TIDMAVR

RNS Number : 2324G

Avarae Global Coins PLC

19 November 2015

19 November 2015

AVARAE GLOBAL COINS PLC

UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015

London (AIM: AVR):- Avarae Global Coins plc ("Avarae" or the "Company"), the UK's only publicly traded specialist company dedicated to investing in rare and high quality coins, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 September 2015.

Highlights for the period include:

   --     Net asset value per share of 14.5p at period end (30 September 2014: 14.3p); 

-- Additions to the portfolio of GBP514,000 in the period (H1 2014: GBP276,000), including a small number of very high quality rarities.

-- Carrying value of coin inventory of GBP10,956,000 at the period end (H1 2014: GBP10,808,000);

   --     Net cash balance of GBP850,000 at period end (H1 2014: GBP779,000); 
   --     Sales for the six month period of GBP723,000 (H1 2014: GBP81,000); and 
   --     Loss on ordinary activities for the period of GBP180,000 (H1 2014: loss GBP207,000). 

Commenting, Diane Clarke, Director of Avarae, said:

"The first half of the current financial year has been a particularly active one for Avarae, with a significant rebalancing and concentration of the portfolio towards higher value coins resulting in a reduction in the number of coins held by almost one fifth. This, together with a strong balance sheet and an anticipated reduction of administrative costs going forward, means that the directors remain positive about the Company's future prospects both for the current year and longer term."

For further information on Avarae Global Coins plc, please contact:

 
 Diane Clarke/Matt Wood                       +44 (0)16 2461 5614 
 Avarae Global Coins plc 
 
 Paul Shackleton/Nick Prowting                +44 (0)20 7220 1666 
 WH Ireland Ltd 
 
 Toby Hall                                     +44 (0)7713 341072 
 GTH Communications Limited - Financial PR 
 

Directors' Report

Introduction

We are pleased to present the unaudited interim results of Avarae Global Coins plc ("Avarae" or the "Company") for the six months ended 30 September 2015. During the period under review, the Company continued to manage its portfolio of rare and high quality coins, disposing of a significant number of lower value coins and replacing them with a small number of higher quality rarities. In line with the Company's stated strategy, no revaluation of the coin portfolio has been undertaken for the Company's interim results.

Avarae provides access for institutions and individuals wanting to diversify their investment portfolios away from the traditional asset classes, such as equities, property or bonds without the need to be an expert in the coin-collecting sector. The Board's strategy is to invest actively in the rarest and highest quality segment of the coin-collecting sector in various countries around the world. We have built up and are continually adding to an impressive portfolio of extremely high quality, rare coins which we intend to hold predominantly for the long-term (i.e. 3 to 5 years). The aim is to achieve capital growth for our shareholders, while also taking advantage of short-term trading opportunities, as the market for rare coins continues to grow. We also intend, where possible, to provide income to our Shareholders through the regular payment of dividends. Since listing in 2006, the Company has returned more than GBP0.5 million in dividends.

The coin-dealing sector

Activity in the rare coin market remained positive in the period to 30 September 2015, although as noted in our full year results released earlier in the year, in-depth knowledge of the market remains the key to success given the changing dynamics of the market. The numismatic industry continues to witness an influx of new buyers looking for tangible assets and fresh areas to place their money, as traditional asset classes often fail to deliver robust financial gains and continue to exhibit high volatility. The majority of the funds coming into the numismatic market continue to target the higher value coin rarities, which adds considerable pressure on availability. While this trend is good for existing holders of high quality coins, it can be challenging to obtain new pieces to add to the portfolio.

Avarae's investments

In the six month period to 30 September 2015, the Company was particularly active, acquiring approximately GBP514,000 worth of coins (H1 2014: GBP276,000) and disposing of coins for approximately GBP723,000 (H1 2014: GBP81,000). The Company disposed of a significant number of lower value coins (approximately 150 coins) replacing them with a small number of very high quality rarities.

Examples of coins acquired during the year include:

   --     A mint state US Continental Dollar dated 1776 struck in pewter; 
   --     An extremely rare Edward IV, Gold Ryal struck at the Norwich mint; 
   --     One of the finest known Charles II, Five Guinea pieces; and 
   --     A mint state James I, gold Spur Ryal. 

Financial Results

Sales were significantly higher at GBP723,000 compared to the same period last year (H1 2014: GBP81,000), generating a gross profit of GBP24,000 (H1 2014: GBP9,000 loss) at the half year.

