MANAGEMENT REPORT
The Board of Directors presents its report together with the audited
financial statements of S.D Standard ETC Plc. (“SDSD” or the
“Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
HISTORY AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
The Company was incorporated as a private limited liability
company under the laws of Cyprus with the name of S.D. Standard
Drilling Limited on 2 December 2010. The Company was converted
into a public limited liability company on 23 December 2010 and the
Company’s name was changed to S.D. Standard ETC Plc in January
2022. On 25 March 2011 the Company’s shares were listed on Oslo
Axess and on 31 May 2017 were listed on Oslo Bors, under the ticker
SDSD.
The principal activity of the Company is to operate as an investment
entity with a special focus on energy, transport and commodities
segments, with direct or indirect exposure into companies,
securities and / or assets.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company’s strategy is mainly to invest in energy, transport and
commodities segments, directly or indirectly into companies,
securities, commodities and / or assets, although the Company will
pursue any attractive investment opportunities that may arise
within the framework of industries it operates. The objective of the
Company is to generate significant medium to long term capital
growth in a sustainable manner.
SDSD has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary named Standard
Invest AS in 2021 which provides portfolio management services to
the Company.
The Company has a sound financial position with no debt and the
Board of Directors believe that the company is well positioned to
take advantage of opportunities that may appear within the
markets it operates. This includes, but is not limited to, asset play,
or investment directly in other companies. The main drivers are
maximizing the return and minimizing the risk.
REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS, POSITION AND PERFORMANCE OF THE
COMPANY'S BUSINESS
During the year 2025, the Company entered into various
transactions, the most significant of which are summarized below:
1. In March 2025, the Company sold the 49,784,706 shares held
in Dolphin Drilling AS through an accelerated bookbuilding
process offering (the “Placing”) at a price of NOK 1.1 per share
for total gross proceeds of approximately NOK 54,8 million
(USD 5,1 million). The transaction resulted in a realized loss of
USD 11,3 million.
2. In June 2025, the subsidiary Standard Supply AS proceeded
with an equity issue through a private placement raising gross
proceeds of NOK 35 million in two tranches. The Company, as
one of the largest shareholders, was allocated shares for NOK
4,8 million equivalent to USD 471 thousands in June and a
further allocation of shares for NOK 2,7 million equivalent to
USD 273 thousands in July. As a result, the holding was further
reduced to 38%.
3. In July 2025, Standard Supply AS changed its name to
StandardCoin AS. On 11 September 2025, it was decided by an
EGM to proceed with its dissolution. On 21 November 2025,
StandardCoin AS was officially liquidated and the Company
received as a return of capital the amount of USD2,7 million.
4. During the year 2025, the Company received from its
subsidiary Standard Coin AS dividends in cash amounting to
USD 652 thousands (2024: USD 45,7 million).
5. Moreover, during 2025 the Company invested USD 241,7
million for the acquisition of securities listed on the US and
Oslo Stock Exchange, debt investments as well as unlisted
securities, some of which were disposed for USD 261,9 million
realizing a profit of USD 36,6 million and a fair value loss of USD
19,8 million from revaluation of financial assets at fair value
held for trading. As of 31 December 2025, investments held for
trading had a fair value of USD 42,7 million.
More information on investments and transactions with related
parties is provided in notes 5 and 21 respectively.
Non-Financial KPIs
Health, Safety and Environmental regulations
The Company aims to comply, in all material respects, with the
health, safety and environmental regulations affecting its
operations in the countries and jurisdictions in which the Company
is operating. The Company is not, nor has been involved in any legal,
governmental or arbitration proceedings. This is in line with the
overall culture and vision of the Company.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The Company has formalized guidelines regarding corporate social
responsibility and is constantly focused and conducts its business
through a sound code of ethics.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Company’s results for the year are set out on page 10. The
Company’s profit after tax for the year ended 31 December 2025,
which is attributable to the equity holders, was USD 3,5 million
compared to a loss of USD 16 million for the year ended 31
December 2024. The total assets of the Company for 2025 were
USD 121,1 million and the net assets were USD 118,9 million,
compared to USD 117,6 million and USD 116,9 million respectively
in 2024.
The Company’s results for the year 2025 show a positive
development when compared to the results of the year 2024.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company’s activities are exposed to the overall economic
environment as well as regulatory, market and other financial risks
associated with the market in which the specific investments are
held.
Russo-Ukrainian and Geopolitical situation in the Middle East
The Company does not have any operations or investments directly
impacted by the present wars in Ukraine and Iran, however the
continuance and a potential escalation or de-escalation of these
wars may cause material impact on equity and assets prices
worldwide, which in turn may affect the Company’s earnings and
statement of financial position.