U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE
13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Unit 803, Dina House, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell
Street, Central, Hong Kong SAR, China
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨
Note: Regulation S-T
Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to
security holders.
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨
Note: Regulation S-T
Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the
registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated,
domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which
the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has
not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K
submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SCULLY ROYALTY
LTD.
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By:
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/s/
Samuel Morrow
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Samuel Morrow
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Chief Financial Officer
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NEWS
RELEASE
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Scully Royalty
Ltd.
1 (844) 331 3343
info@scullyroyalty.com
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SCULLY ROYALTY LTD. PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE
AND ANNOUNCES ACTIONS
SEEKING TO MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
HONG KONG (April 30, 2021) Scully Royalty Ltd.
(the “Company”) (NYSE: SRL) is pleased to announce that it has filed its annual report on form 20-F with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and also provides the following corporate updates:
UPDATE ON THE SCULLY MINE
The most valuable asset that the Company owns
is its net revenues royalty interest in the Scully iron ore mine located in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The royalty
rate under this interest is 7.0% on iron ore shipped from the mine and 4.2% on iron ore shipped from tailings and other disposed materials,
with a minimum payment of C$3.25 million per annum.
In 2017, a new operator acquired the Scully mine
and has disclosed that it has since achieved a number of milestones, including completing a US$276 million financing and commencing operations
at the mine in 2019. The Scully mine has a capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum
and produces a premium iron ore product, with Fe content in excess of 65%.
Iron ore is primarily used to make steel, which
is considered to be a critical commodity for global economic development. As such, the demand and consequently the pricing of iron ore
are largely dependent upon the raw material requirements of integrated steel producers. Demand for blast furnace steel is in turn cyclical
in nature and is influenced by, among other things, the level of global economic activity.
The operator of the mine has disclosed the Scully
iron ore mine produces a high-grade ore in excess of 65% iron content that also has other favorable characteristics, such as relatively
low contaminant ratios. Globally, steelmakers value high grade iron ore with low contaminants (such as silica, alumina, and phosphorus)
because they improve environmental and financial performance through more efficient raw material utilization, higher plant yields, and
lower emissions. Therefore, it is common and generally expected for 65% Fe iron ore, including the Scully iron ore mine's product, to
sell at a premium to 62% Fe iron ore. In 2020, the Platts 65% Fe index price was at an approximately 12% (US$13) premium to the Platts
62% Fe Index price.
The Scully Iron Ore Mine
We are encouraged by the development of iron ore
pricing and the production ramp up of the mine to date. The following is a three-year price chart of 62% iron ore.
The following table sets forth total iron ore
products shipped (which include pellets, chips and concentrates by the Scully mine operator in 2019 and 2020:
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H1
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H2
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Full Year
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(in thousands of tonnes)
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2019
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-
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954,579
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954,579
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2020
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1,459,162
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1,539,492
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2,998,654
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CASH DIVIDEND POLICY
As a result of the positive developments at the
Scully iron ore mine, going forward, the Company has determined to focus its efforts on enhancing shareholder value and maximizing earnings
and dividends to its shareholders based upon its iron ore royalty interest. Aligned with this focus, the Company is pleased to announce
that its board of directors has taken the first step by approving a policy for future cash dividends.
While no dividends have been declared or determined
to date,the dividend policy is intended to maximize potential future dividends payable to holders of common shares after consideration
of the Company’s financial position, operating results, ongoing working capital requirements and other factors.
Any cash dividend payment will be made in accordance
with regulatory requirements after the approval of our Board of Directors. Subject to board approval and dependent on the Company’s
results, financial position and other factors the Company currently expects that the first dividend payment under its Cash Dividend Policy
to be made in the second half of 2021.
STOCK DIVIDENDS AND LIQUIDITY OF OUR COMMON
SHARES
It has been and remains our goal and initiative
to structure the group in a way that substantially eliminates the discount between the market price of our common shares and our stated
net book value per share. For example, we believe that the value of our royalty interest in the Scully iron ore mine is not properly reflected
in the price of our common shares. We believe that one of the reasons for this discrepancy is our complex group structure and diverse
portfolio of assets with different economics, capital requirements, and growth prospects. One of the major obstacles for achieving
this goal is the very limited liquidity in our common shares. This trading profile restricts many investors from acquiring shareholdings,
as the illiquidity of our stock does not qualify us for institutional ownership.
