Final Results

Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC 01 March 2007 CLOSE BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT VCT PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS 1 March 2007 Close Brothers Development VCT PLC ('the Company'), which provides equity and debt finance to growing unquoted and quoted companies across a variety of sectors, with investments ranging from service to asset-backed businesses, today announces preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2006. This announcement has been approved by the Board of Directors on 28 February 2007. Financial Highlights: Ordinary Shares C Shares Year ended Year ended 31 December 2006 31 December 2006 Dividends paid per share (pence) 3.00 4.50 Net asset value per share (pence) 94.60 101.40 Shareholder value per share since launch: Pence per share(ii) Pence per share(ii) Dividends paid during the period ended 31 December 1999 (i) 1.00 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2000 3.65 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2001 3.20 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2002 4.20 - Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2003 (iii) & (iv) 4.50 0.75 Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2004 4.00 2.00 Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2005 5.20 5.90 Dividends paid during the year to 31 December 2006 3.00 4.50 28.75 13.15 Net asset value per share as at 31 December 2006 94.60 101.40 Total cumulative shareholder return at 31 December 2006 123.35 114.55 Notes (i) assuming subscription for Ordinary Shares by the First Closing on 26 January 1999. (ii) excluding tax benefits received upon subscription. (iii) assuming subscription for C Shares by the First Closing on 31 December 2002. (iv) those subscribing for C Shares after 30 June 2003 were not entitled to the interim dividend. For further information, please contact: Patrick Reeve Roddi Vaughan-Thomas Close Ventures Limited Peregrine Communications Group Tel: 020 7422 7831 Tel: 020 7223 1552 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Investment Commentary The results of your company for year to 31 December 2006 are set out below. As I said at the time of the interim results, after the strong performance of the last two years, this year has been a period of consolidation and, while the period saw total dividends paid of 3.0 pence per Ordinary share and 4.5 pence per C share, NAV declined by 7.9 pence per Ordinary share to 94.6 pence, and 6.4 pence per C share to 101.4 pence. The resulting negative return for the period of 5.3 pence for the Ordinary shares and 2.1 pence for the C shares was caused principally by the reduction in the share price of our holding in Careforce plc which is quoted on AIM, and partial provisions against three investments, Peakdale Molecular, Evolutions Television and Grosvenor Health, where previous strong growth slowed in the early months of last year. The Ordinary share portfolio was also affected by a slowdown in trading at Consolidated Communications. Other businesses, however, have performed promisingly, in particular The Bold Pub Company, Lowcosttravelgroup and Tower Bridge Health Clubs. Overall, we believe that the investment portfolio is solid and forms a decent platform for future growth. Over the period, we made twelve new investments, with a cost of £1.6 million for the Ordinary shares and £3.6 million for the C shares. These included Blackbay (£740,000) which provides mobile data solutions for the logistics and field services sectors, and Kensington Health Clubs (£1 million) which has purchased a 26,000 square foot building at Olympia in West London, which it will convert into a new health and fitness club. Following these investments, the C share portfolio exceeded its 70% investment target as required by the VCT regulations. Conversion of C shares into Ordinary shares As required under your Company's Articles of Association, the C shares convert into Ordinary shares on the ratio of their respective net asset values per share at 31 December 2006. The conversion is effective from 31 March 2007, following the Annual General Meeting to approve those accounts. Based on their respective net asset values, C shareholders will receive 1.0715 new Ordinary shares for each C share held. Once the new Ordinary share certificates have been dispatched, which is expected to be by 20 April 2007, the C share certificates will have no further value and should be destroyed. New Management Performance Incentive The Management Performance Incentive for the Ordinary shares came to an end on 31 December 2006. These schemes are important for the recruitment and retention of quality investment managers, and consequently we will be writing to shareholders shortly to propose a new scheme. This scheme will be subject to shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be confirmed. Board I have been Chairman of your Company since its launch in 1999, and as I will be seventy early next year, I will be retiring from the Board before the next Annual General Meeting in 2008. A selection process for my successor is currently underway, and we will inform shareholders once a new candidate has been appointed. Results and dividends As at 31 December 2006 the net asset value of the company's Ordinary shares was £12.1 million or 94.6 pence per share (2005: £13.7 million or 102.5 pence per share). Net income after taxation was £396,000 (2005: £381,000). As at the same date, the net asset value of the C shares was £18.2 million or 101.4 pence per share (2005: £19.7 million or 107.8 pence per share), while net income after taxation was £657,000 (2005: £610,000). Subject to sufficient profitability, the Company intends to pay a first dividend for the new financial year of 1.5 pence per share in May 2007, following the conversion of the two classes of share. Roderick Davidson Chairman Income Statement for the year to 31 December 2006 Ordinary Shares C Shares Total Year Year Year ended ended ended 31 December 2006 31 December 2006 31 December 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Losses on investments - (910) (910) - (766) (766) - (1,676) (1,676) Investment income 733 - 733 1,160 - 1,160 1,893 - 1,893 Investment management fee (84) (251) (335) (126) (377) (503) (210) (628) (838) Other expenses (85) - (85) (106) - (106) (191) - (191) Return on ordinary activities before tax 564 (1,161) (597) 928 (1,143) (215) 1,492 (2,304) (812) Tax (charge)/ credit on ordinary activities (168) 73 (95) (271) 114 (157) (439) 187 (252) Return attributable to equity shareholders 396 (1,088) (692) 657 (1,029) (372) 1,053 (2,117) (1,064) Basic and diluted return pence per 3.0 (8.3) (5.3) 3.6 (5.7) (2.1) 6.6 (14.0) (7.4) share (excluding treasury shares) The total column of this Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. The supplementary revenue and capital return columns have been prepared in accordance with the Association of Investment Trust Companies' Statement of Recommended Practice. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as disclosed above. Accordingly a statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required. Income Statement for the year to 31 December 2005 Ordinary Shares C Shares Total Year Year Year ended ended ended 31 December 2005 31 December 2005 31 December 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 1,423 1,423 - 1,638 1,638 - 3,061 3,061 Investment income 696 - 696 1,092 - 1,092 1,788 - 1,788 Investment management fee (88) (263) (351) (127) (382) (509) (215) (645) (860) Other expenses (77) - (77) (102) - (102) (179) - (179) Return on ordinary activities before tax 531 1,160 1,691 863 1,256 2,119 1,394 2,416 3,810 Tax (charge)/ credit on ordinary activities (150) 85 (65) (253) 127 (126) (403) 212 (191) Return attributable to equity shareholders 381 1,245 1,626 610 1,383 1,993 991 2,628 3,619 Basic and diluted return pence per 2.8 9.1 11.9 3.3 7.5 10.8 6.1 16.6 22.7 share The total column of this Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. The supplementary revenue and capital return columns have been prepared in accordance with the Association of Investment Trust Companies' Statement of Recommended Practice. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as disclosed above. Accordingly a statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required. Balance Sheet Ordinary Shares C Shares Total 31 December 31 December 31 December 2006 2006 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying investments 9,512 12,363 21,875 Non-qualifying investments - 3,892 3,892 Total fixed asset investments 9,512 16,255 25,767 Current assets Debtors 20 389 409 Cash at bank 2,597 1,639 4,236 2,617 2,028 4,645 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (48) (70) (118) Net current assets 2,569 1,958 4,527 Total assets less current liabilities 12,081 18,213 30,294 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 6,521 9,060 15,581 Share premium 48 3,160 3,208 Special reserve 5,196 4,693 9,889 Capital redemption reserve 863 310 1,173 Realised capital reserve (1,118) (26) (1,144) Unrealised capital reserve 711 941 1,652 Own treasury shares reserve (239) (149) (388) Revenue reserve 99 224 323 Total equity shareholders' funds 12,081 18,213 30,294 Net asset value per share (pence) (excluding 94.6 101.4 treasury shares) The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 February 2007. Balance Sheet Ordinary Shares C Shares Total 31 December 31 December 31 December 2005 2005 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying investments 8,759 9,456 18,215 Non-qualifying investments 46 7,704 7,750 Total fixed asset investments 8,805 17,160 25,965 Current assets Debtors 111 55 166 Cash at bank 4,975 2,907 7,882 5,086 2,962 8,048 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (201) (390) (591) Net current assets 4,885 2,572 7,457 Total assets less current liabilities 13,690 19,732 33,422 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 6,678 9,151 15,829 Share premium 48 3,160 3,208 Special reserve 5,477 4,864 10,341 Capital redemption reserve 706 219 925 Realised capital reserve (941) 393 (548) Unrealised capital reserve 1,621 1,707 3,328 Revenue reserve 101 238 339 Total equity shareholders' funds 13,690 19,732 33,422 Net asset value per share (pence) 102.5 107.8 Reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds For the year ended 31 December 2006 Ordinary shares Called Share Capital Realised Unrealised Own up Special Revenue capital capital Treasury share redemption shares capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve Total reserve reserve £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 As adjusted at 1 6,964 48 5,991 420 (2,206) 1,640 - 433 13,290 January 2005 Net realised gains on investments in the period - - - - 1,442 - - - 1,442 Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (263) - - - (263) Tax relief on costs - - - - 85 - - - 85 charged to capital Cancellation of own (286) - (514) 286 - - - - (514) shares Movement in unrealised - - - - - (19) - - (19) appreciation Revenue return - - - - - - - 381 381 attributable to shareholders Dividends paid - - - - - - - (713) (713) As at 31 December 2005 6,678 48 5,477 706 (942) 1,621 - 101 13,690 Net realised gains on investments in the year - - - - 1 - - - 1 Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (251) - - - (251) Tax relief on costs - - - - 73 - - - 73 charged to capital Cancellation of own (157) - (281) 157 - - - - (281) shares Purchase of own shares - - - - - - (239) - (239) for Treasury Movement in unrealised - - - - - (910) - - (910) appreciation Revenue return - - - - - - - 396 396 attributable to shareholders Dividends paid - - - - - - - (398) (398) As at 31 December 2006 6,521 48 5,196 863 (1,118) 711 (239) 99 12,081 Reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds For the year ended 31 December 2006 C shares Called Capital Realise Own up Unrealised Treasury Share Share Capital capital shares Special Redemption Revenue Capital Reserve Reserve reserve reserve Total Premium Reserve reserve £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 As at 1 January 2005 9,278 3,160 5,100 93 (362) 1,262 - 535 19,066 Net realised gains on investments in the period - - - - 1,193 - - - 1,193 Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (382) - - - (382) Tax relief on costs - - - - 127 - - - 127 charged to capital Share redemptions (126) - (236) 126 - - - - (236) Movement in unrealised - - - - - 445 - - 445 appreciation Revenue return - - - - - - - 610 610 attributable to shareholders Dividends paid - - - - (186) - - (907) (1,093) As at 31 December 2005 9,151 3,160 4,864 219 393 1,707 - 238 19,732 Net realised gains on investments in the year - - - - - - - - - Capitalised investment management and performance fees - - - - (377) - - - (377) Tax relief on costs - - - - 114 - - - 114 charged to capital Share redemptions (91) - (171) 91 - - - - (171) Purchase of own shares - - - - - - (149) - (149) for Treasury Movement in unrealised - - - - - (766) - - (766) appreciation Revenue return - - - - - - - 657 657 attributable to shareholders Dividends paid - - - - (156) - - (671) (827) As at 31 December 2006 9,060 3,160 4,693 310 (26) 941 (149) 224 18,213 Cash flow Statement for the year ended 31 December 2006 Ordinary Shares C Shares Total Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 December 2006 31 December 2006 31 December 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 506 577 1,083 Deposit income received 141 387 528 Other income received 22 13 35 Investment management fees paid (429) (637) (1,066) Other operating expenses paid (98) (116) (214) Other cash payments 39 (380) (341) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating 181 (156) 25 activities Taxation (144) (268) (412) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of qualifying investments (1,565) (3,253) (4,818) Purchase of non-qualifying investments - (377) (377) Disposals of qualifying investments 1 - 1 Disposals of non-qualifying investments - 4,000 4,000 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing (1,564) 370 (1,194) activities Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (398) (827) (1,225) Net cash outflow before financing (1,925) (881) (2,806) Financing Cancellation of shares (281) (171) (452) Own treasury shares (239) (149) (388) Intercompany account movement 67 (67) - Net cash outflow from financing (453) (387) (840) Decrease in cash in the year (2,378) (1,268) (3,646) Cash flow Statement for the year ended 31 December 2005 Ordinary Shares C Shares Total Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 December 2005 31 December 2005 31 December 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 253 482 735 Deposit income received 144 528 672 Other income received 6 16 22 Investment management fees paid (453) (451) (904) Other cash payments (3) - (3) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating (53) 575 522 activities Taxation (536) - (536) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of qualifying investments (1,595) (3,620) (5,215) Purchase of non-qualifying investments - (92) (92) Disposals of non-qualifying investments 2,405 2,340 4,745 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing 810 (1,372) (562) activities Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (713) (1,093) (1,806) Net cash outflow before financing (492) (1,890) (2,382) Financing Cancellation of shares (513) (248) (761) Net cash outflow from financing (513) (248) (761) Decrease in cash in the year (1,005) (2,138) (3,143) Notes 1) Close Brothers Development VCT PLC is managed by Close Ventures Limited. 2) Close Ventures Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. 3) The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2006 or 2005. 4) The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2005 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 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. 5) The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2006 has been derived from the statutory accounts for the year which will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies shortly. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain statements under s237(2) or (3) Companies Act 1985. 6) The financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2005. 7) There were no changes in equity other than those arising from capital transactions with owners and distributions to owners. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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