Acquisition & Trading Update

Interregnum PLC 27 January 2005 27 January 2005 INTERREGNUM PLC Acquisition of AVM and Trading Update Interregnum plc ('Interregnum'), the technology merchant bank, announces the acquisition of Audio Visual Machines ('AVM') and provides a trading update for the first half of FY2004-5 (the six months ended 31 December 2004), which includes a more than 3-fold increase in revenues. Full interim results for this period are planned to be released at the end of February 2005. Acquisition of AVM Interregnum has today acquired 82.35% of the equity of AVM for a consideration of £500,000, comprising £200,000 in cash to be funded from existing resources and £300,000 in loan notes. The loan notes carry interest at 6% per annum and are redeemable in two tranches, 12 months and 18 months from the date of their issue. AVM, established in 1990, is an audio visual solutions provider. The company designs, supplies, programs and supports complex audio visual systems ranging from boardroom presentation solutions to IP-based video conferencing networks. AVM's clients include BP, BNP Paribas, EDS, Glaxo SmithKline and PwC. For the 12 months to 31 March 2004, AVM generated revenues of £2.3m and profit before tax of £29,000. Management accounts for the nine months to 31 December 2004 indicate that AVM has traded profitably during this period. This transaction, which is expected to be earnings enhancing for Interregnum during the second half of FY2004-5, underlines Interregnum's strategy of taking principal investment positions. Trading Update Interregnum's consolidated revenues for the six months ended 31 December 2004 showed an increase of more than 370% to £3.3m (1H 2003-4: £0.7m). This reflects increased revenues from the Interregnum advisory business and from its subsidiary Yospace, together with the full consolidation of the revenues of Cellular Design Services (CDS) which was acquired in February 2004. Consolidated operating losses were reduced to £719,000 (1H 2003-4: loss of £799,000). Operating cash flow for period improved to -£614,000 (1H 2003-4: -£928,000), and the cash balance at 31 December 2004 was £1.915m (31 December 2003: £1.1m) Highlights from the three primary components of Interregnum's business were as follows: Interregnum Advisory Business Advisory revenues increased to £453,000 (1H2003-4: £290,000), but this does not yet show the full impact of the 7 new people hired during the period. On 16 December Interregnum acted as a placing agent alongside Collins Stewart in the £5.6m placing announced by Screen plc (AIM: SEN/L). Investment Portfolio The investment portfolio continued to perform well. New investments into the portfolio increased to £458,000 (1H 2003-4: £125,000). These included £250,000 in Future Route, a supplier of software which helps financial institutions detect and prevent credit card fraud, and £150,000 in Oilcats, a provider of Supply Chain Content Management software and services to the Energy sector. There were no significant realisations from the investment portfolio (1H 2003-4: £181,000), and the portfolio (net of provisions) was valued at £3.051m (31 December 2003: £2.499m) Subsidiary Companies CDS completed its first full trading period since its acquisition by Interregnum, generating revenues (for the six months to 31 December 2004) of £2.313m, net before tax profits of £86,000, and net positive cash flow of £173,000. CDS has focused on higher-margin, complex wireless infrastructure work, leading to deeper business relationships with operators such as O2, 3, T-Mobile, and BT, with equipment vendors such as Nokia, and with large property owners such as BAA. Ken Olisa, Interregnum Chairman and Chief Executive commented: 'We are pleased with the progress of all parts of our business. CDS and Yospace are now making significant contributions to group revenues, and we expect AVM to continue this trend. The investment portfolio generally is performing well, and we are particularly pleased with the speed at which the new members of Interregnum's advisory team have been integrated into the business; we expect them to make a substantial contribution to both advisory revenues and deal flow during the second half of FY2003-4 and beyond.' - Ends - Contacts: Interregnum 020 7494 3080 Ken Olisa, Chairman and CEO Merlin (PR advisers to Interregnum) 020 7653 6620 Vanessa Maydon 07802 961 902 Rebecca Penney 07795 108 178 Notes to Editor Interregnum plc (www.interregnum.com), is an AIM-listed technology merchant bank (symbol: ITR). Established in 1992, it provides advisory services including corporate finance, IP exploitation and commercial due diligence to corporates, government, technology entrepreneurs, advisors and investors. In addition it invests in technology companies, focused primarily on principal equity stakes although, in some cases taking minority equity stakes. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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