(HSD.L) Hansard Global PLC Buy/Sell

RNS Number : 8613C Hansard Global plc 20 November 2009

Director/PDMR Shareholding

Hansard Global plc

20th November 2009

Hansard Global plc

GRANT OF OPTIONS - Long Term Incentive Plan 2009

Hansard Global plc announces that share options have been granted to Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities ("PDMRs") under its Long Term Incentive Plan 2009 as follows:-

PDMR Price Number of ord shares of 50 pence over which
option granted
Gordon Stuart Marr NIL 40,000
Vincent Paul Watkins NIL 35,000
Paul Lucas Harwood NIL 35,000
Manoj Bhagubhai Patel NIL 17,000

The options were granted on 19th November 2009. Part or all of the Options will vest based on performance conditions achieved over the 3 year period 1st July 2009 - 30th June 2012, as evidenced through the audited financial statements.

This notification is made in accordance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 3.

20th November 2009

Enquiries:

Manoj B Patel, Company Secretary Tel: 01624 688206

This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

RDSILFFVLALIFIA

RNS Number : 7868C Hansard Global plc 19 November 2009

19th November 2009

Hansard Global plc

("Hansard" or the "Company")

2009 Annual General Meeting

Resolutions considered and passed at the Annual General Meeting held at 12.30 pm in the Board Room, Harbour Court, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man

1 To receive the Directors' Report and Accounts and the auditor's report 2 To approve the Directors' Report on remuneration 3 To declare a final dividend of 7.35 pence per share 4 To re-elect Mr B Asher as a director 5 To re-elect Mr M Dyson as a director 6 To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers, Isle of Man as auditor 7 To authorise Hansard Global plc to buy back its own ordinary shares 8 To give the directors authority to allot shares 9 To approve the Rules of the Long Term Incentive Plan 2009

AGM 2009 proxy vote results from 97 Forms of Proxies received

Resol. No. For Against Vote withheld Discretion
1 56,914,676 0 0 0

2 54,803,257 476,419 1,635,000 0
3 56,914,676 0 0 0
4 56,911,576 3,100 0 0
5 56,911,576 3,100 0 0
6 56,914,676 0 0 0
7 56,911,576 3,100 0 0
8 56,892,640 22,036 0 0

9 54,203,699 477,419 2,233,558 0

Shares in issue as at 19th November 2009

137,281,202

This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

AGMUKRORKVRAAAA

RNS Number : 7309C
  Hansard Global plc
  19 November 2009
   

Hansard Global plc

("Hansard" or the "Company")

Hansard Global plc ("Hansard" or "the Group"), the specialist long-term savings provider, issues its interim management statement for the period from 1 July 2009 to date, in advance of its Annual General Meeting being held later today.

All figures refer to the four months ended 31 October 2009, except where indicated.

Summary

*     Encouraging new business results despite uncertain economic outlook; 

*     New business APE (actual currency basis) for the four months ended 31 October 2009 is £6.1m (£8.4m for the same period last year);

*     Industry-leading margins of approximately 5.8% on PVNBP basis;

*     £1.1 billion Assets under Administration at 31 October 2009 up 13.4% since 30 June 2009. Positive policyholder cash flows have been maintained through the period;

* The financial position of the Group remains very strong, with no debt; 

Leonard Polonsky, Chief Executive of Hansard Global, commented:

"The performance of the Group in the first four months of this financial year was encouraging despite the uncertain economic outlook. The financial position of the Group continues very strong with no borrowings. We have achieved new business flows at industry-leading margins and have continued to generate strong cash flows from policyholders, underpinning growth in Assets under Administration to £1.1 billion.

While conditions are expected to remain challenging over the short-term, we are confident that the outlook for sustained growth in new business and profitability remains positive for the Group in the longer term, particularly given the strength of our Balance Sheet. Our focus on margins, cashflow, cost control and continued investment in distribution and systems leaves us well placed for the future." 

