Interim Results

Dunedin Enterprise Inv Trust PLC 12 December 2002 12 December 2002 DUNEDIN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT TRUST INTERIM RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2002 Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust PLC ('Dunedin Enterprise') specialises in the provision of equity finance for management buyouts, management buyins and growing businesses. The Trust is managed by Dunedin Capital Partners Limited, the independent private equity house which invests in UK mid-market buyouts. Highlights • Net asset value per share outperforms benchmark - net asset value per share down 12.7% to 285.1p (326.5p at 30 April 2002) against a fall of 30.7% by the FTSE Small Cap Index (excluding investment companies) • Net asset total return for the period was -10.0% • Share price down 9.9% to 223p • John Wood Group realised for £11.2 million, a total profit of £7.4 million over the original cost of £3.8 million • Total realisations of £16.9 million • Interim dividend maintained at 2.85p Edward Dawnay, Chairman of Dunedin Enterprise, commented on the results: 'Dunedin Enterprise has taken a robust approach to difficult market conditions, remaining true to its investment criteria. It has concentrated on supporting portfolio value and on driving through exits at a time when well-priced new investment opportunities are relatively scarce. The record on achieving realisations in a tough market has been excellent. A significant majority of the larger companies in the portfolio, where the bulk of the portfolio value resides, are trading more profitably than in previous years. In addition, a number of portfolio companies are paying down debt ahead of schedule and this factor will help underpin future shareholder value growth.' For further information please contact: Peter Smaill Dunedin Capital Partners 0131 225 6699 Claire McCorquodale Dunedin Capital Partners 0131 718 2313 / 07740 912043 Lesley Allan Hudson Sandler 020 7796 4133 Wendy Baker Hudson Sandler 020 7796 4133 Manager's Review Overview During the six months under review, economic uncertainty continued to affect adversely the private equity market resulting in an unusually low flow of quality investment opportunities at attractive prices. In addition, the United Kingdom stock market fell substantially over the summer with a consequential effect on the portfolio valuation. Against this background, your company outperformed its benchmark over the half year. Results During the six months to 31 October 2002, net asset value per share fell by 12.7% from 326.5p to 285.1p, whilst the share price fell by 9.9% from 247.5p to 223p. During the same period your company's benchmark, the FTSE Small Cap Index (excluding investment companies), fell by 30.7%. Over a five year period, the total return for Dunedin Enterprise has been +8.1% compared to -12.0% for the index. Portfolio companies are typically valued by applying the price/earnings ratio of similar quoted companies, discounted by a minimum of 25% to reflect the unlisted nature of Dunedin Enterprise's portfolio of private equity investments, to the profit before tax, interest and amortisation of goodwill of the portfolio company. This produces an enterprise value for the company from which debt and preference share capital is deducted to establish a value per ordinary share. Thus movements in stock market price/earnings ratios have a direct impact upon the valuation placed on portfolio companies, irrespective of trading conditions at portfolio companies. The diminution in net asset value per share has occurred as a result of both the sharp decrease in stock market values, resulting in reduced price/earnings multiples used to value portfolio companies; and a material reduction in profitability in a small minority of portfolio companies. The combination of reduced earnings and lower price/earnings multiples has created a double negative effect on portfolio values. Portfolio activity A marked slowdown has taken place in management buyout activity in the United Kingdom in the period under review. The reduction in equity values following the stock market fall during the summer vindicates your manager's caution towards investing at a time when prices were still artificially high. Low interest rates have also meant that companies, which otherwise might have been forced to sell non-core assets, have to date been able to hold on to them. However, transaction flow is increasing as vendors' price expectations moderate and larger companies are beginning to put non-core subsidiaries up for sale. In the last Annual Report, your Chairman reported on the manager's ability to achieve exits despite the poor economic conditions in the year to 30 April 2002. As shareholders will know, John Wood Group listed on the London Stock Exchange on 5 June 2002. Dunedin Enterprise received a mix of cash and shares for its investment. By August 2002, your managers were successful in realising the entirety of the investment for £11.2 million. This represents an increase of £0.6 million on the valuation at 30 April 2002 and a total profit of £7.4 million over the original cost of £3.8 million. Your managers ensured that the shares received were free of sale limitations and were thus able to sell at an average price of 205p, as against the price ruling at 31 October 2002 of 160p. An additional £5.7 million of proceeds from investments were received in the half year, taking total realisations to £16.9 million. One of the companies in the portfolio fell into receivership during the period. Full provision against the cost of the investment had already been made at 30 April 2002. Movement in share price and net asset value Share price at the beginning of the period was 247.5p and at the end 223p. Relative to comparable Investment Trusts specialising in private equity investment, Dunedin Enterprise achieved top quartile share price performance in the six month period. Since 31 October 2002, Dunedin Enterprise' share price has fallen to 210.5p (as at 11 December 2002). This takes it to just below the median position relative to our constituency of comparable Trusts. In the period under review the discount of Dunedin Enterprise' share price to underlying net asset value has on occasion fluctuated to a point where a share buyback by Dunedin Enterprise would be advantageous to shareholders. However, your manager encountered limited appetite from the shareholder base for such transactions at the wider levels of discount. The manager was able, nevertheless, to acquire a small parcel of shares at a price appreciably below the average value in the period. As previously described above, the net asset value of your company has decreased by £13.0 million from £101.8 million to £88.8 million over the past six months. The components of this decrease were: £'m Net asset value at 30 April 2002 101.8 Unrealised valuation increases 1.8 Unrealised valuation decreases (13.8) Realised profit over opening valuation 0.5 Other costs charged to capital (1.5) Net asset value at 31 October 2002 88.8 This decrease of 12.7% has to be seen in the context of the decline in prospects for the smaller company sector in the United Kingdom as reflected in the relevant index. Investment income and dividend Income from investments in the half year has reduced from £2.6 million in 2001 to £1.4 million in the current half year. There are two reasons for this reduction. First, the successful programme of realisations has led to a reduction of investment income which has been partially offset by increased bank deposit income earned on the resultant cash balance. Second, as a result of the under-performance at certain portfolio companies, investment income due from those companies has not been received. The interim dividend has been maintained at 2.85p per ordinary share at a cost of £887,545. The interim dividend will be paid on 31 January 2003 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 6 January 2003. The ex-dividend date is 2 January 2003. It is the intention of the board to recommend that the dividend for the full year be maintained. Outlook Although the economic outlook for the United Kingdom remains uncertain, with lower growth forecast for the remainder of the current year and for next year, the health of the portfolio is generally robust. A significant majority of the larger companies in the portfolio, where the bulk of the portfolio value resides, are trading more profitably than in previous years. In addition, a number of portfolio companies are paying down debt ahead of schedule and this factor will help underpin future shareholder value growth. A small number of portfolio companies are facing challenges due to the impact of a reduction in global economic activity. Some have sector specific problems, where a return to normalised trading margins should allow recovery of value in due course. The valuation of your company's investment in these businesses has been reduced to reflect current trading conditions. Portfolio management has been intensified and your manager has been instrumental in effecting management change in companies that have under-performed their business plan. Your managers are confident that, with an improving trading environment, these investments are capable of producing superior returns for shareholders in Dunedin Enterprise. Well priced opportunities in the mid-size buyout and buyin market are being vigorously pursued. Dunedin Capital Partners Limited 11 December 2002 Group Statement of Total Return (Unaudited and incorporating the revenue account) Six months to 31 October 2002 Six months to 31 October 2001 Twelve months to 30 April 2002 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Losses on - (11,500) (11,500) - (10,122) (10,122) - (8,267) (8,267) investments Income from 1,354 - 1,354 2,642 - 2,642 5,076 - 5,076 investments Deposit 615 - 615 176 - 176 378 - 378 interest Arrangement 6 - 6 90 - 90 90 - 90 fees Investment (343) (1,030) (1,373) (383) (1,149) (1,532) (733) (2,200) (2,933) management fee Other (36) (225) (165) - (165) (361) - (361) expenses (189) Net return 1,443 (12,566) (11,123) 2,360 (11,271) (8,911) 4,450 (10,467) (6,017) before finance costs and tax Interest (164) (492) (656) (180) (540) (720) (335) (1,005) (1,340) payable and similar charges Return on 1,279 (13,058) (11,779) 2,180 (11,811) (9,631) 4,115 (11,472) (7,357) ordinary activities before tax Tax on (112) 112 - (271) 271 - - - - ordinary activities Return 1,167 (12,946) (11,779) 1,909 (11,540) (9,631) 4,115 (11,472) (7,357) attributable to equity shareholders Dividend 888 892 4,005 cost Basic 3.7p (41.5p) (37.8p) 6.4p (38.7p) (32.3p) 13.5p (37.6p) (24.1p) return per ordinary share Dividend 2.85p 2.85p 12.85p per ordinary share Notes 1. The revenue column of this statement represents the profit and loss account of the Group. 2. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. 3. Basic return per share is based on 31,185,963 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the half year. Group Balance Sheet 31October 30 April 2002 2002 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Assets Listed Investments 5,156 7,057 Unlisted Investments 71,618 96,695 76,774 103,752 Current Assets Debtors 1,476 1,861 Cash at bank 35,563 22,904 37,039 24,765 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,471) (11,677) Net current assets 35,568 13,088 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (23,552) (15,000) Total equity shareholders' funds 88,790 101,840 Net asset value per share 285.1p 326.5p Group Cash Flow Statement Six Twelve months to months to 31 October 2002 30 April 2002 £'000 £'000 Net revenue before finance costs and taxation 1,443 4,449 Decrease/(increase) in accrued income 111 (672) Increase in other debtors - (12) Increase in creditors 16 111 Management fees charged to capital (1,030) (2,200) Other expenses charged to capital (36) - Net cash inflow from operating activities 504 1,676 Servicing of finance (656) (1,619) Taxation Tax paid (168) - Tax recovered 54 453 Financial Investment Purchase of investments (1,260) (11,084) Sale of investments 16,907 34,183 Acquisitions Cash consideration on purchase of Group Trust - (7,500) Deal costs incurred on purchase of Group Trust - (995) Equity dividends paid (3,119) (3,772) Financing Purchase of ordinary shares (104) (1,302) Foreign currency loan 501 - Cash on short term deposits assumed on purchase of Group Trust - 6,317 Increase in cash in the period 12,659 16,357 Notes 1. The directors recommend an interim dividend of 2.85p per share for six months to 31 October 2002. The dividend will be paid on 31 January 2003 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 6 January 2003. The ex-dividend date is 2 January 2003. 2. The above summary of results for the six months ended 31 October 2002 does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 and has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The results for the year ended 30 April 2002 have been extracted from the financial statements for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the auditors' report on those financial statements under Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985 was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 3. The interim report will be sent to shareholders in December 2002 and copies will be available to members of the public at the Company's Registered Office, 10 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2DW. Ten Largest Investments By value at 31 October 2002 Approx. % of net assets percentage Cost of Directors' of equity investment valuation at valuation Company name %* £'000 £'000 Davenham Group Holdings Limited 34.4 4,960 10,454 11.8 Letts Filofax Group Limited 41.1 3,961 7,947 9.0 Portman Holdings Limited 16.8 2,516 6,340 7.1 Latchways plc 18.8 180 5,145 5.8 C.G.I. International Limited 46.5 1,619 4,616 5.2 Goals Soccer Centres Limited 39.7 4,491 4,491 5.1 Financiere MGE 1.3 3,672 3,860 4.3 Thomson Brothers Limited 44.6 3,535 3,398 3.8 LGV1 Private Equity Fund 2.2 2,448 2,705 3.0 Travel & General Holdings Limited 25.9 3,240 2,569 2.9 30,622 51,525 58.0 * 'Approx. percentage of equity' relates to ordinary share capital of the relevant company and assumes full exercise of outstanding options, warrants and conversion rights. Notes to Editors 1. Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust PLC floated in 1987 as Melville Street Investments. 2. Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust PLC is managed by Dunedin Capital Partners Limited. Dunedin Capital Partners Limited is an independent private equity company owned by its directors. The company specialises in providing equity finance for management buyouts, management buyins and growing businesses with a transaction size of £5 - 25 million. It operates throughout the United Kingdom from its headquarters in Edinburgh and offices in London. Dunedin Capital Partners is itself the result of a management buyout which took place in 1996. The team has recently doubled in size after an active year in 2000. In addition to managing Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust, Dunedin Capital Partners has raised £54 million for the Dunedin Buyout Fund LP in 2001/02. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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