Final Results

THE THROGMORTON TRUST PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2006 • Net Asset Value per ordinary share 192.24p (2005:164.01p as restated) see table below • Increased final dividend of 1.50p per share (2005:1.25p) making a total of 2.00p (2005:1.75p) NET ASSET VALUE 30.11.2006 30.11.2005 Year on year 7.02.2007 (restated*) % change The Throgmorton Trust PLC 199.42p 171.62p +16.2 220.59p (debt at par) (debt at market value) 192.24p 164.01p +17.2 213.97p FTSE SmallCap (ex Inv. 3541.2 3108.9 +13.9 3955.7 Cos.) FTSE All-Share 3119.9 2741.1 +13.8 3301.8 * The change in presentation of the above table in comparison with prior periods reflects the adoption of FRS 21, which requires only dividends paid or approved by shareholders to be disclosed in each period, and FRS 26, which requires investments to be valued at bid prices. See note 4 of the announcement for further explanation. The audit report for the full financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2006 has not yet been signed. THE CHAIRMAN, RICHARD BERNAYS, COMMENTED: The year just ended has provided a satisfactory return for the Trust with the net asset value per share (with the Trust's debt valued at market price rather than at par) rising by 17.2%. The share price rose by a similar amount. This compares with a rise in the FTSE Small Cap (excluding investment companies) index of 13.9 %. Revenue and Dividend The Board is recommending a final dividend of 1.5p per share, making a total dividend of 2.0p for the year, an increase of 14% over the previous year. The Trust has revenue reserves both in the Trust itself and its subsidiaries and this gives the Manager a degree of flexibility to invest for total return without having to be constrained by income considerations. Small companies market The market for small companies has been difficult in the year under review with the various components showing very different returns. In contrast to the performance of the FTSE Small Companies Index (up 13.9 %), the FTSE AIM Index was unchanged over the year, while the Hoare Govett Small Cap Index rose by 22.3%. While the Throgmorton Trust portfolio scored some notable successes, it suffered from high (46%) exposure to the AIM market. The Manager and the Board continue to be attracted by the many exciting young companies that are floated on AIM and believe that, despite its volatility, this will prove a rewarding area for investment in the future. Discount against NAV During the year we bought back 19,025,000 shares at an average discount against NAV of 15.4%. This enhanced net asset value by 2.0%. It is disappointing that, despite this active buy back policy, the discount has remained persistently around 15 %. The Board will continue to buy in surplus stock in order to avoid there being stock overhanging the market having a depressing effect on the share price. We are working with the Manager and our advisors to find ways of stimulating the demand for our shares. The Board Lord Stewartby will be retiring at the Annual General Meeting in March. He has been on the board since 1990 and was Chairman from 1990 until 2005. During that time he masterminded the transformation of the Trust from a highly geared company with many unquoted and illiquid investments into the successful specialist small company fund that it is today. We owe a great deal to his perspicacity, commercial acumen and to his persistence, and his presence on the board will be much missed. After an extensive search involving an external consultant, the board has chosen Lord Latymer and Simon Beart who will join the board on the date of the Annual General Meeting. Lord Latymer has extensive banking and private client experience. As we work to broaden our shareholder base, we intend to attract more private individuals to our share register. We believe that investment trusts are particularly suited to private client investment and we believe that Lord Latymer's experience in this area will be most helpful. Simon Beart has extensive experience in the management of the type of smaller company that we investing in. As such I am sure he will make a vital contribution to our deliberations. Prospects The UK economy appears to be in robust shape and, despite the recent interest rate rises, we are optimistic for the future. You will see in the Manager's Report in the published report and accounts that our Manager is excited about the prospects for the companies within the portfolio and we share that enthusiasm. Richard Bernays Chairman 9 February 2007 Income Statement Year ended 30 November 2006 (unaudited) Revenue Capital Total £000s £000s £000s Realised gains in investments - 54,450 54,450 Unrealised losses on investments - (7,346) (7,346) Income 7,113 - 7,113 Investment management fee (1,498) (1,498) (2,996) Other expenses (417) - (417) Net return before finance costs and 5,198 45,606 50,804 taxation Interest payable and similar (1,937) (1,905) (3,842) charges Return on ordinary activities 3,261 43,701 46,962 before taxation Tax on ordinary activities - - - Return on ordinary activities after 3,261 43,701 46,962 taxation attributable to equity shareholders Return per ordinary share - basic 1.84p 24.60p 26.44p Income Statement (continued) Year ended 30 November 2005 Restated* Revenue Capital Total £000s £000s £000s Realised gains on investments - 70,184 70,184 Unrealised gains on investments - 3,466 3,466 Income 7,064 - 7,064 Investment management fee (1,439) (1,439) (2,878) Other expenses (459) - (459) Net return before finance costs and 5,166 72,211 77,377 taxation Interest payable and similar (1,973) (1,906) (3,879) charges Premium paid on repurchase of - (9) (9) debenture stock Return on ordinary activities 3,193 70,296 73,489 before taxation Tax on ordinary activities - - - Return on ordinary activities after 3,193 70,296 73,489 taxation attributable to equity shareholders Return per ordinary share - basic 1.58p 34.84p 36.42p *Restated for changes in accounting policies (see note 4) The total column of this Income statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. The supplementary revenue and capital returns columns have been prepared in accordance with the Association of Investment Trust Companies' Statement of Recommended Practice. A statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required as all gains and losses of the Trust have been recognised in the above statement. All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds for the year ended 30 November 2006 (unaudited) Share Share Capital Capital Capital Revenue Total Capital Premium Redemption Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve unrealised realised £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s Balance brought 11,488 35,272 3,702 70,279 186,940 3,350 311,031 forward at 30 November 2004 (as previously reported) Add back - - - - - 2,527 2,527 accrued dividend at 30 November 2004 Less bid - - - (5,006) - - (5,006) valuation adjustment Balance at 30 11,488 35,272 3,702 65,273 186,940 5,877 308,552 November 2004 (restated)* Dividends paid - - - - - (2,278) (2,278) in the year re 2004 Return - - - 3,618 66,830 3,193 73,641 attributable to equity shareholders in 2005 (as previously stated) Dividends paid - - - - - (976) (976) in the year re 2005 Shares (2,358) - 2,358 (65,403) - (65,403) repurchased by the company in 2005 Less bid - - - (152) - - (152) valuation adjustment Balance at 30 9,130 35,272 6,060 68,739 188,367 5,816 313,384 November 2005 (restated)* Return - - - (7,346) 51,047 3,261 46,962 attributable to equity shareholders in 2006 Dividends paid - - - - - (2,245) (2,245) in the year re 2005 Dividends paid - - - - - (890) (890) in the year re 2006 Shares (951) - 951 - (30,999) - (30,999) repurchased by the company in 2006 Balance at 30 8,179 35,272 7,011 61,393 208,415 5,942 326,212 November 2006 *Restated for changes in accounting policies (see note 4) Balance Sheet As at 30 November £000s 2006 £000s 2005 (unaudited) Restated* £000s £000s Fixed assets 349,455 329,927 Investments held at fair value through profit or loss Current assets 1,493 2,603 Debtors 11,940 19,347 Cash at bank 13,433 21,950 Creditors: 2,480 4,356 Amounts falling due within one year 1,050 1,081 Amounts due to brokers 977 887 Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings Sundry creditors (4,507) (6,324) Net current assets 8,926 15,626 Total assets less current 358,381 345,553 liabilities (17,169) (17,169) Creditors: (15,000) (15,000) Amounts falling due after one year Debentures and loans Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings Net assets 326,212 313,384 Capital and reserves 7,011 8,179 6,060 9,130 Called up share capital 61,393 35,272 68,739 35,272 Share premium account 208,415 276,819 188,367 263,166 Capital reserves 5,942 5,816 Capital redemption reserve Capital reserve - unrealised Capital reserve - realised Revenue reserve Total equity shareholders' funds 326,212 313,384 Net asset value per share (prior 199.42p 171.62p charges at nominal value *Restated for changes in accounting policies (see note 4) Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 30 November 2006 2005 (unaudited) £000s £000s Operating activities 6,243 6,203 Cash received from investments 750 837 Interest received 70 68 Underwriting commission (1,488) (1,435) Management fee (118) (135) Cash paid to and on behalf of the directors (311) (277) Other cash payments Net cash inflow from operating activities 5,146 5,261 Servicing of finance (1,937) (1,973) Interest paid - revenue Taxation - - Taxation recovered Capital expenditure and financial investment 26,821 87,343 Net sales of investments (1,488) (1,435) Capital management fee (1,905) (1,906) Interest charged to capital 24 625 Net payments from subsidiaries Net cash inflow from investing activities 23,452 84,627 Dividends (3,135) (3,254) Dividends paid - equity shares Net cash inflow before financing 23,526 84,661 Financing (30,933) (65,403) Repurchase of ordinary shares Repurchase of debenture stock - (34) Net cash outflow from financing (30,933) (65,437) (Decrease)/increase in cash (7,407) 19,224 Notes: 1. The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Trust's statutory accounts for the years ended 30 November 2006 or 2005. 2. The financial information for the year ended 30 November 2005 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year delivered to the Registrar of Companies restated for changes in accounting policy explained in note 4. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain any emphasis of matter or a statement under s237(2) or (3) Companies Act 1985. 3. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 November 2006 have not been approved or audited and will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's annual general meeting. 4. The financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Trust's financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2005, except that following the adoption of FRS 21 and FRS 26, the Trust's investments have been designated as being measured at "fair value through profit and loss" and valued at bid market value at close of business on the balance sheet date; and dividends payable are accounted for in the period in which they are paid, not in the period to which they relate. The effects of these changes are shown in the reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds above. 5. The board has recommended the payment of a final dividend of 1.5p per share in respect of the year ended 30 November 2006. Subject to approval by shareholders at the Company's annual general meeting, the dividend will be paid on 5 April 2007 to shareholders on the register of the Company on 2 March 2007.
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