Interim Results
Aberdeen Growth Opps VCT PLC
14 July 2006
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Interim results
The Directors announce the unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31
May 2006.
A total of £14.95 million before expenses was raised in the C share issue, which
closed on 5 April 2006. The 70% qualifying threshold must be achieved on this
pool of money by November 2008 to meet the VCT regulations.
The companies forming the unlisted portfolio in which the original pool is
invested are showing encouraging signs of maturing into candidates for
successful trade sales or IPO on the AIM market.
Net Asset Value
The Net Asset Value (NAV) per share of the original pool at 31 May 2006 was
96.1p per share ("pps") compared with 95.4pps as at 30 November 2005 (as
restated) after payment of the capital dividend of 1.5p on 28 April 2006. The
NAV of the C share pool was 95.3pps, up from 95.0pps immediately after launch
expenses. The increase in NAV of the original pool of 0.7% compares with the
FTSE Small Cap Index, which increased by 11.2% over the period, and the FTSE AIM
100 Index, which increased by 10.6%.
Over the twelve month period ending 31 May 2006, the NAV has increased by 1.7p
taking account of the capital dividend paid in April 2006 and the NAV in May
2005 as restated for the change in accounting rules as explained in the Annual
Report.
Unquoted investments held by Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT are valued in
accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation
Guidelines, which superseded the British Venture Capital Guidelines for
reporting periods beginning after 1 January 2005.
Investments which are quoted or traded on the Alternative Investment Market
(AIM) or a recognised stock exchange are valued at their bid price, discounted
where necessary to reflect any trading restrictions.
Co-investment
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT has co-invested with other funds managed by
the Aberdeen Asset Management Group in a number of investments and is expected
to continue to do so. The advantage of this arrangement is that, together, the
funds are able to underwrite a wider range and size of transaction than would be
the case on a stand-alone basis.
Dividends and returns to date
The Board does not intend to declare an interim dividend for the period ended 31
May 2006. Since launch, the company has paid 5.0pps in tax free dividends. Given
the current NAV of 96.1p, the total return since launch on the original pool is
therefore 101.1pps, being the sum of dividends paid plus current NAV, while for
the C share pool it is 95.3pps. The Board has decided to suspend the operation
of the dividend reinvestment scheme until it is clear how the new VCT
regulations will be applied to the management of reinvested dividends.
Investment activity
During the six-months to 31 May 2006, three new unquoted and eight new AIM
investments were made at a total cost of £2.0 million. One AIM investment was
realised in a share-for-share transaction with the proceeds re-invested in the
acquiring company. Of the new investments, £1,087,000 and £923,000 was invested
from the original and C share pools respectively. The analysis contained
elsewhere within this report shows the amounts invested by each pool at the
period end. A total of £2.2 million was invested during the six month period,
including amounts invested in existing investee companies, resulting in an
investment portfolio consisting of forty-one unquoted and AIM investments having
a total cost of £6.6 million at 31 May 2006.
The following eleven new investments, of which all except one are VCT
qualifying, have been made since the publication of the Annual Report:
Unlisted Investments
Homelux Nenplas Limited (May 2006) - £472,000: Homelux Nenplas Limited is a
manufacturer of tile trims and other wet room furnishing accessories. Its
products are distributed through major DIY retail outlets and trade product
distributors.(No website available)
IRW Systems Limited (April 2006) - £45,000: IRW Systems provides software
solutions and services to a range of clients across the central belt of Scotland
focusing on consultancy, bespoke software development and network managed
services. IRW Systems acquired the trade and assets of IRW Solutions Limited via
the Administration of the Albanet Group in April 2006. (www.irw.co.uk)
Styles and Wood Holdings Limited (December 2005) - £200,000: Styles & Wood is
the leading independent provider of store fit-out and refurbishment programmes
to the UK retail sector; customers include John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and
Boots. (www.stylesandwood.co.uk)
AiM investments
Debts.co.uk plc (May 2006) - £50,000: Debts.co.uk provides personal debt
solutions. (www.debts.co.uk)
Gold Frost plc (March 2006) - £151,000: Gold Frost designs, develops &
distributes kosher food products. (No website available)
Interactive World plc (April 2006) - £175,000: Interactive World is a digital
media content provider which distributes its content (images and video
downloads) via UK mobile network operators and Internet search engines. (No
website available)
Invocas plc (March 2006) - £172,000: Invocas is an insolvency practioner that
specialises in advising and administering Protected Trust Deeds and
sequestrations (bankruptcies) as well as providing corporate insolvency and
advisory services. (www.invocas.com)
Leadcom Integrated Solutions plc (May 2006) - £99,000: Leadcom is an
international leader in the supply, implementation and management of
telecommunication network services and solutions. (www.leadcom-is.com)
Litcomp plc (March 2006) - £150,000: Litcomp is a national supplier of medical
reports in support of legal actions. (www.legal-reports.co.uk)
MTI Wireless Edge plc (March 2006) - £70,000: MTI is a developer and
manufacturer of sophisticated antennas and antenna systems for fixed broadband
wireless communications. (www.mtiwe.com)
Work Group plc (February 2006) - £200,000: Work Group is a leading UK
recruitment services provider that helps employers to recruit and retain their
staff more effectively. (www.workcomms.com)
Portfolio developments
The fund has achieved a profitable exit from Travel Class from the sale of the
business to a major plc. Proceeds of £562,000 were received compared to the cost
of investment of £225,000 resulting in a gain of £335,000 equivalent to c3.4p
per share. As mentioned in the Annual Report for 2005, a partial exit was
achieved in November 2005 from Enterprise Food Group and the deferred
consideration amounting to £39,000 was received in the reporting period. In
addition, the remaining manufacturing business which had been spun out of
Enterprise Food was sold and contributed further modest gain of £9,000 which
brings the total gain from the realisations so far to £56,000 while retaining a
significant equity share in the remaining fulfilment business.
These positive developments were partially offset by two significant reductions
in the valuation of investee companies which had to be processed at the end of
the period. Albanet was placed in Administration during April and a full
provision was taken against the carrying value; this was partially offset by the
investment in IRW Systems, a subsidiary of Albanet, which was purchased from the
Administrator at an agreed price. The Administration came about because of the
lack of market penetration which was achieved by the Company leading to a
funding requirement the terms of which could not be agreed by all shareholders.
Kingsley Cards was also placed in Administration during April but again the loss
was minimised by acquiring the business and certain assets through a new
investee company, Riverdale Publishing, from the Administrator.
The unlisted portfolio is showing signs of increasing maturity and further
realisations may be expected over the course of the remainder of the year.
The AiM portfolio has continued to be actively managed during the reporting
period resulting in gains of £112,000 equivalent to c1.1p per share. The UK
stock markets, including AiM, entered a period of instability around the middle
of May 2006 resulting in a fall in the FTSE AiM index of c11% between mid- May
and the end of the reporting period. This market movement affected many of the
investments held by the Company and the value fell by around 9% over the same
period.
The table below shows details of all of the sales made by the Company over the
reporting period. All of the realisations occurred in the original pool with the
exception of Invocas which was made by the C share pool.
Market conditions
The downturn in retail activity which was experienced towards the end of 2005
has continued with little respite into 2006. Meanwhile crude oil prices have
reached historically high levels as increasing demand from growth in the world
economy, in particular China, has squeezed the supply and demand balance. House
price increases have slowed and new mortgage applications have reduced in number
but personal levels of debt remain high and are increasing. While there has been
speculation that the Monetary Policy Committee would increase interest rates to
curb inflationary tendencies, no changes have been made since the last reduction
in rates in August 2005 and we now expect rates to remain unchanged for some
time to come.
Outlook
The outlook for new investments remains positive, with a steady flow of both
unquoted and AIM opportunities available for consideration by the Manager. The
primary focus is two fold; first to ensure that the Company continues to build,
in a measured fashion, a properly diversified portfolio of good quality smaller
company assets which will deliver sustained long term performance and secondly
to employ a similar strategy on the C share pool while achieving the 70%
threshold within the three year timescale required by the VCT legislation. Asset
quality will not be sacrificed for short term growth in the qualifying
investment portfolio.
