Earnings Release • Nov 30, 2010
Earnings Release
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer
Unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report for the Six Months to 30 November 2010
Invesco Perpetual AiM VCT plc ('the Company') is a Venture Capital Trust ('VCT'). It was launched in August 2004 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The objective of the Company is to provide a tax free dividend return to shareholders primarily through the realisation of capital gains while maintaining the capital value of the shares. The Company is managed as a VCT in order that shareholders may benefit from the tax reliefs available.
The intention is that substantially all of the funds will be invested in a spread of AIM-traded stocks and unquoted companies, with approximately 80% of the Company's Qualifying Holdings comprising AIM-traded stocks, subject to availability of suitable investment opportunities and market conditions. The remaining investments will be split between PLUS Markets' stocks, fully listed stocks, AIM-traded non-qualifying stocks or unquoted companies and cash.
The Manager adopts an active investment strategy and seeks to moderate risk by careful stock selection and portfolio construction. The Manager tends to invest relatively small amounts across a wide range of companies, to achieve the appropriate balance between risk and reward for the overall portfolio.
The Board has prescribed limits on investment policy, including:
Income tax relief of 40% was available on VCT shares subscribed for before 5 April 2006, provided these were held for three years. For the tax year 2006/07, the income tax relief for shares acquired by subscription was decreased to 30%, provided these were held for five years. This benefit was available on a maximum aggregate investment in VCTs of £200,000 for each of the tax years 2004/05 to 2006/07. In addition, dividends are tax free and profits from the disposal of VCT shares are exempt from capital gains tax.
The Company's issued share capital on 30 November 2010 consisted of 43,526,171 ordinary shares of 10p each.
AT AT
| 30 NOVEMBER 2010 |
31 MAY 2010 |
% CHANGE |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Net assets (£'000) | 14,170 | 13,881 | +2.1 |
| Net asset value per share – total return* Net asset value per share |
32.6p | 31.9p | +12.5 +2.2 |
| Share price | 25.5p | 27.0p | –5.6 |
| Discount | 21.8% | 15.4% | |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2010 |
SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2009 |
||
| Returns per Share | |||
| Revenue return | (0.1)p | (0.1)p | |
| Capital return |
3.8p | 2.8p | |
| Total return | 3.7p | 2.7p | |
| Interim dividend | 2.0p | 2.0p |
* Source: Thomson Financial Datastream
| PERIOD ENDED 31 MAY |
DIVIDEND RATE |
NET ASSETS £'000 |
SHARE PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | – | 25,228 | 95.0p |
| 2006 | 5p | 45,790 | 101.0p |
| 2007 | 5p | 48,366 | 97.5p |
| 2008 | 5p | 28,350 | 46.0p |
| 2009 | 5p | 15,965 | 27.5p |
| 2010 | 5p | 13,881 | 27.0p |
| to 30 Nov 2010 | 2p | 14,170 | 25.5p |
The six months under review have seen a degree of continued recovery in confidence amongst financial market participants. That said, the market has in large part been driven by the mining sector, and by companies exposed to Emerging Market growth, many of which have become highly valued. The ongoing fiscal consolidation in the UK and Europe, which will no doubt be repeated in the US in due course, continues to weigh heavily on both government and consumer spending – two sectors which together account for almost 90% of UK GDP.
Over the six months, the FTSE All-Share rose by 7.1% and the FTSE AIM Index gained 24.1%, benefiting from resource stocks in particular. Over the period, the Company's total return to shareholders was 12.5%.
An interim dividend for the period ended 30 November 2010 of 2p per share will be paid on 11 March 2011 to ordinary shareholders on the register on 4 February 2011. The shares will be quoted ex-dividend on 2 February 2011.
The Company has easily met the hurdle of 70% invested in VCT-qualifying investments for some time, and therefore there has been relatively modest turnover in the portfolio. New investments during the period included: Easydate, which is an online dating business with a wide range of both mainstream and niche brands, both in the UK and overseas; EKF Diagnostics, which manufactures medical diagnostic products; Hangar8 which charters private jets and Proteome Sciences which identifies protein markers for use in diagnostic tests. The Company participated in follow-on fund raisings by existing investments Antenova, Byotrol, Green Compliance, Tristel and Managed Support Services.
Reference was made in the Annual Financial Report to the Board's confidence in the prospects for holdings in the portfolio and it is pleasing to be able to report that there were a number of strong returns from portfolio holdings in the first half of the year. The Company benefited from the takeovers of Mount Engineering, Innovision Research & Technology, Neutrahealth, and Telephonetics. Holdings exited during the period were @UK, Invocas, Plethora Solutions, Shieldtech and Synchronica. Additionally there were strong share price performances over the six months from Staffline (+166%) and Software Radio Technology (+86%) benefiting from strong trading. Performance was negatively impacted by Sabien Technology, which fell 38.7% due to a number of orders for its efficient boiler firing technology being delayed earlier in the period, although trading has since improved. Inditherm struggled to generate sales for its industrial heating polymers, and although the medical applications of its technology made good progress, the business remains loss making and the stock declined 49.9% over the period. A number of the larger holdings in the portfolio are unquoted and have not been revalued during the year and have thus not contributed to performance.
Following the departure of the Company's portfolio manager from Invesco Perpetual in November 2010, the Board announced on 17 December that it had reviewed the Company's management arrangements and decided, subject to finalisation of the necessary contracts, to appoint Amati Global Investors Limited ('Amati') as the Company's new investment manager. In reviewing the options the Board has been in contact with a number of potential fund managers, and has taken into consideration the proposed investment strategy and the options which might be put to shareholders at the time of the continuation vote in October this year. We have concluded that shareholders' interests would be best served by the appointment of Amati, and we look forward to working with them over the coming months. Amati is working with Invesco Perpetual to oversee the portfolio and it is expected that the transfer of the Company's management and administration will be completed around mid-February. At the same date City Partnership will be appointed to act as Company Secretary.
Accompanying this Half-Yearly Financial Report is a Letter from the Chairman and Notice of a General Meeting to be held on Thursday 17 February 2011 at 12 noon at the offices of Amati Global Investors Limited, 76 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3BU. At the General Meeting a special resolution will be put to shareholders to change the Company's name to Amati VCT 2 plc.
Chairman
25 January 2011
Invesco Asset Management Limited ('IAML'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Limited, acts as Manager, Company Secretary and Administrator to the Company. Details of IAML's services and fees are given in the latest annual financial report, which is available on the Company's website at www.invescoperpetual.co.uk/investmenttrusts.
As indicated in the Chairman's Report, Amati Global Investors Limited will shortly be appointed as the Company's new manager.
The principal risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business can be divided into various areas:
A detailed explanation of these principal risks and uncertainties can be found on pages 14 and 15 of the latest annual financial report, which is available on the Manager's website.
In the view of the Board, these principal risks and uncertainties are equally applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Directors consider that this is appropriate as they have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future which, under accounting standards, is deemed to be 12 months after the signing date of the balance sheet.
The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report using accounting policies consistent with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
The half-yearly financial report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditors.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Chairman
25 January 2011
| TOP FIFTY INVESTMENTS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All investments are ordinary shares and quoted on AIM unless otherwise indicated. | ||||
| COST | VALUATION | NET ASSETS | ||
| COMPANY | NATURE OF BUSINESS | £'000 | £'000 | % |
| Oxford Nanopore Technologies UQ PQ | Healthcare, Equipment and Services | 550 | 1,027 | 7.2 |
| Software Radio Technology | Marine Radio Communications | 1,013 | 999 | 7.1 |
| Brooks Macdonald | Financial Services | 126 | 862 | 6.1 |
| Tristel | Infection Control in Hospitals | 423 | 628 | 4.4 |
| Energetix | Alternative Energy Products | 540 | 513 | 3.6 |
| A J Bell UQ NQ | Financial Services | 251 | 500 | 3.5 |
| Ilika Technologies | Science Led Material Discovery | 750 | 493 | 3.5 |
| Kiotech International | Pharmaceuticals | 550 | 490 | 3.5 |
| Staffline Recruitment | Blue Collar Recruitment | 180 | 472 | 3.3 |
| Landkom International NQ | Food Producer/Processor | 721 | 455 | 3.2 |
| Green Compliance | Support Services | 280 | 390 | 2.8 |
| Byotrol PQ | Infection Control Products | 680 | 370 | 2.6 |
| Brainjuicer | Online Market Research | 189 | 341 | 2.4 |
| Futura Medical | Innovative Products for the Consumer Healthcare Market | 150 | 328 | 2.3 |
| Easydate | Recreational Services | 175 | 300 | 2.1 |
| Infrared Integrated Systems | Digital Recognition System | 300 | 300 | 2.1 |
| Proximagen Neuroscience | Biotechnology | 296 | 296 | 2.1 |
| Proactis | Software and Computer Services | 344 | 288 | 2.0 |
| Brulines | Beer Pump Monitors | 323 | 284 | 2.0 |
| Cohort PQ | Defence Technical Services | 443 | 274 | 1.9 |
| Sabien Technology | Energy Efficient Boiler Technology | 416 | 270 | 1.9 |
| Antenova UQ - ordinary and preference shares | High Performance Antennae | 625 | 269 | 1.9 |
| Hangar8 | Transportation Services | 250 | 258 | 1.8 |
| FfastFill | Application Services Provider for Trading | 182 | 221 | 1.6 |
| EKF Diagnostics | Medical Equipment | 150 | 220 | 1.6 |
| System C Healthcare | Healthcare Software | 324 | 219 | 1.5 |
| Publishing Technology | Publishing Technology | 442 | 217 | 1.5 |
| Proteome Sciences | Biotechnology | 150 | 203 | 1.4 |
| Hasgrove | Marketing and PR Consultancy | 440 | 202 | 1.4 |
| Managed Support Services | Suppliers of Quality Building Solutions | 225 | 177 | 1.2 |
| Cyan PQ | Semi-conductor | 830 | 170 | 1.2 |
| Mears NQ | Housing Maintenance and Domiciliary Care | 140 | 166 | 1.2 |
| Bglobal | Next Generation Electricity and Gas Meters | 175 | 163 | 1.2 |
| DM | Premium Rate Phone Based Games | 357 | 141 | 1.0 |
| Syntopix | Drug Research | 416 | 125 | 0.9 |
| Netcall | Software | 268 | 125 | 0.9 |
| Altona Energy NQ | Coal to Liquids | 104 | 125 | 0.9 |
| Inditherm | Manufacturer of High Technology Temperature | |||
| Control Materials | 400 | 120 | 0.8 | |
| Sanderson | Information Technology | 200 | 104 | 0.7 |
| Mission Marketing PQ | Regionally Based Advertising Services | 760 | 88 | 0.6 |
| Oxford Catalysts | Clean Fuels Research | 250 | 85 | 0.6 |
| Getech PQ | Oil Services | 254 | 85 | 0.6 |
| Adept Telecom PQ | Telecom Services | 397 | 65 | 0.5 |
| Datong | High Performance Surveillance Equipment | 169 | 63 | 0.5 |
| Sarantel PQ | Antennae for Mobile Devices | 438 | 63 | 0.5 |
| Angle | Consulting | 242 | 57 | 0.4 |
| Zamano | Mobile Telecommunication Services | 398 | 50 | 0.4 |
| Augean | Hazardous Waste Management | 300 | 44 | 0.3 |
| Enfis PQ | Manufacturer of High Power LEDs | 485 | 43 | 0.3 0.3 |
| Synairgen | Biotechnology |
214 | 40 | |
| Top fifty investments | 18,285 | 13,788 | 97.3 | |
| Other investments | 7,322 | 60 | 0.4 | |
| Total value of all investments | 25,607 | 13,848 | 97.7 | |
| Net current assets less provisions | 322 | 2.3 | ||
| Net assets | 14,170 | 100.0 | ||
| NQ: Non-qualifying investments |
PQ: Part-qualifying investments
UQ: Unquoted (excluding stocks listed on AIM)
| CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE £'000 |
SIX MONTHS TO 30 NOVEMBER 2010 CAPITAL £'000 |
TOTAL £'000 |
REVENUE £'000 |
SIX MONTHS TO 30 NOVEMBER 2009 CAPITAL £'000 |
TOTAL £'000 |
YEAR TO 31 MAY 2010 TOTAL £'000 |
|
| Losses on realisation of investments Movement in investment holding gains |
— — |
(3,664) 5,392 |
(3,664) 5,392 |
— — |
(1,904) 3,197 |
(1,904) 3,197 |
(1,861) 2,185 |
| UK dividends | 56 | — | 56 | 66 | — | 66 | 131 |
| Overseas dividends |
3 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 4 | 8 |
| 59 | 1,728 | 1,787 | 70 | 1,293 | 1,363 | 463 | |
| Investment management fee – note 2 Other expenses |
(22) (98) |
(66) (6) |
(88) (104) |
(29) (87) |
(84) (10) |
(113) (97) |
(166) (205) |
| (120) | (72) | (192) | (116) | (94) | (210) | (371) | |
| Return on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on ordinary activities – note 3 |
(61) — |
1,656 — |
1,595 — |
(46) — |
1,199 — |
1,153 — |
92 — |
| Return on ordinary activities after tax for the period |
(61) | 1,656 | 1,595 | (46) | 1,199 | 1,153 | 92 |
| Return per share basic – note 4 | (0.1)p | 3.8p | 3.7p | (0.1)p | 2.8p | 2.7p | 0.2p |
The total column of this statement represents the Company's profit and loss account. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are both prepared on a memorandum basis by applying the principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice, published by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. The Company has no other gains or losses, hence no statement of total recognised gains and losses is presented. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period.
| CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Number 5121438 | AT 30 NOVEMBER 30 NOVEMBER |
AT | AT 31 MAY |
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
2010 £'000 |
|
| Fixed assets | |||
| Investments held at fair value | 13,848 | 14,802 | 13,222 |
| Current assets | |||
| Amounts due from brokers | — | 2 | 68 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 23 | 25 | 27 |
| Cash and short-term deposits | 492 | 1,309 | 1,006 |
| 515 | 1,336 | 1,101 | |
Creditors: amounts falling due |
|||
| within one year | |||
| Amounts due to brokers | — | (48) | (185) |
| Accruals and deferred income | (104) | (99) | (119) |
| Trail commission payable |
(11) | (11) | (49) |
| (115) | (158) | (353) | |
| Net current assets |
400 | 1,178 | 748 |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 14,248 | 15,980 | 13,970 |
| Provisions – note 5 | (78) | (168) | (89) |
Net assets |
14,170 | 15,812 | 13,881 |
| Capital and reserves | |||
| Share capital | 4,353 | 4,353 | 4,353 |
| Capital redemption reserve | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| Special reserve | 31,791 | 33,967 | 33,097 |
| Profit and loss account |
(21,997) | (22,531) | (23,592) |
| Total Shareholders' funds | 14,170 | 15,812 | 13,881 |
| Net asset value per share | |||
| – note 6 | 32.6p | 36.3p | 31.9p |
| CONDENSED CASH FLOW STATEMENT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 30 NOVEMBER 2010 £'000 |
SIX MONTHS ENDED 2009 £'000 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2010 £'000 |
|||
| Net return before finance costs | |||||
| and taxation | 1,595 | 1,153 | 92 | ||
| Gains on investments | (1,728) | (1,293) | (324) | ||
| Decrease in debtors | 4 | 41 | 39 | ||
| (Decrease)/increase in creditors and | |||||
| provisions (excluding trail commission) |
(15) | 5 | (5) | ||
| Net cashflow from operating | |||||
| activities | (144) | (94) | (198) | ||
| Capital expenditure and financial investment |
|||||
| Purchase of investments | (1,293) | (698) | (1,389) | ||
| Sale of investments | 2,278 | 2,377 | 3,750 | ||
| Equity dividends paid | (1,306) | (1,306) | (2,176) | ||
(Decrease)/increase in cash before |
|||||
| financing | (465) | 279 | (13) | ||
| Financing | |||||
| Trail commission paid to IFAs | (49) | (49) | (60) | ||
| Management of liquid resources | 520 | (235) | 65 | ||
| Movement in net funds in period Cash (outflow)/inflow from |
6 | (5) | (8) | ||
| movement in liquid resources | (520) | 235 | (65) | ||
| Net funds at beginning of period |
1,006 | 1,079 | 1,079 | ||
| Net funds at end of period | 492 | 1,309 | 1,006 | ||
| Analysis of changes in net funds Brought forward: |
|||||
| Cash | 1 | 9 | 9 | ||
| Short term deposits |
1,005 | 1,070 | 1,070 | ||
| Net funds brought forward Movements in the period: |
1,006 | 1,079 | 1,079 | ||
| Cash outflow from bank Cash (outflow)/inflow from short |
6 | (5) | (8) | ||
| term deposits |
(520) | 235 | (65) | ||
| Net funds at end of period | 492 | 1,309 | 1,006 |
| CONDENSED RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHARE CAPITAL £'000 |
CAPITAL REDEMPTION RESERVE £'000 |
SPECIAL RESERVE £'000 |
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT £'000 |
TOTAL £'000 |
|
| For the six months ended 30 November 2009 | |||||
| At 31 May 2009 | 4,353 | 23 | 35,273 | (23,684) | 15,965 |
| Final dividend paid | — | — | (1,306) | — | (1,306) |
| Return for the period from the income statement |
— | — | — | 1,153 | 1,153 |
| At 30 November 2009 | 4,353 | 23 | 33,967 | (22,531) | 15,812 |
| For the year ended 31 May 2010 | |||||
| At 31 May 2009 | 4,353 | 23 | 35,273 | (23,684) | 15,965 |
| Dividends paid | — | — | (2,176) | — | (2,176) |
| Return for the year from the income statement |
— | — | — | 92 | 92 |
| At 31 May 2010 | 4,353 | 23 | 33,097 | (23,592) | 13,881 |
| For the six months ended 30 November 2010 | |||||
| At 31 May 2010 | 4,353 | 23 | 33,097 | (23,592) | 13,881 |
| Final dividend paid | — | — | (1,306) | — | (1,306) |
| Return for the period from the income statement |
— | — | — | 1,595 | 1,595 |
| At 30 November 2010 | 4,353 | 23 | 31,791 | (21,997) | 14,170 |
The condensed financial statements use the same accounting policies as those adopted in the 2010 annual financial report. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention and are consistent with applicable UK Accounting Standards. To reflect better the activities of the Company as a venture capital trust, they are also consistent, wherever possible, with the Statement of Recommended Practice: 'Financial Statements of Investment Companies and Venture Capital Trust Companies'.
The investment management fee is allocated 75% to capital and 25% to revenue.
The Company pays no UK tax.
| SIX MONTHS ENDED |
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
YEAR ENDED |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Returns after tax: | 30 NOVEMBER 2010 |
30 NOVEMBER 2009 |
31 MAY 2010 |
| Revenue Capital |
(£61,000) £1,656,000 |
(£46,000) £1,199,000 |
(£93,000) £185,000 |
| Total | £1,595,000 | £1,153,0000 | £92,000 |
| Number of ordinary shares in issue throughout the period |
43,526,171 | 43,526,171 | 43,526,171 |
| SIX MONTHS | SIX MONTHS | YEAR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENDED | ENDED | ENDED | |
| 30 NOVEMBER | 30 NOVEMBER | 31 MAY | |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Opening provision | 89 | 149 | 149 |
| Charge for period |
(11) | (11) | (60) |
| Closing provision | 78 | 138 | 89 |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2010 £'000 |
SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2009 £'000 |
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2010 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening provision Charge for period |
— — |
19 11 |
19 (19) |
| Closing provision | — | 30 | — |
| Total provisions | 78 | 168 | 89 |
As discussed in the 2010 annual financial report, no provision for deferred management fees has been made as it is unlikely that this will become payable.
| 30 NOVEMBER 2010 |
30 NOVEMBER 2009 |
31 MAY 2010 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Shareholders' funds | £14,170,000 | £15,812,000 | £13,881,000 |
| Ordinary shares in issue | 43,526,171 | 43,526,171 | 43,526,171 |
An interim dividend of 2p per share will be paid on 11 March 2011 to shareholders on the register on 4 February 2011. A final dividend of 3p for the year ended 31 May 2010, totalling £1,306,000, was paid on 22 October 2010.
The financial information contained in this half-yearly report, which has not been audited nor reviewed by the auditors, does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the half years ended 30 November 2010 and 30 November 2009 has not been audited. The figures and financial information for the year ended 31 May 2010 are extracted and abridged from the latest published accounts. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and include the Report of the Independent Auditors, which was unqualified and did not include a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
By order of the Board Invesco Asset Management Limited, Secretary 25 January 2011
Julian Avery (Chairman)
Professor James MacLeod (Chairman of the Audit Committee)
Christopher Macdonald
Richard Martin
Invesco Asset Management Limited
30 Finsbury Square
London EC2A 1AG
☎ 020 7065 4000
Company Secretarial contact: Kelly Nice
Registered in England and Wales: No. 5121438
Matrix Corporate Capital LLP
One Vine Street
London
W1J 0AH
Capita Registrars
Northern House
Woodsome Park
Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire HD8 0LA
If you have any queries relating to your shareholding you should contact the Registrars' call centre on:
☎ 0871 664 0300 between 8.30am and 5.30pm every working day. Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Shareholders can also access their holding details via Capita's website www.capitaregistrars.com or www.capitashareportal.com.
The Registrars provide an on-line and telephone share dealing service to existing shareholders who are not seeking advice on buying or selling. This service is available at www.capitadeal.com or ☎ 0871 664 0364. Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Lines are open from 8am to 4.30pm every working day.
The contents of websites referred to in this document, or accessible from links within those websites are not incorporated into, nor do they form part of this document.

Invesco Asset Management Limited 30 Finsbury Square London EC2A 1AG ☎ 020 7065 4000
Invesco Asset Management Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Limited and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Invesco Perpetual is a business name of Invesco Asset Management Limited
Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.