Final Results
Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC
24 February 2005
CLOSE BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT VCT PLC
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
24 February 2005
Close Brothers Development VCT PLC ('the Company'), which provides equity and
debt finance to growing unquoted and quoted companies across a variety of
sectors, with investments ranging from service to asset-backed businesses, today
announces preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2004. This
announcement has been approved by the Board of Directors on 23 February 2005.
Financial Highlights:
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares
Year ended Period ended
31 December 2004 31 December 2004
Dividends per share 4.00 pence 3.50 pence
Net asset value per share 93.89 pence 100.19 pence
Shareholder value per share since launch: Pence per share Pence per share
(ii) (ii)
Total dividends for the period
ended 31 December 1999 (i) 2.50 -
Total dividends for the year
ended 31 December 2000 3.75 -
Total dividends for the year
ended 31 December 2001 4.00 -
Total dividend for the year
ended 31 December 2002 4.50 -
Total dividend for the year
ended 31 December 2003 (iii) 4.00 1.65
Interim dividend for the period
ended 30 June 2004 (iv) 1.80 1.10
Final dividend for the year
ended 31 December 2004 2.20 2.40
------- -------
Total dividends 22.75 5.15
Net asset value at 31 December 2004 93.89 100.19
------- -------
Total 116.64 105.34
======= =======
Notes
-----
(i) assuming subscription for Ordinary Shares by the First Closing on
26 January 1999.
(ii) excluding tax benefits received upon subscription.
(iii) assuming subscription for C Shares by the First Closing on 31 December
2002.
(iv) those subscribing for C Shares after 30 June 2003 were not entitled to
the interim dividend.
For further information, please contact:
Patrick Reeve / Ole Bettum Clemmie Carr / John West
Close Venture Management Limited Tavistock Communications
Tel: 020 7422 7831 Tel: 020 7920 3150
Notes
1) Close Brothers Development VCT PLC is managed by Close Venture
Management Limited.
2) Close Venture Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
3) The financial information set out in this announcement does not
constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31
December 2004 or 2003, but is derived from those accounts. The
financial information for the year ended 31 December 2003 is derived
from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies. The financial information for the year
ended 31 December 2004 has been derived from the statutory accounts for
the year which will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies shortly.
The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified
and did not contain statements under s237(2) or (3) Companies Act 1985.
4) This announcement is prepared on the basis of the accounting policies as
stated in the previous year's financial statements.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Introduction
I am pleased to present the results of your Company for the year to 31 December
2004, being the sixth year following the launch of Close Brothers Development
VCT PLC Ordinary Shares and the second full year of the 'C' Shares.
The net asset value at the year end was 93.89 pence per Ordinary Share and
100.19 pence per 'C' Share after total dividends for the year of 4.00 pence and
3.50 pence respectively. This represents a substantial turnaround for the
Ordinary shareholders, with a 23 per cent increase in NAV since the last year
end, and a pleasing increase for the C shareholders, an 8 per cent increase in
NAV. The dividend levels reflect our strategy of aiming to provide investors
with a strong and predictable yield.
Investment review and prospects
The year has been an eventful one for the Company. There were four disposals.
The investment in Leisure Links was sold at a loss of £375,000, while the
investment in Dolphin Day Nurseries, the children's nursery business, was sold,
realising a profit of £694,000. The investment in Odyssey Clubs Group, the owner
and operator of health and fitness clubs, was also sold during the year;
although this realised a loss of £381,000, the sale also released unpaid
interest, which boosted income and enabled the Company to restore its ordinary
share dividend to the 4.00 pence paid in 2003. In addition, Careforce Group was
successfully floated on AIM in November of last year, with both the Ordinary
Shares and the C Shares benefiting. On total cost of £1.8 million, the Ordinary
Shares received proceeds from the float of £1.8 million and still hold shares
valued at £2.5 million, while the C Shares realised £1.3 million against a cost
of £1.3 million, and still own shares valued at £0.65 million. Overall, between
the two classes of share, we have recorded a combined realised and unrealised
profit of £2.5 million over cost on the investment in Careforce.
