Annual Financial Report

The AIM Distribution Trust plc Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2009 2008 pence pence Net asset value (per share) 33.6 50.3 Cumulative distributions paid since launch 55.8 55.8 Total return (net asset value plus cumulative 89.4 106.1 distributions paid) Interim distribution paid (per share) - 2.0 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT As an AIM-focused VCT whose funds have to remain invested, your Company is unavoidably exposed to the AIM market conditions. The deterioration in the economy over the year ended 31 March 2009 has been a significant influence on investor confidence, which has been exaggerated in the case of smaller companies. These conditions have caused a further fall in your Company's NAV over the year. Net Asset Value At 31 March 2009, the Net Asset Value per share ("NAV") stood at 33.6p. This represents a decrease of 16.7p or 33.2% since the previous year end. Over the same period the FTSE AIM All Share index fell by 57.0%. VCT investments The Company made several additions to its portfolio this year, investing £101,000 into one follow-on investment and re-invested £100,000 in one company following a corporate reconstruction. At the year end, the Company held a portfolio consisting of 37 investments which were valued at £3.0 million. The portfolio generated unrealised losses of £1.8 million and realised gains of £97,000 over the year. Details of the Company's VCT investments, including additions, disposals and performance, are set out within the Investment Manager's Report and Review of Investments. Results The loss on ordinary activities after taxation was £2,220,000 (2008: £1,654,000), comprising a revenue loss of £31,000 and a capital loss of £2,189,000. Dividends Shareholders will be aware that the Directors were forced to take the unwelcome step of having to cancel the dividend the Company had intended to pay in March 2009. Although the Company had sufficient funds and reserves for the dividend, the sharp fall in the portfolio valuation over a period of months meant that the Company was unable to make the dividend payment without causing a technical breach of the Companies Act. In order to pay further dividends the Company is likely to have to undergo a restructuring whereby it will reduce its share capital. The Board is reviewing the costs of such an exercise, whilst also considering other options for the Company which are discussed further below. Listed fixed income and other investments The Company holds a non-qualifying portfolio which includes a holding in a fixed income bond and holdings in three hedge funds. The portfolio had a value of £975,000 at the year end and generated an unrealised loss of £455,000 during the year and a realised loss of £1,000. Shareholder survey December 2008 The Company undertook a shareholder survey in December 2008 to try to establish the level of Shareholders who deferred capital gains when they invested in the Company. The responses to the survey have provided the Board with a clear indication that a significant number of Shareholders still defer capital gains by virtue of the shareholding in the Company. As a result, the Board has concluded that any future strategy must not force Shareholders into a position where they cease to hold VCT qualifying shares (such as winding up the Company) as this will create a capital gain tax problem for a significant number of Shareholders. Share buybacks During the year, the Company bought in 445,637 shares for cancellation as an average price of 44.6p per share, which was generally at a 10% discount to the latest published NAV. The Board has reviewed the share buyback policy and decided not to acquire any further shares for the time being in order to preserve liquid funds within the Company, avoid having to sell the Company's more attractive holdings and to prevent the Company from becoming unacceptably small as a result of buybacks. The Directors appreciate that this is likely to make it very difficult for Shareholders to dispose of their shares or may result in Shareholders being offered prices at a substantial discount to the NAV. Future Strategy In light of the above conclusions, the Board now believes the way forward may include: (i) seeking to merge the Company with one or more other VCTs; (ii) undertaking a new fundraising to increase the size of the fund; and (iii) refocusing the Company's Investment policy, possibly lowering the exposure to AIM. The Board is exploring possible routes by which it might achieve one or more of the above and provide Shareholders with the prospects of improved performance, steady dividend flow and some type of share buyback facility. When further progress has been made, I will provide Shareholders with further details. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at 159 New Bond Street, London W1Y 9PA at 10:45am on 8 September 2009. One special resolution is being proposed at the meeting to renew the authority to allow the Company to make market purchases of the Company's shares, should the Directors decide to resume share buybacks. Outlook Throughout April and May 2009, the FTSE AIM All-Share Index showed steady growth. At 30 May 2009, the Company's NAV had risen by 2.2p since the 31 March 2009 to 35.8p per share. While this is welcomed, the state of the economy indicates that this is unlikely to be the start of a sustained recovery. Although there are reports of "green shoots", the Board remains cautious and does not believe it is realistic to expect that the Company will recover the value it has lost over the last 18 months in the short or medium term. The Board believes that the Company needs to be significantly larger, or part of a significantly larger entity, to allow it to best support growth and to provide Shareholders with a satisfactory, ongoing dividend yield, along with some liquidity in the Company's shares. The Board considers this is a realistic goal and will be in touch with Shareholders as soon as there is firm news to report. Sir Aubrey Brocklebank Chairman INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REPORT We present an overview of the investment management activities for the year ended 31 March 2009. The last twelve months has been a very challenging period for equity markets and a particularly torrid time for the smaller companies market. UK smaller companies share prices have been under pressure since the autumn of 2007 when credit markets started to tighten in response to defaults in the US sub prime market. A readjustment of risk throughout 2008 saw investors taking a more cautious stance towards smaller companies. The worse falls in share prices occurred in the second half of the year as the financial crisis intensified with the effects of the credit crunch spreading to the wider economy, resulting in the UK economy going into recession in the fourth quarter. It is not unusual at this stage of the economic cycle to see investors shy away from small companies. The falls have been exacerbated by poor liquidity and compounded by forced sellers as smaller company funds such as unit trusts, experienced redemptions, necessitating sales of their underlying investments into an already weak AIM share market. For the record the FTSE 100 shares index showed a fall over the year of 31.1%, whilst the FTSE Small Cap Index fell 42.4% and the AIM Index declined 57.0%. With falling asset prices and company valuations, we have pursued a cautious reinvestment programme with just one new investment and one additional investment into an existing holding. Hoole Hall Spa & Leisure Ltd is a separate company set up to provide spa and leisure facilities for Hoole Hall Country Club Ltd, which is a country club hotel located on the Chester Ring Road. In May 2008 your Company invested £22,000 by way of equity and £78,000 into a 4.15% convertible loan note to help fund the construction of the new health club and spa. Hill Station plc is an ice cream manufacturer based in Cwmbran. Your Company made its initial investment of £250,000 in 2005. Further funding of £300,000 was provided, to help with working capital following a short fall in sales owing to a very wet summer in 2007 and also to assist with the acquisition of the So Real Ice Company, a rival ice cream manufacturer. A sharp increase in raw material costs coupled with suppliers imposing lower credit limits saw a need for additional working capital. In January 2008 your Company participated in a fund raising and provided £80,000, the majority of which was via a 10% loan note. Sales improved, helped by deliveries to new customers. In late March 2008 the company's bank unexpectedly imposed a cap on their factoring facility well below normal terms at the time when the company was looking to build stock for the summer season. Your Company provided a further £100,000 via a 15% loan stock to assist with working capital. Unfortunately, customer confidence was damaged by these funding difficulties which resulted in a loss of business and sales falling below budget. By late summer 2008 it was clear that the company would not survive the winter months without a further injection of cash. Given the fragile state of the business, your Company together with other investors declined to support the rescue plan and the company was placed into administration in early October 2008. The top ten holdings now account for 54% of the value of the portfolio. ANS remains the largest holding in the portfolio, showing a small increase over the year helped by new software service contracts to the public sector. Connaught continues to be the second largest holding despite selling part of the holding (£78,000), for a very substantial profit. The company have continued to gain market share in a fragmented but buoyant social housing serving industry. Their presence in the compliance market where local authorities are increasingly looking to consolidate into fewer service providers has also benefited them. Cadbury House has traded well and to budget whilst the building works and refurbishment at Hoole Hall have gone well with planning permission granted for a further 30 bedrooms to bring the total to 140 bedrooms. The hotel has now been badged DoubleTree® by Hilton which will allow the company to benefit from the brand recognition and Hilton's powerful internet reservation system. The expected increase in clientele will benefit Hoole