Final Results

GRESHAM HOUSE plc 36 Elder Street, London E1 6BT Telephone: 020 7588 7352, Facsimile: 020 7377 2946 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report another improved performance for this financial year. Our results for the year to 31st December 2004 show a return attributable to equity shareholders for the revenue account of £1,465,000 compared with £1,153,000 for last year and a loss of £46,000 on the capital account compared with a gain of £2,000 last year. Overall the basic return per ordinary share was 29.5p compared with 25.1p for the previous year. The Group's property portfolio, which stood at £37.2 million at the end of last year, was reduced to a value of £28.6 million as at 31st December, 2004. This was as a result of the sale of property units at Knowsley, Lancashire for a net £15.7 million and the purchase of an estate of industrial and commercial property units at Speke, Liverpool, close to the John Lennon Airport for £6.35 million. This new investment has been subsequently revalued by independent valuers at the year end to £8 million. For 2004 the performance of the property portfolio improved with rental income increasing from £3,193,000 last year to £3,266,000 this year. As a result of the acquisition and disposal referred to above, this level is unlikely to be maintained during 2005 and is dependent upon the success of the letting programme which is underway at Speke with a number of potential tenants. Shareholders will note that the Capital Account includes a deficit on the disposal of property investments of £1.767 million. This has arisen as a result of the net proceeds of the sale of the Knowsley property units being less than the valuation as at 31st December, 2003 reflecting improvements to the property units of approximately £400,000, the costs of breaking related fixed loans of approximately £500,000 and certain provisions which the Board felt were prudent to make. Overall however the transaction resulted in a net gain from the original cost of the investment which has been reflected in the Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses in previous years, as detailed in note 9 of the accounts. The reason your Board decided to sell at that time was to ensure that the Group was in a position to acquire the property units at Speke which they believe offer greater potential in the long term. The Group's basic net asset value per ordinary share has thus risen from 572.3p to 625.2p an increase of 52.9p or 9.24% being the same percentage increase as the FTSE All Share Index over the same period. The greatest value of your company's investments in securities is attributable to those securities dealt in under AIM, representing approximately 43.5% of the total share portfolio. The most significant of these investments were as follows: Transense Technologies plc, which represents 8.6% of the share portfolio, continues to make progress with its innovative tyre pressure monitoring system and electric power steering system. During the year its share price increased from 46p to 89.5p. InvestinMedia plc is an investment company specialising in the media sector whose principle assets are a 49% share in Complete Communications Corporation Limited, owner of the worldwide rights to "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" and "You Are What You Eat" and a 16.7% holding in Medal Entertainment & Media Plc, which is an AIM quoted media company. The share price has increased from 84.6p to 94.5p at the year end and represents 3.2% of the share portfolio Image Scan Holdings plc. This company's strategy remains the commercialisation of its expertise and products relating to acquiring, interpreting and presenting single and multi-view digital x-ray images. During the year the share price fell from 37p to 11p in October, 2004 at which time we provided this company with additional support and finance which, together with changes in management and advisers and the introduction of new members to the board, has provided the company with new opportunities particularly in the field of industrial inspection culminating in a placing of shares at 7p a share subsequent to the year end. I am pleased to be able to report that this reorganisation is now completed. This investment currently represents 1.4% of the portfolio. SpaceandPeople Plc, which specialises in the marketing of promotional areas in leading shopping centres, progressed well during the year and was introduced to the AIM market at the end of the year at a price of 50p against an original cost price of 1p per share in October 2000. Other significant unquoted investments include Hallin Marine Subsea International Plc. At the year end this company was valued at £562,000, representing over 40% of the value of all unlisted securities. Hallin specialises in offshore sub-sea intervention primarily for the oil, gas and telecommunications industries operating in the Far East. The work involves use of marine vessels, diving systems of various types, remotely controlled intervention systems and survey positioning systems to conduct underwater inspection, construction and maintenance operations. This company made substantial progress