Final Results

ADVANCE FOCUS FUND LIMITED Preliminary announcement of results for the year ended 30 September 2007 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT For the year to 30 September 2007 the Company's total return was -2.0 per cent. This was a disappointing performance over a period which saw the FTSE All-Share Total Return Index deliver a 12.2 per cent. return. The Company's share price at the end of September was 126.0 pence, representing a 2.8 per cent. discount to the closing net asset value per share. The net revenue return for the year was 1.5 pence per share. The Board is recommending a final dividend of 1.5 pence per share, payable on 12 March 2008 to shareholders on the register as at 8 February 2008. For the most part the period was one of rising markets and unusually low volatility. This changed as we went into the summer and the extent of the problem with sub-prime lending was revealed. Thereafter markets repeatedly surged and fell back as politicians and central bankers tried to calm things down. Mining stocks, which generally do not fit with our investment approach, have been the winners over the year and the lack of exposure to these (with the exception of UK Coal which is more of a property play) was one factor that held back our relative performance. The Manager's Report goes into some detail on each investment held within the portfolio during the year. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association a resolution will be put to the Annual General Meeting to approve the continuation of the Company. The Board believes there is a place for a UK equity fund that offers a genuinely different approach to achieving outperformance against the FTSE All-Share Index, but a longer economic cycle is probably necessary for this than the Fund has so far covered. In addition, the Company has suffered from size and liquidity constraints and a number of shareholders have indicated that they would not support continuation of the Fund in its present form. In the circumstances, therefore, the directors do not think they can support a vote for continuation and recommend that the Company proceeds to an orderly realisation of its investments and return of funds to shareholders as soon as possible. If the continuation resolution is rejected, then the procedure afterwards, in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, will be that a notice convening an extraordinary meeting will be issued shortly thereafter, at which proposals for the Company's future will be considered. Against the background of an expected vote not to continue, the board have instructed the Manager to begin realising holdings in an orderly manner and to invest the proceeds in market related instruments. Christopher Clark 21 January 2008 INCOME STATEMENT For the year ended 30 September 2007 2007 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - realised - 2,194 2,194 - 3,221 3,221 - unrealised - (3,262) (3,262) - 1,667 1,667 Net gains - (1,068) (1,068) - 4,888 4,888 Income 964 - 964 1,107 - 1,107 Investment management fee (343) - (343) (304) (162) (466) Other expenses (235) - (235) (227) - (227) Return on ordinary activities 386 (1,068) (682) 576 4,726 5,302 Return per Redeemable Preference Share 1.54p (4.25)p (2.71)p 2.27p 18.64p 20.91p All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required as all the gains and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above statement. BALANCE SHEET At 30 September 2007 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Investments 32,116 31,493 CURRENT ASSETS Sales for future settlements - 700 Other debtors 136 132 Cash at bank and in hand 425 1,465 561 2,297 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accrued liabilities (90) (107) Performance Fee - (162) (90) (269) NET CURRENT ASSETS 471 2,028 TOTAL NET ASSETS 32,587 33,521 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Share capital 252 252 Share premium account 19,052 19,052 Share purchase reserve 6,217 6,217 Capital redemption reserve 17 17 Realised capital reserve 7,822 5,628 Unrealised capital reserve (1,333) 1,929 Revenue reserve 560 426 SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 32,587 33,521 Net assets per Redeemable Preference Share 129.64p 133.35p RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS For the year ended 30 September 2007 Share Share Capital Realised Unrealised Share Premium Purchase Redemption Capital Capital Revenue Capital Account Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening 252 19,052 6,217 17 5,628 1,929 426 33,521 shareholders' funds Profit/(loss) - - - - 2,194 (3,262) 386 (682) for the year Dividend paid - - - - - - (252) (252) (Feb 2007) Closing 252 19,052 6,217 17 7,822 (1,333) 560 32,587 shareholders' funds For the year ended 30 September 2006 Share Share Capital Realised Unrealised Share Premium Purchase Redemption Capital Capital Revenue Capital Account Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening 269 19,052 8,069 - 2,569 262 (150) 30,071 shareholders' funds Adjustment to opening balance for - - - - - (187) - (187) bid price valuation of investments Purchase of (17) - (1,852) 17 - - - (1,852) own shares Profit for - - - - 3,059 1,854 576 5,489 the year Closing 252 19,052 6,217 17 5,628 1,929 426 33,521 shareholders' funds CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 30 September 2007 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash inflow from investment income and bank 960 1,110 interest Cash outflow from management expenses (757) (474) Cash inflow from disposal of investments 14,105 13,668 Cash outflow from purchase of investments (15,096) (12,517) (788) 1,787 NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES FINANCING Repurchase of own shares - (1,852) Equity dividends paid (252) - DECREASE IN CASH (1,040) (65) 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Opening balance 1,465 1,530 Cash inflow /(outflow) (1,040) (65) Balance at 30 September 425 1,465 NOTES The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated and resident in Guernsey. This report has been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards and with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies ("SORP") issued by the Association of Investment Companies. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the SORP as it is considered best practice. The Company is not an investment trust and as an overseas company does not meet all the criteria set out in the SORP. Returns per share Return per Redeemable preference share is based on the weighted average of 25,137,453 (2006: 25,137,453) Redeemable Preference Shares in issue during the year. Net assets per share The figure for net assets per Redeemable Preference Share is based on 25,137,453 (2006: 25,137,453) Redeemable Preference Shares in issue at the Balance Sheet date. Dividend The directors recommend a final dividend of 1.5p per share. If approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, the dividend will be paid on 12 March 2008 to shareholders on the register at 8 February 2008. Status of the financial information These financial statements are not the Company's statutory accounts. The annual report will be sent to shareholders and copies will be made available to the public at the registered office of the Company and at the address of the UK Administration Agent. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will be held on 5 March 2008 at 9 a.m. at the registered office of the Company. The preliminary announcement was approved by the Board on 21 January 2008. REGISTERED OFFICE 1 Le Marchant Street St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4HP UK ADMINISTRATION AGENT Cavendish Administration Limited 145-157 St John Street London EC1V 4RU 21 January 2008 ---END OF MESSAGE---
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