SVG Capital records another year of growth

SVG Capital’s steady rise continued in 2015, with the FTSE 250 firm recording its sixth consecutive year of double digit net asset value growth on Tuesday.

The company reported 11% growth in net asset value per share to 654p during the year to 31 January, compared to a 5% negative return on the FTSE 350.

Total return on SVG’s investment portfolio was 9%, driven by its new strategy implemented since 2012. Post-2012 investments recorded a total return of 19% over the year, and now represented 36% of the investment portfolio.

£94m of calls were paid, funding 16 new investments over the 12 months, including a co-investment in Eyemart Express. The company also saw a second record year of distributions, receiving £486m during the year.

Share buybacks totalled £167m, adding 19p to net asset value. Net cash balance at year-end was £291m.

"SVG Capital has reported its sixth consecutive year of double digit growth. We are particularly pleased that our post-2012 portfolio returned an impressive 19% over the year,” said CEO Lynn Fordham.

“These investments, made under our new strategy, have again proved to be a strong contributor to overall performance.”

Fordham said the year ahead was likely to present a number of macroeconomic, geopolitical and financial market challenges and they expected volatility to continue.

“We are well-placed to weather any uncertainty and take advantage of investment opportunities that may arise,” she concluded.