Final Results

Preliminary announcement of results of Impax Environmental Markets plc for the year ended 31 December 2005 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report another year of solid performance for Impax Environmental Markets plc ("IEM" or "the Company"). As sector fundamentals continued to strengthen, companies active in the alternative energy, water and waste sectors were generally able to achieve their objectives in 2005. Demand for the Company's shares was also robust. Performance and Current Status During the year, the net asset value ("NAV") per Ordinary Share (measured at "bid") rose by 21.6% from 76.1p to 92.6p, while the Ordinary Share price (measured at "mid-market") rose 31.8% from 71.3p to 94.0p. This result represents another year of out-performance versus global markets. Over the same time period the MSCI World Index rose by 20.3%. The year saw environmental issues once again taking centre stage. Amid growing concerns that climate change could impact the global economy, carbon trading began in earnest in Europe and the Kyoto Protocol finally came into force. Rising prices for fossil fuels heightened concerns over energy security leading to new policy initiatives to promote alternative energy. Corporate activity also continued apace, especially in the water and pollution control sectors, with several investee companies taken-over at high valuations. All these developments were positive for the Company. Financial results In line with their focus on capturing growth opportunities, most of the companies within IEM's portfolio are reinvesting free cash in their businesses and once again dividend income was limited. Consequently, the Company's revenue for the year was low and after expenses and tax, there was a small revenue return of 0.07p per share. The directors therefore do not recommend payment of a dividend. Several new UK Financial Reporting Standards have been issued during the Company's financial year. The main impact on the Company is the requirement to value investments at bid rather than mid market price. As at the 31 December 2005 this change of basis resulted in a reduction in net assets equivalent to 0.47p per Ordinary Share. C Share Issue Following my last statement as part of the Interim Report 2005, the Company's shares continued to trade at a premium to NAV. In October, the directors announced proposals for the issue of C Shares by way of a placing and offer for subscription sponsored by Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, and the Company was successful in raising £60 million before expenses, taking net assets to over £100 million for the first time. I believe this expansion is a major development for the Company and is indicative of the emergence of the Environmental Markets sector into the mainstream. The C Shares were successfully converted into ordinary shares in December 2005, with shareholders also receiving one warrant for every five ordinary shares held at that time. Your Board believes that the C Share issue has provided the Company's shareholders with several benefits. These include increased liquidity of the Company's Ordinary Shares and increased size over which the Company can spread its fixed costs. New Share Issue and Share Buy Backs In January and February 2006, strong demand for the Company's Ordinary Shares continued and during these months 4,995,000 new Ordinary Shares were issued. On 20 February 2006, a circular was sent to shareholders which contained proposals to grant the directors authority to allot a further 7,047,390 Ordinary Shares and these proposals were approved by shareholders on 15 March 2006. On 17 March 2006 a further 7,047,390 Ordinary Shares were issued at a price of 110p per Ordinary Share. At the Annual General Meeting to be held on 10 May 2006, the Company will seek approval to allot a further 12,746,425 Ordinary Shares, subject to a maximum of 9.99% of the Ordinary Shares in issue at the time of the AGM, and to disapply pre-emption rights when allotting those Ordinary Shares. Any new shares issued from this authority will not be issued at less than NAV. The Company will also seek authority to buy back up to 14.99% of the Ordinary Shares in issue. Shares will only be bought back at a discount to net asset value and will either be cancelled or if the directors so determine held in Treasury. Any Ordinary Shares held in Treasury will not be sold at less than NAV. Outlook At the time of writing, equity markets have started the year well and the Company's out-performance is continuing. On 17 March 2006 the Company's NAV had risen by 17% since the start of the year, while the share price had risen to 110.9p. Governments around the world show no signs of reneging on commitments to improve energy security, curb pollution and reduce waste volumes, and Environmental Markets companies continue to report rising earnings and strong prospects for growth. In this context, the directors believe that the outlook for the Company remains good. Richard Bernays 22 March 2006 UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT (incorporating the profit and loss account*) For the year ended 31 December 2005 2005 2004 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains / (losses) on investments - realised - 2,147 2,147 - 1,009 1,009 - unrealised - 7,862 7,862 - 4,366 4,366 Income 506 - 506 383 - 383 Investment management fee (134) (404) (538) (78) (231) (309) Other expenses (306) - (306) (235) - (235) Return on ordinary activities before 66 9,605 9,671 70 5,144 5,214 taxation Taxation (24) - (24) (24) - (24) Return on ordinary activities after 42 9,605 9,647 46 5,144 5,190 taxation Return per ordinary share 0.07p 15.76p 15.83p 0.09p 10.29p 10.38p * The total return 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. UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET At 31 December 2005 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Investments at market value 104,241 37,774 CURRENT ASSETS Income receivable 26 10 Sales - future settlements 320 - Taxation recoverable 12 139 Other debtors 31 8 Cash at bank and in hand 4,135 641 4,524 798 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Purchases - future settlements (1,580) (94) Accrued liabilities (242) (132) (1,822) (226) NET CURRENT ASSETS 2,702 572 TOTAL NET ASSETS 106,943 38,346 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Share capital 11,555 5,000 Share premium account 52,395 - Share purchase reserve 44,125 44,125 Realised capital reserve (9,288) (11,031) Unrealised capital reserve 8,058 196 Revenue reserve 98 56 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 106,943 38,346 Net assets per ordinary share 92.55p 76.69p Net assets per ordinary share on a 92.55p 76.10p portfolio bid price valuation basis Number of ordinary shares in issue 115,549,454 50,000,000 UNAUDITED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 December 2005 2005 2004 £'000 £'000 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash inflow from investment income and bank 495 382 interest Cash outflow from management expenses (660) (652) Cash inflow from disposal of investments 51,793 12,508 Cash outflow from purchase of investments (106,913) (11,886) Cash outflow from foreign exchange costs (171) (30) NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (55,456) 322 FINANCING Proceeds of share issue 60,000 - Expenses of share issue (1,050) - NET CASH INFLOW FROM FINANCING 58,950 - INCREASE IN CASH 3,494 322 NOTES 1. The preliminary announcement was approved by the Board on 22 March 2006. 2. These accounts have been prepared using the accounting standards and policies of the previous year end except for the implementation of FRS 25 and FRS 26 during the year. The comparatives for the year ended 31 December 2004 have not been restated but as a result of the change in valuation method from mid market to bid price reserves brought forward have been reduced by £294,000 The accounts have been presented in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies" ("SORP") issued by the AITC issued in January 2003 except where the SORP has been superseded by UK GAAP. 3. Return per ordinary share is based on the weighted average of 60,954,841 ordinary shares in issue during the year (2004: 50,000,000). Net assets per ordinary share is based on 115,549,454 ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 2005 (2004: 50,000,000). 4. Dividend The Company's revenue return after tax for the year amounted to £42,000. 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 2005 as defined by section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for 2005 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2005, which will be delivered to the registrar of companies following the company's annual general meeting. The auditors have reported on the 2004 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 10 May 2006 at 3 p.m. at the offices of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Securities Limited, 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3P 3DB. 22 March 2006 Secretary and registered office: Cavendish Administration Limited Crusader House 145-157 St John Street London EC1V 4RU ---END OF MESSAGE---
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