Downing ONE VCT plc : Half-yearly report (Corre...
Downing ONE VCT plc
Half-Yearly Report for the six months ended 30 September 2014 (Correction)
The announcement released by the Company entitled Half-Yearly Report at 13:33 today showed an incorrect dividend payment and record date. The full corrected text of the announcement is as follows:
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
| 30 Sep | 31 Mar | 12 Nov | |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| (merger) | |||
| pence | pence | pence | |
| Net asset value per share ("NAV") | 96.7 | 98.2 | 100.4 |
| Cumulative dividends paid since 12 November 2013 | 4.0 | 2.0 | - |
| Total return (net asset value plus cumulative dividends paid per share) | 100.7 | 100.2 | 100.4 |
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am pleased to present the Company's half-yearly report for the six month period ended 30 September 2014. Although the period saw significant falls in the AIM market indices, it is pleasing to be able to report that the Company's quoted portfolio countered this trend and delivered a strong performance which, despite some provisions required in the unquoted portfolio, has allowed the Company to report a positive performance for the period.
Net asset value and results
As at 30 September 2014, the Company's NAV stood at 96.7p; an increase of 0.5p (or 0.5%) compared to the year-end position and after taking into account the 2.0p dividend paid during the period.
The return attributable to equity shareholders for the period was £300,000, comprising a revenue return of £671,000 and a capital loss of £371,000.
Investment activity and performance
The Company has had a reasonable level of investment activity in the first six months of the year. Eight investments were made with a total cost of £1.0 million of which six were follow on investments. Four of the eight were into AIM-quoted businesses.
There were a number of realisations and part realisations from the quoted investments as the task of rationalising the portfolio continued. Total proceeds from the quoted realisations were £1.6 million with gains in the period of £187,000. A number of loan stock redemptions and other exits arose from the unquoted portfolio producing proceeds of £377,000 and gains in the period of £144,000.
Of the investments held throughout the period, the quoted portfolio reported unrealised gains of £1.3 million. Within the unquoted portfolio there were a number of valuation increases, but unfortunately some provisions were required including significant ones for Hoole Hall Country Club Holdings Limited, Hoole Hall Spa and Leisure Club Limited and Rostima Limited. This resulted in net unrealised losses of £1.6 million on the unquoted portfolio.
Total investment performance for the period was realised gains of £331,000 and net unrealised losses £314,000.
Further details of the investment activities of the Company are in the Investment Adviser's Report.
Dividends
In line with the Company's stated policy of seeking to pay dividends of at least 4% of net asset value each year, an interim dividend of 2.0p will be paid on 20 February 2015 to Shareholders on the register at 30 January 2015.
Fundraising
In January 2014, the Company launched an offer for subscription seeking to raise new funds. The offer closed in October 2014 having raised £4.6 million. The new funds have provided the Company with some liquid resources to pursue new investment opportunities.
Although the offer for subscription did not raise as much as had been hoped at the outset, the Board believes that there is still appetite from investors for VCT investments, particularly now that the economy is in a more stable state. The Company is therefore planning to launch a further offer for subscription for the current tax year. This is expected to launch shortly.
Share buybacks
The Company operates a policy of buying in its own shares that become available in the market at a 5% discount to NAV (subject to liquidity and any regulatory restrictions).
During the period, the Company purchased 1,830,862 shares at an average price of 93.2p per New Ordinary Share.
Outlook
Although some issues have been encountered in the unquoted portfolio, the Board is encouraged by the performance of the quoted investments, particularly the more recent investments made in line with the strategy of taking larger and more influential stakes in such companies. The fact that the performance has held up despite the general loss of ground by the AIM market over the last six months is particularly reassuring. After the period end, in October, the AIM market saw some significant falls although subsequently recovered much of the lost ground. The Company's quoted portfolio has experienced similar performance and, as at 24 November, is showing a loss of less than 1% compared to 30 September 2014.
Although the economic outlook now appears more positive than for some time, markets remain reasonably volatile and so the Board will ensure that the Adviser continues to be cautious and believes that steady growth from here is an achievable goal for the Company.
Chris Kay
Chairman
INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REPORT
Introduction
At 30 September 2014, the Company held a portfolio of 103 quoted and unquoted companies, valued in total at £66.7 million. In line with the long term strategy of reducing non-core holdings, this has fallen from a count of 120 investments at the time of the merger.
