Interim Results

Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC 21 September 2006 CLOSE BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT VCT PLC INTERIM RESULTS Close Brothers Development VCT PLC VCT PLC ('the Company'), today announces its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2006. For further information, please contact: Patrick Reeve Clemmie Carr Close Venture Management Limited Tavistock Communications Tel: 020 7422 7830 Tel: 020 7920 3150 Notes to Editors: Close Brothers Development VCT PLC is managed by Close Venture Management Limited. Close Venture Management Limited is a subsidiary of Close Brothers Group Plc and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Unaudited interim reports for the period will be sent to shareholders shortly. The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the six months ended 30 June 2006 or 2005. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2005 is derived from the statutory accounts 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) of the Companies Act 1985. 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 limit the risk normally associated with investments in these companies. Following the amendments to the company's investment policy, approved at the Annual General Meeting held in May of this year, the portfolio also includes a limited number of higher risk companies which the Board believes have greater growth prospects. Investment review Ordinary share portfolio After the strong performance of the last two years, where the recovery in the net asset value of the Ordinary shares was driven in large part by three successful trade sales and a flotation, the first six months of this year has been a period of consolidation. This resulted in a negative return for the period of 6.8 pence per share, the majority of which was caused by the reduction in the share price of our holding in Careforce plc which is quoted on AIM. In addition, partial provision has been made against two investments, Peakdale Molecular and Evolutions Television, where previous strong growth slowed in the early months of the year (these have been reduced to around cost). Other businesses, however, have performed promisingly, in particular The Bold Pub Company, where a strong return is being achieved on its thirty freehold pubs in the Northwest of England, and Lowcosttravelgroup, the online travel business, where sales have increased sharply since our investment in 2005. C share portfolio The C share portfolio showed a negative return for the period of 1.4 pence per share for similar reasons to those stated for the Ordinary shares. The portfolio is now nearing its required 70% investment level with some £1.2 million invested during the period with further investments in progress. Key new investments, which were shared with the Ordinary share portfolio, included RFI Global Services, which provides testing facilities to mobile phone manufacturers worldwide, Blackbay, which provides systems for field force and supply chain logistics, and Dexela, which has designed a potentially revolutionary form of imaging system for the screening of breast cancer. Results and dividends As at 30 June 2006 the net asset value of the company's Ordinary shares was £12.4m or 95.0p per share (2005: £13.1m or 96.8p per share). Net income after taxation was £201,000 (2005: £180,000). It is currently anticipated that the directors will be able to declare a second dividend for the year of 2p per ordinary share which is expected to be announced in November. As at 30 June 2006 the net asset value of the C shares was £19.0m or 105.0p per share (2005: £19.3m or 104.9p per share). It is currently anticipated that the directors will be able to declare a second dividend for the C shares of 3p per year per share, which is also expected to be announced in November. Shareholders are reminded that the Ordinary shares and C shares will merge after the end of this financial year, with the C shares converting to the Ordinary shares in the ratio of their respective net asset values. We will be writing to you further on this subject in due course. R M Davidson Chairman 20 September 2006 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The following is the total return of the Company since launch in January 1999. Ordinary Shares C Shares -------------------------- ---------- ---------- Shareholder value per share since launch: Pence per share(ii) Pence per share(ii) Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 1999 (i) 1.00 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2000 3.65 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2001 3.20 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2002 4.20 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2003(iii) & (iv) 4.50 0.75 Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2004 4.00 2.00 Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2005 5.20 5.90 Dividends paid during the six months to 30 June 2006 1.00 1.50 ---------- ---------- 26.75 10.15 Net asset value at 30 June 2006 95.04 105.02 ---------- ---------- Total cumulative return at 30 June 2006 121.79 115.17 ---------- ---------- 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. INCOME STATEMENT for the six months to 30 June 2006 Ordinary Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 -------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (Losses)/gains on investments - (987) (987) - 657 657 - 1,423 1,423 Investment income 371 - 371 343 - 343 696 - 696 Investment management fee (42) (127) (169) (44) (131) (175) (88) (263) (351) Other expenses (43) - (43) (42) - (42) (77) - (77) ----- ------- ---- ----- ------- ---- ------ ----- ----- Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 286 (1,114) (828) 257 526 783 531 1,160 1,691 Tax on ordinary activities (85) 32 (53) (77) 42 (35) (150) 85 (65) ----- ------- ---- ----- ------- ---- ------ ----- ----- Return/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders 201 (1,082) (881) 180 568 748 381 1,245 1,626 ===== ======= ==== ===== ======= ==== ====== ===== ===== Basic and diluted return/(loss) per share (pence) 1.5 (8.3) (6.8) 1.3 4.1 5.4 2.8 9.1 11.9 ----------- ----- ------- ---- ----- ------ ---- ------ ----- ----- All of the Company's activities derive from continuing operations. The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above, accordingly a statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required. The total column of this Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Ordinary Shares. The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns have been prepared in accordance with the Association of Investment Trust Companies' Statement of Recommended Practice. INCOME STATEMENT for the six months to 30 June 2006 C Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 -------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- (Losses)/gains on investments - (422) (422) - 1,009 1,009 - 1,638 1,638 Investment income 556 - 556 582 - 582 1,092 - 1,092 Investment management fee (59) (178) (237) (64) (191) (255) (127) (382) (509) Other expenses (60) - (60) (55) - (55) (102) - (102) ----- ------ ---- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ----- Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 437 (600) (163) 463 818 1,281 863 1,256 2,119 Tax on ordinary activities (133) 41 (92) (137) 63 (74) (253) 127 (126) ----- ------ ---- ----- ------ ----- ------ ---- ----- Return/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders 304 (559) (255) 326 881 1,207 610 1,383 1,993 ===== ======= ==== ===== ======= ===== ====== ===== ===== Basic and diluted return/(loss) per share (pence) 1.7 (3.1) (1.4) 1.8 4.8 6.6 3.3 7.5 10.8 ----- ------- ---- ----- ------- ----- ------ ------ ----- All of the Company's activities derive from continuing operations. The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above, accordingly a statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required. The total column of the Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the C Shares. The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns have been prepared in accordance with the Association of Investment Trust Companies' Statement of Recommended Practice. INCOME STATEMENT for the six months to 30 June 2006 Total Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 (Losses)/gains on investments - (1,409) (1,409) - 1,666 1,666 - 3,061 3,061 Investment income 927 - 927 925 - 925 1,788 - 1,788 Investment management fee (101) (305) (406) (108) (322) (430) (215) (645) (860) Other expenses (103) - (103) (97) - (97) (179) - (179) ----- ------- ----- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ----- Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 723 (1,714) (991) 720 1,344 2,064 1,394 2,416 3,810 Tax on ordinary activities (218) 73 (145) (214) 105 (109) (403) 212 (191) ----- ------- ----- ----- ------- ----- ------ ----- ----- Return/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders 505 (1,641) (1,136) 506 1,449 1,955 991 2,628 3,619 ===== ======= ===== ===== ======= ===== ====== ===== ===== The total column of the Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns have been prepared in accordance with the Association of Investment Trust Companies' Statement of Recommended Practice. BALANCE SHEET as at 30 June 2006 Ordinary Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------- ---------- ----------- Fixed asset investments Qualifying investments 8,713 6,944 8,759 Non-qualifying investments - 60 46 ---------- ---------- ----------- Total fixed asset investments 8,713 7,004 8,805 Current assets Debtors 428 68 111 Cash at bank 3,512 6,678 4,975 ---------- ---------- ----------- 3,940 6,746 5,086 