Final Results

LMS Capital PLC 26 March 2008 26 March 2008 LMS Capital plc Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2007 The Board of LMS Capital plc ("LMS Capital" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2007. Financial Highlights* •Net Asset Value per share was 101p (31 December 2006: 90p), an increase of 12% •Shareholders' return on equity was 12% (nine months ended 31 December 2006: loss) •Net Asset Value was £289.0 million (31 December 2006: £258.5 million) •The valuation of the investment portfolio was £282.1 million (31 December 2006: £234.9 million) •Net gains on investments were £36.7 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: net loss of £6.4 million) •Profit after tax was £29.8 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: loss of £10.8 million) *investment management business Operational Highlights •Discussions are taking place regarding the sale of Energy Cranes •The Company entered the real estate sector through investments in Brockton Capital Fund I (UK), Illyrian Land Fund II (South Eastern and Eastern Europe) and Patson VNO Holdings (USA) •The investment in Gourmet Holdings plc was increased Robert Rayne, Chief Executive Officer of LMS Capital, said: "These strong results demonstrate the resilience of our business despite the uncertain market conditions we have seen since the middle of 2007. We expect market conditions to be harder in the future and we continue to take a cautious approach to valuations, both in our existing portfolio and in assessing new investment opportunities. We believe that with our risk diversification, experienced management team and long-term outlook we are well placed to make good progress. We also perceive the current conditions as being an opportunity for us to make further investments at favourable prices." For further information please contact: LMS Capital plc 020 7935 3555 Robert Rayne, Chief Executive Officer Martin Pexton, Managing Director Tony Sweet, Chief Financial Officer Arbuthnot Securities Limited 020 7012 2000 Alastair Moreton Brunswick Group LLP 020 7404 5959 Simon Sporborg Leonora Pou www.lmscapital.com Chairman's statement During 2007 the Company continued to make good progress with its objectives for the investment portfolio. Results The Group achieved realised gains on investments of £6.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2007 (31 December 2006: £5.1 million). Net unrealised gains on the investment portfolio were £30.0 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: losses of £11.5 million). The profit from our investment management business for the year ended 31 December 2007 was £29.8 million (31 December 2006: loss of £10.8 million). For the Group as a whole (including the portfolio subsidiaries) the loss for the period was £0.4 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: loss of £21.6 million). The Board is not recommending payment of a dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2007 (2006: Nil). The valuation of the investment portfolio at 31 December 2007 was £282.1 million, an increase of £47.2 million, 20%, compared to 31 December 2006. The net asset value per share of the Company at 31 December 2007 was 101p (31 December 2006: 90p). Our quoted portfolio has performed well during 2007 and we have been able to take advantage of price improvements to reduce the number of our holdings, particularly where the holding was relatively small. Our directly managed investments have undergone strategic reviews by the new investment managers and we are already seeing the benefits in the companies' underlying performance. In the US we have introduced a partner into San Francisco Equity Partners, realising part of our investment and at the same time expanding the size of that fund. Board and management On behalf of the Board I should like to record our thanks to the management and staff of the Company for their efforts in consolidating the business and laying the foundations for the future. Share purchase authority At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting the Company will be seeking authority to purchase up to 14.99% of its issued share capital, as is usual practice by investment companies. The Company also needs to obtain a waiver in respect of the Takeover Code obligations that a repurchase of shares above a certain limit would place on the Rayne family shareholders. Full details will be provided in the Notice of Annual General Meeting which will accompany the Annual Report. Your Board regularly reviews the possibility of purchasing shares in the market and the Directors will use such authority only if they believe, at the relevant time, that it is in the best interests of the shareholders and would result in an increase in net asset value per share of the Company. Outlook The Company has a broadly-based, risk-diversified portfolio of investments in sectors where the management team has considerable experience and we are seeing a sustained inflow of new investment opportunities. The current economic environment is uncertain but your Board is confident that the Company's strategy will result in strong medium to long-term growth in shareholder value. Jonathan Agnew Chairman 26 March 2008 Business Review Strategy LMS Capital plc is an independent investment company. Our objective is to deliver sustained medium to long-term growth for our shareholders through a risk-diversified portfolio of investments in public and private companies. We understand the drivers of demand in the sectors in which we invest and this enables us to recognise the potential of both new ideas and young companies requiring growth funding. These sectors currently include applied technology, energy, healthcare and medical, media and leisure and real estate. We do, however, retain the freedom to invest outside our core sectors in order to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Investments are principally in the UK and US, although the Company is not restricted from expanding into other markets. A deep knowledge of our chosen sectors acquired over many years allows LMS Capital to invest in and with leading management teams, however, the Company undertakes rigorous inquiry and carries out full due diligence into new investments to understand the investee company's business, evaluate information on their market place and competition, meet their management, directors and existing shareholders and if necessary commission reports from external experts. We also understand the cyclical nature of the sectors in which we are working in and through taking long-term positions are able to adjust our economic interest to reflect the longer holding period. One of the principal characteristics of LMS Capital which differentiates us from other private equity investors is the time horizon over which we are able to invest. As an active, and supportive, long-term investor we are not constrained by the fixed investment periods (typically three to five years) of most private equity funds. It is not uncommon for us to hold investments for longer than this where we believe that this will deliver greater shareholder value. The Board will continue to manage the Company's portfolio in line with its overall objective. In this regard, we may make realisations from within the existing portfolio where we believe that the proceeds of realisation could generate better returns if deployed elsewhere. Investment Portfolio The portfolio is risk diversified and comprises: •early stage companies where we expect high return multiples; •companies requiring development finance where the normal holding period would be three to five years; and •shorter term investments in the pre- and post-IPO market which usually provide liquidity within three to four years. Analysis of portfolio by investment stage 2007 2006 ______________ _____________ £ millions % £ millions % Early stage 27.6 10 24.5 10 Development 77.2 27 64.6 28 Growth 106.7 39 71.2 30 Post IPO 70.6 24 74.6 32 _________ _________ _________ _________ 282.1 100 234.9 100 _________ _________ _________ _________ Analysis of portfolio by type of investment 2007 2006 __________________ ______________ UK US Total Total Quoted 17.5 46.3 63.8 69.4 Unquoted 116.5 15.4 131.9 99.3 Funds 28.6 57.8 86.4 66.2 _________ _________ _________ _________ 162.6 119.5 282.1 234.9 _________ _________ _________ _________ At 31 December 2007, 42% of our portfolio was US based (31 December 2006: 47%), which includes £57.8 million (31 December 2006: £54.7 million) in US private equity funds. Analysis of portfolio by sector 2007 2006 _____________ ______________ £ millions % £ millions % Applied technology 84.2 30 84.8 36 Energy 105.7 37 66.6 28 Healthcare & medical 18.0 6 23.5 10 Media & leisure 44.5 16 46.5 20 Real estate 15.4 5 - - Financial services 2.3 1 7.5 3 Funds 12 4 6.0 3 _________ _________ _________ _________ 282.1 100 234.9 100 _________ _________ _________ _________ Operational Review Additions to the investment portfolio during the year were £57.2 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: £48.1 million) of which £30.5 million was for new investments and £26.7 million for follow on investments and capital calls on funds. Energy Energy Cranes International ("Energy Cranes") is our largest investment by value and the business has continued to make good progress during the year. It has further consolidated its global position in the provision of offshore crane services by acquiring Marine and Mainland, based in Houston and Aberdeen Hydraulic Services, based in Aberdeen. Weatherford International Limited remains our second largest investment; our holding has a book value of £28.3 million at 31 December 2007. A quoted US company, Weatherford is one of the world's largest diversified upstream oilfield service companies. In September 2007, we sold part of our holding for £3.2 million. During the year, we invested £3.6 million in BJ Services, a company whose core business comprises cementing, stimulation, downhole tools and coiled tubing services to the oil and gas industry worldwide. BJ Services also provides tubular services, process and pipeline services, and specialty chemical services in selected geographic markets. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. We also purchased an interest in Venture Production plc at a cost of £3.4 million. The company is involved in acquiring, operating and revitalising stranded oil and gas assets - fields with proven but untapped potential. We sold half our holding in the third quarter and the closing value of our remaining holding is £2.0 million. Another new investment in the year is Stratic Energy Corporation, a Canadian-incorporated international oil and gas company involved in the production, development, appraisal and exploration of hydrocarbons. The company's key interests are in the North Sea, Italy and the Black Sea, with further interests in Syria, Tunisia, Slovenia, Romania and Morocco. The company's asset portfolio encompasses near-term production, development, appraisal and exploration properties. We have also committed US$5 million to Energy Ventures Fund III, a Norwegian fund focusing on upstream oil & gas technology and service companies with global potential. The management team have an impressive track record in their first two funds. During 2007 ITS Engineered Systems Inc, which provides custom engineering and fabrication services to the oil and gas industry, has significantly improved its operating performance following a reappraisal of the business' strategy and focus. New management has been appointed who have improved all aspects of operational procedures including cost controls. The company has also continued research into new processes within the energy sector, including development of a new wastewater treatment and recycling process. In December 2007, the Company invested £0.9 million in Global Green Solutions Inc, which is a Canadian quoted company. Global Green is engaged in the development of alternative energy activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to generate carbon credits. Real estate Capitalising on management's knowledge and experience of the real estate sector, the Company acquired an interest in Brockton Capital Fund I, a UK real estate opportunity fund, from Derwent London in June 2007 at a cost of £7.9 million. There have been capital calls since then of £4 million with approximately an £11 million commitment remaining to be called. The fund focuses on UK direct property and UK asset-backed private equity. The Brockton team, which is well known to us, has a deep analytical understanding of property and how best to enhance value. As part of the development of our real estate interests we have made two further commitments. We committed €5 million to Illyrian Land Fund II, which concentrates on high growth or undervalued assets in South Eastern and Eastern Europe. This fund is managed by Emerging Markets Advisory Corporation Limited in which we have an 8.8% interest. We also agreed a $5 million loan facility to Patson VNO Holdings. Patson, managed by a team well known to us over a number of years, focuses on the management and development of commercial property opportunities in California. Media & leisure The Company has been invested in this sector for a number of years. A long-term investment is Rave Reviews Cinemas, an independent multiplex cinema operator in the US. Rave is a co-investment with Boston Ventures, with whom we have been partners for many years The Company is invested in Gourmet Holdings plc, which is quoted on AIM. Gourmet is the owner of the Richoux chain, four upmarket patisseries located in Central London. During 2007, Gourmet underwent a management reorganisation and received an injection of capital. As a result, we now own approximately 21% of Gourmet. In September 2007, Gourmet acquired an Italian patisserie brand, Amato, and will roll out new patisseries under this brand during 2008. Since May 2006, the Company has been invested in Prime Foods Limited. Prime Foods trades as Prime Star and is the leader in the sandwich sector in Moscow, with 12 outlets. The fast food sector is one of the fastest growing in Moscow and the Company owns 8.8% of the company. Healthcare & medical The Company owns approximately 9.0% of ProStrakan Group plc, a listed UK company in the rapidly growing specialty pharmaceutical sector. The company is engaged in the in-licensing, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for the treatment of unmet therapeutic needs in major markets. It continues to make good progress in its chosen markets and we expect to continue to hold this investment in expectation of increases in value in the medium term. During 2007 we invested $1 million in O2 Medtech Investment Group LP, a single purpose limited partnership created to invest in O2 Medtech which has developed a new technique to measure oxygen flow to the blood during surgical procedures. Applied technology In September 2007, we invested US$5 million for an 8% interest in a buyout of Healthcare Management Systems (HMS), a transaction led by Primus Capital Funds, which is one of our US General Partners. HMS is a provider of integrated IT solutions and business services to over 550 hospitals in the US. The company offers clinical as well as financial solutions for hospitals. During the year, the Company invested £0.6 million in Bond International Software plc, a worldwide provider of software solutions in the field of human capital management. It supplies staffing and talent management software for recruitment consultancies and corporations of all sizes, and provides HR, e-recruitment and payroll solutions to the public, education and publishing sectors. We sold our investments in Atheros Communications and Covad and reduced our holding in Digital Generation Systems. A total of £4.4 million was raised from these disposals. Overall our UK unquoted investments in this sector made good progress during 2007. Each has recently evaluated its strategic options and formulated a clearly defined plan. However, in the current uncertain market conditions we continue to adopt a prudent approach to the valuation of these businesses. Financial services Following the takeover of Bridgewell Group plc by Landsbanki in August 2007, the Company received shares in Landsbanki which it subsequently sold in the market. Although this investment did not meet our original expectations in terms of value on exit, we nevertheless achieved an internal rate of return of over 10% on our investment. Funds During the year, the Company invested £28.3 million in various funds throughout its core investment sectors. Income distributions received for the year from our fund investments totalled £14.3 million. Financial Review Basis of preparation of financial information The Company is for the first time reporting its full year results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the consolidated financial statements include the consolidation of portfolio companies which are also subsidiaries ("portfolio subsidiaries"). Since the Board manages the Company as an investment business, this financial review focuses on the results of the investment management operations. Note 2 to the financial information shows the separate results and net assets of the investment management business. Where appropriate, this review comments on the results and financial position of the portfolio subsidiaries. The financial information of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2007 and the nine months ended 31 December 2006 has been prepared on a merger accounting basis as if it had been in existence in its current form throughout both these periods. The Company was formed on 17 March 2006 and commenced operations on 9 June 2006. Further details of the basis of preparation are set out in Note 1 to the financial information. Results of operations Net Asset Value at 31 December 2007 was £289.0 million (31 December 2006: £258.5 million), an increase of £30.5 million or 12%. The Net Asset Value per share was 101p (31 December 2006: 90p). The investment portfolio increased by £47.2 million (22%) to £282.1 million. The Group's return on its investment portfolio for the year ended 31 December 2007 was £36.7 million, 16%, (nine months ended 31 December 2006: loss of £6.4 million) as follows: Year ended Nine months ended 31 December 2007 31 December 2006 £'000 £'000 Realised gains/ (losses) Quoted securities 2,910 364 Unquoted securities - 1,913 Funds 3,794 2,774 ____________ ____________ 6,704 5,051 ____________ ____________ Unrealised gains/ (losses) Quoted securities 8,240 (2,552) Unquoted securities 15,374 (4,213) Funds 6,421 (4,705) ____________ ____________ 30,035 (11,470) ____________ ____________ Total gain/(loss) 36,739 (6,419) ____________ ____________ There were no disposals of unquoted securities in 2007. Approximately 42% of the portfolio at 31 December 2007 is denominated in US dollars (2006: 47%) and the above table includes the impact of unrealised currency movements. In the nine months ended 31 December 2006 the weakening of the US dollar against pound sterling resulted in an unrealised foreign currency loss of £13.4 million. During the year ended 31 December 2007, despite fluctuations in the dollar/sterling exchange rate, the overall weakening of the dollar was substantially less and the unrealised loss for the year was £1.4 million. Unrealised gains on quoted securities reflect particularly the strength of the oilfield services sector