Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Plc - Half-year Report

Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc Half Yearly Report for the six months to 30 June 2024 The following is an extract from Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc's Half Yearly Report for the six month period to 30 June 2024. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Total Return Performance % Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share 13.1 Deutsche Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding Investment Companies) 5.4 Ordinary Share Price 12.9 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 30 June 2023 Shareholders' £1,426m £1,297m £1,219m Funds Market £1,272m £1,163m £1,044m Capitalisation1 Actual Gearing 6.5% 5.1% 3.6% employed1 Net Asset Value 1,694.73p 1,536.73p 1,438.50p per Ordinary Share Ordinary Share 1,512.00p 1,378.00p 1,232.00p price1 Ordinary Share 10.8% 10.3% 14.4% discount1 Interim dividend of 13.60p per share for the year ended 31 December 2024, which is 5.0% higher than the previous year's 12.95p per share. 1Alternative Performance Measures (refer to Note 9 and the 2023 Annual Report) INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The investment objective of the Company is to achieve a net asset value total return (with dividends reinvested) greater than that of the Deutsche Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding Investment Companies) ("DNSCI (XIC)") over the long term. Chairman's Statement Review of performance ASCoT's net asset value total return in the six months to 30 June 2024 was +13.1%, while its share price total return was +12.9%.  The difference between the two numbers reflected a slight widening of the discount of the share price to the net asset value per share.  This was a particularly good performance for a six month period and compares well with the +5.4% total return from the benchmark index, the Deutsche Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding investment companies (DNSCI (XIC)).  Large UK companies, represented by the FTSE All-Share, recorded a +7.4% return. So strong an investment performance was not the obvious outcome against a background of wars, elections and recessions, but markets move to their own beat.  As 2023 drew to a close, valuations of small UK quoted companies were so low that it seemed something had to give.  The immediate challenge to the despondency has come in the form of takeover activity.  Bigger companies, overseas companies and private equity have spotted the opportunity in small UK quoted companies even as institutional and retail investors lose interest.  The other important development has been a further decline in the inflation rate. This has inspired the market to look ahead to the prospect of lower interest rates and beyond that to an upturn in economic activity. The Managers' Report explains how this investment environment has affected ASCoT's performance, as well as setting out the portfolio's positioning and valuation. Dividends ASCoT enjoyed a very strong income performance in 2023.  Dividend receipts from investee companies were the highest ever and one third above their 2019 level before the pandemic.  For 2024, a modest decline in underlying dividend receipts (i.e. excluding special dividends) is currently expected.  This reflects the recession in the second half of last year and weaker trading conditions encountered by investee companies. Notwithstanding this cyclical weakness, the Board expects to be able to meet its ambition to grow ASCoT's 2024 full year dividend above the rate of inflation. We take confidence both from the Managers' dividend estimates and from ASCoT's healthy revenue reserves.  These reserves amounted to 80.1p per Ordinary Share at the start of the year, equivalent to roughly 1.9 times last year's underlying dividend.  On the basis of current forecasts, we do not anticipate using these reserves in respect of 2024. The Board is pleased to announce an interim dividend of 13.60p per Ordinary Share.  This is 5.0% higher than the previous year's 12.95p.  As was the case last year, this rate of increase is set above the anticipated year end inflation rate, which is based on an average of forecasts aggregated by Bloomberg.  Should these forecasts prove inaccurate, it would be the Board's intention to use the final dividend to meet the ambition to grow ASCoT's full year underlying dividend (i.e. excluding any special dividend declared) in real terms. The interim dividend will be paid on 29 August 2024 to Shareholders on the register at the close of business on 9 August 2024.  The ex-dividend date is 8 August 2024.  The Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan, details of which are available from Aberforth Partners LLP or on its website, www.aberforth.co.uk. Gearing ASCoT benefits from a £130m credit facility from The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited, which runs to 15 June 2026.  The facility is deployed tactically to take advantage of periods of equity market stress, with a view to increasing investment returns for Shareholders. ASCoT has been geared on four occasions over its 33 year history.  The present opportunity arose amid the pandemic in 2020, since when gearing has enhanced returns. Because portfolio valuations remain depressed, the Board and Managers believe it appropriate that ASCoT remains geared.  Influenced by the timing of M&A activity within the portfolio, the gearing ratio has varied through the first half of 2024.  At 30 June 2024, £98m of the credit facility was deployed and the gearing ratio was 6.5%. Share buy-back The Board believes that buy-backs provide an increase in liquidity at the margin for those Shareholders looking to crystallise their investment and, at the same time, deliver an economic uplift for those Shareholders wishing to remain invested in the Company. In the six months to 30 June 2024, 275,000 shares were bought back and cancelled.  The total value of these repurchases was £3.7m, on an average discount of 12%.  Since 2008, ASCoT's share buy-backs have totalled £161m and added £24m of value to Shareholders. Annual General Meeting (AGM) All resolutions at the AGM held on 5 March 2024 were passed, including approval for the renewal of authority to buy back up to 14.99% of ASCoT's Ordinary Shares Conclusion Financial markets are never boring.  The revaluation of those companies enabling artificial intelligence (AI) has been extraordinary, exemplified by Nvidia as it vies to be the world's most valuable company.  Its staggering ascent has been a challenge to the valuation of other companies and indeed asset classes.  The effect has been akin to that of a black hole, sucking liquidity and interest away from other investment opportunities.  Whether Nvidia and the others go on to justify investors' confidence remains to be seen - markets do tend to overshoot in both directions. Small UK quoted companies are a case in point.  At the end of 2023 the market was deeply despondent about their prospects.  This left their valuations vulnerable to good news, or at least less bad news, which has come in the form of numerous bids for UK companies and improving inflation reports.  It is most encouraging that ASCoT has taken advantage of this renewed interest in the asset class to start 2024 with good investment returns. Of course, it would be unwise to expect the stockmarket to deliver the further reappraisal of smaller companies in an uninterrupted fashion.  After all, a clear lesson from the last couple of years is the unpredictability of inflation data, which has affected monetary policy and economic activity.  To this we should add the on-going uncertainties at the political level.  The decisive election outcome should improve perceptions of the UK, but the actions of the new government remain to be determined.  Meanwhile, France's election highlights political strain within the EU and the American presidential election looms. However, the Board remains optimistic about ASCoT's prospects for several reasons.  Our discussions with the Managers and their reports make clear that ASCoT invests in good businesses - they are well run, they have strong balance sheets, and they grow their profits and dividends over time.  Additionally, despite the improvement of the first half of the year, valuations remain attractive both in relation to history and to equities in a broader international context.  Furthermore, the Managers are unwaveringly committed to their investment approach and value investment philosophy, a consistency which has served ASCoT well over its 33 years even as the markets ebb and flow. Richard Davidson Chairman 26 July 2024 richard.davidson@aberforth.co.uk Managers' Report Investment background Over the six months to 30 June 2024, ASCoT's net asset value total return was +13.1%.  This compares with a +5.4% return from ASCoT's benchmark, the DNSCI (XIC), and with a +7.4% return from large companies in the form of the FTSE All -Share. This good start to 2024 has its roots in the very low valuations ascribed by the stockmarket to small UK quoted companies as 2023 drew to a close - with sentiment so negative, it was never going to take much to bring improved investment performance.  The first half has indeed brought encouraging developments for the UK's economy, its politics and its stockmarket. ·         On the economic front, recession has been a persistent concern over the past two years.  Higher inflation and interest rates threatened a slowdown in domestic activity, which became noticeable in the trading statements of smaller companies from the second quarter of 2023.  We now know that there was indeed a recession in the second half of last year.  It was, though, a mild and short downturn, much less severe than some commentators had expected.  Growth remains subdued, but, with the rate of inflation easing, there is the prospect of lower interest rates later in the year.  In turn, more accommodating monetary policy should herald more favourable trading conditions for companies and an upturn in the profit cycle. ·         To many outside observers, the UK's political situation since the EU referendum has been baffling.  Perceptions of political dysfunction have discouraged investment in UK equities and affected their valuation relative to other markets.  However, the UK's seeming monopoly on political uncertainty is becoming less clearcut.  On the one hand, the General Election has delivered a government with a decisive majority that should not be in thrall to the more extreme elements of the ruling party.  On the other hand, the politics of several other western democracies threaten to become less certain.  The EU elections have seen an upswing in support for populist parties and have precipitated a potentially destabilising parliamentary election in France. Meanwhile, the US faces its own democratic test later in the year, with the outcome still far from certain. ·         Concerns that the UK stockmarket may not be fit for purpose intensified in 2023 when Arm, the semiconductor business, chose to list in the US.  Before that, there was a broadening recognition by government and regulators that the UK's capital markets could be improved.  A slew of initiatives - such as the Edinburgh Reforms, the Mansion House Compact, the FCA's review of listing rules and consultation for a UK ISA - has followed.  It is easy to be sceptical about each of these in isolation, but official recognition of the issue and the general direction of travel are encouraging. However, taking a step back, it is worth reflecting on whether the UK stockmarket has a particular problem.  After all, de-equitisation and the loss of companies to private capital have been features of many markets for two decades.  The unusual stockmarket in the global context has not been the UK, but the US with the extraordinary and incredible valuations accorded to a small number of technology giants.  From their daily interactions with the UK stockmarket, the Managers believe that it can value companies fairly over time. The valuation process may be complicated by concerns about the economic cycle and by politics, but these ebb and flow and currently enhance the opportunity in UK equities. As equity investors mull this opportunity, the first half of 2024 brought clear evidence of how gaps between stockmarket valuations and companies' intrinsic value can be bridged - M&A activity continued at an elevated rate.  Larger companies, overseas companies and private equity have identified the opportunity in depressed UK valuations and are emerging as the marginal buyers of UK equities. Over the six months, the investment universe saw agreed bids for seven companies announced and there were numerous approaches for other companies.  Of the agreed deals, ASCoT had holdings in three, which together accounted for around one third of ASCoT's out-performance against the DNSCI (XIC) in the period. Throughout its history, ASCoT's performance tends to have benefited from M&A - part of the Managers' investment approach is to consider who might want to own a company if the stockmarket proves unwilling to value it appropriately.  However, given how low valuations are at present, there is a heightened risk that companies are sold too cheaply.  Some company boards, influenced by the pervasive gloom about the UK and sometimes encouraged by other Shareholders, have been too quick to yield to takeover interest. Where takeover valuations fall short of their determination of intrinsic value, the Managers vote against the proposed deals or engage to seek improved terms from the acquirers.  However, the chance of a better outcome for Shareholders is improved by timely consultation by boards of target companies before they agree to a deal.  In order to engage constructively, the Managers are prepared to be taken inside for extended periods.  To be clear, the purpose of these engagement efforts is not to protect the UK stockmarket but to improve investment results for ASCoT's Shareholders. Analysis of performance and portfolio characteristics Over the six months to 30 June 2024, ASCoT's net asset value total return was +13.1% and the DNSCI (XIC)'s was +5.4%.  An analysis of the difference between the two numbers is shown in the table below.  The most significant influence on the performance attributable to the portfolio of investments was M&A activity: as noted above, the three companies that announced agreed bids in the period accounted for 240 basis points of relative performance. For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Basis points Attributable to the portfolio of investments, based on mid prices 746 (after transaction costs of 8 basis points) Movement in mid to bid price spread 11 Cash/gearing 47 Purchase of ordinary shares 4 Management fee (36) Other expenses (3) Total attribution based on bid prices 769 Note: 100 basis points = 1%.  Total Attribution is the difference between the total return of the NAV and the Benchmark Index (i.e. NAV = 13.12%; Benchmark Index = 5.43%; difference is 7.69% being 769 basis points). The next table sets out a series of characteristics of both the portfolio and the DNSCI (XIC).  The paragraphs that follow provide context and explanation for these characteristics and for ASCoT's performance in the first half of 2024. Portfolio characteristics 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 ASCoT DNSCI (XIC) ASCoT DNSCI (XIC) Number of companies 77 339 78 339 Weighted average £624m £986m £528m £945m market capitalisation Weighting in 56% 27% 60% 31% "smaller small" companies* Portfolio turnover 19% N/A 21% N/A over prior 12 months Active share 73% N/A 76% N/A Price earnings (PE) 10.2x 13.5x 7.1x 10.8x ratio (historical) Dividend yield 3.8% 3.4% 4.2% 3.5% (historical) Dividend cover 2.6x 2.2x 3.4x 2.6x (historical) *"Smaller small" companies are members of the DNSCI (XIC) that are not also members of the FTSE 250 Style & size The Managers' value investment style has been helpful to ASCoT's returns since the start of the pandemic rally in late 2020.  Higher inflation and interest rates have contributed to a more favourable environment for the value investor. So far in 2024, the London Business School's analysis of style effects within the DNSCI (XIC) suggests little difference between the performances of the index's value and growth cohorts, with the latter very slightly ahead of the former.  This would imply that style did not have a meaningful effect on ASCoT's relative returns in the six month period. Size positioning relative to the DNSCI (XIC) was more helpful.  ASCoT retains its higher exposure to "smaller small" companies.  FTSE 250 stocks represent 73% of the total value of the DNSCI (XIC) but only 44% of ASCoT's portfolio.  The Managers' preference for the smaller non FTSE 250 companies is motivated by their lower valuations.  Over the six months to 30 June 2024, "smaller small" companies out-performed the FTSE 250, which indicates a boost to ASCoT's return from its size positioning. Balance Sheets The table below shows the balance sheet profile of the portfolio and of the Tracked Universe, which is a subset of the DNSCI (XIC).  