Interim Results

Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC 24 September 2002 CLOSE BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT VCT PLC INTERIM RESULTS 24 September 2002 Close Brothers Development VCT PLC ('the Company'), which provides equity and debt finance to growing unquoted companies across a variety of sectors, with investments ranging from technology-orientated to service and asset-backed businesses, today announces interim results for the six months to 30 June 2002. Highlights: • Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share of 92.0 pence (2001: 90.4 pence) • Increased net interim dividend of 1.8 pence per share (2001:1.6 pence) • Projected total dividend for the full year of 4.5 pence per share (2001: 4.0 pence) • Launch of new 'C' Share issue to raise up to £20 million Commenting on the results, Roderick Davidson, Chairman of the Company, said: ' The period since 31 December 2001 has seen a number of developments in the Company, and it is pleasing to see a 12.5 per cent. increase in the interim dividend to 1.8 pence per share. This underlines the Company's strategy of providing a strong dividend yield to investors.' Patrick Reeve, Managing Director of Close Venture Management, manager of the Close Brothers Development VCT, added: 'This particular VCT is a good example of our emphasis in investment strategy on lower investment risk and higher dividend yield. Due to the fact that Ordinary Shares are now over 80% invested in a diversified portfolio, we have decided to launch a 'C' Share issue to raise up to £20 million of new money for the Company. This will have the advantage of widening the spread of investments in the Company without diluting our existing shareholders. Looking forward, with our current investment strategy coupled with new funds, we see significant opportunities to continue to maximise value for our shareholders.' For further information, please contact: Patrick Reeve/ Ole Bettum Justin Griffiths/ John West Close Venture Management Tavistock Communications Tel: 020 7426 4000 Tel: 020 7600 2288 Notes to Editors: 1) Close Brothers Development VCT PLC is managed by Close Venture Management. 2) Close Venture Management is a subsidiary of Close Brothers Investment Limited and is regulated by the FSA. 3) Close Venture Management also manages Close Brothers Venture Capital Trust, launched in 1996, Close Brothers Protected VCT, launched in 1997 and Close Technology & General VCT, launched in 2000 which raised £39.7 million, £27.9 million and £14.4 million respectively from private investors. The Close Brothers Development VCT was launched in 1999 and raised £14.8 million from investors. Chairman's Statement Introduction The investment strategy of the Company is to establish a diversified portfolio of holdings in smaller, unquoted companies whilst at the same time selecting and structuring investments in such a way as to reduce the risk normally associated with investment in such companies. This is achieved as follows: • Qualifying Investments represent in excess of 80 per cent. of net funds raised and comprise investments in businesses across a broad spread of industries. • Up to two thirds of Qualifying Investments comprise debt secured on ' bankable' assets. This debt generates a significant proportion of the total return from individual investments. • Up to 20 per cent. of net funds raised are invested in Non-Qualifying Investments comprising fixed and floating interest rate securities, financial instruments and short term money market deposits all issued by or with major banks with a Moody's credit rating of at least A. Investment Progress The period since 31 December 2001 has seen a number of developments in the Company, and it is pleasing to see a 12.5 per cent. increase in the interim dividend to 1.8 pence per share. This underlines the Company's strategy of providing a strong dividend yield to investors. We therefore anticipate, in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, that the Company will be paying a total dividend for the year of 4.5 pence per Ordinary share compared to 4.0 pence last year though this should not be taken as a profit forecast. During the six months to 30 June 2002 the Company made one new qualifying investment in an existing investee company, totalling £400,000. This was in Leisure Links International, to enable it to purchase the 27 hole Chesfield Downs Golf Club outside Stevenage. Subsequent to the half year, £90,000 was invested to provide further working capital to Fastrack Resources, the temporary and permanent recruitment specialist, £480,000 was invested in Automotive Technik, a manufacturer of military off road vehicles, and a further £200,000 was invested to provide additional resources to Odyssey Clubs Group. Three of these investments were syndicated with Close Technology & General VCT PLC. Strong progress at Careforce Staffing and Peakdale Molecular, in both cases supported by third party investments at an increased valuation, has led to a higher holding values, which go some way to counterbalancing partial provisions made on our investments in Fastrack Resources and Odyssey Clubs Group. Results and Dividend As at 30 June 2002 the net asset value of the company was £13.5 million, (2001: £13.2 million), equivalent to 92.0 pence per share (2001: 90.4 pence). Net income after taxation was £339,000 for the six months, (2001: £296,000) enabling the board to declare an increased net interim dividend of 1.8 pence per share (2001: 1.6 pence per share), payable on 22 October 2002 to those shareholders registered on 4 October 2002. R M Davidson Chairman 24 September 2002 Portfolio Summary Company % owned Invested to Unrealised Total and voting date Appreciation rights /(depreciation) £'000 £'000 £'000 Careforce Staffing Ltd Careforce Staffing was established in 1999 to build, both organically and through acquisition, a group providing home care services to the elderly, principally on behalf of local authorities. Careforce currently operates nine branches around the UK. 37% 1,500 581 2,081 Swetenhams Marketing Services Ltd Swetenhams provides data-related marketing services to the direct marketing industry, comprising list broking and management services, hosting and market automation systems. 16% 1,500 134 1,634 Odyssey Clubs Group Ltd Odyssey owns a 30,000 sq.ft. health and fitness club on an 11 acre site outside Stevenage, a 20,000 sq.ft.club in Henley and has a 50% stake in a company which owns a 30,000 sq.ft. club on a 6 acre site outside Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. 18% 1,500 (190) 1,310 Dolphin Nurseries Ltd Dolphin aims at building a group of private children's day nurseries in and around Greater London. The Company currently operates three nurseries at Upminster, Chigwell, and Bracknell, and is developing a fourth in Tooting. 20% 1,300 - 1,300 Leisure Links International Ltd Leisure Links was formed to own and operate golf courses with two courses now acquired at Test Valley in Hampshire and Chesfield Downs outside Stevenage. 26% 1,100 40 1,140 Consolidated Communications Management Ltd Consolidated Communications is a management buy-out of an established public relations company, formed in 1991, with a broad range of 'blue chip' clients. In 2001 the Company was named 'PR Company of the Year' at the PR Week Consultancy of the Year Awards. 7% 1,000 40 1,040 Peakdale Molecular Ltd Peakdale is principally engaged in research, processing and the supply of organic chemicals, to the major pharmaceutical companies. It operates from a substantial freehold site in Chapel en-le-frith, High Peak. 7% 1,000 150 1,150 Fastrack Resources Group Ltd Fastrack provides recruitment services in respect of both temporary and permanent staff, with a particular specialisation in the rail sector. 33% 1,000 (146) 854 The Q Gardens Company Ltd The Company was formed to own and operate garden centres, and now has four sites in Fareham, Chinnor, Stow-on-the Wold and Nazeing in Essex 15% 500 6 506 Total Qualifying investments made at 30 June 2002 10,400 615 11,015 Investments made subsequently Automotive Technik Ltd The company holds the licence the manufacture of the Pinzgauer cross-country vehicle, which it sells principally to the armed forces in the UK and the Middle East 9% 480 Odyssey Clubs Group Ltd Further refinancing 200 Fastrack Resources Group Ltd Further refinancing 90 Non Qualifying at 30 June 2002 Royal Bank of Scotland Floating rate note due 25 January 2003 1,499 (6) 1,493 Unaudited Statement of Total Return (incorporating the profit and loss account) for the six months to 30 June 2002 Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2002 30 June 2001 31 December 2001 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 (Losses)/gains on - (232) (232) - (897) (897) - (321) (321) investments Income 563 - 563 497 - 497 1,045 - 1,045 Investment management (40) (119) (159) (40) (121) (161) (80) (239) (319) fees Other expenses (53) (15) (68) (53) (15) (68) (107) (30) (137) Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax 470 (366) 104 404 (1,033) (629) 858 (590) 268 Tax (charge)/credit on ordinary activities (131) 37 (94) (108) 36 (72) (223) 70 (153) Return/(deficit) attributable to shareholders 339 (329) 10 296 (997) (701) 635 (520) 115 Dividends (264) - (264) (232) - (232) (581) - (581) Transfer to/(from) 75 (329) (254) 64 (997) (933) 54 (520) (466) reserves Return per share 2.3 p (2.2) p 0.1 p 2.0 p (6.8) p (4.8) p 4.3 p (3.6) p 0.7 p All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. Unaudited Balance Sheet at 30 June 2002 30 June 2002 30 June 2001 31 December 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying 11,015 6,094 10,630 Non-Qualifying 1,493 4,498 3,001 12,508 10,592 13,631 Current assets Debtors 174 64 86 Short term money market deposits 1,411 2,958 448 1,585 3,022 534 Creditors: due within one year (595) (391) (514) Net current assets 990 2,631 20 Net assets 13,498 13,223 13,651 Represented by: Called up share capital 7,333 7,308 7,280 Share premium 48 - - Special reserve 6,513 6,552 6,513 Capital redemption reserve 51 23 51 Capital reserve Realised (684) (492) (589) Unrealised 81 (259) 315 Profit and loss account 156 91 81 Total equity shareholders funds 13,498 13,223 13,651 Net asset value per share 92.0 pence 90.4 pence 93.8 pence This interim report was approved by the Board of Directors on 24 September 2002. J G T Thornton Unaudited Cash Flow Statement for the six months to 30 June 2002 Six months Six months Year ended ended ended 31 December 30 June 2002 30 June 2001 2001 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 362 337 668 Deposit interest received 11 53 86 Investment management fees paid (91) (167) (391) Other cash payments (65) (64) (150) Net cash inflow from operating activities 217 159 213 Taxation UK corporation tax repaid 6 - - Capital expenditure and financial investments Purchase of investments (410) (3,350) (7,140) Disposals of investments 1,500 4,495 5,994 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 1,090 1,145 (1,146) Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (350) (342) (576) Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 963 962 (1,509) Financing Purchase of own shares - (41) (80) Net cash outflow from financing - (41) (80) Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 963 921 (1,589) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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