during the year and I am pleased to report that it was introduced to the AIM Market after the year end at a price of 64p against a year end valuation of 14p per share. We continue with our strategy of seeking innovative early stage investments and during the year we have subscribed for equity interests in a number of start-up situations which appear to have significant potential for future expansion and return. In particular shareholders will note from the balance sheet that the net current assets have increased from just over £2 million to nearly £9 million, an increase of £7 million, which is largely accounted for by the increase in cash reserves from £1.2 million to £7.2 million at year end. Given these increased reserves your board has taken the opportunity to repay bank borrowings of £3 million since the year end. As a consequence your Board recommends a final dividend of 4p per share against 3.1p last year, an increase of 29%. A P Stirling 28th April, 2005 GRESHAM HOUSE plc PRELIMINARY FINAL STATEMENT CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN for the Year ended 31st December, 2004 2004 2003 evenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 £' 000 Gain on investments - 1,620 1,620 - 2 2 Deficit on disposal of property - (1,767) (1,767) - - - Income: Dividend and Interest Income 224 - 224 234 - 234 Rental Income 3,266 - 3,266 3,193 - 3,193 Other operating income 370 - 370 444 - 444 _____ _____ _____ ___ 3,860 (147) 3,713 3,871 2 3,873 Other expenses (1,634) - (1,634) (1,204) - (1,204) Net return before _____ ____ _____ _____ ____ ___ finance costs and 2,226 (147) 2,079 2,667 2 2,669 taxation Interest payable and similar (1,252) - (1,252) (1,458) - (1,458) charges Return on ordinary ____ _____ _____ _____ ___ ____ activities before 974 (147) 827 1,209 2 1,211 taxation Taxation 550 (550) - - - - Return on ordinary activities after _____ ____ ___ _____ ___ _____ Taxation 1,524 (697) 827 1,209 2 1,211 Minority interest (59) 651 592 (56) - (56) Return _____ ____ _____ _____ ___ attributable to 1,465 (46) 1,419 1,153 2 1,155 equity shareholders Dividend -Equity shares (195) - (195) (149) - (149) Transfer to _____ ____ _____ ___ reserves 1,270 (46) 1,224 1,004 2 1,006 _____ ____ _____ __ Basic return per 30.4p (0.9)p 29.5p 25.1p - 25.1p Ordinary Share Diluted return 30.4p (0.9)p 29.5p 24.9p - 24.9p per Ordinary Share Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Group 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Profit for the financial year attributale to equity shareholders 1,465 1,153 Net movement on capital reserves (46) 2 Surplus on property revaluation 1,854 5,298 Minority interest in reserves (204) (1,006) _____ _____ Total net gains recognised in the year 3,069 5,447 _____ ______ Notes (i) In accordance with the Company's accounting policies the revenue return in the above figures take into account the results of significant investments only to the extent of dividends received amounting to £23,767. (ii) 2004 2003 Dividends - Ordinary shares £'000 £'000 -proposed final dividend of 4.0p per share (2003: 3.1p) payable on 24th June, 2005 to shareholders on the register at 20th May, 2005 195 149 ___ ___ (iii) The summary of results for the year ended 31st December, 2004 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of s240 of the Companies Act 1985. The full statutory accounts which will be available to shareholders by 13th May, 2005 have not been reported on by the Company's auditors and have not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Full accounts in respect of the year ended 31st December, 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the Auditor's Report on those accounts was unqualified. (iv) Basic revenue and capital returns per ordinary share are based on the return attributable to equity shareholders of £1,465,000 (2003: £1,153,000) and on the net capital return of £(46,000) (2003: £2,000) respectively and on 4,812,498 (2003: 4,597,976) ordinary shares being the weighted average number of those in issue during the year. (v) The diluted revenue and capital returns per ordinary share are based on the return attributable to equity shareholders of £1,465,000 (2003: £1,153,000) and on the net capital return of £(46,000) (2003: £2,000) respectively. Both diluted revenue and capital returns are calculated on 4,819,227 (2003: 4,631,941) shares being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year together with 6,728 (2003: 33,965) shares deemed to have been issued at nil consideration pursuant to the maximum number of shares that can be issued under the terms of the 8% Secured Loan Stock issued by Gresham House Finance plc. GRESHAM HOUSE plc PRELIMINARY FINAL STATEMENT CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December, 2004 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Investments Securites 8,762 6,746 Properties 28,600 37,200 Tangible assets 525 539 ______ ______ 37,887 44,485 Current assets 14,955 8,397 Creditors amounts falling due within one year (5,962) (6,350) ______ _____ Net current assets 8,993 2,047 ______ _____ Total assets less current liabilities 46,880 46,532 Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year (15,645) (18,013) Deferred income (245) (245) ______ ______ 30,990 28,274 Capital and reserves Called up share 1,212 1,189 capital Share premium account 761 554 Other reserves Revaluation reserve 10,614 12,800 Capital erserve - realsied 24,550 22,671 Capital erserve - unrealised 1,741 (170) Revenue reserves (8,562) (9,832) ______ ______ Equity shareholders' funds 30,316 27,212 Minority interests 674 1,062 ______ ______ 30,990 28,274 ______ ______ Basic net asset value per ordinary share 625.2p 572.3p Diluted net asset value per ordinary 624.3p 568.3p ______ _____ Notes: Basic net asset value per ordinary share is based on equity shareholders' funds at the year end and on 4,848,919 (2003: 4,754,641) ordinary shares being the number of ordinary shares in issue at the year end. Diluted net asset value per ordinary share is based on equity shareholders' funds at the year end and on 4,855,647 (2003: 4,788,606) ordinary shares. The number of shares is based upon the number of shares in issue at the year end together with 6,728 (2003: 33,965) shares deemed to have been issued at nil consideration pursuant to the maximum number of shares that can be issued under the terms of the 8% Secured Loan Stock issued by Gresham House Finance plc in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard No 14 GRESHAM HOUSE plc PRELIMINARY FINAL STATEMENT CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the Year ended 31st December, 2004 2004 2003 Notes £'000 £'000 Cashflow from operating activities Investment income received 129 133 Interest received 95 101 Rental income received 3,234 2,990 Other cash payments (1,859) (316) _____ _____ Net cash inflow from operating activities 1 1,599 2,908 _____ _____ Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest paid on 8% Secured Redeemable Loan Stock, 2006 (293) (293) Interest paid on property loans (1,201) (1,148) Net cash outflow from _____ _____ Investments and servicing of finance (1,494) (1,441) _____ _____ Capital expenditure and financial investment Sale of tangible fixed assets - 6 Purchase of tangible fixed assets - (19) Purchase of investments (2,154) (1,415) Sales of investmenst 2,108 1,320 Net loans advanced (99) - Purchase of investment properties (7,011) (1,039) Disposal of investment properties 15,698 - Purchase of developments in hand (280) (2,392) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from capital expenditure and financial _____ _____ investment 8,262 (3,539) Corporation tax paid - - Equity dividends paid (148) (142) Cash inflow/(outflow) before use of liquid resources and financing 8,219 (2,214) _____ _____ Management of liquid resources Sale/(acquisition) of listed securities held for dealing 134 (335) Financing Repayment of loans (7,613) (889) Receipt of loans 5,088 1,797 Share capital issued at par 230 271 Net cash (outflow)/inflow _____ _____ from financing (2,295) 1,179 Increase/(decrease)in cash 3 6,058 (1,370) _____ _____ GRESHAM HOUSE plc PRELIMINARY FINAL STATEMENT STATEMENT OF MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Revenue return for the year 1,270 1,004 Surplus on property revaluation 1,854 5,298 Net movement on capital reserves (46) 2 Exercise of options to subscribe for share capital 230 271 Minority interest in reserves (204) (1,006) _____ _____ 3,104 5,569 Shareholders' funds at 1st January 27,212 21,643 ______ ______ Shareholders' funds at 31st December 30,316 27,212 _______ ______ NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the Year ended 31st December, 2004 1 Reconciliation of operating profit to operating cash flows. 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Return on ordinary activities before taxation 974 1,209 Interest payable 1,252 1,458 _____ _____ 2,226 2,667 Depreciation 14 9 Write back of previous impairment - (40) (Increase)/decrease in debtors (622) 64 (Decrease)/increase in creditors (19) 208 _____ _____ Net cash flow from operating activities 1,599 2,908 _____ _____ 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 2 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Increase/(decrease) in cash for the year 6,058 (1,370) Cash outflow from repayment of debt 7,613 889 Cash inflow from loans received (5,088) (1,797) Cash (inflow)/outflow from (decrease)/increase in liquid resources (134) 335 ______ _____ Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 8,449 (1,943) Net debt at 1st January (19,833) (17,890) ______ ______ Net debt at 31st December (11,384) (19,833) ______ ______ GRESHAM HOUSE plc PRELIMINARY FINAL STATEMENT NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Cont'd for the Year ended 31st December, 2004 3 Analysis of net debt Other At 1st Cash non- At January flow cash 31st December 2004 changes 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cash at bank and brokers 1,189 6,041 7,230 Bank overdraft (17) 17 - - _____ _____ ____ _____ 1,172 6,058 - 7,230 Debt due within one year (3,673) 797 (640) (3,516) Debt due after one year (18,013) 1,728 640 (15,645) ______ _____ ____ _______ (21,686) 2,525 - (19,161) Current asset investments 681 (134) 547 ______ _____ ____ ____ (19,833) 8,449 - (11,384)
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