Final Results

Finsbury Emerging Biotechnology Tst 06 June 2007 NEWS RELEASE 6 June 2007 Unaudited Preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2007 Finsbury Emerging Biotechnology Trust PLC today announces preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2007 31 March 2007 31 March 2006 % change Shareholders' Funds (£'000) 76,803 36,556 +110.1 Net Asset Value per share 117.1p 131.8p (11.2) Share Price 109.8p 135.5p (19.0) (Discount)/premium of Share Price to Net Asset Value per share (6.2)% 2.8% N/A NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (sterling adjusted) 394.7 483.7 (18.4) Total Expense Ratio (excluding exceptional expenses and performance fee accrued) 1.9%* 3.0%* N/A *The total expense ratio, shown above, excludes exceptional expenses of £193,000 in 2006 incurred in connection with the identification and appointment of a new Investment Manager and is based on the average amount of shareholders' funds during the year. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP - Company Secretary 6 June 2007 - ENDS - The following are attached: • Chairman's Statement • Income Statement • Statement of Changes in Equity • Balance Sheet • Cash Flow Statement • Notes to the Financial Statements For further information please contact: Alastair Smith, Frostrow Capital LLP 020 3 008 4911 Mark Pope, Frostrow Capital LLP 020 3 008 4913 Jennie Denholm, Quill Communications 020 7758 2230 Chairman's Statement PERFORMANCE The year under review was a difficult one for the Company with the net asset value ("NAV") per share falling by 11.2%. While this was a disappointing return in absolute terms, the Company's benchmark index fell further, by 18.4%, during the same period. The Company's share price fell by 19.0% as the discount of share price to net asset value per share widened from a premium of 2.8% as at 31 March 2006 to a discount of 6.2% at the end of the period under review. Merger and acquisition ("M&A") activity was strong, contributing some of the investment portfolio's largest gains, but the weakness of the US dollar continued to hurt us. During the Company's financial year the US dollar depreciated more than 13.0% against sterling, moving from 1.73 at the end of March 2006 to 1.96 at the end of March 2007. The Board continues, nevertheless, to take the view that the Company's investment policy should be to identify the best companies in the sector without being swayed by currency fluctuations. EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND Earnings per share were 1.2p for the year, comprising a revenue deficit of 0.5p per share (2006: deficit of 1.9p) and a capital return of 1.7p (2006: return of 32.0p). No dividend is recommended in respect of the year ended 31 March 2007 (2006: Nil). DISCOUNT MANAGEMENT POLICY AND BUY-BACK AUTHORITY As I mentioned in my Chairman's Statement last year, the Board has undertaken to continue with its policy of active discount management and to buy back shares if the market price is at a discount greater than 6.0% to the net asset value per share. During the year, a total of 335,000 shares were bought back for cancellation, at an average discount to net asset value per share of 6.2%, costing £364,000. The execution and timing of any share buy-back will continue to be at the absolute discretion of the Board. Shareholder approval to renew the authority to buy-back shares will be sought at the Annual General Meeting. The Board will also now give consideration to the holding of any shares repurchased in the future as treasury shares. The Board will have regard to any guidelines issued by investor groups which may be published at the time of any such purchase with regard to the holding and re-sale of treasury shares, but the Directors will not in any circumstances sell treasury shares at less than the net asset value per Ordinary share prevailing at the time of sale. No dividends will be paid on any shares held in treasury and no voting rights will attach to such shares. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION AND VOTING We are proposing a resolution at the Annual General Meeting, to facilitate the future use of communications with shareholders both in electronic form and via the website. We expect these new communication arrangements to begin next year. Notwithstanding these developments, shareholders wishing to receive communications, and to vote, in the usual way will still be able to do so. MANAGER AND COMPANY SECRETARY During the year, following a programme of reorganisation within the asset management division of Close Brothers Group, Close Investments Limited ("CIL") became the Company's Manager and Company Secretary in December 2006, on the same terms as Close Finsbury Asset Management Limited, from whom the contract was novated. Following a review of these arrangements by the Board the Company entered into a new agreement with Frostrow Capital LLP ("Frostrow") on 10 April 2007. Frostrow is a new firm established by former employees of CIL to provide specialist management, administration, company secretarial and marketing services to investment companies and is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority. The Board is satisfied that, given the continuity of the individuals