For further information: 

Hansard Global                                                     +44 (0) 1624 688000

Leonard Polonsky, Chief Executive                

Gordon Marr, Managing Director

Vince Watkins, Chief Financial Officer                    

Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial                +44 (0) 20 7861 3232

Daniel de Belder    

Ben Woodford                                                  Hansard Global plc

INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

OVERVIEW

Against the backdrop of continuing market uncertainty and low investor confidence throughout the four months to 31 October 2009, the Group has continued to generate IFRS profits backed by strong business persistency and a balance sheet unencumbered by debt. The Group continues to manage administrative and related expenses strictly while investing in distribution infrastructure. The Group continues to be strongly capitalised enabling it to satisfy operational, regulatory and policyholder expectations.

New business for the period is approximately 28% below the level of the corresponding period of the previous financial year, reflecting primarily a strong quarter in the prior year. New business flows in the period after 1 October 2009 are, however, marginally above the levels of flows experienced after 1 October 2008, illustrating an improvement in market conditions and the continuing level of interest in Hansard's products among intermediaries and their clients.

While the pricing of the Group's products has not been adjusted, expense levels at this volume of activity and our determination to continue the development of our distribution infrastructure, have continued to restrain new business margins. New business margins for the period ended 31 October 2009 are approximately 5.8%, slightly less than the margin of 6.1% earned in the year ended 30 June 2009.

EEV operating profits continue to be impacted by expense overruns and policyholder caution in relation to premium reductions as experienced in the previous financial year.

The Group believes that continued investment in distribution is critical and key for future recovery and growth. As the world moves out of recession, we will be well placed to benefit from the expected increase in investment activity.

Recruitment of Account Executives to provide local language and other support to intermediaries in the Group's target markets remains a key goal. As at 31 October 2009 the Group had a total of 18 Account Executives, and selective recruitment is continuing.

Despite the volatility in capital markets and further weakening of Sterling against the US Dollar, positive policyholder cash flows have been experienced in the period. The value of Assets under Administration ("AUA") as at 31 October 2009, at £1.113bn, has risen by 13.4% since 30 June 2009 (£1,002m). 
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND POSITION * 3 MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2009

*     International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")

IFRS profit for the period was underpinned by high policyholder persistency, the strength of the book of existing policies, and positive foreign currency movements. We continue to manage our cost base effectively and are seeing the benefit of the initiatives implemented in the previous financial year to reduce administrative and other expenses, while continuing to invest in the Group's sales and distribution infrastructure. 

Subsequent to the quarter end, the Group began to implement a number of projects to develop Hansard Online, implement new business initiatives, streamline administrative processes and to ensure that we continue to meet strategic expense management targets. We anticipate that expenditure totalling approximately £0.7m will be incurred in the current financial year on these projects and a similar amount in the following financial year.

As part of these developments, Group insurance companies have entered into agreements to outsource policyholder asset dealing, custody and investment administration activities to Capital International Limited, a member of the London Stock Exchange, with effect from 27 November 2009 to reduce operational risk and develop new business opportunities.

*     European Embedded Value ("EEV")

The profitable new business written during the period, the persistency of cash flows and the lack of options, guarantees or other such features within the products issued by the Group, have continued to generate EEV operating profit, reduced in part by the effects of premium reductions and other issues arising from the level of new business.

This profit, taken with the combined impact of foreign exchange rate movements and investment performance of policyholder funds over the four months to 31 October 2009, results in cumulative total EEV profit for the period of approximately £20m. 

*     Capitalisation and Solvency

The Group continues to be strongly capitalised enabling it to satisfy operational, regulatory and policyholder expectations. At 30 September 2009 the aggregate minimum regulatory margin remains covered approximately 16 times by the Group's capital resources.

The Group's solvency position is well insulated against the current challenging capital market conditions. At the date of this report, the Group's liquid assets are held with a wide range of deposit institutions and in highly-rated money market liquidity funds. 

ISLE OF MAN - TAXATION AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES

The Isle of Man remains on the OECD "white list". Despite more favourable comments in the Foot Report and by the Tax Justice Network, announcements by the UK Government and the European Union in the last few weeks have caused renewed focus on the Isle of Man's economic circumstances and its taxation legislation.

