Interim Results

Impax Environmental Markets PLC 10 September 2004 Impax Environmental Markets plc Preliminary announcement of interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2004 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to report that Impax Environmental Markets plc ('IEM' or 'the Company') has had a solid start to 2004. During a period when global equity markets have lacked direction, Environmental Markets ('EM') companies have generally produced good results and share prices have improved in line. Over the interim period from 1 January until 30 June 2004, the MSCI World Index (priced in Pounds Sterling) rose 1.2%. The Company's net asset value ('NAV') increased from 66.29p to 69.09p, an overall rise of 4.2%. The share price rose 8.6% from 55.50p at the start of the year to 60.25p on 30 June 2004 representing a narrowing of the discount from 16% to 13%. After a difficult start in 2002, I am encouraged that the Company's share price (+33.2%) has outperformed the MSCI World Index (+11.0%) over the twelve months ending 30 June 2004, reflecting a combination of good NAV growth and a substantial narrowing of the discount. There has been positive news from environmental markets this year. In particular, the high prices of oil and gas have improved the relative economics of businesses that develop or deploy alternative energy technologies. Meanwhile, the recent storms and flooding in Europe and the US are likely to strengthen the resolve of policy makers intent on mitigating climate change while at the same time improving prospects for companies selling engineering solutions to manage storm water. Most companies in the portfolio have reported earnings in line with or ahead of expectations and many confirm that capital expenditure in the EM sub-sectors has picked up substantially. Against this backdrop, corporate activity has continued to deliver benefits to investors in EM companies. Looking forward to the remainder of 2004, the likelihood of rising interest rates, the growing US budget deficit and the ongoing uncertainty in Iraq are adding to concern over the health of the wider economy in general and the stock market in particular. At the time of writing the NAV is lower at 66.81p while the share price has risen slightly to 60.50p. With a steady flow of positive news in the sector, the directors believe that selective environmental markets stocks offer good value for money and that the Company's prospects remain relatively attractive. Richard Bernays 10 September 2004 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the profit and loss account*) 6 months 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to 6 months to to to to to to 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June 30 June 2004 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains / (losses) on investments - 1,543 1,543 - 969 969 Income 200 - 200 247 - 247 Investment management fees (49) (149) (198) (38) (114) (152) Other expenses (131) - (131) (133) - (133) Return on ordinary activities before tax 20 1,394 1,414 76 855 931 Taxation (16) - (16) (19) - (19) Return after taxation 4 1,394 1,398 57 855 912 Dividends - - - - - - Transfers to reserves 4 1,394 1,398 57 855 912 Return per Ordinary Share 0.01p 2.79p 2.80p 0.11p 1.71p 1.82p * The revenue column of the statement of total return is the profit and loss account of the Company. All capital and revenue items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period. Return per Ordinary Share is based on 50,000,000 Ordinary Shares in issue throughout the period. BALANCE SHEET At 30 June At 30 June At 31 Dec 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments at market value 33,407 26,824 32,892 Current assets Sales for future settlement 509 - 94 Other debtors 35 44 49 Cash at bank and in hand 1,101 1,328 319 1,645 1,372 462 Current liabilities Purchases for future settlement (414) - (88) Accrued liabilities (94) (84) (120) (508) (84) (208) Net current assets 1,137 1,288 254 Total net assets 34,544 28,112 33,146 Capital and reserves Share capital 5,000 5,000 5,000 Share purchase reserve 44,125 44,125 44,125 Capital reserves (14,595) (21,055) (15,989) Revenue reserve 14 42 10 Equity shareholders' funds 34,544 28,112 33,146 Net asset value per share including current period 69.09p 56.22p 66.29p revenue reserves Net asset value per share excluding current period 69.08p 56.11p 66.27p revenue reserves Number of Ordinary Shares in issue 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 months 6 months to 30 June to 30 June 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Net cash flow from operating activities (157) (87) Financial investment Payments to acquire fixed asset investments (5,830) (2,480) Receipts on disposal of fixed asset investments 6,778 3,351 Exchange gains & losses (9) (16) Net cash flow from investing activities 939 855 Net cash flow before financing 782 768 Increase in cash 782 768 NOTES Net assets per share Net assets per share are based on the number of ordinary shares in issue at the end of the period. Dividend The directors do not recommend an interim dividend. Investment company status The Company has given notice of its intention to carry on business as an investment company and it manages its affairs to enable it to qualify as an investment trust for taxation purposes under section 842 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act. The Company therefore presents its accounts in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Investment Trust Companies, with the Statement of Total Return as its first primary statement. Interim report The interim report will be sent to shareholders and copies will be made available to the public at the registered office of the Company. The Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2003 received an unqualified audit report and have been filed with the registrar of companies at Companies House. SECRETARY, ADMINISTRATOR AND REGISTERED OFFICE Cavendish Administration Limited Crusader House 145-157 St. John Street London EC1V 4RU 10 September 2004 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings