Interim Results

Impax Environmental Markets PLC 12 September 2002 Impax Environmental Markets plc Interim results for the period from 7 January 2002 to 30 June 2002 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT First, I would like to start by welcoming all shareholders and thanking them for their support in launching Impax Environmental Markets plc ('IEM' or 'the Company'). Since the launch of the Company on 22 February this year, global equity markets have dropped sharply. The share prices of companies operating in environmental markets have been affected by this general market malaise, and consequently the net asset value ('NAV') of IEM has also fallen. Nevertheless, as detailed below, recent developments in environmental markets have been broadly positive, and we remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for the Company. During the period from the Company's launch to 30 June 2002, the MSCI World Index (priced in Pounds Sterling) fell 11%, while the NASDAQ fell 21%. Over the period, the Company's NAV initially rose to over 105.2p before falling back to 81.2p, a net fall of 17.3% from the NAV at launch (98.25p). In parallel, the Company's share price also rose before falling to 78.5p on 30 June 2002. As has been widely reported, concerns particularly in the United States over equity prices in the light of a weakening economy and about the reliability of company accounts have risen significantly. In response, markets have been very weak. The portfolio has also been affected by its exposure to smaller innovative companies with poor liquidity (some of which are quoted on NASDAQ) and companies operating in the US power equipment and industrial markets which have not performed as well as global indices. Despite the falls in equity markets, there have been many positive developments in environmental markets over recent months which reinforce the investment hypothesis that the falling costs of environmental technology, market liberalisation, and tightening environmental policy are continuing to drive the progress of environmental companies in the medium to long term. The fundamentals for companies active in alternative energy, water treatment, and waste technologies remain robust. In the short-term prospects for equity markets remain uncertain. Indeed, by 31 August, the Company's NAV had fallen further to 62.5p (down 23%) and the share price had dropped to 60p compared with the MSCI World Index which fell 9.8% during the same period. If stock markets continue to weaken, pressure on certain institutional investors to reduce their exposure to equities may increase, and the Company's portfolio is unlikely to escape these effects. Nevertheless, environmental markets are in part shaped by government initiatives that are independent of the economic cycle, and we believe that the Company is well positioned to realise growth over the longer term. Richard Bernays 12 September 2002 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the profit and loss account*) 7 January 7 January 7 January to to to 30 June 2002 30 June 2002 30 June 2002 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Losses on investments - (8,398) (8,398) Income 234 - 234 Investment management fees (40) (118) (158) Other expenses (87) - (87) Return on ordinary activities before tax 107 (8,516) (8,409) Taxation (13) - (13) Return after taxation 94 (8,516) (8,422) Dividends - - - Transfers to/(from) reserves 94 (8,516) (8,422) Return per Ordinary Share 0.19p (17.03)p (16.84)p * The revenue column of the statement of total return is the profit and loss account of the Company. All capital and revenue items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period. Return per Ordinary Share for the period 7 January 2002 to 30 June 2002 is based on 50,000,000 Ordinary Shares in issue since the launch of the Company. There are no comparatives as this is the Company's first period of operations. The Company was incorporated on 7 January 2002 and commenced operations on 22 February 2002. BALANCE SHEET At 30 June 2002 £'000 Fixed assets Investments at market value 39,905 Current assets Sales for future settlement 82 Other debtors 33 Cash at bank and in hand 726 841 Current liabilities Accrued liabilities 43 Net current assets 798 Total net assets 40,703 Capital and reserves Share capital 5,000 Share premium 44,125 Capital reserves (8,516) Revenue reserve 94 Equity shareholders' funds 40,703 Net asset value per share 81.22p Net asset value per share including current period revenue reserves 81.41p Net asset value per share excluding current period revenue reserves 81.22p No. of Ordinary Shares in issue 50,000,000 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 7 January to 30 June 2002 £'000 Operating activities Net cash outflow from operating activities (14) Financial investment Payments to acquire fixed asset investments (52,706) Receipts on disposal of fixed asset investments 4,482 Exchange loss (161) Net cash outflow from investing activities (48,385) Net cash outflow before financing (48,399) Financing Expenses of issue of share capital (875) Share placement 50,000 Net cash inflow from financing 49,125 Increase in cash 726 NOTES Net assets per share Net assets per share is based on the number of ordinary shares in issue at the end of the period. Dividend The directors do not recommend an interim dividend. Investment company status The Company is incorporated in England and Wales. The Company has given notice of its intention to carry on business as an investment company and it manages its affairs to enable it to qualify as an investment trust for taxation purposes under section 842 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act. The Company therefore presents its accounts in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Investment Trust Companies, with the Statement of Total Return as its first primary statement. Status of this report These financial statements are not the Company's statutory accounts. They are unaudited. The interim report will be sent to shareholders and copies will be made available to the public at the office of the Secretary of the Company. SECRETARY, ADMINISTRATOR AND REGISTERED OFFICE Cavendish Administration Limited Crusader House 145-157 St. John Street London EC1V 4RU This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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