SLPE.L Regulatory News (SLPE)

Standard Life Private Equity Trust plc

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 2138004MK7VPTZ99EV13

30 September 2020

· Standard Life Private Equity Trust plc ("SLPET" or "the Company") announces its estimated net asset value ("NAV") at 31 August 2020

· Estimated NAV at 31 August 2020 was 459.9 pence per share (actual NAV at 30 June 2020 was 473.9 pence per share)

· SLPET paid £4.3 million of drawdowns and received £1.5 million of distributions during the month of August

· Outstanding commitments of £452.1 million at 31 August 2020

SLPET's valuation policy for private equity funds and co-investments is based on the latest valuations reported by the managers of the funds and co-investments in which the Company has interests. In the case of SLPET's valuation at 31 August 2020, excluding new investments, 100.0% by value of the portfolio valuations were dated 30 June 2020. This is an update from the estimated NAV at 31 July 2020, which was based on valuations dated 31 March 2020. The valuations by the underlying managers as at 30 June 2020 have not been adjusted by the Manager.

Estimated NAV

At 31 August 2020, SLPET's estimated NAV was 459.9 pence per share (estimated net assets £707.1 million), representing a 3.0% per share decrease from the actual NAV at 30 June 2020 of 473.9 pence per share (actual net assets £728.6 million). The 14.0 pence decrease in NAV per share reflected losses arising primarily from a 1.8% depreciation in the euro versus sterling during July and August, and the second interim dividend payment of 3.3 pence per share, which was paid on 31 July 2020.

Draw downs and distributions

SLPET paid £4.3 million of drawdowns and received £1.5 million of distributions during the month of August. The distributions received generated realised gains and income of £0.8 million.

Commitments

In August, the Company made a $7.0 million co-investment into Visma, a leading provider of mission critical enterprise resource planning software in the Nordics and the Netherlands. The co-investment was made alongside Hg, Visma's lead investor. The Company had £452.1 million of outstanding commitments at 31 August 2020. The Manager believes that around £66.3 million of the Company's existing outstanding commitments are unlikely to be drawn.

Balance sheet and credit facility

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of £42.3 million at 31 August 2020. In addition, it is due £15.0 million of deferred consideration during the year from investments sold in 2019. It also has an undrawn £100 million syndicated revolving credit facility, provided by Citi and Societe Generale, that expires in December 2024.

Following the month end, the syndicated revolving credit facility was expanded to £200 million. The expansion of the existing facility included the introduction of State Street Bank International as a new lender to the Company alongside long-term lenders Citi and Societe Generale. The expiry date of the facility remains as December 2024.

Update on COVID-19

The Manager continues to be mindful of the impact of COVID-19 and maintains regular communication with the private equity managers of the Company's investments. Whilst the Company's actual NAV recovered strongly in the quarter to 30 June, following a decline of 8.2% in the quarter to 31 March 2020, the Manager remains cautious in respect of the valuation of the Company's portfolio in the coming quarters.

An update from the Manager, which provides responses to frequently asked questions in relation to COVID-19, is available within the Latest News section of the Company website; www.slpet.co.uk.

Future announcements

The Company is expecting to announce its estimated NAV at 30 September 2020 on 14 October 2020. 

Additional detail about SLPET's NAV and investment diversification can be found on SLPET's website. Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

For further information please contact Alan Gauld at SL Capital Partners LLP (0131 528 4424)

Note:-

Standard Life Private Equity Trust plc is an investment company managed by SL Capital Partners LLP, the ordinary shares of which are admitted to listing by the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the Stock Exchange and which seeks to conduct its affairs so as to qualify as an investment trust under sections 1158-1165 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. The Board of Standard Life Private Equity Trust plc is independent of Standard Life Aberdeen plc and Phoenix Group Holdings.

Valuation Methodology

Unquoted investments are stated at the directors' estimate of fair value and follow the recommendations of EVCA and BVCA. The estimate of fair value is normally the latest valuation placed on a fund or co-investment by its manager at the balance sheet date. The valuation policies used by the manager in undertaking that valuation will generally be in line with the joint publication from EVCA and BVCA, 'International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation guidelines'. Where formal valuations are not completed at the balance sheet date the last available valuation from the fund manager or co-investment lead is adjusted for any subsequent cashflows occurring between the valuation date and the balance sheet date. The Company's Manager may further adjust such valuations to reflect any changes in circumstances from the last manager's formal valuation date to arrive at the estimate of fair value, for example, where sales proceeds are available. Quoted investments are valued based on quoted prices as of the last day of the relevant period.

The Company intends to release regular estimated NAV updates around ten business days after each month end, while continuing to issue quarterly updates. A breakdown of SLPET's portfolio can be obtained in the latest monthly factsheet, which is published on SLPET's website at:

www.slpet.co.uk