Interim Results

Billam PLC 3 September 2001 Interim Report For the six months ended 30 June 2001 Chairman's Statement To allay the concerns of investors in Billam who have recently witnessed a drop in the share price in difficult markets, let me first reiterate: we have pledged to deliver growth in net assets in order to drive growth in our share price. Billam's executive has an in-depth knowledge of the Venture Capital industry and realises that at times it is necessary to focus on their established portfolio of investments. Thus from a deep understanding of the investee companies and their technologies stems an ability to assist management as they strive to achieve greater than average organic growth. Your Company has made further investments in software company Inaplex Ltd, in AIM listed Knowledge Technology Solutions plc; have agreed an investment in URCO plc (The University Research Company); increased their shareholding in Integrisys Ltd; and guided CybIT to the market via a listing on AIM. Notwithstanding market conditions and intense pressure on technology stocks generally, I am delighted to report a pre-tax profit today of £6.491 million and further significant developments within our portfolio going forward. In a move to combat volatility in the share price and to increase the public perception of what the company is presently successfully achieving your directors have sought to consult with a number of pension fund managers who have expressed an interest in investing in the company on a long term basis. The directors believe that this approach will be welcomed by all those shareholders seeking medium to long term growth in the share price. I would personally like to take this opportunity of thanking shareholders for their loyalty to the stock and to my fellow directors and executives. Victor Beamish Chairman Billam has an established portfolio of companies currently in the high growth phase of their development. During the period the Directors have increased the portfolio as follows: Knowledge Technology Solutions plc (KTS), an AIM listed company, provides fast interactive data solutions. KTS has two products. Sharepages.com, which was established in 1999 and has grown into a leading online investor resource offering a comprehensive range of UK stock market information and analytical tools for the active investor. The second, Cognita, a real time data management tool, has products currently undergoing beta testing with leading City financial institutions. Inaplex Limited supplies software for managing databases. What the word processor did for the typist, Inaplex's software tools will do for the management of databases. Vast amounts of information are currently being gathered by commercial organisations, management, selection and use of critical data is becoming increasingly complex. Inaplex produces software tools for IT management. The company has a strategic alliance with Goldmine, the world's leading sales software developer and vendor. Your Directors are confident that the portfolio will continue to outperform market expectations. Six months to 30 June Year to 31 December 2001 2000 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gains on - 199 199 - - - investments Net change in - 6,678 6,678 - 1,820 1,820 unrealised appreciation Income 213 - 213 287 - 287 Gross return 213 6,877 7,090 287 1,820 2,107 Administrative expenses (599) - (599) (229) - (229) Surplus on fundamental - - - 2,237 - 2,237 reorganisation Interest payable - - - (1) - (1) Return before taxation (386) 6,877 6,491 2,294 1,820 4,114 Provision for taxation - (1,969) (1,969) - (500) (500) Return attributable to equity shareholders (386) 4,908 4,522 2,294 1,320 3,614 Return per ordinary (0.05)p 0.58p 0.53p 0.53p 0.30p 0.83p share 30 June 31 December 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 1 1 Listed investments 10,849 2,994 Unlisted investments 2,494 2,908 13,344 5,903 Current assets Debtors 104 307 Cash at bank and in hand 158 751 262 1,058 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (138) (184) Net current assets 124 874 Total assets less current liabilities 13,468 6,777 Provision for liabilities and charges (2,619) (500) Total net assets 10,849 6,277 Financed by: Called up share capital 1,010 1,005 Share premium account 4,640 4,595 Capital reserve unrealised 6,029 1,320 Capital reserve realised 199 - Revenue account (1,029) (643) Shareholders' funds 10,849 6,277 Total shareholders' funds are attributable to: Equity interests - ordinary shareholders' funds 10,691 6,119 Non equity interests 158 158 10,849 6,277 Net asset value per share Ordinary shares 1.30p 0.72p Deferred shares 0.10p 0.10p Six months Year ended to 30 June 31 December 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Net cash outflow from operating activities (386) (475) Net cash outflow from returns on servicing of finance - (1) Net cash inflow from sale of investments 500 - Decrease in debtors 203 - Increase in creditors 104 - Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and investment (1,064) (4,084) Net cash inflow from financing 50 4,787 (Decrease)/increase in cash for the period (593) 227 Notes: 1. Basis of preparation The unaudited interim results have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2000. 2. Comparatives No comparatives are shown for the six months to 30 June 2000 as no financial data was included in the interim statement for that period. 3. Results for the year ended 31 December 2000 The results for the year ended 31 December 2000 are a non-statutory version of the full report and accounts for that year, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies on which the auditors reported under Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985. The report contained no qualifications, in respect of the year ended 31 December 2000, or any statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the said Act. 4. Returns Returns per Ordinary Share are based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 848,379,966 (year to 31 December 2000 435,654,217). 5. Dividends The Directors do not recommend the payment of an interim dividend. 6. Net asset value per share Net asset value per share is based on the net assets attributable to each class of share. The net assets per ordinary share is based on net assets of £10,849,000 (at 31 December 2000 £6,277,000) and on 852,546,633 shares in issue at the period end (at 31 December 2000 : 847,546,633). 7. The Company has negotiated facilities with its bankers to enable it to take advantage of investment opportunities as and when they arise.

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