Final Results

THE THROGMORTON TRUST PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2005 • Continued strong outperformance by the Trust • Net Asset Value per ordinary share 173.2p (2004:135.4p) see table below • Increased final dividend of 1.25p per share (2004:1.1p) making a total of 1.75p (2004:1.6p) NET ASSET VALUE 30.11.2004 30.11.2005 Year on year 25.01.2006 % change The Throgmorton Trust PLC 135.4p 173.2p +27.9 187.0p (debt at par) (debt at market value) 129.6p 165.6p +27.8 179.3p FTSE SmallCap (ex Inv. 2671.5 3108.9 +16.4 3336.2 Cos.) FTSE All-Share 2345.2 2741.1 +16.9 2898.4 THE CHAIRMAN, RICHARD BERNAYS, COMMENTED: At the end of my first year as Chairman, I am pleased to report another year of strong performance by your company. For the 5th year running, we have substantially outperformed our benchmark. In the year ended 30th November 2005, the Company's net asset value ('NAV') per share (valuing debt at market value) rose by 27.8% compared with a rise in our benchmark FTSE Small Cap (ex Investment Companies) Index of 16.4%. The rise in the share price was higher with a gain of 28.8%, reflecting a fall in the discount (valuing debt at market value) from 14.9% to 14.2%. During the year, the discount has ranged from 10.1% to 15.0%. Discount against NAV The Board regularly reviews the discount of the share price against the NAV. In this review, we look at the debt valued at market price rather than at its nominal value as we consider this is the most appropriate method of calculating NAV. At the half year stage, I reported that your board was concerned at the level of the discount against NAV which remains higher than the Board would want given the excellent performance of the portfolio. In the second half of the year, we have continued our policy of buying in shares and, over the year, we have bought in 47 million shares at an average discount of 13.0%. This policy of buying in shares at a discount has had a positive impact on NAV per share, increasing it by 3.5%. The board has also repurchased £25,000 of the Trust's 12 15/16% debenture. We continue to look for opportunities to repurchase this expensive debt on acceptable terms but rarely is stock available. Revenue and Dividend The Board is recommending a final dividend of 1.25p per share, making a total dividend for the year of 1.75p, an increase of 9.38% over the previous year. Generally it is the Board's policy to distribute the whole of the income available to shareholders by way of dividend each year. The Portfolio Our investment manager has done well for us again this year. Over the years the Manager has shown great skill in stock selection and the current year has been no exception. An attribution analysis of the performance of the portfolio shows that stock selection was the main contributor to the Trust's out-performance against its benchmark. A substantial proportion (42%) of the portfolio is held in AIM stocks. The AIM market attracts many exciting young companies and we have benefited particularly from investment in new issues and placings in this growing market. Within the portfolio as a whole, the Manager places strong emphasis on sound balance sheets, strong management and tight financial control. The Board and the Manager monitor carefully the risks within the portfolio and consider that a good balance is achieved between risk and potential return. The portfolio is currently well diversified with more than 170 holdings. The Board At the AGM in March, I took over from Lord Stewartby as Chairman. Lord Stewartby had been Chairman since 1990 and had led the transformation of the company from a highly geared trust with many illiquid and unquoted investments into one of the leading specialist small company investment trusts. This was a long and difficult path involving some very delicate negotiations. Lord Stewartby and his colleagues on the Board successfully extricated the company from these unsuitable investments, wound up or sold the underperforming subsidiaries or associated companies and reduced debt. The current success of the company owes much to his perspicacity. Fortunately, he has agreed to remain on the Board and is seeking re-election for one more year. Sir Victor Garland, who has been on the Board for 20 years and has been Chairman of the Audit Committee since 1991, will be retiring at the next AGM. Sir Victor has been an important influence on the Company and has played a vital part in its transformation. We will miss his wise counsel. During the year Eric Stobart took over from Sir Victor Garland as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Outlook Our investments are predominately in the UK so it is the outlook for this economy that is relevant to the future of The Throgmorton Trust. After three years of exceptional growth and the UK economy showing signs of slowing down, it would be optimistic to expect smaller companies to continue to perform as well as they have in the past few years. However, as a slowdown in the UK economy rather than a recession is likely, I would expect our Manager to continue to find attractive opportunities to buy undervalued smaller growth companies. Richard Bernays Chairman 26 January 2006 The Throgmorton Trust PLC Preliminary statement for the year ended 30 November 2005 Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Year to 30 November 2005 (unaudited) Revenue Capital Total £000s £000s £000s Realised gains - 70,184 70,184 Unrealised gains - 3,618 3,618 Income 7,064 - 7,064 Management fee (1,439) (1,439) (2,878) Other expenses (459) - (459) Net return before finance costs and 5,166 72,363 77,529 taxation Interest payable and similar (1,973) (1,906) (3,879) charges Premium paid on repurchase of - (9) (9) debenture stock Return on ordinary activities 3,193 70,448 73,641 before taxation Tax on ordinary activities - - - Return on ordinary activities after 3,193 70,448 73,641 taxation attributable to equity shareholders Dividends in respect of equity (3,010) - (3,010) shares Transfer to reserves 183 70,448 70,631 Return per ordinary share - basic 1.58p 34.92p 36.50p The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the company. All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. The Throgmorton Trust PLC Preliminary statement for the year ended 30 November 2004 Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses (Continued) Year to 30 November 2004 (audited) Revenue Capital Total £000s £000s £000s Realised gains - 29,830 29,830 Unrealised gains - 43,880 43,880 Income 7,428 - 7,428 Management fee (1,333) (1,333) (2,666) Other expenses (382) - (382) Net return before finance costs and 5,713 72,377 78,090 taxation Interest payable and similar (2,136) (2,014) (4,150) charges Premium paid on repurchase of - (683) (683) debenture stock Return on ordinary activities 3,577 69,680 73,257 before taxation Tax on ordinary activities - - - Return on ordinary activities after 3,577 69,680 73,257 taxation attributable to equity shareholders Dividends in respect of equity (3,676) - (3,676) shares Transfer (from)/to reserves (99) 69,680 69,581 Return per ordinary share - basic 1.55p 30.25p 31.80p The Revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the company. All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. The Throgmorton Trust PLC Preliminary statement for the year ended 30 November 2005 Revenue Account For the year ended 30 November £000s 2005 £000s 2004 (unaudited) (audited) £000s £000s Income from fixed asset investments 5,721 6,386 Franked income 412 832 Unfranked income 6,133 7,218 Other income 837 147 Interest receivable 94 63 Fees and commissions 931 210 Gross Income 7,064 7,428 Expenses and interest 1,439 1,333 Management fee 459 382 Administration expenses 1,973 2,136 Interest payable (3,871) (3,851) Net revenue from ordinary 3,193 3,577 activities (after taxation) Dividends (249) - Ordinary shares: 976 1,149 Adjustment to 2004 accrual 2,283 2,527 Interim Final 3,010 3,676 Transfer to/(from) reserves 183 (99) Earnings per share - basic 1.58p 1.55p The revenue account is a fuller version of the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue is derived from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the year. The Throgmorton Trust PLC Preliminary statement for the year ended 30 November 2005 Balance Sheet As at 30 November £000s 2005 £000s 2004 (unaudited) (audited) £000s £000s Fixed asset investments 332,646 343,991 Listed - 44 - United Kingdom 2,439 2,535 - Overseas Subsidiary undertakings 335,085 346,570 Current assets 2,603 2,456 Debtors 19,347 123 Cash at bank 21,950 2,579 Creditors: 4,356 1,517 Amounts falling due within one year 1,081 1,055 Trade creditors 887 825 Amounts owed to subsidiary 2,283 2,527 undertakings Sundry creditors Proposed dividend on ordinary shares (8,607) (5,924) Net current assets/(liabilities) 13,343 (3,345) Total assets less current 348,428 343,225 liabilities (32,169) (32,194) Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year Debentures and loans Net assets 316,259 311,031 Capital and reserves 6,060 9,130 3,702 11,488 Called up share capital 73,897 35,272 70,279 35,272 Share premium account 188,367 268,324 186,940 260,921 Capital reserves 3,533 3,350 Capital redemption reserve Revaluation reserve Realised capital profits Revenue reserve Total equity shareholders' funds 316,259 311,031 Net asset value per share 173.19p 135.37p Net asset value adjusted for `fair 165.58p 129.56p value' of debt The Throgmorton Trust PLC Preliminary statement for the year ended 30 November 2005 Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds For the year ended 30 November 2005 2004 (unaudited) (audited) £000s £000s Net surplus revenue for distribution 3,193 3,577 Dividends (3,010) (3,676) Net transferred to/(from) reserves 183 (99) Non distributable capital gain 70,448 69,680 Repurchase of ordinary shares (65,403) (1,988) Net increase to shareholders' funds 5,228 67,593 Opening shareholders' funds 311,031 243,438 Closing shareholders' funds 316,259 311,031 The Throgmorton Trust PLC Preliminary statement for the year ended 30 November 2005 Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 30 November 2005 2004 (unaudited) (audited) £000s £000s Operating activities 6,203 6,974 Cash received from investments 837 147 Interest received 68 52 Underwriting commission (1,435) (1,285) Management fee (135) (98) Cash paid to and on behalf (277) (329) of the directors Other cash payments Net cash inflow from operating activities 5,261 5,461 Servicing of finance (1,973) (2,136) Interest paid - revenue Taxation - 8 Taxation recovered Capital expenditure and financial investment (138,870) (111,745) Purchases of investments 226,213 121,181 Sales of investments (1,435) (1,285) Capital management fee (1,906) (2,014) Interest charged to capital 625 100 Net payments from subsidiaries Net cash inflow from investing activities 84,627 6,237 Dividends (3,254) (3,456) Dividends paid - equity shares Net cash inflow before financing 84,661 6,114 Financing (65,403) (2,010) Repurchase of ordinary shares Repurchase of debenture stock (34) (2,608) Net cash outflow from financing (65,437) (4,618) Increase in cash 19,224 1,496 Notes: The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 30 November 2005 or 2004. The financial information for the year ended 30 November 2004 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under s237(2) or (3) Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 November 2005 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's annual general meeting. The financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2004. The board has recommended the payment of a final dividend of 1.25p per share in respect of the year ended 30 November 2005. Subject to approval by shareholders at the Company's annual general meeting, the dividend will be paid on 5 April 2006 to shareholders on the register of the Company on 3 March 2006.
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