Interim Results 2003

Worldsec Ld 29 September 2003 Worldsec Limited Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2003 The Directors submit the interim report on Worldsec Limited (the 'Company') and its subsidiaries (collectively known as the 'Group') for the six months ended 30 June 2003 (the 'Period'). Reflecting the Group withdrawal from business, turnover for the Period decreased 98% to US$62,000 as compared to the corresponding six months in 2002 while loss for the Period was US$646,000, as compared to US$3,894,000 in the corresponding six months in 2002. In May the Group disposed of another subsidiary, Worldsec Corporate Finance Limited. A further two subsidiaries, which had been the main operating subsidiaries of the Group, commenced procedures for voluntary liquidation in June. As at 30 June 2003, Shareholders' Funds amounted to US$15,429,000, equivalent to US$1.15 per share. On 23 July 2003, the Company effected a capital reduction, details of which are given in note 15 to this interim report. The capital reduction enables the Company to distribute cash to shareholders in an efficient and cost-effective manner on realisation of the Group's assets. An interim distribution of US$0.45 per share totalling USD$6,015,281 to shareholders was made on 12 August 2003. The Directors aim to liquidate the Group's remaining assets as expeditiously as practicable and to return the cash to shareholders. Although there are on-going operating costs while assets are being liquidated, these costs are being kept to a minimum and certain investments may be realised at a premium to book value. The recent improvement in regional financial markets is assisting in the recovery and realisation of some of the remaining assets. However, there is no certainty that the more illiquid assets will be sold at book value. Therefore the Directors maintain that USD$1.15 is a reasonable estimate of the eventual payout to shareholders. In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, the Directors hope to make a second distribution to shareholders of US$0.35 per share by the end of this year. By order of the Board Paul Kwok Kin Cheng Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director 29 September 2003 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended Notes 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Turnover 3 62 4,067 5,402 Fees and commission payable (69) (802) (1,131) (7) 3,265 4,271 Gain on disposal of intangible - 164 159 assets Gain on investments - 53 - Unrealised gain on investments 105 - 93 Other operating income 77 384 662 175 3,866 5,185 Staff costs (415) (3,319) (6,382) Provision for doubtful - (369) (3,250) receivables Loss on revaluation of - (375) - investments Impairment losses - - (201) Other operating costs (431) (1,714) (3,062) Operating loss 3 (671) (1,911) (7,710) Interest receivable and similar 40 103 204 income Interest payable and similar (1) (158) (277) charges Provision for closure of - (1,900) - operations Loss on disposal of (14) - (111) subsidiaries and research materials Loss on ordinary activities (646) (3,866) (7,894) before taxation Tax on loss on ordinary 4 - (28) 27 activities Loss for the financial period/ (646) (3,894) (7,867) year Loss per share 5 (5) cents (29) cents (59) cents The results for the six months ended 30 June 2003 relate entirely to operations which are being discontinued. STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Loss for the period/year (646) (3,894) (7,867) Surplus/(deficit) arising on revaluation of - 1 (509) investments and tangible fixed assets Currency translation differences 54 70 189 Total recognised losses (592) (3,823) (8,187) RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Loss for the period/year (646) (3,894) (7,867) Other recognised gains/(losses) relating to 54 71 (320) the period/year Net reduction in shareholders' funds during (592) (3,823) (8,187) the period/year Shareholders' funds brought forward 16,021 24,208 24,208 Shareholders' funds carried forward 15,429 20,385 16,021 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET Unaudited Audited Notes 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets - 772 - Tangible fixed assets - 667 - Investments - 1,271 - - 2,710 - Current assets Investments 6 3,148 1,208 3,047 Debtors 4,026 27,523 5,698 Bank deposits and cash 7 11,463 38,517 18,011 18,637 67,248 26,756 Creditors: Amounts falling due 8 (3,208) (49,543) (10,735) within one year Net current assets 15,429 17,705 16,021 Total assets less current 15,429 20,415 16,021 liabilities Provisions for liabilities and 9 - (30) - charges Net assets 15,429 20,385 16,021 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 10 13,367 13,367 13,367 Reserves 2,062 7,018 2,654 Equity shareholders' funds 15,429 20,385 16,021 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Net cash outflow from operating activities (61) (2,125) (1,073) (Note 11) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received from banks 40 103 204 Interest paid on bank loans and overdrafts (1) (158) (277) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from returns on investments and servicing of finance 39 (55) (73) Tax refunded/(paid) 69 (38) (144) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets - (16) - Sale of tangible fixed assets - 69 149 Sale of intangible assets - 215 443 Net cash inflow from capital expenditure - 268 592 and financial investment Acquisition and disposal Net cash (outflow)/inflow from disposal of (14) - 53 subsidiaries Net cash outflow from disposal of research materials and futures trading right - - (63) Net cash outflow from acquisition and (14) - (10) disposal Net cash inflow/(outflow) before use of 33 (1,950) (708) liquid resources and financing Management of liquid resources Decrease/(increase) in time deposits of 151 (70) 2,427 maturity exceeding 1 day Increase/(decrease) in cash (Note 12) 184 (2,020) 1,719 NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT 1. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION The Group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the Company and the subsidiary undertakings included in the Group. 2. Accounting policies The Group disposed certain assets on 1 October 2002 which resulted in the Group withdrawal from broking, research and corporate finance activities which have in the past provided the bulk of the revenue generating activities. The Group is in the process of realising the remaining assets into cash for distribution to shareholders as soon as practicable. For the reasons stated above, the financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than that of a going concern which includes, where appropriate, writing down the Group's assets to net realisable value. Provision has also been made for any onerous contractual commitments at the balance sheet date. The financial statements do not include any provision for future costs while assets of the Group are being liquidated except to the extent that such costs were committed at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, all assets are classified as current assets. NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 3. ANALYSIS OF TURNOVER, OPERATING LOSS AND NET ASSETS Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Turnover analysed by class of business Broking and related services 62 3,724 4,683 Corporate finance - 343 719 62 4,067 5,402 Geographical analysis of turnover Hong Kong 11 3,125 4,420 Thailand 1 791 889 Others 50 151 93 62 4,067 5,402 Operating loss analysed by class of business Broking and related services (668) (1,724) (7,586) Corporate finance (3) (187) (124) (671) (1,911) (7,710) The net assets utilised in the Group relate substantially to broking activities. NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 4. TAX Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 The (charge)/credit comprises: UK Corporation Tax at 30% - - (25) - current year Hong Kong Profits Tax at 16% - - - 2 current year Other overseas taxation - (3) (5) - (28) (3) Deferred taxation (note 9) - - 30 - (28) 27 5. LOSS PER SHARE Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Loss for the financial period/year (646) (3,894) (7,867) Loss per share (5) cents (29) cents (59) cents Number Number Number Weighted average number of shares in issue 13,367,290 13,367,290 13,367,290 NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 6. INVESTMENTS HELD AS CURRENT ASSETS Unaudited Audited 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Listed investments - overseas, at market value 1,183 711 1,079 Unlisted investments - overseas, at directors' valuation 1,190 31 1,190 Exchange membership, at directors' valuation 75 - 75 Right to trade on or through the Philippine Stock Exchange, at directors' 225 466 226 valuation Right to trade on or through The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, at 128 - 128 directors' valuation Land and building, at directors' valuation 347 - 349 3,148 1,208 3,047 7.ANALYSIS OF CASH Unaudited Audited 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Bank deposits and cash 11,463 38,517 18,011 Bank loans and overdrafts - (8,984) - 11,463 29,533 18,011 Less: Cash at bank - trust accounts (2,032) (21,377) (8,613) Time deposits of maturity exceeding 1 day - (2,648) (151) Cash (Note 13) 9,431 5,508 9,247 NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Unaudited Audited 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Bank overdrafts - 8,984 - Trade creditors 1,591 37,269 8,864 Tax payable - 32 - Other creditors, accruals, provisions and deferred income 1,617 3,258 1,871 3,208 49,543 10,735 9. PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES Deferred taxation represented the tax effect of the excess of depreciation allowances claimed for tax purposes over the depreciation charged in the financial statements. Unaudited Audited 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Deferred taxation At beginning of period / year - 30 30 Transferred to profit and loss account (note 4) - - (30) At end of period / year - 30 - There was no material unprovided deferred tax liability at the balance sheet date. NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 10. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL Unaudited Audited 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$ US$ US$ Authorised: ordinary shares of US$1 each 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 Called up, issued and fully paid: ordinary shares of US$1 each 13,367,290 13,367,290 13,367,290 See note 15 regarding capital reduction on 23 July 2003. 11.RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING LOSS TO NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Operating loss (671) (1,911) (7,710) Gain on disposal of intangible assets - (164) (159) Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets - - (38) Depreciation - 109 196 Provision for doubtful receivables - 369 3,250 Loss on revaluation of investments - 375 - Unrealised gain on investments (105) - (93) Impairment loss - - 201 Amortisation of intangible assets - 52 93 Exchange difference 58 74 207 (Increase)/decrease in investments held as current assets - (35) 67 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 1,510 (2,806) 16,181 Decrease/(increase) in cash at bank - trust accounts 6,581 (2,550) 10,214 (Decrease)/increase in trade creditors (7,180) 4,423 (23,982) (Decrease)/increase in other creditors and accruals (254) (61) 500 Net cash outflow from operating activities (61) (2,125) (1,073) NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 12. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS Unaudited Audited Six months ended Year ended 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Increase/(decrease) in cash 184 (2,020) 1,719 Cash (inflow)/outflow from decrease/increase in liquid resources (151) 70 (2,427) Movement in net funds 33 (1,950) (708) Net funds brought forward 9,398 10,106 10,106 Net funds carried forward 9,431 8,156 9,398 13.ANALYSIS OF NET FUNDS Unaudited Audited 30.6.2003 30.6.2002 31.12.2002 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Cash in hand and deposits repayable on demand 9,431 14,492 9,247 Bank loans and overdrafts - (8,984) - Cash (Note 7) 9,431 5,508 9,247 Time deposits of maturity exceeding 1 day - 2,648 151 Net funds 9,431 8,156 9,398 14. COMMITMENTS Pursuant to a repurchase agreement entered into between the Group and the purchaser of Worldsec International (U.K.) Limited ('WIUK'), the Group granted to the purchaser a repurchase option, exercisable before 1 October 2003 for the repurchase of WIUK by the Group at a price which is the lower of the equivalent cash assets less liabilities of WIUK as stated in the unaudited management accounts of WIUK as at the last day of the month preceding the date of repurchase and US$360,000. NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 15. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS (a) Pursuant to an ordinary resolution passed at the Company Special General Meeting held on 23 July 2003, the Company: (i) reduced the nominal value of the authorised and issued shares of the Company from US$1.00 to US$0.001 per share, and the issued share capital of the Company by US$13,353,922.71 from US$13,367,290 to US$13,367.29 divided into 13,367,290 new shares of US$0.001 each; (ii) reduced the amount of US$11,663,851 standing to the credit of the share premium account of the Company to nil; and (iii) applied the credit of US$25,017,773.71 arising from the reductions noted in (i) and (ii) above to the contributed surplus account of the Company. (b) On 23 July 2003, the Board resolved to pay an interim dividend of US$0.45 per share to the shareholders on the register of members on 1 August 2003 totalling US$6,015,281. 16. INTERIM REPORT The interim report will be posted to shareholders on or about 15 October 2003. CORPORATE INFORMATION Board of directors Non-Executive Chairman David Archibald Evelyn LYLE Executive director Paul Kwok Kin CHENG Non-executive directors Henry Ying Chew CHEONG (Deputy Chairman) Alastair GUNN-FORBES Mark Chung FONG HO Soo Ching Masao HASEGAWA Company secretary Paul Kwok Kin CHENG Registered office address Cedar House, 41 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda Registration number EC21466 Bermuda Principal bankers The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited 1 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong CORPORATE INFORMATION (CONTINUED) Auditors Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Certified Public Accountants 26th Floor, Wing On Centre, 111 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong Solicitors Linklaters & Alliance One, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ, England Principal share registrar and transfer office The Bank of Bermuda Limited Bank of Bermuda Building, 6 Front Street, Hamilton HMDX, Bermuda International branch registrar Capita IRG (Offshore) Limited Victoria Chambers, Liberation Square, 1/3 the Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands United Kingdom transfer agent Capita Registrars The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU, England Investor relations For further information about Worldsec Limited, please contact: The Chief Operating Officer Worldsec Group Room 1601, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong PRINCIPAL OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES Worldsec Brokerage Limited Worldsec Nominees Limited Address: Room 1601, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +(852) 2867 7288 Fax: +(852) 2810 0281 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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