Realisations during the reporting period
Date first Complete/ Cost of shares Sales Realised gain/
invested partial exit disposed of proceeds (loss)
£'000 £'000 £'000
Unlisted
Enterprise Food Group 2003 Partial - 39 39
Patisserie UK 2005 Complete - 9 9
Travel Class 2005 Complete 225 562 337
---------------------------------------------
Total unlisted 225 610 385
AIM
Asfare 2003 Partial 10 8 (2)
Axeon 2003 Partial 90 139 49
Careforce Group 2004 Partial 56 60 4
Cello Group 2004 Partial 46 56 10
Datong 2005 Partial 13 13 -
Gold Frost 2006 Partial 21 25 4
Imagesound 2004 Complete 68 25 (43)
Inspicio 2005 Partial 56 68 12
Invocas 2006 Partial 2 4 2
Legend Communications 2004 Complete 100 51 (49)
MTI Wireless Edge 2006 Partial 29 39 10
Neutrahealth 2005 Partial 7 8 1
Spectrum Interactive 2005 Partial 19 14 (5)
Tanfield Group 2004 Partial 77 156 79
United Clearing 2005 Partial 202 220 18
Zetar 2005 Partial 65 87 22
---------------------------------------------
Total AIM 861 973 112
---------------------------------------------
Total 1086 1583 497
---------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Income statement
For the six months ended 31 May 2006 (unaudited)
ORDINARY SHARES
-------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 130 130
Income from investments 110 - 110
Other income 9 - 9
Investment management fees (27) (107) (134)
Other expenses (55) - (55)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 37 23 60
Tax on ordinary activities (10) 10 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation 27 33 60
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per Ordinary
share (pence) 0.27 0.33 0.60
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'C' ORD SHARES
-------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 45 45
Income from investments 62 - 62
Other income 16 - 16
Investment management fees (11) (44) (55)
Other expenses (28) - (28)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 39 1 40
Tax on ordinary activities (7) 7 -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation 32 8 40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per Ordinary
share (pence) 0.23 0.06 0.29
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Income statement
For the six months ended 31 May 2006 (unaudited)
TOTAL
-----------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 175 175
Income from investments 172 - 172
Other income 25 25
Investment management fees (38) (151) (189)
Other expenses (83) - (83)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 76 24 100
Tax on ordinary activities (17) 17 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation 59 41 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of movements in Shareholders' Funds
ORDINARY SHARES 'C' ORD SHARES TOTAL
£'000 £'000 £'000
Opening Shareholders' funds 9,623 - 9,623
Movements in the period
Total profit/(loss) for the period 60 40 100
Net proceeds of issue of shares - 14,206 14,206
Repurchase and cancellation of shares (123) - (123)
Dividends paid - revenue (50) - (50)
Dividends paid - capital (149) - (149)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Shareholders' funds 9,361 14,246 23,607
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Income statement
For the six months ended 31 May 2005 (unaudited) (restated)
ORDINARY SHARES
------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 385 385
Income from investments 102 - 102
Other income 11 - 11
Investment management fees (28) (112) (140)
Other expenses (99) - (99)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation (14) 273 259
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation (14) 273 259
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per Ordinary
share (pence) (0.14) 2.66 2.52
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'C' ORD SHARES
--------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - - -
Income from investments - - -
Other income - - -
Investment management fees - - -
Other expenses - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation - - -
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per Ordinary
share (pence) - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Income statement
For the six months ended 31 May 2005 (unaudited) (restated)
TOTAL
---------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 385 385
Income from investments 102 - 102
Other income 11 - 11
Investment management fees (28) (112) (140)
Other expenses (99) - (99)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation (14) 273 259
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation (14) 273 259
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per Ordinary
share (pence) (0.14) 2.66 2.52
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of movements in Shareholders' Funds
ORDINARY SHARES 'C' ORD SHARES TOTAL
£'000 £'000 £'000
Opening Shareholders' funds 9,751 - 9,751
Movements in the period
Total profit for the period 259 - 259
Net proceeds of issue of shares 9 - 9
Repurchase and cancellation of shares (148) - (148)
Dividends paid - revenue (102) - (102)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Shareholders' funds 9,769 - 9,769
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Income statement
For the year ended 30 November 2005 (audited) (restated)
ORDINARY SHARES
------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 443 443
Income from investments 322 - 322
Other income 23 - 23
Investment management fees (56) (224) (280)
Other expenses (202) - (202)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 87 219 306
Tax on ordinary activities (12) 12 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation 75 231 306
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings) per Ordinary
share (pence) 0.74 2.27 3.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'C' ORD SHARES
--------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - - -
Income from investments - - -
Other income - - -
Investment management fees - - -
Other expenses - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation - - -
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings) per Ordinary
share (pence) - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Income statement
For the year ended 30 November 2005 (audited) (restated)
TOTAL
---------------------------------------------
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains/(losses) on investments - 443 443
Income from investments 322 - 322
Other income 23 - 23
Investment management fees (56) (224) (280)
Other expenses (202) - (202)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 87 219 306
Tax on ordinary activities (12) 12 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation 75 231 306
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings) per Ordinary
share (pence) 0.74 2.27 3.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of movements in Shareholders' Funds
ORDINARY SHARES 'C' ORD SHARES TOTAL
£'000 £'000 £'000
Opening Shareholders' funds 9,751 - 9,751
Movements in the period
Total profit for year 306 - 306
Net proceeds of issue of shares 10 - 10
Repurchase and cancellation of shares (342) - (342)
Dividends paid - revenue (102) - (102)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Shareholders' funds 9,623 - 9,623
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared, as all
gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement.
