Interim Results

AURORA INVESTMENT TRUST plc Results for the six months ended 31 August 2006 CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW Half Year Returns NAV: -8.7% Share Price: -3.1% The first half of the year has been a disappointing one for your Company. The net asset value declined by 8.7% to 223.8p per share and, influenced by that, the share price declined - albeit by a smaller amount - by 3.1% to 206.5p. During the period under review the UK market rose quietly but steadily until, in the middle of May, it fell quite suddenly - by about 10%; it remained there for about another month or so and then recovered so that in the end it - as measured by the FTSE All-share Index - rose by 1.7%. The market had got the jitters about inflation, the possibility of yet more increases in interest rates and a recession in the United States. In particular commodity stocks, in which our portfolio has representation, were affected. Shareholders will be aware that last year's results, although positive in terms of the return earned, were adversely affected by the portfolio's exposure to 'concept' stocks; they have continued to detract from our returns in the first half of this year. However the Board believes that, amongst these stocks, there will be some real winners but also some also-rans. In such a situation it is usual for the losers to mature first whereas the winners take somewhat longer to bear fruit. Our manager monitors these investments particularly closely and remains optimistic of their prospects. While we cannot be pleased that the share price fell, a decline rather less than that of the net asset value (NAV) meant that the discount at which it sells in relation to the NAV narrowed to 7.7% at the end of the half year period. Although not easy to influence, it is part of the Board's ongoing policies that we try to attain as low a discount as possible. Outlook: As always, assessing the future is difficult, especially the immediate future. The world's economy seems to be progressing much along the same lines that it has for the last three or so years, with strong consumer growth in the USA - its consumer confidence index is at a high level - and strong export and infrastructure growth in China and elsewhere among the developing nations. Indeed the influence of China on the world economy is becoming as important as that of the United States - certainly in its influence on global inflation at the consumer level and commodity price inflation at the industrial level. Global monetary policy, however, must be something of a conundrum for central banks who wish to protect global growth on the one hand and prevent inflation on the other. The prospects for lower interest rates would appear to be dependent on much slower growth which, despite the weakness in America's housing market, does not seem on the cards - yet at least. The prospects for the UK stock market are obviously influenced by the level of interest rates but ultimately it is the growth of profits that drives any stock market over the longer-term. In that respect the growing global economy - in which the UK stock markets' companies earn most of their profits - should provide a good background for them and their share prices. There is certainly plenty of money around for investment in equities should their profits and dividends offer the prospects of competitive returns. Our own prospects however are dependent in large part on ourselves, in working out our subportfolio of concept stocks (there is no doubt that there is considerable upside potential in them) and in maintaining our long-term momentum in the rest of the portfolio. Indeed there has been something of a recovery in our net asset value since our half year end with a marked recovery in a number of our holdings including those in the commodity sector. We remain optimistic that we can achieve what we have achieved over the longer-term - good returns for shareholders. Alex Hammond-Chambers 31 October 2006 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 6 6 months 6 months 6 months 6 6 months to 31 to 31 to 31 months months to 31 Aug. Aug. Aug.2005 to 31 to 31 Aug. 2006 2006 Aug. Aug. 2006 2005 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains and losses on investments Losses on (355) (2,325) (2,680) (375) (632) (1,007) fair value through profit or loss investments Income Investment 379 - 379 335 - 335 income Other 3 4 - 4 5 - 5 operating income 383 - 383 340 - 340 Expenses Investment (98) (98) (196) (85) (85) (170) management fees Other (103) - (103) (142) (48) (190) expenses (201) (98) (299) (227) (133) (360) Loss before (173) (2,423) (2,596) (262) (765) (1,027) finance costs and tax Finance (127) (127) (254) (104) (104) (208) costs Exchange - 99 99 - (115) (115) differences on overdraft (127) (28) (155) (104) (219) (323) Loss before (300) (2,451) (2,751) (366) (984) (1,350) tax Tax (5) - (5) (6) - (6) Loss for (305) (2,451) (2,756) (372) (984) (1,356) the period Earnings 4 (2.02p) (16.22p) (18.24p) (2.46p) (6.51p) (8.97p) per share The total column of this statement represents the Group's Income Statement, prepared in accordance with IFRS. The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns are both prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Trust Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. All income is attributable to the equity holders of the parent company. There are no minority interests. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Six months Six ended months Ended Year ended 31 August 31 August 28 2006 2005 February 2006 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening balance 37,010 34,743 34,743 Profit/(loss) for the financial period/year (2,756) (1,356) 2,705 Dividends paid or legally committed to be paid on ordinary shares 5 (446) (438) (438) Closing balance 33,808 32,949 37,010 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET At 31 August At 31 August At 28 February 2006 2005 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Investments - fair value 40,404 39,619 44,003 through profit or loss Current assets Investments held for 1,116 1,238 1,111 trading Other receivables 684 116 182 Cash and cash 451 40 98 equivalents 2,251 1,394 1,391 Current liabilities Bank overdraft (8,700) (7,942) (8,266) Other payables (147) (122) (118) (8,847) (8,064) (8,384) Total assets less 33,808 32,949 37,010 current liabilities Equity attributable to equity holders Share capital 3,777 3,777 3,777 Share premium account 10,997 10,997 10,997 Capital reserves 19,466 17,759 21,917 Revenue reserve (432) 416 319 33,808 32,949 37,010 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 31 August 2006 2006 2005 £'000 £'000 Cash flows from Operating Activities Cash inflow from disposal of non-current operating 4,656 8,410 assets Cash outflow from purchase of non-current operating (3,902) (7,497) assets Cash inflow from revenue income 383 340 Cash outflow from trading current asset investments (361) (1,613) Cash outflow from revenue expenses (276) (769) Tax paid (5) (6) Net cash flow from operating activities 495 (1,135) Financing Equity dividends Paid (446) (438) Interest paid (229) (208) Increase in bank borrowings 434 1,191 Net cash flow from financing activities (241) 545 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 254 (590) equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 98 745 Increase/(decrease) in cash 254 (590) Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 99 (115) Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 451 40 NOTES 1. Status of the financial statements These financial statements are not the Group's statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the half years ended 31 August 2006 and 31 August 2005 has not been audited. The information for the year ended 28 February 2006 has been extracted from the latest published audited financial statements. The audited financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2006 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts contained no qualification or statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The directors approved the interim report on 31 October 2006. This interim report is being sent to shareholders and copies will be made available to the public at the registered office of the Group. 2. Accounting policies The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The accounting policies are unchanged from those used in the last annual financial statements except where otherwise stated. 3. Other operating income Other operating income comprises bank interest. 4. Earnings per share Earnings per share are based on 15,107,250 shares in issue throughout the period and at the Balance Sheet date (2005: 15,107,250 shares). 5. Dividends In accordance with the stated policy of the Group, the directors do not recommend an interim dividend. The final dividend in respect of the year ending on 28 February 2006 was declared by the Annual General Meeting on 1 August 2006 and was paid on 16 August 2006. This dividend was not reflected in the financial statements as at 28 February 2006, but is reflected in the financial statements as at 31 August 2006. 6. Net assets per share At 31 August At 31 August 2006 2005 Net asset value per ordinary share 223.79p 218.10p SECRETARY & REGISTERED OFFICE Cavendish Administration Limited 145-157 St John Street London EC1V 4RU ---END OF MESSAGE---
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