Interim Results

Graphite Enterprise Trust PLC 17 September 2004 GRAPHITE ENTERPRISE TRUST PLC RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2004 FINANCIAL RESULTS 30 June 31 Dec % change to 2004 2003 30 June 2004 Shareholders' Funds £285.5m £258.7m +10.3% Net assets per share 314.4p 284.9p +10.3% Share Price 236.3p 222.3p +6.3% FTSE All-Share Index 2,228.7 2,207.4 +1.0% SUMMARY • Net assets per share rose by 10.3%. • The valuation of Maplin increased by £23.6 million. • Since 30 June there have been four major realisations, including Maplin. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Overall Performance In the six months to 30 June 2004 the net assets of Graphite Enterprise Trust PLC (the 'Enterprise Trust') rose by 10.3% from 284.9p to 314.4p per share. The share price rose by 6.3% from 222.3p to 236.3p. These movements compare with an increase of 1.0% in the FTSE All-Share Index in the period. The strong overall performance of the Enterprise Trust was the result of a number of successful realisations from the unquoted portfolio. Events since 30 June At 30 June a number of realisations were in progress that have been completed since. These were the disposals of Maplin and Paperchase and the refinancings of Ridgmont and Wagamama, all of which were completed between July and early September. The net asset value at 30 June reflects the terms of these realisations. Following the completion of these realisations the share price has risen to 262.0p at the close of business on 16 September, the day before the announcement of the interim results. At this price, and assuming an unchanged net asset value since 30 June, the discount of the share price to the net asset value is 16.7%. Investment Activity In the six months to June realisations from the investment portfolio were £24.3 million by comparison with purchases of £12.5 million. The largest disposal from the direct unquoted portfolio was Leapfrog, which generated £5.8 million. This represented an uplift of £3.4 million over the valuation at the beginning of the year. Total disposals from the direct unquoted portfolio were £8.9 million. A total of £11.3 million was realised from the fund portfolio, of which £6.9 million came from the Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Europe Fund, mostly as a result of the disposal of the Fund's residual holding in Yell. There were £4.1 million of disposals from the quoted portfolio. Additions to the direct unquoted portfolio totalled £4.7 million, of which £3.1 million was represented by an investment in Preh, a German manufacturer of automotive components. In the fund portfolio a new commitment of £3.4 million was made to Sagitta Private Equity Partners III and £7.8 million was drawn down against existing commitments. Valuation Movements Net gains in the investment portfolio were £28.0 million in the period, of which £3.9 million was realised and £24.1 million was unrealised. The largest increases in unrealised gains were in Maplin (£23.6 million), Wagamama (£7.9 million), Ridgmont (£3.6 million) and Paperchase (£2.8 million), in all cases reflecting the terms of transactions that have been finalised since 30 June. In 2001 the Enterprise Trust invested £5.2 million in Maplin, the fast-growing retailer of electronic equipment and accessories. Maplin has been highly successful, with turnover and profits growing rapidly in the last three years. By 30 June 2004 a total of £9.2 million had been received from the investment in capital proceeds and income. In early September the investment in Maplin was sold for £40.7 million, taking total proceeds to £49.9 million. This represents a multiple of 9.5 times cost and an annual internal rate of return over the life of the investment of 120.6%. Both Wagamama, the chain of Japanese noodle bars, and Ridgmont, the nursing home group, have been refinanced since 30 June. The Enterprise Trust received £14.5 million from the refinancing of Wagamama, representing a multiple of 2.5 times the cost of the investment. The refinancing of Ridgmont generated £4.8 million or 2.1 times cost. In both cases the Enterprise Trust retains a substantial equity stake. The Enterprise Trust's investment in Paperchase, the specialist stationery retailer, was sold in July for £7.4 million. After a difficult start, the company grew rapidly. The exit proceeds represented a multiple of 3.7 times cost. Elsewhere in the investment portfolio there have been net falls in value of £9.9 million. The largest reduction was in Standard Brands (£4.4 million) to reflect disappointing recent trading performance. The fund portfolio fell in value by £1.5 million as a result of currency movements and the quoted portfolio fell overall by £1.3 million. Balance Sheet and Liquidity At 30 June the Enterprise Trust had total net assets of £293.4 million. Taking into account commitments it was fully invested. The investment portfolio, the great majority of which was unquoted, had a value of £209.3 million, or 71.3% of total net assets. The remaining £84.1 million, or 28.7% of the assets was held in cash and near-cash. Commitments of £94.0 million represented 32.0% of total net assets with the result that if all the commitments had been called, gearing would have been 3.3%. Revenue Account The net revenue attributable to shareholders in the six months to 30 June was £4.3 million, compared with the £4.4 million in the whole of 2003. In both periods, however, substantial dividends were received from Maplin: this year the dividend was £2.1 million. As there will be no further dividends from Maplin following its disposal, it is likely that net revenue will fall, although in the short term this should be at least partly offset by an increase in interest income. Outlook We have been pleased with the performance of the Enterprise Trust in the year to date. We believe, despite the sluggish stockmarket, that this has been an excellent period in which to realise investments in unquoted companies. As a result we have made the disposals described above. Against this background it is perhaps unsurprising that while we have considered a large number of potential new investments, we have made few additions to the portfolio. We believe that the Enterprise Trust's remaining investment portfolio provides a solid platform as we look forward to meeting the challenge of reinvesting the proceeds of the successful disposals of the last few months. John Sclater Chairman For further information, please contact: Rod Richards / William Eccles Tel: 020 7825 5300 Graphite Capital Management Limited GRAPHITE ENTERPRISE TRUST PLC SUMMARY RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR TO 30 JUNE Consolidated Statement of Total Return Half year to Year to (incorporating the Revenue Account) 30 June 31 Dec (Unaudited) (Audited) 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Revenue Return Income 6,008 5,051 7,537 Investment management fee (576) (533) (1,076) Other expenses (368) (408) (770) Net return before finance costs and taxation 5,064 4,110 5,691 Interest payable and similar charges - - (15) Return on ordinary activities before taxation 5,064 4,110 5,676 Taxation on ordinary activities (818) (785) (1,242) Return attributable to equity shareholders 4,246 3,325 4,434 Dividends in respect of ordinary shares (equity) - - (3,904) Transfer to reserves 4,246 3,325 530 Capital Return Net gains on investments 28,007 9,516 26,319 Investment management charges (1,233) (1,600) (3,229) Other expenses (780) (4) (152) Taxation on ordinary activities 818 480 1,245 26,812 8,392 24,183 Minority interests (4,312) (969) (1,406) Net capital return 22,500 7,423 22,777 Total Return 26,746 10,748 23,307 Revenue return per ordinary share 4.68p 3.66p 4.88p Capital return per ordinary share 24.78p 8.18p 25.08p Total return per ordinary share 29.46p 11.84p 29.96p Consolidated Assets 30 June 31 Dec (Unaudited) (Audited) 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Listed investments 19,271 20,222 24,614 Unlisted investments at directors' valuation 189,997 159,318 168,467 Total investments 209,268 179,540 193,081 Net current assets 84,153 70,714 69,734 Total net assets 293,421 250,254 262,815 Minority interest (7,970) (4,108) (4,110) Equity Shareholders' funds 285,451 246,146 258,705 Net asset value per share 314.4p 271.1p 284.9p Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Half year to Year to 30 June 31 Dec (Unaudited) (Audited) 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Net cash flow from operating activities 1,931 942 943 Returns on investments and servicing of finance - - (15) Taxation 642 173 544 Acquisitions and disposals 11,826 (4,139) (865) Equity dividends paid (3,904) (3,904) (3,904) Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 10,495 (6,928) (3,297) Management of liquid resources - 26,000 18,500 Financing (457) (791) (1,321) Increase in cash 10,038 18,281 13,882 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Increase in cash 10,038 18,281 13,882 Cash outflow from change in liquid resources - (26,000) (18,500) Change in net liquid funds resulting from cash flows 10,038 (7,719) (4,618) Exchange difference (227) (4) (39) Income received via capital 874 866 1,550 Movement of net liquid funds 10,685 (6,857) (3,107) Net liquid funds at 1 January 73,528 76,635 76,635 Net liquid funds 30 June/31 December 84,213 69,778 73,528 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Net revenue on ordinary activities before taxation 5,064 4,110 5,676 Add back interest payable - - 15 Income before interest payable and taxation 5,064 4,110 5,691 (Increase)/decrease in debtors (466) (388) 241 Increase in creditors 812 81 88 Income received via capital (874) (866) (1,550) Tax on investment income within income (873) (395) (298) Management charges taken to capital (1,732) (1,600) (3,229) Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,931 942 943 Geographical distribution of portfolio investments at 30 June 2004 UK Non-UK Total % % % Listed 9 - 9 Unlisted 71 20 91 80 20 100 Notes Revenue return before taxation and revenue return per ordinary share for the half year are not necessarily indicative of the likely outcome for the full year. As in previous years, the directors do not propose to pay an interim dividend. The summary financial statements at 31 December 2003 have been compiled from the latest published accounts. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies: the report of the independent auditors thereon was unqualified. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2003 included within this interim report does not constitute full accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Copies of the Interim Report will be posted to all shareholders on or around 30 September 2004 and copies may be obtained during normal business hours from the Company's registered office thereafter. By order of the Board Registered Office Graphite Capital Management Limited Berkeley Square House Secretary Berkeley Square London W1J 6BQ Tel: 020 7825 5300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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