Interim Results

RNS Number : 8669B
AIM Investments PLC
25 February 2011
 



AIM Investments Plc (the "Company)

Interim results for the period ended 30 November 2010

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

 

I am pleased to report these interim results for the period 1 June 2010 to 30 November 2010, which include the Company's first three investments. At the time of writing, the Company has successfully implemented its investing policy ("Investing Policy") and gained shareholder approval of certain changes to the Investing Policy. It has also secured both investment and working capital loans from a corporate investor who is now also the Company's major shareholder. The Company is now looking to make further emerging and frontier market investments under its new Investing Policy, as well as realize returns from its existing investments, and is considering a number of financing options to facilitate this.

 

Investments and Investing Policy

 

The Company made three investments in Shenzen Cadro (Catic Group) Hydraulic Equipment Co. Limited, Planteman SA and Minera Mapsa SA on 27 October 2010, 2 November 2010 and 5 November 2010 with a combined cost of $800,000. During the period, $800,000 was drawn down under a loan facility provided by Desmond Holdings Ltd ("Desmonds") and transferred into escrow accounts in order to fund these investments.  Further details of these investments can be found on the Company's website - www.aiminvestmentsplc.com 

 

Trading in the Company's shares on AIM was suspended on 4 May 2010 under Rule 15 of the AIM Rules pending substantial implementation of the Company's Investing Policy to the satisfaction of the London Stock Exchange ("the Exchange") or a reverse transaction under Rule 14 of the AIM Rules. The Exchange confirmed on 5 November 2010 that the Company had implemented its Investing Policy through its investments.

 

Prior to lifting the suspension in trading, the Exchange required the Company to seek shareholder approval to changes to its Investing Policy to align it more closely with the above investments. The requisite resolution was accepted at the Annual General Meeting, which took place on 9 December 2010. The suspension was lifted on 10 December 2010.

 

Appointment and Resignation of Directors

 

No directors were appointed or resigned during the period.

 

Mark Pajak, a director of Desmonds, joined the board of the Company in December 2010 replacing John Frankland as Non-Executive Director. I want to thank John for his hard work supporting the Company through a difficult development period.

 

Review of the Financial Results

 

The Company has been operating from a very low cost base during the period. Most of the Directors have chosen not to take a fee or to reduce their fee until the Company has sufficient working capital to support payments.

 

The Company was financed in the period through a working capital facility provided by Maji Capital Partners Group Plc ("Maji Capital"), a company connected to Andrew Meikle, who resigned as a director on 28 September 2009. All amounts outstanding under this loan were capitalized in the period and no further amounts have been drawn down since.

 

The Company has made three investments totalling $800,000. It has drawn down an equivalent amount under the loan facility provided by Desmonds on 28 October 2010 (amended 1 November 2010).  The Directors anticipate that all investments, made using loans that convert to equity on admission to Market, will yield significant returns on loan capital invested in the form of equity, although this cannot be guaranteed. If these companies do not eventually succeed in being admitted to a public market, the Company will receive back investment monies.

 

Working Capital

 

A loan provided by Maji Capital to the Company under the terms of the revised working capital facility agreement amounting to £99,810 representing total amounts lent to the Company to 30 June 2010 (balance at 31 May 2010 was £79,323) was converted into 19,962,000 new ordinary shares in the Company on 8 July 2010. The capitalisation of this loan was executed at the price of 0.5 pence per new ordinary share. The board does not intend to draw down any further amounts under the terms of this agreement.

 

Desmonds provided a Loan Facility to the Company of up to £500,000 on 28 October 2010 (increased to £700,000 on 1 November 2010) to be used to make qualifying investments under the Company's Investing Policy. The fee for providing this loan was settled by the issue of 58,480,300 shares equivalent to 29.99% of the Company on 10 December 2010.

 

The Company is currently being financially supported by a working capital facility provided by Desmonds on 8 December 2010. The facility is uncapped, non-interest bearing and for a period of 12 months. The loan is repayable on demand although Desmonds have agreed not to demand the repayment of the loan unless the Company is in the position to make the repayment.

 

Funds continue to be drawn down when necessary and will continue to be so until such time as the Company raises alternative working capital funds or achieves a substantial return on its investments.

 

The board is currently reviewing a range of further investment opportunities and has entered into a number of conditional engagement letters with potential investee companies subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence and availability of adequate investment funds.

 

Going Concern

 

The Board considers that the availability of the working capital facility from Desmonds and expected return on its recent investments  provides a basis on which the Company can continue to trade as a going concern.

 

Future of the Company

 

The Directors are delighted that the necessary investment into the Company was secured during the period enabling it to substantially implement its Investing Policy and avert the cancellation of trading of its shares on AIM. The Company is optimistic that it will be able to secure additional funds to make a broader range of profitable investments in the future.

 

We believe there are many exciting investment opportunities in frontier and emerging markets, and we have established good relationships with investment professionals based in those territories who can provide the Company with a range of investment choices.

 

I would like to thank shareholders for their support at the recent AGM.

 

 

Sir Bernard Zissman

Chairman

Date: 25 February 2011

 

 

For further information please contact:

AIM Investments Plc

Alexandra Eavis

Mark Pajak

08702 701 111

0203 259 4071

Northland Capital Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)

Gavin Burnell, Edward Hutton

020 7492 4750

www.aiminvestmentsplc.com


UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 NOVEMBER 2010

 










Unaudited


Unaudited


Audited











6 months


6 months


12 months









30-Nov


30-Nov


31-May











2010


2009


2010









Notes


£'000


£'000


£'000













Restated


















Administrative expenses









(81)


(16)


(93)
















Loss before taxation









(81)


(16)


(93)
















Tax charge on loss









                     -  


                   -  


                   -  
















Loss for the period









(81)


(16)


(93)
















Loss per share (pence)













Basic and diluted







8


(0.06)


(0.02)


(0.10)
















None of the Company's activities were acquired or discontinued during the above period.



 


UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2010

 








Unaudited


Unaudited


Audited








6 months


6 months


12 months








30-Nov


30-Nov


31-May





Notes



2010


2009


2010








£'000


£'000


£'000










Restated



ASSETS












Non-current assets










Investments



3



            500


                -  


                -  








            500


                -  


                -  

Current assets











Trade and other receivables


4



            113


                8


              34

Cash and cash equivalents





              10


                3


              10








            123


              11


              44













Total assets






            623


              11


              44













EQUITY AND LIABILITIES










Shareholders' equity










Share capital



7



         7,856


          7,814


          7,836

Share premium






            316


            147


            237

Merger reserve






  (7,060)


(7,060)


(7,060)

Retained earnings






(1,189)


(1,031)


(1,108)








(77)


(130)


(95)













Current liabilities










Trade and other payables


5



            190


            119


              60

Short term borrowings


6



            510


             22


              79




















            700


            141


            139

Total equity and liabilities





            623


             11


             44

 

 

 


UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 NOVEMBER 2010

 

For the six months ended 30 November 2010

Share capital


Share premium


Merger reserve


Retained earnings


Total equity



£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000












Balance at 1 June 2010 brought forward

7,836


237


(7,060)


(1,108)


(95)












Loss for the period

-


-


-


(81)


(81)

Total recognised income and expense for the period

-


-


-


(81)


(81)












Issue of shares

20


79


-


-


99












Balance at 30 November 2010 carried forward

7,856


316


(7,060)


(1,189)


(77)












For the six months ended 30 November 2009 as restated

Share capital


Share premium


Merger reserve


Retained earnings


Total equity



£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000












Balance at 1 June 2009 brought forward

7,798


22


(7,060)


(1,015)


(255)












Loss for the period

-


-


-


(16)


(16)

Total recognised income and expense for the period

-


-


-


(16)


(16)












Issue of shares

16


125


-


-


141












Balance at 30 November 2009 carried forward

7,814


147


(7,060)


(1,031)


(130)












For the year ended 31 May 2010

Share capital


Share premium


Merger reserve


Retained earnings


Total equity



£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000












Balance at 1 June 2009 brought forward

7,798


22


(7,060)


(1,015)


(255)












Loss for the period

-


-


-


(93)


(93)

Total recognised income and expense for the period

-


-


-


(93)


(93)












Issue of shares

38


215


-


-


253












Balance at 31 May 2010 carried forward

7,836


237


(7,060)


(1,108)


(95)

 


 

UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 NOVEMBER 2010

 



               






Unaudited


Unaudited


Audited









6 months


6 months


12 months









30-Nov


30-Nov


31-May









2010


2009


2010









£'000


£'000


£'000











Restated
















Cash flows from operating activities























Loss before tax







(81)


(16)


(93)

Adjustments for:













Change in trade and other receivables




(79)


(8)


(34)


Change in trade and other payables




130


(116)


(43)


(Decrease) in amounts owed to related undertakings


-


                -  


(154)

Cash generated from operations






(30)


(140)


(324)














Tax on profits paid







-


                -  


                -  














Net cash used in operating activities





(30)


(140)


(324)














Cash from investing activities











Additions to investments







(500)


                -  


                -  














Net cash used in investing activities





(500)


                -  


                -  














Cash from financing activities











Repayment of borrowings






(79)


                -  


                -  

Share issues







99


            141


            253

Other loans







510


                -


             79














Net cash generated from financing activities




530


            141


            332














Net increase in cash and cash equivalents




-


               1


               8














Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period


10


               2


               2














Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period


10


               3


             10

 


NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 NOVEMBER 2010


 

1        Principal accounting policies

          Basis of preparation

          Aim Investments PLC prepares its interim report and financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted for use by the European Union (EU). The financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" and in accordance with the accounting policies used in preparing the Aim Investments PLC report and financial statements for the period ended 31 May 2010 except as described below.

          IFRS 9 is not applicable until 1 January 2013 but is available for early adoption, which the Company has opted to do.  This addresses the classification and measurement of financial assets.  The implication for the Company is that investments in convertible debt instruments will be valued at fair value through profit or loss as the standard does not allow amortised cost to be applied to instruments which potentially give rise to cash flows other than interest and principal if there is an intention to use the instrument to realise fair value changes.  The adoption of IFRS 9 does not impact any prior reporting periods as it only effects transactions which have occurred in the current period.

The financial information shown in this six month review has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditor and does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements for the period ended 31 May 2010, which were prepared under IFRS, have been reported on by the Company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor, Spofforths LLP, was unqualified, did not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

2        Going concern and related party transactions

Desmond Holdings Limited, the company that provided the £700,000 Loan Facility, of which £500,000 has been drawn to make qualifying investments, has pledged to provide additional working capital to the Company.  The Board therefore considers that the availability of working capital from Desmond Holdings and the return on its recent investments provides a basis on which the Company can continue to trade as a going concern.

3        Investments

          In October 2010 the Company made an investment of $100,000 in the convertible debt of Shenzen Cadro (Catic Group) Hydraulic Equipment Co.

          In November 2010 the Company made an investment of $100,000 in the convertible debt of Minera Mapsa SA.

          In November 2010 the Company made an investment of $600,000 in the convertible debt of Planteman SA.

          The directors have valued these investments at cost.  As the investments are in the convertible debt of companies that are not listed there is no liquid market for the financial instruments.  The directors consider that cost is therefore the best indicator of fair value at this point.

4        Trade and other receivables

                                                                                                                                 Unaudited               Unaudited            Audited

                                                                                                                                      30-Nov                   30-Nov         12 months

                                                                                                                                         2010                       2009                 2010

                                                                                                                                        £'000                      £'000                £'000

                                                                                                                                                                    Restated

 

          Other debtors                                                                                                                 3                             -                     12

          Prepayments and accrued income                                                                              110                            8                     22

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                           113                            8                     34

 

 


 

5        Trade and other payables

                                                                                                                                 Unaudited               Unaudited            Audited

                                                                                                                                      30-Nov                   30-Nov         12 months

                                                                                                                                         2010                       2009                 2010

                                                                                                                                        £'000                      £'000                £'000

                                                                                                                                                                    Restated

 

          Trade payables                                                                                                             58                           61                      6

          Other taxation and social security                                                                                    6                           14                      6

          Accruals and deferred income                                                                                    126                           44                      6

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                           190                         119                     60

 

6        Short term borrowings

                                                                                                                                 Unaudited               Unaudited            Audited

                                                                                                                                      30-Nov                   30-Nov         12 months

                                                                                                                                         2010                       2009                 2010

                                                                                                                                        £'000                      £'000                £'000

                                                                                                                                                                    Restated

 

          Loans                                                                                                                        510                           22                     79

 

7        Share capital

                                                                                                                                 Unaudited               Unaudited            Audited

                                                                                                                                      30-Nov                   30-Nov         12 months

                                                                                                                                         2010                       2009                 2010

                                                                                                                                        £'000                      £'000                £'000

                                                                                                                                                                    Restated

 

          Allotted

          Equity shares

                                                                                                                                                 

          136,519,000 allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary shares of 0.1p each                    136                           94                   116

          77,979,412 allotted, called up and fully paid deferred shares of 9.0p each                   7,018                      7,018                7,018

          77,979,412 allotted, called up and fully paid deferred shares of 0.9p each                      702                         702                   702

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                        7,856                      7,814                7,836

 

         

          During the period to 30 November 2010 the Company issued 19,962,000 0.1p ordinary shares at a premium of 0.4p per share.

 

8        Loss per share

          The unaudited calculation of the earnings per share is based on the loss attributable to the equity holders for the period of £81,000 and on a weighted average of 132,483,068 shares in issue during the period.

9       Related Party transactions

         

Alexandra Eavis, a director of the Company is a shareholder of and was previously a director of Maji Capital (resigned 15 October 2009).  John Frankland, a director of the Company in the period, is a shareholder of Maji Capital.  The Company was financed in the period through a working capital facility provided by Maji Capital.  All amounts outstanding under this loan (totaling £99,810) were capitalised in the period and no further amounts have been drawn down since.  

 

10     Restatement of comparatives

         

The results for the period ended 30 November 2009 have been restated to reflect audit adjustments made to the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2010.

 

11     Events after the balance sheet date

 

          On 15 December 2010 the Company issued 58,480,300 shares for 0.205p per share to settle the loan arrangement fee of £120,000 included in trade and other payables at 30 November 2010.

 

12     Approval of interim financial information

 

The interim financial information was approved by the board of Directors on 25 February 2011 and authorised for release.

 

13.    Availability of Interim Report

 

A copy of the Interim Report will be available for members of the public by application to the Company's Registered Office or on the Company's website at www.aiminvestmentsplc.com

 


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