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BAT - Brait SE - Audited final results for the year ended 31 March 2012 and

Release Date: 06/06/2012 07:05
Code(s): BAT
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BAT - Brait SE - Audited final results for the year ended 31 March 2012 and declaration of dividend Brait SE (Registered in Malta as a European Company) (Registration No. SE1) Share code: BAT & ISIN: LU0011857645 ("Brait", the "Company" or "Group") AUDITED FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012 AND DECLARATION OF DIVIDEND HIGHLIGHTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share up 25% to ZAR20.59 on ZAR16.50 Rights Offer Price (61% increase for the year) - Proposed bonus share dividend (with cash alternative of 20.59 ZAR cents per share) - Normalised headline earnings per share up 189% to ZAR4.33 (2011: ZAR1.50) - Headline earnings per share up 249% to ZAR5.45 (2011: ZAR1.56) - Operating expenses of ZAR117 million are 60% down from prior year (2011: ZAR290 million) - Cash and cash equivalent ratio to NAV ratio at 5% OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS - Successful transition from traditional private equity fund manager to investment holding company - Completion of the ZAR8.6 billion capital raise (ZAR6.4 billion equity and ZAR2.2 billion debt) - ZAR6.4 billion invested on the acquisition of significant stakes in Pepkor, Premier Foods and Iceland Foods Abridged Group Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended Audited Audited Notes Audited Audited 31 31 31 31 March March March March 2011 2012 2012 2011 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m 276 2 568 Investment gains 2 251 28 274 257 Other investment income 25 28 (290) (117) Operating expenses 3 (11) (30) (49) (62) Finance costs 4 (6) (4) (36) (39) Taxation 5 (4) (4) Profit for the year/ 255 18 175 2 607 earnings (61) 48 Translation adjustment (7) (1) Comprehensive income for 248 17 114 2 655 the year SALIENT FEATURES
Headline earnings (R`m / 175 2 173 EUR`m) 6 213 18 Net asset value per share
1 278 2 059 (cents) 201 133 N/A 25% Net asset value CAGR (%)# N/A N/A Normalised headline earnings 150 433 per share (cents)* 42 15 Headline earnings per share (cents) 156 545 - Basic 53 16 153 545 - Diluted 53 16 Earnings per share (cents) 156 654 - Basic 64 16 153 654 - Diluted 64 16 Proposed / paid dividends per
74.24 20.59 share (cents) 2.13 7.74 FINANCIAL STATISTICS Market capitalization (R`m
2 231 10 534 /EUR`m) 1 030 312 119 506 Shares in issue (m) 506 119 (2) (5) Treasury shares (m) (5) (2) 117 501 Shares outstanding (m) 501 117 Weighted average shares in issue (m) 112 399 - Basic 399 112 114 399 - Diluted 399 114 1 875 2 081 Closing share price (cents) 203 262 # Compound Annual Growth Rate "CAGR" is calculated over any three year period commencing on 1 April 2011 and assuming an opening NAV of the ZAR16.50 Rights Offer Price. *Headline earnings for the year divided by actual shares outstanding Abridged Group Statement of Financial Position as at Audited Audited Notes Audited Audited 31 31 31 31 March March March March 2011 2012 2012 2011 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m ASSETS 1 935 11 251 Non-current assets 1,099 202 1 925 9 961 Investments 973 201 Commercial loan to
- 1 284 Investment Team 7 125 - 10 6 Property and equipment 1 1 219 543 Current assets 53 23 47 20 Accounts receivable 2 5 172 523 Cash and cash equivalents 51 18 2 154 11,794 Total assets 1,152 225 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 1 491 10,321 Equity and reserves 1,008 157 570 1,410 Non-current liabilities 138 59 450 - Redeemable preference shares - 47 2 1,370 Borrowings 8 134 - 118 40 Deferred tax liability 4 12 93 63 Current liabilities 6 9 2 154 11,794 Total equity and liabilities 1,152 225 119 506 Shares in issue (m) 506 119 (2) (5) Treasury shares (m) (5) (2) Outstanding shares for NAV 117 501 calculation (m) 501 117 1 278 2 059 Net asset value per share 201 133 (cents)
Abridged Group Statements of Changes in Equity for the year ended Audited Audited Audited Audited 31 31 31 31 March March March March 2011 2012 2012 2011 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m Balance at beginning of the 1 382 1 491 year 157 140 Rights Offer and Private Placement issue - 6 389 ("Transaction") 624 - - (198) Transaction costs (19) - 175 2 607 Profit for the year 255 18 (61) 48 Translation adjustments (7) (1) (Buyback) / sale of treasury 10 (16) shares/rights (2) 2 Issue of shares - Sitogo 166 - unwind - 17 1 - Share entitlements - - (182) - Ordinary dividends paid - (19) 1 491 10 321 Balance at end of year 1 008 157 Group Statement of Cash Flow for the year ended Audited Audited Audited Audited 31 31 31 31 March March March March 2011 2012 2012 2011 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m Cash flows from operating
activities: 17 1 126 Sale of investments 110 2 87 75 Fees received 7 9 22 4 Interest received - 2 13 - Dividends received - 1 66 - Fees received in advance - 7 (162) (162) Operating expenses paid (15) (17) (3) (118) Taxation paid (12) - (56) (30) Interest paid (3) (6) (16) 895 Operating cash flow excluding 87 (2) purchases of investments - (6 450) Purchase of investments (630) - Net cash used in operating (16) (5 555) activities (543) (2) - Acquisition of property and (2) equipment - - - Net cash used in investing (2) activities - -
Proceeds from Rights Offer and Private Placement Issue - 6 389 ("Transaction") 624 - - (187) Transaction costs (18) - Net proceeds from long-term (4) 1 337 borrowings 131 - - (1 200) Commercial loan to Investment Team (117) - Repayment of redeemable preference
- (450) shares (44) - (Buyback) / sale of treasury 19 (16) shares/rights (2) 2 (182) - Dividends paid - (19) (4) - Sitogo unwind - - (9) - Share scheme dividends paid - (1) Net cash from/(used in) financing (180) 5 873 activities 574 (18) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and (198) 318 cash equivalents 31 (20) Effects of exchange rate changes on
(18) 33 cash and cash equivalents 2 (2) Cash and cash equivalents at 281 172 beginning of year 18 29 Cash and cash equivalents at end of
65 523 year 51 7 Reclassification of liquid product 107 - investments as cash - 11 Revised cash and cash equivalents at
172 523 end of year 51 18 Extracted Notes to the abridged financial statements for the year ended 1. Basis for preparation The financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union, on the going concern principle, using the historical cost basis, except where otherwise indicated. The abridged financial statements are presented in accordance with IAS 34 (Interim Financial reporting). The accounting policies and methods of computation are consistent with those applied in the prior year, except for segment reporting and dual presentation currencies as explained below: 1.1 Segmental Reporting - The change in the Group`s business model has resulted in only one business segment. Segment reporting is therefore no longer required. 1.2 Dual presentation currencies - The Group`s main presentation currency has changed to the Euro following the Company`s migration from Luxembourg to Malta, in accordance with the local Companies Act requirements. The ZAR has replaced the USD as the alternative presentation currency. The Group has three functional currencies: USD (US$), GBP and SA Rand (ZAR) for the respective jurisdictions in which it operates. The financial statements have been prepared using the following exchange rates at yearend: USD/ZAR 7.6687 USD/EUR 0.7492 GBP/ZAR 12.2900 GBP/EUR 1.2006 EUR/ZAR 10.2364 2. Investment gains: Audited Audited Note Audited Audited 31 31 31 March 31 March March March 2011 2012 2012 2011 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m Unrealised revaluation of 208 28
275 2 129 investments Gain on fair value of - 434 retained investment 6.1 42 - Net gain on disposal of
1 5 investments 1 - 276 2 568 Total investment gains 251 28 3. Operating expenses includes the following amounts: 163 67 Employee costs 7 16 5 7 Retirement funding costs 1 1 37 8 Directors emoluments 1 4 19 13 Audit and professional fees 1 2 20 11 Office related costs 1 2 4. Finance costs: Interest expense and facility 7 51 fees 5 1 42 11 Preference share dividends 1 3 49 62 Total finance costs 6 4 5. Taxation: 36 39 Foreign taxation 4 4 7 20 Current 2 1 20 11 Deferred 1 2 9 8 Other 1 1 6. Headline earnings reconciliation Profit for the year/ 255 18
175 2 607 earnings - (434) Capital Item 6.1 (42) - 175 2 173 Headline earnings 213 18 6.1 Capital Item - ZAR434 million As previously communicated to the market following the Company`s business model change to an investment holding company, the Company`s asset management units were restructured to non-controlled investments. The remaining interests were fair valued through the Statement of Comprehensive Income on the loss of control in accordance with IAS 27, resulting in the above capital profit. At the reporting date, a fair value loss has been charged against the carrying value of the asset. 6.2 Interim Results to 30 September 2011 In the Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2011, the net ZAR434 million capital profit had been treated as a credit to opening retained earnings instead of a credit to the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Had the current year end treatment been followed at 30 September 2011, the profit for the interim period would have increased by ZAR434 million, while the closing NAV and headline earnings would have remained unchanged. Below is a summary of the differences: 30 Sept 30 Sept 30 Sept 30 Sept 2010 2011 2011 2010 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m 1 960 9 099 Reported Net Asset Value 839 206 (411) - Capital Item - (43) 1 549 9 099 Restated Net Asset Value 839 163 93 1 038 Reported Headline Earnings 102 10 23 - Capital Item - 2 116 1 038 Restated Headline Earnings 102 12 93 1 038 Reported Interim Earnings 102 10 23 434 Capital Item 42 2 116 1 472 Restated Interim Earnings 144 12 7. Commercial loan to Investment Team The loan to the Investment Team is ZAR-denominated and bears interest at the Johannesburg Inter Bank Acceptance Rate ("JIBAR") plus 3,5%, with the right to roll up interest. The loan is repayable at the end of its five-year term with an option to extend for another five years. 8. Borrowings Borrowings from First Rand Bank Limited (trading through its Rand Merchant Bank division) and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited are ZAR-denominated, bear interest at JIBAR plus 3.4% to 4.0% and interest is repayable semi- annually, with the right to roll up the interest. The borrowings are repayable after five years with an option to extend for another five years. 9. Related parties Audited Audited Audited Audited 31 31 31 March 31 March March March 2011 2012 2012 2011 R`m R`m EUR`m EUR`m Statement of Financial Position Balances
Commercial loan to - 1 284 Investment Team 125 - 17 - Accounts receivable - 2 Profit from operations
include: (2) - Fees paid - - (37) (8) Directors` remuneration (1) (1) - 84 Interest income 8 - Statement of changes in equity Transaction costs - legal
- (13) fees (1) - 10. Subsequent events No events have taken place between 31 March 2012 and the date of the release of this report, which would have a material impact on either the financial position or operating results of the Group. Auditor`s opinion The auditors, Deloitte Audit Limited, have issued their opinion on the group`s financial statements for the 31 March 2012 year end. The audit was conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. They have issued an unmodified audit opinion. These abridged provisional financial statements have been derived from the group financial statements and are consistent in all material respects, with the group financial statements. A copy of their audit report is available for inspection at the company`s registered office. Any reference to future financial performance included in this announcement, has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company`s auditors. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS The Business of Brait Brait is a listed investment company that focuses its investments in primarily privately owned businesses. The Group also has interests in management companies that oversee traditional private equity funds. The defensive nature of Brait`s portfolio has been key in the Group`s ability to post a solid performance for the year under review, which has been characterized by a challenging economic environment. Brait`s new business model The Board of Directors is pleased to report to the Company`s shareholders on the results for the year ended 31 March 2012. This has been a milestone year for the Company which saw a successful change in the business model from an alternative asset manager to an investment holding company. The change was underpinned by the successful completion of the ZAR8.6 billion new capital raise, which was made up of ZAR6.4 billion from the Rights Offer and Private Placement concluded on 4 July 2011, as well as ZAR2.2 billion of debt facilities. Key milestones for the year included: - Securing the Titan Group as an anchor shareholder of Brait, with Dr CH Wiese becoming a non-executive director of Brait; - Alignment of interests between shareholders and the Investment Team with the latter`s acquisition of an 18% interest in Brait; - Acquisition of significant stakes in Pepkor, Premier Foods and Iceland Foods for a total of ZAR6.4 billion; - Restructuring of the format of the Board of Directors into a European style investment vehicle which is made up exclusively of non-executive directors whose primary responsibility is to oversee the Company`s strategy and investment management functions; - Conversion of the Company`s asset management units into fair value portfolio companies; and - Restructuring into a European Company domiciled in Malta with resultant name change from Brait Societe Anonyme to Brait Societas Europaea (Brait SE). Since the last reporting period in November 2011, the Company has continued to successfully drive value from its underlying portfolio. In addition, the Directors were pleased to announce on 9 March 2012 the successful acquisition of 18.7% in Iceland Foods, a leader in the frozen food market segment in the United Kingdom. This acquisition, which was completed alongside Iceland Food`s experienced management team, represents a quality investment for Brait in an industry that the Company is familiar with and enhances the defensive nature of the Group`s portfolio through additional exposure to the cash consumer retail sector. Value drivers Growth in NAV as determined by the fair value of its underlying portfolio is the Company`s key performance measure. In summary, the Directors believe that the following factors are the core value drivers for the business: - Growth in NAV; - Minimal cost leakage; - Minimal balance sheet cash drag; - Significant cash flow within the underlying assets; and - Predictable and consistent dividend to NAV yield. A summary of Brait`s results as measured by these key value drivers is as follows: Growth in NAV Brait will be targeting to grow its NAV per share at a compound rate of at least 15% per annum (CAGR) over any three-year period commencing 1 April 2011 and assuming an opening NAV of the ZAR16.50 Rights Offer Price. The Directors are pleased that the Group has exceeded this key performance measure for its maiden reporting period under review. The Group`s NAV per share of ZAR20.59 at 31 March 2012 represents a 25% increase on the ZAR16.50 Rights Offer Price, and a 61% increase on the prior year. The Group`s valuation policy is in accordance with the principles of the International Private Equity and Venture Capital (IPEVC) guidelines and IFRS. At reporting date, the EV/EBITDA valuation multiples for the portfolio are Pepkor at 8x; Premier Foods at 6.5x; Iceland Foods at 6.5x; with the remaining investments carried at an average of 6.6x. It is pleasing to note that the NAV increase is attributable primarily to EBITDA growth and cash flow generation within investee companies while using similar EBITDA valuation multiples. The current NAV break-down is as follows: 31 March 31 March % 2012 2012 R`m EUR`m 9 961 Investments 973 84% 6 701 Pepkor 655 57% 1 191 Premier Foods 116 10% 998 Iceland Foods 97 8% 584 Private equity fund investments 57 5% 384 Other investments 38 3% 103 Asset Management Units (AMU) 10 1% 6 Property and equipment 1 - Commercial loan to Investment 1 284 Team 125 12% 20 Accounts receivable 2 - 523 Cash and cash equivalents 51 4% 11 794 Total assets 1 152 100% 1 473 Total liabilities 144 1 370 Borrowings 134 40 Deferred tax liability 4 63 Current liabilities 6 10 321 Net Asset Value 1 008 Number of issued shares (`mil,
excluding treasury shares) 501 501 Net asset value per share (cents) 2 059 201 Key highlights of the Group`s portfolio are: - Pepkor, the Group`s largest investment, has continued to trade well for the six months ended 31 December 2011, showing solid revenue and EBITDA growth; - The key operational changes reported for Premier Foods at the interim results have been successfully implemented, with the business on track to meet its upwardly revised earnings target to June 2012. Premier Foods acquired controlling stakes in two Swaziland bakeries during February 2012 to form Premier Swazi Bakeries, as well as initiating a multi-year capital expenditure programme to expand and upgrade its operations; - Brait successfully acquired an 18.7% stake in Iceland Foods for a net consideration of GBP81.2 million. This investment has been carried at cost at 31 March 2012 adjusted for cash on hand and the impact of the closing ZAR/GBP exchange rate; - The Brait IV private equity investments have shown steady performance for the year under review; and - Cash and cash equivalents have decreased since the interim results in line with the acquisition of Iceland Foods. The Company has ZAR523 million cash on hand in addition to ZAR527 million of unutilised debt facilities. Minimal cost leakage A key objective of the new Brait model is to have an efficient cost structure. To achieve this, the Group streamlined its middle and back-office functions and effected the necessary headcount reductions. The Group has reduced its headcount from 95 to 30 as at 31 March 2012. The above structural changes have translated into a 60% decrease in operating costs from ZAR290 million last year to ZAR117 million. Measured against Brait`s benchmark of gross operating costs to Assets Under Management ("AUM") ratio of 0.85% or less, the current year ratio is 0.79%.The net operating costs ratio after fee income for the year is 0.27%. Minimal balance sheet cash drag Brait`s target cash to NAV percentage is equivalent to or less than 25%, with the current ratio at a comfortable 5.1%. This translates into 4.4% of total assets. The cash and cash equivalents are invested in low risk instruments that reduce term and liquidity risks for the Group. Significant cash flow within the underlying assets The Directors believe it is critical to demonstrate regular cash flow within the underlying investments. The main assets held by the Company are cash generative with high earnings-to-cash conversion ratios. Predictable and consistent dividend to NAV yield Brait`s new business model has necessitated a change in its dividend policy. Dividends are considered annually when the results for each year are published. The extent of any dividends are determined relative to net operating cash flows and to the proceeds received on the realisation of loans and investments from time to time and which are not earmarked for new projects or required for liquidity. The Group`s dividend policy is a dividend to NAV yield of 1% - 2.5% per annum to be paid by either cash or a bonus share issue. See details on the final proposed dividend for the year below. Group funding position The Directors believe that the Group is adequately funded, with ZAR1 billion available to fund new investment opportunities. In addition to shareholders` equity of ZAR10.3 billion, the Group has raised ZAR2.2 billion long-term borrowings, of which ZAR527 million is still available for drawdown. During the year, the Group redeemed in full its ZAR450 million preference shares which had been in issue since 2006. In addition, a net ZAR16 million was used to buy back Brait`s own shares. The Group continues to explore new sources of funding through raising cheaper and more permanent forms of capital to achieve a more efficient capital structure. Proposed dividend The Board of Directors has proposed a final dividend distribution of 20.59 ZAR cents or 2.13 EUR cents (equivalent to 1% of Brait`s NAV per share at 31 March 2012), for the financial year ended 31 March 2012. The dividend will be by way of a bonus share issue of new, fully paid, ordinary Brait Shares with a par value of EUR 0.22 each ("New Shares") in proportion to shareholders` shareholding in Brait, payable to shareholders recorded in the register on the Friday 10 August 2012 (the "Bonus Share Issue"). Shareholders will be entitled, in respect of all or part of their shareholding as of the record date (10 August 2012), to elect to receive a cash dividend of 20.59 ZAR cents or 2.13 EUR cents per ordinary share (the "Cash Dividend Alternative") held in lieu of all or part of the Bonus Share Issue to which they would have been entitled, which will be paid only to those shareholders whose election forms to receive the Cash Dividend Alternative, in respect of all or part of their shareholding are received by the transfer secretaries on or before 12:00 p.m. on Friday, 