Monthly Net Asset Value & Declaration of Di...

7 July 2011 CRYSTAL AMBER FUND LIMITED ("Crystal Amber Fund" or the "Fund") Monthly Net Asset Value and declaration of dividend Crystal Amber Fund announces that its unaudited net asset value ("NAV") per share on 30 June 2011 was 109.01p (31 May 2011; 109.18p per share). Commentary The proportion of the Fund's NAV at 30 June 2011 represented by the five largest holdings, other investments and cash (including accruals) was as follows: Pence per share Percentage of investee equity held Pinewood Shepperton plc * 44.6 28.9 Omega Insurance Holdings 10.4 3.2 Ltd PayPoint plc 8.5 1.5 JJB Sports plc 6.4 7.1 Sutton Harbour Group plc 6.0 13.6 Total of five largest 75.9 holdings Other investments 25.9 Cash/accruals 7.2 Total NAV 109.0 *Pinewood Shepperton holding at realisable value of 200p per share Commentary on the Portfolio The board of Pinewood Shepperton recommended a 200p cash offer in April 2011 from Peel Acquisitions (Pegasus) Limited ("Peel") ("the Offer"). In conjunction with the Offer, the Fund entered an irrevocable commitment with Peel to accept the Offer, except in the event of a third party making an alternative offer at not less than 250p. Although there has been other activity around the company since the offer, including the purchase of a substantial stake in the market by Warren James Holdings at a higher price, a higher offer was not made and the Offer was declared unconditional in all respects on 21 June 2011. The completion of the Offer will realise a profit of £8.7 million for the Fund on a total investment of £18.0 million. This uplift is reflected within the NAV as at 30 June 2011. Omega Insurance has disclosed bid approaches from several parties. PayPoint continues to trade strongly and to develop its pay-by-phone and other payment systems. It has net cash and a strong balance sheet. Sales and operating profits for the year ended 31 March 2011 rose from the previous year and a record volume of transactions was handled. Shares in Paypoint performed strongly in the quarter rising by around 23 per cent to 509.5p. Crystal Amber Fund again demonstrated the value of its flexible engagement model, using its strategic and communications skills to help PayPoint deflect the possibility of competition in its domestic market from the state monopoly lottery provider Camelot. During the quarter ended 30 June 2011, the Fund sold around 20 per cent of its holding at 522p per share. The Fund's cost of its remaining holding is 315p per share. Following the refinancing in April 2011, JJB Sports is striving to deliver on its recovery plan. Richard Bernstein, of Crystal Amber Advisers (UK) LLP, joined JJB Sports's board in May 2011, which has stepped up our intense engagement with the company. Although the retail environment is generally expected to remain challenging, JJB Sports should be in a position to build for a successful future if the management team under the new chairman, Mike McTighe, can deliver on the business plan presented to investors at the time of the fundraising. The Fund increased its holding in Sutton Harbour Group ("SUH") to 13.6 per cent. SUH reported net losses of £6.45 million in the year to 31 March 2011 following £8.4 million losses on discontinued operations, mainly the Air Southwest airline. Reported net asset value per share declined from 68.5p to 57.3p. This performance is clearly unacceptable and the Fund is now engaging actively with the SUH board and management to ensure that a better return on the asset base is delivered. A very satisfactory profit was achieved on Forth Ports, previously the Fund's fifth largest holding, following its takeover by Otter Ports Limited at 1630p per share cash plus a final dividend of 20p per share. This represents a 12.4% profit on the £3.5 million cost of the holding. The Fund's holding in Tribal Group, disclosed following bid approaches to Tribal, has recently been increased to 4.41 per cent following engagement with the management. Dividend A number of the Fund's holdings comprise companies that pay dividends. It is the intention of the Board to distribute a proportion of the dividends received to shareholders from the Fund's realised distributable reserves. The level of dividend receipts will vary based on the composition of the portfolio from time to time. The board is today declaring an interim dividend of 0.5p per share, to be paid on 12 August 2011 to shareholders on record on the register on 15 July 2011. William Collins, chairman of Crystal Amber Fund, commented: "The outcome at Pinewood, our largest holding, is very satisfactory for the Fund, which overall has continued to perform well in uncertain economic conditions. New investments have been identified and the process of engagement with potential investee companies is well advanced." "We are pleased to be able to declare our first dividend to our shareholders. We are confident that our strategy can continue to deliver good returns. " For further enquiries please contact; Crystal Amber Fund Limited William Collins (Chairman) Tel: 01481 716 000 Merchant Securities Limited - Nominated Adviser David Worlidge/Simon Clements Tel: 020 7628 2200 Numis Securities Limited - Broker Nathan Brown/Hugh Jonathan Tel: 020 7260 1426 Crystal Amber Advisers (UK) LLP - Investment Adviser Richard Bernstein Tel: 020 7491 0774
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