Capital Raising on the Cards for CEFs this Week

CEF TIMES: Share placings and tender offers dominate the closed-end funds headlines this week

Jackie Beard, FCSI, 26 January, 2011 | 11:58AM
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CEF News: January 20-26
ACP Capital (APL) is holding an EGM on February 23, 2011, at which shareholders will be asked to vote on the cancellation of the shares on AIM. The shares will also be suspended from trading at that date. Upon approval, plans will be made to liquidate the company. The fund has traded at a significant discount to its NAV since markets plummeted in 2008. Its total assets stand at just £7.5 million.

Amati VCT (ATI) has published a prospectus detailing its plans to raise up to £18 million through offers for subscription of ordinary shares. The offer closes on April 5.

Brookwell (BKWB) has announced plans to propose a placing of up to 75 million D shares. The aim of this is to provide further liquidity to shareholders of AIM and listed securities, who effectively swap their holdings for cash. The investment manager can then realise value from its portfolio over time. At flotation, the company raised over £25.5 million in its A shares, which were redeemed for cash on December 30, 2010 as they completed the full realisation of the portfolio. The B share issue raised £13 million. The company has identified further demand to justify the issue of D shares, the timetable for which is expected to be early this year, if approved.

Carador Income Fund (CIFU) has raised $17.4 million through its placing and these shares have been admitted to the Official List. The new shares represent 10.8% of the combined USD and EUR share classes.

Private equity company Conversus Capital (CCAP) has commenced a tender offer, up to a maximum of $75 million for 3.75 million common units. The offer closes on February 22. The aim of this offer is to increase liquidity and improve the fund’s trading price relative to its NAV. Currently the fund trades at a discount of around 22% to NAV.

JPMorgan Asian (JAI) is also planning a tender offer, in early March. This is still subject to shareholder approval and, if approved, will be restricted to 5% of outstanding ordinary shares. It is also contingent on a successful continuation vote for the company at the end of January.

JPMorgan Global Emerging Markets Income (JEMI) is proposing a C share issue, given continued strong demand for the shares. The fund has traded at a persistent premium since launch in July 2010.

The board of NB Distressed Debt (NBDD) has increased the maximum amount permissible in non-US or Canadian investments to 30% from 10%. This is in response to the investment manager identifying a number of attractive opportunities in Europe.

Real Estate Opportunities (REO) is transferring its listing from premium to standard, effective February 17. This follows a significant reduction in the market cap of the company and the detrimental effect the high charges could have, to maintain the premium listing.

Spark VCT (SVCT) and Spark VCT 2 (SVC2) are proposing a change of name to Kings Arms Yard VCT and VCT 2, respectively. This follows the companies’ termination of the investment management agreement with SPARK Venture Management, effective from the beginning of this year. The boards are also proposing to lower the risk in both funds by investing in more developed companies. New manager Albion Ventures has worked across a variety of sectors, whereas SPARK was a specialist technology investor, so this too should help with diversification. These changes are subject to approval at a general meeting on February 10.

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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