during 2007 - the increase in the share price of Weatherford International during the year contributed £11.6 million to the gains on quoted securities. Offsetting this, the weakness of the Pro-Strakan Group share price resulted in an unrealised loss of £7.9 million. The unrealised gains for the year on our unquoted securities arise as follows: Unrealised gain/ (loss) £'000 Investments in the Top 20 Energy Cranes 31,000 AssetHouse (3,360) Entuity (2,245) Vio Worldwide (1,650) Wesupply (1,029) CopperEye (1,013) -------- 21,703 Other smaller investments (6,329) -------- Total net unrealised gain 15,374 -------- Energy Cranes has enjoyed a successful 2007 - revenues for the year grew to £113.9 million from £99 million for the full year 2006 and EBITDA increased from £9.9 million to £12.2 million. It also completed the acquisitions of Aberdeen Hydraulics and Marine & Mainland during the year such that it closed 2007 with an annual run rate of revenues of £125 million. Our valuation of this business at 31 December 2007 was £65 million, an increase of £31 million over 31 December 2006 to reflect this. Whilst we are pleased with the progress made by most of the companies in our portfolio of technology investments, we have continued to take a cautious approach to valuation, particularly given the current uncertain investment market. AssetHouse has had a disappointing year and has not been able to improve its sales performance. The write down includes £1.4 million in respect of additional funds advanced during the year to cover operating costs and £2 million to reduce the previously reported carrying value. Entuity has also failed to make its sales plan - we have written off £0.9 million of additional funding provided during the year and reduced the carrying value by £1.3 million. Vio Worldwide has made good progress during the year - management changes have resulted in delay to its planned performance but the changes are already being reflected in improving results. We injected a further £1.7 million into the company this year and consider it prudent not to reflect this in the current carrying value. Wesupply has made significant progress during 2007 and the additional funding we introduced of £3.6 million during the year has enabled the company to generate substantially higher levels of interest and orders from its target market. However the company is currently behind plan and so the carrying value does not reflect the full amount of the amount advanced during the year. CopperEye was refinanced during the year following a strategic investment and licensing program with In-Q-Tel, the investment firm that identifies technology solutions for the US intelligence community. In total we invested a further £2.5 million in the company during the year and are confident in its future direction. However at the end of 2007 we do not consider that the carrying value yet supports this additional funding and so we have written off £1 million of the new funds introduced. Income from investments in the year was £1.5 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: £1.4 million) and comprises preference dividends paid by Energy Cranes and dividends on quoted securities. Administration expenses for the year were £7.4 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: £4.9 million). Net interest income for the year was £0.8 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: £1.3 million) reflecting the lower levels of cash during the year. The tax charge for the year was £0.4 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: credit of £0.7 million). Investments The Group's investments are included in the balance sheet at fair values determined in accordance with industry guidelines. Additions to the investment portfolio during the year were £57.2 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: £48.1 million) of which £30.5 million was for new investments and £26.7 million for follow on investments and capital calls on funds. The largest new investment was £7.9 million to acquire an interest in Brockton Capital Fund I, a real estate opportunity fund, including £0.3 million for an interest in the managing general partner of the fund. Since the acquisition of our interest in June 2007 the fund has called a further £4.1 million taking our total investment in fund to £11.7 million at the end of the year. As part of the development of our real estate interests we have made two further commitments. One is to a vehicle focusing on commercial property opportunities in California where our commitment is $5 million of which £0.6 million ($1.2 million) had been advanced by the end of 2007. The other is to Illyrian Land Fund II, which concentrates on high growth or undervalued assets in South Eastern and Eastern Europe. Our commitment to the fund is €5 million of which £2.8 million (€3.7 million) had been drawn down by the end of the year. Purchases of quoted stocks totalled £11.7 million, with a focus on the energy sector, in particular oilfield services. £3.6 million was invested in BJ Services, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and £3.4 million in Venture Production, a UK listed company which is involved in acquiring, operating and revitalising oil and gas fields with proven yet untapped potential. We invested £17.3 million in our unquoted investments of which £12.9 million was follow-on funding for our UK portfolio. In the US we invested £2.5 million in Healthcare Management Systems as a co-investment with one of our US fund interests. HMS provides software systems and related services to community and specialty hospitals in the US. Proceeds of realisations were £46.8 million (nine months ended 31 December 2006: £30.2 million) of which sales of quoted stocks provided £28.5 million. Distributions from funds were £14.3 million. In addition in November 2007 we received £4 million for 20% of our interest in San Francisco Equity Partners which we sold to a leading European institution at book value. The price received will increase to a premium based on a formula as future realisations from the fund are achieved. There is no change in our capital commitment to the fund following the sale and the buyer has agreed to commit additional capital to increase the overall fund size. At 31 December 2007 the Group had commitments to meet capital calls from its fund interests in the US and the UK totalling £62.5 million. Financial position The consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2007 includes cash and cash equivalents of £14.5 million (31 December 2006: £29.9 million) and borrowings of £44.7 million (31 December 2006: £26.3 million). Cash in the investment management business of £8.2 million was £15.9 million lower than at the end of 2006 reflecting the investment activity for the year. This included quoted stocks which may be sold if needed to provide liquidity. The business also has a US$53 million borrowing facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland which was not used during the year. The borrowings are in Energy Cranes and were taken out to finance the acquisitions made by the business since 2003. Its borrowings were most recently refinanced in August 2007 following its acquisitions of Aberdeen Hydraulics and Marine and Mainland. Outlook We expect difficult market conditions in the future, but believe that with our risk diversity, experienced management team and long-term outlook we are well placed to address these. In addition, we perceive the current conditions as being an opportunity for us to make further investments at favourable prices. The Company has a broadly-based, risk-diversified portfolio of investments in sectors where the management team has considerable experience. We are seeing a sustained inflow of new investment opportunities and are pursuing a number of these. The objective for the Company is to grow to net assets of £500 million within five years, targeting an annual return of between 15% and 20%. There will be fewer, but larger, investment positions within the portfolio with more direct investments. The geographical breakdown will also change as we invest in opportunities outside the UK and the US. We believe that the Company is well placed to meet these objectives. Robert Rayne Chief Executive Officer 26 March 2008 Principal investments The top 20 investments by valuation as at 31 December 2007 are provided in the table below: Book value 31 December Name Country Activity 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Energy Cranes UK Offshore crane operations 65,000 34,000 International Weatherford US Oilfield services 28,349 19,630 International Inc San Francisco US Technology, media and 21,731 21,729 Equity Partners retail Cityspace Limited UK Urban information 12,902 12,500 networks ProStrakan Group UK Speciality 11,705 19,427 plc pharmaceuticals Brockton Capital UK Real estate opportunity 11,668 n/a Fund fund Chyron Corporation US Media technology 7,303 4,846 Rave Reviews US Cinema operator 7,253 7,854 Cinemas Vio Worldwide UK Digital workflow 7,000 7,000 Limited management solutions Wesupply Limited UK Supply chain execution 6,650 4,000 management software Spectrum IV US Communications and IT 6,044 8,208 Amadeus II LP UK Early stage technology 5,634 4,994 Boston Ventures LP US Media and leisure 4,749 5,465 VI AssetHouse UK Content services 4,000 6,000 Technology Limited infrastructure software Entuity Limited UK Network management 4,000 5,300 software CopperEye Limited UK Indexing technology 4,000 2,500 software Inflexion Fund II UK Mid-market buyouts 3,666 2,248 Boston Ventures LP US Media, publishing, 3,389 3,511 V communications and leisure BJ Services US Oil and gas fields 3,056 n/a services 7 Global Limited UK Software hosting services 3,000 3,000 Consolidated income statement Notes Year Nine months ended ended 31 December 31 December 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Revenue from sales of goods 129,784 82,109 and services Gains and losses on 10,899 (13,369) investments held at fair value through profit or loss Interest income 918 1,410 Investment and other income 507 157 ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ 142,108 70,307 Operating expenses (137,000) (84,039) Other expenses - (3,097) ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Profit/(loss) before 5,108 (16,829) finance costs Finance costs (2,445) (4,225) ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Profit/(loss) before tax 2,663 (21,054) Taxation (3,055) (573) ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Loss for the period (392) (21,627) ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Attributable to: Equity holders of the (529) (21,860) parent Minority interests 137 233 ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ (392) (21,627) ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Basic loss per ordinary 3 (0.2)P (7.6)p share Diluted loss per ordinary 3 (0.2)P (7.6)p share ___________________________ _______ _______________ ________________ Consolidated balance sheet 31 December 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 14,255 12,558 Intangible assets 71,257 35,714 Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 183,512 188,370 Interests in joint ventures 197 208 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Non-current assets 269,221 236,850 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Current assets Inventories 5,738 8,395 Operating and other receivables 46,299 30,978 Cash and cash equivalents 14,548 29,859 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Current assets 66,585 69,232 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Total assets 335,806 306,082 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Current liabilities Bank overdrafts (285) (293) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (7,842) (2,188) Operating and other payables (29,891) (26,823) Deferred income (2,199) (1,441) Current tax liabilities (601) (203) _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Current liabilities (40,818) (30,948) _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Non-current liabilities Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (36,576) (23,866) Deferred income (2,582) - Deferred tax liabilities - (320) Provision for liabilities and charges (1,384) - _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Non-current liabilities (40,542) (24,186) _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Total liabilities (81,360) (55,134) _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Net assets 254,446 250,948 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Equity Share capital 28,643 28,643 Capital redemption reserve 4,257 4,257 Merger reserve 84,083 84,083 Foreign exchange translation reserve (867) (927) Retained earnings 133,047 130,548 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Equity attributable to owners of the parent 249,163 246,604 Minority interest 5,283 4,344 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Total Equity 254,446 250,948 _________________________________________________________________________ ________ ________ Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense Year Nine months ended ended 31 December 31 December 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 ________________________________________________________ _______________ ________________ Exchange differences on translation of foreign 56 (809) operations ________________________________________________________ _______________ ________________ Net income/(loss) recognised directly in equity 56 (809) Loss for the year (392) (21,627) ________________________________________________________ _______________ ________________ Total recognised income and expense (336) (22,436) ________________________________________________________ _______________ ________________ Attributable to: Equity holders of the parent (469) (22,446) Minority interests 133 10 ________________________________________________________ _______________ ________________ (336) (22,436) ________________________________________________________ _______________ ________________ Consolidated cash flow statement Year ended Nine months ended 31 December 2007 31 December 2006 £'000 £'000 Cash flows from operating activities Profit (loss) for the period (392) (21,627) Adjustments for: Depreciation 2,190 1,258 (Gains)/losses on investments held at fair value (10,899) 13,369 Translation differences 53 1,322 Share based payments 3,522 - Finance costs 2,445 4,225 Interest income (918) (1,410) Income tax expense 3,055 573 ________________________________________________ __________ _________ (944) (2,290) Change in inventories 4,224 (2,357) Change in trade and other receivables (12,183) (4,004) Change in trade and other payables 1,977 6,931 ________________________________________________ __________ _________ (6,926) (1,720) Interest paid (2,445) (4,225) Income tax paid (2,997) (2,181) Net cash provided by/(used in) operating (12,368) (8,126) activities ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Cash flows from investing activities Interest received 918 1,410 Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (4,764) (5,292) Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and 2,757 - equipment Acquisition of investments (54,671) (45,660) Acquisition of subsidiaries (12,388) - Proceeds from sale of investments 46,849 30,174 Net cash used in investing activities (21,299) (19,368) Cash flows from financing activities Issue of preference shares - 50 Repurchase of own shares - (30,239) Redemption of preference shares - (50) Drawdown of interest bearing loans 18,364 10,041 Distribution to minority shareholders - (16,138) Funding from group pre-demerger - 48,661 ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Net cash from financing activities 18,364 12,325 ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (15,303) (15,169) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 29,566 44,735 the period ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 14,263 29,566 period ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Cash and cash equivalents above comprise Cash and cash equivalents 14,548 29,859 Bank overdrafts (285) (293) ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 14,263 29,566 period ________________________________________________ __________ _________ Notes 1. Basis of preparation LMS Capital plc ("the Company") is domiciled in the United Kingdom. This financial information is presented in pounds sterling because that is the currency of the principal economic environment of the Company's operations. The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2007 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together "the Group"). The Company was formed on 17 March 2006 and commenced operations on 9 June 2006 when it received the demerged investment division of London Merchant Securities. Consolidated financial statements were prepared for the nine months ended 31 December 2006 to reflect the two step demerger process: this comprised an initial common control transaction followed by a subsequent demerger of the Group. The consolidated financial statements are prepared as if the Group had always been in existence. The difference between the nominal value of the Company's shares issued and the amount of the net assets acquired at the date of demerger has been credited to merger reserve. The Company is an investment company but because it holds majority stakes in certain investments it is required to prepare group accounts that consolidate the results of such investments. In order to present information that is consistent with other investment companies, the results of the Group's investment business on a stand alone basis are set out in Note 2. This financial information has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted for use in the European Union ("IFRS"), although the financial information in this announcement is not sufficient to comply with IFRS. The Group has prepared its financial information in accordance with IFRS for the first time and has applied IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. The disclosures required by IFRS 1 concerning the transition from UK GAAP to IFRS are given in Note 5. The Group has decided to adopt early IFRS 8: Operating Segments ("IFRS 8"), which defines requirements for the disclosure of financial information of an entity's operating segments. IFRS 8 replaces IAS 14: Segment Reporting. It follows the 'management approach', which is the basis for managing the businesses. IFRS 8 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. Early adoption is permitted. Certain amendments to standards and interpretations are not yet effective for the year ended 31 December 2007 and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements: Revised IAS 23: Borrowing Costs and IFRIC 11: IFRS 2 - Group and Treasury Share Transactions. The financial information set out in this unaudited preliminary statement does not comprise LMS Capital plc's statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240(5) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts of LMS Capital plc for the year ended 31 December 2007, currently unaudited and to be published in due course, will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this unaudited preliminary statement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due course and will also be sent to shareholders. The comparative figures for the nine months ended 31 December 2006 are not