The Isle of Man Government is considering an appropriate, orderly, economic course of action. The effect, if any, on the Group's earnings through possible changes to direct or indirect taxation will not be clear for some time. We do not anticipate that there will be any impact on the Group in this financial year or the next. 

New Business Flows - Four months ended 31 October 2009

Despite challenging market conditions, the Group has achieved continuing new business flows while retaining its margins.  

The flow of single premium business remains significantly restrained as a result of volatile market conditions and economic concerns affecting investor confidence. This has particularly impacted new business flows from Europe and Scandinavia. Regular premium flows from Latin America have begun to pick up although economic conditions continue to impact new business production in the Far East.

New business flows for the four-month period ended 31 October 2009 are summarised as follows (comparisons on actual currency basis).
                                                     2009    2008        %
 Basis                                                 £m      £m   change
 Compensation Credit ("CC")                         £3.3m   £4.6m  (28.3)%
 Present Value of New Business Premiums ("PVNBP")
                                                   £46.7m  £63.6m  (26.6)%
 Annualised Premium Equivalent ("APE")              £6.1m   £8.4m  (27.4)%

*     Compensation Credit

Compensation Credit ("CC") is the Group's prime indicator of new business activity. CC measures the relative value of each piece of new business to allow the Group to maintain margins and protect capital. The Directors consider CC to be a more meaningful measure of new business volume than APE, which has limited correlation with the profitability of new business.

New business flows totalled £3.3m CC for the period compared with £4.6m in the comparative period of the last financial year.

*     Present Value of New Business Premiums ("PVNBP")

New business premiums on the PVNBP basis during the period totalled £46.7m. This represents a decrease of 26.6% compared with £63.6m in the corresponding period. Single premium contracts totalled £27.7m or 59.3% of new business flows on this basis (2008: £35.0m or 55%). 

New business margins for the period were approximately 5.8%, slightly less than the margin of 6.1% earned in the year ended 30 June 2009. These margins are well above industry average, principally due to the Group's continued focus on the value of new business. Restrained new business flows and continued investment in the Group's distribution infrastructure to improve its sales proposition have contributed to the reduction in the margin.

Hansard receives business from a strong and well-diversified range of intermediaries around the world, which results in new business being received in a number of currencies. The principal currency receipts (as a percentage of PVNBP) in the four months to 31 October are set out below.
    
             2009  2008
 Currency       %     %
 US Dollars  40.0  43.0
 Euro        28.0  40.0
 Sterling    23.0  12.0

The reduced proportion of Euro currency receipts reflects fewer single premium cases. Approximately £9.0m of single premium business was issued in Euro in the corresponding period under the terms of a localised incentive arrangement.
      Assets under Administration 

Despite the volatility in capital markets and further weakening of Sterling against the US Dollar, positive policyholder cash flows have been experienced in the period. The value of Assets under Administration ("AUA") as at 31 October 2009, at £1.113bn, has risen by 13.4% since 30 June 2009 (£1,002m). 

Over the period the MSCI World index has risen by 16.1%, and the FTSE 100 index has increased by 19.8%. The difference in growth over the period reflects the cautious investment attitudes and fund selection of our policyholders.

There have been no significant changes since year end in the volumes of illiquid assets or impaired fund structures held in AUA, nor in the currency composition of AUA.

Under the terms of the unit-linked contracts issued by the Group, the Policyholder bears the financial risk attaching to assets to which the contracts are linked. Any reductions in AUA will cause declines in the Group's asset-based income but will not affect the Group's capital position. 

Results for the half-year

New business figures for the half-year ending 31 December 2009 are expected to be announced on 28 January 2010. Trading results for the half-year are expected to be announced on 25 February 2010.

Outlook

The Group's business model remains resilient in the face of challenging market conditions. We expect to continue to deliver profits and a steady dividend stream.

The increased levels of global capital markets over the last few months, coupled with the decline in the level of the VIX volatility index over that period, have contributed to an increased level of interest in Hansard's products among intermediaries. While conditions remain challenging, we are cautiously optimistic as recent new business flows marginally exceed those of the corresponding period. 

With continuing investment in its distribution infrastructure, systems and online platform, Hansard is confident that its business model and prospects remain strong. The Group's robust balance sheet means that Hansard has the strength to continue to withstand volatile market conditions and is well positioned for growth in volume and profitability when the environment improves. 

Notes to editors:

*     Hansard Global plc is the holding company of the Hansard Group of companies. The Company was listed on the London Stock Exchange on 18 December 2006. The Group is a specialist long-term savings provider, based in the Isle of Man.

*     The Group offers a range of flexible and tax-efficient investment products within a life assurance policy wrapper, designed to appeal to affluent, international investors.

*     The Group utilises a low-cost distribution model by selling policies exclusively through a network of financial services intermediaries, independent financial advisers and the retail operations of certain financial institutions (collectively "Intermediaries"), who provide access to their clients in more than 170 countries. The Group's distribution model is supported by Hansard OnLine, an award-winning, multi-language internet platform, and is scaleable. 

*     The principal geographic markets in which the Group currently services Intermediaries and policyholders are the Far East, the Middle East, and Latin America in the case of Hansard International Limited, and Western Europe in the case of Hansard Europe Limited, the Group's two life assurance companies. 

* The Group's objective is to grow its business by attracting new business and positioning itself to adapt rapidly to market trends and conditions. The scaleability and flexibility of the Group's operations allow it to enter or develop new geographic markets and exploit growth opportunities within existing markets without the need for significant further investment.

Forward-looking statements:

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of Hansard Global plc's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to future financial condition, performance and results. By their nature forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond Hansard Global plc's control. As a result, Hansard Global plc's actual future condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in Hansard Global plc's forward-looking statements. Hansard Global plc does not undertake to update forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or any other forward-looking statement it may make. No statement in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or be relied upon as a guide for future performance.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
  END 
 
IMSBRBDBXBBGGCI

RNS Number : 9479B Hansard Global plc 04 November 2009

Form TR-1 with annex. FSA Version 2.1 updated April 2007

For filings with the FSA include the annex For filings with issuer exclude the annex

TR-1: Notifications of Major Interests in Shares

Hansard Global Plc

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

2. Reason for notification (yes/no)
X

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
X

Other (please specify):

Disclosure of holdings follows the sale of Insight Investment Management Limited on 2 November 2009. This notification supersedes any notifications previously issued by Lloyds Banking Group plc.

Lloyds TSB Group Plc

3. Full name of person(s) subject to notification obligation:
See Section 9

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3):
2nd November 2009

5. Date of transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):
4th November 2009

6. Date on which issuer notified:
N/A - Direct/Indirect holdings remain above 5%

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

8: Notified Details A: Voting rights attached to shares

Class/type of shares Situation previous to the triggering transaction Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

If possible use ISIN code
Number of shares Number of voting rights Number of shares Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
Direct Indirect Direct Indirect
IM00B1H1XF89 Ord GBP0.50 7,362,201 7,362,201 1,342,716 1,342,716 5,887,695 0.978% 4.289%

B: Qualifying Financial Instruments Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial Expiration Exercise/ Number of voting % of voting
instrument date xiii Conversion Period xiv rights that may be rights
acquired if the
instrument is
exercised/ converted.

C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments xv, xvi Resulting situation after the triggering transaction
Type of financial Exercise price Expiration date xvii Exercise/ Number of voting rights instrument refers to % of voting rights xix, xx
instrument Conversion period xviii
Nominal Delta

Total (A+B+C)

Number of voting rights Percentage of voting rights
7,230,411 5.267%

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and /or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable: 7,084,694 shares (5.161%) are under the control of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scottish Widows Group Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds TSB Bank plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group plc (Indirect Interests).

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of proxy holder: N/A
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold: N/A

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights: N/A

13. Additional information:

14 Contact name: Manoj B Patel

15. Contact telephone name: +44 (0) 1624 688206

For notes on how to complete form TR-1 please see the FSA website.

This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

HOLEADFLEAXNFFE