Hall Spa & Leisure. Atlantic Global shows an appreciation over the year helped by share buy backs, cash on the balance sheet and the release of new cost effective, easy to use business management software solutions. Spice moved from the AIM market to the Official List (main market). Two partial sales were undertaken, realising a profit with proceeds of £71,000. Since the date of these sales the share price has fallen back sharply following the company's announcement of a more challenging environment for their facilities business and a change of accounting policy in their gas business saw investors taking a more cautious stance. The negative sentiment towards the company looks to be overdone and recent director share purchases have seen a partial share price recovery. The domiciliary care business continues to perform well for Supporta but their professional services business has not and needed to be rationalised with parts sold. The company have been in bid talks but nothing has yet been concluded. Deltex Medical still remains unprofitable with a slower take up than originally expected of their Cardio Q device which measures blood flow and fluid management. A partial sale and profit was taken in Aero Inventory at £5.72 a share to raise £55,000. The share price has, since the date of this partial sale, fallen back sharply on the expectation that the global economic downturn will result in fewer passenger miles being flown and a resultant decrease in aircraft servicing needs. The company does have long term contracts and a strong asset backing through the stock they hold. Glisten has seen its shares fall to levels lower than that at which it was founded in June 2002, despite the robust growth in profits from their strong portfolio of brands. The fall in share price is attributable to some weakness in the confectionary division and their high debt levels from the acquisition of Dormen Foods in 2007. This has now rightly forced the company to decide to cut the dividend to conserve cash. This is a fundamentally sound business which we expect to recover, so long as profits start to pay down debt as we expect. In August 2007 Clerkenwell Ventures raised £26 million to add to the £4 million which had come from their original admission to AIM in 2004. Its strategy had been to acquire restaurant businesses. Although a number of potential acquisitions had been considered, no businesses had been acquired due to inflated restaurant valuations taking time to adjust to the poor outlook for consumer spending. As a result of not investing the money raised, the investment became non qualifying for VCT investment. We have worked with the company and they returned to shareholders £26.8 million of its near £30 million of cash. Ludorum has successfully delivered its first series to the BBC of Chuggington, an animated weekday programme of train adventures for children. Whilst some of the falls in share prices have been as a result of a general severe mark down in valuations for smaller companies, other falls have been due to investor concerns. This has particularly been the case for companies with relatively high debt positions, often faced with the prospect of having to renegotiate with a reluctant bank looking to rebuild its own lending margins through tougher lending terms. The general poor economic climate has hit consumer related companies, with falls in Neutrahealth, Richoux Holdings and Media Square, where for the latter any benefits gained from the reorganisation plan that is currently being executed are being more than offset by lower advertising spend. Both TripleArc and Xpertise Group were taken over during the year, the former at a loss over book cost and the latter a profit. Falling profitability and mounting debt saw a disposal of Payzone which had come from a previous merger with our holding in Cardpoint. Neutrahealth saw its share price fall following a profits warning due to pressure on sales of their vitamins, minerals and supplements business and increase costs. Their largest shareholder, Elder Pharmaceuticals has stated that it is considering its options concerning the company that may or may not involve an offer. Waterline, the kitchen business, suffered from lower demand, undertook a cost cutting exercise, one of which was its decision to de list from AIM. Around a third of all companies on AIM have a market capitalisation of less than £5m. With profits under pressure and one of the primary reasons for being on AIM, that of being able to access funding from potential investors, not currently available, we are seeing an increasing number of companies considering delisting and saving the costs of being quoted. Outlook The economic newsflow continues to be poor with company profits under pressure. For many companies, expansion plans are on hold as they look to weather this downturn. Companies with leveraged balance sheets are looking to reduce debt through the conservation of cash, meaning possible dividend cuts and where possible fund raising from investors, although for most smaller companies there is little investor appetite. It is though worth noting an increasing number of director share purchases in their own companies; a sign, perhaps, that