Interim Results

Montanaro European Smaller C.TstPLC 16 November 2006 MONTANARO EUROPEAN SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC Date: 16 November 2006 INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2006 Investment Objective Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust plc aims to achieve capital growth by investing principally in European quoted smaller companies. Financial Highlights • Share price increased by 7.6% reflecting a narrowing of the discount to 4.3% • Net asset value per share decreased by 2.9% • Interim dividend of 1.75p per share CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT At the Company's Annual General Meeting held on 4 September 2006, shareholders approved the proposal to broaden the Company's investment policy to permit investment in Continental European quoted smaller companies and to amend its investment objective accordingly. Shareholders also approved the proposal to change the Company's name to 'Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust plc'. Montanaro Investment Managers Limited ('Montanaro') were appointed as the Company's Investment Managers. It is pleasing to report a re-rating of the shares during the period under review, with the share price increasing by 7.6 per cent to 336.5 pence per share and the discount narrowing to 4.3 per cent. In the paragraphs below I have reported separately on the performance for the periods prior to, and after, 4 September 2006. Results For The Period To 4 September 2006 The net asset value per share decreased by 5.3 per cent during the period from 31 March 2006 to 4 September 2006. This compares with a decrease of 2.3 per cent in the previous benchmark, the Hoare Govett Smaller Companies (ex Investment Companies) Index. During this period, markets wrestled with uncertainty of both economic outlook and market direction, with the prospects of inflation and rising interest rates being the key concerns for the period ahead. The UK base rate increased to 4.75 per cent in August. Emphasis was placed on defensive companies which had structural factors in their favour. Within the portfolio, there were positive contributions from Hitachi Capital, which won two vehicle solutions contracts, and E2V Technologies, where the market responded well to an announcement to raise new money to acquire a business in France that is significantly earnings enhancing. Hornby and Mothercare both benefited from positive trading statements. Negative contributors during the period included Xaar, Kewill Systems, Sanctuary Group and Consolidated Minerals which were all affected by poor trading statements. New purchases during the period included Severfield Rowan and Rotork which are benefiting from structural growth. TDG and Christian Salvesen were sold on the back of concerns over negative cyclical trends. Results For The Period Since 4 September 2006 The net asset value per share increased by 2.6 per cent from the period from 4 September 2006 to 30 September 2006. This compares to an increase of 1.7 per cent in the Company's new benchmark, the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index. Since the change in the management arrangements, the new Investment Manager has made good progress with the reconstruction of the portfolio. At the time of writing this statement, approximately 75 per cent of the portfolio is invested in Continental European small companies. Despite the inevitable costs of restructuring the portfolio, it is pleasing to report that performance has been strong and ahead of the benchmark. The bulk of the restructuring is now complete. Discount Management Policy The circular sent to shareholders on 11 August 2006 contained details of the Company's new discount management policy. The Board has stated its intention to implement an active policy of share buy backs if the share price is at a discount greater than 5.0 per cent to the net asset value per share. The Board believes that the appointment of Montanaro and the broadening of the investment mandate will attract new investors to the Company, and indeed has done so already. Nevertheless, it believes that the introduction of a discount management policy will help achieve a sustained improvement in the rating of the shares. As part of a policy of active discount management, the Board will be seeking authority from shareholders to buy back shares to be held in Treasury and subsequently re-issued. This will serve to improve liquidity and help to maintain the size of the Company. A circular will be sent to shareholders shortly containing further information. The Board is encouraged by the reaction of the share price to the recent changes. This has resulted in a significant narrowing of the discount, which was 4.3 per cent at 30 September 2006 compared to 13.6 per cent at 31 March 2006. No shares were bought back during the period. Earnings and Dividends Earnings per Ordinary Share were 2.31 pence in respect of the six months ended 30 September 2006 (2005: 2.78 pence). The main reason for the reduction in earnings relates to expenses incurred in relation to the review of management arrangements during the period. The Board has declared an interim dividend of 1.75 pence per Ordinary Share (2005: 1.75 pence) payable on 5 January 2007 to shareholders on the register on 8 December 2006. This rate of dividend is in line with the expectations of the Board as stated in the recent shareholder circular. Since its appointment, the Investment Manager has begun to invest in European companies. It is expected that the investment income generated from these new holdings will be less than the income from the portfolio prior to the change in investment objective. The Board would therefore expect to declare lower levels of dividends in the future to allow it to place emphasis on the Company's capital growth objective. It is therefore likely that the total dividend in respect of the current financial year will be less than the 4.00 pence per share paid in the year ended 31 March 2006. Gearing At 30 September 2006 the Company had cash amounting to 10.6 per cent of net assets, which compares to gearing, net of cash, of 5.2 per cent as at 31 March 2006. The Company's borrowings are represented by a £10 million multi-currency revolving credit facility, of which £6 million was drawn down. Since the end of the period the Company has changed the denomination of its borrowings to Euros. Outlook The European Union is experiencing the highest level of growth in more than five years due, among other factors, to an improvement in consumer spending and the benefits of investment in improving the infrastructure in the new accession countries. Small companies are among the prime beneficiaries of the enlargement of the EU. There are more than 6,000 quoted European companies of which half are below €500 million in size and less well-researched. This offers the Investment Manager a wide choice of investments at a time when the economic outlook in Europe is better than in many years. A R Irvine Chairman Condensed Unaudited Group Balance Sheet As at 30 As at 30 As at 31 September 2006 September 2005 March 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Investments held at fair value 54,156 63,492 65,803 _______ _______ _______ Current Assets Investments held by dealing subsidiary - 101 61 Due from brokers 2,790 85 14 Other receivables 66 99 146 Cash and cash equivalents 11,280 3,819 3,761 _______ _______ _______ 14,136 4,104 3,982 _______ _______ _______ Total assets 68,292 67,596 69,785 _______ _______ _______ Current liabilities Revolving credit facility (6,000) (9,000) (6,000) Due to brokers (436) (163) (470) Other payables (506) (97) (132) _______ _______ _______ Total liabilities (6,942) (9,260) (6,602) _______ _______ _______ Net Assets 61,350 58,336 63,183 _______ _______ _______ Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 8,724 9,099 8,724 Share premium account 3,935 3,935 3,935 Capital redemption reserve 2,212 1,836 2,212 Capital reserve - realised 30,521 23,918 25,458 - unrealised 14,366 17,849 21,272 Revenue reserve 1,592 1,699 1,582 _______ _______ _______ Equity Shareholders' funds 61,350 58,336 63,183 _______ _______ _______ Net asset value per Ordinary Share 351.61p 320.56p 362.12p _______ _______ _______ Unaudited Statement of Changes in Equity For the six months ended 30 September 2006 Share Share Capital Capital Capital Revenue Total Capital Premium Redemption Reserve Reserve Reserve Account Reserve Realised Unrealised Balance as at 1 April 2006 8,724 3,935 2,212 25,458 21,272 1,582 63,183 Net gain on realisation of - - - 5,522 - - 5,522 investments Decrease in unrealised - - - - (6,906) - (6,906) appreciation Share buy backs - - - - - - - Management fee charged to capital - - - (174) - - (174) Interest charged to capital - - - (104) - - (104) Other expenses charged to capital - - - (243) - - (243) Retained net profit for the - - - - - 403 403 period Dividends paid - - - - - (393) (393) Currency gains - - - 62 - - 62 _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Balance as at 30 September 2006 8,724 3,935 2,212 30,521 14,366 1,592 61,350 _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ For the six months ended 30 September 2005 Balance as at 1 April 2005 10,777 3,935 159 28,559 16,441 1,744 61,615 Net gain on realisation of - - - 4,287 - - 4,287 investments Increase in unrealised - - - - 1,408 - 1,408 appreciation Share buy backs (1,678) - 1,678 (8,575) - - (8,575) Management fee charged to capital - - - (202) - - (202) Interest charged to capital - - - (152) - - (152) Retained net profit for the - - - - - 549 549 period Dividends paid - - - - - (594) (594) _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Balance as at 30 September 2005 9,099 3,935 1,837 23,917 17,849 1,699 58,336 _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ For the year ended 31 March 2006 Balance as at 1 April 2005 10,777 3,935 159 28,559 16,441 1,744 61,615 Net gain on realisation of - - - 7,920 - - 7,920 investments Increase in unrealised - - - - 4,831 - 4,831 appreciation Share buy backs (2,053) - 2,053 (10,670) - - (10,670) Management fee charged to capital - - - (401) - - (401) Interest charged to capital - - - (268) - - (268) Special dividend credited to - - - 318 - - 318 capital Retained net profit for the year - - - - - 736 736 Dividends paid - - - - - (898) (898) _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Balance as at 31 March 2006 8,724 3,935 2,212 25,458 21,272 1,582 63,183 _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Condensed Unaudited Group Income Statement (Incorporating the Revenue Account) Six Months to 30 September 2006 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Income Investment income 785 - 785 Other operating income 117 - 117 ______ ______ ______ 902 - 902 Losses on investments held at fair value - (1,384) (1,384) Exchange differences - 62 62 ______ ______ ______ Total income 902 (1,322) (420) Expenses Investment management fees (94) (174) (268) Other expenses (349) (243) (592) ______ ______ ______ Net operating profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax 459 (1,739) (1,280) Finance costs (56) (104) (160) ______ ______ ______ Net operating profit/(loss) before tax 403 (1,843) (1,440) Tax - - - ______ ______ ______ Net profit/(loss) 403 (1,843) (1,440) ______ ______ ______ Earnings per share 2.31p (10.56)p (8.25)p ______ ______ ______ Condensed Unaudited Group Income Statement (Incorporating the Revenue Account) Six Months to 30 September 2005 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Income Investment income 740 - 740 Other operating income 187 - 187 ______ ______ ______ 927 - 927 Gains on investments held at fair value - 5,695 5,695 Exchange differences - - - ______ ______ ______ Total income 927 5,695 6,622 Expenses Investment management fees (109) (202) (311) Other expenses (187) - (187) ______ ______ ______ Net operating profit before finance costs and tax 631 5,493 6,124 Finance costs (82) (152) (234) ______ ______ ______ Net operating profit before tax 549 5,341 5,890 Tax - - - ______ ______ ______ Net profit 549 5,341 5,890 ______ ______ ______ Earnings per share 2.78p 27.09p 29.87p ______ ______ ______ Condensed Unaudited Group Income Statement (Incorporating the Revenue Account) Year to 31 March 2006 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Income Investment income 1,264 318 1,582 Other operating income 235 - 235 ______ ______ ______ 1,499 318 1,817 Gains on investments held at fair value - 12,751 12,751 Exchange differences - - - ______ ______ ______ Total income 1,499 13,069 14,568 Expenses Investment management fees (216) (401) (617) Other expenses (403) - (403) ______ ______ ______ Net operating profit before finance costs and tax 880 12,668 13,548 Finance costs (144) (268) (412) ______ ______ ______ Net operating profit before tax 736 12,400 13,136 Tax - - - ______ ______ ______ Net profit 736 12,400 13,136 ______ ______ ______ Earnings per share 3.95p 66.62p 70.57p ______ ______ ______ Summarised Group Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2006 2005 2006 £'000 £ '000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 489 512 787 Cash flows from investing activities 7,575 9,168 14,428 Cash flows from financing activities (545) (7,403) (12,996) ______ ______ ______ Increase in cash and cash equivalents 7,519 2,277 2,219 ______ ______ ______ Reconciliation of net operating (loss)/profit before finance costs and tax to net cash flow from operating activities Net operating (loss)/profit before finance costs (1,280) 6,124 13,548 and taxation Losses/(gains) on investments held at fair value 1,384 (5,695) (12,840) Exchange differences (62) - - Changes in working capital and other non cash items 447 83 79 ______ ______ ______ Net cash inflow from operating activities 489 512 787 ______ ______ ______ Notes 1. The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies that the Directors anticipate will be applied in the annual financial statements for 2007. The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2006. 2. Earnings for the first six months should not be taken as a guide to the results for the full year. 3. Earnings per Ordinary Share is based on a weighted average of 17,448,260 Ordinary Shares in issue during the period (year end 31 March 2006: 18,613,479; six months ended 30 September 2005: 19,718,779). 4. The interim dividend of 1.75 pence per Ordinary Share will be paid on 5 January 2007 to shareholders on the Register on 8 December 2006. 5. Net asset value per Ordinary Share is based on 17,448,260 Ordinary Shares in issue (31 March 2006: 17,448,260; 30 September 2005: 18,198,260). 6. The group results consolidate those of ISIS UK Securities Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary which deals in securities. 7. These are not statutory accounts in terms of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 and are unaudited. The information for the year ended 31 March 2006 has been extracted from the latest published financial statements which received an unqualified audit report and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. No statutory accounts in respect of any period after 31 March 2006 have been reported on by the Company's auditors or delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Copies of the Interim Report, which has been reviewed by the Company 's auditors, will be mailed to shareholders and will be available for inspection at the Registered Office of the Company, 80 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3BU. For further information contact: Montanaro Investment Managers Limited : tel. 020 7929 1995 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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