providing these services to the Company, a continued high level of service will be provided. The notice period on the new agreement signed with Frostrow Capital LLP is 12 months. Further details of the new arrangements can be found in the Company's Annual Report & Accounts. OrbiMed Capital LLC's partners have a minority financial interest of 20% in Frostrow. The Company has also entered into a new investment management agreement with OrbiMed Capital LLC under which OrbiMed will continue to provide discretionary investment management services to the Company on the same terms as before. CHANGE OF NAME OF THE COMPANY As part of the arrangements discussed above, a special resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to change the Company's name to The Biotech Growth Trust PLC. OUTLOOK Last year was difficult and unrewarding but your Board continues to believe that the prospects for the biotechnology sector are bright. There are growing numbers of profitable biotechnology companies, M&A activity remains at a high level and there is an increasing global demand for healthcare products. The Board also believes that our Investment Manager's strategy of identifying investment opportunities in a well-researched group of emerging biotechnology companies and in a number of undervalued larger companies will prove beneficial for Shareholders. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL on Wednesday, 25 July 2007 at 12 noon, and I hope as many Shareholders as possible are able will attend. This will be an opportunity to meet the Board and to receive a presentation from our Investment Manager. John Sclater Chairman Unaudited Income Statement for the year ended 31 March 2007 Year ended 31 March 2007 Year ended 31 March 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Investment income Investment income ( note 2) 36 - 36 93 - 93 Other income ( note 2) 8 - 8 18 - 18 --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total income 44 - 44 111 - 111 Gains and losses on investments Gains on investments held at fair value through profit or loss - 3,373 3,373 - 9,774 9,774 Exchange losses on currency balances - (277) (277) - (207) (207) Expenses Investment management fees ( note 3) - (2,048) (2,048) - (752) (752) Other expenses (355) - (355) (605) - (605) --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (Loss)/profit before finance costs and taxation (311) 1,048 737 (494) 8,815 8,321 --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Finance costs (20) (17) (37) (16) (21) (37) --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (Loss)/profit before taxation (331) 1,031 700 (510) 8,794 8,284 --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Taxation - - - - - - --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (Loss)/profit for the year (331) 1,031 700 (510) 8,794 8,284 --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary share ( note 4) (0.5)p 1.7p 1.2p (1.9)p 32.0p 30.1p --------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- The total column of this statement represents the Company's Income Statement, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The revenue return and capital return columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies (formerly known as the Association of Investment Trust Companies). All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. Unaudited Statement of Changes in Equity For the year ended 31 March 2007 Ordinary Capital Share Share Special Redemption Capital Retained Capital Premium Reserve Reserve Reserve Earnings Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------ At 31 March 2006 6,935 272 19,167 653 11,201 (1,672) 36,556 Net profit/(loss) for the year - - - - 1,031 (331) 700 Issue of Ordinary shares 9,543 31,267 - - - - 40,810 Issue expenses - (938) - - - - (938) Share premium account cancelled - (30,601) 30,601 - - - - Issue expenses written back - - 39 - - - 39 Buyback of Ordinary shares (84) - (364) 84 - - (364) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------ At 31 March 2007 16,394 - 49,443 737 12,232 (2,003) 76,803 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------ For the year ended 31 March 2006 Ordinary Capital Share Share Special Redemption Capital Retained Capital Premium Reserve Reserve Reserve Earnings Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------ At 31 March 2005 7,525 - 21,679 - 2,407 (1,162) 30,449 Net profit/(loss) for the year - - - - 8,794 (510) 8,284 Issue of Ordinary shares 63 272 - - - - 335 Buyback of Ordinary shares (653) - (2,512) 653 - - (2,512) ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------ At 31 March 2006 6,935 272 19,167 653 11,201 (1,672) 36,556 ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------ Unaudited Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2007 31 March 31 March 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Non current assets Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 78,088 37,043 Current assets Other receivables 2,443 1,295 Cash and cash equivalents - 729 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- 2,443 2,024 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Total assets 80,531 39,067 Current liabilities Other payables 2,635 1,362 Bank overdrafts 1,093 1,149 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- 3,728 2,511 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Net assets 76,803 36,556 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Equity attributable to equity holders Ordinary share capital 16,394 6,935 Share premium - 272 Special reserve 49,443 19,167 Capital redemption reserve 737 653 Capital reserve - realised 12,305 6,576 Capital reserve - unrealised (73) 4,625 Retained earnings (2,003) (1,672) ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Total equity 76,803 36,556 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Net asset value per Ordinary share 117.1p 131.8p ( note 5) Unaudited Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 March 2007 31 March 31 March 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Operating activities Profit before tax 700 8,284 Add back interest paid 37 37 Less: gain on investments held at fair value through profit or loss (3,096) (9,567) Purchases of investments held at fair value through profit or loss (97,713) (45,475) Sales of investments held at fair value through profit or loss 58,760 48,454 Decrease in other receivables - 22 Increase/(decrease) in other payables 1,406 (62) ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities before interest and taxation (39,906) 1,693 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Interest paid (37) (37) Tax on overseas income - 1 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from operating activities (39,943) 1,657 ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Financing activities Issue of Ordinary shares 40,810 335 Buy-backs of Ordinary shares (364) (2,512) Issue expenses paid (899) - ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 39,547 (2,177) ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (396) (520) Cash and cash equivalents at start of year (420) 301 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes (277) (201) ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (1,093) (420) ------------------------------------------------ --------- ---------- Notes to the Financial Statements 1 Basis of Preparation This preliminary announcement of the Company has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and using the same accounting policies as those in the last published annual accounts, being those to 31 March 2006. 2 Income 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 ---------- ---------- Income from listed investments 36 91 Unfranked interest - 2 Overseas dividends ---------- ---------- 36 93 ---------- ---------- Other operating income 8 18 Interest receivable ---------- ---------- 8 18 ---------- ---------- --------------------- ---------- ---------- Total Income 44 111 --------------------- ---------- ---------- Total income comprises: Dividends - 2 Interest 44 109 --------------------- ---------- ---------- 44 111 --------------------- ---------- ---------- 3 Investment Management Fees Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 ----------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Periodic fee - 672 672 - 519 519 Performance fee accrual - 1,351 1,351 - 168 168 Irrecoverable VAT thereon - 25 25 - 65 65 ----------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total - 2,048 2,048 - 752 752 ----------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- 4 Earnings/(loss) per Ordinary share Total earnings per Ordinary share of 1.2p (2006: 30.1p) is based on total earnings attributable to equity shareholders of £700,000 (2006: £8,284,000). Revenue loss per Ordinary share of 0.5p (2006:1.9p) is based on the revenue loss attributable to equity shareholders of £331,000 (2006: £510,000). Capital gain per Ordinary share of 1.7p (2006:32.0p) is based on the capital gain attributable to equity shareholders of £1,031,000 (2006: £8,794,000). Total earnings, revenue loss and capital gain per share are based upon the weighted average number of Ordinary shares throughout the year of 59,520,000 (2006: 27,490,000). 5 Net Asset Value per Ordinary share The net asset value per Ordinary share is based on the net assets attributable to equity shareholders of £76,803,000 (2006: £36,556,000) and on 65,577,263 (2006: 27,740,000) Ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2007. 6 Financial information This preliminary statement is not the Company's statutory accounts. The above results for 2007 have been agreed with the Auditors and are an abridged version of the Company's full draft accounts, which have not yet been approved, audited or filed with the Registrar of Companies. The 2007 accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The statutory accounts for the year end 31 March 2006 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 31 March 2007 will be despatched to shareholders shortly. The 2006 accounts received an audit report which was unqualified did not include a reference to any matter to which the auditors drew attention without qualifying the report, and did not contain statements under Section 237 (2) and (3) of the Companies Act 1985. Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary 6 June 2007 - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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