Final Results

NEW CENTURY AIM VCT PLC NEW CENTURY AIM VCT PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT AS AT 31 MARCH 2006 Financial Summary Period ended 31 March 2006 Revenue return per share (pence) for the period 1.54 Total return per share (pence) for the period 27.15 Dividends per share (pence) - Cumulative dividends per share (pence) - Net asset value per share (pence) 126 NAV total return (net asset value plus cumulative dividends per share) (pence) 126 Shareholders' funds (£'000) 10678 Mid-market price per share (pence) 128 Investment Objective New Century AIM VCT PLC is a Venture Capital Trust ('VCT') established under the legislation introduced in the Finance Act 1995. The company's principal objectives as set out in the prospectus are to achieve long term capital growth through investment in a diversified portfolio of Qualifying Companies primarily quoted on AIM. Investment Manager's Review Chairman's Statement I am pleased to report that the first year for New Century Aim VCT has been highly successful. Net asset value per share has risen to 126.16 pence and VCT qualifying investments already account for 68.6% of the total investments, i.e. not far short of the 70% required to be achieved within three years of inception. £8.381million was initially raised [after £84,000 of expenses] and at the company's year end £1.638million was still available for investment. We have maintained a tight rein on costs throughout the year with just £38,253 excluding investment fees of £109,984 having been expensed. The strong asset growth of your fund is largely due to the hard work and dedication of the investment management team who have relentlessly sought solid investments for the fund. Much of their time has been spent meeting with the management of the companies in which your fund has invested. In accordance with the requirements of the UK financial reporting standard FRS21, which have recently come into effect, dividends declared after a balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability in that balance sheet, or as a distribution in the profit and loss account for the period then ended. This constitutes a change from previous generally accepted accounting practice in the UK. However the VCT Regulations continue to allow such proposed dividends to be taken into account for the purposes of demonstrating compliance with the requirement to distribute at least 85% of its income from shares or securities. The proposed final dividend of 1.5p per share achieves compliance with this requirement of the VCT Regulations. Due to the recent Budget changes in VCT rules, I regret that it will no longer be practicable to operate a dividend reinvestment scheme. Annual General Meeting The annual general meeting will be held at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 31 August 2006 at 17-21 New Century Road, Laindon, Essex SS15 6AG. I look forward to meeting those shareholders that are able to attend. John Brice Chairman 25 July 2006 Introduction Being my first manager's review, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our shareholders and to thank you for your support. Our intention has been to build up a diversified portfolio of primarily VCT qualifying stocks, supplemented by several smaller holdings of non-qualifying stocks. This, we have achieved and at the March year end, your fund held 51 stocks, 68.6% by value of which are qualifying. Where possible, we have tried to invest in companies with a track record of profitability that will benefit from the current economic and political climate or in those companies which are legislation driven. It is well known, for instance, that consumer debt has been rising sharply and with interest rates rising, this has inevitably led to a surge in bad debts. A recent trend in the recovery of such debts has been to make an individual voluntary arrangement [IVA ] whereby the debtor enters into an agreement to pay back an agreed amount of the debt to all the creditors over a set period. We have invested in Accuma, Debtmatters and Invocas, all of which are specialist IVA arrangers. Reflecting the strong demand for their services, profits of these companies have been expanding sharply accompanied by a strong share price performance. Although it is a VCT qualifying investment, we felt it prudent to top slice some of the investment in Debtmatters, thereby realising a profit during the year of £51,085. With concerns over the environment, waste recycling in an environmentally efficient manner is becoming a pursuit of all the major political parties, not just in the UK but throughout the EU. Thus we have witnessed the EEC legislation regarding the disposal of fridges which led to the notorious fridge mountain. One of the next pieces of legislation on the agenda is dealing with the disposal of computers where certain of the materials are seen as harmful to the environment if the computers are dumped haphazardly. CKS, in which we have invested, is an established, profitable business which for many years has been recycling or refurbishing old computers . Our investment in that company will help them develop premises where they plan to recycle old computers in compliance with the imminent EEC legislation on computer disposal. Over the past two years, there have also been legislative changes to the UK television industry where the mainstream television channels now have to take at least 25% of their production quota from the independent sector. Furthermore, the independents can now retain their overseas distribution rights. This is helping to propel the growth of DCD Media and RDF Media, both of which are distributors of film content. Education and training, particularly in the workplace and via internet courses is another area where we perceive encouraging growth prospects. Our investments in ILX, Education Development and Europasia Education should benefit from this trend. With oil prices soaring and countries wanting to gain greater control over their supply of oil, there is now intensive interest in alternative bio fuels. GTL, which is developing a plant to produce ethanol from grain, is one such beneficiary and their shares have already more than doubled since our initial purchase. Also benefiting from the high price of oil is Hallin Marine whose diving vessels are in great demand from oil and gas companies requiring sub-sea repair and maintenance work to be carried out. Public Health and Safety is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace with the drafting in of legislation in this area. PHSC is a leader in this field. Security linked to terrorism is another high profile area. RC Group is a leading international security solutions provider specialising in the development, manufacture and distribution of biometric and radio frequency identification such as facial recognition and fingerprint detection devices. Another company to benefit from an increased focus on security is Sectorguard. This company provides manned guards and will see additional benefits from legislation brought into this industry whereby security guards require compulsory licensing by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Sectorguard has been accredited approved contractor status by the SIA which places it in a strong position to pitch for new business where there will now be a greater barrier to entry. Sectorguard also stands to gain business from rivals that have not met the approved contractor status. Frequently in the news over the past year has been the incidence of infections in hospitals. Tristel is a leader in infection control technology and stands to benefit from any health service projects to cut down the risk of infections. System C has been one of our least successful investments as demand for its computer systems for the NHS has suffered from a severe shortage of cash within the health industry. We feel it cannot be long before the government bows to pressure from the Public and the health service itself for a large injection of cash. Outlook Since the March year-end, there has been a heavy fall in the equity market and in particular, the AIM market in which your fund is concentrated. While your fund has not been immune from this fall, its emphasis on good quality profitable companies and aversion to the speculative mining and commodity issues has held it in good stead during these turbulent times. Indeed, since the year end the fund has seen a further increase in its net asset value, which as at 24 July 2006 stood at 131.5p per share. I am pleased to report that at the same date, the level of qualifying investments had increased to 76.6% of the total value of the fund. The investment management team plan to continue investing in solid profitable AIM companies and will strive to achieve further good progress in the current year. As mentioned earlier by my chairman, this has been a very rewarding year for your fund and I would like to thank Simon Like and Miles Nolan, for their tireless efforts in making this result possible. I would also like to thank my co-directors, all of whom have provided their services free of charge. Michael Barnard Income Statement (incorporating the revenue account) for the period to 31 March 2006 Period ended 31 March 2006 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - realised - 55 55 - unrealised - 2180 2180 Income 226 - 226 Investment management fee -27 -83 -110 Other expenses -38 - -38 ----------------------------- Return on ordinary activities before taxation 161 2152 2313 Tax (charge)/credit on ordinary activities -30 15 -15 ----------------------------- Return on ordinary activities after taxation 131 2167 2298 Dividends - - - ----------------------------- Transfer to reserves 131 2167 2298 ============================= Return per ordinary share 1.54 25.61 27.15 All revenue and capital items in the above statement are from continuing operations in the current year. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the current year. Other than shown above, the company had no recognised gains or losses. Accordingly no statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared. Balance Sheet At 31 March 2006 Period ended 31 March 2006 £000 Fixed assets Investments 9088 Current assets Debtors 1637 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year -47 --------- 10678 ========= Capital and reserves Called up share capital 846 Share premium 7534 Capital reserve - realised 68 Capital reserve - unrealised 2099 Revenue reserve 131 --------- Total equity shareholders' funds 10678 Net asset value per ordinary share 126p Cash Flow Statement for the period to 31 March 2006 Operating activity £000 £000 Operating profit 2,313 Profit on sale of investments -55 Unrealised gains on investments -2,180 Investment income -226 Increase in creditors 32 Net cash inflow from operating activities -116 Returns on investments Interest received 213 Investment income 13 Net cash inflow for returns on investments and servicing of finance 226 Taxation Capital expenditure & financial investment Sale of investments 864 Purchase of investments -7,717 Net cash outflow for capital expenditure & financial investment -6,853 ______ Net cash outflow before financing -6,743 Share issue 8,464 Expenses paid in connection with share issue -84 Net cash inflow from financing 8,380 Uninvested funds with Broker 1,637 Notes 1 Return per share The Revenue return per ordinary share is based on net revenue on ordinary activities after taxation of £130,339 and on 8,464,500 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. The capital return per ordinary share is based on a net realised and unrealised capital profit of £2,167,872 and on 8,464,500 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. 2 Dividend The directors are proposing a final dividend of 1.5p per share for the period ended 31 March 2006. 3 Accounts The results set out above are not full accounts within the meaning of s.240 of the Companies Act 1985 and have not been reported on but have been agreed with the company's auditors. The Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 March 2006 will be filed at the Registrar of Companies following the annual general meeting and will be posted to shareholders shortly. 4 Announcement A copy of this announcement will be available at the offices of the Company for 14 days from the date of this announcement. This preliminary announcement is not being posted to shareholders. Directors John Roger Simpson Brice (Chairman) Michael David Barnard Geoffrey Gamble Robin Kirby Peter William Riley All directors are non-executive. Management and Administration Registered Office & Registered Number Investment Manager and Broker 21-22 Grosvenor Street M D Barnard & Company Limited London W1K 4QJ 17-21 New Century Road Laindon 5352611 Essex SS15 6AG Company Secretary Auditor & VCT Status Adviser Woodside Secretaries Limited UHY Hacker Young 21-22 Grosvenor Street St Alphage House London W1K 4QJ 2 Fore Street London EC2Y 5DH Registrar Sponsor Park Circus Registrars Limited Teather & Greenwood Limited 144 - 146 West George Street Beaufort House Glasgow G2 2BR 15 St Botolph Street London EC3A 7QR Solicitors Bankers Dundas & Wilson Bank of Scotland 5th Floor, Northwest Wing New Uberior House Bush House 11 Earl Grey Street Aldwych Edinburgh EH3 9BN London WC2B 4EZ
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