Net Asset Value December 2012

8 January 2013 CRYSTAL AMBER FUND LIMITED ("Crystal Amber Fund" or the "Fund") Monthly Net Asset Value Crystal Amber Fund announces that its unaudited net asset value ("NAV") per share on 31 December 2012 was 120.08p (30 November 2012: 117.18p per share). The proportion of the Fund's NAV at 31 December 2012 represented by the ten largest holdings, other investments and cash (including accruals), was as follows: Top ten holdings Pence per share Percentage of investee equity held TT Electronics plc 14.4 3.8% Sutton Harbour Holdings plc 12.8 27.0% Norcros plc 10.3 8.2% Devro plc 9.7 1.1% API Group plc 9.2 8.8% Northgate plc 7.7 1.1% Tribal Group plc 7.1 4.4% Smiths News plc 6.8 1.4% Renishaw plc 4.4 0.2% 4imprint Group plc 4.3 2.8% Total of ten largest holdings 86.7 Other investments 12.0 Cash and accruals 21.4 Total NAV 120.1 Investment adviser's quarterly commentary on the portfolio Over the quarter to 31 December 2012, NAV grew by 12.3%. For the year to 31 December 2012, NAV growth was 35.3%. Key positive contributors to the NAV performance have been N Brown, Sutton Harbour, Northgate, API Group and May Gurney. Smaller negative impacts have come from Devro and TT Electronics. TT Electronics' share price was flat over the quarter. The Fund's holding in TT has been reduced during the period to rebalance the portfolio, and in light of weaker trading in the automotive industry. The Fund has remained actively engaged with the company, its largest shareholders and other stakeholders. Sutton Harbour's share price rose by 31.8% over the quarter. This positive share price performance was despite a more conservative valuation of the property portfolio. The announcement of Sutton Harbour's indicative master-plan for development of the 113-acre former airport site has highlighted the long term value of its assets. The completion of lease agreements for the Millbay site has allowed Sutton Harbour to start the development of its new King Point Marina which, in due course, will add scale to its operations. Over the period, the Fund has progressed its proposals to deliver shareholder value. Devro's share price was down 6.2% over the quarter. Following a site visit and additional market research, we engaged in open and constructive dialogue with the company's board. We advised management to demonstrate more clarity in making the investment case for Devro and have suggested additional disclosures on the opportunities for improved profitability through capital investment. Believing that the outlook for the business is favourable, our aim is to help Devro to maximise its potential and to set appropriately stretching goals for its management. We look forward to a continuation of this engagement process. API's share price rose by 22.1% over the quarter. Following previous board announcements, API initiated its sale process at the end of September by inviting tenders. In the announcement of its interim results, API confirmed that it is in discussions with a number of interested parties. Trading results highlight the on-going recovery in profitability driven by normalised input costs and self-help measures. Following multiple site visits and research meetings, and despite a share price gain of 100% over 2012, we believe that API remains undervalued. During the quarter, Northgate's share price appreciated by 26.1%. We have previously highlighted the scope to achieve benefits in reducing the company's cost of capital in the current low interest rate environment. Following the company's interim results in December, we are pleased to note that such an approach is gaining increasing credence with the analyst community and has lead to a share price re-rating. In December, the Fund top-sliced its holding. During the quarter, the Fund disclosed a small position in Thorntons, the confectioner, worth approximately £0.9m. N Brown's share price rose by 34.6% over the quarter. The arrival of Andrew Higginson as non-executive chairman has been well received. The Fund was the first institutional investor to meet him in his new capacity. It was a positive meeting and we were pleased with the new chairman's initial thoughts on the company. A positive trading update in October triggered a reappraisal of N Brown's prospects, which reflect the fact that it is now generating over half of its sales online, and its favourable prospects in the US. However in our view, pressure on disposable income of its core customers could remain a headwind on sales performance in the medium term. Following the share price strength, the Fund has significantly reduced its holding in the company as the share price achieved the Fund's price objective. Further comments on the main investments in the portfolio can be found in the Fund's 2012 Annual Report (available at www.crystalamber.com). Share buy-back During December, the Fund purchased 1,000,000 of its own shares at an average price of 104.04p per share, which are held as treasury shares. The buy-back has had the effect of significantly reducing the share price discount to the Fund's net asset value. Cash resources Following strong share price performances in a number of our holdings, the Fund banked some profits within the portfolio. Over the quarter, cash and accruals increased from 9.2p per share to 21.4p per share. These cash balances will enable the Fund to take advantage of fresh investment opportunities which have been identified. 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 7478 9080
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