TIDMARGO

RNS Number : 9342I

ARGO Group Limited

10 August 2023

Argo Group Limited

("Argo" or the "Company")

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2023

Argo today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

Key highlights for the six months period ended 30 June 2023

This report sets out the results of Argo Group Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively "the Group" or "Argo") covering the six months ended 30 June 2023.

   -     Revenues US$1.5 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.3 million) 
   -     Operating loss US$0.7 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.5 million) 
   -     Profit before tax US$0.1 million (six months to 30 June 2022: loss before tax US$3.5 million) 
   -     Net assets US$19.7 million (31 December 2022: US$19.6 million) 

Commenting on the results and outlook, Kyriakos Rialas, Chief Executive of Argo said:

"Argo Group was profitable for the first six months of 2023 mainly due to a positive performance of its investment in The Argo Fund and continuous control of expenses. The group maintains good liquidity and its operational and investment team has the capacity to take on a third first loss managed account in the second half of 2023. During the first half of 2023, the two first loss managed accounts were up 15%. Emerging markets continue to be adversely affected by inflation and higher interest rates but there are signs that disinflation and lower rates has already started ahead of developed markets. As a result, our macro strategy has outperformed distressed debt with many sovereigns still negotiating and waiting for IMF approvals. Finally, the situation in Ukraine remains unstable with the shopping mall in Odessa now opened but only up to 60% capacity."

Enquiries

Argo Group Limited

Andreas Rialas

020 7016 7660

Panmure Gordon

Dominic Morley

020 7886 2500

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Key highlights for the six months ended 30 June 2023

This report sets out the results of Argo Group Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively "the Group" or "Argo") covering the six months ended 30 June 2023.

   -     Revenues US$1.5 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.3 million) 
   -     Operating loss US$0.7 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.5 million) 
   -     Profit before tax US$0.1 million (six months to 30 June 2022: loss before tax US$3.5 million) 
   -     Net assets US$19.7 million (31 December 2022: US$19.6 million) 

The Group and its investment objective

Argo's investment objective is to provide investors with absolute returns in the funds that it manages by investing in multi strategy investments in emerging markets.

Argo was listed on the AIM market in November 2008 and has a performance track record dating back to 2000.

Business and operational review

For the six months ended 30 June 2023 the Group generated revenues of US$1.5 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.3 million) with management fees accounting for US$1.1 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.1 million).

Total operating costs for the period, ignoring bad debt provisions, are US$1.8 million compared to US$2.5 million for the six months to 30 June 2022 . The Group has provided against management fees of US$0.4 million due from the Designated share class in The Argo Fund ("TAF") (six months to 30 June 2022: US$0.3 million). In the Directors' view these amounts are fully recoverable however they have concluded that it would only be appropriate to recognise income without provision from these investment management services once a liquidity event occurs in this share class.

Overall, the financial statements show an operating loss for the period of US$0.7 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$1.5 million) and a profit before tax of US$0.1 million (six months to 30 June 2022: loss before tax of US$3.5 million). Net profit on investments of US$0.3 million (six months to 30 June 2022: net loss on investments US$2.5 million) and interest income of US$0.5 million (six months to 30 June 2022: US$0.5 million).

At the period end, the Group had net assets of US$19.7 million (31 December 2022: US$19.6 million) and net current assets of US$5.4 million (31 December 2022: US$6.0 million) including cash reserves of US$1.2 million (31 December 2022: US$1.6 million).

Net assets include investments in The Argo Fund ("TAF") at fair values of US$4.5 million (31 December 2022: US$4.4 million).

At the period end TAF owed the Group total fees of US$2.4 million ( 31 December 2022 : US$2.1 million). At 30 June 2023, a provision for US$2.3 million was made against this amount as the timing of the receipt of the fees from the designated share class in TAF is unknown.

TAF ended the period with Assets under Management ("AUM") at US$110.5 million (31 December 2022: US$109.8 million). The current level of AUM remains below that required to ensure sustainable profits on a recurring management fee basis in the absence of performance fees. This has necessitated an ongoing review of the Group's cost basis. Nevertheless, the Group has ensured that the operational framework remains intact and that it retains the capacity to manage additional fund inflows as and when they arise.

