Maven Income 1 Regulatory News (MIG1)

9 May 2006 17:20

Murray VCT 4 PLC09 May 2006 Murray VCT 4 PLC Preliminary results for the year ended 28 February 2006 The Directors announce unaudited preliminary results of Murray VCT 4 PLC for theyear ended 28 February 2006, which were approved by the Board on 9 May 2006. • 54 investments in the unlisted portfolio, with a total cost of £30.6 million. • Net Asset Value of 79.1p per share. • Proposed final dividend of 0.8p per share. • Declared capital dividend of 1.6p per share. • Total return since launch, being the sum of dividends paid plus Net Asset Value, of 92.2p per share. Performance The Board is pleased to report that the Net Asset Value (NAV) per share at 28February 2006 has increased to 79.1p, before payment of proposed dividends inrespect of the year then ended, compared with 76.1p at 31 August 2005 and 75.9p(restated) at 28 February 2005. The increase in NAV over the year of 4.2%compares with the increase in stock market indices generally and, in particular,the FTSE AIM Index, which rose by 3.5% over the period, and the FTSE SmallCapIndex which rose by 20.7%. As reported in the Annual Report for last year, there were significant changesmade to the senior investment team of the Manager in the autumn of 2004. Since31 August 2004, the date closest to that change when an NAV was published, thetotal return has increased on each reporting date and by 9.6% overall. Detailsof the new management fee structure were also included in the Annual Report forlast year. The uplift achieved in the NAV since 31 August 2005 largely governsthe level of fee payable for that period and, based on the performance duringthe six months to 28 February 2006, a fee of £702,000 (excluding VAT) waspayable for the year. Investment activity During the year ended 28 February 2006, 20 new unlisted and AIM investments werecompleted and a total of £9.7 million was invested. At the year end, theportfolio stood at 54 active unlisted and AIM investments at a total cost of£30.6 million. The following new investments have been completed since the publication of theInterim Report:- Amazing Holdings* (December 2005) - £250,000: Amazing is a leisure facility andhotel developer which intends to operate a casino in the Penghu Islands ofTaiwan. (www.amazing.co.im) A T Communications Group* (November 2005) - £300,000: Integrator ofcommunications systems to SMEs and small corporates, providing service,installation and maintenance for voice, data, mobile and converged networks.(www.atcommunications.co.uk) Autoclenz* (December 2005) - £205,000: Provider of valeting services toautomotive retailers, car auction houses, car supermarkets and car rentalcompanies in the UK. (www.autoclenz.co.uk) Bond Aviation Solutions (November 2005) - £750,000: Bond provides commercialpilot training services from its Gatwick base. (www.bondaviationsolutions.com) Chiltern (UK) (November 2005) - £750,000: Chiltern negotiates and managesstandstill agreements and repayment plans for financially distressed individualswho cannot service their debts. (www.chiltern.uk.com) Fieldstreet (Investments) (October 2005) - £751,000: Fieldstreet is the name ofthe vehicle which acquired Cox Insurance in a public to private transaction. Coxis a midsized insurance business focused on predominately niche risk areaswithin motor insurance. (www.cox.co.uk) Imprint* (September 2005) - £202,000: Imprint provides a search, selection andvalue-added human capital management service of the highest professionalstandards within the critical hire, middle and senior management recruitmentmarkets. (www.imprintplc.com) Mattioli Woods* (November 2005) - £266,000: Provider of pension consultancy,trouble-shooting and administration services to corporate, owners of businessesand professional persons. (www.mattioli-woods.com) Styles & Wood Holdings (December 2005) - £400,000: Styles & Wood is the leadingindependent provider of store fit-out and refurbishment programmes to the UKretail sector. (www.stylesandwood.co.uk) * Quoted on AIM Murray VCT 4 has co-invested with Aberdeen Development Capital, Aberdeen GrowthVCT I, Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT, Aberdeen Growth Opportunities VCT 2,and Talisman First Venture Capital Trust in some or all of the abovetransactions and is expected to continue to do so with these as well as otherclients of the Manager. The advantage is that, together, these clients are ableto underwrite a wider range and size of transaction than would be the case on astand-alone basis. Portfolio developments Murray VCT 4 has continued to invest in a diversified portfolio of unlisted andAIM quoted investments with good growth prospects and, therefore, theopportunity to generate capital gains in the medium and longer term. During theyear ended 28 February 2006, considerable progress was made by adopting a moreactive trading approach on the AIM portfolio and net gains of £677,000 weregenerated over the course of the year. As stated in the Interim Report, theBoard had resolved to increase the maximum exposure of the portfolio to AIMquoted companies to reflect the shift in dynamics of this market. In recognitionof the success that the Manager has achieved with this part of the portfolio,the Board has revised the level of exposure which the Company should have tothis market. At the year end, around 25% of the total portfolio book cost wasinvested in AIM quoted companies. There have also been a number of positive developments in the unlistedportfolio, including the successful flotation of Synexus on AIM. Profitableexits were achieved from Black Teknigas, Enterprise Food Group and ScotNursing.With the increasing maturity of the portfolio, the Board is optimistic offurther gains being achieved in due course. Details of the major realisations during the course of the year are given in thetable below: Date first Complete/ Cost Sales Realised invested partial exit of shares proceeds gain/ disposed of (loss) £'000 £'000 £'000UnlistedBlack Teknigas 2003 Complete 180 311 131Enterprise Food Group 2003 Partial 598 635 37First Line 2000 Complete 595 428 (167)ScotNursing 2002 Complete 750 938 188Synexus 2001 Partial 306 382 76Others Partial 1,015 1,015 - Total unlisted 3,444 3,709 265 AIM1st Dental Laboratories 2004 Partial 114 146 32Bond International Software 2004 Complete 186 455 269Careforce Group 2004 Partial 365 433 68Mattioli Woods 2005 Partial 113 170 57Talarius 2005 Partial 166 227 61Tanfield Group 2004 Partial 133 233 100United Clearing 2005 Partial 188 251 63Others Partial 622 649 27Total AIM 1,887 2,564 677 Total 5,331 6,273 942 In addition to the above, gains of £17,000 on the disposal of listed fixedincome securities and the previously recognised unrealised loss of £530,000 onthe investment in Interak were realised during the year. Investment strategy Under the direction of the Board, the Manager is pursuing a dual strategyencompassing both unlisted investment and an increased exposure to the AIMmarket. The Manager is targeting investment in larger, more profitable unlistedbusinesses which offer a greater likelihood of being able to meet their yieldobligations, even if there is some shortfall against the business planprojections, and these businesses are typically more capable of achievingcapital gains in the longer term. The Manager also continues to have discretion to make investments in companieswhich do not represent qualifying holdings for venture capital trusts, butalways subject to ensuring that the Company itself continues to qualify as a VCTat all times. Dividends The Board declared an interim dividend of 2.5p per share which was paid on 9December 2005, this amount comprising 0.5p of revenue and 2.0p of capital gains.The Board is now pleased to recommend the payment of a final dividend of 0.8pper share, to be paid on 28 July 2006 to Shareholders on the register at closeof business on 30 June 2006. In addition, the Board intends to distributerealised capital gains by way of dividends when meaningful amounts have beenaccumulated and a capital dividend of 1.6p per share from gains achieved to datewill be paid along with the proposed final dividend. The total capital dividendpayable for the year will therefore be 3.6p per share. The total dividendpayable in respect of the reporting year will total 4.9p per share, whichcompares favourably with the aggregate dividends paid from inception until thestart of the year of 10.6p per share. Since the Company's launch, Shareholders will have achieved a total return sincelaunch of 92.2p, being the sum of dividends paid plus current NAV. The totalreturn has increased by 8.1p or 9.6% since 31 August 2004, immediately prior tothe change in the investment management team. The effect of paying the totalproposed dividends of 2.4p per share will be to reduce the NAV per share by asimilar amount. The most important performance measures for a VCT are the long-term record ofincome and capital gains dividend payments and the timing of these payments overthe life of the Company. In the short term, the NAV on its own is a lessimportant measure of the performance as the underlying investments are long-termin nature and not readily realisable. Valuation process Investments held by Murray VCT 4 in unlisted companies are valued in accordancewith the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines,which superseded the British Venture Capital Association Valuation Guidelinesfor reporting periods beginning after 1 January 2005. Investments which are quoted or traded on the Alternative Investment Market(AIM) or a recognised stock exchange are valued at their bid price. Share buy-back policy During the year, 1,717,591 shares were bought back for cancellation at anaverage price of 56.7p and an aggregate cost, including expenses, of £979,264. Co-investment scheme of the Manager A co-investment scheme, which will allow executive members of the Manager toinvest alongside the Company, has been agreed with the Manager forimplementation during the coming year. The Directors believe that the Schemewill closely align the interests of the executives and the Company'sShareholders, while introducing an incentive to enable the Manager to retain theexisting skills and capacity of its management team in a highly competitivemarket. The scheme will operate through a nominee company which will invest alongsidethe Company in each and every transaction made by the Company, including anyfollow-on investments. In an unlisted investment, the transaction will normallybe structured such that 70% to 90% of the investment is by way of fixed interestinstrument and 30% to 10% in ordinary shares. The amount which will be investedby the nominee company is fixed at 5% of the value of the ordinary shares whichare available to the Company, except where the Company is investing only inordinary shares. In that case, the amount to be invested by the nominee companywill be 1.5% of the amount available to the Company. Outlook The outlook for new investments remains positive, with a steady flow of bothunlisted and AIM opportunities available for consideration by the Manager. Theprimary focus remains on building a properly diversified portfolio of goodquality smaller company assets which will deliver sustained long termperformance. The intensive work on repositioning the investment portfolio willcontinue throughout 2006 and beyond. It is the Board's intention that the Company should continue to pay capitaldividends in future, although the timing and quantum of these payments will bedependent upon the achievement of realised gains from the portfolio. As with alldividends paid by VCTs, these payments will be made to Shareholders free of tax. Throughout the year, the Board has worked closely with the Manager and fullysupports the redefined investment strategy. The intensive portfolio managementand increased, but selective, exposure to the AIM market has proven successfulto date. Murray VCT 4 PLCIncome StatementFor the year ended 28 February 2006 Year ended Year ended 28 February 2005 28 February 2006 (restated) Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Investment income and deposit interest 1,053 - 1,053 1,093 - 1,093Investment management fees (165) (660) (825) (284) (426) (710)Other expenses (187) - (187) (220) - (220)Gains on investments - 1,931 1,931 - 1,266 1,266Amounts written off fixed asset investments - - - - (569) (569) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 701 1,271 1,972 589 271 860Tax on ordinary activities (196) 196 - (158) 132 (26) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 505 1,467 1,972 431 403 834 Earnings per share (pence) 1.4 4.0 5.4 1.1 1.1 2.2 A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared, as allgains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement. The total column of this statement is the Profit and Loss Account of theCompany. Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' FundsFor the year ended 28 February 2006 Year ended Year ended 28 February 2006 28 February 2005 (restated) £'000 £'000 Opening Shareholders' funds 28,632 28,817Total profit for year 1,972 834Net proceeds of issue of shares - (1)Repurchase and cancellation of shares (979) (395)Tax attributable to unrealised loss on - 26investmentsDividends paid - revenue (406) (649)Dividends paid - capital (731) - Closing Shareholders' funds 28,488 28,632 MURRAY VCT 4 PLCBALANCE SHEETAs at 28 February 2006 28 February 2006 28 February 2005 (restated) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000Fixed assetsInvestments 27,906 27,236 Current assetsDebtors 834 1,382Cash and overnight deposits 242 260 1,076 1,642 CreditorsAmounts falling due within one year 494 246 Net current assets 582 1,396Net assets 28,488 28,632 Capital and reservesCalled up share capital 3,602 3,774Share premium account 17,235 17,235Realised capital reserve (3,192) (3,157)Unrealised capital reserve (3,862) (5,364)Capital redemption reserve 283 111Profit and loss account 14,422 16,033 Net assets attributable to Ordinary 28,488 28,632Shareholders Net Asset Value per 79.1 75.9Ordinary share (pence) MURRAY VCT 4 PLCCASH FLOW STATEMENTFor the year ended 28 February 2006 28 February 2006 28 February 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000Operating activitiesInvestment income received 1,706 1,007Deposit interest received 23 13Investment management fees paid (460) (627)Secretarial fees paid (66) (50)Cash paid to and on behalf of Directors (49) (53)Other cash payments (88) (94) Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,066 196 Financial investmentPurchase of investments (12,190) (11,834)Sale of investments 13,322 7,387Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment 1,132 (4,447) Dividends paid (1,137) (649) Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 1,061 (4,900) FinancingIssue of Ordinary shares - (1)Repurchase of Ordinary shares (1,079) (300) Net cash outflow from financing (1,079) (301) Decrease in cash (18) (5,201) Murray VCT 4 PLC Basis of restatement During the year ended 28 February 2006, the Company became subject to newFinancial Reporting Standards issued as part of the programme to converge UKGenerally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) with International AccountingStandards. As a consequence of this, the results for the year ended 28 February2005 have been restated to reflect the changes of accounting practice inrelation to the following: • investments are measured initially at cost and are recognised at trade date; • for financial assets acquired, the cost is the fair value of the consideration. Subsequent to initial recognition, investments are valued at fair value. For listed and AIM quoted investments, this is deemed to be bid market prices sourced from The London Stock Exchange. Unlisted investments are valued by the Directors at fair value, in line with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, which superseded the British Venture Capital Association Valuation Guidelines for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005; and • since investments are now designated at fair value through the Profit and Loss Account under FRS25, it is no longer appropriate to show a revaluation reserve. As a result, the Company has elected to present separate realised and unrealised capital reserves. In accordance with FRS 21 - Events after the Balance Sheet Date, dividends arenot accrued in the Financial Statements unless they have been declared beforethe balance sheet date. Final dividends are therefore recognised in the periodin which they are declared and paid. As a result of this change, the FinancialStatements for the year ended 28 February 2005 have been restated. The impact of these changes is shown as follows: Reconciliation of Balance Sheets As previously reported As restatedReconciliation of Balance Sheet 29 February 2004 Effect of change 29 February 2004at 29 February 2004 (audited) in policy (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000Fixed assetsInvestments 22,350 (12) 22,338 Current assetsDebtors 1,363 - 1,363Cash and overnight deposits 5,461 - 5,461 6,824 - 6,824 CreditorsAmounts falling due within one year 807 (462) 345 Net current assets 6,017 462 6,479 Net assets 28,367 450 28,817 Capital and reservesCalled up share capital 3,849 - 3,849Share premium account 17,236 - 17,236Realised capital reserve - (1,986) (1,986)Unrealised capital reserve - (6,964) (6,964)Revaluation reserve (6,952) 6,952 -Capital redemption reserve 36 - 36Profit and loss account 14,198 2,448 16,646 Equity Shareholders' funds 28,367 450 28,817 Net Asset Value per Ordinary share 73.7 74.8(pence) As previously reported As restatedReconciliation of Balance Sheet 28 February 2005 Effect of change 28 February 2005at 28 February 2005 (audited) in policy (unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000Fixed assetsInvestments 27,386 (150) 27,236 Current assetsDebtors 1,382 - 1,382Cash and overnight deposits 260 - 260 1,642 - 1,642 CreditorsAmounts falling due within one year 472 (226) 246 Net current assets 1,170 226 1,396 Net assets 28,556 76 28,632 Capital and reservesCalled up share capital 3,774 - 3,774Share premium account 17,235 - 17,235Realised capital reserve - (3,157) (3,157)Unrealised capital reserve - (5,364) (5,364)Revaluation reserve (5,214) 5,214 -Capital redemption reserve 111 - 111Profit and loss account 12,650 3,383 16,033 Equity Shareholders' funds 28,556 76 28,632 Net Asset Value per Ordinary share 75.7 75.9(pence) Reconciliation of the Income Statement Year ended 28 February 2005 (audited) £'000 Total transfer to Profit and Loss Account as previously (131)reportedAdd dividends on Ordinary shares 413Change from mid to bid basis at 29 February 2004 12Change from mid to bid basis at 28 February 2005 (150)Add unrealised gain on revaluation of investments 690 Profit on ordinary activities after tax per restated Income 834Statement Except for the changes referred to above, this Preliminary Announcement has beenprepared on the same basis as the Annual Report and Financial Statements for theyear ended 28 February 2005. Other information Although the Company is no longer an investment company, as investment companystatus was revoked in order to permit the distribution of capital profits, theDirectors believe that the presentation of the Income Statement is enhanced byshowing additional non-statutory information on the returns attributable torevenue and to capital. In respect of the year ended 28 February 2006, earnings per Ordinary share havebeen calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during theyear of 36,988,753. Net Asset Value per Ordinary share as at 28 February 2006has been calculated using the number of share in issue at that date of36,025,976. A summary of investment changes for the year ended 28 February 2006 and aportfolio summary as at 28 February 2006 are attached. The results for the year ended 28 February 2006, which are subject to finalaudit, will be filed with the Registrar of Companies and a full copy of theAnnual Report and Financial Statements will be printed and issued toShareholders. The financial information contained within this Preliminary Announcement doesnot constitute the Company's statutory Financial Statements as defined inSection 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory Financial Statements forthe year ended 28 February 2005 have been delivered to the Registrar ofCompanies and contained an audit report which was unqualified and did notconstitute statements under Sections 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The Annual General Meeting will be held on 6 July 2006, commencing at 2.15 p.m. Copies of this announcement will be available to the public at the registeredoffice of the Company, One Bow Churchyard, Cheapside, London EC4M 9HH and at theoffice of Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, 123 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G25EA. By Order of the Board Murray Johnstone LimitedSecretary9 May 2006 MURRAY VCT 4 PLCSUMMARY OF INVESTMENT CHANGESFor the year ended 28 February 2006 Valuation Net investment/ Appreciation/ Valuation 28 February 2005 (restated) (disinvestment) (depreciation) 28 February 2006 £'000 % £'000 £'000 £'000 % Unlisted investments Equities 4,197 14.6 (621) 2,729 6,305 22.1 Preference shares 792 2.8 187 (322) 657 2.3 Loan stocks 10,930 38.2 1,687 (1,885) 10,732 37.7 15,919 55.6 1,253 522 17,694 62.1 AIM investments Equities 5,044 17.6 1,931 1,382 8,357 29.4 Listed investments Fixed income 6,273 21.9 (4,445) 27 1,855 6.5 Total investments 27,236 95.1 (1,261) 1,931 27,906 98.0 Other net assets 1,396 4.9 (814) - 582 2.0 Total assets* 28,632 100.0 (2,075) 1,931 28,488 100.0 \* Total assets represents net assets attributable to Ordinary Shareholders. MURRAY VCT 4 PLCINVESTMENT PORTFOLIO SUMMARYAs at 28 February 2006 Bookcost Valuation % of % of equity % of equity total held by other Nature of business £'000 £'000 assets held clientsUnlisted investmentsTransys Projects Engineering services to the rail industry 825 2,874 10.1 20.9 21.6TLC (Tender Loving Operator of daycare nurseries 1,516 1,516 5.3 23.2 -Childcare) RMS Europe Provider of stevedoring and 784 934 3.3 9.1 19.1 ships agency services ELE Advanced Precision engineering 491 930 3.3 12.2 -Technologies PSCA International Producer of publications aimed 660 831 2.9 7.6 15.5 at public sector officialsTMI Foods Manufacturer of cooked bacon and vegetable products 230 831 2.9 23.5 23.5Heathcotes Restaurant chain and providers 1,443 820 2.9 19.1 10.0Restaurants of outside catering Fieldstreet Insurance business focussed 751 751 2.6 0.4 1.1(Investments) mainly on niche risk areas in motor insuranceBond Aviation Commercial pilot training 750 750 2.6 12.0 28.0Solutions services Mining Communications Publisher of specialist trade 750 750 2.6 14.1 6.4 journals Original Shoe Company Branded clothing and footwear 750 750 2.6 3.8 29.7 retailer Sanastro Business to business financial 750 750 2.6 9.6 3.5 publishing Chiltern (UK) Manages agreements and 750 750 2.6 15.0 16.0 repayment plans for credit card holdersTransrent Holdings Rental and sale of trailers 838 705 2.5 3.0 33.3Astraeus Charter airline and airline 616 616 2.2 9.0 40.9 management activities House of Dorchester Chocolate manufacturer 910 585 2.1 44.2 -GW 1016 Operator of managed public 590 429 1.5 12.9 34.3 houses PLM Dollar Group On-shore helicopter services 402 402 1.4 4.6 26.2 Styles & Wood Independent provider of store 400 400 1.4 1.5 44.8Holdings fit outs to the UK retail sectorKingsley Cards Greetings card distributor 750 350 1.2 9.4 18.1 Voxsurf Software development 690 248 0.9 0.6 -The BigWord Holdings Translation services 199 199 0.7 - -Driver Hire Supplier of temporary drivers 171 171 0.6 1.0 38.7 Citel Technologies Integrated solutions for the 160 80 0.3 0.8 10.5 telephony & communications sectorUnique Communications TV production and 798 66 0.2 5.5 7.5Group communications consultancy Conveco Convenience stores 758 48 0.2 7.4 16.4Other unlisted 5,106 158 0.6investments 22,838 17,694 62.1 AIM investmentsSynexus Clinical trials 622 1,291 4.5 4.6 2.5Cello Group Marketing and media services 751 848 3.0 2.3 0.8Leisure & Gaming Provider of on-line gaming 500 700 2.5 0.8 0.6 services Tanfield Group Technical solutions and 369 681 2.4 1.9 1.7 manufacturing group Strategic Retail Retailer of home furnishings 700 604 2.1 2.6 2.6Avanti Screenmedia Provider of screens and media 420 502 1.8 0.8 1.4 advertising AT Communications Leading communications 300 371 1.3 1.3 0.6Group integrator United Clearing Provider of software based 280 350 1.2 1.7 2.5 solutions to mobile communications operatorsTalarius High street gaming 188 344 1.2 0.5 0.8Axeon Developer of semi conductor 251 314 1.1 2.7 13.5 intellectual properties Mattioli Woods Provider of pension 153 252 0.9 0.5 0.1 consultancy, troubleshooting and administration servicesFountains Land management services 252 236 0.8 1.3 1.4 Amazing Holdings Leisure and hotel developer 250 234 0.8 0.9 1.4Imprint Provider of a result and search 202 212 0.8 0.2 0.4 service Autoclenz Provider of valeting services 205 207 0.7 1.6 0.4System C Healthcare Provider of information 311 161 0.6 0.7 0.7 services and IT systems to the healthfood sectorNeutrahealth Provider of biocare products to 151 158 0.6 1.1 2.4 health practitioners and specialist retailersCareforce Group Provider of domiciliary care 137 149 0.5 0.9 0.4 servicesSpectrum Interactive Provider of payphones and 216 141 0.5 0.7 1.0 internet access throughout the UKInspicio Acquire and manage businesses 114 130 0.5 0.2 0.3 in the inspection and testing sectorAsfare Manufacture and supply of 172 125 0.4 3.5 2.1 equipment for the emergency servicesPublic Recruitment Public sector staffing in 467 124 0.4 1.2 0.8Group healthcare and education Elevation Events Events management 200 117 0.4 3.4 7.2Group 1st Dental Provider of dental laboratory 188 106 0.4 1.5 -Laboratories services Award International Sourcing and delivery of 350 - - 10.8 7.7Holdings merchandising materials 7,749 8,357 29.4Listed fixed income investmentsTreasury 7.5% 2006 784 783 2.8Treasury 4.5% 2007 724 726 2.5Treasury 7.25% 2007 347 346 1.2 1,855 1,855 6.5 Total investments 32,442 27,906 98.0 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange