Interim Results

British SmallerTechCompaniesVCT2PLC 21 September 2004 21 September 2004 BRITISH SMALLER TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES VCT 2 PLC Unaudited preliminary results for the 6 months to 30 June 2004 • Successful flotation of Amino Technologies plc • 7% increase in net asset value • £3.4m of liquid resources still available British Smaller Technology Companies VCT 2 plc ("the Company"), the venture capital trust specialising in growing smaller technology companies across a range of industrial sectors, today announces its unaudited preliminary results for the six months to 30 June 2004. Financial highlights: Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 Gross revenue £35,000 £128,000 £256,000 Net revenue loss before and after tax £(162,000) £(33,000) £(32,000) Revenue return per share (2.07)p (0.42)p (0.41)p Total return £463,000 £(275,000) £(554,000) Total return per share 5.92p (3.54)p (7.09)p Net assets £7.09m £6.90m £6.62m Net asset value per share 90.5p 88.1p 84.6p Announcing the results, the Chairman, Sir Andrew Hugh Smith, reported that, despite continued uncertainty in the economic and political climate, there has been evidence of an improvement in market confidence. With trading performances of some of the Company's investments becoming more robust, and in particular the successful flotation of Amino Technologies plc, the net asset value has risen by 7% to 90.5 pence per share. Investments The Company reports that a total of £758,000 was invested in five businesses during the first half of the year. Four of these were into existing portfolio companies as part of larger syndicated fund raising rounds to support their further expansion. The one new investment was in DxS Limited, a company that is developing technology for identifying variations to an individual's DNA that will enable doctors to predict whether a patient will benefit from a particular drug. Since the period end, the Company has invested £400,000 in Cozart plc on its admission to AIM. The shares were listed at 30 pence per share and have since traded at a significant premium. Commenting on the investment strategy, Sir Andrew said, "The Company still has both an adequate level of funds to support its existing portfolio and the ability to invest in growing businesses at a time when entry valuations have become much more attractive. The Board continues to seek to invest selectively in later stage technology companies that will complement the early stage businesses in the current portfolio." Financial Results The result for the period was a total return gain of 5.92 pence per share resulting in a net asset value at 30 June 2004 of 90.5 pence per share. Sir Andrew commented that the principle reason for this increase was the successful flotation of Amino Technologies, which was admitted to AIM on 9 June. The shares were quoted at 120 pence per share and, by 30 June 2004, had risen to a bid price value of 136 pence per share. Since that date the share price has continued to rise. Shareholder Relations With Shareholder approval now in place, Sir Andrew said that the Company will seek to buy back a limited number of shares where the directors determine it is in the best interests of the remaining Shareholders to do so. He referred to the success of the Shareholder workshops run by Yorkshire Fund Managers, the Company's Investment Adviser, and the Board's commitment to their continuation. Sir Andrew said that, since the period end, the Board had taken the decision for the Company to revoke investment company status in the near future. Referring to the advantages to Shareholders, he said, "This will enable the Company to distribute realised capital profits in the form of tax free dividends." Outlook Looking ahead, Sir Andrew said, "The conditions for new investment remain attractive, particularly for later stage businesses that can demonstrate clear innovative advantage in their market. Strong syndicates remain an essential part in making new investments, ensuring there is appropriate resource to assist in maximising the opportunity to create value." For further information, please contact: Alan Davies, Yorkshire Fund Managers Limited Tel: 0113 294 5027 David Hall, Yorkshire Fund Managers Limited Tel: 0161 832 7603 Keith Williams, Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited Tel: 0113 241 0130 Chairman's Statement Whilst the economic conditions in the six months to 30 June 2004 have remained uncertain, there has been some evidence of an improvement in confidence with a more favourable IPO market, increased corporate activity and with trading performances of some of the Company's investments becoming more robust. In particular, the successful flotation of Amino Technologies plc has significantly contributed to the increase in the net asset value per share from 84.6 pence per share to 90.5 pence per share. Your Company's portfolio, however, remains relatively young and some of our investments will need further funding as the businesses grow and develop. The Company is well placed to further support these investments but the presence of a continuing favourable investment climate will also help to strengthen our co-investors so that further well-merited rounds of investment are readily available. Investment Operations During the period £758,000 was invested in five companies. Four of these were follow-on investments in businesses within the existing portfolio, namely ExpressOn Biosystems, Infinite Data Storage, Vibration Technology and Broadreach Networks. All four were made as part of a larger syndicate to support the further expansion of these businesses. The one new investment during the period under review was in DxS Limited. DxS owns the intellectual property for ScorpionsTM, a technology for identifying variations in an individual's DNA. Your Company invested £131,000 as part of a syndicate that invested over £1m to support the next phase of the business' expansion in the roll out of further products and services that will allow doctors to predict whether a patient will benefit from a particular drug. Since the period end, your Company has invested £400,000 at a price of 30 pence per share in Cozart plc on its admission to AIM. In August, your Company disposed of 20,000 shares at a price of 57 pence per share. Financial Results The result for the period was a total return gain of 5.92 pence per share with a revenue loss of 2.07 pence per share and a capital gain of 7.99 pence per share. The net asset value at 30 June was 90.5 pence per share. The principle increase in net asset value arose through the successful flotation of Amino Technologies plc. The shares were quoted at £1.20 per share and have subsequently traded at levels significantly above this price. This success has only been partially eroded by the reduction in the value of Primus Knowledge Solutions Inc, a US based business that acquired your Company's investment in Amacis Holdings Limited. Liquid Resources and Rate of Investment Liquid fund resources at the period end amounted to £3.4m in a mixture of cash and gilt investments. Therefore, your Company still has both an adequate level of funds to support its existing portfolio and the ability to invest in growing businesses at a time when entry valuations have become much more attractive. Your Board continues to seek to invest selectively in later stage technology companies that will complement the early stage businesses in the current portfolio. The Company maintains sufficient funds in a non-interest bearing bank account to retain Shareholder tax benefits whilst permitting the construction of a balanced portfolio of technology-based companies that will offer Shareholders the opportunity for longer term capital growth. Shareholder Relations A total of 10,073 Ordinary shares were allotted during the period as a consequence of some Shareholders exercising their Warrants. There was no buy-back of shares in the period. The Company will continue to use the existing authority to seek to buy back a limited number of shares in the market where the directors determine it is in the best interests of Shareholders as a whole to do so. Over the last six months, your Board's Investment Adviser, Yorkshire Fund Managers Limited (YFM), has held one investor workshop at the British Museum in London. Over 100 Shareholders from across the three VCTs managed by YFM attended, making this the most successful workshop to date. It has become clear that this provides an excellent forum for updating Shareholders on recent developments in both the Company and the industry and to informally discuss the portfolio with the directors and Investment Adviser. Another workshop is planned later in the year for Manchester, with further events next year in Birmingham and London. Following the period end, your Board has taken the decision that the Company should revoke investment company status in the near future and this is being kept under review. This action, when taken, will enable the Company to distribute realised capital profits in the form of tax free dividends. Outlook Whilst there remains some uncertainty in the international economic and political outlook, there have been some grounds for optimism in the recent performance of the portfolio. The current overall trading results of your Company's investments and a reasonably strong IPO market have helped to lift the net asset value. This trend has continued into the early stages of the second half of the financial year. The conditions for new investment remain attractive, particularly for later stage businesses that can demonstrate clear innovative advantage in their market. Strong syndicates remain an essential part in making new investments, ensuring that there is appropriate resource to assist in maximising the opportunity to create value. Sir Andrew Hugh Smith 21 September 2004 Statement Of Total Return Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Notes Revenue Gross revenue 35 128 256 Administrative expenses (197) (161) (288) Taxation 2 - - - ------ ------ ------ (162) (33) (32) Capital Realised (losses) gains (net) (60) 68 (27) Unrealised gains (losses) (net) 711 (271) (439) Management fee allocated to capital (26) (39) (56) ------ ------ ------ 625 (242) (522) Total return 463 (275) (554) ====== ====== ====== Appropriated: Revenue Transfer from revenue reserve (162) (33) (32) ------ ------ ------ Capital Increase (decrease) on reserves 625 (242) (522) ------ ------ ------ Basic and diluted return per Ordinary share Revenue (2.07)p (0.42)p (0.41)p Capital 7.99p (3.12)p (6.68)p ------ ------ ------ 3 5.92p (3.54)p (7.09)p ====== ====== ====== Notes The revenue section of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company All activity has arisen from continuing operations. Balance Sheet Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Notes Fixed assets Investment portfolio 3,639 1,938 2,535 ------ ------ ------ Current assets Debtors 134 99 26 Short-term investments 1,037 2,640 1,026 Cash and short-term deposits 2,386 2,324 3,057 ------ ------ ------ 3,557 5,063 4,109 Creditors: amounts payable within one year (109) (100) (28) ------ ------ ------ Net current assets 3,448 4,963 4,081 ------ ------ ------ Total net assets 7,087 6,901 6,616 ====== ====== ====== Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 782 784 782 Share premium account 4 10 - 1 Capital reserve (140) (485) (765) Warrant reserve 3 4 4 Special reserve 4 6,592 6,597 6,592 Other reserve 1 1 1 Revenue reserve (161) - 1 ------ ------ ------ Equity Shareholders' funds 7,087 6,901 6,616 ====== ====== ====== Net asset value per Ordinary share 5 90.5p 88.1p 84.6p ====== ====== ====== Summarised Cash Flow Statement Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Net cash (outflow) inflow from operating activities (215) 14 (1) Financial investment (452) (795) (1,606) ------ ------ ------ Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (667) (781) (1,607) Management of liquid resources (12) 3,068 4,633 ------ ------ ------ Net cash (outflow) inflow before financing (679) 2,287 3,026 Financing 8 3 (3) ------ ------ ------ (Decrease) increase in cash (671) 2,290 3,023 ------ ------ ------ Notes to the Financial Statements 1. The interim financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with the statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2003. The interim financial statements, which have been approved by the directors, are unaudited and do not constitute full financial statements as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2003 do not constitute full financial statements and have been extracted from the Company's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2003 which have been reported upon without qualification by the auditors and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Taxation charge Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months 6 months Year ended ended ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2004 2003 2003 £000 £000 £000 Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by standard small company rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2003:19%) 88 (52) (105) Effect of: Non taxable (gains) losses on investments (i) (124) 39 88 Movement in excess management expenses (ii) 36 13 17 ------ ------ ------ Current tax charge for period - - - ------ ------ ------ (i) Venture Capital Trusts are not subject to corporation tax on these items (ii) The Company has no deferred tax liability Deferred tax assets in respect of losses have not been recognised as management do not currently believe that it is more likely than not sufficient taxable profits will be available against which the assets can be recovered. Due to the Company's status as a venture capital trust, and the continued intention to meet the conditions required to comply with Section 842AA of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, the Company has not provided deferred tax on any capital gains and losses on the revaluation or disposal of investments. 3. The basic revenue return per share is based on net loss from ordinary activities after tax attributable to Shareholders of £162,000 (30 June 2003: net loss £33,000 and 31 December 2003: net loss £32,000) and on 7,826,000 shares (30 June 2003: 7,790,000 and 31 December 2003: 7,812,000), being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. The Company has no securities that would have a dilutive effect and hence the basic and diluted return per share are the same. 4. The net asset value per Ordinary share is calculated on attributable assets of £7,087,000 and 7,833,000 shares in issue at the period end (30 June 2003: £6,901,000 and 7,836,000 shares, 31 December 2003: £6,616,000 and 7,823,000 shares). 5. Copies of the interim report can be obtained from the Company's registered office: Saint Martins House, 210-212 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4HZ thereafter. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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