Interim Results
Billam PLC
22 September 2003
Billam Plc
Interim Report
For the six months ended 30 June 2003
Corporate Information
Directors: V N Beamish (Chairman)
A G P Forrest
J A Hoskins
M B A Lorimer (resigned 18 September
2003)
Registered office: 32 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DU
Secretary: Diplema Corporate Services Limited
1 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BU
Company number 298654
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
Solicitors Pinsents
1 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BU
Auditors Grant Thornton
28 Kenwood Park Road, Sheffield, S7
1NG
Nominated Advisor and Nominated KBC Peel Hunt Ltd
Broker 111 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1PH
Registrar Northern Registrars Limited
Penistone Road, Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield, HD8 0LA
For further information 020 7336 1300
Chairman's Statement
During the first half of 2003 conditions in the high technology and
biotechnology sectors have begun to stabilise after a decline over the past two
years. Billam has used this opportunity to raise £500,000 of new money for the
business. Our balance sheet has been strengthened and during the second half of
this year we will continue to control costs in line with the conditions in our
operating sectors.
Billam has significant stakes in several growth companies which are prospering
and should continue to perform well given reasonable economic conditions. This
should be reflected in our results over the next year and we continue to view
the future with quiet confidence.
Victor Beamish
Chairman
Consolidated statement of total return (unaudited)
Six months to 30 June 2002 Six months to 30 June 2002 Year to 31 December 2002
Capital Revenue Total Capital Revenue Total Capital Revenue Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Realised
(losses)/gains
on investments (29) - (29) 155 - 155 (1,429) - (1429)
Net change in
unrealised
investments (497) - (497) (3,115) - (3,115) (483) - (483)
Income - 21 21 - 238 238 - 157 157
------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Gross return (526) 21 (505) (2,960) 238 (2,722) (1,912) 157 (1755)
Administrative
expenses - (491) (491) - (451) (451) - (650) (650)
Interest
payable - - - - - - - (1) (1)
------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Return before
taxation (526) (470) (996) (2,960) (213) (3,173) (1,912) (494) (2,406)
Provision for
taxation - - - 906 (150) 756 483 155 638
------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Return after
taxation (526) (470) (996) (2,054) (363) (2,417) (1,429) (339) (1,768)
Minority
interests - - - - (25) (25) (100) (13) (113)
------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Transfer to
reserves (526) (470) (996) (2,054) (388) (2,442) (1,529) (352) (1,881)
------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Return per
ordinary share
(p) (4) (0.04) (0.04) (0.08) (0.18) (0.03) (0.21) (0.13) (0.03) (0.16)
------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2003 (unaudited)
30 June 30 June 31 December
2003 2002 2002
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Negative goodwill - (60) -
Tangible assets 13 4 24
Investments 8,823 8,216 9,354
-------- -------- --------
8,836 8,160 9,378
-------- -------- --------
Current assets
Debtors 199 316 206
Cash at bank and in hand 207 306 12
-------- -------- --------
406 622 218
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year (1,006) (711) (719)
-------- -------- --------
Net current liabilities (600) (89) (501)
-------- -------- --------
Total assets less current liabilities 8,236 8,071 8,877
Provisions for liabilities and charges (118) - (118)
-------- -------- --------
8,118 8,071 8,759
Minority interests (110) (21) (111)
-------- -------- --------
Total net assets 8,008 8,050 8,648
======== ======== ========
Financed by:
Called up share capital 1,525 1,345 1,345
Share premium account 4,812 4,640 4,640
Capital reserve realised (1,082) 346 (1,239)
Capital reserve unrealised 2,782 1,332 3,465
Merger reserve 1,736 1,736 1,736
Revenue account (1,765) (1,349) (1,299)
-------- -------- --------
Shareholders' funds 8,008 8,050 8,648
-------- -------- --------
Total shareholders' funds are attributable
to:
Equity interests - ordinary shareholders'
funds 7,850 7,892 8,490
Non equity interests 158 158 158
-------- -------- --------
8,008 8,050 8,648
======== ======== ========
Net asset value pence per share (7)
Ordinary shares 0.57 0.66 0.72
Deferred shares 0.10 0.10 0.10
Consolidated cash flow statement (unaudited)
Six months Six months Year ended
to 30 June to 30 June 31 December
2003 2002 2002
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash outflow from
operating activities (164) (622) (794)
Net cash outflow from
returns on servicing of
finance - - (1)
Purchase of fixed assets - (2) (36)
Net cash outflow from
investment (566) (580) (1,171)
Net cash inflow from sale of
investments 572 647 1,177
Net cash outflow from
acquisitions - - (365)
Net cash inflow from
financing 353 - 344
--------- ------- ---------
Increase/(decrease) in cash
for the period 195 (557) (846)
========= ======= =========
Notes:
1. Basis of preparation
The unaudited interim results have been prepared on the basis of the accounting
policies set out in the statutory accounts of the Company for the year ended 31
December 2002.
2. Comparatives
Comparatives are shown for the six months to 30 June 2002 and year to 31
December 2002.
3. Results for the year ended 31 December 2002
The results for the year ended 31 December 2002 are a non-statutory version of
the full report and accounts for that year, which have been filed with the
Registrar of Companies on which the auditors reported under Section 235 of the
Companies Act 1985. The report contained no qualifications, in respect of the
year ended 31 December 2002, or any statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the
said Act.
4. Returns
Returns per Ordinary Share are based on the weighted average number of ordinary
shares in issue during the period 1,202,148,274 Ordinary and 157,950,000
deferred shares in issue (year to 31 December 2002 1,172,440,007 Ordinary and
157,950,000 deferred shares/period to 30 June 2002 1,173,670,026 Ordinary and
157,950,000 deferred shares).
5. Taxation
No tax provision was considered necessary on the unrealised gain.
6. Dividends
The Directors do not recommend the payment of an interim dividend.
7. Net asset value per share
Net asset value per Ordinary Share is based on the net assets attributable to
Ordinary shareholders at the period end and 1,367,231,147 Ordinary and
157,950,000 deferred shares in issue at the period end (at 31 December 2002
1,187,231,147 Ordinary and 157,950,000 deferred shares/at 30 June 2002
1,187,231,147 Ordinary and 157,950,000 deferred shares).
Copies of this announcement will be available for collection, free of charge,
from Billam's offices, 32 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DU for a period of one
month from the date of this announcement.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange