ARC Capital Holdings Limited


14 October 2015


For Immediate Release


ARC Capital Holdings Limited


Interim Accounts for the Period Ending 30 June 2015


ARC Capital Holdings Limited ('ARCH' or the 'Company') has today announced the publication of its interim accounts for the period ending 30 June 2015. The interim report is reproduced below.


The Company's 2015 interim report will also be sent to registered shareholders shortly and a copy will be available for inspection on the Company's website (http://www.arch-fund.com/).


ARCH's shares remain suspended from trading on AIM pending the appointment of a new Nominated Adviser. A further announcement relating to this matter will be released in due course.


Enquiries


For further information, please contact:


ARC Capital Holdings Limited

Alpay Ece / Sean Hurst Tel: +44 (0)20 7845 5950


Edmond de Rothschild Securities (UK) Limited

William Marle

Tel: +44 (0)20 7845 5950

John Armstrong-Denby Tel: +44 (0)20 7845 5950

Hiroshi Funaki

Tel: +44 (0)20 7845 5960

ARC Capital Holdings Limited


Board Report


(For the six months ended 30 June 2015)


The Board of Directors is pleased to present the interim financial statements of ARC Capital Holdings Limited ('ARCH') and its subsidiaries (collectively, the 'Fund') for the six months ended 30 June 2015.


On 23 September 2015, the Fund published its financial report for the year ending 31 December 2014. Included below is an update of the Fund's position since the year end which may include certain events disclosed and discussed in the 31 December 2014 annual report as post year end events but which are repeated here for completeness.


In February 2015 shareholders voted in general meeting to remove the then existing directors and replace them with a new board of directors. Messrs Steven Feniger and Tian Cho Chu, and Ms Helen Wong left the Board, and Messrs Alpay Ece, Cosimo Borrelli and Sean Hurst were appointed as the new Board of ARCH.


Mr Cosimo Borrelli was removed from the Board on 30 March 2015. Subsequent to this, Borrelli Walsh tendered its resignation as a consultant to the Board, effective 15 April 2015. The Board has decided not to appoint a replacement for the Investment Manager or Borrelli Walsh at this time but to retain specialist consultants in relation to individual assets when appropriate.


Investments


There have been no material changes to the Fund's investments since the update that was provided to shareholders in the 2014 annual financial report, save for the following:


Claim against Investment Manager (Orient Home litigation in England)


On 22 April 2015, the new directors announced that they had commissioned an independent review of ARCH's litigation against the Fund's former investment manager, ARC Capital Partners Limited (the 'Investment Manager'), in respect of the Orient Home investment and had appointed leading international law firm Baker & McKenzie LLP ('Baker & McKenzie') to undertake the review, and to provide an opinion on the reasonableness of pursuing such claim.


The Board announced on 24 September 2015 that, following the completion of Baker & McKenzie's review and in light of its advice, the Board had resolved to continue to pursue ARCH's claim against the Investment Manager. The Fund's legal advisers on this matter, Stephenson Harwood LLP ('Stephenson Harwood') shall therefore continue to pursue the claim in the English High Court.


Funtalk China Holdings (formerly Beijing Pypo)


As stated in the company's annual report, the Board commissioned an investigation into the acquisition of Funtalk by Fortress in 2011, ARCH's investment in Fortress and the events concerning the Fortress investment from 2011 to date from Stephenson Harwood, the same legal adviser acting for ARCH on the claim against the Investment Manager in respect of Orient Home in England.


The Board will update shareholders in due course.

NAV


ARCH's NAV has decreased by approximately 53.97% from US$0.1184 as at 31 December 2014 to US$0.0545 as at 30 June 2015. As explained more fully in the Fund's 2014 annual financial reports, this decrease is primarily due to the accounting treatment of ARCH Digital Holdings Limited ('ARCH

Digital') when producing ARCH's consolidated balance sheet. Under ARCH's current accounting policies, even though the investment in Fortress Group Limited ('Fortress') has been written down to nil, the exercise of the Put Option by PAGAC Fortress Holding I Limited ('PAGAC'), a company affiliated with the Company's former manager, means that ARCH Digital's liabilities exceed its assets by approximately US$70.05 million as at 30 June 2015 ($57.8 million as at 31 December 2014). This liability is growing at the rate of 18% per annum compounding daily. On consolidation, this net liability has to be recognised in ARCH's consolidated accounts. However, shareholders should note that ARCH has not guaranteed ARCH Digital's obligations.


Excluding the net liability of ARCH Digital, the pro forma net asset value of ARCH is as follows:


30 June 2015

31 December 2014

Total (US$)

Per share (US$)

Total (US$)

Per share (US$)

Reported NAV

12,430,706

0.0545

27,017,413

0.1184

Adjustment relating to ARCH Digital

70,052,278

0.3071

57,757,715

0.2532

Pro forma adjusted NAV

82,482,984

0.3615

84,775,128

0.3716


This pro forma adjusted NAV represents a decrease of approximately 2.7% compared to the last reported adjusted NAV per share at the close of business on 31 December 2014 (US$0.3716). It should be noted that the reported NAV does not reflect the recent falls in the value of the renminbi which occurred after the balance sheet date.


Trading on AIM and Nominated Adviser appointment


On 15 September 2015, ARCH announced that its then Nominated Adviser, Grant Thornton UK LLP, had resigned, following notification received by the Fund on 14 August 2015. As a replacement Nominated Adviser had not been appointed at that time, pursuant to AIM Rule 1, ARCH shares remained suspended from trading on AIM. The Board of Directors continues its efforts to appoint a replacement Nominated Adviser and is currently in active discussions with a party whom it hopes to appoint shortly, however, if a replacement is not found, the admission of ARCH's ordinary shares to trading on AIM will be cancelled at 7.00 a.m. on 16 October 2015. A further announcement will be made in due course.


We sincerely thank the shareholders for their continued support throughout this difficult period for the Fund.


Sean Hurst & Alpay Ece Directors

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 30 June 2015

30 June

2015

31 December

2014

US$

US$

Note

(unaudited)

(audited)

Assets

Investments, at fair value

3

7,360,639

7,354,143

(Cost: 30 June 2015: US$170,435,220

31 December 2014: US$170,435,220)

Investment deposits

7

52,284,105

52,248,017

Other assets

9

6,354,030

21,471,845

Cash and cash equivalents

10

42,888,150

31,680,494


Total assets


108,886,924


112,754,499

-------------------

-------------------

Liabilities

Deferred tax

6

351,167

350,857

Tax payable

6

13,129,527

13,129,527

Other payables and accruals

11

82,975,524

72,256,702

Total liabilities

96,456,218

85,737,086

-------------------

-------------------

Net assets

12,430,706

27,017,413

===========

===========

Shareholders' equity

Share capital

12

2,281,416

2,281,416

Share premium

12

326,371,746

326,371,746

Accumulated losses

(323,225,190)

(308,578,458)

Foreign currency translation reserve

7,002,734

6,942,709

Total shareholders' equity

12,430,706

27,017,413

===========

===========

Net asset value per share

15(a)

0.05

0.12

===========

===========


Approved by the Board of Directors on 14 October 2015.


Sean Hurst Director


Consolidated Schedule of Investments as at 30 June 2015


30 June 2015

31 December 2014


Cost


Fair value

% of net


Cost


Fair value

% of net

Investment

Instrument

US$

US$

assets

US$

US$

assets

Mobile phone retail, China

Fortress Group Limited1


Common stock


100,800,044


-


-


100,800,044


-


-

Home decoration retail, China

Orient Home Decoration & Building Materials Company Limited ('Orient Home Retail')

Loan

23,245,008

-

-

23,245,008

-

-



Dairy, China

Ningxia Xiajin Dairy Co., Ltd.


Common stock


-


-


-


-


-


-

Education, China

Shaanxi Da De Education2


Common stock


30,533,602


-


-


30,533,602


-


-

Pharmaceutical, China

Buchang Pharmaceutical Group


Common stock


-


-


-


-


-


-

Others

A domestic Chinese strategic investor ('DCSI')3


Loan


15,856,566


7,360,639


59.21%


15,856,566


7,354,143


27.22%

Total

170,435,220

7,360,639

59.21%

170,435,220

7,354,143

27.22%

=========

=========

=====

=========

==========

=====

Notes:


  1. On 31 January 2013, the Fund received 388 common shares of Fortress Group Limited ('Fortress'), the parent of Funtalk China Holdings Limited ('Funtalk') to settle the outstanding receivable from Funtalk's management, increasing ARCH's equity interest in Funtalk from approximately 18.47% to 20.49%, on a fully diluted basis. The shares received were valued at US$10.8 million which has been included in the cost of investment as at 30 June 2015. Also see note 3(i), 11(b) and 16(e).


  2. As at 30 June 2015, it was decided by the Board to recognise the initial deposit received as return of equity. Also see note 3(ii) , 11(a) and 16(d)


  3. The name of the investee is not disclosed due to a confidentiality arrangement. Also see note 3(iii) and 16(a).

Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period ended 30 June 2015


6 months

ended

6 months

ended

30 June 2015

30 June 2014

US$

US$

Note

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Investment income

Bank interest and sundry income

43,747

121,866

Total investment income

43,747

121,866

------------------

------------------

Expenses

Investment management fee

4

-

1,078,756

Consulting Fee

265,656

-

Administration, custodian and registrar fees

116,081

145,225

Professional fees

1,677,424

1,111,424

Directors' remuneration and expense reimbursement

5

106,944

99,805

Finance costs

4

-

Impairment loss

8

-

6,612,981

Provision for put option

11

12,294,563

-

Other expenses

236,303

493,590

Total expenses

14,696,975

9,541,781

--------------------

--------------------

Net investment loss

(14,653,228)

(9,419,915)

--------------------

--------------------

Net loss on investments and foreign currencies

Net realised gain on investments before tax

-

13,727,143

Income tax expenses

6

-

(1,372,714)

Net realised gain on investments

-

12,354,429

--------------------

--------------------

Net unrealised gain/(loss) on investments before tax

6,496

(109,553,657)

Deferred tax credit

6

-

1,519,800

Net unrealised gain/(loss) on investments

6,496

(108,033,857)

--------------------

--------------------

Net gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currencies

6,496

(95,679,428)

--------------------

--------------------

Net decrease in net assets from operations

(14,646,732)

(105,099,343)

===========

============

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the period ended 30 June 2015


Retained

Foreign

earnings/

currency

Share

Share

Tendered

(accumulated

translation

capital

premium

Shares

losses)

reserve

Total

US$

US$

US$

US$

US$

US$

At 1 January 2014

2,610,827

354,042,331

-

(146,376,886)

7,125,323

217,401,595

Share repurchase

(329,411)

(27,670,585)

-

-

-

(27,999,996)

Net investment loss

-

-

-

(9,419,915)

-

(9,419,915)

Net realised gain on investments


-


-


-


12,354,429


-


12,354,429

Net unrealised loss on investments


-


-


-


(108,033,857)


-


(108,033,857)

Foreign currencies translation difference


-


-


-


-


(447,165)


(447,165)

At 30 June 2014

2,281,416

326,371,746

-

(251,476,229)

6,678,158

83,855,091

===========

===========

===========

===========

===========

===========

At 1 January 2015

2,281,416

326,371,746

-

(308,578,458)

6,942,709

27,017,413

Share repurchase

-

-

-

-

-

-

Net investment loss

-

-

-

(14,653,228)

-

(14,653,228)

Net unrealised gain on investments


-


-


-


6,496


-


6,496

Foreign currencies translation difference


-


-


-


-


60,025


60,025

At 30 June 2015

2,281,416

326,371,746

-

(323,225,190)

7,002,734

12,430,706

===========

===========

===========

===========

===========

===========

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the period ended 30 June 2015



6 months

ended

6 months

ended

30 June 2015

30 June 2014

US$

US$

Note

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net decrease in net assets from operations

(14,646,732)

(105,099,343)

Adjustments to reconcile net increase

in net assets from operations to net cash

provided by operating activities:

- Net realised gain on investments before tax

-

(13,727,143)

- Net unrealised(gain)/ loss on investments before tax

(6,496)

109,553,657

- Proceeds from sale of investments

-

44,857,143

- (Increase)/decrease in investment deposits

(36,088)

372,537

- Decrease in other assets

15,117,815

992,905

- Impairment loss

8

-

6,612,981

- Provision for put option

11

12,294,563

-

- Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax liabilities

310

(1,522,999)

- Increase in tax payable

-

510,559

- (Decrease)/increase in other payables and accruals

(1,575,741)

230,388

- Foreign currencies translation difference

60,025

(447,165)

Net cash provided by operating activities

11,207,656

42,333,520

-------------------

--------------------

Cash flows from financing activities

Repurchase of shares

12

-

(27,999,996)

Net cash used in financing activities

-

(27,999,996)

-------------------

-------------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

11,207,656

14,333,524

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

31,680,494

19,607,765

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

10

42,888,150

33,941,289

===========

===========

Supplemental cash flow information

- Interest paid

(4)

-

===========

===========

Supplemental cash flow information

- Tax paid

-

862,154

===========

===========



1 General


  1. Organisation


    ARC Capital Holdings Limited (the 'Company') was incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company under the Companies Law on 27 July 2005. On 4 April 2006, the Company changed its name from Asia Retail Consumer Holdings Limited to ARC Capital Holdings Limited.

    The Company is a closed-end investment company trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company's principal investment objective is to provide its shareholders with capital appreciation by investing in listed and unlisted companies in the retail, consumer goods and consumer service sectors principally in China and in neighbouring Asian countries. The Company finances these companies for expansion through buy-outs, pre-IPO opportunities and other equity and mezzanine securities.

    The Company was managed by ARC Capital Partners Limited (the 'Investment Manager') until 7 August 2014. The Investment Manager was responsible for the day-to-day management of the Company's investment portfolio, including, subject to approval by the Investment Committee which is appointed by the Investment Manager and approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the day-to-day acquisition and disposal of investments in accordance with the Company's investment objective and policies. On 7 February 2014, the Investment Manager provided written notice of its resignation, and its investment management agreement with the Company ended on 7 August 2014, following the conclusion of its 6 month notice period. As at the date of the report no replacement investment manager has been appointed nor do the directors intend to make such an appointment.

    On 30 June 2015, the Company announced that it had requested the suspension of its shares from trading on AIM, pending the finalisation of its audited annual accounts for the financial year ending 31 December 2014. Furthermore, on 14 August 2015, ARCH announced that it had been notified by Grant Thornton UK LLP of its resignation as Nominated Adviser effective 15 September 2015.


    Pursuant to AIM Rule 1, ARCH shares will continue to be suspended from trading on AIM until a new Nominated Adviser is appointed. The Board of Directors continues its efforts to appoint a replacement Nominated Adviser, however, if a replacement is not found, the admission of ARCH's ordinary shares to trading on AIM will be cancelled at 7.00 a.m. on 16 October 2015.


    1 General (continued)


  2. Investment policy


  1. Change of investment policy

    On 31 January 2012, Shareholders voted to change the Company into a realisation vehicle. Accordingly, the Company's investment policy has been changed permanently so that no new investments will be made. The Company's ordinary shares, however, were to continue to be admitted to trading on AIM.

  2. Nature of returns to shareholders

    All of the Company's existing investments will be realised in the ordinary course of business. The net proceeds from realisations will be returned to shareholders, after which the Company will be wound up. The Company's realisation policy will not result in any immediate or accelerated sales and investments will only be realised when, in the opinion of the Board, an appropriate opportunity presents itself.

  3. Estimated time of divestment


The estimated time of divestment is between 2012 and 2015.

Prior to 31 January 2012, the Company's Investment Policy was as follows:

  1. Geographical focus

    At least 70% of the Company's gross assets will be invested in China. Up to a maximum of 30% of the Company's gross assets may also be invested in Greater China and other countries in Asia, should the Board consider that such investments offer potentially attractive returns. Any investment made in countries outside of Greater China must be approved by the Board.

  2. Target companies

    The Company targets (i) late stage companies with growth, back up or performance enhancement potential; and (ii) expansion stage companies with proven management and significant growth potential.

  3. Sector focus

    The Company invests primarily in listed and unlisted companies engaged in retailing, providing services that support the retail industry (such as consumer finance, distribution and logistics), manufacturing or distributing consumer products or services, developing or managing property with a focus on retailing, and other retail and consumer-related firms.


  4. General (continued)


    (b) Investment policy (continued)


  5. Types of investment

    As a general principle, the Company can engage in all forms of investment as allowed under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it operates, utilising instruments and structures that may be suitable to allow participation in selected investment opportunities. The Company may invest in equity, quasi- equity or debt instruments, which may or may not represent shareholding or management control. Where the Board deems it appropriate, the Company may also invest up to 20% of its net asset value in other investment pools, which themselves invest in unlisted and listed securities in the same target geographic regions and sectors as the Company.

  6. Diversification limit

  7. The Company aims to achieve a balance in its exposure to different sectors. Furthermore, no single investment may at the time of investment exceed 20% of the Company's net asset value.


    1. Summary of significant accounting policies

      These consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively 'the Fund') are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ('US GAAP'), which includes the application of the provision of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies (the 'Guide'). The following are the significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements.


    2. Use of estimates


      The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


    3. Principles of consolidation


      These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its special purpose vehicles. Special purpose vehicles ('SPVs') are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Fund and are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. Investments held by the SPVs are not subject to consolidation and equity accounting as they are non-investment company investees with the purpose to realise a gain upon disposal rather than provide services to the Company. Inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.


      2 Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)


    4. Investments

      1. Recognition, derecognition and measurement

        Regular purchase and sale of investments are accounted for on the trade day, which is the day the trade is executed. All investment securities are initially recognised at cost. Costs used in determining net realised gains or losses on the sale of investment securities are based on average- cost method. Legal and due diligence fees and other charges associated with acquiring the investments are capitalised as part of the cost of the investment securities.

        Transfer of investments is accounted for as a sale when the Fund has relinquished control over the transferred assets. Any realised gains or losses from investments are recognised in the consolidated statement of operations.

        Investments are subsequently carried at fair value and changes in fair value are presented in the consolidated statement of operations.

      2. Fair value measurement

      The Fund is an investment company under the Guide. As a result, the Fund records its investments in the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities at their fair value, with unrealised gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value recognised in the consolidated statement of operations.

      Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell the investments in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e. the exit price). Fair value of investments is determined by the Valuation Committee, which is established by the Board of Directors.

      The Valuation Committee uses its best judgement in estimating fair value. In determining the fair value, the Valuation Committee engages third party valuation agents to assist in the selection of valuation techniques and models. However, there are inherent limitations in any valuation technique due to the lack of observable inputs. Estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the securities, and the differences could be material to the financial statements. Additional information about the level of market observability associated with investment carried at fair value is disclosed in Note 3.

distributed by