Statement re New share buyback policy, sharehol...

4 AUGUST 2010 NORTHERN VENTURE TRUST PLC (the "Company") NEW SHARE BUYBACK POLICY, SHAREHOLDER MEETING, proposed tender offer AND PROPOSED SHARE ISSUE The Company announces a new share buyback policy, and announces the intention to write to shareholders in September 2010 to give notice of a shareholder general meeting to be held in October 2010 to consider resolutions to facilitate a proposed tender offer and a proposed share issue to raise up to £15 million (before expenses) and to adopt proposed new articles of association. Share buyback policy - normal market purchases at a 15% discount to net asset value per share (NAV) The Company announces a new buyback policy, which will be effective as from 11 August 2010, whereby the Company will endeavour to buy back its shares in the market at a discount of 15% to the latest published NAV, subject to the conditions mentioned below and to market conditions. The timing of any buyback will be at the discretion of the Company.  The conditions of any buyback effected under this policy are that the Company has the necessary shareholder authority and the acquisition meets the price and other conditions of that authority, the Company has sufficient distributable reserves at the relevant time, the Company will continue to qualify as a VCT following the acquisition and, in relation to the acquisition, the Company will comply with the Listing Rules (in particular in relation to the price payable and to times the Company is prohibited from buying its own shares) and other applicable laws and regulations, and the Company has sufficient cash to settle the transaction relative to its projected cash requirements. The Directors were given authority at the January 2010 AGM to acquire in the market up to 5,958,941 shares (10% of the then issued shares) and 450,000 shares have to date been purchased in the market under this authority.  The remaining authority continues until the next AGM or 31 March 2011 if earlier.  The authority specifies that the maximum price which can be paid for an ordinary share is 105% of the average market value for the ordinary shares of the Company for the five business days before the purchase. The most recently published NAV is 82.9p per share, as at 30 June 2010.  The average mid-market price for the Company's ordinary shares for the five business days prior to 4 August 2010 was 69.4p. Tender offer at a 3% discount to NAV The Directors propose that, subject to obtaining shareholder approval at the October 2010 general meeting, a tender offer will then be made to purchase up to 10% of the then issued share capital of the Company at a price representing a discount of 3% to the audited NAV as at 30 September 2010 adjusted for any declared but unpaid dividends.  It is expected that the tender offer will be made in early November 2010 and that the tender offer will close on 30 December 2010, with cash payments being made to participating shareholders in early January 2011.  The tender offer will give all shareholders the right to tender up to 10% of their ordinary shares held as at 5 November 2010 and the opportunity to tender more than their entitlement subject to the take up of the offer by other shareholders. Shareholders who subscribed for ordinary shares on or after 6 April 2006 must hold such shares for five years from the date of issue in order to retain the initial income tax relief granted in respect of their subscription. Shareholders who successfully tender any ordinary shares which were allotted to them on or after 6 April 2006 (other than ordinary shares issued in October 2009 on the conversion of the C shares) would therefore lose the initial income tax relief granted in respect of their subscription. Share issue to raise up to £15 million - 30% income tax relief available on subscriptions The Directors propose that, subject to obtaining shareholder approval at the October 2010 general meeting, there should be an issue of ordinary shares to raise up to £15 million (before expenses).  They expect that a prospectus will be issued in November 2010. Applications for the new shares will be considered on a first come first served basis subject to the Directors' discretion.  Investors will be permitted to make applications for shares in either or both of the 2010/11 and the 2011/12 tax years.  It is anticipated that the share issue will remain open until 5 April 2011 in respect of the 2010/11 tax year and until late April 2011 in respect of the 2011/12 tax year, subject to the Directors' right to close the share issue at any time. To encourage early applications an "early bird" incentive equivalent to 2% of the issue price will be given to applicants who apply before 31 January 2011 and satisfy the Company that they, or their spouses, are shareholders of the Company or of Northern 2 VCT PLC, Northern 3 VCT PLC or Northern AIM VCT PLC. The new shares will be issued at a premium to the then last published NAV to allow for issue costs (which will include the cost of the  "early bird" incentive) of 5.5% of the amount raised and to avoid any material dilution in the NAV attributable to each existing share when the new shares are issued. Enquiries: Alastair Conn/Christopher Mellor, NVM Private Equity Limited - 0191 244 6000 Website: www.nvm.co.uk [HUG#1435879] This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. All reproduction for further distribution is prohibited. Source: Northern Venture Trust PLC via Thomson Reuters ONE
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