The average number of permanent employees of the Group for the six months to 30 June 2023 was 20 ( 30 June 2022 : 20).

Fund performance

The Argo Funds

 
                           30 June     30 June     2022 
                 Launch     2023        2022        year                              Sharpe    Down 
                                                            Since       Annualised 
 Fund             date      6 months    6 months    total   inception   performance    ratio     months 
                          %           %           %        %           CAGR % 
                --------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------------  -------  --------- 
The Argo Fund                                                                                     92 of 
 - A class      Oct-00          1.46      -14.25   -12.54      219.78          6.00     0.39        273 
                --------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------------  -------  --------- 
The Argo Fund                                                                                     12 of 
 - X2 class     Feb21          -1.16      -21.39   -16.83       -8.05         -3.42    -0.22         29 
                --------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------------  -------  --------- 
The Argo Fund 
 - DI Class     Jan-20          1.96       -6.20    -2.82       92.88           N/A      N/A        N/A 
                --------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------------  -------  --------- 
 

In the first half of 2023, global macroeconomic trends continued to have a significant impact on the outlook for and performance of emerging market ("EM") assets. Ongoing uncertainty over the path of inflation and policy trajectory led to false dawns around a peak in US rates. The Federal Reserve raised rates three times in the period and although left fed funds unchanged at 5 -5.25% at the meeting in June, it increased the fed funds rate to a target range of 5.25%-5.5% at its meeting in late July. By contrast, ten-year US Treasury yields were much more volatile, starting the period at 3.9% before dropping below 3.4% by mid-January only to exceed 4% in early March. After falling back to 3.3% in early April they had moved up to over 4% in early July.

After a strong post-pandemic recovery, concern over the evolution of China's economic growth picked up through the second quarter of 2023, as macroeconomic data began to disappoint. This has led to speculation around stimulus measures in recent weeks, although the consensus does not expect a major announcement, even if some targeted support may come through.

However, against this backdrop both EM equities and bonds broadly advanced. The former, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, returned close to 5% in the first half of 2023, lagging the MSCI World which was up just over 15%. As mentioned previously, China, which is the largest index market in EM, has been a drag. However, the stunning rally from March onwards of the Super-7 stocks (Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Tesla, Meta, Nvidia) in the MSCI World has been a factor.

EM bonds and currencies have generated positive returns year-to-date. In sovereign and corporate credit, the impact of higher US Treasury yields was offset by credit spread compression, while EM local debt continued to outperform core fixed income markets almost entirely driven by lower yields. The global inflation surge in 2021-2022 caught the attention of central banks worldwide. However, EM central banks were quicker to respond to this inflationary shock, initiating a remarkable series of rate hikes in the first quarter of 2021 that continued until late 2022/early 2023.

This swift action allowed EM countries to witness falling core inflation in recent months, unlike the developed world, which continues to grapple with entrenched core inflation.

Emerging markets currencies were roughly flat against the US dollar, although Latin American currencies have seen the most appreciation relative to the US dollar year to-date. Turkey and South Africa have seen the greatest currency depreciation.

Meanwhile, market access has remained a concern for high yield EM issuers. While investment grade EM issuance is almost in line with the average over the past few years, for high yield sovereigns and corporates the equivalent figure is around a third. Inevitably, this increases the likelihood of restructurings particularly if world growth proves disappointing.

The NAV of the Class A shares of the TAF increased by 1.46 % in the first half of 2023, compared to the drop of 14.25% in the same period of the previous year. The fund benefited from a recovery in Argentine bond prices, though they remained volatile. There were also positive contributions from long positions in local currency bonds (mainly Latin American and East European). The main detractors were corporates in the throes of restructuring and generic credit hedges. Class A shares issued by TAF continue to be invested in diversified sovereign and corporate debt and macro positions which seek to capture alpha through long and short investment. In addition, there are other share classes within the TAF master/feeder structure which offer investors exposure to a distressed debt portfolio (Class X2 launched in 2021); macro strategies (Class X3, launched last year) and also special situations where the timeline to investment realisation will be longer.

