6 Jul 2010 12:17
6 July 2010
Ambrian Capital plc
Pre-Close Trading Statement
Ambrian Capital plc ("Ambrian" or the "Group") today issues a trading update for the first half ended 30 June 2010.
Business Update
Ambrian's Commodities businesses performed well during the first half of the year, benefitting from continuing demand for physical metals from China, albeit at lower levels than the extraordinary volumes achieved in the first half of 2009.
Ambrian Principal Investments Limited, the Group's principal investment portfolio, is expected to show an excellent result for the first half with estimated net asset value per share growth of 37%.
The profits generated by Commodities and Principal Investments were offset by a loss incurred by Corporate Finance & Equities (Ambrian Partners Limited) which is likely to lead to the Group reporting a breakeven result for the first half of the year.
The loss in Corporate Finance & Equities is a result of a combination of (i) a decline in fee and commission income in the core natural resources franchise as many transactions did not complete due to weak equity market conditions in the second quarter, particularly in June and (ii) an increase in personnel and recruitment costs associated with efforts to diversify the Corporate Finance & Equities business from its reliance on the AIM sector. In light of the recent falls in equity markets, management is taking immediate action to reduce costs to ensure that the business is able to generate a positive return from its leading position in the natural resources sector.
Formation of Ambrian Energy
Commodities now represent the majority of Ambrian's revenues and profits. We intend to continue growing our business as a supplier of physical commodities and are pleased to announce the formation of Ambrian Energy, which will be focused on the supply of crude oil, condensates and other energy products, including biofuels. These commodities will complement our growing presence as a supplier of physical metals. Ambrian Energy will be led by Justus van der Spuy who was previously Chief Executive of Masefield, a specialised international energy trading company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Mr van der Spuy has over 20 years' experience in trading in the international oil markets, including a period with South Africa's Strategic Fuel Fund.
Enquiries
| Ambrian Capital plc |
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| Tom Gaffney, Chief Executive | + 44 (0)20 7634 4700 |
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| Fox-Pitt Kelton Limited |
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| Simon Law | + 44 (0)20 3037 5237 |
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| M: Communications |
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| Charlotte Kirkham | + 44 (0)20 7920 2330 |
Notes to Editors:
AMBRIAN CAPITAL PLC
Ambrian Capital plc (AIM: AMBR) is a specialist investment bank active in Commodities, Corporate Finance & Equities and Principal Investments.
Commodities
Ambrian Commodities Limited is a trader and broker specialising in London Metals Exchange cleared base metals futures and options. Its customers include metals producers, consumers, merchants, traders and financial investors. Ambrian Commodities is an Associate Broker Member of the London Metal Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Ambrian Metals Limited is an independent physical metals supplier with a particular strength in refined copper. Through Ambrian Metals' offices in London and Shanghai and agents in New York, Santiago, São Paulo, Seoul and Tokyo, it sources non-ferrous metals from producers for distribution to an international client base of metals consumers and merchants.
Corporate Finance & Equities
Ambrian Partners Limited is known in the market for its leading positions in the metals & mining, oil & gas and cleantech sectors. It provides corporate finance advice, equity research, sales and trading and market making services. Ambrian Partners is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Principal Investments
Ambrian Principal Investments Limited is an investment company which holds the Group's principal investment portfolio. It is managed by Ambrian Asset Management Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Further information on Ambrian is available on the Company's website:
www.ambrian.com