Investment Trust Times: September 30-October 6

Aurora Investment Trust has improved liquidity for shareholders by adopting new continuation vote and tender offer policies

Jackie Beard, FCSI, 6 October, 2010 | 10:39AM
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Absolute Return Trust (ABRE) has received requests under its share switch scheme for the conversion of a small number of shares between EUR and GBP, once the NAV for 30 September 2010 has been released. The impact will be negligible.

AcenciA Debt Strategies (ACD), the global fund-of-hedge funds, has called an EGM on 22 October 2010 to change the company’s Articles of Association, to incorporation of pre-emption rights. This will help the company gain eligibility for inclusion in the FTSE Actuaries Index and thus improve liquidity for shareholders.

The Board of Aurora Investment Trust (ARR) have taken steps to improve liquidity for shareholders. Firstly, they plan to implement a continuation vote every three years instead of five (as was previously the case), with the next vote to be held at the AGM in August 2011. Secondly, the board plans to hold tenders to help improve liquidity, subject to certain conditions being met. If the discount to NAV exceeds 10% over the six-month period prior to calling the AGM (based on the average daily discount), the company will implement a tender offer for up to 10% of shares at a discount of 9%.

BH Global (BHGG) has issued 160,808 new GBP shares and 487,953 EUR shares, and cancelled 872,314 USD shares following their most recent share conversion opportunity, at NAV on 31 August 2010. Shareholders in BH Macro (BHMG) were also given the same opportunity, the result of which means 806,217 new GBP shares and the cancellation of 4,200 EUR shares and 1,266,578 USD shares.

BlackRock Commodities (BRCC) has announced the admission of 20million C shares to the Official List following its placing and offer for subscription, effective 30 September 2010.

Timber specialists Cambium Global Timberland (TREE) is diversifying its asset base away from the US and towards Brazil, with the sale of land in Texas which is expected to raise around USD 18 million. The company expects to use around USD 5.3 million to pay down debt and the remainder invested in the company’s forestation projects in Brazil.

Carador Income Fund (CIF) has raised approximately USD 33 million through a placing of new shares, the issue price of which has been based on NAV at 30 September 2010. Shares are expected to be admitted to the Official List on 21 October 2010.

The next conversion opportunity for shareholders in F&C Managed Portfolio Growth (FMPG) and F&C Managed Portfolio Income (FMPI) was set for 29 October 2010; after this, the next opportunity won’t be until October 2011. Under this scheme, shareholders have the right to convert Growth shares into Income shares and vice versa. However, insufficient requests were received to meet the minimum conversion levels so no conversions will be made this year.

Iimia Plc (IIM) has changed its name to Miton Worldwide Growth.

Impax Asian Environmental Markets (IAEM) plans to issue C shares in response to investor demand. C shares will convert into ordinary shares either on 31 December 2010 or when 80% of the total net issue’s proceeds have been invested, whichever is sooner. This will not be underwritten and will only proceed if subscriptions exceed £40million.

Shareholders have approved the proposed wind-up of Invesco English & International (IEI) and the company has now been placed into voluntary liquidation.

Healthcare infrastructure company MedicX (MXF) has had approval given for the listing of 172,370 ordinary shares, as a result of their scrip dividend scheme. Elections for a scrip dividend were received from 6.5% of ordinary share capital.

Octopus AIM VCT (OOA) has completed its share capital restructure, first announced on 8 June 2010. It is now able to reinstate its share buyback scheme and resume the payment of dividends.

Shareholders of Quorum Oil & Gas Technology (QOGT) have approved the appointment of SGW Capital Managers as the company’s investment manager, albeit by a very narrow margin. Despite this headline change, the underlying managers are still David Sefton and Michael Goffin. Shareholders rejected the proposal to change the name of the company.

On 1 September 2010 Raven Russia (RUS) announced a tender offer to buy back 1 share in 58 at 54 pence. Since the announcement the share price has risen sufficiently that the Board has amended the terms of the tender offer. The new terms are 1 share for every 62 at 58 pence.

South African Property Opps (SAPO) have appointed a new investment manager, Group 5 Property Development (Pty) Ltd. Group 5 started to work alongside the existing managers, Saltus, on 4 October 2010 and this handover period will end on 20 October, when they take sole charge.

Shareholders of Vision Opportunities China (VOC) have approved the resolution to migrate the company’s listing from AIM in favour of the Official List. In addition, Dr Randolph Cohen has resigned from the Board. Cohen is a co-founder of Vision Capital Advisors, the investment manager to the company, and he remains at the firm.

Non-Executive Directors – Appointments
Baring Emerging Europe (BEE) – Ivo Coulson
British Smaller Tech Cos VCT 2 (BST) – Peter Waller
Downing Planned Exit VCT 2 (DPV2) – Michael Robinson
JPMorgan Indian (JII) – Hugh Sanderman

Director Resignations/Retirements
European Convergence Development Property (ECDC) – Erwin Brunner
European Convergence Property (ECPC) – Erwin Brunner
Henderson Opportunities (HOT) – Richard Smith
Vision Opportunity China (VOC) – Dr Randolph Cohen

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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