Barramundi Limited/Announcement
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Barramundi reports $12.7m Interim Net Profit

Half Year Results20 February 2018BRMFinancials

Barramundi Limited (BRM)
Results for announcement to the market


Reporting Period 6 months to 31 December 2017

Previous Reporting Period 6 months to 31 December 2016


Amount (000s) Percentage change

Revenue from ordinary

activities

$NZ 13,969 422%

Profit (loss) from ordinary

activities after tax

attributable to security

holder

$NZ 12,659 1,037%

Net profit (loss) attributable

to security holders

$NZ 12,659 1,037%


Dividend Amount per security Imputed amount per

security

Barramundi will pay a

partially imputed quarterly

dividend in line with its

distribution policy.

$NZ 1.38 cps $NZ 0.000106


Record Date 15 March 2018

Dividend Payment Date 29 March 2018


Comments:

The interim financial statements attached to this report

have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and are

not subject to a qualification. A copy of the independent

review report applicable to the interim financial statements

is attached to this announcement.



Net asset value per share 31 December 2017 $0.69 (2016: $0.65)

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For immediate release:


19 February 2018



Barramundi reports $12.7m Interim Net Profit

 Gross performance return +14.8%

 Total shareholder return +6.7%

 2.61cps dividends paid

The Barramundi portfolio delivered strongly during first half FY18, achieving a gross performance

return of nearly 15% and a net profit after tax of $12.7m.

Barramundi outperformed its market index¹ for the period lifting 14.8% compared to 10.2% for the

index¹. This is an excellent result for shareholders in the Australian listed equities investment

company, especially given the restrained performance of the Australian market over recent years.

As stated above, this is an excellent result for Barramundi shareholders. While market conditions

have definitely been favourable to Australian equities, the Barramundi portfolio has outperformed,

returning good results for shareholders who have backed the Fisher Funds STEEPP portfolio

approach.

In accordance with Barramundi’s consistent 8% per annum managed distribution policy, the

company will pay a partially imputed dividend of 1.38 cents per share to shareholders on 29 March,

taking total dividends for the year to date (three of four quarterly payments per annum) to just

under 4 cents per share.

Barramundi has a number of capital initiatives in place (share buybacks, warrants programme,

managed distribution policy) designed to help reduce the discount between share price and the net

asset value of the portfolio. Nevertheless, at market close on 16 February there was still a significant

gap between price ($0.58) and net asset value ($0.67). This discount does however present an

opportunity for Barramundi to acquire its own shares and the company took advantage of the

discount between net asset value and share price by acquiring 2.6m shares during the period.

41% of Barramundi warrants were exercised and converted into shares on 24 November 2017,

bringing in an additional $8.6m which has been invested across the portfolio. The board believes

warrants are viewed favourably by shareholders and monitors a range of factors, including the

discount levels, to determine the potential timing for a further warrants issue.

As at 31 December 2017, the Barramundi portfolio was valued at $99.7m plus cash on hand of

$12.6m. Barramundi’s investment philosophy is to be relatively fully invested in equities (more than

90%) so that shareholders can make their own asset/investment allocation decisions depending on

how they perceive the economic outlook. Acquisitions during the month of January 2018 meant
that the invested percentage had moved back above the 90% level by close of month.

The key components of the 2018 interim result were gains on financial assets of $12.5m, dividend

and interest income of $1.5m, a tax benefit of $0.7m, offset by operating expenses and tax of $2.0m.

Barramundi’s Chair, Alistair Ryan, said “Barramundi’s focus on quality, growth Australian companies

has provided good returns during the half year period. The Manager has not compromised its

rigorous approach to stock selection and retention that aligns with its long-established STEEPP

criteria, which has provided robust returns to the Barramundi portfolio.”

Barramundi’s Acting Portfolio Manager (and Fisher Funds’ Chief Investment Officer), Frank Jasper

said, “Sticking to our focus of investing in high quality, growth companies has paid off in the six

months to 31 December 2017 with Barramundi’s investments in technology companies such as

WiseTech, Carsales.com and NextDC all gaining to new highs. It was also pleasing to receive a

takeover offer for long time portfolio holding Toxfree Solutions in December. While we don’t invest

in anticipation of a takeover, it is a good outcome when other companies also recognise the quality

of a portfolio holding and we can exit at an attractive price.”

For further information please contact:


Corporate Manager

Barramundi Limited

Tel: (09) 484 0345


¹ S&P/ASX 200 Index (hedged 70% to NZD)

The adjusted net asset value, gross performance return and total shareholder return methodologies are described in the

Barramundi Non-GAAP Financial Information policy. A copy of the policy is available at

http://www.barramundi.co.nz/about-barramundi/barramundi-policies/



About Barramundi

Barramundi is a listed investment company that invests in growing Australian companies. The Barramundi portfolio is

managed by Fisher Funds, a specialist fund manager with a track record of successfully investing in growth company shares.

The aim of Barramundi is to offer investors competitive returns through capital growth and dividends, and access to a

diversified portfolio of investments through a single, tax-efficient investment vehicle. Barramundi listed on the NZX Main

Board on 26 October 2006 and may invest in companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (with a primary focus

on those outside the top 20 at the time of investment) or unlisted companies.

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PricewaterhouseCoopers, 188 Quay Street, Private Bag 92162, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
T: +64 9 355 8000, F: +64 9 355 8001, pwc.co.nz

Independent review report

to the shareholders of Barramundi Limited



Report on the Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying interim financial statements of Barramundi Limited (the

Company) on pages 1 to 9, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2017,

and the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of changes in equity and the statement of

cash flows for the period ended on that date, and notes to the interim financial statements.

Directors’ responsibility for the interim financial statements

The Directors are responsible on behalf of the Company for the preparation and presentation of these

interim financial statements in accordance with New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting

Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting (NZ IAS 34) and for such internal control as the Directors

determine is necessary to enable the preparation of interim financial statements that are free from

material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the accompanying interim financial statements based

on our review. We conducted our review in accordance with the New Zealand Standard on Review

Engagements 2410 Review of Financial Statements Performed by the Independent Auditor of the

Entity (NZ SRE 2410). NZ SRE 2410 requires us to conclude whether anything has come to our

attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial statements, taken as a whole, are not

prepared in all material respects, in accordance with NZ IAS 34. As the auditor of the Company, NZ

SRE 2410 requires that we comply with the ethical requirements relevant to the audit of the annual

financial statements.

A review of interim financial statements in accordance with NZ SRE 2410 is a limited assurance

engagement. The auditor performs procedures, primarily consisting of making enquiries, primarily of

persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review

procedures. The procedures performed in a review are substantially less than those performed in an

audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) and

International Standards on Auditing. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on these interim

financial statements.

We are independent of the Company. Other than in our capacity as auditor, we have no relationship

with, or interests in, the Company.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that these interim

financial statements of the Company are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with NZ

IAS 34.

Who we report to

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, as a body. Our review work has been

undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s shareholders those matters which we are required

to state to them in our review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law,

we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the shareholders, as a body, for our

review procedures, for this report, or for the conclusion we have formed.


For and on behalf of:




Chartered Accountants Auckland

19 February 2018

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