C$ '000s, except share and per share amounts
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12/31/20
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Current assets
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129,211
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Non-current assets
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379,914
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Current liabilities
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16,137
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Non-current liabilities
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124,264
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Shareholders' equity
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361,544
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Shares outstanding ('000s)
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12,555
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Book value per share (C$)
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28.80
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Book value per share (US$)
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22.62
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Market price per share (US$; 04/27/21 closing price)
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9.35
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Price / Book
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41.34
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To help address this issue of illiquidity with
our common shares, our Board of Directors has approved two stock dividends which will increase the number of shares outstanding without
diluting any individual shareholder position. The goal of these stock dividends is to improve shareholder value and liquidity and make
our common shares more accessible to a broader base of investors. The details of the tax free stock dividends are:
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a 9% stock dividend will be distributed on May 31, 2021, to shareholders of record as at May 14, 2021,
where such holders will receive 9 common shares for every 100 common share held on the record date; and
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an 8% stock dividend will be distributed on November 30, 2021, to shareholders of record as at November
15, 2021, where such holders will receive 8 common shares for every 100 common share held on the record date.
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The above stock dividends are subject to receipt
of any requisite stock exchange approvals.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
To support the Company’s core focus, the
other two of our operating segments – Industrial and Merchant Banking will be classified as discontinued operations in our 2021
financial statements.
As a result of the discontinued operations accounting,
beginning with our 2021 half-year financial results, our balance sheet will present the assets and liabilities of Industrial and Merchant
Banking as assets held for sale, and liabilities associated with assets held for sale, respectively. Management is committed to a plan
to rationalize these interests. As a result, all financial results of these two segments will be consolidated into one line on our income
statement, being “Income (loss) from discontinued operations”. This will result in our financial statements to be materially
focused on our core royalty asset going forward.
December 31, 2020 (C$ '000s, except share and per share amounts)
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Royalty
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Industrial
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Merchant Banking
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All Other
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Consolidated SRL
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Assets
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226,645
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153,240
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107,440
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21,800
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509,125
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Liabilities and non-controlling interests
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53,519
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43,418
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49,844
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800
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147,581
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Equity
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173,126
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109,822
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57,596
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21,000
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361,544
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Revenue from external customers
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31,360
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17,666
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10,406
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0
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59,432
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Income (loss) before income taxes
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25,293
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(1,229
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832
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(13,717
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11,179
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Equity per Share (C$)
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13.79
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8.75
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4.59
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1.67
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28.80
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Shares Outstanding (in '000s)
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12,555
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12,555
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12,555
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12,555
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12,555
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Our discontinued operations have not produced
returns commensurate to that of our royalty interest, and our board of directors believes that these actions provide compelling benefits
to our shareholders and to all aspects and business segments of the Company. It simplifies the Company’s corporate structure by
separating its non-strategic assets and allows the independent business lines to focus on pursuing and operating their respective businesses.
Industrial
Our Industrial segment includes multiple projects
in resources and services around the globe. It seeks opportunities to benefit from long-term industrial and services assets, with a focus
on East Asia. This segment makes proprietary investments as part of its overall activities and we seek to realize gains on such investments
over time. These investments can take many forms and can include acquiring entire businesses or portions thereof, investing in equity
or investing in existing indebtedness (secured and unsecured) of businesses or in new equity or debt issues. These activities are generally
not passive. The structure of each of these opportunities is tailored to each individual transaction. This segment also holds various
production and processing assets, including production and processing assets.
The book value of our Industrial segment was C$109.8
million, or C$8.75 per share, as at December 31, 2020.
Merchant Banking
Our Merchant Banking segment comprises regulated
merchant banking with a focus on Europe and the Americas. We own Merkanti Bank Limited, a licensed bank in Europe, which does not engage
in general retail, commercial banking or any universal banking operations, but provides specialty banking services, focused on merchant
banking, to our customers, suppliers and group members. In addition, we hold an interest in certain industrial real estate in Europe.
The book value of our Merchant Banking segment
was C$57.6 million, or C$4.59 per share as at December 31, 2020.
