9 Nov 2010 07:00
9 November 2010
Polo Resources Limited
("Polo Resources", "Polo" or "the Company")
Results for the 12 Months Ended 30 June 2010
Polo Resources Limited (AIM/TSX: POL), the listed resources investment company with coal interests in Bangladesh and Australia, announces results for the 12 months ended 30 June 2010.
Financial and Operational Highlights
·; As at 8 November, the Company's cash balances were US$67 million.
·; Net profit for the year ended 30 June 2010 was US$29 million.
·; Net asset value per share at 8 November 2010 is 6.86 pence per share.
·; Successful listing in the Toronto Stock Exchange under trading Symbol 'POL'.
·; Sale of interest in Mongolian Joint Venture for cash consideration of US$35 million, realising a net gain over book value of US$19 million. In addition the company will continue to retain a net 0.5 per cent royalty for coal sold from licences previously held in the JV agreement.
·; Subsequent to the 30 June year end Polo disposed of its entire interest of 22,550,849 shares in Extract Resources Limited for US$142 million and realising a gain on disposal of US$62.7 million. The Board utilised proceeds of the Extract Shares to fund a special dividend to shareholders of 3 pence per share for a total of US$112 million.
·; Strategic interest of 27.64 per cent in Caledon Resources plc currently valued at US$106.6 million*.
·; Possible cash acquisition of Caledon Resources plc by Guangdong Rising (Australia) Pty Limited announced on 8 November 2010 for 112 pence per share would value Polo's equity interest at US$121.6 million.
·; Strategic interest of 29.82 per cent in GCM Resources plc currently valued at US$60.7 million*.
* Based on closing prices on 8 November 2010
Neil Herbert, Executive Co-Chairman of Polo Resources said,
"The year has proved to be one of significant financial success with the disposals we have made realising attractive returns for our shareholders. Alongside these disposals, our strategic interests in coal assets in Bangladesh and Australia continue to progress well and appreciate in value.
The business is well positioned financially and we continue to explore potential opportunities for investment that fit with our strict return on investment criteria. We look to the future with confidence."
Contacts:
Polo Resources Limited
Neil Herbert,
Executive Co-Chairman
+ 27 82 404 36 37
Canaccord Genuity Limited
Ryan Gaffney / Bhavesh Patel
+ 44 (0) 20 7050 6500
Toronto
James McVicar
Heenan Blaikie LLP
+1 416 643 6903
Blythe Weigh Communications
Tim Blythe
Ana Ribeiro
Matthew Neal
+44 (0) 20 7 138 3204
About the Company
Polo Resources is a natural resources investment company focused on investing in undervalued companies and projects with strong fundamentals and attractive growth prospects. The Company will primarily invest in companies with producing assets and/or resources and reserves that have been verified under internationally recognised reporting standards. For complete details on Polo Resources: www.poloresources.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
The AIM Market of London Stock Exchange plc does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential values, the future plans and objectives of Polo Resources Limited. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, achievable or recognizable in the near term. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Polo Resources Limited assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.
Executive Co-Chairmen's Statement
Following the accumulation of a series of investments in uranium focused companies during the last financial year; Polo began a programme of disposing of these investments from September 2009 that culminated with the disposal of our largest uranium interest, Extract Resources Limited, in August 2010. These investments and subsequent timely disposals have been highly successful for Polo and demonstrate management's ability to identify growth opportunities and successfully convert these into realised financial gains for our shareholders.
To highlight the achievements of this financial year:
·; Polo had disposed of all its uranium investments with the exception of its interest in Extract Resources with total sales of US$57.9 million and realised a net gain on disposal of US$20 million.
·; Polo disposed of its interest in Mongolian coal for US$35 million, realising a net gain of US$19 million on its book carrying cost.
Furthermore, subsequent to the end of 30 June 2010 financial year:
·; On 2nd July 2010 with the share price of 3.575 pence per share the Directors announced the intention to pay a dividend of 3 pence per share representing 84 per cent of the share price of that date. The dividend was duly paid on 27 August 2010 and the share price immediately following the dividend payment was 3.47 pence per share.
·; On 13 August 2010 Polo completed its disposal of its uranium interests with the sale of the interest in Extract Resources for US$142 million and realised a net gain on disposal of US$62.7 million.
Following these disposals the Company was left with two coal investments:
·; 62,085,196 shares representing a 27.64 per cent equity interest in Caledon Resources plc (AIM: CDN) together with convertible loan note of £2.5 million and short term loans of £17.9 million. Caledon has recently made substantial advances with a large increase in its geological coal resources, enhanced management with a wealth of experience in underground coal mining and most importantly has secured an interest in the Wiggins Island port facility currently programmed for development in Queensland. Access to the Wiggins Island port is critical to the future development of Caledon's Minyango coking coal project which the company plans to take to Bankable Feasibility Study shortly.
·; 15,220,985 shares representing a 29.82 per cent equity interest in GCM Resources plc (AIM: GCM). GCM's discussions with the Bangladeshi Government have recently moved onto the detail of project implementation for its Phulbari coal project and the company is busy preparing so that it is ready to move forward with development as soon as it receives Government approval for its Scheme of Development.
With these encouraging developments at both Caledon and GCM we consider that both projects offer prospects of substantial growth in the current financial year. At the date of this report the Company had a cash balance of US$67 million and we are busy focusing on new investment opportunities with a number of projects currently under review over a range of minerals. We look forward to updating shareholders as to progress in due course.
Stephen R. Dattels Neil Herbert
Executive Co-Chairman Managing Director and Executive Co-Chairman
Financial Review
During the 12 months under review, Polo Resources made an overall gain of 53.2 per cent (US$20 million) on the book value of six investment stocks. Operating in a tough financial environment, the Board reasserted its ability to make timely disposals and acquisitions in a way that offers substantial growth development and the opportunity to maximise shareholder value.
Two major transactions were completed during the year under review. On 30 June 2010, Polo Resources completed the sale of its 50 per cent interest in the joint venture with Peabody Energy Corporation, which covered a collection of coal and uranium assets in Mongolia. Winsway Coking Coal Holdings Limited agreed to take Polo's interest in the joint venture for a total consideration of US$35 million and a 0.5 per cent royalty on the coal sold from existing joint venture licences.
On 9 July 2010, Polo Resources sold its entire stake in Extract Resources, which manages the development of the Husab/Rossing South uranium project in Namibia. Polo's interest was valued at AUD157.9 million. The buyer, Nippon Uranium, paid Polo AUD7.00 per Extract Share, representing a 3.7 per cent premium of Extract's closing price on 8 July 2010.
Both of these transactions served to strengthen the Company's cash position and to deliver substantial shareholder returns. On 27 August 2010, Polo returned US$112 million to its shareholders by way of a special GB 3p per share held cash dividend.
At the time of the dividend award, Polo announced its decision to undertake a Share Buyback Programme. The independent Investment Committee will have the discretion, subject to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, to buy back up to 10 per cent of the Company's issued shares over the 12 months from the announcement of the buyback programme, where the price at which the Company's shares are traded are at a significant discount to its net asset value. Polo intends to cancel any shares acquired under the buyback programme.
Prior to these activities, in April 2010, the Board considered a possible merger between Polo and Caledon Resources (in which Polo has a 27.64 per cent stake), which owns the Cook Colliery and Minyango coal project in Queensland, Australia. Although both companies reached an in principle understanding, discussions were terminated on 24 June 2010 after mutually agreeable terms could not be reached. While the merger ultimately was not successful, the process served to give Polo a better understanding of Caledon's assets and operational portfolio.
Finally, the period under review also saw Polo undertake a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange in April 2010, the aim being to increase our capital base and enhance our exposure to the North American investment markets.
At the date of this report Polo has a net cash position of US$67 million and listed equity investments of US173.2 million. The combined value of cash, receivables and listed equity investments was US269.3 million as of 8 November 2010, equivalent to 6.86 per Polo share.
Group Statement of Comprehensive Incomefor the year ended 30 June 2010
Year ended 30 June 2010 | Year ended 30 June 2009 | ||
Notes | $ 000's | $ 000's | |
Exploration costs | - | (8,012) | |
Administrative expenses | (7,919) | (15,098) | |
Share options expensed | 8, 21 | (2,199) | (607) |
Currency exchange (losses)/gains | (1,415) | 11,200 | |
Reversal of/(Impairment) of investment in subsidiaries | 14 | 7,567 | (43,978) |
Investment income | 5 | 774 | 403 |
Gains on sale of available for sale investments | 20,130 | 1,211 | |
Group operating profit/(loss) | 3 | 16,938 | (54,881) |
Share of Joint Venture results | (3,554) | (3,519) | |
Share of associates results | (3,983) | (3,239) | |
Other income | 6 | 2,945 | - |
Finance revenue | 7 | 130 | 2,421 |
Gain on Joint Venture disposal | 15 | 19,049 | - |
(Loss) on subsidiary disposal | 26 | - | (3,512) |
Loan to Joint venture written-off | (2,682) | - | |
Profit/(loss) before taxation | 2 | 28,843 | (62,730) |
Income tax expense | 9 | - | - |
Retained profit/(loss) for the period attributable to members of the parent Company | 28,843 | (62,730) | |
Other comprehensive income | |||
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments | 2,628 | 56,841 | |
Currency translation differences | (31,057) | (49,597) | |
Other comprehensive income for the year net of taxation | (28,429) | 7,244 | |
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to members of the parent company | 414 | (55,486) | |
Earnings per share (US cents) | |||
Basic | 11 | 1.23 | (3.20) |
Diluted | 11 | 1.16 | (3.20) |
All of the operations are considered to be continuing. | |||
Group Balance Sheetas at 30 June 2010
30 June 2010 | 30 June 2009 | |||||
Note | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's | ||
ASSETS | ||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||
Intangible assets | 12 | - | - | |||
Tangible assets | 13 | 4 | 6 | |||
Interest in Joint Venture | 15 | - | 19,505 | |||
Interest in associates | 16 | 120,934 | 132,596 | |||
Available for sale investments | 17 | - | 108,264 | |||
Trade and other receivables | 18 | - | 2,813 | |||
Total non-current assets | 120,938 | 263,184 | ||||
Current assets | ||||||
Trade and other receivables | 18 | 22,686 | 4,560 | |||
Available for sale investments | 17 | 125,491 | 32,395 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 37,795 | 12,288 | ||||
Total current assets | 185,972 | 49,243 | ||||
TOTAL ASSETS | 306,910 | 312,427 | ||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||
Current liabilities |
| |||||
Trade and other payables | 19 | (2,517) | (8,821) | |||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | (2,517) | (8,821) | ||||
NET ASSETS | 304,393 | 303,606 | ||||
EQUITY |
| |||||
Ordinary shares | 20 | - | ||||
Share premium | 275,109 | 305,359 | ||||
Retained earnings | (40,629) | (69,472) | ||||
Available for sale investment reserve | 53,012 | 56,553 | ||||
Foreign exchange reserve | 10,226 | 8,037 | ||||
Share based payments reserve | 21 | 6,675 | 3,129 | |||
TOTAL EQUITY | 304,393 | 303,606 | ||||
These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 8 November 2010 and signed on its behalf by:
| ||||||
Stephen Dattels | Neil Herbert | |||||
Director | Director | |||||
Group Cash Flow Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2010
Year ended 30 June 2010 | Year ended 30 June 2009 | ||
Notes | $ 000's | $ 000's | |
Cash flows from operating activities | |||
Operating profit/(loss) | 16,938 | (54,881) | |
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables | 1,874 | (204) | |
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables | (6,304) | 562 | |
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss | 1,415 | (11,200) | |
Share options expensed | 2,199 | 607 | |
Share based payment charge - shares issued | - | 8,021 | |
Impairment of investment in Mongolia | (7,567) | 43,978 | |
Gains on sale of available for sale investments | (20,130) | (1,211) | |
Depreciation & impairment | 4 | 5,844 | |
Net cash outflow from operating activities | (11,571) | (8,484) | |
Cash flows from investing activities | |||
Interest Received | 130 | 2,421 | |
Investments in associates | (3,767) | (6,113) | |
Payments to acquire available for sale investments | (32,343) | (83,908) | |
Receipts on sale of available for sale investments | 57,544 | 9,586 | |
Payments to acquire intangible assets | - | (2,798) | |
Payments to acquire tangible assets | (2) | (3,858) | |
Loans to joint ventures | - | (2,813) | |
Net cash in/(out)flow from investing activities | 21,562 | (87,483) | |
Acquisitions and disposals | |||
Cash (derecognised)/acquired with subsidiaries | - | (231) | |
Payments to acquire subsidiaries | (2) | - | |
Receipts on sale of joint venture | 15,000 | - | |
Net cash in/(out)flow from acquisitions and disposals | 14,998 | (231) | |
Cash flows from financing activities | |||
Issue of ordinary share capital | - | 10,172 | |
Share issue costs | (234) | (704) | |
Cost of buy back of warrants | (1,485) | - | |
Net cash (out)/inflow from financing activities | (1,719) | 9,468 | |
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 23,270 | (86,730) | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 12,288 | 115,974 | |
Exchange gain/(loss) on cash and cash equivalents | 2,237 | (16,956) | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 22 | 37,795 | 12,288 |
Group Statement of Changes in EquityFor the year ended 30 June 2010
Called up share capital | Share premium reserve | Available for sale investment reserve | Foreign currency translation reserve | Share based payment reserve | Retained earnings | Total equity | |
Group | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's | $ 000's |
As at 1 July 2008 | - | 338,861 | (62) | (285) | 2,029 | (6,742) | 333,801 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | (62,730) | (6,742) |
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments | - | - | 56,841 | - | - | - | 56,841 |
Currency translation differences | - | (57,394) | (226) | 8,322 | (299) | - | (49,597) |
Total comprehensive income | - | (57,394) | 56,615 | 8,322 | (299) | (62,730) | (55,486) |
Share capital issued | - | 25,364 | - | - | - | - | 25,364 |
Cost of share issue | - | (1,472) | - | - | - | - | (1,472) |
Share based payments | - | - | - | - | 1,399 | - | 1,399 |
As at 30 June 2009 | - | 305,359 | 56,553 | 8,037 | 3,129 | (69,472) | 303,606 |
Profit for the year | - | - | - | - | - | 28,843 | 28,843 |
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments | - | - | 2,628 | - | - | - | 2,628 |
Currency translation differences | - | (26,625) | (6,169) | 2,189 | (452) | - | (31,057) |
Total comprehensive income | - | (26,625) | (3,541) | 2,189 | (452) | 28,843 | 414 |
Share capital issued | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Cost of share issue | - | (3,625) | - | - | - | - | (3,625) |
Share based payments | - | - | - | - | 3,998 | - | 3,998 |
As at 30 June 2010 | - | 275,109 | 53,012 | 10,226 | 6,675 | (40,629) | 304,393 |
Notes
1. Publication of non statutory accounts
The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts.
The balance sheet at 30 June 2010 and income statement, cash flow statement and associated notes for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's 2010 statutory financial statements upon which the auditors' opinion is unqualified.
2. Annual Report
The Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2010 will be posted to shareholders on Monday 15th November. The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, St Ann's Place, St Peter's Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 2NU on 3 December 2010 at 12.30pm. A full version of the annual accounts will be available on the Company's website at www.poloresources.com .