Interim Results

Quester VCT PLC 27 September 2000 QUESTER VCT PLC ('the Company') Financial highlights Period ended 6 months 6 months Year to to 31 to 31 31 July July January 2000 1999 2000 Total return per share 77.7 (0.8) 32.1 (pence) Net asset value plus cumulative dividend per share 227.8 117.1 150.0 (pence) Dividend per share (pence) 26.7* 5.8 5.8 Cumulative dividend per share 40.2 13.5 13.5 (pence)** Shareholders' funds (£'000) 57,997 32,039 42,213 Net asset value per share 187.6 103.6 136.5 (pence) Mid-market price per share 160.0 90.0 150.0 (pence) * Including 10p already paid as a special interim dividend on 1 June 2000 ** The cumulative dividend includes tax credits paid to eligible shareholders prior to the abolition of ACT in 1999 SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION The directors have resolved to pay a second special interim dividend of 16.65p per share. Second special interim dividend for 2000/01 paid 1 November 2000 Associated record date 13 October 2000 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT INTRODUCTION During the six months to 31 July 2000 the Company made significant progress in terms of new investment, realisations and performance. This contributed to a 57 per cent gain in the net asset value per share before dividend distributions totalling 26.65 pence per share and represents an excellent performance. After payment of the two special interim dividends, net assets per share are 187.6 pence at the half- year. SUCCESSFUL REALISATIONS During the period the Company made six significant realisations generating capital profits in excess of £10 million. In July 2000, the Company sold its investment in First Fibre Limited to Adva AG as part of a paper transaction. Following this transaction, the Company was able to dispose of approximately 50 per cent of its holding in Adva realising capital profits of £4.6 million. The First Fibre investment was originally made in October 1998 and therefore the generation of this profit over a relatively short period represents an exceptional return. In addition to the above, capital profits of £3.7 million and £1.4 million were made following partial disposals of SurfControl plc (formerly JSB Software Technologies plc) and Orchestream Holdings plc respectively. The Company retains significant interests in all of these investments as can be seen from the table below. PERFORMANCE OF THE VENTURE CAPITAL PORTFOLIO The overall value of the venture capital portfolio continued to rise during the half year and it is valued in excess of £24 million above original cost. This compares to an increase of £10 million as at 31 January 2000. The gain over the period is largely attributable to increases in the valuations of two of the previously unquoted investments. The greatest gain has been achieved by Orchestream, which, following its successful placing on the London Official List, is valued at a multiple of over fifteen times cost at the half year. A further substantial unrealised gain has arisen following the receipt of shares in Adva following its takeover of First Fibre. This investment is valued at a multiple of over seven times. Additional unrealised gains have been achieved in respect of three other unquoted investments which have been revalued following further funding rounds. The above gains have been offset by provisions of £1.5 million to cover potential losses arising from four investments. RETURN PER SHARE AND DIVIDEND Over the half year, the fund has produced total net realised and unrealised gains of £24 million, which equates to a total return for the period of over 77 pence per share. Following four realisations in February 2000, the directors resolved to pay a special interim dividend of 10 pence per share, which was paid on 1 June 2000. The First Fibre and Orchestream disposals effected later in the period further increased the distributable reserve and the directors have resolved to pay a second special interim dividend for the current year of 16.65 pence per share, making a total dividend distribution for the current year to date of 26.65 pence per share. I should stress that future dividend payments are largely dependant on the realisation of capital profits and so are likely to vary considerably. After the payment of the second special interim dividend, the Company will have returned a total of 40.2 pence per share to shareholders since Quester VCT was launched in 1996. This represents a repayment to original shareholders amounting to over half of the initial cost of subscription, net of initial income tax relief. OUTLOOK Following the careful selection of investment opportunities by the Quester investment managers, the Company retains a well diversified portfolio, which gives considerable optimism for the future. Tom Scruby Chairman 27 September 2000 INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REPORT OVERVIEW The last six months has been an exceptional period for the Company. Our overall investment performance has been very strong and we have been able to realise significant gains from the venture capital portfolio for distribution to shareholders. A strong rate of investment has been maintained and currently the fund is fully invested, apart from the FT-SE investments, bonds and a small amount of cash all held as reserves for follow-on investment in existing companies. SIGNIFICANT REALISATIONS As a number of our investee companies continue to mature, more profitable realisations have been achieved. During the period to 31 July, six significant part disposals were effected realising cash profits, being cash proceeds less original cost of investment, in excess of £10 million, as detailed in the table below. We continue to hold shares in these companies or, in the case of First Fibre, in Adva AG, which issued its shares in exchange at the time of the acquisition of First Fibre. Total cash profits realised £'000 First Fibre Limited 4,594 SurfControl plc 3,652 Orchestream Holdings plc 1,351 Sopheon plc 359 XKO Group plc 344 Policy Master Group plc 141 10,441 PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO The performance of the portfolio has been most encouraging. The main gains have been seen in those venture capital investments that have achieved a listing, which, at cost, account for 16% of total investments. At valuation they account for around 49% of total investments, representing an unrealised gain of £23 million. The most significant gains have been seen in Orchestream following its listing on the London Official List. At the period end, its quoted mid- market price was 420 pence per share, which compares to its book cost of 28 pence per share. The price has subsequently risen further. The other major 'winner' during the period was the investment in First Fibre, which, following its acquisition by Adva AG, now stands at a valuation of over seven times cost. As the majority of our unquoted investments are still held at cost, the gains in the unquoted portfolio are more modest. However, the unquoted portfolio as a whole shows net gains of £1.2 million, with the top ten unquoted investments generating gains of over £4 million, which is promising. Four of our unquoted investments have now been upvalued in line with BVCA guidelines. When considering valuations, we continue to take a prudent view and accordingly further provisioning has been applied in respect of four investments. VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS MADE DURING THE PERIOD Our deal flow has remained at extremely high levels, which has allowed the Quester management team to maintain a good rate of investment. During the period four new investments were completed, together with further follow on investments in 11 companies from the existing portfolio, as shown in the table below. Company Industry Investment sector £'000 New investments Bowman Power Systems Manufacturing 750 Limited Nomad Software Limited Software 749 The Casella Group Specialist 638 Limited consulting Community Internet plc Software 500 2,637 Follow on investments Elateral Holdings Internet 893 Limited Purple Technologies Software 675 Limited Linguaphone Group plc Publishing 500 Advanced Valve Manufacturing 401 Technology Limited Power X Limited IT hardware 300 Boxman.com plc Internet 250 First Fibre Limited IT hardware 250 Opsys Limited IT hardware 200 Artisan Software Tools Software Limited 189 HSL Holdings Limited Software 143 International Resources Specialist Group Limited consulting 5 3,806 FT-SE AND FIXED INTEREST PORTFOLIO During the period 50 per cent of the FT-SE portfolio was switched into short dated fixed interest securities pending further funding of investee companies. This conversion realised profits of £248,000 for the Company. The remaining portfolio comprises 22 investments, which, at the half year, had accrued unrealised gains of £412,000. This remaining portfolio may also be switched into fixed interest securities at an appropriate time for the same reason. Depending on the pattern of future realisations in the unquoted portfolio, we may therefore run forward with our venture capital investments accounting for almost all of shareholder funds. CONCLUSION The excellent performance achieved during the period has enabled us to generate significant value for shareholders both through the distribution of capital profits and from a significant rise in the overall value of the portfolio. Shareholders should note, however, that a very significant proportion of the existing increase in value is attributable to a few highly successful investments, whose future value will be affected by the volatile swings in sentiment for technology stocks as a whole as well as their own intrinsic performance. Balancing this characteristic of the existing portfolio is the fact that there are several unquoted companies which are showing great potential. We consequently remain optimistic about the prospects for our venture capital investment as a whole. Andrew Holmes Managing Director. Quester Capital Management Limited 27 September 2000 COMPOSITION OF THE FUND Cost Valuation % of £'000 £'000 portfolio by value Venture capital investments that have achieved a listing Orchestream Holdings plc (3,472,455 ords) 985 14,584 25.2% Adva AG* (65,374 ords) 682 5,015 8.7% SurfControl plc (81,133 ADS) 555 4,381 7.6% Dragons Health Clubs plc (950,000 ords) 950 1,734 3.0% XKO Group plc (421,000 ords) 505 1,362 2.4% Sopheon plc (120,000 ords) 150 513 0.8% Shalibane plc (3,392,124 ords) 1,205 390 0.7% Policy Master Group plc (80,298 ords) 145 369 0.6% Deep Sea Leisure plc (125,000 ords) 200 63 0.1% 5,377 28,411 49.1% Ten largest unquoted venture capital investments Elateral Holdings Limited 1,506 3,325 5.8% Power X Limited 900 2,287 4.0% Purple Technologies Limited 1,000 1,858 3.2% Artisan Software Tools Limited 1,236 1,236 2.1% Acedes Gear Tools Limited 995 995 1.7% International Diagnostics 990 990 1.7% Group plc HSL Holdings Limited 1,143 857 1.5% Cardionetics Limited 550 847 1.5% Advanced Valve Technology Limited 845 845 1.4% Methuen Publishing Limited 781 781 1.4% 9,946 14,021 24.3% Other unquoted venture 12,969 10,052 17.4% capital investments Total venture capital 28,292 52,484 90.8% investments Listed fixed interest 2,589 2,587 4.5% investments Listed equity investments 2,329 2,741 4.7% Total investments 33,210 57,812 100% * The shares in Adva AG, a company listed on Germany's Neuer Markt, were received by the VCT following that company's takeover of First Fibre Limited in July 2000. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Profit and loss account 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 31 January 31 July 31 July 2000 2000 1999 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net profit/(loss) on realisation of investments 4,552 (658) (1,395) Income 724 455 802 Investment management fee (523) (452) (852) Other expenses (133) (100) (238) Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 4,620 (755) (1,683) Tax on ordinary activities (10) (19) (43) Profit/(loss) on ordinary 4,610 (774) (1,726) activities after taxation Dividends paid and (8,240) (1,778) (1,778) declared* Retained loss transferred (3,630) (2,552) (3,504) to reserves Earnings per share 14.9p (2.5)p (5.6)p * The dividends for the six month period amount to 26.65 pence per share and are paid from the profit and loss reserve, which retains a balance of £62,000 following this distribution to shareholders. Statement of total recognised gains and losses 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 31 January 31 July 31 July 2000 2000 1999 £'000 £'000 £'000 Profit/(loss) for the 4,610 (774) (1,726) period Unrealised gain on revaluation of investments 19,414 538 11,664 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the 24,024 (236) 9,938 period All items in the above statement are derived from continuing operations. The Company has only one class of business and derives its income from investments made in shares, securities and bank deposits. Balance sheet Note 31 July 31 July 31 January 2000 1999 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Fixed asset investments 57,812 29,759 40,606 Current assets Debtors 509 735 870 Cash at bank and in hand 5,164 3,630 1,094 5,673 4,365 1,964 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Other creditors (340) (307) (357) Declared dividend (5,148) (1,778) - (5,488) (2,085) (357) Net current assets 185 2,280 1,607 Net assets 57,997 32,039 42,213 Capital and reserves Called up equity share 1,546 1,546 1,546 capital Share premium account 1 28,833 28,833 28,833 Revaluation reserve 1 27,556 1,586 12,537 Profit and loss account 1 62 74 (703) Total equity shareholders' 57,997 32,039 42,213 funds Net asset value per share 187.6p 103.6p 136.5p Summarised Cashflow Statements 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 31 July 31 July 31 2000 1999 January 2000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating 412 516 238 activities Taxation (10) (110) (153) Net capital expenditure and 6,416 (6,895) (7,331) financial investment Equity dividends paid (3,092) (337) (2,115) Financing 344 (127) (128) Increase/(decrease) in cash for 4,070 (6,953) (9,489) the period Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Increase/(decrease) in cash for 4,070 (6,953) (9,489) the period Net funds at the start of the 1,094 10,583 10,583 period Net funds at the end of the 5,164 3,630 1,094 period NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Movement in reserves Share Revaluation Profit premium reserve and loss account account £'000 £'000 £'000 At 1 February 2000 28,833 12,537 (703) Transfer of net realised - (4,395) 4,395 profits to profit and loss account Net increase in value of - 19,414 - investments Retained loss for the - - (3,630) period At 31 July 2000 28,833 27,556 62 2. The financial information contained in this report has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Annual Report. 3. The calculation of earnings per share for the period is based on profit after tax of £4,609,711divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 30,918,637. 4. The unaudited financial statements set out above do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 5. Copies of the unaudited interim results are being sent to shareholders on 28 September 2000. Further copies can be obtained from the Company's registered office.
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