Elsewhere in the portfolio, Automotive Technik, the military vehicle
manufacturer, had a strong year, making a profit on greatly increased sales,
mainly due to orders from the British and New Zealand armed forces. Grosvenor
Healthcare, the occupational health provider to large corporates, was a new
investment made during the early part of the year; its performance has been so
strong, however, that its value has been written up at the year end. Against
this, Q Gardens, the garden centre operator, continues to struggle, while City
Centre Breweries, the freehold brewery in central Bristol and a C Share
investment was placed into administration prior to the year end; following a
restructuring in administration, however, we expect to realise value from our
investment in due course, in excess of the level to which it has currently been
written down.
Further investments were made in The Bold Pub Company, which owns and manages an
estate of twenty seven freehold pubs, principally in the North West, while new
investments were made in City Screen (Greenwich), which is developing an 'Art
House' cinema in Greenwich, and two further small investments in additional pub
operations. Finally, £700,000 was invested by the Ordinary Share portfolio in
Evolutions Television, a television post production company operating from its
own freehold premises North of Oxford Street, with a further £2.6 million
invested, or reserved for investment, from the C Share portfolio. Overall, we
are encouraged by the prospects for the portfolios.
Results and dividends
Ordinary Shares
As at 31 December 2004 the net asset value of the Ordinary Shares of your
Company was £13.1 million, compared to £11.1 million at 31 December 2003. This
equates to a net asset value per share of 93.89 pence (2003: 76.3 pence). Net
income after taxation for the year amounted to £675,000 (2003: £590,000)
enabling the board to declare a net final dividend of 2.2 pence per Ordinary
share (2003: 2.2 pence). This is in addition to the interim dividend of 1.8
pence per share (2003: 1.8 pence) and maintains the total dividend for the year
at 4.0 pence (2003: 4.0 pence). The final dividend will be paid on 1 April 2005
to shareholders on the register on 4 March 2005.
'C' Shares
As at 31 December 2004 the net asset value of the 'C' Shares of your Company was
£18.6 million compared to £10.9 million at 31 December 2003; the main
contributor to the increases was the further issue of £7 million in new C Shares
during the year. This NAV equates to a net asset value of 100.19 pence (2003:
92.85 pence). Net income after taxation for the period amounted to £616,000
(2003: £168,000) enabling the board to declare a net final dividend of 2.40
pence per Ordinary share (2003: 0.9p). This is in addition to the interim
dividend of 1.10 pence per share (2003: 0.75p) and brings the total dividend for
the year to 3.50 pence (2003: 1.65p). The final dividend will be paid on 1 April
2005 to shareholders on the register on 4 March 2005.
Roderick Davidson
Chairman 23 February 2005
THE PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
Ordinary Shares
At 31 December 2004 At 31 December 2003
Equity Investments at Unrealised Total Unrealised Movement in
owned cost appreciation/ value appreciation/ unrealised
(depreciation) (depreciation) appreciation/
(depreciation) since 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Qualifying
investments
Automotive
Technik
( Holdings)
Limited 10% 819 437 1,256 (66) 503
Careforce
Group Plc 14% 534 1,968 2,502 709 1,259
City Screen
(Liverpool)
Limited 5% 50 (6) 44 - (6)
Consolidated
Communications
Management
Limited 11% 1,000 5 1,005 90 (85)
CS (Greenwich)
Limited 2% 110 - 110 - -
Evolutions
Television
Limited 12% 702 - 702 - -
Grosvenor
Health Limited 7% 325 190 515 - 190
Peakdale
Molecular
Limited 9% 1,064 (154) 910 (100) (54)
The Bold Pub
Company
Limited 3% 320 14 334 - 14
The
Independent
Pub Company
(VCT) Limited 3% 60 - 60 - -
The Q Garden
Company
Limited 17% 682 (417) 265 (300) (117)
Total
qualifying
investments 5,666 2,037 7,703 333 1,704
===== ===== ===== ====== ======
'C' Shares
At 31 December 2004 At 31 December 2003
Equity Investments Unrealised Total Unrealised Movement in
owned at cost appreciation/ value appreciation/ unrealised
(depreciation) (depreciation appreciation/
(depreciation)
since 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Qualifying
investments
Automotive
Technik
(Holdings)
Limited 10% 839 469 1,308 - 469
Careforce
Group Plc 4% 263 391 654 10 381
City Centres
Breweries
Limited 24% 804 (320) 484 - (320)
CS (Greenwich)
Limited 13% 650 - 650 - -
Evolution
Television
Limited 22% 305 - 305 - -
Grosvenor
Health Limited 29% 1,430 788 2,218 - 788
Peakdale
Molecular
Limited 3% 133 (100) 33 (67) (33)
The Bold Pub
Company
Limited 13% 1,350 65 1,415 - 65
The
Independent
Pub Company
(VCT) Limited 7% 230 - 230 - -
--- --- --- --- ---
Total
qualifying
investments 6,004 1,293 7,297 (57) 1,350
----- ----- ----- ------ -----
Non-qualifying
investments
Barclays FRN 2,003 - 2,003 1 (1)
Bradford &
Bingley FRN 1,997 2 1,999 2 -
Citigroup FRN 2,999 - 2,999 - -
Total
non-qualifying
investments 6,999 2 7,001 3 (1)
----- ----- ----- ------ -----
Total
investments 13,003 1,295 14,298 (54) 1,349
------ ----- ------ ------ -----
Close Brothers Development VCT PLC 'C' Shares has also committed funds of £2.3
million to a future investment in Evolutions Television Limited.
Portfolio Companies
Automotive Technik (Holdings) Limited
The company manufactures the Pinzgauer off-road vehicle, whose main clients are
the UK Ministry of Defence and overseas armed forces. Growth has been strong and
sales in the year to 31 December 2004 have more than doubled since the previous
year.
Latest audited results - Year to 31 December 2003
-------------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 9,847
PBIT (1,067)
Basis of valuation: Multiple of maintainable earnings
Careforce Group Plc
===================
Careforce Group was established in 1999 to build, both organically and through
acquisition, a group providing home care services to the elderly, principally on
behalf of local authorities. Careforce currently operates an expanding branch
network around the UK. The company floated on AIM in November 2004 and has since
made three acquisitions.
Latest audited results - Year to 31 July 2004
---------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 12,495
PBIT 493
Basis of valuation: Quoted share price less marketability discount
City Centre Breweries Limited
==============================
City Centre Breweries was formed to purchase the Smiles Brewery in central
Bristol and thereafter to provide a base for building up an integrated brewery
and pub business based in the South West. The Company was placed into
administration in November 2004. The business has since been restructured,
continues to trade, and Close Brothers Development VCT PLC has increased its
share holding in the business.
Latest audited results - None produced as company in administration
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of valuation: Third party offer for business
City Screen (Liverpool) Limited
===============================
The company was formed to own and operate a three screen 'art house' cinema in
the centre of Liverpool, which opened in February 2003.
Latest audited results - Year to 31 December 2003
-------------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 580
PBIT (107)
Basis of valuation: Third party professional valuation
Consolidated Communications Management Limited
==============================================
Consolidated Communications is a management buy-out of an established public
relations agency, formed in 1991, with a broad range of 'blue chip' clients. In
2001 the company was named 'Consultancy of the Year' at the PR Week Awards.
Latest audited results - Year to 28 February 2004
-------------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 4,846
PBIT 281
Basis of valuation: Multiple of maintainable earnings
In addition Close Brothers Development VCT PLC holds 15,000 Warrants in
Consolidated Communications Management Ltd exercisable for 15,000 shares at £15
per share. The directors' valuation of the Warrants is nil.
CS (Greenwich) Limited
======================
CS (Greenwich) was established to own and operate a five screen art house cinema
in Greenwich. This is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2005.
Latest audited results - None produced to date
----------------------------------------------
Basis of valuation: Cost
Evolutions Television Limited
=============================
Evolutions Television is a television post production business, providing post
production services, including video and sound editing and automation, to a
broad range of TV production companies, including the BBC and the large
independents. It operates from its own freehold premises North of Oxford Street,
London. The investment was made in December 2004, and a further £2.3 million has
been reserved for investment in the C share portfolio in future tax years.
Latest audited results - Year to 31 March 2004
----------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 3,563
PBIT (235)
Basis of valuation: Cost
Grosvenor Health Limited
========================
Grosvenor Health was formed to acquire the UK occupational healthcare business
of Capio, which provides healthcare services to large corporates. Growth since
investment in March 2004 has been strong.
Latest audited results - None produced to date
----------------------------------------------
Basis of valuation: Multiple of maintainable earnings
Peakdale Molecular Limited
===========================
Peakdale Molecular is principally engaged in research, processing and the supply
of chemical compounds to the major pharmaceutical companies. It operates from a
substantial freehold site in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire.