It comprises 227 companies, which the Managers follow closely and which together represent 98% by value of the total DNSCI (XIC) index. Weight in companies with: Net cash Net debt/EBITDA Net debt/EBITDA Other* 2x Portfolio: 2024 34% 45% 14% 7% Tracked universe: 2024 37% 39% 17% 6% *Includes loss-makers and lenders Notwithstanding the recession in the second half of 2023, small companies' balance sheets remain in good condition.  The table above shows that over one third of both the investment universe and ASCoT's portfolio is represented by companies with net cash on their balance sheets.  This resilience has allowed companies to continue to invest despite the tougher trading conditions.  The ratio of capital expenditure to depreciation for companies with December year ends, which reported their 2023 results in the first quarter of 2024, was a healthy 1.2x.  Balance sheet strength has also contributed to an upsurge in share buy-back activity.  Fourteen of ASCoT's holdings repurchased shares in the first half of 2024, as boards sought to take advantage of depressed stockmarket valuations. Income The table below divides ASCoT's 77 holdings in categories that are determined by each company's most recent dividend action. The balance of the analysis is positive, with the most populated category being Increased Payers. Nil Payer Cutter Unchanged Payer Increased Payer New/Returner 14 15 12 34 2 The main change compared with twelve months ago is the higher number of Cutters.  This reflects the recession and more challenging trading conditions in the second half of 2023. Consistent with this, it is likely that ASCoT's dividend income from its holdings will be lower in 2024 than it was in 2023. However, last year's dividend experience was extremely strong and so, on the basis of current estimates for the rest of the year, it is likely that the Board will be able to meet its dividend ambition and have the option to strengthen revenue reserves further. The average historical yield of ASCoT's 77 holdings was 3.8% at 30 June 2024, which is down from 4.2% twelve months earlier.  Dividend cover has declined from 3.4x to 2.6x.  This is because dividends have proved more resilient than have profits through the recent downturn.  Such resilience reflects the strong balance sheets previously described.  It is also influenced by a general appreciation among investee company boards of the importance of dividends to their investors, particularly when broad interest in UK equities is at a low ebb. ASCoT's gearing At 30 June 2024, ASCoT's gearing ratio was 6.5%, up from 5.1% at the start of the year.  The ratio has oscillated through the period with share price movements and as proceeds from holdings subject to takeovers have been received. ASCoT employs gearing tactically to take advantage of periods of stress in financial markets.  The current instance of gearing is the fourth since launch in 1990 and stems from the pandemic in 2020.  Since then, gearing has enhanced investment returns, but valuations of smaller companies remain very attractive. As long as the opportunity embedded in these valuations remains, it is appropriate for ASCoT to be geared. Active share Active share is a measure of how different a portfolio is from an index.  The ratio is calculated as half of the sum of the absolute differences between each stock's weighting in the index and its weighting in the portfolio.  The higher a portfolio's active share, the higher its chance of performing differently from the index, for better or worse.  The Managers target an active share ratio of at least 70% for ASCoT's portfolio compared with the DNSCI (XIC).  At 30 June 2024, it stood at 73%. Value roll and portfolio turnover The main influence on ASCoT's portfolio turnover in any period is usually the stockmarket's appetite for small UK quoted companies.  If prices and valuations are rising, the upsides to the Managers' target prices are likely to be narrowing.  All else being equal, this would encourage the rotation of ASCoT's capital from companies with lower upsides to those with higher upsides. The Managers' term this dynamic the "value roll" and it has made an important contribution to ASCoT's capital and income returns over the years.  It follows that periods of higher portfolio turnover are often associated with strong returns for ASCoT. Over the twelve months to 30 June 2024, portfolio turnover, defined as the lower of purchases and sales divided by average portfolio value, was 19%.  This is below the long term average of 34%.  Notwithstanding ASCoT's positive return in the six month period, this suggests that there was less opportunity for "value roll" than usual.  This is another symptom of the deep under-valuation of small UK quoted companies - if the stockmarket does not reflect their true value, there is every incentive to maintain the position. Valuations The valuations of UK equities in general and small UK quoted companies in particular remain attractive.  The Managers' Report published in January described how ASCoT benefited from three layers of valuation advantage: (1) the PE ratio of UK equities is lower than that of the rest of the world; (2) the PE of smaller companies is lower than that of large UK companies; (3) the PE ratio of ASCoT's portfolio is lower than that of small UK quoted companies.  This triple discount was still in place at 30 June 2024, but, importantly, there are signs that a re-rating is under way. The chart below depicts the historical PE ratio of ASCoT's portfolio.  At the start of 2024, the PE was 7.9x, a rating consistent with recession.  The previous three occasions on which the PE has reached this level have come with economic downturns: the early 1990s recession at the left of the chart, the global financial crisis in the middle and the pandemic recession in 2020.  