Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 8081M

Close Enterprise VCT PLC

04 February 2009

 



Interim Management Statement

Introduction

Close Enterprise VCT PLC today presents the interim management statement for the period from 1 October 2008 to 4 February 2009 as required by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.3.

Financial position, performance and dividends

The Company's approximate unaudited net asset value (NAV) as at 31 December 2008 was £27.5 million or 90.5 pence per share. This is before accounting for the second dividend for the year to 31 March 2009 of 1.25 pence per share (paid on 9 January 2009 to shareholders on the register at 5 December 2008). The net asset value has decreased compared to the net asset value at 30 September 2008 of £28.1 million or 92.5 pence per share. 

The three month period from the half-yearly financial report has been a difficult one for the UK economy as a whole, and your Company's investment portfolio has not been immune from its effects, although your Company's high level of cash has provided a strong degree of protection from the worst effects.

The Board is not aware of any significant events or transactions which have occurred, between the date of the net asset value and the date of this interim management statement which would have a material impact on the net asset value of the Company.

Share buybacks

During the period from 1 October 2008 to 4 February 2009, the Company purchased 33,000 shares at an average price of 70.9 pence, to be held in treasury. Buybacks of Ordinary shares during the period were transacted through Winterflood Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Close Brothers Group plc, who, at the time of the first transaction, were the ultimate parent company of the Manager.

Portfolio 

The following investments have been made during the period from 1 October 2008 to 4 February 2009:

Name	£000's
Droxford Hospital Limited (new investment)	1,000	Operator of psychiatric hospital
Bravo Inns II Limited (follow-on investment)	600	Freehold pub owner and operator
Forth Photonics Limited (new investment)	555	Developer of medical imaging software
Ivivo Limited (new investment)	167	Developer of medical imaging software
MiPay Limited (follow-on investment)	151	Provider of mobile payment services
Vibrant Energy Surveys Limited (follow-on investment)	65	Energy performance certificate provider
The Clear Pub Company VCT Limited (follow-on investment)	3	Freehold pub owner and operator

No investments were sold during this period.

Top ten holdings (as at 31 December 2008)

Investee Company	Carrying/fair value £000's
4% Treasury stock March 2009	8,048
Lloyds TSB Bank plc Euro commercial paper (30/06/2009)	3,898
Barclays Bank Floating rate note (02/07/2010)	2,258
Bank of Nova Scotia Floating rate note (22/09/2010)	2,124
Nationwide Floating rate note (07/06/2010)	1,833
Droxford Hospital Limited	1,007
Bravo Inns II Limited	918
Bravo Inns Limited	537
Bank of Scotland Floating rate note (17/12/2009)	434
Dexela Limited	430

Material events and transactions

The business of Close Ventures Limited, the manager of the Company, has been acquired by Albion Ventures LLP ('Albion Ventures') from Close Brothers Group plc ('Close'). 

The Company's management contract has been novated from Close Ventures to Albion Ventures under exactly the same terms as the current agreement. The investment approach of Albion Ventures and the investment policy of the Company are also unchanged, with a continued emphasis on building up a broad portfolio of investee companies with no bank borrowings and the maintenance of a strong dividend yield.  

A General Meeting will be convened shortly to seek shareholder approval to change the Company's name from Close Enterprise VCT PLC to Albion Enterprise VCT PLC.

As shareholders will appreciate, the significant reduction in interest rates will result in a decline in income going forwards.

Information regarding historic and current financial performance and other useful shareholder information can be found on the Fund's website under www.albion-ventures.co.uk/Our Funds/Close Enterprise VCT PLC.

Patrick Reeve

Director

4 February 2009

For further information please contact:

Patrick Reeve

Albion Ventures LLP

Tel: [phone] 

 

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