Interim Results

Eurovestech PLC 19 December 2003 EMBARGOED - NOT TO BE RELEASED UNTIL 07.00 A.M. ON 19th December, 2003 EUROVESTECH PLC ('Eurovestech' or 'the Company') Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2003 Operating and Financial Review I am pleased to report on an eventful and very encouraging first half of the year. Several of our portfolio companies achieved significant milestones and in June we completed the purchase of the entire share capital of Knowledge Support Systems Limited ('KSS'). For the period under review, net assets increased from £4.76 million to £7.08 million, with the £3.17 million revaluation uplift in the valuation of investments more than offsetting the pre-tax loss of £0.87 million. This loss was in line with our expectations; and was significantly impacted by the decline in value during the period of our 9.1 per cent. shareholding in Knowledge Support Systems Group PLC. These shares were sold in June. The £3.17 million revaluation surplus arose from the uplift in value of our shareholding in KSS and our decision to place a carrying value of KSS's net cash of £4.2 million rather than retain a value of our purchase price of £1.0 million. In October, we completed an institutional share placing which raised £1,690,000. Portfolio Development A fortnight ago, we announced that KSS, which provides pricing and revenue management solutions for the retail and petroleum industries, had secured significant new orders in both its petrol and retail businesses. Within the petroleum division, it won a Euro 2.1 million contract from a major European fuels retailer and secured an extension to an existing licence agreement with a US fuels retailer. The retail division won a £0.3 million first stage order from a large US retailer and also secured a consulting services order from a major European grocer. As a result, the business is trading materially ahead of our expectations. KSS's management believe that the company will be strongly cash generative in 2004. In August, we reported that Cjudge Ltd ('Cjudge'), the Paris-based online market research and software company had secured several material client wins and reached profitability ahead of forecast. New clients included Amgen, Banque Populaire, Christian Dior, l'Oreal and Peugeot. We are pleased to report that as well as continuing to achieve more client wins in France, with Citroen recently extending its list of blue chip customers, Cjudge is now attracting international interest for its products. We are currently in advanced discussions with Cjudge's management in order to assess how best to fully capitalise on Cjudge's growing success. Eurovestech currently owns 73 per cent. of Cjudge's fully diluted share capital. This week, Boxmind Limited, the e-learning publisher and consultancy ('Boxmind') signed a non-exclusive worldwide distribution agreement for its authoring tools Enlighten Express and Professional with Research Machines plc ('RM'). RM is the UK's leading supplier of education services and currently is the supplier of choice for approximately one-third of UK schools. Eurovestech owns 48 per cent, of Boxmind's fully diluted share capital. Magenta Corporation Limited ('Magenta') develops intelligent software agent technology and is continuing to grow its sales pipeline successfully. Last month, we reported that Magenta had won a significant order from a leading shipping management firm based in London. Magenta's software will be implemented in February 2004 with the intention that the solution will support operations for matching cargos to best available vessels at any point in time. We believe this contract provides tangible evidence that its pioneering multi-agent systems platform provides an optimum solution to a real industry need. Eurovestech currently owns 33 per cent. of Magenta's fully diluted share capital. In August, we announced that Mykindaplace ('MKP'), the UK's leading online magazine for teenage girls, secured a two year contract with BskyB ('Sky'). This agreement means that MKP will provide content and other commercial services to enable Sky to fully commercialise its interactive platforms. MKP reached profitability in June 2003 and has continued to trade strongly in recent months. Eurovestech owns 5.3 per cent. of MKP's fully diluted share capital. Charitable Donations In our prospectus in March 2000 we made a commitment to issue within two years 4,000,000 ordinary shares to a selection of charities. To date, we have issued 4,200,000 shares to a total of 42 charities. Eurovestech is pleased to note that together with the 4,200,000 shares donated to the same charities from Richard Bernstein's personal holding; the stock market value of shares in Eurovestech gifted to worthy causes now exceeds £1 million. The Board is proud that so many great causes have been able to benefit from Eurovestech's progress. We believe that this is an extremely simple and effective method of corporate sharegiving and hope that other companies will follow suit to support charities in this way. The full list of 42 charities is available at www.eurovestech.com Prospects We are pleased with the Company's continuing progress and see significant opportunities. The proceeds from the placing allow us to improve the value of the returns and the timings of realisations from our investments as well as enabling us to take advantage of other targeted investment opportunities. Richard Grogan Chairman 18 December 2003 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the six months ended 30 September 2003 Note Six months Six months Year ended 31 ended 30 ended 30 March September September 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ Turnover 32,473 64,009 93,466 Gross profit 32,473 64,009 93,466 Administrative expenses (374,298) (246,561) (828,348) (Loss)/profit on disposal of current asset investments (523,476) (73,323) 174,717 Other operating income - - 9,360 Operating loss (865,301) (255,875) (550,805) (Loss) on disposal of fixed asset investment - - (330,251) Amounts written off fixed asset investments - (1,286,885) (3,751,460) Income from other fixed and current asset investments 276 6,091 - Other interest receivable and similar income 1,991 26,842 35,216 Interest payable and similar charges (6,100) (5,021) (23,893) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (869,134) (1,514,848) (4,621,193) Tax on loss on ordinary - - - activities Retained loss on ordinary activities after tax (869,134) (1,514,848) (4,621,193) Fully diluted and basic loss per share (pence) 2 (0.383)p (0.675)p (2.055)p UNAUDITED OTHER PRIMARY STATEMENTS For the six months ended 30 September 2003 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES Six months Six months Year ended 31 ended 30 ended 30 March September September 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ Loss for the financial period (869,134) (1,514,848) (4,621,193) Total recognised gains and losses for the period (869,134) (1,514,848) (4,621,193) NOTE OF HISTORICAL COST PROFIT AND LOSSES Six months Six months Year ended 31 ended 30 ended 30 March September September 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ Loss for the financial period (869,134) (1,514,848) (4,621,193) Permanent diminution in value of fixed asset investment - - 881,207 Realisation of revaluation losses of previous periods - (131,943) (875,553) Historical cost loss on ordinary activities before taxation (869,134) (1,646,791) (4,615,539) Historical cost loss transferred to reserves (869,134) (1,646,791) (4,615,539) UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET at 30 September 2003 At 30 September At 30 September At 31 March 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ £ £ £ Fixed assets Tangible assets 5,448 16,172 9,565 Investments 7,533,885 5,683,301 2,906,929 ----------- ------------ ---------- 7,539,333 5,699,473 2,916,494 Current assets Debtors 459,684 257,697 155,381 Investments 57 1,209,810 1,718,657 Cash at bank and in hand 154,355 767,306 370,507 614,096 2,234,813 2,244,545 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (1,074,314) (221,854) (397,354) Net current (liabilities) / (460,218) 2,012,959 1,847,191 assets Total assets less current liabilities 7,079,115 7,712,432 4,763,685 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 2,271,686 2,254,966 2,266,225 Share premium account 7,652,113 7,634,583 7,643,324 Revaluation reserve 3,170,314 - Profit and loss account (6,014,998) (2,177,117) (5,145,864) -------- --------- --------- Shareholders'funds 7,079,115 7,712,432 4,763,685 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 September 2003 Note Six months Six months Year ended 31 March ended 30 ended 30 September September 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 3 35,938 (50,018) (285,262) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 1,991 26,842 35,216 Interest paid (6,100) (5,021) (23,893) Dividends received 276 6,091 - Net cash inflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (3,833) 27,912 11,323 Taxation - - - Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (989) - (3,912) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (989) - (3,912) Acquisitions Purchase of fixed asset investments (1,456,642) (662,545) (1,119,366) Sale of fixed asset investments - 385,426 663,915 Net cash outflow from acquisitions and disposals (1,456,642) (277,119) (455,451) Management of liquid resources Purchase of current asset investments (2,663,586) (5,909,390) (12,796,625) Sale of current asset investments 3,858,710 4,866,461 11,587,966 Gain on disposal of current assets - (228,258) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from management of liquid resources 1,195,124 (1,271,187) (1,208,659) Financing Issue of shares 14,250 25,250 - Net cash inflow from financing 14,250 25,250 - (Decrease) in cash 4 (216,152) (1,545,162) (1,941,961) NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS For the six months ended 30 September 2003 1 BASIS OF PREPARATION The results for the six months ended 30 September 2003 which are unaudited, have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost convention. The financial information set out in this document does not comprise the statutory accounts of the Company within the meaning of section 240(5) of the Companies Act 1985. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION The group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and of its subsidiary undertaking, Eurovestech Israel Ltd, a company incorporated in Israel. The subsidiary undertaking was dormant throughout the whole period from the 1 April 2003 until 30 September 2003. Profits or losses on intra-group transactions are eliminated in full. On establishment of the subsidiary, all of the subsidiary's assets and liabilities which existed at the date of acquisition were recorded at their values reflecting their consideration at that date. 2 (LOSS) / EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE The calculation of the loss per share is based on the loss on ordinary activities for the six month period ended 30 September 2003 of £869,134 and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, being 227,048,857. 3 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING LOSS TO NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Six months Six months Year ended 31 March ended 30 ended 30 September September 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ Operating loss for the period (865,301) (255,875) (550,805) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 5,106 10,291 20,810 Loss/(profit) on sale of investments 523,476 73,323 (174,717) Decrease/(increase) in debtors (304,303) 323,017 425,333 (Decrease)/increase in creditors 676,960 (200,774) (25,274) Other non-cash movement - - 19,391 --------- -------- -------- Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 35,938 (50,018) 285,262 4 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS Six months Six months Year ended 31 March ended 30 ended 30 September September 2003 2002 2003 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £ £ £ (Decrease)/increase in cash in the period (216,152) (1,545,162) (1,941,961) Cash (outflow)/inflow from current asset investments (1,195,124) 1,271,187 1,208,659 Change in net funds resulting from cash flows (1,411,276) (273,975) (733,302) Other non-cash items (523,476) (370,799) 200,576 Movement in net funds in the period (1,934,752) (644,774) (532,726) Net funds at the beginning of the period 2,089,164 2,621,890 2,621,890 -------- -------- -------- Net funds at the end of the period 154,412 1,977,116 2,089,164 5 ANAYLIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS - UNAUDITED At 1 Cash flow At 30 September April 2003 2003 £ £ £ Cash in hand and at bank 370,507 (216,152) 154,355 Current asset investments 1,718,657 (1,718,600) 57 --------- --------- ---------- 2,089,164 (1,934,752) 154,412 6 DIVIDENDS No dividend is proposed for the six months ended 30 September 2003. 7 COPIES OF THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Copies of the interim financial statements will be sent to shareholders and copies are available on request from the Company's registered office at 29 Curzon Street, London W1J 7TL. Further Enquiries: Eurovestech plc Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7491 0770 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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