Interim Results
Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC
24 September 2002
CLOSE BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT VCT PLC
INTERIM RESULTS
24 September 2002
Close Brothers Development VCT PLC ('the Company'), which provides equity and
debt finance to growing unquoted companies across a variety of sectors, with
investments ranging from technology-orientated to service and asset-backed
businesses, today announces interim results for the six months to 30 June 2002.
Highlights:
• Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share of 92.0 pence (2001: 90.4 pence)
• Increased net interim dividend of 1.8 pence per share (2001:1.6 pence)
• Projected total dividend for the full year of 4.5 pence per share
(2001: 4.0 pence)
• Launch of new 'C' Share issue to raise up to £20 million
Commenting on the results, Roderick Davidson, Chairman of the Company, said: '
The period since 31 December 2001 has seen a number of developments in the
Company, and it is pleasing to see a 12.5 per cent. increase in the interim
dividend to 1.8 pence per share. This underlines the Company's strategy of
providing a strong dividend yield to investors.'
Patrick Reeve, Managing Director of Close Venture Management, manager of the
Close Brothers Development VCT, added: 'This particular VCT is a good example of
our emphasis in investment strategy on lower investment risk and higher dividend
yield. Due to the fact that Ordinary Shares are now over 80% invested in a
diversified portfolio, we have decided to launch a 'C' Share issue to raise up
to £20 million of new money for the Company. This will have the advantage of
widening the spread of investments in the Company without diluting our existing
shareholders. Looking forward, with our current investment strategy coupled
with new funds, we see significant opportunities to continue to maximise value
for our shareholders.'
For further information, please contact:
Patrick Reeve/ Ole Bettum Justin Griffiths/ John West
Close Venture Management Tavistock Communications
Tel: 020 7426 4000 Tel: 020 7600 2288
Notes to Editors:
1) Close Brothers Development VCT PLC is managed by Close Venture
Management.
2) Close Venture Management is a subsidiary of Close Brothers Investment
Limited and is regulated by the FSA.
3) Close Venture Management also manages Close Brothers Venture Capital
Trust, launched in 1996, Close Brothers Protected VCT, launched in 1997 and
Close Technology & General VCT, launched in 2000 which raised £39.7 million,
£27.9 million and £14.4 million respectively from private investors. The Close
Brothers Development VCT was launched in 1999 and raised £14.8 million from
investors.
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
The investment strategy of the Company is to establish a diversified portfolio
of holdings in smaller, unquoted companies whilst at the same time selecting and
structuring investments in such a way as to reduce the risk normally associated
with investment in such companies. This is achieved as follows:
• Qualifying Investments represent in excess of 80 per cent. of net
funds raised and comprise investments in businesses across a broad spread of
industries.
• Up to two thirds of Qualifying Investments comprise debt secured on '
bankable' assets. This debt generates a significant proportion of the total
return from individual investments.
• Up to 20 per cent. of net funds raised are invested in Non-Qualifying
Investments comprising fixed and floating interest rate securities, financial
instruments and short term money market deposits all issued by or with major
banks with a Moody's credit rating of at least A.
Investment Progress
The period since 31 December 2001 has seen a number of developments in the
Company, and it is pleasing to see a 12.5 per cent. increase in the interim
dividend to 1.8 pence per share. This underlines the Company's strategy of
providing a strong dividend yield to investors. We therefore anticipate, in the
absence of unforeseen circumstances, that the Company will be paying a total
dividend for the year of 4.5 pence per Ordinary share compared to 4.0 pence last
year though this should not be taken as a profit forecast.
During the six months to 30 June 2002 the Company made one new qualifying
investment in an existing investee company, totalling £400,000. This was in
Leisure Links International, to enable it to purchase the 27 hole Chesfield
Downs Golf Club outside Stevenage. Subsequent to the half year, £90,000 was
invested to provide further working capital to Fastrack Resources, the temporary
and permanent recruitment specialist, £480,000 was invested in Automotive
Technik, a manufacturer of military off road vehicles, and a further £200,000
was invested to provide additional resources to Odyssey Clubs Group. Three of
these investments were syndicated with Close Technology & General VCT PLC.
Strong progress at Careforce Staffing and Peakdale Molecular, in both cases
supported by third party investments at an increased valuation, has led to a
higher holding values, which go some way to counterbalancing partial provisions
made on our investments in Fastrack Resources and Odyssey Clubs Group.
Results and Dividend
As at 30 June 2002 the net asset value of the company was £13.5 million, (2001:
£13.2 million), equivalent to 92.0 pence per share (2001: 90.4 pence). Net
income after taxation was £339,000 for the six months, (2001: £296,000) enabling
the board to declare an increased net interim dividend of 1.8 pence per share
(2001: 1.6 pence per share), payable on 22 October 2002 to those shareholders
registered on 4 October 2002.
