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NVTC Nthn.Venture C

61.50
0.00 (0.00%)
10 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Nthn.Venture C LSE:NVTC London Ordinary Share GB00B0PR3285 C SHS 75P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 61.50 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Half-yearly report

07/05/2009 7:05am

UK Regulatory



 
TIDMNVTC 
 
7 MAY 2009 
 
NORTHERN VENTURE TRUST PLC 
 
UNAUDITED HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2009 
 
 
Northern Venture Trust PLC is  a Venture Capital Trust (VCT)  managed 
by NVM Private Equity Limited.  The  trust was one of the first  VCTs 
launched on the London Stock Exchange in 1995.  It invests mainly  in 
unquoted venture capital holdings and aims to provide high  long-term 
tax-free returns to  shareholders through a  combination of  dividend 
yield and capital growth. 
 
 
 
Financial highlights: 
(with comparative figures as at 31 March 2008) 
 
 
ORDINARY SHARES                              2009        2008 
 
- Net assets                               GBP30.1m      GBP31.8m 
 
- Net asset value per share                 76.2p       82.0p 
 
- Return/(loss) per share: 
  Revenue                                    0.8p        1.0p 
  Capital                                  (0.2)p      (0.7)p 
  Total                                      0.6p        0.3p 
 
- Interim dividend per share proposed 
  in respect of the period: 
  Revenue                                    1.0p        1.0p 
  Capital                                    2.0p        2.0p 
  Total                                      3.0p        3.0p 
 
- Cumulative return to shareholders 
  since launch: 
  Net asset value per share                 76.2p       82.0p 
  Dividends per share*                      78.5p       71.0p 
  Net asset value plus dividends 
  paid per share                           154.7p      153.0p 
 
- Share price at end of period              42.5p       63.0p 
 
*Excluding proposed interim dividend 
 
 
 
C SHARES                                     2009        2008 
 
- Net assets                               GBP15.2m      GBP19.1m 
 
- Net asset value per share                 73.6p       92.6p 
 
- Return/(loss) per share: 
  Revenue                                    0.7p        1.1p 
  Capital                                  (8.8)p        1.0p 
  Total                                    (8.1)p        2.1p 
 
- Interim dividend per share proposed 
  in respect of the period: 
  Revenue                                    1.0p        1.0p 
  Capital                                      -           - 
  Total                                      1.0p        1.0p 
 
- Cumulative return to shareholders 
  since launch: 
  Net asset value per share                 73.6p       92.6p 
  Dividends per share*                       7.0p        3.0p 
  Net asset value plus dividends 
  paid per share                            80.6p       95.6p 
 
- Share price at end of period              60.5p       82.5p 
 
*Excluding proposed interim dividend 
 
 
 
For further information, please contact: 
 
NVM Private Equity Limited 
Alastair Conn/Christopher Mellor 0191 244 6000 
Website:  www.nvm.co.uk 
Lansons Communications 
Karen Mignon                     020 7294 3685 
 
 
 
HALF-YEARLY MANAGEMENT REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS 
 
 
I would like to begin this half-yearly report by expressing thanks on 
behalf of  shareholders  and the  board  to Sir  Fred  Holliday,  who 
retired as chairman  of Northern Venture  Trust at the  close of  the 
annual general meeting in January 2009.  Fred served as chairman from 
the company's inception in  1995 and his  board colleagues will  miss 
his wisdom  and calm  authority  as well  as  his deep  knowledge  of 
commercial and scientific matters.   This is certainly a  challenging 
time at which to take  over as chairman, but  I am confident that  we 
can continue to build on the strong foundation which the company  has 
put down over  the past 14  years and which  has seen the  cumulative 
return to ordinary shareholders (net asset value plus total dividends 
paid) reach almost 155p per share. 
 
Results and dividend - ordinary shares 
The net asset value (NAV) per ordinary share at 31 March 2009,  after 
deducting dividends totalling  4.5p paid  during the  half year,  was 
76.2p, compared  with 80.1p  at 30  September 2008.   The return  per 
share for  the  period  before  dividends  as  shown  in  the  income 
statement  was  0.6p  (corresponding   period  0.3p),  a   creditable 
performance over a six month  period during which the FTSE  All-Share 
index fell  by 20.1%.   We have,  not for  the first  time, felt  the 
benefit of having a diverse  and maturing venture capital  portfolio, 
with excellent progress by several individual investments helping  to 
counter the  general downward  pressure on  asset values  exerted  by 
falling stock  markets  and the  impact  of recession  on  companies' 
profitability. 
 