a great deal of pessimism is already reflected in the depressed valuations for smaller companies and the confirmation of the real value they offer for the patient investor. Smaller companies may well remain friendless for some time but when credit markets ease trade buyers may well appear should share prices not start to pre-empt a turn for the better in the economic cycle. Rathbone Investment Management Limited REVIEW OF INVESTMENTS Portfolio of investments The following investments, all of which are incorporated in England and Wales (except where otherwise stated), were held at 31 March 2009: Valuation movement % of Cost Valuation in year portfolio £'000 £'000 £'000 by value Top ten venture capital investments ANS Group plc ** 253 573 5 13.0% Connaught plc *** 30 362 (92) 8.2% Cadbury House Limited * 319 319 - 7.2% Doubletake Portraits Limited * 250 250 - 5.7% Atlantic Global plc 310 248 87 5.6% Spice plc 256 201 (114) 4.6% Printing.com plc 178 155 (106) 3.5% Hoole Hall Spa and Leisure 100 100 - 2.3% Limited * Supporta plc 250 98 (39) 2.2% Deltex Medical Group plc 233 84 (89) 1.9% 2,179 2,390 (348) 54.2% Other venture capital investments Aero Inventory plc 115 70 (229) 1.6% Keycom plc ** 408 70 (35) 1.6% The Medical House plc 223 58 (21) 1.3% AT Communications plc 178 57 (78) 1.3% Ludorum plc 40 50 10 1.1% Neutrahealth plc 173 49 (90) 1.1% Huveaux plc 283 41 (39) 0.9% Sanastro Limited * 200 36 (34) 0.8% Richoux Holdings plc 250 35 (76) 0.8% (prev Gourmet Holdings) 1st Dental Laboratories plc 200 27 (32) 0.6% Aortech International plc 569 25 (43) 0.6% Straight plc 72 25 (4) 0.6% Glisten plc 84 24 (98) 0.5% Coffee Republic plc 713 13 (81) 0.3% Quadnetics Group plc 34 12 (7) 0.3% Clerkenwell Ventures plc 18 8 (3) 0.2% Waterline plc * 243 5 (75) 0.1% Media Square plc 119 3 (33) 0.1% Cellcast plc 194 2 (5) - The Real Good Food Company plc 91 2 (5) - Top Ten Holdings plc 399 1 (19) - Camaxys plc * 223 - - - Chariot (UK) plc * 125 - - - Dipford Group plc + 136 - (16) - Hill Station plc + 663 - (398) - Micap plc + 300 - (2) - Real Affinity plc + 175 - (1) - 6,228 613 (1,414) 13.8% Bonds First Active 11¿% Bonds 558 245 (324) 5.6% (Ireland) Hedge Funds Barclays Bank GAM Diversity 435 372 (44) 8.4% Tracker Bluecrest Allblue Fund LD ORD 196 228 8 5.2% NPV Goldman Sachs Dynamic Opp. LD 207 130 (95) 2.9% NPV 838 730 (131) 16.5% Subtotal 9,803 3,978 (2,217) 90.1% Cash at bank and in hand 435 9.9% Total investments 4,413 100.0% All investments are quoted on AIM unless otherwise stated: * Unquoted ** Quoted on the PLUS Market *** Full list + In Administration Investment movements for the year ended 31 March 2009 Additions Total £'000 Follow on investments Hill Station plc 100 Sundry investments 1 101 Unquoted investments Hoole Hall Spa and Leisure Limited 100 Total investments 201 Disposals Realised Profit/ gain/ MV at (loss) (loss) in Cost 31/03/08* Proceeds vs cost the year £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Reconstructions/takeovers TripleArc plc 247 12 50 (197) 38 Xpertise Group plc 81 77 140 59 63 Full disposal Payzone plc 105 83 11 (94) (72) Partial disposals Aero Inventory plc 22 57 55 33 (2) Clerkenwell Ventures plc 158 106 150 (8) 44 Connaught plc 5 76 78 73 2 Printing.com plc 6 9 10 4 1 Spice plc 47 58 71 24 13 Straight plc 33 13 23 (10) 10 Liquidations Disperse Group plc 250 - - (250) - Hedge Funds Barclays Bank GAM 228 218 217 (11) (1) Diversity Tracker Bluecrest Allblue Fund 26 29 30 4 1 LD ORD NPV Goldman Sachs Dynamic 15 17 16 1 (1) Opp. LD NPV 1,223 755 851 (372) 96 * Adjusted for purchases in the year Statement of Directors' responsibilities The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors Remuneration Report, and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Directors are required to: * select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; * make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; * state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and * prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business. The Directors are also required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority to include a management report containing a fair review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the company. The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements, and the Directors Remuneration Report, comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Directors' statement pursuant to the Disclosure and Transparency Rules Each of the Directors, confirms that, to the best of each person's knowledge: * the financial statements, prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss of the Company; and * the Directors' Report contained in the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces. Statement as to disclosure of information to Auditors The Directors in office at the date of the report have confirmed that, as far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Auditors are unaware. Each of the Directors has confirmed that they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the Auditors. By order of the Board Grant Whitehouse Secretary Kings Scholars House 230 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 1AU