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (257) (605) (201) ---------- ---------- ----------- Net current assets 3,683 6,141 4,885 ---------- ---------- ----------- Net assets 12,396 13,145 13,690 ========== ========== =========== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 6,521 6,788 6,678 Share premium 48 48 48 Special reserve 5,199 5,671 5,477 Capital redemption reserve 863 596 706 Realised capital reserve (1,036) (875) (941) Unrealised capital reserve 633 877 1,621 Revenue reserve 168 40 101 ---------- ---------- ----------- Equity shareholders' funds 12,396 13,145 13,690 ========== ========== =========== Net asset value per share (pence) 95.0 96.8 102.5 BALANCE SHEET as at 30 June 2006 C Shares ---------- ---------- ----------- Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------- ---------- ----------- Fixed asset investments Qualifying investments 11,389 6,768 9,456 Non-qualifying investments 3,598 7,762 7,704 ---------- ---------- ----------- Total fixed asset investments 14,987 14,530 17,160 Current assets Debtors 6 130 55 Cash at bank 4,848 4,916 2,907 ---------- ---------- ----------- 4,854 5,046 2,962 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (811) (256) (390) ---------- ---------- ----------- Net current assets 4,043 4,790 2,572 ---------- ---------- ----------- Net assets 19,030 19,320 19,732 ========== ========== =========== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 9,060 9,212 9,151 Share premium 3,160 3,160 3,160 Special reserve 4,695 4,976 4,864 Capital redemption reserve 310 159 219 Realised capital reserve 254 483 393 Unrealised capital reserve 1,285 1,113 1,707 Revenue reserve 266 217 238 ---------- ---------- ----------- Equity shareholders' funds 19,030 19,320 19,732 ========== ========== =========== Net asset value per share (pence) 105.0 104.9 107.8 BALANCE SHEET as at 30 June 2006 Total ---------- ---------- ----------- Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------- ---------- ----------- Fixed asset investments Qualifying investments 20,102 13,712 18,215 Non-qualifying investments 3,598 7,822 7,750 ---------- ---------- ----------- Total fixed asset investments 23,700 21,534 25,965 Current assets Debtors 434 198 166 Cash at bank 8,360 11,594 7,882 ---------- ---------- ----------- 8,794 11,792 8,048 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,068) (861) (591) ---------- ---------- ----------- Net current assets 7,726 10,931 7,457 ---------- ---------- ----------- Net assets 31,426 32,465 33,422 ========== ========== =========== Capital and reserves Called up share capital 15,581 16,000 15,829 Share premium 3,208 3,208 3,208 Special reserve 9,894 10,647 10,341 Capital redemption reserve 1,173 755 925 Realised capital reserve (782) (392) (548) Unrealised capital reserve 1,918 1,990 3,328 Revenue reserve 434 257 339 ---------- ---------- ----------- Equity shareholders' funds 31,426 32,465 33,422 ========== ========== =========== This interim information was approved by the Board of Directors on 20 September 2006. Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors Roderick Davidson Chairman RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS for the year ended 30 June 2006 Ordinary Shares Called up Capital Realised Unrealised share Share Special redemption capital capital Revenue capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 As at 1 July 2005 6,788 48 5,671 596 (875) 877 40 13,145 Net realised gains on investments in the period - - - - 23 - - 23 Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (131) - - (131) Tax relief on costs charged to capital - - - - 42 - - 42 Share redemptions (110) - (194) 110 - - - (194) Movement in unrealised appreciation - - - - - 744 - 744 Revenue return - - - - - - 222 222 Dividends - - - - - - (161) (161) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ As at 31 December 2005 6,678 48 5,477 706 (941) 1,621 101 13,690 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ Net realised gains on investments in the year - - - - 1 - - 1 Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (127) - - (127) Tax relief on costs charged to capital - - - - 32 - - 32 Share redemptions (157) - (278) 157 - - - (278) Movement in unrealised appreciation - - - - - (988) - (988) Revenue return - - - - - - 201 201 Dividends - - - - - - (134) (134) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ As at 30 June 2006 6,521 48 5,199 863 (1,036) 633 168 12,396 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS for the year ended 30 June 2006 C Shares Called up Capital Realised Unrealised share Share Special redemption capital capital Revenue capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 As at 1 July 2005 9,212 3,160 4,976 159 483 1,113 217 19,320 Net realised gains on investments in the period - - - - (104) - - (104) Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (72) - - (72) Tax