the Company's statutory accounts for that financial period. Those accounts, which were prepared under UK GAAP, have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report of the auditors was: (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the revaluation of investments held at fair value through profit or loss. 2. Operating segments The information below has been prepared using the definition of an operating segment in IFRS 8: Operating Segments which sets out the requirements for the disclosure of financial information of an entity's operating segments. IFRS 8 requires an entity to present segment information on the same basis as the financial information which is reviewed regularly by management to assess performance and to allocate resources. As an investment company, the Group's primary focus is on the performance of its investment management business. Financial information for this segment is prepared on the basis that all investments are accounted for at fair value. The information set out below therefore presents summarised financial information for the investment management business on a stand alone basis as a single segment, together with the adjustments arising from the summarised results and financial position of the portfolio subsidiaries. Adjustments for Energy Cranes are shown separately because of the size of this business relative to the others. The consolidation adjustments included below reflect the adjustments necessary to restate the portfolio subsidiaries from the basis included in the investment management segment (investments carried at fair value) to full consolidation in the Group's financial statements. Consolidated income statement Year ended 31 December 2007 Reconciliation Portfolio subsidiaries Investment Energy Other Consolidation Group management Cranes adjustments total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 ___________ _________ _______ __________ ________ Revenues from sales of - 113,874 15,910 - (129,784) goods and services to external customers Gains and losses on 36,739 - (260) (25,580) 10,899 investments held at fair value through profit or loss Interest income 814 89 15 - 918 Investment and other income 1,508 - - (1,001) 507 _________ _______ ________ ________ _________ Finance costs - (2,943) (1,942) 2,440 (2,445) _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ Profit/(loss) for the 29,836 1,425 (8,351) (23,302) (392) period _______ ________ ________ _________ _________ Nine months ended 31 December 2006 Reconciliation Portfolio subsidiaries Investment Energy Other Consolidation Group management Cranes adjustments total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 ________ ________ ________ _________ _______ Revenues from sales of - 74,827 7,282 - 82,109 goods and services to external customers Gains and losses on (6,419) - 941 (7,891) (13,369) investments held at fair value through profit or loss Interest income 1,340 63 7 - 1,410 Investment and other income 1,546 - - (1,389) 157 ________ ________ ________ _______ ________ Finance costs (50) (3,687) (488) - (4,225) ________ ________ ________ _______ ________ Profit/(loss) for the (10,847) 2,261 (3,761) (9,280) (21,627) period ________ ________ ________ _______ ________ Consolidated balance sheet 31 December 2007 Reconciliation Portfolio subsidiaries Investment Energy Other Consolidation Group management Cranes adjustments total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Property, plant and equipment 311 11,197 2,747 - 14,255 Intangible assets - 32,497 - 38,760 71,257 Investments held at fair value through 282,120 - 200 (98,808) 183,512 profit or loss Interests in joint ventures - 197 - - 197 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Non current assets 282,431 43,891 2,947 (60,048) 269,221 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Cash and cash equivalents 8,240 5,060 1,248 - 14,548 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Other current assets 1,557 43,878 6,602 - 52,037 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Total assets 292,228 92,829 10,797 (60,048) 335,806 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Total liabilities (2,504) (71,391) (40,954) 33,489 (81,360) _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Net assets/(liabilities) 289,724 21,438 (30,157) (26,559) 254,446 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ The net asset value of the investment management business at 31 December 2007 includes £289,005,000 attributable to the equity holders of the parent and £719,000 attributable to minority interests. 31 December 2006 Reconciliation Portfolio subsidiaries Investment Energy Other Consolidation Group management Cranes adjustments total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Property, plant and equipment 9 10,675 1,874 - 12,558 Intangible assets - 18,688 - 17,026 35,714 Investments held at fair value through 234,910 - 760 (47,300) 188,370 profit or loss Interests in joint ventures - 208 - - 208 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Non current assets 234,919 29,571 2,634 (30,274) 236,850 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Cash and cash equivalents 24,120 4,910 829 - 29,859 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Other current assets 1,472 33,785 4,116 - 39,373 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Total assets 260,511 68,266 7,579 (30,274) 306,082 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Total liabilities (1,331) (47,161) (14,885) 8,243 (55,134) _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ Net assets/(liabilities) 259,180 21,105 (7,306) (22,031) 250,948 _______________________________________ ___________ ________ _______ __________ ________ The net asset value of the investment management business at 31 December 2006 includes £258,461,000 attributable to the equity holders of the parent and £719,000 attributable to minority interests. 3. Loss per ordinary share Basic The calculation of basic loss per ordinary share is based on the loss of £529,000 (nine months ended 31 December 2006: loss of £21,860,000), being the loss for the period attributable to the parent, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 286,429,228 (nine months ended 31 December 2006: 303,383,617). Diluted The calculation of diluted loss per ordinary share is based on the loss of £529,000, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 290,725,438 after taking account of the dilutive potential effect of share options issued under the Company's share option plans. There was no dilution effect in the nine months ended 31 December 2006. 4. Capital and reserves Reconciliation of movement in capital and reserves Share Capital Merger Translation Retained Total Minority Total capital Redemption Reserve Reserve earnings interest equity Reserv £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 __________ ______ _________ _______ _________ _______ ______ ________ _______ Balance at 1 32,900 - 35,837 (341) 182,647 251,043 20,473 271,516 April 2006 Total - - - (586) (21,860) (22,446) 10 (22,436) recognised income and expense Repurchase (4,257) 4,257 - - (30,239) (30,239) - (30,239) of shares by tender offer Movement in - - 48,246 - - 48,246 - 48,246 merger reserve Distribution - - - - - - (16,139) (16,139) to minority __________ ______ _________ _______ _________ _______ ______ ________ _______ Balance at 28,643 4,257 84,083 (927) 130,548 246,604 4,344 250,948 31 December 2006 Total - - - 60 (529) (469) 133 (336) recognised income and expense Share based - - - - 3,028 3,028 494 3,522 payments Minority - - - - - - 312 312 interest on acquisitions __________ ______ _________ _______ _________ _______ ______ ________ _______ Balance at 28,643 4,257 84,083 (867) 133,047 249,163 5,283 254,446 31 December 2007 __________ ______ _________ _______ _________ _______ ______ ________ _______ 5. Explanation of transition to IFRS The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2007 is the first period that the Company has presented its results under IFRS. IFRS 1: First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards sets out the rules for adopting IFRS in the Group's first statutory accounts under IFRS. The Group has applied consistent accounting policies to prepare the financial information for the year ended 31 December 2007 and the nine months ended 31 December 2006 and for the preparation of the opening balance sheet under IFRS at 1 April 2006 (the Group's date of transition to IFRS). IFRS 1 contains certain optional exemptions in the transition to IFRS and the Group has elected to use the following: IFRS 3: Business combinations - The Group has taken advantage of the optional exemption not to apply the requirements of IFRS 3 to business combinations prior to the date of transition and to account for these business combinations based on the fair value at the date of transition of the assets and liabilities acquired. IAS 21: The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates - The Group has deemed cumulative translation differences relating to foreign operations as zero at the date of transition. The information below sets out the impact of the transition from UK GAAP to IFRS at the date of transition (1 April 2006) and for the nine months ended 31 December 2006. The most significant impact of the adoption of IFRS is the requirement for the Group to consolidate certain of its portfolio companies as subsidiaries. The operating results of these portfolio subsidiaries are included in the Group's consolidated income statement and their assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated balance sheet. The portfolio subsidiaries' UK GAAP financial statements are consolidated and restatements are made to comply with IFRS. The tables below summarise the adjustments made to the UK GAAP financial information in this regard. Reconciliation of net assets 31 December Pro-forma 2006 1 April 2006 ____________________________________________________________ __________ _________ £'000 £'000 Previously reported - UK GAAP Net assets 259,180 267,951 ___________________________________________________________ __________ _________ Adjustments Increase in property, plant and equipment 12,549 9,262 Increase in intangible assets 35,714 36,613 Decrease in investments (46,332) (39,549) Increase in cash and cash equivalents 5,739 722 Increase in inventories 8,395 6,038 Increase in operating and other receivables 29,506 25,802 Increase in current liabilities (29,617) (19,310) Increase in non-current liabilities (24,186) (16,013) ____________________________________________________________ __________ _________ Net impact of consolidation of subsidiaries previously (8,232) 3,565 classified as investments ____________________________________________________________ __________ _________ Restated - IFRS Net assets 250,948 271,516 ____________________________________________________________ __________ _________ Reconciliation of loss after tax Nine months ended 31 December 2006 _________________________________________________________________ ________ £'000 Previously reported - UK GAAP Loss on ordinary activities after taxation before minority (10,847) interests _________________________________________________________________ ________ Adjustments Increase in revenue from sales of goods and services 82,109 Decrease in gains and losses on investments held at fair value (6,950) through profit and loss Increase in interest income 70 Decrease in investment and other income (1,389) Increase in operating expenses (79,184) Increase in taxation (1,261) Increase In finance costs (4,175) _________________________________________________________________ ________ Net impact of consolidation of subsidiaries previously classified (10,780) as investments _________________________________________________________________ ________ Restated - IFRS Loss for the period after tax (21,627) _________________________________________________________________ ________ Reconciliation of net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Nine months ended 31 December 2006 _____________________________________________________________ _____________ £'000 Previously reported - UK GAAP Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (19,893) _____________________________________________________________ _____________ Adjustments Increase in net cash used in operating activities (688) Increase in net cash used in investing activities (4,629) Increase in net cash from financing activities 10,041 _____________________________________________________________ _____________ Net impact of consolidation of subsidiaries previously 4,724 classified as investments _____________________________________________________________ _____________ Restated - IFRS Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (15,169) _____________________________________________________________ _____________ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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