Interim Results-Replacement

Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC 28 September 2000 Close Brothers Development VCT Interim results The Issuer has made the following amendment to the Interim Results announcement released today at 11:45 under RNS Number 6909R. Amendment to dividend notification The net interim dividend at 1.4 pence per share will be payable on 27 October 2000 to those shareholders registered on 13 October 2000 (rather than the dates previously stated). The full corrected version of the interim results announcement is set out below. Close Brothers Development VCT PLC 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. It is intended that this will be achieved as follows: Qualifying Investments will represent in excess of 80 per cent. of net funds raised and will comprise investments in established businesses across a broad spread of industries. Approximately two thirds of Qualifying Investments will comprise debt secured on 'bankable' assets. This debt will generate a significant proportion of the total anticipated return from individual investments. Up to 20 per cent. of net funds raised will be 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 I am pleased to announce that since my last report a total of £4 million has been invested or reserved for investment in three new companies, of which £1.5 million relates to the period subsequent to the half year. This takes the total since the launch of the VCT to £4.75 million, or 35% of net assets and means that we are on target to reach the 70% investment level required by the Inland Revenue within three years of launch, although in reality we expect to reach that level considerably sooner. The following is a summary of the qualifying unquoted investments made to date. Company Invested Reserved for Unrealised Total to date investment appreciation £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Swetenhams Marketing Services Ltd This provides data-related marketing services to the direct marketing industry. Progress to date has been encouraging, and following the successful development and implementation of a new marketing automation system, your VCT is likely to invest further funds to finance a roll-out of the product. 750 - 23 773 Odyssey Healthclubs Group Ltd Odyssey has acquired a 30,000 sq.ft. health and fitness club on an 11 acre site outside Stevenage, and has a 50% stake in a company developing a 30,000 sq.ft. club on a 6 acre site outside Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. In addition, the group has an option over a further site outside Stratford-upon-Avon. Current trading is strong with performance ahead of budget. 1,000 500 1 1,501 First Start Children's Nurseries Ltd First Start is a newly-formed company incorporating an experienced management team who will be building a group of private children's day nurseries in and around Greater London. 100 900 - 1,000 ______ _____ __ _____ Total investments made by 30 June 2000 1,850 1,400 24 3,274 ===== ===== == ===== 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 two units, in Essex and Hertfordshire. 250 1,250 - 1,500 _____ _____ __ _____ Total investments made to date 2,100 2,650 24 4,775 ===== ===== === ===== The flow of new investment opportunities is exceptionally strong and we look forward to further successful investments during the remainder of the year. Results and Dividend As at 30 June 2000 the net asset value of the company was £13.7 million, (1999: £13.2 million), equivalent to 93.4 pence per share, (1999: 94.5 pence). Net income after taxation was £264,000 in the period, (1999: £111,000) enabling the board to declare a net interim dividend of 1.4 pence per share, (1999: pre first closing 1.0 pence, post first closing 0.6 pence), payable on 27 October 2000 to those shareholders registered on 13 October 2000. R M Davidson Chairman 28 September 2000 Unaudited Statement of Total Return (incorporating the revenue account) for the six months to 30 June 2000 Six months to Six months to 21 Oct. 1998 to 30 June 2000 30 June 1999 to 31 Dec. 1999 Rev. Cap. Tot. Rev. Cap. Tot. Rev. Cap. Tot. £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains/(losses) investments - 4 4 - - - - (7) (7) Income 441 - 441 222 - 222 586 - 586 Investment mgt fees (40) (121) (161) (33) (99) (132) (73) (218) (291) Other expenses (55) (15) (70) (50) (8) (58) (103) (23) (126) ___ ____ _____ ____ ____ ____ ___ ____ ____ Return on ordinary activities before tax 346 (132) 214 139 (107) 32 410 (248) 162 Tax on ordinary activities (82) 32 (50) (28) 21 (7) (83) 49 (34) ___ ____ ___ ____ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Return attributable to shareholders 264 (100) 164 111 (86) 25 327 (199) 128 Dividends (205) - (205) (100) - (100) (320) - (320) Transfer to/(from) reserves 59 (100) (41) 11 (86) (75) 7 (199) (192) ===== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Return per share 1.8p (0.7)p 1.1p 1.8p (1.4)p 0.4p 2.7p (1.6)p 1.1p All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. Unaudited Summary Balance Sheet at 30 June 2000 30 June 2000 30 June 1999 31 December 1999 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying Reserved for investment 3,274 - 756 Less: uninvested to date (1,400) - - _____ _____ _____ Total Qualifying 1,874 - 756 Non-Qualifying 10,480 - 5,981 ______ _____ _____ 12,354 - 6,737 Current assets Debtors 84 66 101 Short term money market deposits 1,708 13,434 7,270 ______ ______ _____ 1,792 13,500 7,371 Creditors: due within one year (458) (325) (371) ______ ______ _____ Net current assets 1,334 13,175 7,000 ______ ______ _____ Net assets 13,688 13,175 13,737 ====== ====== ====== Represented by: Called up share capital 7,331 6,974 7,331 Share premium account - 6,276 6,598 Special Reserve 6,590 - - Capital reserve realised (296) (86) (192) unrealised (3) - (7) Profit and loss account 66 11 7 ______ _____ ______ Total shareholders' funds 13,688 13,175 13,737 ====== ====== ====== Net asset value per share 93.4p 94.5p 93.7p This interim report was approved by the Board of Directors on 28 September 2000. Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors R M Davidson Chairman
UK 100