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.
The total column of this Statement is the Profit and Loss Account of the
Company.
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Balance Sheet
As at 31 May 2006
31 May 2006
(unaudited)
--------------------------------------
ORDINARY 'C' ORD
SHARES SHARES TOTAL
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 7,763 13,589 21,352
Current assets
Debtors 399 128 527
Cash and overnight deposits 1,292 713 2,005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,691 841 2,532
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year (93) (184) (277)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net current assets 1,598 657 2,255
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets 9,361 14,246 23,607
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 974 1,495 2,469
Share premium 4,685 12,711 17,396
Distributable reserve 3,692 - 3,692
Capital redemption reserve 73 - 73
Capital reserves - realised 3 (35) (32)
- unrealised (33) 43 10
Revenue reserve (33) 32 (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Shareholders' funds 9,361 14,246 23,607
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value per Ordinary share (pence) 96.1 95.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Balance Sheet
As at 31 May 2006
31 May 2005
(unaudited)
(restated)
------------------------------------------
ORDINARY 'C' ORD
SHARES SHARES TOTAL
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 7,142 - 7,142
Current assets
Debtors 164 - 164
Cash and overnight deposits 2,615 - 2,615
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,779 - 2,779
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year (152) - (152)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net current assets 2,627 - 2,627
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets 9,769 - 9,769
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 1,019 - 1,019
Share premium 4,685 - 4,685
Distributable reserve 4,009 - 4,009
Capital redemption reserve 28 - 28
Capital reserves - realised (398) - (398)
- unrealised 377 - 377
Revenue reserve 49 - 49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Shareholders' funds 9,769 - 9,769
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value per Ordinary share (pence) 95.9 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Balance Sheet
As at 31 May 2006
30 November 2005
(audited)
(restated)
---------------------------------------------
ORDINARY 'C' ORD
SHARES SHARES TOTAL
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 8,167 - 8,167
Current assets
Debtors 376 - 376
Cash and overnight deposits 1,253 - 1,253
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,629 - 1,629
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year (173) - (173)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net current assets 1,456 - 1,456
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets 9,623 - 9,623
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 993 - 993
Share premium 4,685 - 4,685
Distributable reserve 3,815 - 3,815
Capital redemption reserve 54 - 54
Capital reserves - realised (400) - (400)
- unrealised 337 - 337
Revenue reserve 139 - 139
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Shareholders' funds 9,623 - 9,623
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value per Ordinary share (pence) 96.9 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Cash Flow Statement
For the six months ended 31 May 2006
Six months to
31 May 2006
(unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------
ORDINARY 'C' ORD SHARES TOTAL
SHARES
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 93 (62) 31
Deposit interest received 9 14 23
Other income - - -
Investment management fees paid (137) - (137)
Secretarial fees paid (39) - (39)
Cash paid to and on behalf of directors (31) (2) (33)
Other cash payments (34) (1) (35)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (outflow) from operating activities (139) (51) (190)
Taxation
Corporation tax - 3 3
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (1,252) (14,449) (15,701)
Sale of investments 1,752 1,004 2,756
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment 500 (13,445) (12,945)
Equity dividends paid (199) - (199)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before use of liquid
resources and financing 162 (13,493) (13,331)
Financing
Issue of shares - 14,206 14,206
Repurchase of Ordinary shares (123) - (123)
Expenses of share issue - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing (123) 14,206 14,083
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase/(decrease) in cash 39 713 752
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Cash Flow Statement
For the six months ended 31 May 2006
Six months to Year ended
31 May 2005 30 November 2005
(unaudited) (audited)
ORDINARY SHARES ORDINARY SHARES
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 88 261
Deposit interest received 12 25
Other income - -
Investment management fees paid (132) (273)
Secretarial fees paid (30) (60)
Cash paid to and on behalf of directors (35) (66)
Other cash payments (34) (77)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (outflow) from operating activities (131) (190)
Taxation
Corporation tax - 3
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (2,433) (5,095)
Sale of investments 456 2,007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment (1,977) (3,085)
Equity dividends paid (94) (102)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before use of liquid resources and financing (2,202) (3,377)
Financing
Issue of shares
Repurchase of Ordinary shares (148) (345)
Expenses of share issue
10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing (148) (335)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase/(decrease) in cash (2,350) (3,712)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Accounting policies
The financial information for the 6 months ended 31 May 2006 and the 6 months
ended 31 May 2005 comprises non statutory accounts within the meaning of section
240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information contained in this
report has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 November 2005, with
the exception of the items set out in Note 2.
The results for the year ended 30 November 2005 are extracted from the full
accounts for that year, subject to the adjustments detailed in Note 2, which
received an unqualified report from the Auditors and have been filed with the
Registrar of Companies.
2. Basis of restatement
During the 6 months to 31 May 2006 the company became subject to new Financial
Reporting Standards issued as part of the programme to converge UK GAAP with
international accounting standards As a result of this the results for the year
ended 30 November 2005 and 6 months to 31 May 2005 have been restated to reflect
the changes of accounting practice in relation to the following:
• Investments are measured initially at cost and are recognised at trade
date.
• For financial assets acquired, the cost is the fair value of the
consideration. Subsequent to initial recognition investments are valued at
fair value. For listed and AIM quoted investments this is deemed to be bid
market prices sourced from The London Stock Exchange. Unlisted investments
are valued by the Directors at fair value, in line with the guidelines of
the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines.
• In accordance with FRS 21 - "Events after the Balance Sheet Date",
dividends are not accrued in the Financial Statements unless they have been
declared before the Balance Sheet Date. Final dividends are therefore
recognised in the period in which they are declared and paid. As a result of
this change the accounts for the year ended 20 November 2005 have been
restated.
The impact of these changes is shown below:
Reconciliation of Balance Sheets
ORDINARY SHARES 31 May 30 November 30 November
2005 2005 2004
(unaudited) (audited) (audited)
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net assets as previously reported 9,854 9,700 9,716
Restatement of investments at bid value (85) (127) (69)
Reversal of provision for final dividend - 50 104
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restated net assets 9,769 9,623 9,751
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of the Statement of Total Return
6 months ended Year ended
31 May 2005 30 November 2005
(unaudited) (audited)
£000 £000
Total transfer to reserves per original reported
Statement of Total Return 276 316
Add year to 30 November 2005 final dividend on ordinary shares (1) 48
Change from mid to bid basis at 30 November 2004 69 69
Change from mid to bid basis at 30 November 2005 - (127)
Change from mid to bid basis at 31 May 2005 (85) -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on ordinary activities after tax per Income Statement 259 306
3. Statement of changes in equity
Share Capital
ORDINARY SHARES Share premium Distributable redemption
Capital account reserve reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 30 November 2004 1,038 4,676 4,157 8
Effect of restatement - - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 November 2004 (as restated) 1,038 4,676 4,157 8
Final dividend 2004 paid and declared - - - -
Shares issued 1 9 - -
Shares bought back and cancelled (46) - (342) 46
Net return on ordinary activities - - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 November 2005 (as restated) 993 4,685 3,815 54
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final dividend 2005 paid and
declared - - - -
Shares bought back and cancelled (19) - (123) 19
Net return on ordinary activities - - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 31 May 2006 974 4,685 3,692 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Capital
reserve reserve Revenue Total
- realised - unrealised reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 30 November 2004 (498) 273 62 9,716
Effect of restatement - (69) 104 35
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 November 2004 (as restated) (498) 204 166 9,751
Final dividend 2004 paid and declared - - (102) (102)
Shares issued - - - 10
Shares bought back and cancelled - - - (342)
Net return on ordinary activities 98 133 75 306
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 30 November 2005 (as restated) (400) 337 139 9,623
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final dividend 2005 paid and declared - - (199) (199)
Shares bought back and cancelled - - - (123)
Net return on ordinary activities 403 (370) 27 60
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 31 May 2006 3 (33) (33) 9,361
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share Capital
'C' ORD SHARES Share premium Distributable redemption
Capital account reserve reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 30 November 2005 - - - -
Shares issued 1,495 12,711 - -
Net return on ordinary activities - - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 31 May 2006 1,495 12,711 - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Capital
reserve reserve Revenue Total
- realised - unrealised reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
At 30 November 2005 - - - -
Shares issued
Net return on ordinary activities (35) 43 32 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 31 May 2006 (35) 43 32 14,246
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Returns per Ordinary Share
ORDINARY SHARES 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended
31-May-06 31-May-05 30-Nov-05
£'000 £'000 £'000
(Restated) (Restated)
The return per ordinary share is based on
the following figures:
Revenue return 27 (14) 75
Capital return 33 273 231
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return 60 259 306
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 9,901,276 10,278,864 10,170,995
Revenue return per ordinary share 0.27p (0.14p) 0.74p
Capital return per ordinary share 0.33p 2.66p 2.27p
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return per ordinary share 0.60p 2.52p 3.01p
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Net Asset Value per Ordinary share has been calculated using the number of shares in issue at 31 May 2006
of 9,744,243.
'C' ORD SHARES 6 months ended
31-May-06
£'000
The return per ordinary share is based on
the following figures:
Revenue return 32
Capital return 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return 40
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 14,197,900
Revenue return per ordinary share 0.23p
Capital return per ordinary share 0.06p
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Return per ordinary share 0.29p
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Net Asset Value per Ordinary share has been calculated using the
number of shares in issue at 31 May 2006 of 14,954,494.
A summary of investment changes for the period under review and an investment
portfolio summary as at 31 May 2006 are attached.
A full copy of the Interim Report and Financial Statements will be printed and
issued to shareholders.
Copies of this announcement will be available to the public at the office of
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, 123 St Vincent Street, Glasgow and at the
registered office of the Company, One Bow Churchyard, Cheapside, London.
By Order of the Board
ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC, SECRETARY
14 July 2006
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT plc
Ordinary Shares
Investment Portfolio Summary
As at 31 May 2006
% of
Bookcost Valuation % of % of Equity Equity held
£'000 £'000 Total held by fund by other
Assets clients
Unlisted Investments
Bond Aviation Provision of Pilot training
Solutions services 300 420 4.5% 4.8% 35.2%
Fieldstreet
(Investments)
Limited Insurance provider and broker. 301 300 3.2% 0.2% 1.3%
MoneyPlus Group
Limited
(formerly
Chiltern (UK)
Limited) Debt Management 300 300 3.2% 6.0% 24.9%
Original Shoe Retailer of branded clothing and
Company footwear. 300 300 3.2% - -
Cash Bases
Limited
(formerly
Deckflat Design and manufacture of 250 286 3.1% 8.3% 20.2%
Limited) customised cash drawers.
Sanastro Financial publishing house 275 275 3.0% 3.5% 9.6%
Transrent
Holdings Limited Rent and sales of truck trailers 218 218 2.3% 0.8% 35.6%
Styles & Wood Leading independent provider of
Holdings Limited store fit-out and refurbishment
programmes to the UK retail
sector. 200 200 2.1% 0.8% 45.6%
Homelux Nenplas Extruder of plastic tiling trims
Limited and related products 199 199 2.1% 3.4% 41.6%
Palgrave Brown Manufacture and distribution of
(Holdings) specialist timber products for
Limited the housebuilding and builders'
merchant sectors. 150 179 1.9% 1.1% 48.3%
PSCA Producer of publications aimed at
International public sector officials 138 174 1.9% 1.6% 21.6%
Limited
Essential Video streaming software
Viewing Systems
Limited 171 171 1.8% 7.9% 41.5%
FFC (UK) Limited Design and manufacture of office
furniture 150 150 1.6% 7.5% 30.0%
Oled-T Limited - Developer of flat panel display
(previously technologies
Elam T) 150 150 1.6% 3.5% 15.0%
Vibration Seismic surveys
Technology
Limited 150 150 1.6% 1.3% 8.8%
RMS Europe Provider of stevedoring and ships
agency services 116 138 1.5% 1.3% 26.8%
Riverdale Publisher of greeting cards
Publishing
Limited 1 117 1.2% 7.4% 57.6%
Inovas IP rights for fixed asset
management applications, linking
moving data such as video to
positional references 115 115 1.2% 9.2% 50.8%
Driver Hire Supplier of temporary drivers. 100 100 1.1% 0.6% 39.1%
Llanllyr Water Extraction and bottling of spring
Company Limited water 100 100 1.1% 7.5% 42.4%
IRW Systems Design, building and management
Limited of bespoke software and network
solutions. 45 92 1.0% 8.9% 48.6%
PLM Dollar Group On-shore helicopter services 50 50 0.5% 0.6% 30.3%
Limited
Amgas Limited Manufacturer of flammable gas 100 50 0.5% 0.4% 4.1%
sensors
Enterprise Food Supply management service.
Group Holdings - 29 0.3% 1.5% 15.7%
Kingsley Cards Manufacturer and distributor of
Limited greetings cards 250 - 0.0% 3.1% 24.4%
Albanet Network Services and Software 172 - 0.0% 7.0% 38.4%
Enterprise Food Supply chain and management
Group Limited services in the bakery sector - - 0.0% - -
-----------------------------------
4,301 4,263 45.5%
AIM Investments
Software Radio Provider of wireless technology
Technology PLC products and services 284 503 5.3% 1.4% 2.8%
Axeon Developer of semiconductor
intellectual properties
specifically geared to the
automotive industry. 247 346 3.7% 2.0% 6.0%
Avanti Provider of in-store media
Screenmedia Plc services to the retail and
leisure sector. 223 222 2.4% 0.5% 1.8%
Work Group PLC Provider of recruitment services. 200 204 2.2% 1.0% 2.6%
Neutrahealth plc Manufacturer and distributor of
nutraceutical products. 140 174 1.9% 0.9% 2.1%
Gold Frost Designer, developer & distributor
Limited of kosher food products. 130 160 1.7% 0.7% 0.7%
Tanfield Group Technical solutions and
PLC manufacturing group 62 157 1.7% 0.3% 1.0%
Invocas PLC Provider of services to
individuals and corporates
requiring insolvency advice. 90 144 1.5% 0.3% 0.4%
Zetar plc Manufacturer of confectionary. 68 133 1.4% 0.4% 1.0%
Datong Producer of devices that enable
Electronics PLC governement intelligence and
defence agencies covertly to
track vehicles and mobile phones. 151 107 1.1% 0.9% 1.1%
Cello Group Plc A consolidator of niche
businesses in the marketing and
media services industry. 84 102 1.1% 0.3% 1.7%
Strategic Retail Trading as "Fads" - decorating
plc specialist. 117 99 1.1% 0.4% 4.8%
Billing Services Provider of billing services for
Group PLC the telecommunications industry. 131 95 1.0% 0.1% 0.3%
Inspicio plc Provider of testing, inspection
and conformity services. 70 90 1.0% 0.1% 0.2%
Litcomp plc National supplier of medical
reports in support of legal
actions. 80 81 0.9% 2.9% 2.5%
Fountains Plc Land management and related
outsourced services in the UK and
North America 102 59 0.6% 0.5% 2.2%
Debts.co.uk plc Provider of personal debt
solutions 50 54 0.6% 0.1% 0.3%
Air Music and Leading UK producer and supplier
Media of low-priced entertainment
products to the international
market. 150 49 0.5% 0.4% -
MTI Wireless Developer & manufacturer of