On each occasion, the de-rating of the portfolio's companies has been followed by a re-rating, as the stockmarket moves from worrying about falling earnings to enthusing about earnings recovery. The chart indicates that we are in the early stages of a similar recovery, with the average PE of the portfolio having risen to 10.2x at 30 June 2024. [A graph showing the value of a stock market Description automatically generated] Both the numerator and the denominator of the PE ratio contributed to its rise over the first six months of 2024.  Share prices have risen even as earnings reported by companies have declined -data from London Business School suggest that small company profits declined by 8% in 2023.  The stockmarket looks ahead and, gaining confidence from easing inflation and a likely peak in interest rates, is starting to anticipate a turn in the profits cycle.  The opportunity for recovery in profits comes from both the impact of last year's recession and the pandemic's lingering effects, such as the extensive supply chain problems. As the chart suggests, there is scope for a further re-rating as profits recover.  Of the three earlier recessions in ASCoT's lifetime, one - the early 1990s downturn - was caused by inflation and the monetary policy reaction.  The table below shows how the recession played out and its impact on small UK quoted companies. 1990 1991 1992 1993 Cumulative 1991-93 UK economic context GDP YoY +0.6% -1.4% +0.2% +2.3% +1.1% CPI YoY +7.0% +7.5% +4.2% +2.4% +15.9% Year end base rates 13.9% 10.4% 6.9% 5.4% - DNSCI (XIC)* experience Year end PE ratio 8.2x 11.3x 13.9x 18.6x - Implied earnings growth +1.8% -13.7% -13.0% +6.2% -20.3% Total return -23.5% +18.9% +7.1% +41.5% +80.2% *Taken or calculated from London Business School data The table shows that small company share prices fell in 1990 as the market anticipated the recession in 1991 and two years of sharp declines in earnings. However, even as the profit downturn played out, share prices started to rise as the market was encouraged by lower interest rates to anticipate an upturn in earnings.  That upturn duly arrived in 1993, which precipitated further share prices gains.  Over the period, small company valuations took the strain as the year end PE ratio rose from 8.2x to 18.6x. It is tempting to draw parallels between the early 1990s experience and the current situation.  In 2022, the total return from small companies was -17.9% and the PE was 8.1x at the year end.  In 2023, the recessionary conditions meant that earnings declined by 8.2%, but the total return from the asset class turned positive as the market started to anticipate recovery and took the year end PE ratio up to 12.8x.  In 2024 so far, the total return has again been positive, even though earnings are likely to be flat to slightly down over the year as a whole.  The market again seems enthused by the prospect of interest rate cuts, which in due course might bring an earnings recovery in 2025. Clearly, much could change over coming months and there is no guarantee that the events of the early 1990s will be replicated.  However, the experience then serves as a useful reminder of how the market gets to grips with inflection points in the economic cycle and looks through prevailing or near term gloom. Outlook and conclusion Around the world, financial markets remain focused on the US interest rate cycle.  US economic data released through the first half of the year proved more robust than anticipated - disinflation is happening, but uncertainty about the future path of inflation remains higher than in the years before the pandemic. This has contributed to a delay to the first cut to US interest rates.  Until the Federal Reserve moves, it is unlikely that other central banks will be able to ease monetary policy in a meaningful fashion. Meanwhile, financial markets are also contending with elevated geopolitical risk.  Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, while Israel and Hamas remain in conflict. Elsewhere, the implications of recent elections and of those to come add to the uncertainty. An additional complication for markets has been the burgeoning fascination for AI.  This promises significant productivity benefits for many companies in due course but benefits a very small number of stocks in the near term.  Nvidia and its ilk have assumed truly incredible valuations and, with their apparent promise of secular and low risk growth, would appear to be sucking interest from other equities. This has been an invidious backdrop for many asset classes, small UK quoted companies included. However, such conditions give rise to investment opportunities as the stockmarket inevitably overreacts in both directions. There are several strands to the investment opportunity in front of ASCoT today. ·         The valuations of UK assets have attracted a discount since the EU referendum as political uncertainty has deterred investment activity.  By giving Labour a convincing majority, the recent election promises a period of greater stability.  It will take time to understand their priorities and the impact of their policies on the economy and markets, but it is feasible that the UK could emerge from 2024 with a less uncertain political situation than many of its western peers, which could help the relative valuation of UK assets. ·         The companies available to ASCoT in the investment universe have good and well managed businesses.  Their balance sheets are strong and in normal economic conditions their profits grow.  Using the five years up to the end of 2019, to exclude the pandemic and its aftereffects, small company dividend growth averaged 8% per annum.  When the pandemic then hit dividends by one third, they recovered fully in less than two years.  Such growth and resilience are not characteristics of poor companies. ·         Having endured the downside of an economic slowdown, the market is now contemplating an upturn in the economic cycle.  Corporate profitability should benefit as interest rates decline and, contemporaneously, market valuations should also improve as has happened in previous recoveries. ·         The on-going high rate of M&A activity is highlighting the attractiveness of UK valuations and the quality of small UK quoted companies. After all, it is unlikely that overseas companies and private equity firms are buying UK companies merely to benefit from a cyclical recovery in profits.  The emergence of these M&A buyers, together with the upsurge in share buy-backs by smaller companies, introduces marginal demand from informed buyers for the asset class and mitigates the effect of retail and institutional selling. It is encouraging that these factors have begun to be recognised in stronger share prices and higher valuations over recent months.  The path to a fuller and merited revaluation of the portfolio's holdings is unlikely to be smooth, but ASCoT is well placed to generate good medium and long term investment returns for its Shareholders. Aberforth Partners LLP Managers 26 July 2024 INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT A review of the half year and the outlook for the Company can be found in the Chairman's Statement and the Managers' Report. Risks and Uncertainties The Directors have a process for identifying, evaluating and managing the principal and emerging risks faced by the Company. The Board believes that the Company has a relatively low risk profile in the context of the investment trust industry. This belief arises from the fact that the Company has a simple capital structure; invests only in small UK quoted companies; is not exposed to derivatives and does not presently intend any such exposure; and outsources all the main operational activities to recognised, well established firms. The principal risks faced by the Company relate to investment strategy/performance, market risk, share price discount, gearing, reputational risk and regulatory risk. An explanation of these risks and how they are managed can be found in the Strategic Report contained within the 2023 Annual Report. These principal risks and uncertainties continue to apply as disclosed in the 2023 Annual Report and as updated by the Managers' Report in these interim statements. Going Concern The Directors are satisfied that the Company has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. The Company's assets comprise mainly readily realisable equity securities and funding flexibility can typically be achieved through the use of the Company's borrowing facilities. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: (i) the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 104 "Interim Financial Reporting". (ii) the Half Yearly Report includes a fair review of information required by: (a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events during the first six months of the year and their impact on the financial statements together with 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 Guidance and Transparency Rules, being disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein. (iii) the Half Yearly Report, taken as whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides information necessary for Shareholders to assess the Company's performance, objective and strategy. On behalf of the Board Richard Davidson 26 July 2024 INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised net gains on sales - 73,968 73,968 Movement in fair value - 72,570 72,570 _______ _______ _______ Net gains on investments - 146,538 146,538 Investment income 27,050 - 27,050 Other income 57 - 57 Investment management fee (Note 2) (1,770) (2,950) (4,720) Portfolio transaction costs - (1,102) (1,102) Other expenses (427) - (427) _______ _______ _______ Net return before finance costs and tax 24,910 142,486 167,396 Finance costs (Note 2) (1,239) (2,066) (3,305) _______ _______ _______ Return on ordinary activities before tax 23,671 140,420 164,091 Tax on ordinary activities - - - _______ _______ _______ Return attributable to equity shareholders 23,671 140,420 164,091 _______ _______ _______ Returns per Ordinary Share (Note 4) 28.12p 166.78p 194.90p Dividends On 26 July 2024, the Board declared an interim dividend for the year ending 31 December 2024 of 13.60p per Ordinary Share (2023 - 12.95p), which will be paid on 29 August 2024. For the six months ended 30 June 2023 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised net gains on sales - 34,230 34,230 Movement in fair value - (47,669) (47,669) _______ _______ _______ Net (losses) on investments - (13,439) (13,439) Investment income 27,591 - 27,591 Other income 51 - 51 Investment management fee (Note 2) (1,685) (2,809) (4,494) Portfolio transaction costs - (1,173) (1,173) Other expenses (431) - (431) _______ _______ _______ Net return before finance costs and tax 25,526 (17,421) 8,105 Finance costs (Note 2) (792) (1,319) (2,111) _______ _______ _______ Return on ordinary activities before tax 24,734 (18,740) 5,994 Tax on ordinary activities (82) - (82) _______ _______ _______ Return attributable to equity shareholders 24,652 (18,740) 5,912 _______ _______ _______ Returns per Ordinary Share (Note 4) 29.04p (22.08)p 6.96p For the year ended 31 December 2023 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised net gains on sales - 59,725 59,725 Movement in fair value - (1,293) (1,293) _______ _______ _______ Net gains on investments - 58,432 58,432 Investment income 56,423 - 56,423 Other income 91 - 91 Investment management fee (Note 2) (3,350) (5,583) (8,933) Portfolio transaction costs - (1,855) (1,855) Other expenses (823) - (823) _______ _______ _______ Net return before finance costs and tax 52,341 50,994 103,335 Finance costs (Note 2) (1,578) (2,631) (4,209) _______ _______ _______ Return on ordinary activities before tax 50,763 48,363 99,126 Tax on ordinary activities (82) - (82) _______ _______ _______ Return attributable to equity shareholders 50,681 48,363 99,044 _______ _______ _______ Returns per Ordinary Share (Note 4) 59.79p 57.05p 116.84p RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS (unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Share Capital Special Capital Revenue Total capital reserve reserve reserve redemption £'000 £'000 reserve £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance as at 31 844 144 38,840 1,158,046 99,353 1,297,227 December 2023 Return on ordinary - - - 140,420 23,671 164,091 activities after tax Equity dividends - - - - (31,686) (31,686) paid Purchase of (3) 3 (3,695) - - (3,695) Ordinary Shares _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ Balance as at 30 841 147 35,145 1,298,466 91,338 1,425,937 June 2024 _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ For the year ended 31 December 2023 Share Capital Special Capital Revenue Total capital reserve reserve reserve redemption £'000 £'000 reserve £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance as 853 135 50,481 1,109,683 89,718 1,250,870 at 31 December 2022 Return on - - - 48,363 50,681 99,044 ordinary activities after tax Equity - - - - (41,046) (41,046) dividends paid Purchase (9) 9 (11,641) - - (11,641) of Ordinary Shares _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ Balance as 844 144 38,840 1,158,046 99,353 1,297,227 at 31 December 2023 _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ For the six months ended 30 June 2023 Share Capital Special Capital Revenue Total capital reserve reserve reserve redemption £'000 £'000 reserve £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance as at 31 853 135 50,481 1,109,683 89,718 1,250,870 December 2022 Return on ordinary - - - (18,740) 24,652 5,912 activities after tax Equity dividends - - - - (30,084) (30,084) paid Purchase of (6) 6 (7,501) - - (7,501) Ordinary Shares _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ Balance as at 30 847 141 42,980 1,090,943 84,286 1,219,197 June 2023 _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ ________ BALANCE SHEET (unaudited) As at 30 June 2024 30 June 31 December 30 June 2024 2023 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments at fair value 1,519,222 1,363,980 1,262,992 through profit or loss (Note 5) ________ ________ ________ Current assets Investment income receivable 2,086 2,593 4,151 Amounts due from brokers 894 - 8,461 Other debtors 93 68 41 Cash at bank 5,691 2,734 10,710 ________ ________ ________ 8,764 5,395 23,363 ________ ________ ________ Creditors (amounts falling due within one year) Amounts due to brokers (3,892) - (2,096) Other creditors (282) (305) (252) ________ ________ ________ (4,174) (305) (2,348) ________ ________ ________ Net current assets 4,590 5,090 21,015 ________ ________ ________ Total assets less current 1,523,812 1,369,070 1,284,007 liabilities Creditors (amounts falling due after more than one year) Bank debt facility (97,875) (71,843) (64,810) ________ ________ ________ TOTAL NET ASSETS 1,425,937 1,297,227 1,219,197 ________ ________ ________ CAPITAL AND RESERVES: EQUITY INTERESTS Share Capital Ordinary Shares 841 844 847 Reserves Capital redemption reserve 147 144 141 Special reserve 35,145 38,840 42,980 Capital reserve 1,298,466 1,158,046 1,090,943 Revenue reserve 91,338 99,353 84,286 ________ ________ ________ TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 1,425,937 1,297,227 1,219,197 ________ ________ ________ Net Asset Value per share 1,694.73p 1,536.73p 1,438.50p (Note 6) CASH FLOW STATEMENT (unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Six months ended Six months Year ended 30 June 2024 31 December £'000 ended 30 June 2023 2023 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from 22,441 20,586 46,160 operating activities Investing activities Purchases of investments (163,680) (127,971) (255,193) Sales of investments 156,872 166,262 270,051 _______ _______ _______ Cash (outflow)/inflow from (6,808) 38,291 14,858 investing activities Financing activities Purchases of Ordinary Shares (3,695) (7,501) (11,641) Equity dividends paid (31,686) (30,084) (41,046) Interest and fees paid (3,295) (2,250) (4,265) Gross drawdowns of bank debt 56,000 20,000 52,000 facilities (before any costs) Gross repayments of bank debt (30,000) (30,000) (55,000) facilities (before any costs) _______ _______ _______ Cash (outflow) from financing (12,676) (49,835) (59,952) activities Change in cash during the 2,957 9,042 1,066 period _______ _______ _______ Cash at the start of the 2,734 1,668 1,668 period Cash at the end of the period 5,691 10,710 2,734 _______ _______ _______ NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Accounting Standards The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 104 and the AIC's Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts". The total column of the Income Statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the Income Statement are derived from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period. The same accounting policies used for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been applied. 2. Investment Management Fee and Bank Borrowings The Managers, Aberforth Partners LLP, receive an annual management fee, payable quarterly in advance, equal to 0.75% of net assets up to £1 billion, and 0.65% thereafter. The investment management fee and finance costs of bank borrowings have been allocated 62.5% to capital reserve and 37.5% to revenue reserve, in line with the Board's expected long term split of returns, in the form of capital gains and income respectively, from the investment portfolio of the Company. 