INCOME STATEMENT for the year ended 31 March 2009 2009 2008 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Income 146 - 146 218 - 218 Losses on investments - (2,121) (2,121) - (1,574) (1,574) 146 (2,121) (1,975) 218 (1,574) (1,356) Investment management (22) (68) (90) (34) (100) (134) fees Other expenses (155) - (155) (158) (6) (164) Return on ordinary activities (31) (2,189) (2,220) 26 (1,680) (1,654) before tax Tax on ordinary - - - - - - activities Return attributable to equity (31) (2,189) (2,220) 26 (1,680) (1,654) shareholders Basic and diluted return per (0.2p) (16.5p) (16.7p) 0.2p (12.0p) (11.8p) share The revenue and capital movements in the year relate to continuing operations. The total column within the Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as all gains and losses are recognised within the Income Statement as noted above. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS for the year ended 31 March 2009 2009 2008 £'000 £'000 Opening shareholders' funds 6,832 9,108 Purchase of own shares (199) (346) Total recognised losses for the year (2,220) (1,654) Distributions paid - (276) Closing shareholders' funds 4,413 6,832 BALANCE SHEET at 31 March 2009 2009 2008 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments 3,978 6,749 Current assets Debtors 53 191 Cash at bank and in hand 435 42 488 233 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (53) (150) Net current assets 435 83 Net assets 4,413 6,832 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 3,285 3,396 Capital redemption reserve 1,126 1,015 Share premium 348 348 Investment holding losses (5,825) (4,076) Capital reserve - realised 5,454 6,093 Revenue reserve 25 56 Equity shareholders' funds 4,413 6,832 Basic and diluted net asset value 33.6p 50.3p per share CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31 March 2009 Year ended Year ended 31 March 2009 31 March 2008 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash outflow from operating (129) (88) activities Capital expenditure Purchase of investments (201) (2,438) Sale of investments 1,005 2,044 Net cash inflow/(outflow) 804 (394) from capital expenditure Equity distributions paid - (276) Net cash inflow/(outflow) before 675 (758) financing Financing Purchase of own shares (199) (436) Net cash outflow from financing (199) (436) Increase/ (decrease) in cash in the 476 (1,194) year NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 March 2009 1. Accounting policies Basis of accounting The Company has prepared its financial statements under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("UK GAAP") and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts" January 2009 ("SORP"). The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments. The Company implements new Financial Reporting Standards ("FRS") issued by the Accounting Standards Board when required. No new standards were issued for implementation for the year under review. The Association of Investment Companies issued a new SORP in January 2009 which has been adopted for these financial statements. No comparative restatements have been required as a result of the implementation of the new SORP. Presentation of Income Statement In order to better reflect the activities of a Venture Capital Trust and in accordance with guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC"), supplementary information which analyses the income statement between items of a revenue and capital nature has been presented alongside the Income Statement. The net revenue is the measure the Directors believe appropriate in assessing the Company's compliance with certain requirements set out in Part 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007. Investments Venture capital investments are designated as "fair value through profit or loss" assets due to investments being managed and performance evaluated on a fair value basis. A financial asset is designated within this category if it is both acquired and managed on a fair value basis, with a view to selling after a period of time, in accordance with the Company's documented investment policy. The fair value of an investment upon acquisition is deemed to be cost. Thereafter investments are measured at fair value in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines "IPEV" together with FRS26. Listed fixed income investments, hedge funds, investments quoted on AIM and those traded on the PLUS Market are measured using bid prices in accordance with the IPEV. In respect of unquoted instruments, fair value is established by using the IPEV. The valuation methodologies for unquoted entities used by the IPEV to ascertain the fair value of an investment are as follows: * Price of recent investment; * Earnings multiple; * Net assets; * Discounted cash flows or earnings (of underlying business); * Discounted cash flows (from the investment); and * Industry valuation benchmarks. The methodology applied takes account of the nature, facts and circumstances of the individual investment and uses reasonable data, market inputs, assumptions, estimates in order to ascertain fair value. Where an investee company has gone into receivership or liquidation the loss on the investment, although not physically disposed of, is treated as being realised. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included in the income statement as a capital item and transaction costs on acquisition or disposal of the investment expensed. It is not the Company's policy to exercise either significant or controlling influence over investee companies. Therefore the results of these companies are not incorporated into the revenue account except to the extent of any income accrued. Income Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholder's right to receive payment has been established; normally the ex dividend date. Interest income is accrued on a time apportionment basis, by reference to the principal sum outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable and only where there is reasonable certainty of collection. Expenses All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. In respect of the analysis between revenue and capital items presented within the income statement, all expenses have been presented as revenue items except as follows: Expenses which are incidental to the acquisition of an investment are deducted from the Capital Account. Expenses which are incidental to the disposal of an investment are deducted from the disposal proceeds of the investment. Expenses are split and presented partly as capital items where a connection with the maintenance or enhancement of the value of the investments held can be demonstrated and accordingly the investment management fee and finance costs have been allocated 25% to revenue and 75% to capital, in order to reflect the Directors' expected long-term view of the nature of the investment returns of the Company. Taxation The tax effects on different items in the Income Statement are allocated between capital and revenue on the same basis as the particular item to which they relate using the Company's effective rate of tax for the accounting period. Due to the Company's status as a Venture Capital Trust and the continued intention to meet the conditions required to comply with Part 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007, no provision for taxation is required in respect of any realised or unrealised appreciation of the Company's investments which arises. Deferred taxation is provided in full on timing differences that result in an obligation at the balance sheet date to pay more tax, or a right to pay less tax, at a future date, at rates expected to apply when they crystallise based on current tax rates and law. Timing differences arise from the inclusion of items of income and expenditure in taxation computations in periods different from those in which they are included in the accounts and is recognised on a non-discounted basis. Other debtors and other creditors Other debtors (including accrued income) and other creditors are included within the accounts at amortised cost, equivalent to the fair value of the expected balance receivable/payable by the Company. 2. Return per share Revenue return per Ordinary Share is based on the net revenue loss after taxation of £31,000 (2008: return £26,000) in respect of 13,300,205 Ordinary Shares (2008: 14,003,193), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. Capital return per Ordinary Share is based on the net capital loss for the financial year of £2,189,000 (2008: £1,680,000) in respect of 13,300,205 Ordinary Shares (2008: 14,003,193), being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. As the Company has not issued any convertible securities or share options, there is no dilutive effect on return per ordinary share. The return per share disclosed therefore represents both basic and diluted return per ordinary share. 3. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share 2009 2008 Net asset value Net asset Net asset value Net asset per share value per share value pence £'000 pence £'000 Ordinary shares 33.6 4,413 50.3 6,832 Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share is based on net assets at the year-end, and on 13,140,436 Ordinary Shares (2008: 13,586,073), being the number of Ordinary Shares in issue at the year-end. As the Company has not issued any convertible securities or share options, there is no dilutive effect on Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share. The Net Asset Value per share disclosed therefore represents both basic and diluted Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share. 4. Principal financial risks The principal financial risks faced by the Company, include interest rate, liquidity, investment and marketability risks. In addition to these risks, the Company, as a fully listed Company on the London Stock Exchange and as a Venture Capital Trust, operates in a complex regulatory environment and therefore faces a number of related risks. A breach of the VCT Regulations could result in the loss of VCT status and consequent loss of tax reliefs currently available to Shareholders and the Company being subject to capital gains tax. Serious breaches of other regulations, such as the UKLA Listing Rules and the Companies Act 1985, could lead to suspension from the Stock Exchange and damage to the Company's reputation. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. They receive quarterly reports from the Managers which monitor the compliance of these risks, and place reliance on the Managers to give updates in the intervening periods. These policies have remained unchanged since the beginning of the financial period. The principal financial risks are outlined further as follows: Market risks The key market risks to which the Company is exposed are interest rate risk and market price risk. Interest rate risk The Company receives interest on cash deposits at a rate agreed with its banker, while investments in loan stock and fixed interest investments predominately attract interest at fixed rates. As the Company must comply with the VCT regulations, increases in interest rates could lead to a potential breach of these regulations as the proportion of the Company's income from sources other than shares and securities could exceed the required level. The Company therefore monitors the level of income received from fixed, floating and non interest rate assets to ensure that the regulations are not breached. The Company has reviewed the financial impact of the interest rate risk, with 0.5% change in base rate (i.e. reducing base rate to Nil) changing income and the return for the year by £4,000, equivalent to a 5.8% impact on overall income receivable by the Company. Such a change would have an immaterial impact on Net Asset Value. Market price risk Market price risk arises from uncertainty about the future prices of financial instruments held in accordance with the Company's investment objectives. It represents the potential loss that the Company might suffer through holding market positions in the face of market movements. At 31 March 2009, the net unrealised loss on the quoted portfolios (Full list, AIM-quoted, PLUS-quoted and Non-qualifying investments) was £4.5 million (2008: £3.4 million). The investments the Company holds are, in the main, thinly traded and, as such, the prices are more volatile than those of more widely traded securities. In addition, the ability of the Company to realise the investments at their carrying value may at times not be possible if there are no willing purchasers. The ability of the Company to purchase or sell investments is also constrained by the requirements set down for Venture Capital Trusts. The Board considers each investment purchase to ensure that an acquisition will enable the Company to continue to have an appropriate spread of market risk and that an appropriate risk reward profile is maintained. It is not the Company's policy to use derivative instruments to mitigate market risk, as the Board believes that the effectiveness of such instruments does not justify the cost involved. Credit risk Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a financial instrument is unable to discharge a commitment to the Company made under that instrument. The carrying values of financial assets best represent the maximum credit risk exposure at the balance sheet date. Credit risk in respect of investments in listed fixed interest investments (when held by the Company) is minimised by investing in either UK Government Stocks or Banks with an A rating or higher. Investments in loan stocks comprise a fundamental part of the Company's venture capital investments therefore credit risk in respect of these investments is managed within the main investment management procedures. Credit risk in respect of interest, dividends and other receivables are predominantly covered within the investment management procedures. Liquidity risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company encounters difficulties in meeting obligations associated with its financial liabilities. As the Company only ever has a very low level of creditors and has no borrowings, the Board believes that the Company's exposure to liquidity risk is minimal. Announcement based on audited accounts The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory financial statements in accordance with section 434 Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2009, but has been extracted from the statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2009, which were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 July 2009 and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The Independent Auditor's Report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain any emphasis of matter nor statements under s 498(2) and (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and received an Independent Auditors report which was unqualified and did not contain any emphasis of matter nor statements under S237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. A copy of the full annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2009 will be printed and posted to shareholders shortly. Copies will also be available to the public at the registered office of the Company at Kings Scholars House, 230 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1AU and will be available for download from www.downing.co.uk. ---END OF MESSAGE--- This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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