NewMedia SPARK PLC
29 October 2001
29th October 2001
NewMedia SPARK plc announces Disposals
NewMedia SPARK plc ('SPARK') announces that it has disposed of its
shareholdings in three of its portfolio investments (Global Euronet, Dataroam
and Clipserver) for an aggregate cash consideration of approximately £4.7m.
Each of the investments were sold to separate buyers.
The disposals include the Global Euronet shares acquired as a result of
SPARK's recent acquisition of GlobalNet Financial.com Inc ('GlobalNet').
Taking account of previous disposals of Global Euronet shares by GlobalNet,
SPARK and GlobalNet's net cash acquisition cost of these three investments was
approximately £4.3m.
Commenting on these disposals Michael Whitaker, CEO of SPARK, said:
'Although market conditions remain very tough, these disposals may illustrate
a modest recent improvement in liquidity and activity levels in some areas of
TMT investment markets. Our view is that it is too early to tell whether such
early and tentative signs of recovery will be sustained. Nevertheless, we are
encouraged to have been able to achieve disposals from our portfolio for cash
at prices that are in aggregate in excess of our cost of investment.
We have taken the opportunity of weak market conditions throughout this year
to invest in what we believe will over time prove to have been attractive
valuation levels. SPARK's present investment portfolio of more than 50
companies has an aggregate cash cost of over £100m. In addition we have
recently acquired controlling shareholdings in GlobalNet and Sputz AG for
cash. Following these transactions, we still retain substantial cash reserves.
Although there will be some write-downs in the valuation of certain individual
portfolio investments at the interim, we expect SPARK's net asset value per
share to remain substantially in excess of our current share price. Our
forthcoming interim results will contain details of SPARK's financial position
and explanations of the benefit to shareholders of the GlobalNet and Sputz AG
acquisitions.'
For further information, please contact:
Michael Whitaker / Fenella Copas
NewMedia SPARK plc +44 207 851 7777
Notes to Editors
NewMedia SPARK plc
NewMedia SPARK is one of Europe's leading quoted venture capital
organisations. SPARK listed on London's Alternative Investment Market in
October 1999 and since then has made over 50 investments in early stage
companies in Europe and India.
SPARK focuses its investments in the Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT)
sector, with particular emphasis on software applications, technology and
communications and certain areas of digital media. As an investor, SPARK
expects to add significant value to its investments through active support and
strategic direction. SPARK has operations in London, Stockholm, Berlin and has
established a joint venture in Madrid - SPARK Inversiones.
For further information see www.newmediaspark.com.
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