R M Davidson
Chairman 24 September 2002
Portfolio Summary
Company % owned Invested to Unrealised Total
and voting date Appreciation
rights /(depreciation)
£'000 £'000 £'000
Careforce Staffing Ltd
Careforce Staffing 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 nine branches around the UK. 37% 1,500 581 2,081
Swetenhams Marketing Services Ltd
Swetenhams provides data-related
marketing services to the direct marketing
industry, comprising list broking and
management services, hosting and market
automation systems. 16% 1,500 134 1,634
Odyssey Clubs Group Ltd
Odyssey owns a 30,000 sq.ft. health and
fitness club on an 11 acre site outside
Stevenage, a 20,000 sq.ft.club in Henley
and has a 50% stake in a company which
owns a 30,000 sq.ft. club on a 6 acre site
outside Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. 18% 1,500 (190) 1,310
Dolphin Nurseries Ltd
Dolphin aims at building a group of private
children's day nurseries in and around
Greater London. The Company currently
operates three nurseries at Upminster,
Chigwell, and Bracknell, and is developing
a fourth in Tooting. 20% 1,300 - 1,300
Leisure Links International Ltd
Leisure Links was formed to own and
operate golf courses with two courses now
acquired at Test Valley in Hampshire and
Chesfield Downs outside Stevenage. 26% 1,100 40 1,140
Consolidated Communications Management Ltd
Consolidated Communications is a
management buy-out of an established
public relations company, formed in 1991,
with a broad range of 'blue chip' clients. In
2001 the Company was named 'PR
Company of the Year' at the PR Week
Consultancy of the Year Awards. 7% 1,000 40 1,040
Peakdale Molecular Ltd
Peakdale is principally engaged in research,
processing and the supply of organic
chemicals, to the major pharmaceutical
companies. It operates from a substantial
freehold site in Chapel en-le-frith, High
Peak. 7% 1,000 150 1,150
Fastrack Resources Group Ltd
Fastrack provides recruitment services in
respect of both temporary and permanent
staff, with a particular specialisation in the
rail sector. 33% 1,000 (146) 854
The Q Gardens Company Ltd
The Company was formed to own and
operate garden centres, and now has four
sites in Fareham, Chinnor, Stow-on-the
Wold and Nazeing in Essex 15% 500 6 506
Total Qualifying investments made at 30 June 2002 10,400 615 11,015
Investments made subsequently
Automotive Technik Ltd
The company holds the licence the
manufacture of the Pinzgauer cross-country
vehicle, which it sells principally to the
armed forces in the UK and the Middle East 9% 480
Odyssey Clubs Group Ltd
Further refinancing 200
Fastrack Resources Group Ltd
Further refinancing 90
Non Qualifying at 30 June 2002
Royal Bank of Scotland
Floating rate note due
25 January 2003 1,499 (6) 1,493
Unaudited Statement of Total Return
(incorporating the profit and loss account)
for the six months to 30 June 2002
Six months to Six months to Year to
30 June 2002 30 June 2001 31 December 2001
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
(Losses)/gains on - (232) (232) - (897) (897) - (321) (321)
investments
Income 563 - 563 497 - 497 1,045 - 1,045
Investment management (40) (119) (159) (40) (121) (161) (80) (239) (319)
fees
Other expenses (53) (15) (68) (53) (15) (68) (107) (30) (137)
Return/(loss) on ordinary
activities before tax 470 (366) 104 404 (1,033) (629) 858 (590) 268
Tax (charge)/credit on
ordinary activities (131) 37 (94) (108) 36 (72) (223) 70 (153)
Return/(deficit)
attributable to
shareholders 339 (329) 10 296 (997) (701) 635 (520) 115
Dividends (264) - (264) (232) - (232) (581) - (581)
Transfer to/(from) 75 (329) (254) 64 (997) (933) 54 (520) (466)
reserves
Return per share 2.3 p (2.2) p 0.1 p 2.0 p (6.8) p (4.8) p 4.3 p (3.6) p 0.7 p
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.
Unaudited Balance Sheet
at 30 June 2002
30 June 2002 30 June 2001 31 December 2001
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed asset investments
Qualifying 11,015 6,094 10,630
Non-Qualifying 1,493 4,498 3,001
12,508 10,592 13,631
Current assets
Debtors 174 64 86
Short term money market deposits 1,411 2,958 448
1,585 3,022 534
Creditors: due within one year (595) (391) (514)
Net current assets 990 2,631 20
Net assets 13,498 13,223 13,651
Represented by:
Called up share capital 7,333 7,308 7,280
Share premium 48 - -
Special reserve 6,513 6,552 6,513
Capital redemption reserve 51 23 51
Capital reserve
Realised (684) (492) (589)
Unrealised 81 (259) 315
Profit and loss account 156 91 81
Total equity shareholders funds 13,498 13,223 13,651
Net asset value per share 92.0 pence 90.4 pence 93.8 pence
This interim report was approved by the Board of Directors on 24 September 2002.
J G T Thornton
Unaudited Cash Flow Statement
for the six months to 30 June 2002
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 December
30 June 2002 30 June 2001 2001
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 362 337 668
Deposit interest received 11 53 86
Investment management fees paid (91) (167) (391)
Other cash payments (65) (64) (150)
Net cash inflow from operating
activities 217 159 213
Taxation
UK corporation tax repaid 6 - -
Capital expenditure and financial
investments
Purchase of investments (410) (3,350) (7,140)
Disposals of investments 1,500 4,495 5,994
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing
activities 1,090 1,145 (1,146)
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid on ordinary shares (350) (342) (576)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 963 962 (1,509)
Financing
Purchase of own shares - (41) (80)
Net cash outflow from financing - (41) (80)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 963 921 (1,589)
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange