Interim Management Statement

INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT Strategic Equity Capital plc This interim management statement, issued in accordance with the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules, relates to the period from 1 July to 30 September 2008. Investment Highlights ● NAV negatively impacted by market turmoil ● Majority of portfolio companies operating satisfactorily; strategic and operational plans broadly on track ● Fund exhibiting attractive valuation characteristics Financial Highlights ● Net assets of £43.9 million, or 63.1p per share; a decrease of 22.4% during the period (FTSE All Share down 12.2% and FTSE small cap (excluding investment trusts) index down 14.9%) ● Share price of 42.75p, a decrease of 35.5% ● Company fully invested at the end of the period; net cash represented 0.9% of NAV ● A further 1,463,000 shares bought into treasury at an average price of 57.02 pence Investment Manager's Review The third quarter was an extraordinary time for the UK equity markets, continuing an extremely uncertain period in equity market history. At 30 September 2008, from peak to trough, the FTSE All-Share Index had fallen by 29.7% and the FTSE Smaller Companies (ex Investment Trusts) Index by 48.7% as equity risk premia rose dramatically. Companies with debt have been particularly badly hit. Investors' concern about the general outlook for earnings and the potential impact of significant downgrades on banking covenants coupled with a severe reduction of credit availability has focused attention on balance sheets. Whilst the majority of portfolio companies have demonstrated comparatively resilient operational performance, the Company's net asset value has been materially affected by these conditions. Portfolio Activity Overall, the portfolio saw limited activity during the quarter. We are seeing an increasing number of potential opportunities for new investments as conventional sources of finance have become increasingly scarce and we continue to evaluate these. However, liquidity in the small cap market remains extremely low and, although we benefitted from corporate activity in H1, we do not expect takeover activity to return in any meaningful way before the end of the year. Consequently, our focus has been on working with the management teams of existing investments to ensure that all necessary operational action is taken in view of the economic climate. The Company made two new small investments in the period. We made a modest investment in convertible preference shares issued by Inspired Gaming. Each preference share carries a payment in kind coupon of 7%, has a redemption price of £1.00, equivalent to 200% of the issue price, and is convertible at any time into one ordinary share. Certain mandatory redemption rights arise in the event of a takeover. Management are working with advisers to sell the business. The investment represented 0.9% of net assets at 30 September 2008. Avingtrans is a small niche engineering conglomerate focused on value added products for critical applications predominantly in medical, nuclear and alternative energy, and aerospace sectors. The company has recently experienced wholesale management change led by the new chairman and now a significant shareholder, Roger McDowell. We supported an equity issue to support the expansion of the company's facilities in China on the back of contracted orders. We expect the business to focus on improving its return on capital as well as growing both organically and by acquisition. This should provide the opportunity to work with management and to put more capital to work in future. The investment represented 1.1% of net assets at 30 September 2008. The Company had committed to three equity issues at 30 June 2008. The equity issue in Renold completed on 7 August 2008 and the company continues to trade well with the forward order book at 30 September 36% ahead of the comparable prior year period. Melrose completed its equity issue supporting the acquisition of FKI Group and plans for FKI remain on track. These commenced with a buy-back offer for the existing FKI high yield bonds. The results for the business excluding FKI to 30 June showed a good performance in the Group's main businesses. The Journey Group equity issue and bond conversion completed successfully on 29 August. Results to 30 June showed a sharp turnaround from 2007 with the company producing an EBITDA profit of £0.7m for the six months against a loss of £2.1 million in the comparative prior year period. Whilst the outlook for the business remains challenging in light of the deterioration in the macroeconomic outlook, management has demonstrated the organic growth prospects and has positioned the group for a number of strategic alternatives. Corporate Events At the time of the Company's results the Board announced that it was reviewing all options to reduce the level of discount over the medium term for the benefit of all shareholders. The Board subsequently announced that, having obtained the views of shareholders representing over 90% of the issued share capital, it was resolved to continue to support the existing investment policy whilst selectively continuing to use its existing buy-back authority. In addition, the Board undertook to present an ordinary resolution at the 2010 AGM to allow shareholders to vote on the continuation of the Company. Outlook Given the high concentration of the Company's portfolio, we anticipate continued volatility in the underlying net asset value until we see some stability returning to the equity markets. Despite this, we believe that this is a clear investment opportunity. The UK market is now looking good value, both relative to gilts and on a long term valuation basis. In our view, Strategic Equity Capital is attractively valued, exhibiting strong value and cashflow metrics. We believe that by avoiding companies that have deep structural issues and focusing on companies with value characteristics, smaller, cash generative companies, and incentivised management teams we should deliver strong returns for investors in Strategic Equity Capital. As at 7 November 2008 the unaudited net asset value per Ordinary Share, including current period revenue, was 45.90 pence. Summary Summary (as at 30 Sept 2008) Net assets £43.9m Net Asset Value (NAV) per Ordinary 63.06p share Net cash as % of funds invested 0.9% Top 10 Investments Company name (as at 30 Sept 2008) % invested in portfolio Redstone 12.4 Pinewood Shepperton 8.1 Intec Telecom 7.4 Spirent Communications 7.1 Thorntons 7.1 4Imprint 6.2 Vintage I 5.2 RPC Group 5.1 Ora Capital 5.1 Renold 4.9 Sector analysis % of portfolio Technology 22.4 Industrials 14.8 Media 13.9 Telecom 13.0 Support services 12.7 Investment Companies 7.8 Retail 7.0 Financial 5.1 Construction 1.6 Leisure 0.8 Net cash 0.9 Size analysis % of portfolio (market cap) Less than £100m 59.4 £100m - £300m 24.4 £300m - £500m 7.1 Greater than £500m 9.1 For further information please contact: Xziena Charles SVG Advisers Limited Telephone: +44 (0)20 7010 8993 or email xziena.charles@svgcapital.com Company website: www.strategicequitycapital.com Throughout this document "Strategic Equity Capital" or the "Company" refers to Strategic Equity Capital plc. "The Investment Manager" refers to SVG Investment Mangers Limited 11.11.2008
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