DISPUTE WITH EUROPEAN BANK
As previously disclosed, in the second half of
2019, a European Bank made an application in the Cayman Islands on an ex parte basis (without any prior notice to, or participation
by the Company), and was ultimately granted a temporary order which, among other things, restricts the Company from selling or disposing
of certain shares in subsidiaries and other assets, without certain conditions or approvals being met.
This order is not a monetary judgement.
The Company has appealed this order and currently expects the appeal may be heard in the second half of 2021.
The underlying dispute between the Company and
the European Bank, which focuses its business in the CEE countries (including the Balkans and Russia), is related to an alleged guarantee
of the former parent of the Group in the amount of approximately EUR 43 million. The Company disputes the validity of, and any liability
under, this alleged guarantee and has received legal opinions that the alleged guarantee is invalid. The Company also has filed a counterclaim
against the European Bank in excess of their claims. It is difficult to predict how long this matter will take to get to trial, though
we believe it is unlikely that this dispute will be resolved in the near future.
This order has no implications on our ongoing
daily businesses and our dividend policy and we do not currently expect that this dispute will ultimately result in a material impact
on our financial results.
MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS
We are pleased to announce that our board of directors
has appointed Samuel Morrow as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company. Mr. Morrow replaces Michael
Smith as President and CEO, who will be continuing with the Company as Executive Chairman going forward.
Mr. Morrow is a Chartered Financial Analyst and
has been our Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer since June 2017. Prior to this, he worked in various functions
for the Scully Group and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining the Scully Group, Mr. Morrow was Vice President of Tanaka Capital Management
and Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Tanaka Growth Fund. Mr. Morrow is a graduate of St. Lawrence
University in New York State.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan
promotes the creation of shareholder value by attracting and retaining key employees and directors, encouraging them to focus on the critical
long-term objectives of the Company and aligning their interests with shareholders through increased share ownership. As at December 31,
2020, 426,000 option awards were outstanding and 129,403 future awards were available under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.
The Company’s Board of Directors and Compensation
Committee have approved an amendment to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the total number of shares available for issuance by
1,326,591 shares. Our shareholders will be asked to approve these amendments at our annual meeting in 2021. Our Compensation Committee
and board of directors also approved grants of stock options entitling the holders thereof to acquire up to 1,307,000 Common Shares of
the Company, which options will have a term of 10 years, be granted effective on the second business day after the date of our Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 and have an exercise price equal to the closing price of our Common Shares on
such date. Vesting of these Awards is subject to ratification of the amendments to the Incentive Plan at the next annual meeting of our
shareholders in 2021.
MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
Michael Smith, Executive Chairman of the Company,
commented, “We are very pleased about the actions and appointment announced today, which we believe will best position the Company
to maximize value for our shareholders as we move forward.”
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
Management welcomes any questions you may have
and looks forward to discussing our operations, results and plans with stakeholders. Further:
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stakeholders are encouraged to read our entire annual report on form 20-F, which includes our audited
financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, for a greater understanding
of our business and operations; and
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direct any questions regarding the information in this report to our North American toll-free line at
1 (844) 331 3343 or email info@scullyroyalty.com to book a conference call with our senior management.
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Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements which are,
or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" which are prospective in nature, including, without limitation, statements
regarding the Company's business plans, future business prospects, future dividend practices, expectations regarding the timing and outcomes
of litigation proceedings and the plans of the operator underlying its royalty interest and any statements regarding beliefs, expectations
or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and
projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially
from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can
be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "estimates",
"intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain
actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will"
be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future
expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's
actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, revenues, performance or achievements
to differ materially from our expectations include, among other things:(i) economic and market conditions; (ii) future dividends, if any,
are dependent on the Company's financial position and other factors and the Company may fail to declare dividends in the future or at
all; (iii)any failure by the operator of the mine underlying the Company’s interest to complete its plans as disclosed by it or
at all; (iv) risks and uncertainties involving litigation; and (v) other risks set forth in our public disclosure, and other risks beyond
our control. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in light of such factors. Other than in accordance with its
legal or regulatory obligations, the Company is not under any obligation and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional
information about these and other assumptions are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, our
report for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.