The majority of investments have performed satisfactorily and there has been some particularly strong performance by a number of the quoted investments over the period, although this has been partially offset by provisions required against a small number of unquoted investments.
Net asset value and results
The NAV per Share at 30 September 2014 stood at 96.7p, compared to the NAV at 31 March 2014 of 98.2p. Total Return in the year to date (NAV plus cumulative dividends paid since 31 March 2014) is 100.7p.
The return on ordinary activities after taxation for the year was £300,000, comprising a revenue return of £671,000 and a capital loss of £371,000.
Unquoted portfolio
Investment activity
At 30 September 2014, the unquoted portfolio was valued at £41.3 million, comprising 72 investments, spread across a number of sectors.
During the six months to 30 September 2014, the fund made three follow-on investments: £100,000 in Rostima Limited, a software development company; £79,000 in London City Shopping Centre Limited, a property development company; and £51,000 in Kidspace Adventure Holdings Limited, which owns children's play centres.
The exit process of EPI Services completed a final liquidation payment made of £51,000 during the period. Additionally, partial loan note repayments totalling £281,000 were received on five investments, all of which were at or above par.
Portfolio valuation
Most unquoted investments have performed in line with expectations in the period, with uplifts totalling £522,000 across seven investments, however there have been five significant write downs in value which have resulted in a net valuation decrease of £1.6 million. The largest valuation movements are discussed below.
The Leytonstone Pub Limited owns The Red Lion pub in Leytonstone. Performance at the site has been strong, justifying an increase in value of £300,000 over the period.
Residential PV Trading Limited, which owns solar panels on the rooftops of over 260 domestic properties in the south of the UK, continues to deliver good performance, such that an increase in value of £30,000 has been recognised.
Amongst other investments, Slopingtactic Limited was increased by £58,000, Alpha Schools Limited by £52,000, Progressive Energies Limited by £38,000, Wickham Solar Limited by £28,000 and Antelope Pub Limited by £16,000.
The positive value movements above have been offset by provisions made against three large investments. These are described in detail below.
Hoole Hall Country Club Holdings Limited and Hoole Hall Spa and Leisure Limited own and operate the restaurant, conferencing centre, and spa and health club facilities at Hoole Hall, situated alongside a large DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Chester. Some recent indications of the current market value, along with the fact there is a substantial level of debt ranking ahead of the Company's investment has resulted in the valuation of Hoole Hall Spa and Leisure Limited being reduced by £555,000 and Hoole Hall Country Club Holdings Limited by £740,000.
Rostima Limited, the software business based in Maidenhead, Berkshire which specialises in enterprise workforce planning software systems, was refinanced during the period with further funding of £100,000. Although we believe the Company continues to have good potential, it is proving challenging to build momentum and faces some significant risks. As a result a provision of £521,000 has been made against the investment.
Quoted investments
Investment activity
As at 30 September 2014, the quoted portfolio was valued at £25.5 million and comprised 31 holdings. As per the investment strategy to concentrate on a more focused portfolio of investments where we have more influence, six investments were fully disposed of in the period. Now, over 75% of the quoted portfolio is accounted for in the top 10 holdings.
Over the period since 31 March 2014, the valuation of the quoted portfolio is up 4.9%, well ahead of recognised AIM indices which were down by more than 10% over the six months. This reflects a net gain of c. £1.25 million, (taking into account disposals and investment additions).
Four full realisations were made in companies where we believed the valuations were not reflective of the prospects of the company. These included Afraig Plc, Bglobal Plc, H&T Group Plc and Octagonal Plc. Hasgrove Plc and Manroy Plc were subject to takeovers/tender offers. Partial realisations were made in Tracsis Plc, Concha Plc and Frontier IP Plc. Overall the realised gains on these companies, on cost, equated to £579,000. Total proceeds from disposals equated to £1.6 million.
The period from March to September 2014 reflected a particularly volatile period for small company stock markets. Small Cap markets in the UK were by-and-large down by approximately 10% over this period. This reflected a general caution in equities worldwide as fragility of specific economies began to be realised. However, despite this, the quoted portfolio within the Company continued to show progress, reflective of the strength and earnings power of the underlying holdings. The Company elected not to invest in any of the AIM IPOs that were a common feature at the start of 2014 - and it was in these stocks that a lot of the market volatility was experienced.
