Final Results

Preliminary announcement of results of Impax Environmental Markets Trust plc for the year ended 31 December 2004 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Since my last statement as part of the Interim Report 2004, Impax Environmental Markets plc ("IEM" or "the Company") has had a good second half to the year. A steady stream of positive developments in Environmental Markets has reinforced the Company's prospects, while recent share price rises have been underpinned by rising earnings and substantial corporate activity. Performance and Current Status During the year, the net asset value ("NAV") rose 15.7% from 66.3p to 76.7p. The share price rose 28.4% from 55.5p to 71.3p and the discount to NAV reduced from 16.3% to 7.0%. This result represents a considerable outperformance over global markets. For example, over the same time period the MSCI World Index rose by 5.1%. As described further in the Manager's Report, Environmental Markets developed significantly in 2004. Whether concerned about climate change or motivated to secure reliable energy supplies, governments around the world are investing heavily and developing policies to promote the use of alternative energy and energy efficiency. At the same time, we have seen Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries make commitments to expand desalination capacity, while new legislation to control hazardous and packaging waste is set to increase the level of recycling worldwide. These trends continue to favour providers of new, innovative solutions in the energy, water and waste sectors. It is companies within these sectors in which IEM is invested. Financial results In line with their focus on capturing growth opportunities, most companies in the portfolio are reinvesting the majority of free cash in the business and do not pay substantial dividends. Therefore, as expected, the Company's revenue for the year was low, which after expenses and tax represented a small profit of 0.1p per share. The directors do not recommend payment of a dividend. Outlook With higher energy prices, mounting pressures on finite water resources and a raft of environmental legislation controlling the management of waste, the fundamental drivers of the Environmental Markets are as strong as ever going into 2005. The universe of companies in the sector is expanding steadily and the quality of management teams continues to improve. The share prices of Environmental Markets companies have recovered substantially since the market lows of the first quarter of 2003. However, the valuations of companies in the sector still appear attractive when compared with the growth prospects of the underlying businesses. Global equity markets have generally risen in the first part of 2005 and IEM has also advanced. On 11 March 2005 the Company's NAV had risen to 78.1p while the share price had risen to 72.5p. The directors continue to believe that the Company remains well positioned to benefit from the substantial opportunities emerging in the sector. Richard Bernays 17 March 2005 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the profit and loss account*) For the year ended 31 December 2004 2004 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains / (losses) on investments - realised - 1,009 1,009 - (5,295) (5,295) - unrealised - 4,366 4,366 - 11,472 11,472 Income 383 - 383 396 - 396 Investment management fee (78) (231) (309) (86) (256) (342) Other expenses (235) - (235) (257) - (257) Return on ordinary activities before taxation 70 5,144 5,214 53 5,921 5,974 Taxation (24) - (24) (28) - (28) Return on ordinary activities after taxation 46 5,144 5,190 25 5,921 5,946 Ordinary dividends payable - - - - - - Transfer to reserves 46 5,144 5,190 25 5,921 5,946 Return per ordinary share 0.09p 10.29p 10.38p 0.05p 11.84p 11.89p * The revenue column of this statement 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. BALANCE SHEET At 31 December 2004 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Investments at market value 37,774 32,892 CURRENT ASSETS Income receivable 10 24 Sales - future settlements - 94 Overseas tax recoverable 5 16 VAT recoverable 134 - Other debtors 8 9 Cash at bank and in hand 641 319 798 462 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Purchases - future settlements (94) (88) Accrued liabilities (132) (120) (226) (208) NET CURRENT ASSETS 572 254 TOTAL NET ASSETS 38,346 33,146 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Share capital 5,000 5,000 Share premium account - - Share purchase reserve 44,125 44,125 Realised capital reserve (11,031) (11,819) Unrealised capital reserve 196 (4,170) Revenue reserve 56 10 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 38,346 33,146 Net assets per ordinary share 76.69p 66.29p CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 December 2004 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (270) (231) FINANCIAL INVESTMENT Payments to acquire fixed asset investments (11,886) (9,211) Receipts on disposal of fixed asset investments 12,508 9,239 Exchange losses (30) (38) NET CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 592 (10) NET CASH FLOW AFTER FINANCING 322 (241) INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH 322 (241) NOTES 1. The preliminary announcement was approved by the Board on 17 March 2005. 2. These accounts have been prepared using the accounting standards and policies of the previous year end and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies" ("SORP") issued by the AITC in 2003. 3. Returns per ordinary share are based on the weighted average of 50,000,000 ordinary shares in issue during the year (2003: 50,000,000). Net assets per ordinary share are based on 50,000,000 ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 2004 (2003: 50,000,000). 4. Dividend The Company's revenue profit after tax for the year amounted to £46,000. This is less than 15% of qualifying income for investment trust purposes and therefore the directors do not propose that the Company will pay a final dividend. 5. Financial information The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004 as defined by section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for 2004 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2004, which will be delivered to the registrar of companies following the company's annual general meeting. The auditors have reported on the 2003 accounts; their report was unqualified and did not include a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 6. The Annual General Meeting will be held on 4 May 2005 at 4 p.m. at the registered office of the Company. 17 March 2005 Secretary and registered office: Cavendish Administration Limited Crusader House 145-157 St John Street London EC1V 4RU ---END OF MESSAGE---
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