Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksSGM.L Regulatory News (SGM)

  • There is currently no data for SGM

Trading Statement

28 Jan 2011 07:00

RNS Number : 2347A
Sigma Capital Group PLC
28 January 2011
 



SGM

SIGMA CAPITAL GROUP PLC

("Sigma" or "the Group")

 

Trading Update

 

Sigma, the specialist asset management and advisory group, is pleased to provide the following update on trading for the financial year to 31 December 2010. It should be noted that Sigma has also issued a separate announcement today, which comments on the proposed admission to AIM of its subsidiary, Frontier IP Group Plc ("Frontier IP"), and an associated share placing.

 

In the Group's half year results, we stated that the general economy presented ongoing challenges but, at the trading level, we expected the second half to be better than the first half. We are now pleased to report that second half revenues on a like-for-like basis improved by 11% over the first six months, generating a small profit in the second half before exceptional items. Administrative costs reduced by circa 5% and we are continuing to manage costs down where possible. With the change in Frontier IP's status from subsidiary company to associate company in January 2011, our year end accounts will concentrate on the results for the continuing businesses, which comprise our venture capital fund management and property investment management activities. These businesses made a small combined profit in the second half. The Group's cash position at the year end remained strong with unencumbered cash balances* at 31 December 2010 of £1.82m.

 

Trading results for the year as a whole will be affected by two significant non-recurring exceptional items. The first relates to Frontier IP and the change in its classification to associate company, reflecting the change in Sigma's shareholding in 2011. As a result of this, we will be recognising a write down of goodwill amounting to £1.36m in our year end figures. The second non-recurring exceptional item relates to the Group's guarantee of £1.25m to Bank of Scotland ("the Bank") in support of the Group's property fund, SI Limited Partnership No 6. As we previously stated, we expect this guarantee to be called upon during the course of the balance of the Bank's lending on this asset up to 2012. We remain in discussions with the Bank, however, we now believe it prudent to make a full provision against the guarantee. This remains the Group's only negative exposure to the properties under its management. In addition to the exceptional items, the sale of some Frontier IP shares in December 2010 as part of Frontier IP's share placing announced today resulted in a loss of £0.27m. The impact of the exceptional items together with the loss on the sale of the Frontier shares and the write downs in the value of some of our venture investments will result in losses for the year of approximately £3.9m. It should be noted that of this figure, only £0.2m of losses (excluding write down of investments) relates to the continuing businesses of the Group.

 

*unencumbered cash balances exclude the £1.25m bank guarantee

 

Prospects

 

As we stated in our interims, we have extended our commercial relationship with our largest shareholder, West Coast Capital ("WCC") and are working on a number of material property related initiatives with the backing of WCC. In addition, we believe that our remaining investment portfolio is carried at a conservative value of circa £1.4m which is in addition to our holding in Frontier, which is valued separately at £1.6m. We would anticipate a number of realisations in prospect over the next 24 months. Frontier IP's admission to AIM and placing increases the potential value of our shareholding in Frontier IP, with the company now better positioned for growth. Sigma's relationship with the Bank has also resulted in income opportunities for the Group in 2011. The expected income should generate significant cash flows and revenue for the Group over and above its current work in progress.

 

Sigma's financial position remains robust and given the potential of some of our work in progress, we remain optimistic about growth prospects for the business.

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Sigma Capital Group plc

Graham Barnet, Chief Executive

Marilyn Cole, Finance Director

0131 220 9444

 

Biddicks

Katie Tzouliadis / Sophie Lane

020 3178 6378

Arbuthnot Securities Limited

Tom Griffiths / Ed Groome

020 7012 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
TSTBIGDBSUDBGBR
Date   Source Headline
10th May 20192:33 pmRNSDirector's Dealing
29th Apr 20197:15 amRNSFinal Results
29th Apr 20197:14 amRNSLaunch of Scottish PRS Fund
12th Mar 20197:00 amRNSRe: The PRS REIT plc - Interim Results
9th Jan 20197:00 amRNSExercise of Options and Total Voting Rights
8th Jan 20197:00 amRNSTrading Update
3rd Jan 20197:00 amRNSSale of Completed PRS Site
3rd Jan 20197:00 amRNSAcquisition of PRS Sites
21st Nov 201810:39 amRNSPDMR Shareholding, Exercise of Options and TVR
12th Oct 20181:57 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
10th Oct 20187:00 amRNSRe: The PRS REIT plc
25th Sep 20187:00 amRNSInterim Results
20th Sep 20187:00 amRNSSelf-funded PRS Activity
8th Aug 20188:00 amRNSBi-annual Subscription for Shares in The PRS REIT
26th Jul 20187:00 amRNS2,000th home let for the Private Rented Sector
2nd Jul 20187:00 amRNSRe: The PRS REIT plc - Fourth Quarter Update
2nd Jul 20187:00 amRNSFourth Quarter Update
22nd Jun 201812:30 pmRNSResult of AGM
19th Jun 20187:00 amRNSExpansion of Partnership with Countryside
15th Jun 20187:00 amRNSAcquisition of Four PRS Sites
15th Jun 20187:00 amRNSSale of completed PRS site to The PRS REIT plc
24th May 201810:45 amRNSExercise of Options and Total Voting Rights
23rd May 201812:55 pmRNSExercise of Options and Total Voting Rights
17th May 201811:16 amRNSExercise of Options and Total Voting Rights
3rd May 201810:01 amRNSIssue of Equity
30th Apr 20184:06 pmRNSDividend Declaration
30th Apr 20183:58 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
30th Apr 20189:56 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
24th Apr 20187:00 amRNSFinal Results
20th Apr 20187:00 amRNSAcquisition of PRS Development Sites
28th Mar 20187:00 amRNSRe:The PRS REIT plc - Maiden Interim Results
28th Mar 20187:00 amRNSMaiden Interim Results
27th Feb 20183:22 pmRNSExercise of Options & TVR
20th Feb 20187:16 amRNSPRS REITraises further £250m in successful Placing
20th Feb 20187:00 amRNSSuccessful Placing Raises Further £250m
16th Feb 20187:00 amRNSEarly closure of Placing
31st Jan 20182:27 pmRNSBi-annual Subscription for Shares in The PRS REIT
31st Jan 20182:01 pmRNSIssue of Shares under Development Mgmt Agreement
31st Jan 201811:37 amRNSExercise of Options & TVR
31st Jan 20187:00 amRNSRe: The PRS REIT plc
31st Jan 20187:00 amRNSProposed Placing targeting up to circa £250m
31st Jan 20187:00 amRNSMaiden Dividend, NAV and £200m Debt Facilities
29th Jan 201812:48 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
10th Jan 20187:00 amRNSQuarterly Update
10th Jan 20187:00 amRNSTrading Update
19th Dec 201712:51 pmRNSDirector and PCA Dealing
7th Dec 20179:34 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
27th Nov 20172:37 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
29th Sep 20175:20 pmRNSDirector's Dealing
29th Sep 20177:00 amRNSQuarterly Update to 29 September 2017

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.