Loan to Argo Real Estate Limited Partnership

On 21(st) March 2023, the back to back loans from the Group to Argo Real Estate Limited Partnership to Novi Biznes Poglyady LLC were replaced by a direct loan from the Group to Novi Biznes Poglyaddy LLC. The Shopping Centre partially reopened in November 2022. As the loan receivable is still exposed to the performance of this investment property held in Ukraine, the Group continues to hold an IFRS 9 valuation adjustment for US$0.5 million for expected losses at the reporting date (note 10).

Dividends and share purchase programme

The Group did not pay a dividend during the current or prior period . The Directors intend to restart dividend payments as soon as the Group's performance provides a consistent track record of profitability.

Outlook

The Board remains optimistic about the Group's prospects based on the transactions in the pipeline and the Group's initiatives to increase AUM. A significant increase in AUM is still required to ensure sustainable profits on a recurring management fee basis and the Group is well placed with capacity to absorb such an increase in AUM with negligible impact on operational costs.

Boosting AUM will be Argo's top priority in the next six months. The Group's marketing efforts continue to focus on TAF which has a 22-year track record as well as identifying acquisitions that are earnings enhancing.

Over the longer term, the Board believes there is significant opportunity for growth in assets and profits and remains committed to ensuring the Group's investment management capabilities and resources are appropriate to meet its key objective of achieving a consistent positive investment performance in the emerging markets sector.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2023

 
                                                       Six months       Six months 
                                                            ended            ended 
                                                          30 June          30 June 
                                                             2023             2022 
                                                Note      US$'000          US$'000 
 
 Management fees                                            1,111            1,140 
 Performance fees                                               -                - 
 Other income                                                 400              125 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 Revenue                                                    1,511            1,265 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 
 Legal and professional expenses                            (119)            (128) 
 Management fees payable                                    (141)            (180) 
 Operational expenses                                       (402)            (362) 
 Employee costs                                           (1,108)          (1,752) 
                                                 9, 
 Bad debt provision                              10         (367)            (320) 
 Foreign exchange (loss)/profit                               (9)                9 
 Depreciation                                    7           (48)             (71) 
 Operating loss                                             (683)          (1,539) 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 
 Interest income                                              496              499 
 Realised and unrealised gain/(loss) 
  on investments                                              308          (2,507) 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities 
  before taxation                                             121          (3,547) 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 
 Taxation                                        5              -                - 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 Profit/(loss) for the period after 
  taxation attributable to members of 
  the Company                                    6            121          (3,547) 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                                         6            (107) 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  period                                                      127          (3,654) 
=============================================  =====  ===========      =========== 
 
                                                       Six months       Six months 
                                                            Ended            Ended 
                                                          30 June          30 June 
                                                             2023             2022 
                                                              US$              US$ 
 Earnings per share (basic)                      6          0.003           (0.09) 
=============================================  =====  ===========  =============== 
 Earnings per share (diluted)                    6          0.003           (0.08) 
=============================================  =====  ===========  =============== 
 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2023

 
                                            30 June   31 December 
                                               2023          2022 
                                   Note     US$'000       US$'000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Land, fixtures, fittings and 
  equipment                         7           571           607 
 Loans and advances receivable      10       14,147        13,416 
================================  =====  ==========  ============ 
 Total non-current assets                    14,718        14,023 
================================  =====  ==========  ============ 
 
 Current assets 
 Financial assets at fair value 
  through profit or loss            8         4,451         4,387 
 Loan and advances receivable       10            9             - 
 Trade and other receivables        9           309           413 
 Cash and cash equivalents                    1,241         1,642 
 Total current assets                         6,010         6,442 
================================  =====  ==========  ============ 
 
 Total assets                                20,728        20,465 
================================  =====  ==========  ============ 
 
 Equity and liabilities 
 
 Equity 
 Issued share capital               11          390           390 
 Share premium                               25,353        25,353 
 Retained earnings                          (2,856)       (2,977) 
 Foreign currency translation 
  reserve                                   (3,203)       (3,209) 
================================  =====  ==========  ============ 
 Total equity                                19,684        19,557 
================================  =====  ==========  ============ 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables           15          662           497 
 Total current liabilities                      662           497 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
 
   Non-current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables           15          382           411 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
 Total non-current liabilities                  382           411 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
 
 Total equity and liabilities                20,728        20,465 
--------------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2023

 
                                                                      Foreign 
                            Issued                                   currency 
                             share       Share     Retained       translation 
                           capital     premium     earnings           reserve     Total 
                              2022        2022         2022              2022      2022 
                           US$'000     US$'000      US$'000           US$'000   US$'000 
 
 As at 1 January 2022          390      25,353          420           (3,086)    23,077 
 
 Total comprehensive 
  income 
 Loss for the period 
  after taxation                 -           -      (3,547)                 -   (3,547) 
 Other comprehensive 
  income                         -           -            -             (107)     (107) 
 As at 30 June 2022            390      25,353      (3,127)           (3,193)    19,423 
======================  ==========  ==========  ===========  ================  ======== 
 
 
                                                                             Foreign 
                                   Issued                                   currency 
                                    share       Share     Retained       translation 
                                  capital     premium     earnings           reserve     Total 
                                     2023        2023         2023              2023      2023 
                                  US$'000     US$'000      US$'000           US$'000   US$'000 
 
 As at 1 January 2023                 390      25,353      (2,977)           (3,209)    19,557 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
 Profit for the period after 
  taxation                              -           -          121                 -       121 
 Other comprehensive income             -           -            -                 6         6 
 As at 30 June 2023                   390      25,353      (2,856)           (3,203)    19,684 
=============================  ==========  ==========  ===========  ================  ======== 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2023

 
                                                 Six months   Six months 
                                                      ended        ended 
                                                    30 June      30 June 
                                                       2023         2022 
                                          Note      US$'000      US$'000 
 
 Net cash outflow from operating 
  activities                               12         (387)        (332) 
=======================================  =====  ===========  =========== 
 
 Cash flows used in investing 
  activities 
 Purchase of fixtures, fittings 
  and equipment                            7            (3)          (4) 
 
 
 Net cash (used)/ generated from 
  investing activities                                  (3)          (4) 
=======================================  =====  ===========  =========== 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Payment of lease liabilities                             -         (78) 
 
 Net cash used in financing activities                    -         (78) 
=======================================  =====  ===========  =========== 
 
 Net decrease in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                         (390)        (414) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 
  January 2023 and 
  1 January 2022                                      1,642        1,709 
 
 Foreign exchange loss on cash 
  and cash equivalents                                 (11)         (63) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents as 
  at 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022                    1,241        1,232 
=======================================  =====  ===========  =========== 
 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

   1.       CORPORATE INFORMATION 

The Company is domiciled in the Isle of Man under the Companies Act 2006. Its registered office is at 33-37 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Group as at and for the six months ended 30 June 2023 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group").

The consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 December 2022 are available upon request from the Company's registered office or at www.argogrouplimited.com.

The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding company and the principal activity of the wider Group is that of an investment management business. The functional currency of the Group undertakings are US dollars, Sterling and Romanian Lei. The presentational currency is US dollars.

            Wholly owned subsidiaries                       Principal activity                  Country of incorporation 
 
 Argo Capital Management Limited Investment         United Kingdom 
  management 
 Argo Property Management Srl Property management   Romania 
 
 
   2.       ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
   (a)     Basis of preparation 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2022.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 August 2023.

   b)      Financial instruments and fair value hierarchy 

The following represents the fair value hierarchy of financial instruments measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The hierarchy groups financial assets and liabilities into three levels based on the significance of inputs used in measuring the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The level within which the financial asset or liability is classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant input to the fair value measurement

   3.      SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS 

The Group operates as a single asset management business.