Latest audited results - Year to 28 February 2004
-------------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 3,397
PBIT 363
Basis of valuation: Multiple of maintainable earnings
The Bold Pub Company Limited
=============================
The Bold Pub Company was formed in February 2004 to acquire a group of ten
freehold and long leasehold pubs in the North West of England and has since
acquired a further seven pubs.
Latest audited results - None produced to date
----------------------------------------------
Basis of valuation: Third party professional valuation
The Independent Pub Company (VCT) Limited
=========================================
The Independent Pub Company (VCT) Limited has been set up to acquire edge of
town freehold pubs in central and Southern England and it acquired its first
site near Hungerford in December 2004.
Latest audited results - None produced to date
----------------------------------------------
Basis of valuation: Cost
The Q Garden Company Limited
============================
The Q Garden Company is a chain of garden centres based in the south of England.
It currently owns three centres in Fareham (Hampshire), Chinnor (Oxfordshire)
and Stow-on-the-Wold (Gloucestershire).
Latest audited results - Year to 31 January 2004
------------------------------------------------
£'000
Turnover 2,675
PBIT (244)
Basis of valuation: Third party professional valuation
Statement of Total Return
(incorporating the revenue account)
for the year to 31 December 2004
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares Total
Year ended Year ended Year ended
31 December 2004 31 December 2004 31 December 2004
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on
investments - 2,463 2,463 - 1,366 1,366 - 3,829 3,829
Income 1,121 - 1,121 1,097 - 1,097 2,218 - 2,218
Investment
management fees (76) (229) (305) (101) (303) (404) (177) (532) (709)
Other expenses (81) - (81) (116) - (116) (197) - (197)
---- ---- ---- ----- ---- ----- ----- ---- -----
Return on ordinary
activities before tax 964 2,234 3,198 880 1,063 1,943 1,844 3,297 5,141
Tax on ordinary
activities (289) 72 (217) (264) 93 (171) (553) 165 (388)
----- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Return
attributable
to equity shareholders 675 2,306 2,981 616 1,156 1,772 1,291 3,462 4,753
Dividends (563) - (563) (574) - (574) (1,137) - (1,137)
----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ----- ------- ------ -------
Transfer to
reserves 112 2,306 2,418 42 1,156 1,198 154 3,462 3,616
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Return per
share 4.7p 16.1p 20.8p 3.6p 6.8p 10.4p
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.
There were no recognised gains and losses other than those disclosed above.
Accordingly a statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
Statement of Total Return
(incorporating the revenue account)
for the year to 31 December 2003
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares Total
Year ended Period ended Year ended
31 December 2003 31 December 2003 31 December 2003
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Losses on
investments - (443) (443) - (65) (65) - (508) (508)
Income 976 - 976 347 - 347 1,323 - 1,323
Investment
management
fees (67) (201) (268) (65) (194) (259) (132) (395) (527)
Other expenses (93) (26) (119) (75) (24) (99) (168) (50) (218)
Return on
ordinary
activities
before tax 816 (670) 146 207 (283) (76) 1,023 (953) 70
Tax on
ordinary
activities (226) 74 (152) (39) 43 4 (265) 117 (148)
Return
attributable
to equity
shareholders 590 (596) (6) 168 (240) (72) 758 (836) (78)
Dividends (583) - (583) (157) - (157) (740) - (740)
Transfer
to/(from)
reserves 7 (596) (589) 11 (240) (229) 18 (836) (818)
Return per share 4.0p (4.0)p (0.0)p 1.8p (2.5)p (0.7)p
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.
There were no recognised gains and losses other than those disclosed above.
Accordingly a statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2004
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares Total
31 December 2004 31 December 2004 31 December 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed asset investments
Qualifying 7,703 7,297 15,000
Non-qualifying - 7,000 7,000
------ ----- -----
Total fixed asset
investments 7,703 14,297 22,000
----- ------ ------
Current assets
Debtors 186 110 296
Cash 5,980 5,045 11,025
----- ----- ------
6,166 5,155 11,321
Creditors: amounts
falling due within
one year (791) (861) (1,652)
----- ----- -------
Net current assets 5,375 4,294 9,669
----- ----- -----
Net assets 13,078 18,591 31,669
====== ====== ======
Represented by:
Called up share capital 6,964 9,278 16,242
Share premium 48 3,160 3,208
Special reserve 5,991 5,100 11,091
Capital redemption
reserve 420 93 513
Capital reserve
- realised (2,206) (362) (2,568)
- unrealised 1,679 1,272 2,951
Revenue reserve 182 50 232
----- ----- ------
Total equity
shareholders'
funds 13,078 18,591 31,669
====== ====== ======
Net asset value
per share 93.9p 100.2p
Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Roderick Davidson
Chairman
Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2003
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares Total
31 December 2003 31 December 2003 31 December 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed asset
investments
Qualifying 9,163 2,236 11,399
Non-qualifying - 6,002 6,002
----- ----- -----
Total fixed asset
investments 9,163 8,238 17,401
----- ----- ------
Current assets
Debtors 35 51 86
Cash 2,468 2,792 5,260
----- ----- -----
2,503 2,842 5,346
Creditors: due
within one year (580) (200) (763)
----- ----- -----
Net current assets 1,923 2,642 4,583
----- ----- -----
Net assets 11,086 10,880 21,984
====== ====== ======
Represented by:
Called up share capital 7,264 5,859 13,123
Share premium 48 - 48
Special reserve 6,416 5,259 11,675
Capital redemption
reserve 120 - 120
Capital reserve
- realised (2,166) (182) (2,348)
- unrealised (666) (64) (730)
Revenue reserve 70 8 96
------ ------ ------
Total equity shareholders'
funds 11,086 10,880 21,984
====== ====== ======
Net asset value per share 76.3p 92.8p
Cash flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2004
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares Total
Year ended Period ended Year ended
31 December 2004 31 December 2004 31 December 2004
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income
received 1,397 822 2,219
Other income 1 - 1
Deposit interest
received 84 192 276
Investment
management fees paid (366) (403) (769)
Other cash
(payments)/receipts (101) 27 (74)
----- ------ ------
Net cash inflow from
operating activities 1,015 638 1,653
Taxation
UK corporation tax paid - - -
------ ------ -------
Capital expenditure and
financial investments
Purchase of qualifying
investments (1,741) (4,733) (6,474)
Purchase of
non-qualifying
investments - (2,999) (2,999)
Disposal of
qualifying
investments 5,240 1,056 6,296
Disposals of
non-qualifying
investments - 1,999 1,999
------ ----- -----
Net cash
inflow/(outflow)
from investing
activities 3,499 (4,677) (1,178)
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid on
ordinary shares (577) (233) (810)
----- ----- -----
Net cash
inflow/(outflow)
before financing 3,937 (4,272) (335)
Financing
Issue of equity
net of expenses - 6,671 6,671
Cancellation of shares (425) (146) (571)
Cost of share premium
cancellation - - -
------ ----- -----
Net cash
(outflow)/inflow
from financing (425) 6,525 6,100
Increase in cash 3,512 2,253 5,765
Cash flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2003
Ordinary Shares 'C' Shares Total
Year ended Year ended Year ended
31 December 2003 31 December 2003 31 December 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 860 118 978
Deposit interest received 67 173 240
Investment management
fees paid (272) (205) (477)
Other cash payments (128) (88) (216)
----- ----- -----
Net cash
inflow/(outflow)
from operating
activities 527 (2) 525
Taxation
UK corporation tax
paid (155) - (155)
Capital expenditure and
financial investments
Purchase of qualifying
investments (698) (2,293) (2,991)
Purchase of non-qualifying
investments - (5,998) (5,998)
Disposal of qualifying
investments 1,500 - 1,500
Disposals of
non-qualifying investments 1,355 - 1,355
----- ----- -----
Net cash
inflow/(outflow)
from investing
activities 2,157 (8,291) (6,134)
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid on ordinary
shares (658) (53) (711)
----- ------ ------
Net cash
inflow/(outflow)
before financing 1,871 (8,346) (6,475)
Financing
Issue of equity
net of expenses - 9,665 9,665
Cancellation of shares (97) - (97)
Cost of share premium
cancellation - (14) (14)
----- ------ ------
Net cash
(outflow)/inflow
from financing (97) 9,651 9,554
Increase in cash 1,774 1,305 3,079
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange