Interim Results

Close Brothers Dev VCT PLC 21 September 2004 21 September 2004 CLOSE BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT VCT PLC INTERIM RESULTS Close Brothers Development VCT PLC VCT PLC ('the Company'), today announces its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2004. Financial Highlights: •NAV per Ordinary Share of 75.5 pence (2003: 78.3 pence) •NAV per C Share of 94.3 pence (2003: 94.3 pence) •Interim dividend of 1.8 pence per Ordinary Share (2003: 1.8 pence) •Interim dividend of 1.10 pence per C Share(1) (2003: 0.75 pence) (1) Those shareholders who subscribed in the period ended 30 June 2004 will not receive the interim dividend but will receive a final dividend based on the next period's results. For further information, please contact: Patrick Reeve/ Ole Bettum Justin Griffiths/ John West Close Venture Management Limited Tavistock Communications Tel: 020 7422 7830 Tel: 020 7920 3150 Notes to Editors: 1) Close Brothers Development VCT PLC is managed by Close Venture Management Limited. 2) Close Venture Management Limited is a subsidiary of Close Brothers Group Plc and is regulated by the FSA. 3) Unaudited interim reports for the period will be sent to shareholders shortly. 4) The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the six months ended 30 June 2004 or 2003. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2003 is derived from the statutory accounts delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under s237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 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 representing approximately 80 per cent. of net funds raised, comprise investments in businesses across a broad spread of industries. • Up to two thirds of Qualifying Investments comprising debt secured on 'bankable' assets. This debt generates a significant proportion of the total anticipated return from individual investments. • Up to 20 per cent. of net funds raised being 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 under review saw a further 'C' Share issue, in which the Company raised a total of £7 million for the 2003/04 season, which takes the total fundraising for the 'C' Shares to £18.6 million. This will enable the Company to diversify and develop further its investment portfolio. Two investments in new companies were made during the period; £827,000 in Bold Pub Company, which owns 11 freehold pubs in North West England, and £1,000,000 in Grosvenor Healthcare, which provides healthcare services to large corporates (with a further amount of £750,000 reserved for investment in the following tax year). Both companies are trading ahead of expectations. In addition, a further £238,000 was invested in Automotive Technik, to fund working capital following a substantial order from the New Zealand Ministry of Defence which also led to an increase in the company's valuation. This was partially balanced by an additional write down of the Q Gardens Company, where a further £65,000 was invested to support trading, and a provision against Consolidated Communications in view of market ratings. Overall, this led to a 0.8 pence decline in the net asset value per Ordinary share, and a 1.5 pence increase in the net asset value per 'C' Share. Following the half year the investment in Leisure Links International was sold, realising a capital loss of £213,000 for the Ordinary Share portfolio. Despite the continuing depressed level of the Ordinary Share's NAV, we consider that the prospects for the portfolio as a whole are encouraging. Results and dividends As at 30 June 2004 the net asset value of the Ordinary Share portfolio was £10.8 million, (2003: £11.4 million), equivalent to 75.5 pence per share (2003: 78.3 pence) for the Ordinary Shares, while the 'C' Share portfolio was £17.7 million, (2003: £11.0 million), or 94.3 pence per share (2003: 94.3 pence). Net income after taxation for the Ordinary Shares was £200,000 for the six months, (2003: £311,000) and the board declares a maintained net interim dividend of 1.8 pence per Ordinary Share (2003: 1.8 pence per share). Net income after taxation for the 'C' Share portfolio was £201,000 (2003: £60,000), enabling an interim dividend of 1.1 pence to be paid (2003: 0.75pence) (Nil for those shareholders who subscribed after 31 December 2003). Dividends are payable on 15 October 2004 to those shareholders registered on 1 October 2004. The following is the total return of the Company since launch in January 1999. Pence per Ordinary Pence per 'C'Share Share Dividends declared for the period ended 31 December 1999 2.50 - Dividends declared for the year to 31 December 2000 3.75 - Dividends declared for the year to 31 December 2001 4.00 - Dividends declared for the year to 31 December 2002 4.50 - Dividends declared for the year to 31 December 2003 4.00 1.65 Interim dividend for the six months to 30 June 2004 1.80 1.10 ------- ------ 20.55 2.75 Net asset value at 30 June 2004 75.50 94.34 ------- ------- Total return at 30 June 2004 96.05 97.09 ======= ======= R M Davidson Chairman 20 September 2004 Portfolio summary Ordinary Share Portfolio Company Equity Invested Unrealised Total owned at cost appreciation value /(depreciation) £'000 £'000 £'000 Careforce Staffing Limited -------------------------- Careforce 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. 30% 1,740 724 2,464 Odyssey Clubs Group Limited ----------------------------- Odyssey owns a 30,000 sq.ft. health and fitness club on an 11 acre site outside Stevenage 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. 16% 1,737 (306) 1,431 Dolphin Nurseries Limited --------------------------- Dolphin aims at building a group of private children's day nurseries in and around Greater London. The company currently operates five nurseries at Upminster, Chigwell, Bracknell, Tooting and Kingston-upon-Thames. 16% 1,049 354 1,403 Peakdale Molecular Limited ---------------------------- Peakdale Molecular is a Derbyshire based contract chemistry company, developing and providing pharmaceutical customers with novel compounds for use in later stage drug discovery. 9% 1,064 (77) 987 Leisure Links International Limited ----------------------------------- Leisure Links was formed to own and operate the golf course at Test Valley in Hampshire. 26% 1,100 (213) 887 Consolidated Communications Management Limited ---------------------------- Consolidated Communications is a management buy-out of an established public relations company, formed in 1991, with a broad range of 'blue chip' clients. 11% 1,000 (12) 988 Automotive Technik Limited -------------------------- Automotive manufactures the Pinzgauer off-road vehicle. Automotive Technik's main clients include the UK Ministry of Defence and overseas armed forces. 11% 770 188 958 The Q Garden Company Limited ---------------------------- Q Garden was formed to own and operate garden centres, and now has three sites in Fareham, Chinnor and Stow-on-the-Wold. 17% 583 (458) 125 City Screen (Liverpool) Limited --------------------------------- City Screen was formed to own and operate a three screen 'art house' cinema in the centre of Liverpool, which opened in February 2003. 5% 50 (5) 45 The Bold Pub Company Limited ---------------------------- The Bold Pub Company was formed to acquire a group of ten freehold and long leasehold pubs in the North West of England and is aiming to increase the size of its portfolio. 4% 130 14 144 Grosvenor Health Limited ------------------------ Grosvenor Health was formed to acquire the UK occupational healthcare business of Capio, which provides healthcare services to large corporates. 6% 325 3 328 Total Qualifying investments held at 30 June 2004 9,548 212 9,760 ---------------------------- ======= ===== ====== 'C' Share Portfolio Careforce Staffing Limited -------------------------- Further financing 6% 910 30 940 Peakdale Molecular Limited -------------------------- Further financing 3% 133 (67) 66 City Centre Breweries Limited ----------------------------- City Centre Breweries owns the freehold Smiles brewery in central Bristol, and operates two pubs. 24% 750 (113) 637 Automotive Technik Limited -------------------------- Further financing 9% 650 192 842 The Bold Pub Company Limited ---------------------------- Further financing 18% 540 57 597 Grosvenor Health Limited -------------------------- Further financing 29% 675 (1) 674 Total Qualifying investments held at 30 June 2004 3,658 98 3,756 ---------------------------------- ======= ===== ====== Statement of total return (incorporating the revenue account) for the six months to 30 June 2004 Ordinary Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gains/(losses) on investments - 2 2 - (255) (255) - (443) (443) Income 361 - 361 515 - 515 976 - 976 Investment management fees (36) (108) (144) (34) (102) (136) (67) (201) (268) Other expenses (43) - (43) (45) (13) (58) (93) (26) (119) ---- -- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- Return on ordinary activities before tax 282 (106) 176 436 (370) 66 816 (670) 146 Tax on ordinary activities (82) 35 (47) (125) 30 (95) (226) 74 (152) ---- -- ---- ----- -- ---- ----- -- ----- Return attributable to equity shareholders 200 (71) 129 311 (340) (29) 590 (596) (6) Dividends (257) - (257) (262) - (262) (583) - (583) ----- -- ----- ----- --- ----- ----- ------ ----- Transfer (from)/to reserves (57) (71) (128) 49 (340) (291) 7 (596) (589) ==== ==== ===== == ===== ===== === ===== ===== Return per share 1.4p (0.5)p 0.9p 2.1p (2.3)p (0.2)p 4.0p (4.0)p (0.0)p All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period. Statement of total return (incorporating the revenue account) for the six months to 30 June 2004 'C' Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains/(losses) on investments - 128 128 - 2 2 - (65) (65) Income 365 - 365 128 - 128 347 - 347 Investment management fees (36) (108) (144) (33) (97) (130) (65) (194) (259) Other expenses (45) - (45) (35) (12) (47) (75) (24) (99) ---- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Return on ordinary activities before tax 284 20 304 60 (107) (47) 207 (283) (76) Tax on ordinary activities (83) 36 (47) - 26 26 (39) 43 4 ---- -- ---- ---- -- -- ---- -- --- Return attributable to equity 201 56 257 60 (81) (21) 168 (240) (72) shareholders Dividends (129) - (129) (53) - (53) (157) - (157) ----- -- ----- ---- --- ---- ----- ---- ----- Transfer to/(from) reserves 72 56 128 7 (81) (74) 11 (240) (229) == == === == ==== ==== == ===== ===== Return per share 1.3p 0.4p 1.7p 0.8p (1.1)p (0.3)p 1.8p (2.5)p (0.7)p All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period. Statement of total return (incorporating the revenue account) for the six months to 30 June 2004 Total Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains/(losses) on investments - 130 130 - (253) (253) - (508) (508) Income 726 - 726 643 - 643 1,323 - 1,323 Investment management fees (72) (216) (288) (67) (199) (266) (132) (395) (527) Other expenses (88) - (88) (80) (25) (105) (168) (50) (218) ---- --- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---- ----- Return on ordinary activities before tax 566 (86) 480 496 (477) 19 1,023 (953) 70 Tax on ordinary activities (165) 71 (94) (125) 56 (69) (265) 117 (148) ----- -- ---- ----- -- ---- ----- --- ----- Return attributable to equity 401 (15) 386 371 (421) (50) 758 (836) (78) shareholders Dividends (386) - (386) (315) - (315) (740) - (740) ----- --- ----- ----- ---- ----- ----- ---- ----- Transfer to/(from) reserves 15 (15) - 56 (421) (365) 18 (836) (818) == ==== ==== === ===== ===== == ===== ===== The revenue columns of this statement represent the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period Balance sheet as at 30 June 2004 Ordinary Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying 9,760 10,484 9,163 Non-qualifying - - - ------ ------ ----- Total fixed asset investments 9,760 10,484 9,163 Current assets Debtors 78 347 35 Cash: short term money market 1,593 1,195 2,468 ----- ----- ----- deposits 1,671 1,542 2,503 Creditors: due within one year (644) (611) (580) ----- ----- ----- Net current assets 1,027 931 1,923 ----- --- ----- Net assets 10,787 11,415 11,086 ====== ====== ====== Represented by: Called up share capital 7,144 7,287 7,264 Share premium 48 48 48 Special reserve 6,245 6,447 6,416 Capital redemption reserve 241 97 120 Capital reserve - realised (2,240) (1,953) (2,166) - unrealised (664) (623) (666) Revenue reserve 13 112 70 -- --- -- Total equity shareholders' funds 10,787 11,415 11,086 ====== ====== ====== Net asset value per share 75.5p 78.3p 76.3p Balance sheet as at 30 June 2004 'C' Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying 3,756 393 2,236 Non-qualifying 6,003 6,000 6,002 ----- ----- ----- Total fixed asset investments 9,759 6,393 8,238 Current assets Debtors 52 (71) 51 Cash: Short term money market 8,169 4,915 2,792 ----- ----- ----- deposits 8,221 4,844 2,843 Creditors: due within one year (310) (188) (200) ----- ----- ----- Net current assets 7,911 4,656 2,643 ----- ----- ----- Net assets 17,670 11,049 10,880 ====== ====== ====== Represented by: Called up share capital 9,366 5,859 5,859 Share premium 3,160 5,273 - Special reserve 5,251 - 5,259 Capital redemption reserve 5 - - Capital reserve - realised (255) (89) (182) - unrealised 63 2 (64) Revenue reserve 80 4 8 ----- --- ---- Total equity shareholders' funds 17,670 11,049 10,880 ====== ====== ====== Net asset value per share 94.3p 94.3p 92.8p Balance sheet as at 30 June 2004 Total Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 Decmber 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed asset investments Qualifying 13,516 10,877 11,399 Non-qualifying 6,003 6,000 6,002 ----- ----- ----- Total fixed asset investments 19,519 16,877 17,401 Current assets Debtors 130 276 86 Cash: Short term money market 9,762 6,110 5,260 ----- ----- ----- Deposits 9,892 6,386 5,346 Creditors: due within one year (954) (799) (780) ----- ----- ----- Net current assets 8,938 5,587 4,566 ----- ----- ----- Net assets 28,457 22,464 21,966 ====== ====== ====== Represented by: Called up share capital 16,510 13,146 13,123 Share premium 3,208 5,321 48 Special reserve 11,496 6,447 11,675 Capital redemption reserve 246 97 120 Capital reserve - realised (2,495) (2,042) (2,348) - unrealised (601) (621) (730) Revenue reserve 93 116 78 -- ------ ---- Total equity shareholders' funds 28,457 22,464 21,966 ====== ====== ====== The interim information was approved by the Board of Directors on 20 September 2004. Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors Roderick Davidson Chairman Cash flow statement for the six months to 30 June 2004 Ordinary Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 193 228 860 Deposit interest received 40 28 67 Investment management fees paid (147) (138) (272) Other cash payments (74) (91) (128) ---- ----- Net cash inflow from operating activities 12 27 527 Taxation UK corporation tax paid - - (155) Capital expenditure and financial investments Purchase of qualifying investments (472) (564) (698) Purchase of non-qualifying investments - - - Disposal of non-qualifying investments - - 1,500 Disposals of non-qualifying investments - 1,500 1,355 ---- ----- ----- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities (472) 936 2,157 Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (319) (396) (658) ----- ----- ----- Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (779) 567 1,871 Financing Issue of equity net of expenses - - - Cancellation of shares (96) (66) (97) ---- ---- ---- (Decrease)/increase in cash (875) 501 1,774 Cash flow statement for the six months to 30 June 2004 'C' Shares Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 241 (5) 118 Deposit interest received 89 95 173 Investment management fees paid (144) (10) (205) Other cash payments (5) (3) (88) --- --- ---- Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 181 77 (2) Taxation UK corporation tax paid - - - Capital expenditure and financial investments Purchase of qualifying investments (1,362) (6,131) (2,293) Purchase of non-qualifying investments - - (5,998) Disposals of non-qualifying investments - - - Net cash outflow from investing activities (1,362) (6,131) (8,291) Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (105) - (53) Net cash outflow before financing (1,286) (6,054) (8,346) Financing Issue of equity net of expenses 6,672 9,482 9,665 Cancellation of shares (9) - (14) Net cash inflow from financing 6,663 9,482 9,651 Increase in cash 5,377 3,428 1,305 Cash flow statement for the six months to 30 June 2004 Total Unaudited Unaudited Audited Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 434 223 978 Deposit interest received 129 123 240 Investment management fees paid (291) (148) (477) Other cash payments (79) (94) (216) ---- ---- ----- Net cash inflow from operating activities 193 104 525 Taxation UK corporation tax paid - - (155) Capital expenditure and financial investments Purchase of qualifying investments (1,834) (6,695) (2,991) Purchase of non-qualifying investments - - (5,998) Disposals of qualifying investments - - 1,500 Disposals of non-qualifying investments - 1,500 1,355 --- ----- ----- Net cash outflow from investing activities (1,834) (5,195) (6,134) Equity dividends paid Dividends paid on ordinary shares (424) (396) (711) ----- ----- ----- Net cash outflow before financing (2,065) (5,487) (6,475) Financing Issue of equity net of expenses 6,672 9,482 9,665 Cancellation of shares (105) (66) (97) Cost of share premium cancellation - - (14) ---- --- ---- Net cash inflow from financing 6,567 9,416 9,554 Increase in cash 4,502 3,929 3,079 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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