Final Results
NEW CENTURY AIM VCT PLC
NEW CENTURY AIM VCT PLC
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT
AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2007
Financial Summary
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Period ended Period ended
28 February 2007 31 March
2006
Revenue return per share (pence) for the
period 0.73 1.54
Total return per share (pence) for the
period 10.49 27.15
Dividends per share (pence) 1.00 -
Cumulative dividends per share (pence)
1.00 -
Net asset value per share (pence) 135 126
NAV total return (net asset value plus
cumulative dividends per share) (pence)
136 126
Shareholders' funds (£'000) 11434 10678
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Investment Manager's Review
Chairman's Statement
The eleven month period to 28th February 2007 was not an easy one for the fund,
with the FTSE AIM Index falling by 8%. Against this unfavourable backdrop, I am
pleased to report that the net asset value of your fund rose by 7.1% to 135p
During the period, we realised net profits of £1.176 million. At the financial
year end, qualifying stocks accounted for 68.76% by value of the fund. By the
end of February 2008, we shall require to maintain in excess of 70% of the fund
in VCT qualifying stocks. Going forward, we shall have to ensure that when
selling, we do not let the VCT qualifying stocks fall much below 70% by value of
the fund. Indeed, for prudence sake, we would like our VCT qualifying stocks to
be considerably in excess of 70% as we approach the February deadline.
Our costs of £143,000 of which investment management fees amounted to £117,000,
represented just 1.25% of the funds under management.
Reflecting the reduction of funds on deposit during the year into lower yielding
equities, net revenue declined to £56,000 for the eleven-month period compared
to £131,000 for the previous twelve months. In the light of this, the Directors
have decided to reduce the net dividend for the period to 0.7p compared to 1p
for the previous twelve months. This reduced payment substantially utilises the
total revenue reserves as at 28th February 2007.
The excellent performance of your fund is a reflection of the dedication of our
investment management team who have diligently analysed each proposed new
investment while monitoring the existing investments with a view to part or
total realisation of those investments when it is deemed appropriate.
Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting will be held at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 30 August
2007 at 17-21 New Century Road, Laindon, Essex SS15 6AG. I look forward to
meeting those shareholders that are able to attend.
John Brice
Chairman
28 June 2007
Introduction
During our second year of management of your fund, we have continued in the same
vein as in the previous year. We have maintained a high level of VCT-qualifying
stocks, though to reduce risks, we have realised profits from some of the
largest holdings and looked to expand the Company into more and more smaller
holdings. By the end of the Company's financial year, the number of stocks held
had risen to 48, while cash awaiting investment had risen to £2.528 million,
equal to 22.05% of the value of the Company.
During the year, we became increasingly concerned over the
toughening competitive pressures being faced by IVAs and we took the decision to
substantially reduce our commitment to this sector.
Another concern for us was the reducing price of ethanol during which grain
prices were sharply rising. This was not a good omen for GTL and Renova, which
make ethanol from grain. As a result, we decided to realise a substantial profit
on these investments.
We reduced our holdings in Internet Business Group, Tanfield and Worthington
Nicholls which were becoming disproportionately large holdings, and took massive
gains for your fund in the process.
Talarius was taken over during the period, resulting in additional useful
profits.
Fortunately, we decided to cut a small loss on Torex Retail, since when, this
company has got into financial difficulties.
System C continued to suffer from a lack of orders from the NHS and given its
uncertain future, we decided to cut our losses here. Having suffered from the
shortcomings of the NHS, we have switched our attention to a company that stands
to benefit from these failings and invested in General Medical Clinics, a
company that provides primary medical care in the City, specialising in general
practice, health screening, occupational health, physiotherapy and travel
vaccinations. General Medical operates three private clinics and, under contract
with the Department of Health, an NHS walk-in centre.
As in our previous year, we have invested in companies likely to benefit from
changes in legislation or from those that will benefit from measures being taken
to provide a greener environment.
We have bought into Hightex which is a leading specialist in the polymer
membrane market for the roofing industry using solar power technologies. We have
participated in the secondary placing of CKS, which specialises in the recycling
of redundant computers, and we have invested in Air Touring, a Biggin Hill
company which sells services and repairs private light aircraft. With ever
longer delays at airports leading to a rising demand for more efficient air
travel and more stringent measures when testing for air worthiness, we believe
Air Touring is well placed to benefit.
We continue to see potential in companies providing services to the oil industry
and have taken the opportunity to invest in Lamprell and Velosi which are both
involved in this sector.
Prospects
The current year has started well. Since the year end, we have generated further
net profits of £1.337 million for your Company and VCT-qualifying investments
have risen to 70.2% of the Company. Cash balances represent 19.6% of the fund,
thus providing some protection in the event of a Market fall but also
offering the opportunity to invest in further promising new investments. The
total number of holdings now amounts to 55 and you will be pleased to learn that
as at 19th June 2007, the net asset value of the Company has risen to 154.7p per
share.
Michael BarnardIncome Statement (incorporating the revenue account)
for the period to 28 February 2007
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Period ended Period ended
28 February 2007 31 March 2006
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investments
- realised 0 1175 1175 0 55 55
- unrealised 0 -262 -262 0 2180 2180
Income 111 - 111 226 0 226
Investment management fee -29 -87 -117 -27 -83 -110
Other expenses -25 - -25 -38 - -38
-------------- ----------- ------ ----------- --------- --------
Return on ordinary activities
before taxation 56 825 881 161 2152 2313
Tax (charge)/credit on
ordinary activities 0 0 0 -30 15 -15
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Return on ordinary activities
after taxation 56 825 881 131 2167 2298
Dividends - - - - - -
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Transfer to reserves 56 825 881 131 2167 2298
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Return per ordinary share 0.73 9.76 10.49 1.54 25.61 27.15
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All revenue and capital items in the above statement are from continuing
operations in the current year. No operations were acquired or discontinued in
the current period. Other than shown above, the company had no recognised gains
or losses. Accordingly no statement of total recognised gains and losses has
been prepared.
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Period ended
Period ended 31 March 2006
Balance Sheet 28 February 2007 £000
At 28 February 2007 £000
Fixed assets
Investments 8,934 9,088
Current assets
Debtors 2,528 1,637
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year -29 -47
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11,433 10,678
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Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 846 846
Share premium 7,534 7,534
Capital reserve - realised 1,131 68
Capital reserve - unrealised 1,862 2,099
Revenue reserve 60 131
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Total equity shareholders' funds 11,434 10,678
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Net asset value per ordinary share 135p 126p
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Cash Flow Statement
for the period to 28 February 2007
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Operating activity £000 £000
Operating profit 2,313
Profit on sale of investments -55
Unrealised gains on investments -2,180
Investment income -226
Increase in creditors 32
Net cash inflow from operating activities -116
Returns on investments
Interest received 213
Investment income 13
Net cash inflow for returns on investments and
servicing of finance 226
Taxation
Capital expenditure & financial investment
Sale of investments 864
Purchase of investments -7,717
Net cash outflow for capital expenditure &
financial investment -6,853
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Net cash outflow before financing -6,743
Share issue 8,464
Expenses paid in connection with share issue -84
Net cash inflow from financing 8,380
Uninvested funds with Broker 1,637
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Notes
1 Return per share
The Revenue return per ordinary share is based on net revenue on ordinary
activities after taxation of £56,174 (2006:£130,399) and on 8,464,500 ordinary
shares (2006:8,464,500), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in
issue during the year.
The capital return per ordinary share is based on a net realised and unrealised
capital profit of £825,813 (2006:£2,167,892) and on 8,464,500 ordinary shares
(2006:8,464,500), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
during the period.
2 Dividend
The directors are proposing a final dividend of 0.7p per share for the period
ended 28 February 2007.
3 Accounts
The results set out above are not full accounts within the meaning of s.240 of
the Companies Act 1985 and have not been reported on but have been agreed with
the company's auditors.
The Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 28 February 2007 will be
filed at the Registrar of Companies following the annual general meeting and
will be posted to shareholders shortly.
4 Announcement
A copy of this announcement will be available at the offices of the Company for
14 days from the date of this announcement. This preliminary announcement is not
being posted to shareholders.
Directors
John Roger Simpson Brice (Chairman)
Michael David Barnard
Geoffrey Gamble
Robin Kirby
Peter William Riley
All directors are non-executive.
Management and Administration
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Registered Office & Registered Number Investment Manager and Broker
4th Floor, M D Barnard & Company Limited
150-152 Fenchurch Street 17-21 New Century Road
London EC3M 6BB Laindon
Essex SS15 6AG
5352611
Company Secretary Auditor & VCT Status Adviser
Woodside Secretaries Limited UHY Hacker Young
4th Floor, St Alphage House
150-152 Fenchurch Street 2 Fore Street
London EC3M 6BB London EC2Y 5DH
Registrar Sponsor
Neville Registrars Limited Teather & Greenwood Limited
Neville House, 18 Laurel Lane Beaufort House
Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3DA 15 St Botolph Street
Glasgow G2 2BR London EC3A 7QR
Solicitors Bankers
Dundas & Wilson Bank of Scotland
5th Floor, Northwest Wing New Uberior House
Bush House 11 Earl Grey Street
Aldwych Edinburgh EH3 9BN
London WC2B 4EZ
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