The Directors are pleased with the activity in the period. Historically, the Company's second half of its financial year has always been its stronger half in terms of both sales value and the level of gross profit generated. The usual higher sales value in the second half of the year is primarily due to there being a higher number of coin auctions in the second half of the year, whereas the usual higher gross profits generated in H2 is due entirely to the Company's policy of recording the value of coins sold between 1 April and the date of signing the audited accounts for that financial year ("pre-audit sign off sales") at their actual sales price at the year-end (31 March). As a result, all pre-audit sign off sales are recorded in the subsequent interim results with zero gross profit, because profit on those sales has been reflected in the previous year end revaluation. Nevertheless, all coins sold in the interim period to 30 September 2015 were sold at prices higher than their cost price with sales of the English hammered gold coins returning compound annual returns in excess of 10%.

Administrative expenses, which are always tightly controlled, were comparable to the same period last year, at GBP204,000 (H1 2014: GBP198,000). The resulting net loss after tax (before dividends of GBP121,000) for the period was GBP180,000 (H1 2014: loss of GBP207,000), equating to a loss per share of 0.22 pence (H1 2014: loss per share of 0.26 pence).

Importantly, on 17 November 2015, at the Directors' discretion, the Company terminated its management services agreement ("MSA") with Noble Investments (UK) Plc ("Noble") which it had entered into at the time of the Company's admission to trading on AIM in May 2006 and under which the Company paid a quarterly retainer fee to Noble. The Directors may continue to utilise the services of Noble and its subsidiaries in the future but this will be on a case by case basis with fees to be agreed at the time. Accordingly, the Directors anticipate that, through terminating the MSA, the Company should be able to reduce its annual administration costs considerably for the benefit of all shareholders.

Avarae proposed a final dividend on 24 August 2015 of 0.15p per share (2014: 0.15p per share), which, following approval by the Company's shareholders at the AGM held on 23 September 2015, resulted in a payment to shareholders in September 2015 of GBP121,175 (October 2014: GBP121,175). As with the last interim period, no dividend has been declared in respect of the interim period.

In line with our stated strategy, the Company only undertakes its portfolio revaluation exercise at the end of each financial year (31 March), rather than mid-year and, only then, revaluing coins that have been held by the Company for more than 12 months. Accordingly, the GBP514,000 of coins acquired in the period under review, together with the GBP320,000 of coins acquired during the year ended 31 March 2015, remain valued at cost. The total value of the coin portfolio at the period end was GBP10.96 million (30 Sept 2014: GBP10.8 million), spread across more than 800 coins.

The Company ended the period under review with net cash of GBP850,000 (30 September 2014: GBP779,000) and no borrowings. The higher cash balance is primarily as a result positive movements in working capital in the period. Trade and other receivables were GBP0.05 million at the period end (H1 2014: GBP1.2 million) and payables at GBP0.15 million (H1 2014: GBP1.3 million).

At the period end, the Company had net assets of GBP11.7 million (30 September 2014: GBP11.5 million), resulting in a net asset value per Ordinary Share of 14.5p (30 September 2014: 14.3p).

Director changes

On 23 September 2015, Mr Guus Berting, a non-executive director of the Company, stepped down from the board after 7 years' service. The board would like to express its thanks to Mr Berting for his services to the Company during this period.

Outlook

The first half of the current financial year has been a particularly active one for Avarae, with a significant rebalancing and concentration of the portfolio towards higher value coins resulting in a reduction in the number of coins held by almost one fifth. This, together with a strong balance sheet and an anticipated reduction of administrative costs going forward, means the directors remain positive about the Company's future prospects both for the current year and longer term.

18 November 2015

Directors

Avarae Global Coins plc

Unaudited Income Statement

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from 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015

 
                                        1 April   1 April 14      1 April 
                                             15   to 30 Sept           14 
                                     to 30 Sept           14    to 31 Mar 
                                             15                        15 
                                      Unaudited    Unaudited      Audited 
                             Note       GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000 
Revenue 
Sales                                       723           81          626 
Cost of Sales                             (699)         (90)        (425) 
Coin revaluation                              -            -          618 
                                           ----         ----         ---- 
Gross profit/(loss)                          24          (9)          819 
 
Administrative expenses                   (204)        (198)        (440) 
                                           ----         ----         ---- 
(Loss)/Profit on ordinary 
 activities before:                       (180)        (207)          379 
Finance income                                -            -            1 
                                           ----         ----         ---- 
(Loss)/Profit on ordinary 
 activities before tax                    (180)        (207)          380 
Tax on (loss)/profit on                       -            -            - 
 ordinary activities 
                                           ----         ----         ---- 
(Loss)/Profit on ordinary 
 activities after taxation                (180)        (207)          380 
Dividends                                 (121)            -        (121) 
                                           ----         ----         ---- 
Retained (loss)/profit for 
 the period                               (301)        (207)          259 
                                           ----         ----         ---- 
(Loss)/Earnings per share     2         (0.22)p      (0.26)p        0.47p 
 
 

There were no recognised gains or losses other than the loss for the period.

Unaudited Balance Sheet

as at 30 September 2015

 
                                          As at        As at       As at 
                                     30 Sept 15   30 Sept 14   31 Mar 15 
                                      Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                              Note      GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000 
Assets 
Current Assets 
Coin inventory                 3         10,956       10,808      11,141 
Trade and other receivables    4             45        1,203         105 
Cash at bank                                850          779         882 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
Total Assets                             11,851       12,790      12,128 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
 
Liabilities and Equity 
Creditors: amounts falling 
 due within one year           5            151        1,255         127 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
Total Liabilities                           151        1,255         127 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
Equity 
Called up equity share 
 capital                       6            808          808         808 
Share premium                             8,880        8,880       8,880 
Profit and loss account                   2,012        1,847       2,313 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
Total Equity Shareholders' 
 Funds                                   11,700       11,535      12,001 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
Total Liabilities and 
 Equity                                  11,851       12,790      12,128 
                                           ----         ----        ---- 
 

Diane Clarke Matt Wood

Unaudited Cash Flow Statement

From 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015

 
                                            1 April      1 April  1 April 14 
                                                 15           14   to 31 Mar 
                                         to 30 Sept   to 30 Sept          15 
                                                 15           14 
                                          Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                            GBP'000      GBP'000    GBP' 000 
 
Cash flows from operating activities: 
(Loss)/Profit for the period                  (180)        (207)         380 
 
Adjustments for: 
Increase/(Decrease) in payables                  24          395       (733) 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables               60          607       1,705 
Decrease/(increase) in inventory                185        (187)       (521) 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
Net cash flow from operations                    89          608         831 
 
Interest received                                 -            -           1 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
Net cash received from investing 
 activities                                       -            -           1 
 
Dividends paid                                (121)            -       (121) 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
Net cash from financing activities            (121)            -       (121) 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
Net (decrease) / increase in 
 cash and cash equivalents                     (32)          608         711 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
Opening cash position                           882          171         171 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
Closing cash and cash equivalents               850          779         882 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
 

Notes to the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements:

    (1)    Accounting policies 

Basis of accounting

The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The accounting policies and methods of computation in the unaudited interim financial statements are the same as those of the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015.

   (2)     Earnings per share 

The loss per share for the period was 0.22p (H1 2014: loss of 0.26p). The calculation of loss per share is based on the loss on ordinary activities after taxation of GBP180,000 for the period (H1 2014: loss of GBP207, 000) and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period under review remained unchanged at 80,783,334 (2014: 80,783,334).

   (3)     Coin inventory 

At the end of each financial year, the coin inventory is re-valued to market value less the VAT payable on sale. Inventory purchased since 31 March 2015 is included at its original cost price and under the current valuation policy has not been the subject of any revaluations. The valuation of the portfolio held as at 31 March 2015 was carried out by industry experts and only those coins held by the Company for at least 12 months were the subject of a revaluation exercise. This is considered by the Directors to give a fair value for the inventory. The Directors anticipate undertaking a further revaluation exercise for the coming financial year end.

   (4)     Trade and other receivables 
 
                                      As at      As at      As at 
                                    30 Sept    30 Sept  31 Mar 15 
                                         15         14 
                                  Unaudited  Unaudited    Audited 
                                    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
Trade debtors                             -      1,129         83 
Prepayments and other debtors            45         74         22 
                                       ----       ----       ---- 
Total                                    45      1,203        105 
                                       ----       ----       ---- 
 

There are no trade debtors due at 30 September 2015.

   (5)     Payables 
 
                         As at      As at      As at 
                       30 Sept    30 Sept  31 Mar 15 
                            15         14 
                     Unaudited  Unaudited    Audited 
                       GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
Trade creditors            143      1,243         23 
Accrued expenses             8         12         57 
Other Creditors              -          -         47 
                          ----       ----       ---- 
                           151      1,255        127 
                          ----       ----       ---- 
 

All creditors are due within one year.

    (6)    Share capital 
 
                                      As at      As at      As at 
                                 30 Sept 15    30 Sept  31 Mar 15 
                                                    14 
                                  Unaudited  Unaudited    Audited 
                                    GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
Authorised 
Ordinary shares of GBP0.01 
 each                                 2,000      2,000      2,000 
                                       ----       ----       ---- 
Allotted, called up and fully 
 paid 
Ordinary shares of GBP0.01 
 each                                   808        808        808 
                                       ----       ----       ---- 
 
   (7)     Preparation of the Interim Report 

This report was approved by the Directors on 18 November 2015.

The results for the period ended 30 September 2015 are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in the Companies Act.

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