relief on costs charged to capital - - - - 86 - - 86 Share redemptions (61) - (112) 60 - - - (113) Movement in unrealised appreciation - - - - - 594 - 594 Revenue return - - - - - - 335 335 Dividends - - - - - - (314) (314) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- As at 31 December 2005 9,151 3,160 4,864 219 393 1,707 238 19,732 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net realised gains on investments in the year - - - - - - - - Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (178) - - (178) Tax relief on costs charged to capital - - - - 41 - - 41 Share redemptions (91) - (169) 91 - - - (169) Movement in unrealised appreciation - - - - - (422) - (422) Revenue return - - - - - - 304 304 Dividends - - - - - - (277) (277) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- As at 30 June 2006 9,060 3,160 4,695 310 254 1,285 266 19,030 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Cash flow statement for the six months to 30 June 2006 Ordinary Shares ---------- --------- ------------ Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------- --------- ------------ Operating activities Investment income received 182 122 253 Deposit income received 68 70 144 Other income received 3 - 6 Investment management fees paid (181) (126) (453) Other cash payments (390) (79) (3) ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (318) (13) (53) Taxation UK corporation tax paid - (148) (536) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of qualifying investments (760) (660) (1,595) Disposals of qualifying investments 27 2,388 2,405 ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities (733) 1,728 810 Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (134) (551) (713) ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (1,185) 1,016 (492) Financing Cancellation of shares (278) (318) (513) ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash outflow from financing (278) (318) (513) ---------- --------- ------------ (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (1,463) 698 (1,005) ========== ========= ============ Cash flow statement for the six months to 30 June 2006 C Shares ---------- ---------- ------------ Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------- ---------- ------------ Operating activities Investment income received 328 327 482 Deposit income received 233 114 528 Other income received - - 16 Investment management fees paid (262) (175) (451) Other cash (payments)/receipts 301 (18) - ---------- ---------- ------------ Net cash inflow from operating activities 600 248 575 Taxation - - - Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of qualifying investments (2,147) (1,685) (3,620) Purchase of non-qualifying investments (68) (92) (92) Disposals of qualifying investments - 2,316 2,340 Disposals of non-qualifying investments 4,000 - - ---------- ---------- ------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 1,785 539 (1,372) Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (277) (779) (1,093) ---------- ---------- ------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 2,108 8 (1,890) Financing Cancellation of shares (167) (137) (248) ---------- ---------- ------------ Net cash outflow from financing (167) (137) (248) ---------- ---------- ------------ Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 1,941 (129) (2,138) ========== ========== ============ Cash flow statement for the six months to 30 June 2006 Total ---------- --------- ------------ Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year ended 30 June 2006 30 June 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 ---------- --------- ------------ Operating activities Investment income received 510 449 735 Deposit income received 301 184 672 Other income received 3 - 22 Investment management fees paid (443) (301) (904) Other cash payments (89) (97) (3) ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash inflow from operating activities 282 235 522 Taxation UK corporation tax paid - (148) (536) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of qualifying investments (2,907) (2,345) (5,215) Purchase of non-qualifying investments (68) (92) (92) Disposals of qualifying investments 27 4,704 4,745 Disposals of non-qualifying investments 4,000 - - ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 1,052 2,267 (562) Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary and C shares (411) (1,330) (1,806) ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 923 1,024 (2,382) Financing Cancellation of shares (445) (455) (761) ---------- --------- ------------ Net cash outflow from financing (445) (455) (761) ---------- --------- ------------ Increase/(decrease) in cash in the period 478 569 (3,143) ========== ========= ============ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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