Edge Limited sophisticated antennas & antenna
systems for fixed broadband
wireless communications. 41 48 0.5% 0.2% 0.3%
Careforce Group Provider of domiciliary care
plc services, primarily caring for
the elderly and infirm in their
own homes 55 44 0.5% 0.4% 0.9%
Public A leading specialist in public
Recruitment sector staffing in healthcare and
Group Plc education 133 33 0.4% 0.3% 1.7%
Asfare Manufacture and supply of
equipment for the Emergency
Services 46 32 0.3% 0.6% 2.8%
Elevation Events Events management and corporate
Group plc hospitality. 150 28 0.3% 2.5% 8.1%
Spectrum Operator of payphones and
Interactive internet terminals in both the UK
and Germany 98 27 0.3% 0.3% 1.3%
Award The sourcing and delivery of
International merchandising materials for major
Holdings PLC blue chip customers 100 - 0.0% 3.1% 15.4%
-----------------------------------
3,002 2,991 32.0%
Unit Trust
Aberdeen Global Fixed Interest Opportunities Fund 485 509 5.4% - -
-----------------------------------
485 509 5.4%
-----------------------------------
Total
Investments 7,788 7,763 82.9%
-----------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT plc
'C' Ords Share Pool
Investment Portfolio Summary
As at 31 May 2006
% of
Bookcost Valuation % of % of Equity Equity held
£'000 £'000 Total held by by other
Assets fund clients
Unlisted Investments
Homelux Nenplas Extruder of plastic tiling trims
Limited and related products 274 274 1.9% 4.7% 40.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
274 274 1.9%
AIM Investments
Interactive World Digital media content provider 175 175 1.2% 0.6% 0.8%
PLC
Invocas PLC Provider of services to
individuals and corporates
requiring insolvency advice. 78 125 0.9% 0.2% 0.4%
Leadcom Integrated Telecommunication network
Solutions Limited services and solutions. 99 101 0.7% 0.1% -
Litcomp plc National supplier of medical
reports in support of legal
actions. 70 71 0.5% 2.5% 2.9%
Zetar plc Manufacturer of confectionery. 225 253 1.8% 0.8% 0.6%
------------------------------
647 725 5.1%
Listed Fixed Income
Treasury 4% 07/03/09 3,844 3,827 26.9%
Treasury 4.5% 2007 3,901 3,894 27.3%
Treasury 5% 07/03/08 3,881 3,869 27.2%
------------------------------
11,626 11,590 81.4%
Unit Trust
Aberdeen Global Fixed Interest Opportunities Fund 1,000 1,000 7.0%
------------------------------
1,000 1,000 7.0%
Total investments ------------------------------
13,547 13,589 95.4%
------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Summary of Investment Changes during the period
For the six months ended 31 May 2006
ORDINARY SHARES
Valuation Net
30 November 2005 investment Appreciation Valuation
(restated) (disinvestment) (depreciation) 31 May 2006
£'000 % £'000 £'000 £'000 %
Listed Investments
Unit Trusts 712 7.4 (207) 4 509 5.4
AIM Investments 3,221 33.5 (196) (34) 2,991 32.0
Unlisted investments
Equities 1,566 16.3 (378) 354 1,542 16.5
Preference shares 200 2.1 (1) 1 200 2.1
Loan stocks 2,468 25.6 248 (195) 2,521 26.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments 8,167 84.9 (534) 130 7,763 82.9
Other net assets 1,456 15.1 142 - 1,598 17.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 9,623 100.0 (392) 130 9,361 100.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT PLC
Summary of Investment Changes during the period
For the six months ended 31 May 2006
'C' ORD SHARES
Net proceeds Net investment Appreciation Valuation
of share issue * (disinvestment) (depreciation) 31 May 2006
£'000 % £'000 £'000 £'000 %
Listed Investments
Unit Trusts - - 11,626 (36) 11,590 81.4
AIM Investments - - 1,000 - 1,000 7.0
Unlisted investments
Equities - - 644 81 725 5.1
Preference shares - - 28 - 28 0.2
Loan stocks - - 246 - 246 1.7
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments - - 13,544 45 13,589 95.4
Other net assets 14,206 100.0 (13,549) - 657 4.6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 14,206 100.0 (5) 45 14,246 100.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* After issue expenses of £747,725 which were equivalent to 5% of monies raised.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange