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AVC Abdn.Dev.Cap.

2.00
0.00 (0.00%)
22 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Abdn.Dev.Cap. LSE:AVC London Ordinary Share GB0007352502 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 2.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Half Yearly Report (3149W)

27/01/2012 12:02pm

UK Regulatory


Aberdeen Development Capital (LSE:AVC)
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TIDMAVC

RNS Number : 3149W

Aberdeen Development Capital PLC

27 January 2012

ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL PLC

HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2011

Interim Board Report

The investment objective of Aberdeen Development Capital PLC is to conduct an orderly realisation of the assets of the Company, to be effected in a manner which maximises value for Ordinary Shareholders.

The following is the unaudited Interim Board Report for the six months ended 30 November 2011.

Background

Set against the continuing unfavourable environment for the realisation of minority interests in smaller unlisted companies, the six months to 30 November 2011 and in particular in the period after this date has seen your Company's investment manager continue to make headway with the process of liquidating the portfolio in an orderly fashion.

Performance

The net asset value per Ordinary share ("NAV") has fallen from 5.9p to 5.4p. The fall in NAV is attributable to a combination of factors; firstly the continuing accretion of entitlement to Zero Dividend Preference ("ZDP") shareholders within the Zero subsidiary companies; and secondly costs associated with the early liquidation of the aforementioned companies and an accrual in respect of expected liquidation costs for the remaining group companies.

Winding up of Zero Subsidiaries

In August 2011 proposals were announced to put subsidiaries, ADC Zeros 2010 PLC and ADC Zeros 2012 PLC into early voluntary liquidation to facilitate further returns to ZDP shareholders of these companies. The proposals did not involve any change to the capital entitlements of ZDP shareholders which continue to accrue at the same rate up the previous planned winding up date of 30 April 2012. Following shareholder approval the Zero subsidiaries were placed into voluntary liquidation on 16 September 2011 and on 23 September 2011 a payment of 8p per share was made to ZDP shareholders leaving a final entitlement due on 30 April 2012 of approximately 23.05p per share at 30 November 2011.

I am pleased to report that it is the Liquidator's intention to make a second distribution at a rate of 12p per ZDP share, which will be paid on or around 3 February 2012 to ZDP shareholders. This will leave a final entitlement due to ZDP shareholders on 30 April 2012 of approximately 10.87p per share.

Portfolio Activity

In accordance with the investment objective, no new investments have been made during the period and there have been no calls for follow-on investment. There have been a number of full and partial exits during the period to report, and two others subsequent to the balance sheet date.

During the period, partial exits have been made from two investments; Cash Bases and IFC Holdings. In the case of Cash Bases the business repaid institutional loan stock and preference shares of GBP1.1 million and under a share redemption agreement IFC Holdings made the second of four annual repayments of GBP300,000. A further two full exits were achieved during the period; firstly the exit from Nevis Range Developments, a legacy holding acquired for nil cost a number of years ago and sold for GBP8,000 and secondly the disposal of THL Midlands realising cash proceeds of GBP159,000 with the potential for a further GBP66,000 of deferred proceeds in June 2012 upon the expiry of a previously awarded guarantee.

The most significant disposal came after the period end, with the sale of the holding in Pilgrim Systems for GBP1.5 million and potentially up to a further GBP0.25 million of deferred proceeds payable should the company's sale to Thomson Reuters be completed at a value above a pre-determined level. I can also report the sale of A Ordinary shares in Tennants Consolidated in January for GBP50,000 which represented the previous carrying value. Attempts to exit the larger holding of Ordinary shares will of course continue to be pursued.

Where the Board feels that illiquidity concerns have become a limiting factor in achieving an optimum exit for certain holdings, the carrying value has been reduced to levels which we feel may stimulate some interest. Accordingly, write-downs have been applied against the carrying values of investments in Tennants Consolidated and Whiteness Property Company. This policy has been followed for many of the "tail-end" of the portfolio holdings and we remain hopeful of achieving an uplift on these investments when disposal actually occurs.

Outlook

The majority of the remaining portfolio investments are illiquid in nature, and will continue to prove challenging to realise, particularly at levels which will return full value to shareholders. Given this and also bearing in mind there are legal agreements in place for two holdings, IFC Holdings and PLM Dollar Group, to mature in 2013 and 2015 respectively, it is likely that investments will not be realised in full before the target date for ZDP repayment unless agreements can be made with those companies. Accordingly, the Board has begun planning for the voluntary liquidation of the Company and its two other subsidiaries, ADC (Glasgow) Limited and ADC Fund Limited Partnership, on or shortly after the target ZDP repayment date of 30 April 2012. It is expected that the Manager will assist the Liquidator with the realisation of remaining investments, at no additional cost to the Company.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties and Related Party Transactions

Investment and Market Risks: Investments in smaller unlisted companies carry substantially greater risk, in terms of price and liquidity, than investments in larger companies or companies listed on the Official List.

Shares: The market value of the Ordinary shares, as well as being affected by the net asset value, also takes into account their supply and demand. The market value of an Ordinary share can fluctuate and may not always reflect its underlying net asset value. There can be no guarantee that appreciation in the value of the Company's investments will occur and investors may not get back the full value of their original investment.

Investment Objective: There is no guarantee that the investment policy adopted by the Company will provide the returns sought by the Company.

Gearing: The Company currently utilises gearing in the form of ZDP shares through its arrangement with ADC Zeros 2010 PLC (in Members Voluntary Liquidation) and ADC Zeros 2012 PLC (in Members Voluntary Liquidation). Gearing has the effect of exacerbating market falls and market gains.

Dividends: The ability of the Company to pay dividends in respect of the Ordinary shares and any future dividend growth depends on the level of income received from its investments. Given that the majority of the Company's income producing assets have been realised and bearing in mind winding up costs, it is unlikely that any dividends will now be made before the planned winding up date on or shortly after 30 April 2012.

Discount: In view of the Company's obligations with regard to ZDP repayment, the Company is unable to buy back shares to manage the discount on the Ordinary shares.

Return of Capital: The 2010 ZDP shares and 2012 ZDP shares are due for redemption on 30 April 2012. There is no guarantee that the final capital entitlement of the 2010 ZDP shares and 2012 ZDP shares will be paid in full (10.87p per share) on 30 April 2012. The Ordinary shares will cease to have any value and no capital will be returned to Ordinary shareholders if the Company has insufficient assets to repay the aggregate capital entitlement of the ZDP shares.

Taxation Controls: Any change in the Company's tax status or in taxation legislation (including the tax treatment of dividends or other investment income received by the Company) could affect the value of the investments held by the Company, affect the Company's ability to provide returns to shareholders or alter the post-tax returns to shareholders.

Related Party Transactions: The related party transactions during the period are disclosed in the notes to the accounts. There have been no related party transactions that have had a material effect on the financial position of the Company during the period.

Responsibility Statement

The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:

a) the condensed set of financial statements contained within the half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board's Statement 'Half-Yearly Financial Reports';

b) the Interim Board Report (constituting the interim management report) includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R of the UK Listing Authority Disclosure and Transparency Rules (being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year) and 4.2.8R (being related party transactions that have taken place during the first six months of the financial year and that have materially affected the financial position of the Company during that period and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could so do).

The half-yearly report for the six months to 30 November 2011 comprises the Interim Board Report and a condensed set of financial statements, and has not been audited or reviewed by the external auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices Board guidance on Review of Interim Financial information.

For and on behalf of the Board of Aberdeen Development Capital PLC

John Milligan

Chairman

27 January 2012

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 
                    Six months                    Six months                    Year ended 
                     ended                         ended 
                    30 November                   30 November                   31 May 2011 
                     2011                          2010 
                     (unaudited)                   (unaudited)                   (audited) 
                    Revenue   Capital   Total     Revenue   Capital   Total     Revenue   Capital    Total 
                    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
 Interest income    91        -         91        61        130       191       535       130        665 
 Investment 
  income            38        -         38        18        -         18        37        -          37 
 Other income       -         -         -         4         -         4         4         -          4 
                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  --------- 
                    129       -         129       83        130       213       576       130        706 
 
 Gains/(losses) 
  on held at 
  fair value 
  investments        -         127       127       -         (397)     (397)     -         (1,001)    (1,001) 
 
 Expenses 
 Management 
  fees              (10)      (20)      (30)      (10)      (20)      (30)      (20)      (40)       (60) 
 Other operating 
  expenses          (261)     -         (261)     (99)      -         (99)      (203)     -          (203) 
 VAT recovered 
  on 
  investment 
  management 
  fees               -         -         -         230       254       484       230       254        484 
 (Loss)/profit 
  before 
  finance costs 
  and taxation       (142)     107       (35)      204       (33)      171       583       (657)      (74) 
 
 Finance costs 
 Zero dividend 
  preference 
  shares             -         (128)     (128)     -         (179)     (179)     -         (342)      (342) 
                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 (Loss)/profit 
  before 
  Taxation           (142)     (21)      (163)     204       (212)     (8)       583       (999)      (416) 
 
 Taxation           (4)       -         (4)       (5)       -         (5)       (87)      -          (87) 
                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 (Loss)/profit 
  after 
  taxation           (146)     (21)      (167)     199       (212)     (13)      496       (999)      (503) 
                   --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Return per 
  Ordinary 
  share (pence)      (0.41)    (0.06)    (0.47)    0.56      (0.59)    (0.03)    1.39      (2.80)     (1.41) 
 
 

The Group does not have any income or expense that is not included in (loss)/profit for the period, and therefore the "(Loss)/profit for the period" is also the "Total comprehensive income for the period" as defined in IAS 1 (revised).

All of the (loss)/profit and total comprehensive income is attributable to the equity holders of Aberdeen Development Capital PLC. There are no minority interests.

The total column of this statement represents the Statement of Comprehensive Income of the Group, prepared in accordance with IFRS. The revenue and capital columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.

All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

 
                                     At             At             At 
                                      30 November    30 November    31 May 
                                       2011           2010           2011 
                                      (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                                     GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
 Non-current assets 
 Held at fair value 
  investments                        4,601          6,761          6,104 
 
 Current assets 
 Cash and cash equivalents           908            1,728          577 
 Other receivables                   38             31             27 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
                                     946            1,759          604 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Current liabilities 
 Financial liabilities 
  measured at amortised 
  cost                                (245)          (156)          (168) 
 Zero dividend preference 
  shares                             (3,365)        -              (4,436) 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total current liabilities           (3,610)        (156)          (4,604) 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Net current (liabilities)/assets    (2,664)        1,603          (4,000) 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total assets less 
  current liabilities                1,937          8,364          2,104 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Zero dividend preference            -              (5,770)        - 
  shares 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total net assets                    1,937          2,594          2,104 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                       357            357            357 
 Special reserve                     17,395         17,395         17,395 
 Capital redemption 
  reserve                            12             12             12 
 Capital reserve - 
  realised                           (14,631)       (13,531)       (13,682) 
 Capital reserve - 
  unrealised                         (1,520)        (1,812)        (2,448) 
 Revenue reserve                     324            173            470 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Equity shareholders' 
  funds                              1,937          2,594          2,104 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 
 Net asset value per 
  Ordinary share (pence)             5.42           7.26           5.89 
                                    -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 
 
                                             Capital      Capital     Capital 
 For the six             Share     Special   Redemption   Reserve     Reserve      Revenue 
  months ended 
 30 November             Capital   Reserve   Reserve      Realised    Unrealised   Reserve   Total 
  2011 
 (unaudited)             GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000 
  Net assets              357       17,395    12           (13,682)    (2,448)      470       2,104 
   at 31 May 
  2011 
 Net (loss)/gain 
  on 
  ordinary activities 
  after 
  taxation                -         -         -            (949)       928          (146)     (167) 
                        --------  --------  -----------  ----------  -----------  --------  ----------- 
 Net assets 
  at 30 
  November 2011           357       17,395    12           (14,631)    (1,520)      324       1,937 
                        --------  --------  -----------  ----------  -----------  --------  ----------- 
 
                                             Capital      Capital     Capital 
 For the six             Share     Special   Redemption   Reserve     Reserve      Revenue 
  months ended 
 30 November             Capital   Reserve   Reserve      Realised    Unrealised   Reserve   Total 
  2010 
 (unaudited)             GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000 
  Net assets              357       17,395    12           (13,926)    (1,205)      153       2,786 
   at 31 May 
  2010 
 Dividends 
  paid and 
  declared (note 
  6)                      -         -         -            -           -            (179)     (179) 
 Net gain/(loss) 
  on 
  ordinary activities 
  after 
  taxation                -         -         -            395         (607)        199       (13) 
 Net assets 
  at 30 
  November 2010           357       17,395    12           (13,531)    (1,812)      173       2,594 
                        --------  --------  -----------  ----------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                             Capital      Capital     Capital 
                         Share     Special   Redemption   Reserve     Reserve      Revenue 
 For the year            Capital   Reserve   Reserve      Realised    Unrealised   Reserve   Total 
  ended 
 31 May 2011             GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000 
  (audited) 
 Net assets 
  at 31 May 
  2010                   357       17,395    12           (13,926)    (1,205)      153       2,786 
 Dividends 
  paid and 
  declared (note 
  6)                      -         -         -            -           -            (179)     (179) 
 Net gain/(loss) 
  on 
  ordinary activities 
  after 
  taxation                -         -         -            244         (1,243)      496       (503) 
 Net assets 
  at 31 May 
  2011                    357       17,395    12           (13,682)    (2,448)      470       2,104 
                        --------  --------  -----------  ----------  -----------  --------  -------- 
 

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 
                                   Six months    Six months    Year ended 
                                    ended         ended 
                                   30 November   30 November   31 May 
                                    2011          2010          2011 
                                   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (audited) 
                                   GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Operating activities 
 Loss before tax                   (163)         (8)           (416) 
 Zero dividend preference 
  shares finance cost              128           179           342 
 (Gains)/losses on investments 
  held at fair value 
  through profit and loss           (127)         397           1,001 
 Purchases of investments 
  held at fair value through 
  profit and loss                   -             (130)         (244) 
 Sales of investments held 
  at fair value through 
  profit 
  and loss                          1,631         562           729 
 (Increase)/decrease in 
  other receivables                (11)          -             4 
 Increase/(decrease) in 
  other payables                   72            (18)          (15) 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities before 
 interest and tax                  1,530         982           1,401 
 
 Tax paid                          -             -             (72) 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities                       1,530         982           1,329 
 
 Financing activities 
 Dividends paid on Ordinary 
  shares                           -             (179)         (179) 
 Return of capital to Zero 
  dividend preference 
  shareholders                      (1,199)       -             (1,498) 
 Net cash outflow from 
  financing activities             (1,199)       (179)         (1,677) 
 
 Net increase/(decrease) 
  in cash and cash equivalents     331           803           (348) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at start of period               577           925           925 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at end of period                 908           1,728         577 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 

Notes to the Financial Statements

   1.       Accounting policies 
   (a)      Basis of accounting 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard ('IAS') 34 - 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee of the IASB (IFRIC).

The financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than that of a going concern which includes, where appropriate, writing down the Company's net assets to a net realisable value. The financial statements do not include any provision for the future costs of terminating the business of the Company except to the extent that such were committed at the Balance Sheet date.

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the measurement at fair value of investments and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts' issued in January 2009.

The half-yearly financial statements have also been prepared using the same accounting policies applied for the year ended 31 May 2011 financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and which received an unqualified audit report.

    (b)    Dividends payable 

Dividends are recognised on the date on which they are paid.

   2.       Income 

The breakdown of income was as follows:-

 
                                    30 November   30 November   31 May 
                                     2011          2010          2011 
       Income from investments      GBP'000       GBP'000       GBP'000 
       Franked investment 
        income                      38            18            37 
       UK unfranked investment 
        income                      84            59            254 
                                   ------------  ------------  -------- 
                                    122           77            291 
       Other income 
       Deposit income               7             2             9 
       Interest on VAT recovered    -             -             402 
       Other income                 -             4             4 
                                   ------------  ------------  -------- 
       Total income                 129           83            706 
                                   ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

3. The taxation expense reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income is based on management's best estimate of the weighted average annual corporation tax rate expected for the full financial year. The estimated annual tax rate used for the period to 31 May 2012 is 26%.

   4.      Other operating expenses 

During the period other operating expenses of GBP152,000 (30 November 2010 - GBPnil and 31 May 2011 - GBPnil) were allocated to revenue including expenses relating to the ongoing winding up of subsidiary companies ADC Zeros 2010 PLC and ADC Zeros 2012 PLC and a provision for the costs of the proposed winding up of the remaining group companies.

   5.       Return and net asset value per Ordinary share 
 
                                 30 November   30 November   31 May 
                                  2011          2010          2011 
 Net revenue attributable 
  to Ordinary shareholders 
  (GBP'000)                       (146)         199           496 
 Net capital losses 
  attributable to Ordinary 
  shareholders (GBP'000)          (21)          (212)         (999) 
 Equity shareholders' 
  funds (GBP'000)                1,937         2,594         2,104 
 The weighted number 
  of Ordinary shares 
  in issue at the end 
  of the period on 
  which the return 
  was calculated, was:            35,719,225    35,719,225    35,719,225 
 The number of Ordinary 
  shares in issue at 
  the end of the period 
  on which the net 
  asset value was calculated, 
  was:                            35,719,225    35,719,225    35,719,225 
 Revenue return per 
  Ordinary share (p)             (0.41)        0.56          1.39 
 Capital return per 
  Ordinary share (p)             (0.06)        (0.59)        (2.80) 
                                ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total earnings per 
  Ordinary share (p)             (0.47)        (0.03)        (1.41) 
                                ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net asset value per 
  Ordinary share (p)             5.42          7.26          5.89 
                                ------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   6.          Dividends 
 
                            Six months     Six months    Year ended 
                             to             to 
 Ordinary dividends         30 November    30 November   31 May 
  on equity shares           2011           2010          2011 
  deducted from reserves     GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000 
  are analysed below: 
 Final dividend for 
  the year ended 31 
  May 
  2011 - nil (2010 
  - 0.50p)                   -              179           179 
                           -------------  ------------  ----------- 
  -                                        179           179 
 ---------------------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
   7.       Transaction costs 

During the period transaction costs of GBPnil were incurred on purchases and sales of investments (30 November 2010 - GBPnil; 31 May 2011 - GBPnil).

   8.       Contingencies, guarantees and deferred considerations 

On 19 November 2010 the Company entered into a guarantee with London South Eastern Railways ("LSER") on behalf of portfolio company THL Midlands to ensure they can fulfil any liabilities falling under the terms of a contract with LSER to supply certain products and services. The maximum exposure to the Company is GBP66,000 and has a termination date of 30 June 2012. During the period, the Company sold its holding in THL Midlands to management for the sum of GBP225,000; payable GBP159,000 on completion of the transaction and GBP66,000 payable on 30 June 2012 should the aforementioned guarantee not be called up.

There are a number of deferred considerations from previous sales transactions where the amount and timing of receipt remain uncertain and the Company has taken no account of any such receipt in the financial statements.

   9.       Related party disclosure 

Mr Gilbert is a director of Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, ('AAM'), which acts as the Company's Investment Manager and is also a director of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, the Secretary of the Company and the holding company of AAM.

The management fee is payable monthly in arrears based on a fixed annual amount of GBP60,000. During the period GBP30,000 (2010 - GBP30,000) of management fees were paid and payable, with a balance of GBP15,000 (2010 - GBP13,000) being payable to AAM at the period end.

The management fees are charged 33% to revenue and 67% to capital.

10. The financial information in this Half-Yearly Financial Report comprises non-statutory accounts as defined in Sections 434-436 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the six months ended 30 November 2011 and 30 November 2010 has not been audited.

The information for the year ended 31 May 2011 has been extracted from the latest published audited financial statements which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts contained no qualification or statement under Section 498 (2), (3) or (4) of the Companies Act 2006.

This report has not been reviewed or audited by the Company's auditor.

   11.      This Half-Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board on 27 January 2012. 
 
 The Half-Yearly Report will shortly be available 
  from the Company's website (www.developmentcap.co.uk) 
  and will be posted to shareholders in February 2012. 
 

Please note that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the amount they originally invested.

For Aberdeen Development Capital PLC

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, Secretary

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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