The operating results of the companies are regularly reviewed by the Directors of the Group for the purposes of making decisions about resources to be allocated to each company and to assess performance. The following summary analyses revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities:

 
 
                                Argo     Argo Capital     Argo Property   Six months 
                               Group       Management        Management        ended 
                                 Ltd              Ltd               Srl      30 June 
                                2023             2023              2023         2023 
                             US$'000          US$'000           US$'000      US$'000 
 
 Total revenues for 
  reportable segments 
  customers                        -            1,111               400        1,511 
 Intersegment revenues             -                -                              - 
                                                                      - 
 
 Total profit/(loss) 
  for reportable segments        687            (602)                36          121 
 Intersegment loss                 -                -                 -            - 
 
 Total assets for 
  reportable segments 
  assets                      19,059            1,428               241       20,728 
 Total liabilities 
  for reportable segments          6              675               363        1,044 
==========================  ========  ===============  ================  =========== 
 
 
 Revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities    Six months 
  may be reconciled as follows: 
                                                          Ended 
                                                        30 June 
                                                           2023 
                                                        US$'000 
 Revenues 
 Total revenues for reportable segments                   1,511 
 Elimination of intersegment revenues                         - 
==================================================  =========== 
 Group revenues                                           1,511 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 Profit or loss 
 Profit for reportable segments                             121 
 Elimination of intersegment loss                             - 
 Other unallocated amounts                                    - 
==================================================  =========== 
 Loss on ordinary activities before taxation                  - 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 Assets 
 Total assets for reportable segments                    20,728 
 Elimination of intersegment receivables                      - 
 Group assets                                            20,728 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 Liabilities 
 Total liabilities for reportable segments                4,321 
 Elimination of intersegment payables                   (3,277) 
==================================================  =========== 
 Group liabilities                                        1,044 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 
 
                                Argo     Argo Capital     Argo Property   Six months 
                               Group       Management        Management        ended 
                                 Ltd              Ltd               Srl      30 June 
                                2022             2022              2022         2022 
                             US$'000          US$'000           US$'000      US$'000 
 
 Total revenues for 
  reportable segments 
  customers                        -            1,140               125        1,265 
 Intersegment revenues             -                -                              - 
                                                                      - 
 
 Total profit/(loss) 
  for reportable segments    (2,329)          (1,215)             (211)      (3,755) 
 Intersegment loss               208                -                 -          208 
 
 Total assets for 
  reportable segments 
  assets                      18,046            1,279               207       19,532 
 Total liabilities 
  for reportable segments          6               77                26          109 
==========================  ========  ===============  ================  =========== 
 
 
 Revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities    Six months 
  may be reconciled as follows: 
                                                          Ended 
                                                        30 June 
                                                           2022 
                                                        US$'000 
 Revenues 
 Total revenues for reportable segments                   1,265 
 Elimination of intersegment revenues                         - 
==================================================  =========== 
 Group revenues                                           1,265 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 Profit or loss 
 Loss for reportable segments                           (3,755) 
 Elimination of intersegment loss                           208 
 Other unallocated amounts                                    - 
==================================================  =========== 
 Loss on ordinary activities before taxation            (3,547) 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 Assets 
 Total assets for reportable segments                    19,536 
 Elimination of intersegment receivables                    (4) 
 Group assets                                            19,532 
==================================================  =========== 
 
 Liabilities 
 Total liabilities for reportable segments                3,466 
 Elimination of intersegment payables                   (3,357) 
==================================================  =========== 
 Group liabilities                                          109 
==================================================  =========== 
 
   4.   SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS 

To incentivise personnel and to align their interests with those of the shareholders of Argo Group Limited, Argo Group Limited has granted share options to directors and employees under The Argo Group Limited Employee Stock Option Plan. The options are exercisable within 10 years of the grant date.

The fair value of the options granted during the period was measured at the grant date using a Black-Scholes model that takes into account the effect of certain financial assumptions, including the option exercise price, current share price and volatility, dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate. The fair value of the options granted is spread over the vesting period of the scheme and the value is adjusted to reflect the actual number of shares that are expected to vest.

The principal assumptions for valuing the options are:

 
      Exercise price (pence)               21.0 
      Weighted average share price 
       at grant date (pence)               19.0 
      Average option life at date 
       of grant (years)                    10.0 
      Expected volatility (% p.a.)         15.0 
      Dividend yield (% p.a.)              10.0 
      Risk-free interest rate (% 
       p.a.)                               2 
 

The fair value of options granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total charge to employee costs in respect of this incentive plan is GBPnil (2022: GBPnil).

The number and weighted average exercise price of the share options during the period is as follows:

 
                                 Weighted average   No. of share 
                                  exercise price       options 
 Outstanding at beginning of 
  period                              21.2p          3,895,998 
 Granted during the period              -                - 
 Forfeited during the period            -                - 
==============================  =================  ============= 
 Outstanding at end of period         21.2p          3,895,998 
==============================  =================  ============= 
 Exercisable at end of period         21.2p          3,895,998 
==============================  =================  ============= 
 

Outstanding share options are contingent upon the option holder remaining an employee of the Group.

The weighted average fair value of the options issued during the period was GBPNil (2022: GBPNil).

No share options were issued during the period.

   5.      TAXATION 

Taxation rates applicable to the parent company and the UK and Romanian subsidiaries range from 0% to 25% (2022: 0% to 19%).

 
 Consolidated statement of profit or 
  loss                                      Six months   Six months 
                                                 ended        Ended 
                                               30 June      30 June 
                                                  2023         2022 
                                               US$'000      US$'000 
 
 Taxation charge for the period on Group             -            - 
  companies 
=========================================  ===========  =========== 
 

The charge for the period can be reconciled to the profit shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of profit or loss as follows:

 
                                                     Six months   Six months 
                                                          Ended        Ended 
                                                        30 June      30 June 
                                                           2023         2022 
                                                        US$'000      US$'000 
 
 Profit/(loss) before tax                                   121      (3,547) 
================================================  =============  =========== 
 
 Applicable Isle of Man tax rate for                          -            - 
  Argo Group Limited of 0% 
 Timing differences                                           -            - 
 Non-deductible expenses                                      -            - 
 Other adjustments                                            -            - 
 Tax effect of different tax rates of                         -            - 
  subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions 
================================================  =============  =========== 
 Tax charge                                                   -            - 
================================================  =============  =========== 
 
 
 Consolidated statement of financial 
  position 
                                        30 June   31 December 
                                           2023          2022 
                                        US$'000       US$'000 
 
 Corporation tax payable                      -             - 
=====================================  ========  ============ 
 
   6.      EARNINGS PER SHARE 

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit for the period by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

 
                                              Six months     Six months 
                                                   ended          Ended 
                                                 30 June        30 June 
                                                    2023           2022 
                                                 US$'000        US$'000 
 
 Net profit/( loss) for the period after 
  taxation attributable to members                   121        (3,547) 
=========================================  =============  ============= 
 
                                                  No. of         No. of 
                                                  shares         shares 
 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares for basic earnings per share         38,959,986     38,959,986 
 Effect of dilution (Note 4)                   3,895,998      3,895,998 
=========================================  =============  ============= 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares for diluted earnings per share       42,855,984     42,855,984 
=========================================  =============  ============= 
 
 
                                 Six months   Six months 
                                      Ended        ended 
                                    30 June      30 June 
                                       2023         2022 
                                        US$          US$ 
 
 Earnings per share (basic)           0.003       (0.09) 
 Earnings per share (diluted)         0.003       (0.08) 
==============================  ===========  =========== 
 
   7.      LAND, FIXTURES, FITTINGS AND EQUIPMENT 
 
                                                  Fixtures, 
                                     Right         fittings 
                                    of use    and equipment                              Total 
                                    assets                       Land 
                                USD'000000          US$'000   US$'000                  US$'000 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 2022                     732              201       182                    1,115 
 Additions                             455                7         -                      462 
 Disposals                           (732)              (3)         -                    (735) 
 Foreign exchange movement               -             (17)      (10)                     (27) 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 At 31 December 2022                   455              188       172                      815 
 Additions                               -                3         -                        3 
 Disposals                               -             (31)         -                     (31) 
 Foreign exchange movement              22                5       (7)                       20 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 At 30 June 2023                       477              165       165                      807 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 
 Accumulated Depreciation 
 
 At 1 January 2022                     634              191         -                      825 
 Depreciation charge for 
  period                               120                5         -                      125 
 Disposals                           (732)              (3)         -                    (735) 
 Foreign exchange movement               8             (16)         -                      (8) 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 At 31 December 2022                    30              177         -                      207 
 Depreciation charge for 
  period                                46                2         -                       48 
 Disposals                               -             (31)         -                     (31) 
 Foreign exchange movement               3                9         -                       12 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 At 30 June 2023                        79              157         -                      236 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 
 Net book value 
 At 31 December 2022                   425               11       172                      608 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 At 30 June 2023                       398                8       165                      571 
===========================  =============  ===============  ========  ======================= 
 
   8.       FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS 
 
 
                                           30 June          30 June 
                                              2023             2023 
 Holding   Investment in management     Total cost       Fair value 
            shares 
                                           US$'000          US$'000 
 
   10      The Argo Fund Ltd                     -                - 
                                                 -                - 
========  =========================  =============    ============= 
 
 
 Holding   Investment in ordinary     Total cost       Fair value 
            shares 
                                         US$'000          US$'000 
 
 13,920    The Argo Fund Ltd*              4,648            4,451 
                                           4,648            4,451 
========  =======================  =============    ============= 
 
 
                                          31 December     31 December 
                                                 2022            2022 
 Holding    Investment in management       Total cost      Fair value 
             shares 
                                              US$'000         US$'000 
 
    10      The Argo Fund Ltd                       -               - 
                                                    -               - 
 ====================================  ==============  ============== 
 
 
 Holding   Investment in ordinary     Total cost       Fair value 
            shares 
                                         US$'000          US$'000 
 
 13,920    The Argo Fund Ltd*              3,824            4,387 
                                           3,824            4,387 
========  =======================  =============    ============= 
 

*Classified as current in the consolidated statement of Financial Position

   9.   TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 
 
                                     At 30 June     At 31 December 
                                           2023               2022 
                                       US$ '000           US$ '000 
 
 Trade receivables - Gross                2,500              2,255 
 Less: provision for impairment 
  of trade receivables                  (2,358)            (1,980) 
--------------------------------  -------------  ----------------- 
 Trade receivables - Net                    142                275 
 Other receivables                           34                 41 
 Prepayments and accrued income             133                 97 
================================  =============  ================= 
                                            309                413 
================================  =============  ================= 
 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value. All trade receivable balances are recoverable within one year from the reporting date except as disclosed below.

The movement in the Group's provision for impairment of trade and loan receivables is as follow:

 
                                At 30 June     At 31 December 
                                      2023               2022 
                                  US$ '000           US$ '000 
 
 As at 1 January                    14,019             14,252 
 Bad debt recovered                      -              (125) 
 Charged during the period             368                636 
 Foreign exchange movement             209              (744) 
===========================  =============  ================= 
 Closing balance                    14,596             14,019 
===========================  =============  ================= 
 

10. LOANS AND ADVANCES RECEIVABLE

 
                                             At 30 June                  At 31 December 
                                                   2023                            2022 
                                                US$'000                         US$'000 
 
 Deposits on leased premises - current                9                               - 
 Deposits on leased premises - non-current 
 (see below)                                         89                              96 
                                                                                      9 
 Other loans and advances receivable 
  - non-current (note 14)                        14,058                          13,320 
============================================  =========      ========================== 
                                                 14,156                          13,416 
============================================  =========      ========================== 
 
 

The deposits on leased premises relate to the Group's offices in London and Romania.

The Group also has a balance receivable for $12.2 million (EUR11.2 million) from Argo Real Estate Limited Partnership that was assigned from Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund Limited during 2021. The carrying value of this balance is $nil.

   11.     SHARE CAPITAL 

The Company's authorised share capital is unlimited with a nominal value of US$0.01.