10 August 2012. The Bonus Share Issue and Cash Dividend Alternative (and necessary changes to the Company`s articles of association) are, however, subject to shareholder approval at the Company`s AGM on 25 July 2012. Shareholders not electing to receive the Cash Dividend Alternative in respect of all or part of their shareholding will, without any action on their part, be issued with New Shares in accordance with their shareholding pursuant to the Bonus Share Issue. The number of New Shares to which shareholders will be entitled pursuant to the Bonus Share Issue will be determined by such shareholder`s shareholding in Brait as of the 10 August 2012 in relation to the ratio that 20.59 ZAR cents bears to ZAR22.62, being the 60-day volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of ordinary Brait shares on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange ("LuxSE") and the Johannesburg Securities Exchange ("JSE") during the trading period ending on Monday 4 June 2012. A circular and an election form will be sent to all shareholders on Friday 22 June 2012 containing full details of the Bonus Share Issue and Cash Dividend Alternative. The rationale for the Bonus Share Issue is to afford shareholders the opportunity to increase their shareholding in Brait and retain the Company`s flexibility on cash holdings. The Bonus Share Issue and the Cash Dividend Alternative may have tax implications for shareholders. The receipt of New Shares by South African resident shareholders should not be classified as a dividend or a foreign dividend for South African tax purposes and hence dividends tax should not be levied on the New Shares. For those South African resident shareholders electing the Cash Dividend Alternative in lieu of the New Shares, such amount will be regarded as a foreign dividend, but may be subject to South African dividends tax at the rate of 15%, unless an exemption as set out in the South African Income Tax legislation applies. If dividends tax does apply, the net dividend will be 17.50 ZAR cents. Shareholders are therefore encouraged to consult with their professional advisors should they be in any doubt as to the appropriate action to take. The issued share capital at the date of this announcement is 506 200 693 ordinary shares. The salient dates are as follows: EVENT 2012 Circular and form of election posted to shareholders on: Friday, 22 June AGM approving the Bonus Share Issue/Cash Dividend Alternative on: Wednesday, 25 July Last day to trade in order to be eligible for the Bonus Share Issue or, alternatively, the Cash Dividend Alternative on: Thursday, 2 August Ordinary shares trade "ex" the Bonus Share Issue/Cash Dividend Alternative on: Friday, 3 August Last day for election forms to receive the Cash Dividend Alternative instead of the Bonus Share Issue to reach the Transfer Secretaries by 12:00 Friday, 10 August p.m. on: Record date in respect of the Bonus Share Issue/Cash Dividend Alternative on: Friday, 10 August Share certificates and dividend cheques posted, CSDP/participant/broker accounts credited/updated and New Shares listed on the LuxSE and JSE on: Tuesday, 14 August Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised, nor may transfers between the Luxembourg and South African registers take place between Friday, 3 August 2012 and Friday, 10 August 2012, both days inclusive. Please note that the New Shares to be issued in terms of the Bonus Share Issue may not be traded until Tuesday, 14 August 2012. Group outlook The Directors believe that this has been a momentous year for Brait capped by the strong financial results. The Group has successfully transitioned to the new business model and is well positioned for the future. For and on behalf of the Board Phillip Jabulani Moleketi Non-Executive Chairman 5 June 2012 Directors (all non-executive) PJ Moleketi (Chairman)* AC Ball* CD Keogh## RJ Koch##, CS Seabrooke* R Schembri+ HRW Troskie** SJP Weber# Dr CH Wiese* +Maltese #Luxembourgish ##British **Dutch *South African The Company is primarily listed on the Euro MTF market of the LuxSE and secondarily listed on the JSE. Brait SE Registration No: SE1 Sponsor RAND MERCHANT BANK (a division of FirstRand Bank Limited) Date: 06/06/2012 07:05:02 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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