3. Dividends Six Six months ended Year ended months 30 June 2023 31 December ended £'000 30 June 2023 2024 £'000 £'000 Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period: Final dividend of 26.95p for the - 23,000 23,000 year ended 31 December 2022 Special dividend of 8.30p for the - 7,084 7,084 year ended 31 December 2022 Interim dividend of 12.95p for the - - 10,962 year ended 31 December 2023 Final dividend of 28.55p for the 24,091 - - year ended 31 December 2023 Special dividend of 9.00p for the 7,595 - - year ended 31 December 2023 ______ ______ ______ 31,686 30,084 41,046    ______ ______ ______ The interim dividend for the year ending 31 December 2024 of 13.60p (2023 - 12.95p) will be paid on 29 August 2024 to shareholders on the register on 9 August 2024. The ex dividend date is 8 August 2024. The interim dividend has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. 4. Returns per Ordinary Share The returns per Ordinary Share are based on the following. 30 June 30 June 31 December 2023 2024 2023 Returns attributable to £164,091,000 £5,912,000 £99,044,000 Ordinary Shareholders Weighted average number of 84,192,569 84,888,578 84,766,084 shares in issue during the period Return per Ordinary Share 194.90p 6.96p 116.84p 5. Investments at fair value In accordance with FRS 102 and FRS 104, fair value measurements have been classified using the fair value hierarchy: Level 1 - using unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in an active market; Level 2 - using inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are directly or indirectly observable (based on market data); and Level 3 - using inputs that are unobservable (for which market data is unavailable). Investments held at fair value through profit or loss Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total As at 30 June 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Listed equities 1,519,222 - - 1,519,222 Unlisted equities - - - - ________ ________ ________ ________ Total financial asset investments 1,519,222 - - 1,519,222 ________ ________ ________ ________ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total As at 31 December 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Listed equities 1,363,980 - - 1,363,980 Unlisted equities - - - - ________ ________ ________ ________ Total financial asset investments 1,363,980 - - 1,363,980 ________ ________ ________ ________ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total As at 30 June 2023 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Listed equities 1,262,992 - - 1,262,992 Unlisted equities - - - - ________ ________ ________ ________ Total financial asset investments 1,262,992 - - 1,262,992 ________ ________ ________ ________ 6. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share The net assets and the net asset value per share attributable to the Ordinary Shares at each period end are calculated in accordance with their entitlements in the Articles of Association and were as follows. 30 June 31 December 2023 30 June 2024 2023 Net assets £1,425,937,000 £1,297,227,000 £1,219,197,000 attributable Ordinary Shares in 84,139,605 84,414,605 84,754,605 issue at end of period Net Asset Value per 1,694.73p 1,536.73p 1,438.50p Ordinary Share 7. Share Capital During the period, the Company bought back and cancelled 275,000 shares (2023: 590,000) at a cost of £3,695,000 (2023: £7,501,000). No shares have been bought back for cancellation between 1 July 2024 and 26 July 2024. 8. Related party transactions There have been no transactions with related parties during the first six months of the current financial year that have materially affected the financial position or the performance of the Company. Under UK accounting standards, the Directors have been identified as related parties and their fees and interests are disclosed in the 2023 Annual Report. 9. Alternative Performance Measures Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs") are measures that are not defined by FRS 102 and FRS 104. The Company believes that APMs, referred to within `Financial Highlights' on page 1 and in the Half Yearly Report, provide Shareholders with important information on the Company and are appropriate for an investment trust. These APMs are also a component of reporting to the Board. A glossary of APMs can be found in the 2023 Annual Report. 10. Further Information The foregoing do not constitute statutory accounts of the Company (as defined in section 434(3) of the Companies Act 2006). The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2023 has been extracted from the statutory accounts, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Auditor issued an unqualified opinion on those accounts and did not make any statements under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. All information shown for the six months to 30 June 2024 is unaudited. Certain statements in this report are forward looking. By their nature, forward looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. Forward looking statements regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements. Copies of the Half Yearly Report will be sent to shareholders and will be available shortly from Aberforth Partners LLP, 14 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NS or from the website www.aberforth.co.uk. A copy will also shortly be available for inspection at the National Storage Mechanism at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism. CONTACT: Jeremy Hall (Telephone: 0131 220 0733) Aberforth Partners LLP, Managers and Secretaries 26 July 2024 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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