 
                               30 June     30 June    31 December   31 December 
                                  2023        2023           2022          2022 
                                   No.     US$'000            No.       US$'000 
 Issued and fully paid 
 Ordinary shares of 
  US$0.01 each              38,959,986         390     38,959,986           390 
=======================  =============  ==========  =============  ============ 
                            38,959,986         390     38,959,986           390 
=======================  =============  ==========  =============  ============ 
 

The Directors did not recommend the payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2022 and do not recommend an interim dividend in respect of the current period.

12. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO PROFIT/(LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION

 
                                            Six months     Six months 
                                                 ended          ended 
                                               30 June        30 June 
                                                  2023           2022 
                                               US$'000        US$'000 
 
 Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities 
  before taxation                                  121        (3,547) 
 
 Interest income                                 (496)          (499) 
 Depreciation on fixtures, fittings 
  and equipment                                      2              3 
 Depreciation on right of use asset                 46             68 
 Realised and unrealised (profit)/loss 
  on investments                                 (308)          2,507 
 Net foreign exchange loss/(profit)                  9            (9) 
 Increase/(decrease) in payables                   136           (49) 
 Decrease in receivables, loans and 
  advances                                         103          1,194 
 Corporation tax paid                                -              - 
 Net cash outflow from operating 
  activities                                     (387)          (332) 
=======================================  =============  ============= 
 
   13.     FAIR VALUE HIERARCY 

The table below analyses financial instruments measured at fair value at the end of the reporting period by the level of the fair value hierarchy (note 2b).

At 30 June 2023

 
                             Level 1    Level 2      Level      Total 
                                                         3 
                            US$ '000   US$ '000   US$ '000   US$ '000 
 Financial assets 
  at fair value through 
  profit or loss                   -      4,451          -      4,451 
========================  ==========  =========  =========  ========= 
 

At 31 December 2022

 
                             Level 1    Level 2      Level      Total 
                                                         3 
                            US$ '000   US$ '000   US$ '000   US$ '000 
 Financial assets 
  at fair value through 
  profit or loss                   -      4,387          -      4,387 
========================  ==========  =========  =========  ========= 
 
   14.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

All of the Group revenues derive from The Argo Fund in which two of the Company's directors, Kyriakos Rialas and Kenneth Watterson, have influence through directorships and the provision of investment management services.

At the reporting date the Company holds investments in The Argo Fund Limited. These investments are reflected in the accounts at fair value of US$4.5 million (31 December 2022: $4.4 million).

At the period end, the Group was owed $14.6 million (note 10) by Novi Biznes Poglyady LLC, an entity that is 100% ultimately owned by Andreas Rialas. The adjusted IFRS 9 valuation of the loan after providing for expected losses was US$14.1 million. This balance relates to a loan that was originally made to ARE LP in February 2020 that was lent onwards to Novi Biznes Poglyady LLC for the refinancing of Riviera Shopping City in Odessa, Ukraine. During the period, the original back to back loans were replaced by a direct loan from Argo Group Limited to Novi Biznes Poglyady LLC.

The Group is also owed US$12.2 million (EUR11.2 million) (31 December 2022: US$12.0 million (EUR11.2 million)) by ARE LP, which were previously owed by the now liquidated Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund Limited. These balances are carried at US$ nil (31 December 2020: US$ nil) in the financial statements.

15. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 
                                  At 30 June   At 31 December 
                                        2023             2022 
                                    US$ '000         US$ '000 
 
 Trade creditors                          72               26 
 Other creditors and accruals            590              471 
===============================  ===========  =============== 
 Total current trade and other 
  payables                               662              497 
===============================  ===========  =============== 
 

Trade creditors are normally settled on 30-day terms.

 
                                      At 30 June   At 31 December 
                                            2023             2022 
                                        US$ '000         US$ '000 
 
 Other creditors and accruals                382              411 
===================================  ===========  =============== 
 Total non-current trade and other 
  payables                                   382              411 
===================================  ===========  =============== 
 

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END

IR KZGMRNGNGFZG

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 10, 2023 04:00 ET (08:00 GMT)

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