Final Results

Preliminary announcement of results of Impax Environmental Markets plc for the year ended 31 December 2006 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am delighted to report that 2006 was the fourth consecutive year of good performance for Impax Environmental Markets plc ("IEM" or "the Company"). As the fundamentals of the alternative energy, water and waste sectors continued to strengthen, many companies active in this space were able to deliver superior earnings growth, and their shareholders were rewarded with attractive returns. Meanwhile, the Company continued to benefit from the desire of many investors to seek exposure to these sectors through an actively managed portfolio and an additional £66 million was raised through a C share issue during the year. Performance and Current Status During the year, the Company's net asset value ("NAV") per Ordinary Share (taking into account the dilution effect of the warrants in issue) rose by 19.4% from 92.6p to 110.6p, while the Ordinary Share price rose 22.6% from 94.0p to 115.3p. This result represents another year of out-performance versus global markets: for example, over the same time period the MSCI World and the MSCI World Small Cap Indices (priced in Pounds Sterling) rose by 3.6% and 1.7% respectively. Since the Company was established in February 2002, the number of "pure play" Environmental Markets stocks has more than doubled, and the aggregate market capitalisation now stands at over £150 billion. I am particularly encouraged that many of the trends and themes identified by the Manager have become mainstream. During the year the Company made its first investments in unquoted investments, and the Manager expects to increase the exposure in this area to 6-7 per cent. of the Company's net assets. Investments will only be made in unquoted companies which appear to be candidates for flotation or sale. Financial results As in previous years, the Company's dividend income was low as portfolio companies have been investing free cash flow to support business development. However, the Company received higher than normal bank interest income during the year, which was earned while the cash proceeds of the C Share issue were being invested. As a result, the Company's net revenue after tax was 0.2p per share, which was higher than in previous years and, in order to retain its investment trust status, the Company is therefore required to pay a small final dividend. It should not, however, be assumed that a dividend will be paid in future years. The directors recommend a final dividend of 0.2p per Ordinary Share, which, if approved at the Company's Annual General Meeting, will be paid to shareholders on the register as at the close of business on 13 April 2007. C Share Issue As I reported at the interim stage, in August the Company raised £66 million in a placing and offer for subscription of C shares that was sponsored by Dresdner Kleinwort. In October, when the Manager had invested 90 per cent of the proceeds, the C shares were converted into ordinary shares in accordance with the terms of the issue. This latest share issue together with the strong performance of the underlying portfolio meant that the Company's net assets exceeded £200 million. I believe that this further expansion has been beneficial to shareholders, particularly in creating a larger base over which the Company can spread its fixed costs. Furthermore, there has been evidence that the liquidity of the Company's shares has increased. I am also pleased to report that the C share issue does not appear to have affected the premium at which the Company's ordinary shares trade with respect to NAV. This premium was 1.4% at the start of the year, increased to 4.1% at the end of the Interim Period and continued to rise, ending the year at 4.4%. Outlook At the time of writing, the Company's good performance is continuing. On 23 March 2007 the Company's NAV had risen by 5.1% since the start of the year, while the share price had risen by 2.4%. The MSCI World Index has risen by 2.6% over the same period. This year I would like to make a special mention of the shifting global attitudes to climate change and the potential impact that it may have for the IEM portfolio. During the last twelve months we have seen further recognition from economists (eg the Stern Report), scientists (eg the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, "IPCC") and policy makers including those in the United States (eg the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) that climate change is a real problem that requires urgent action. As global measures are implemented both to mitigate and adapt to climate change, I expect opportunities to be created for many of the companies in the Company's portfolio. Beyond this issue, the underlying drivers for Environmental Markets in the form of market liberalisation, tightening environmental legislation and increased competitiveness of new technologies remain as strong as ever and, as indicated in the Manager's report, the IEM portfolio companies continue to perform well, typically matching or exceeding expectations for earnings and growth. As a consequence, the directors believe that the outlook for the Company remains positive. Richard Bernays 27 March 2007 INCOME STATEMENT For the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - realised - 9,074 9,074 - 2,147 2,147 - unrealised - 25,507 25,507 - 7,862 7,862 Income 1,427 - 1,427 506 - 506 Investment management fee (439) (1,321) (1,760) (134) (404) (538) Other expenses (554) - (554) (306) - (306) Return on ordinary activities before 434 33,260 33,694 66 9,605 9,671 taxation Taxation (78) - (78) (24) - (24) Return on ordinary activities after 356 33,260 33,616 42 9,605 9,647 taxation Return per ordinary share - undiluted 0.23p 21.67p 21.90p 0.07p 15.76p 15.83p Return per ordinary share - diluted 0.23p 21.37p 21.60p 0.07p 15.76p 15.83p The total column is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the year. A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been presented as all gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement. BALANCE SHEET At 31 December 2006 2006 2005 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Investments at fair value through profit 219,994 104,241 or loss CURRENT ASSETS Income receivable 68 26 Sales - future settlements 1,462 320 Taxation recoverable 56 12 Other debtors 43 31 Cash at bank and in hand 4,066 4,135 5,695 4,524 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Purchases - future settlements (735) (1,580) Accrued liabilities (513) (242) (1,248) (1,822) NET CURRENT ASSETS 4,447 2,702 TOTAL NET ASSETS 224,441 106,943 CAPITAL AND RESERVES: EQUITY Share capital 20,036 11,555 Share premium account 127,796 52,395 Share purchase reserve 44,125 44,125 Realised capital reserve (1,535) (9,288) Unrealised capital reserve 33,565 8,058 Revenue reserve 454 98 SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 224,441 106,943 Net assets per Ordinary Share - undiluted 112.02p 92.55p Net assets per Ordinary Share - diluted 110.58p 92.55p Number of ordinary shares in issue 200,356,027 115,549,454 RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS For the year ended 31 December 2006 Share Share Realised Unrealised Share Premium Purchase Capital Capital Revenue Capital Account Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening 11,555 52,395 44,125 (9,288) 8,058 98 106,943 shareholders' funds As at 1 January 2006 Shares issued 8,151 73,754 - - - - 81,905 during the year Exercise of 330 2,834 - - - - 3,164 warrants Share issue - (1,187) - - - - (1,187) expenses Profit for - - - 7,753 25,507 356 33,616 the year Closing 20,036 127,796 44,125 (1,535) 33,565 454 224,441 shareholders' funds As at 31 December 2006 For the year ended 31 December 2005 Share Share Realised Unrealised Share Premium Purchase Capital Capital Revenue Capital Account Reserve Reserve Reserve Reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening 5,000 - 44,125 (11,031) 196 56 38,346 shareholders' funds as at 1 January 2005 Shares issued 6,555 53,445 - - - - 60,000 during the year Share issue - (1,050) - - - (1,050) expenses Profit for - - - 1,743 7,862 42 9,647 the year Closing 11,555 52,395 44,125 (9,288) 8,058 98 106,943 shareholders' funds as at 31 December 2005 CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 December 2006 2006 2005 £'000 £'000 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash inflow from investment income and bank 1,397 495 interest Cash outflow from management expenses (2,188) (660) Cash inflow from disposal of investments 52,504 51,793 Cash outflow from purchase of investments (135,531) (106,913) Cash outflow from foreign exchange costs (132) (171) NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (83,950) (55,456) FINANCING Proceeds of share issues 85,068 60,000 Expenses of share issues (1,187) (1,050) NET CASH INFLOW FROM FINANCING 83,881 58,950 (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH (69) 3,494 2006 2005 £'000 £'000 Opening balance 4,135 641 Cash (outflow) / inflow (69) 3,494 Balance at 31 December 2006 4,066 4,135 NOTES 1. The preliminary announcement was approved by the Board on 27 March 2007. 2. These accounts have been prepared using the accounting standards and policies of the previous year end. The accounts have been presented in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies" ("SORP") issued by the AIC issued in December 2005. 3. Undiluted return per share is based on the net return on ordinary activities after taxation of £33,616,000 (2005: £9,647,000) attributable to the weighted average of 153,477,613 (2005: 60,954,841) Ordinary Shares of 10p in issue during the year. The weighted average has been adjusted for the effect of the C share issue and conversion during the year. Diluted return per ordinary share is based on the net return on ordinary activities after taxation of £33,616,000 (2005: £9,647,000) attributable to the diluted weighted average of 155,607,810 (2005: 60,954,841) Ordinary Shares in issue during the year. Dilution is due to the Warrants in issue during the year. 4. Undiluted net assets per Ordinary Share is based on net assets of £224,441,000 (2005: £106,943,000) divided by 200,356,027 (2005: 115,549,454) Ordinary Shares in issue at the Balance Sheet date. Diluted net assets per Ordinary Share is based on diluted net assets of £243,463,000 (2005: £106,943,000) divided by 220,170,409 (2005: 115,549,454) diluted Ordinary Shares in issue at the Balance Sheet date. Dilution is due to the Warrants in issue at the year end. 5. Dividend The directors propose that the Company will pay a final dividend of 0.2p per Ordinary Share. If approved at the Annual General Meeting the dividend will be paid on 10 May 2007 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 13 April 2007. 6. Financial information The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2006 as defined by section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for 2006 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2006, which will be delivered to the registrar of companies following the company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors have reported on the 2005 accounts; which have been delivered to the registrar; their report was unqualified and did not include a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 7. The Annual General Meeting will be held on 3 May 2007 at 10 a.m. at 145-157 St. John Street, London, EC1V 4RU. 27 March 2007 Secretary and registered office: Cavendish Administration Limited 145-157 St John Street London EC1V 4RU Tel: 020 7490 4355 ---END OF MESSAGE---
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