 | LOAN NOTE EQUITY RESERVE | ||
2013 | 2012 | ||
£'000 | £'000 | ||
Equity component of convertible loan notes at 1 January | 104 | 109 | |
Equity component of loan notes repaid or converted | (19) | (5) | |
Equity component of convertible loan notes at 31 December | 85 | 104 |
13 | SHARE OPTIONS | ||||
In November 2010 the Company granted 54,878 options to directors and employees. The fair value of options granted was determined using Black-Scholes valuation models. Significant inputs into the calculations were as follows: 15% volatility based on expected share price (ascertained by reference to historic share prices of the Company for the 12 months prior to the date of grant) share price of 82p per share at date of grant of options exercise price of 82p per share a risk free interest rate of 3.5% 0% dividend yield estimated option life of five years. At the year end all these options had vested and are exercisable at any time prior to the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. The share based payment charge for the year was nil (2012: nil). | |||||
The movements on share options and their weighted average exercise price are as follows: | |||||
2013 | 2012 | ||||
Weighted average exercise price | Weighted average exercise price | ||||
Number | (pence) | Number | (pence) | ||
Outstanding at 1 January | 54,878 | 82.0 | 54,878 | 82.0 | |
Granted | - | - | - | - | |
Lapsed | - | - | - | - | |
Outstanding at 31 December | 54,878 | 82.0 | 54,878 | 82.0 | |
14 | RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES | ||
The Company is exposed to a variety of financial risks which result from both its operating and investing activities. The Company's risk management is coordinated by the board of directors, and focuses on actively securing the Company's short to medium term cash flows by minimising the exposure to financial markets. | |||
MARKET PRICE RISK The Company's exposure to market price risk mainly arises from potential movements in the fair value of its investments. The Company manages this price risk within its long-term investment strategy to manage a diversified exposure to the market. If each of the Company's equity investments were to experience a rise or fall of 5% in their fair value, this would result in the Company's net asset value and statement of comprehensive income increasing or decreasing by £23,000 ( 2012: £71,000). | |||
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK The Company's exposure to foreign currencies is limited to its investments which are quoted on overseas stock markets in currencies other than Pounds Sterling and is not material. | |||
CREDIT RISK The Company's financial instruments, which are exposed to credit risk, are considered to be mainly cash and cash equivalents and the Company's receivables are not material. The credit risk for cash and cash equivalents is not considered material since the counterparties are reputable banks. The Company's exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of the financial assets recognised at the balance sheet date, as summarised below: | |||
2013 £'000 | 2012 £'000 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 797 | 633 | |
Other receivables | 8 | - | |
805 | 633 | ||
LIQUIDITY RISK Liquidity risk is managed by means of ensuring sufficient cash and cash equivalents are held to meet the Company's payment obligations arising from administrative expenses. | |||
CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT The Company's objectives when managing capital are: · to safeguard the Company 's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it continues to provide returns and benefits for shareholders; · to support the Company 's growth; and · to provide capital for the purpose of strengthening the Company 's risk management capability. The Company actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure an optimal capital structure and equity holder returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements of the Company and capital efficiency, prevailing and projected profitability, projected operating cash flows, projected capital expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities. Management regards total equity as capital and reserves, for capital management purposes. | |||
15 | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | |||
FINANCIAL ASSETS BY CATEGORY The IAS 39 categories of financial assets included in the balance sheet and the headings in which they are included are as follows: | ||||
2013 | 2012 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | |||
Financial assets: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 797 | 633 | ||
Investments held at fair value through profit and loss | 469 | 1,425 | ||
1,266 | 2,058 | |||
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES BY CATEGORY The IAS 39 categories of financial liability included in the balance sheet and the headings in which they are included are as follows: | ||||
2013 | 2012 | |||
£'000 | £'000 | |||
Financial liabilities at amortised cost: | ||||
Convertible unsecured loan notes | 161 | 435 | ||
Trade and other payables | 23 | 7 | ||
184 | 442 | |||
16 | Contingent LIABILITIES |
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2013 or 31 December 2012. |
17 | POST YEAR END EVENTS |
There have been no material events since the year end. |
18 | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
During the year the Company reimbursed Mount Everest Finance SA in respect of legal fees amounting to £7,000 incurred in connection with the agreement for that company's investment in M&FI. Jacques Vaillancourt is the sole shareholder of Mount Everest Finance SA. |