Portfolio movements
The most significant portfolio movement was Tracsis Plc, which demonstrated a gain of £840,000. In addition, proceeds from "profit taking", in this stock, in the period equated to £154,000. At the period end, the holding was valued at £4.2 million and was the Company's largest holding.
Tracsis plc is a developer and supplier of resource optimisation technologies to the transport industry, supplying a range of products and services to transport operators and infrastructure owners. The company is well known to the Adviser having been a holding since 2011.
In the period, Tracsis made three positive announcements. This news flow allowed us to revisit the target valuation for the company and we now believe that the current valuation underestimates the value of future cash flows that the company can generate. One of the announcements led to a 30% upgrade in profit expectations.
Science in Sport plc, the manufacturer of sports nutritional products, saw its value rise by £797,000 in the Company, reflecting positive news on trading and a 24% growth in turnover, ahead of our expectations.
Accumuli plc, the provider of network security software and managed services, saw its value in the portfolio appreciate by £610,000 reflecting positive trading and new contract wins.
The UKs largest manufacturer and distributor of fire protection products, Sprue Aegis Plc, saw its value in the portfolio increase by £347,000. The company moved from ISDX to AIM and raised £8 million for working capital to fund growth. The Company increased its holding by £212,000 as part of this fundraising.
Ludorum plc, the owner of the IP of "Chuggington" the popular under 5-year olds media title saw its value in the Company fall by £331,000. This was reflective of a highly illiquid market in the shares of Ludorum.
Universe Group plc, which is a software and managed solutions provider of payments solutions, primarily to the UK forecourt market saw its value fall by £354,000 in the Company. Again this was reflective of an illiquid market in the shares of Universe. Since the period end the valuation has recovered to reflect the positive trading that the company is experiencing, particularly in its loyalty solutions.
Outlook
The inevitable indigestion stemming from the large number of AIM IPOs and fundraisings in a short time frame over the summer months, has evidenced itself in the small company indices declines. We remain positive on the key drivers within the quoted portfolio on the basis of the fundamentals and the valuations on which they trade. The Company has taken advantage of some of the market weakness and has introduced two new holdings at, what we believe to be, sensible valuations in solid and earnings accretive investments. Instead of predicting the outlook for the wider AIM index, we will focus on the key drivers in the portfolio - and here we hold confidence and optimism for the longer term.
In respect of the unquoted portfolio, we expect to see the economic environment continue to improve and provide greater support to the investments. Whilst, as is to be expected, there are some unquoted portfolio companies which cause concern, the Adviser sees the wide spread of investments held by the Company and the consequently lower volatility as an attractive feature.
With the recent fundraising and receipts from exits, the Company has some funds to invest. Our strategy remains to look at a wide range of opportunities in both the asset-backed and growth capital / AIM areas to continue to develop a portfolio which can deliver a steady flow of dividends along with the prospect of some growth.
Downing LLP
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET
as at 30 September 2014
| | | 30 Sep 2014 | 30 Sep 2013 | 31 Mar 2014 |
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Fixed assets | ||||
| Investments | 66,729 | 12,979 | 67,723 | |
| Current assets | ||||
| Debtors | 946 | 45 | 509 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 6,098 | 673 | 7,983 | |
| 7,044 | 718 | 8,492 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | (659) | (132) | (1,638) | |
| Net current assets | 6,385 | 586 | 6,854 | |
| Net assets | 73,114 | 13,565 | 74,577 | |
| Capital and reserves | ||||
| Called up share capital | 7 | 754 | 196 | 750 |
| Capital redemption reserve | 8 | 1,488 | 1,153 | 1,470 |
| Share premium | 8 | 64,307 | 315 | 62,114 |
| Share Capital to be issued | 8 | 169 | - | 921 |
| Special reserve | 8 | 8,912 | 13,743 | 11,458 |
| Capital reserve - realised | 8 | - | 270 | - |
| Capital reserve - unrealised | 8 | (3,111) | (2,125) | (2,438) |
| Revenue reserve | 8 | 595 | 13 | 302 |
| Equity shareholders' funds | 6 | 73,114 | 13,565 | 74,577 |
| Restated * | ||||
| Basic and diluted net asset value per share | 6 | 96.7p | 97.1p | 98.2p |
* Restated to take account of the share consolidation that took place on 12 November 2013.
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT
for the six months ended 30 September 2014
| | Six months ended 30 September 2014 | Six months ended 30 September 2013 | Year ended 31 March 2014 | |||||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | Revenue | Capital | Total | Total | ||||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
| Income | 1,314 | - | 1,314 | 155 | - | 155 | 1,158 | |||
| Gains/(losses) on investments | ||||||||||
| - realised | - | 331 | 331 | - | (6) | (6) | 348 | |||
| - unrealised | - | (314) | (314) | - | 154 | 154 | (93) | |||
| 1,314 | 17 | 1,331 | 155 | 148 | 303 | 1,413 | ||||
| Net gain on acquisition of net assets | - | - | - | - | - | - | 253 | |||
| Investment management fees | (168) | (503) | (671) | (32) | (94) | (126) | (677) | |||
| Other expenses | (359) | (1) | (360) | (127) | - | (127) | (488) | |||
| Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation | 787 | (487) | 300 | (4) | 54 | 50 | 501 | |||
| Taxation | (116) | 116 | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Return/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders | 4 | 671 | (371) | 300 | (4) | 54 | 50 | 501 | ||
| Basic and diluted return per share | 4 | 0.9p | (0.5p) | 0.4 p | - | 0.3p | 0.3p | 0.7p | ||
The total column within the Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. All Revenue and Capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period.
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as all gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement as noted above.
Other than revaluation movements arising on investments held at fair value through the Income Statement, there were no differences between the return/(loss) as stated above and at historical cost.
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
for the six months ended 30 September 2014
| 30 Sep 2014 | 30 Sep 2013 | 31 Mar 2014 | |||||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
| Opening Shareholders' funds | 74,577 | 14,005 | 14,005 | ||||
| Issue of share capital on acquisition | - | - | 60,625 | ||||
| Issue of new shares | 2,303 | - | 2,102 | ||||
| Unallotted shares | (752) | - | 921 | ||||
| Share issue costs | (88) | - | (57) | ||||
| Purchase of own shares | (1,714) | - | (1,531) | ||||
| Total recognised gains for the period | 300 | 50 | 501 | ||||
| Dividends paid | 5 | (1,512) | (490) | (1,989) | |||
| Closing Shareholders' funds | 73,114 | 13,565 | 74,577 | ||||
UNAUDITED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the six months ended 30 September 2014
| 30 Sep 2014 | 30 Sep 2013 | 31 Mar 2014 | ||||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
| Net cash outflow from operating activities and returns on investments | 9 | (277) | (58) | (128) | ||
| Taxation | ||||||
| Corporation tax paid | (198) | - | (169) | |||
Capital expenditure | ||||||
Purchase of investments | (998) | (724) | (1,482) | |||
Disposal of investments | 2,035 | 1,852 | 5,397 | |||
Net cash inflow from capital expenditure | 1,037 | 1,128 | 3,915 | |||
Acquisitions | ||||||
Cash acquired | - | - | 4,627 | |||
Acquisition costs | (244) | - | (238) | |||
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow from acquisitions | (244) | - | 4,389 | |||
Equity dividends paid | (1,512) | (484) | (1,984) | |||
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing | (1,194) | 586 | 6,023 | |||
Financing | ||||||
| Proceeds from new share issue | 2,303 | - | 2,102 | |||
| Unallotted share issue proceeds | (752) | - | 921 | |||
| Share issue costs | (88) | 2 | (57) | |||
| Purchase of own shares | (2,154) | (38) | (1,129) | |||
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing | (691) | (36) | 1,837 | |||
| (Decrease)/increase in cash | 10 | (1,885) | 550 | 7,860 |
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
as at 30 September 2014
| Cost | Valuation | Valuation movement in period | % of portfolio by value | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Top ten venture capital investments (by value) | ||||
| Tracsis plc* | 2,017 | 4,167 | 840 | 5.7% |
| Accumuli plc* | 2,395 | 3,389 | 610 | 4.6% |
| Baron House Developments LLP | 2,695 | 2,695 | - | 3.7% |
| Cadbury House Holdings Limited | 3,233 | 2,457 | - | 3.4% |
| Vulcan Renewables Limited | 2,415 | 2,415 | - | 3.3% |
| Inland Homes plc* | 2,075 | 2,335 | 48 | 3.2% |
| Science in Sport plc* | 1,840 | 2,261 | 797 | 3.1% |
| Mosaic Spa and Health Clubs Limited | 2,747 | 2,214 | (223) | 3.0% |
| Ludorum plc* | 3,443 | 1,997 | (331) | 2.8% |
| Universe Group plc* | 1,706 | 1,759 | (354) | 2.4% |
| 24,566 | 25,689 | 1,387 | 35.2% | |
| Other venture capital investments | 45,274 | 41,040 | (1,701) | 56.4% |
| 69,840 | 66,729 | (314) | 91.6% | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 6,098 | 8.4% | ||
| Total investments | 72,827 | 100.0% |
All venture capital investments are unquoted unless otherwise stated.
* quoted on AIM
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT MOVEMENTS
for the six months ended 30 September 2014
Additions
| £'000 | |
| Northbridge Industrial Services plc* | 254 |
| Sprue Aegis plc* | 212 |
| Science in Sport plc* | 151 |
| Anpario plc* | 150 |
| Rostima Limited | 100 |
| London City Shopping Centre Limited | 79 |
| Kidspace Adventures Holdings Limited | 51 |
| Other sundry investments | 1 |
| 998 |
| Disposals | Cost | Value at 31/03/14 ** | Disposal proceeds | Gain/ (loss) against cost | Realised gain/ (loss) in period |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Quoted | |||||
| Market sales | |||||
| Afriag plc | 87 | 46 | 30 | (57) | (16) |
| Bglobal public limited company | 25 | 23 | 49 | 24 | 26 |
| Concha plc | 26 | 58 | 204 | 178 | 146 |
| Frontier IP Group plc | 4 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| H&T Group plc | 413 | 463 | 411 | (2) | (52) |
| Octagonal plc | 38 | 20 | 23 | (15) | 3 |
| Tracsis plc | 36 | 190 | 235 | 199 | 45 |
| Tender offers | |||||
| Hasgrove plc | 81 | 110 | 110 | 29 | - |
| Manroy plc | 343 | 528 | 561 | 218 | 33 |
| 1,053 | 1,445 | 1,632 | 579 | 187 | |
| Unquoted | |||||
| Loan note redemptions | |||||
| Dominions House Limited | 64 | 64 | 64 | - | - |
| EPI Service Limited | 33 | - | 51 | 18 | 51 |
| Gatewales Limited | 20 | 20 | 68 | 48 | 48 |
| Kidspace Adventures Limited | 51 | 51 | 51 | - | - |
| Leytonstone Pub Limited | 47 | 47 | 47 | - | - |
| SPC International Limited | 51 | 51 | 51 | - | - |
| Liquidation proceeds | |||||
| Helcim Limited | - | - | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| 266 | 233 | 377 | 111 | 144 | |
| 1,319 | 1,678 | 2,009 | 690 | 331 |
* quoted on AIM
** adjusted for purchases in the period
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the six months ended 30 September 2014
1. The unaudited half-yearly financial results cover the six months to 30 September 2014 and have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014, which were prepared under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts" January 2009.
2. The Company has only one class of business and derives its income from investments made in shares, securities and bank deposits.
3. The comparative figures were in respect of the six months ended 30 September 2013 and the year ended 31 March 2014 respectively.
4. Return per share
| Weighted average number of shares in issue | Revenue return/ (loss) | Capital (loss)/ gain | |||
| £'000 | £'000 | ||||
| Period ended 30 September 2014 | 76,368,113 | 671 | (371) | ||
| Period ended 30 September 2013 | 19,592,490 | (4) | 54 | ||
| Year ended 31 March 2014 | 74,326,968 | 285 | 216 | ||
- Dividends paid in the period
| Six months ended 30 September 2014 | Year ended 31 March 2014 | |||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | Total | |||
| Date paid | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| 2014 Final | 19/09/2014: 2.0p | 378 | 1,134 | 1,512 | - | |
| 2014 Interim | 28/03/2014: 2.0p | - | - | - | 1,499 | |
| 2013 Final | 30/09/2013: 2.5p | - | - | - | 490 | |
| 378 | 1,134 | 1,512 | 1,989 | |||
- Basic and diluted net asset value per share
| Shares in issue | Net assets | NAV per share | |||
| £'000 | pence | ||||
| Period ended 30 September 2014 | 75,426,730 | 73,114 | 96.7 | ||
| Restated | |||||
| Period ended 30 September 2013 | 19,592,490 | 13,565 | 97.1 | ||
| Year ended 31 March 2014 | 75,007,105 | 74,577 | 98.2 |
- Called up share capital
| Shares in issue | £'000 | ||
| Period ended 30 September 2014 | 75,426,730 | 754 | |
| Period ended 30 September 2013 | 19,592,490 | 196 | |
| Year ended 31 March 2014 | 75,007,105 | 750 |
- Reserves
| Capital redemption reserve | Share premium | Share capital to be issued | Special reserve | Capital reserve -realised | Capital reserve -unrealised | Revenue reserve | ||||||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||
| At 1 April 2014 | 1,470 | 62,114 | 921 | 11,458 | - | (2,438) | 302 | |||||
| Unallotted shares | - | - | (752) | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Issue of new shares | - | 2,281 | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Share issue costs | - | (88) | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Purchase of own shares | 18 | - | - | (1,714) | - | - | - | |||||
| Capital expenses | - | - | - | - | (504) | - | - | |||||
| Corporation tax | - | - | - | - | 116 | - | - | |||||
| Gains/(losses) on investments | - | - | - | - | 331 | (314) | - | |||||
| Realisation of revaluations from previous years | - | - | - | - | 359 | (359) | - | |||||
| Transfer between reserves | - | - | - | (832) | 832 | - | - | |||||
| Dividends paid | - | - | - | - | (1,134) | - | (378) | |||||
| Retained net revenue | - | - | - | - | - | - | 671 | |||||
| At 30 September 2014 | 1,488 | 64,307 | 169 | 8,912 | - | (3,111) | 595 | |||||
The Special reserve is available to the Company to enable the purchase of its own shares in the market without affecting its ability to pay dividends/capital distributions.
Distributable reserves are calculated as follows:
| 30 Sep 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Special reserve | 8,912 | 11,458 | |
| Revenue reserve | 595 | 302 | |
| Unrealised losses (excluding unrealised unquoted gains) | (3,818) | (3,457) | |
| Total distributable reserves | 5,689 | 8,303 |
- Reconciliation of return on ordinary activities before taxation to net cash flow from operating activities
| 30 Sep 2014 | 30 Sep 2013 | 31 Mar 2014 | |||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
| Return on ordinary activities before taxation | 300 | 50 | 501 | ||
| Gains on investments | (17) | (148) | (255) | ||
| Net gain on acquisition of net assets | - | - | (253) | ||
| (Increase)/decrease in other debtors | (463) | 59 | 130 | ||
| Decrease in other creditors | (97) | (19) | (251) | ||
| Net cash outflow from operating activities | (277) | (58) | (128) |
- Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
| 30 Sep 2014 | 30 Sep 2013 | 31 Mar 2014 | |||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
| Beginning of period | 7,983 | 123 | 123 | ||
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow | (1,885) | 550 | 7,860 | ||
| End of period | 6,098 | 673 | 7,983 |
11. The unaudited financial statements set out herein do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and have not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 March 2014 have been extracted from the financial statements for that year, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the Auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified.
12. Going concern
The Directors have reviewed the Company's financial resources at the period end and concluded that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks.
The Directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Company has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Directors believe that the Company continues to be a going concern and that it is appropriate to apply the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
13. Risks and uncertainties
Under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Board is required, in the Company's half-year results, to report on principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company over the remainder of the financial year.
The Board has concluded that the key risks are:
(i) compliance risk of failure to maintain approval as a VCT; and
(ii) investment risk associated with investing in small and immature businesses.
The Company's compliance with the VCT regulations is continually monitored by the Adviser, who regularly reports to the Board on the current position. The Company also retains PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to provide regular reviews and advice in this area.
In order to make VCT qualifying investments, the Company has to invest in small businesses which are often immature. It also has a limited period in which it must invest the majority of its funds into VCT qualifying investments. The Adviser follows a rigorous process in vetting and careful structuring of new investments, including taking a charge over the assets of the business wherever possible and, after an investment is made, closely monitoring the business.
The Board is satisfied that these approaches provide satisfactory management of the key risks.
14. The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with the "Statement: Half-Yearly Financial Reports" issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board and the half-yearly financial report includes a fair review of the information required by:
(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place during the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
15. Copies of the unaudited half-yearly financial results will be sent to Shareholders shortly. Further copies can be obtained from the Company's Registered Office and will be available for download from www.downing.co.uk.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Downing ONE VCT plc via Globenewswire
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