Interim Results

Oryx International Growth Fund Ld 21 December 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASED BY MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL (GUERNSEY) LIMITED ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ORYX INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND LIMITED ANNOUNCE RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2004: UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET As at 30 September 2004 (Expressed in pounds sterling) 2004 2003 £ £ INVESTMENTS Listed investments at market value (Cost £17,626,868: 2003 - £11,556,855) 18,601,484 9,851,644 Unlisted investments (Cost £1,387,764: 2003 - £3,888,292) 3,233,628 6,044,433 21,835,112 15,896,077 CURRENT ASSETS Dividends and interest receivable 172,051 359,393 Amounts due from brokers 31,429 65,604 Bank balances 1,212,359 2,358,693 Other receivables 33,623 6,958 1,449,462 2,790,648 CURRENT LIABILITIES Amounts due to brokers 440,125 573,327 Creditors and accrued expenses 74,525 52,977 514,650 626,304 NET CURRENT ASSETS 934,812 2,164,344 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 22,769,924 18,060,421 LONG TERM LIABILITIES Convertible loan stock 687,709 2,516,647 TOTAL NET ASSETS 22,082,215 15,543,774 EQUITY SHARE CAPITAL 5,143,159 4,049,116 RESERVES Share premium 5,488,522 4,247,457 Reserve relating to warrants - (18,704) Capital redemption reserve 1,246,500 1,099,000 Other reserves 10,204,034 6,166,905 16,939,056 11,494,658 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 22,082,215 15,543,774 Net Asset Value per Share £ 2.15 £ 1.92 Fully Diluted Net Asset Value per Share £ 2.07 £ 1.65 UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the six months ended 30 September 2004 (Expressed in pounds sterling) 2004 2003 £ £ INCOME Deposit interest 28,452 28,861 Dividends and investment income 134,300 462,950 162,752 491,811 EXPENDITURE Management and investment adviser's fee 129,635 106,765 Finance charge 9,317 11,719 Custodian fees 8,933 9,288 Administration fee 10,162 10,027 Registrar and transfer agent fees 2,289 1,750 Directors' fees and expenses 66,030 52,806 Audit fees 15,684 5,014 Insurance 5,273 9,500 Legal and professional fees 40,072 4,031 Printing and advertising expenses - 6,793 Miscellaneous expenses 12,701 10,461 300,096 228,154 NET (EXPENSE)/INCOME BEFORE TAXATION (137,344) 263,657 Taxation (27,964) (14,584) NET (EXPENSE)/INCOME FOR THE PERIOD AFTER TAXATION (165,308) 249,073 Realised gain/(loss) on investments 1,552,657 (162,322) Loss on foreign currency translation (549) (30,237) Movement in unrealised (loss)/gain on revaluation of investments (686,356) 2,297,281 TOTAL SURPLUS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE PERIOD 700,444 2,353,795 EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR THE PERIOD £0.09 £0.29 FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER £0.07 £0.22 SHARE FOR THE PERIOD UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the six months ended 30 September 2004 (Expressed in pounds sterling) 2004 2003 £ £ Net cash outflow from operating activities (81,624) (46,456) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of investments (10,141,885) (7,620,928) Sale of investments 7,540,172 9,764,609 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities (2,601,713) 2,143,681 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payment to holders of convertible stock (8,776) (50,992) Payment to holders of warrants (7,222) - Payment to shareholders (25,870) - Shares issued on exercise of warrants 687,324 - Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 645,456 (50,992) Net cash (outflow)/inflow (2,037,881) 2,046,233 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS Net cash (outflow)/inflow (2,037,881) 2,046,233 Exchange movements (549) (30,237) Net cash at beginning of period 3,250,789 342,697 Net cash at end of period 1,212,359 2,358,693 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT As you will see from the report of the Investment Manager, the first half was relatively quiet with the company performing better than the benchmark. This again justifies the strategy of investing in fundamentally good businesses which are undervalued by the equity markets where active management can assist in unlocking value. The Company reaches its tenth anniversary next year and it is your board's intention to put forward proposals during the first quarter concerning the future of the Company. A special resolution will be included in the 2005 Annual General Meeting to wind the Company up, however following consultation with a number of shareholders, it is believed that this resolution will not be favoured by the majority of them. Should the shareholders want the Company to continue its current activities the future of the Company will be re discussed in 2007 and every two years thereafter. In line with our stated policy, your Board do not propose paying a dividend. However, we have continued with our policy of buying back shares when discounts allow. During the period the Fund acquired 5000 Convertible Loan Notes and 763,950 warrants for cancellation. The purchase price was at a discount to net asset value and therefore benefited all shareholders. Nigel Cayzer Chairman INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REPORT The Fund continued to perform acceptably during the six month period rising by 3.5% as compared with a fall in the FTSE Small Cap Index of 3.0%. During the period the market drifted within a tight band making it difficult to deliver exceptional performance. Certain stocks did however perform well. Mentmore rose by 7% on the completion of the takeover; Paramount rose by 17% due to a proposed takeover and Hartstone Prefs rose by nearly 20% for similar reasons. Finally Whatman also performed well rising by nearly 10%. This good performance was to some extent offset by Ennstone which fell by nearly 13% and Austin Reed falling by 8%. There were no changes in the unquoted portfolio (other than the completion of the sale of Executive Air Support) during the period. However, negotiations have started to sell Waterbury which, if successful, would be at a substantial premium to the current valuation. During the period the Company acquired 5,000 convertible loan notes and 763,950 warrants for cancellation. The purchase price was at a discount to net asset value and therefore benefited all shareholders. The stock market is currently benefiting from a not untypical fourth quarter rally. Notwithstanding this, we remain concerned about rising inflation and interest rate control with a level of consumer debt which, in our opinion, is unsustainable over the long term. The Trust however has a portfolio of special situations which we believe have the potential to give positive absolute return over the balance of the current financial year. North Atlantic Value LLP This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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