The directors  propose  an unchanged  interim  dividend of  3.0p  per 
ordinary share,  again  comprising  1.0p  revenue  and  2.0p  capital 
distribution.  It  remains  our  objective  to  maintain  the  annual 
dividend at not less than 6.0p  per ordinary share, although I  think 
shareholders will understand that in the present volatile markets  it 
is difficult to look more than a short distance ahead at any point in 
time.  The  interim  dividend  will  be  paid  on  26  June  2009  to 
shareholders on the register on 5  June 2009 and will take the  total 
ordinary dividends  paid by  the company  since launch  to 81.5p  per 
share. 
 
Results and dividend - C shares 
The net asset  value per C  share at 31  March 2009, after  deducting 
dividends of 3.0p paid during the half year, was 73.6p, down from the 
84.7p reported at 30  September 2008.  The  income statement shows  a 
loss per share for the six  months of 8.1p, compared with a  positive 
return of 2.1p in the same  period last year.  The loss reflects  the 
challenging market conditions of the past six months, which  resulted 
not only  in a  reduction in  the valuation  of the  venture  capital 
portfolio but  also in  a fall  in the  current market  value of  our 
listed fixed-interest investments. 
 
The directors propose  an unchanged  interim dividend of  1.0p per  C 
share, which will  be paid  on 26 June  2009 to  shareholders on  the 
register on 5 June 2009. 
 
Investments 
During  the  period   under  review  the   flow  of  new   investment 
opportunities has been relatively slow,  against the background of  a 
shrinking UK  economy and  bankers who  have been  seeking to  reduce 
their lending  exposure rather  than take  on new  commitments.   Our 
managers have rightly taken a very cautious approach to the appraisal 
of prospective investments.  In December 2008 we invested GBP994,000 in 
Ingleby  (1804),  a   new  group  established   by  two   experienced 
entrepreneurs to exploit acquisition opportunities in the information 
technology sector. 
 
The future payment  of our  target level of  ordinary dividends  will 
depend partly  on a  continuing stream  of capital  profits from  the 
investment portfolio, and it is encouraging to report that there were 
two successful exits in  the half year:   Stainton Metal Company  was 
sold in  November  2008  to  the  US-based  Valmont  Industries  Inc, 
generating cash proceeds of GBP0.5 million and a realised gain of  GBP0.2 
million, whilst in March 2009 Pivotal Laboratories Holdings was  sold 
to the clinical research services group ACM for cash proceeds of GBP1.3 
million and a realised gain of GBP0.6 million.  In both cases there  is 
a realistic prospect of further payments based on future performance. 
 
The most prominent  among the ongoing  portfolio holdings during  the 
period have been  DxS, which  is generating  substantial and  growing 
revenues  from  its   range  of  diagnostic   products,  and   Weldex 
(International) Offshore, which has  a full order  book for its  hire 
fleet of large crawler cranes and lifting equipment.  On the basis of 
performance we have felt it appropriate to increase the valuation  of 
both investments substantially.  Against  this, however, a number  of 
our  ongoing  investee   companies  have   faced  difficult   trading 
conditions and  this  has  been  reflected in  a  number  of  prudent 
provisions in the period against the cost of investments such as  CGI 
Group Holdings, Foreman Roberts Group and Astbury Marsden Holdings. 
 
Shareholder issues 
The  small  top-up   offer  of  new   ordinary  shares  to   existing 
shareholders announced  in February  2009, which  closed on  3  April 
2009, raised a total  of GBP538,000 of which  GBP224,000 is reflected  in 
the 31 March 2009 balance sheet. 
 
It was  reported six  months ago  that your  directors had  appointed 
Teathers as stockbrokers to the  company in succession to  Landsbanki 
Securities, which  ceased  trading  as  a  result  of  the  financial 
difficulties of its Icelandic  parent.  Regrettably Teathers in  turn 
ceased trading  in March  2009  and we  are currently  reviewing  the 
future provision  of  corporate  broking services  to  the  company. 
Shareholders will have noted  that the quoted  market prices of  both 
the ordinary and the C shares have been volatile during the past half 
year, and both are currently standing at wide discounts to net  asset 
value despite a  strong flow  of dividends and  an apparently  steady 
level  of  secondary  market  demand  for  the  ordinary  shares   in 
particular.  There are however  some indications that the  attraction 
of the ordinary  shares' strong tax-free  dividend yield is  becoming 
more widely appreciated, particularly at  a time when interest  rates 
have fallen almost to zero and  investors are facing the prospect  of 
significantly higher tax rates on  most forms of investment  income. 
Based on the top-up offer price  of 73p, less 30% initial income  tax 
relief, an  annual dividend  of  6p represents  a tax-free  yield  of 
11.7%.  We will continue our efforts to communicate this message. 
 
The dividend  investment  scheme, under  which  both ordinary  and  C 
shareholders can  re-invest their  dividends in  new ordinary  shares 
with the benefit of 30% income  tax relief, has continued to  operate 
and has proved  popular, with  almost 2.6 million  new shares  issued 
since December 2004.  The latest scheme has now expired and a  letter 
giving details of the successor scheme is being sent to  shareholders 
with this half-yearly  report.  Existing members  of the scheme  need 
take no action in order to continue investing their dividends. 
 
We would again like to remind  shareholders that the C shares  issued 
in the 2005/06 tax  year are scheduled to  convert into new  ordinary 
shares in October 2009, with the number of new ordinary shares  being 
determined by reference to the  net assets per share attributable  to 
the respective pools of funds at 30 September 2009. 
 
Board of directors 
I have already mentioned the  retirement of Sir Fred Holliday,  which 
reduced the number of directors on the board to four.  It was  stated 
in the  last  annual report  that  we  would be  seeking  to  recruit 
additional board members and I am very pleased to announce that  Hugh 
Younger, senior partner  of Edinburgh-based  solicitors Murray  Beith 
Murray, has been  appointed as  a director  with effect  from 11  May 
2009.   Hugh  brings  a  great  deal  of  investment  knowledge   and 
experience to the  board table and  we look forward  to working  with 
him.  It is  likely that another  director will be  appointed in  the 
foreseeable future. 
 
VAT on management fees 
Our managers have continued  to pursue the repayment  of VAT paid  by 
our company  on  management  fees  in  past  periods,  following  the 
landmark European Court decision  in the JPMorgan Claverhouse  case. 
Up to  31 March  2009 we  have recognised  recoverable VAT  totalling 
GBP502,000 in  the  company's financial  statements,  and  negotiations 
continue with a view  to further recovery.  With  effect from 1  July 
2008 VAT has no  longer been chargeable on  NVM's management fees,  a 
welcome saving given the effect  which low interest rates are  having 
on our revenue account. 
 
VCT qualifying status 
The company continues to comply with  the conditions laid down by  HM 
Revenue &  Customs for  maintaining approved  status as  a VCT.   The 
position is carefully monitored by the board with assistance from our 
managers  and  from   our  independent  VCT   taxation  advisers   at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. 
 
Outlook 
A year ago we  commented that the resilience  of our investments  was 
likely to be tested  by the then  current economic difficulties.   We 
did not appreciate how severe those difficulties were to become,  and 
most commentators are agreed that  any recovery which may take  place 
in the UK economy will be slow and gradual.  It is encouraging to see 
a number  of our  existing  investments making  significant  progress 
despite the  challenging  conditions  and we  are  ready  to  provide 
further  financial   support  where   appropriate,  especially   with 
conventional bank  financing in  short supply.   Although the  banks' 
reluctance to  lend remains  an  obstacle to  the completion  of  new 
deals, it will also create opportunities for us to take advantage  of 
the favourable  investment  conditions  which often  follow  after  a 
period of recession.  We will continue  to place a heavy emphasis  on 
careful investment selection and on  maintaining the strength of  our 
balance sheet. 
 
On behalf of the Board 
 
John Hustler 
Chairman 
 
 
The unaudited  half-yearly financial  statements for  the six  months 
ended 31 March 2009 are set out below. 
 
INCOME STATEMENT 
 
(unaudited) for the six months ended 31 March 2009 
 
 
                       Ordinary shares              C shares 
                   ------------------------ ------------------------ 
                   Revenue  Capital  Total  Revenue  Capital   Total 
                      GBP000     GBP000   GBP000     GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
Gain/(loss) on 
disposal 
  of investments         -      (57)   (57)       -       21      21 
Movements in fair 
value 
  of investments         -      142    142        -   (1,753) (1,753) 
                     -----    -----  -----    -----    -----   ----- 
                         -       85     85        -   (1,732) (1,732) 
Income                 569        -    569      317        -     317 
Investment             (78)    (233)  (311)     (44)    (131)   (175) 
management fee 
Recoverable VAT          -        -      -        8       23      31 
Other expenses         (93)       -    (93)     (86)       -     (86) 
                     -----    -----  -----    -----    -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on 
ordinary 
  activities           398     (148)   250      195   (1,840) (1,645) 
before tax 
Tax on return on       (69)      59    (10)     (55)      30     (25) 
ordinary 
activities 
                     -----    -----  -----    -----    -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on 
ordinary 
  activities after     329      (89)   240      140   (1,810) (1,670) 
tax 
                     -----    -----  -----    -----    -----   ----- 
 
Return/(loss) per      0.8p   (0.2)p   0.6p     0.7p   (8.8)p  (8.1)p 
share 
 
 
 
 
                                                    Company 
                                           ------------------------ 
                                           Revenue  Capital   Total 
                                              GBP000     GBP000    GBP000 
Gain on disposal of investments                  -      (36)    (36) 
Movements in fair value 
  of investments                                 -   (1,611) (1,611) 
                                             -----    -----   ----- 
                                                 -   (1,647) (1,647) 
Income                                         886        -     886 
Investment management fee                     (122)    (364)   (486) 
Recoverable VAT                                  8       23      31 
Other expenses                                (179)       -    (179) 
                                             -----    -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on ordinary 
  activities before tax                        593   (1,988) (1,395) 
Tax on return on ordinary activities          (124)      89     (35) 
                                             -----    -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on ordinary 
  activities after tax                         469   (1,899) (1,430) 
                                             -----    -----   ----- 
 
 
 
INCOME STATEMENT 
 
(unaudited) for the six months ended 31 March 2008 
 
 
                    Ordinary shares                C shares 
              --------------------------- --------------------------- 
               Revenue   Capital   Total   Revenue   Capital   Total 
                  GBP000      GBP000    GBP000      GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
Gain/(loss) 
on disposal 
  of                 -       339     339         -        (5)     (5) 
investments 
Movements in 
fair value 
  of                 -      (399)   (399)        -       323     323 
investments 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
                     -       (60)    (60)        -       318     318 
Income             737         -     737       466         -     466 
Investment         (99)     (296)   (395)      (56)     (166)   (222) 
management 
fee 
Recoverable          -         -       -         -         -       - 
VAT 
Other              (98)        -     (98)      (85)        -     (85) 
expenses 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) 
on ordinary 
  activities       540      (356)    184       325       152     477 
before tax 
Tax on return     (139)       88     (51)      (97)       50     (47) 
on ordinary 
activities 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) 
on ordinary 
  activities       401      (268)    133       228       202     430 
after tax 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
 
Return/(loss)      1.0p    (0.7)p    0.3p      1.1p      1.0p    2.1p 
per share 
 
 
 
 
                                                    Company 
                                          --------------------------- 
                                           Revenue   Capital   Total 
                                              GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
Gain on disposal of investments                  -       334     334 
Movements in fair value 
  of investments                                 -       (76)    (76) 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
                                                 -       258     258 
Income                                       1,203         -   1,203 
Investment management fee                     (155)     (462)   (617) 
Recoverable VAT                                  -         -       - 
Other expenses                                (183)        -    (183) 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on ordinary 
  activities before tax                        865      (204)    661 
Tax on return on ordinary                     (236)      138     (98) 
activities 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on ordinary 
  activities after tax                         629       (66)    563 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
 
 
 
INCOME STATEMENT 
(unaudited) for the year ended 30 September 2008 
 
                    Ordinary shares                C shares 
              --------------------------- --------------------------- 
               Revenue   Capital   Total   Revenue   Capital   Total 
                  GBP000      GBP000    GBP000      GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
Gain/(loss) 
on disposal 
  of                 -      (110)   (110)        -       566     566 
investments 
Movements in 
fair value 
  of                 -       (56)    (56)        -    (1,870) (1,870) 
investments 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
                     -      (166)   (166)        -    (1,304) (1,304) 
Income           1,477         -   1,477       912         -     912 
Investment        (186)     (556)   (742)     (107)     (322)   (429) 
management 
fee 
Recoverable         93       278     371        25        75     100 
VAT 
Other             (199)        -    (199)     (177)        -    (177) 
expenses 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) 
on ordinary 
  activities     1,185      (444)    741       653    (1,551)   (898) 
before tax 
Tax on return     (270)       82    (188)     (169)       73     (96) 
on ordinary 
activities 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) 
on ordinary 
  activities       915      (362)    553       484    (1,478)   (994) 
after tax 
                 -----     -----   -----     -----     -----   ----- 
 
Return/(loss)      2.3p    (0.9)p    1.4p      2.3p    (7.1)p  (4.8)p 
per share 
 
 
 
 
                                                    Company 
                                          --------------------------- 
                                           Revenue   Capital   Total 
                                              GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
Gain on disposal of investments                  -       456     456 
Movements in fair value 
  of investments                                 -    (1,926) (1,926) 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
                                                 -    (1,470) (1,470) 
Income                                       2,389         -   2,389 
Investment management fee                     (293)     (878) (1,171) 
Recoverable VAT                                118       353     471 
Other expenses                                (376)        -    (376) 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on ordinary 
  activities before tax                      1,838    (1,995)   (157) 
Tax on return on ordinary                     (439)      155    (284) 
activities 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
Return/(loss) on ordinary 
  Activities after tax                       1,399    (1,840)   (441) 
                                             -----     -----   ----- 
 
 
 
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 
 
(unaudited) for the six months ended 31 March 2009 
 
 
                                  Ordinary shares  C shares  Company 
                                             GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
Equity shareholders' funds at 
  1 October 2008                           31,118    17,461   48,579 
Return/(loss) on ordinary                     240    (1,670)  (1,430) 
activities after tax 
Dividends recognised in the                (1,753)     (618)  (2,371) 
period 
Net proceeds of share issues                  507         -      507 
Shares purchased for cancellation             (31)        -      (31) 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Equity shareholders' funds at 
  31 March 2009                            30,081    15,173   45,254 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
 
 
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 
 
(unaudited) for the six months ended 31 March 2008 
 
 
                                  Ordinary shares  C shares  Company 
                                             GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
Equity shareholders' funds at 
  1 October 2007                           33,632    18,883   52,515 
Return on ordinary activities                 133       430      563 
after tax 
Dividends recognised in the                (2,303)     (206)  (2,509) 
period 
Net proceeds of share issues                  292         -      292 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Equity shareholders' funds at 
  31 March 2008                            31,754    19,107   50,861 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
 
 
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 
 
(unaudited) for the year ended 30 September 2008 
 
 
                                  Ordinary shares  C shares  Company 
                                             GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
Equity shareholders' funds at 
  1 October 2007                           33,632    18,883   52,515 
Return/(loss) on ordinary                     553      (994)    (441) 
activities after tax 
Dividends recognised in the                (3,465)     (413)  (3,878) 
period 
Net proceeds of share issues                  463         -      463 
Shares purchased for cancellation             (65)      (15)     (80) 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Equity shareholders' funds at 
  30 September 2008                        31,118    17,461   48,579 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
 
 
BALANCE SHEET 
 
(unaudited) as at 31 March 2009 
 
 
                                  Ordinary shares  C shares  Company 
                                             GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
Fixed asset investments: 
Venture capital investments 
  Unquoted                                 18,957     6,172   25,129 
  Quoted                                      991     1,070    2,061 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Total venture capital investments          19,948     7,242   27,190 
Listed fixed-interest investments               -     6,337    6,337 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Total fixed asset investments              19,948    13,579   33,527 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Current assets: 
  Debtors                                     952       684    1,636 
  Cash at bank                              9,682     1,104   10,786 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
                                           10,634     1,788   12,422 
Creditors (amounts falling due               (501)     (194)    (695) 
within one year) 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Net current assets                         10,133     1,594   11,727 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Net assets                                 30,081    15,173   45,254 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Capital and reserves: 
Called-up equity share capital              9,875    15,459   25,334 
Share premium                               9,747     2,030   11,777 
Capital redemption reserve                  2,015        41    2,056 
Capital reserve - realised                  5,939       768    6,707 
Capital reserve - unrealised                1,401    (3,439)  (2,038) 
Revenue reserve                             1,104       314    1,418 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Total equity shareholders' funds           30,081    15,173   45,254 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Net asset value per share                    76.2p     73.6p 
 
 
 
BALANCE SHEET 
 
(unaudited) as at 31 March 2008 
 
 
                                  Ordinary shares  C shares  Company 
                                             GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
Fixed asset investments: 
Venture capital investments 
  Unquoted                                 23,001     8,616   31,617 
  Quoted                                      915     1,136    2,051 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Total venture capital investments          23,916     9,752   33,668 
Listed fixed-interest investments               -     8,401    8,401 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Total fixed asset investments              23,916    18,153   42,069 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Current assets: 
  Debtors                                   1,217       218    1,435 
  Cash at bank                              6,828     1,035    7,863 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
                                            8,045     1,253    9,298 
Creditors (amounts falling due               (207)     (299)    (506) 
within one year) 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Net current assets                          7,838       954    8,792 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Net assets                                 31,754    19,107   50,861 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Capital and reserves: 
Called-up equity share capital              9,686    15,472   25,158 
Share premium                               9,301     2,030   11,331 
Capital redemption reserve                  1,971        28    1,999 
Capital reserve - realised                  4,588       673    5,261 
Capital reserve - unrealised                5,171       573    5,744 
Revenue reserve                             1,037       331    1,368 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Total equity shareholders' funds           31,754    19,107   50,861 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Net asset value per share                    82.0p     92.6p 
 
 
 
BALANCE SHEET 
(unaudited) as at 30 September 2008 
 
 
                                  Ordinary shares  C shares  Company 
                                             GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
Fixed asset investments: 
Venture capital investments 
  Unquoted                                 19,956     6,643   26,599 
  Quoted                                    1,567     1,158    2,725 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Total venture capital investments           21,523    7,801   29,324 
Listed fixed-interest investments               -     8,535    8,535 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Total fixed asset investments              21,523    16,336   37,859 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Current assets: 
  Debtors                                     787       166      953 
  Cash at bank                              9,098     1,100   10,198 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
                                            9,885     1,266   11,151 
Creditors (amounts falling due               (290)     (141)    (431) 
within one year) 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Net current assets                          9,595     1,125   10,720 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Net assets                                 31,118    17,461   48,579 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Capital and reserves: 
Called-up equity share capital              9,715    15,459   25,174 
Share premium                               9,418     2,030   11,448 
Capital redemption reserve                  1,996        41    2,037 
Capital reserve - realised                  7,152       860    8,012 
Capital reserve - unrealised                1,673    (1,309)     364 
Revenue reserve                             1,164       380    1,544 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
 
Total equity shareholders' funds           31,118    17,461   48,579 
                                           ------    ------   ------ 
Net asset value per share                    80.1p     84.7p 
 
 
 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 
(unaudited) for the six months ended 31 March 2009 
 
                                       Ordinary   C shares   Company 
                                        shares 
                                          GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from             201        (403)     (202) 
operating activities 
Taxation: 
Corporation tax paid                         -           -         - 
Financial investment: 
Purchase of investments                   (309)       (690)     (999) 
Sale/repayment of investments            1,969       1,715     3,684 
Net cash inflow from 
  financial investment                   1,660       1,025     2,685 
Equity dividends paid                   (1,753)       (618)   (2,371) 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
Net cash inflow before financing           108           4       112 
Financing: 
Issue of shares                            539           -       539 
Share issue expenses                       (32)          -       (32) 
Purchase of shares for cancellation        (31)          -       (31) 
Net cash inflow from financing             476           -       476 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
Increase in cash at bank                   584           4       588 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
 
Reconciliation of return before tax 
to 
net cash flow from operating 
activities 
Return on ordinary activities before       250      (1,645)   (1,395) 
tax 
(Gain)/loss on disposal of                  57         (21)       36 
investments 
Movements in fair value of                (142)      1,753     1,611 
investments 
Increase in debtors                       (165)       (518)     (683) 
Increase in creditors                      201          28       229 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from             201        (403)     (202) 
operating activities 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
 
Analysis of movement in net funds 
                                     1 October              31 March 
                                          2008  Cash flows      2009 
                                          GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
Cash at bank                            10,198         588    10,786 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
 
 
 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
 
(unaudited) for the six months ended 31 March 2008 
 
 
                                       Ordinary   C shares   Company 
                                        shares 
                                          GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from            (641)        424      (217) 
operating activities 
Taxation: 
Corporation tax paid                         -           -         - 
Financial investment: 
Purchase of investments                 (1,160)     (2,300)   (3,460) 
Sale/repayment of investments            4,632       2,753     7,385 
Net cash inflow from 
  financial investment                   3,472         453     3,925 
Equity dividends paid                   (2,303)       (206)   (2,509) 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
Net cash inflow before financing           528         671     1,199 
Financing: 
Issue of shares                            292           -       292 
Share issue expenses                         -           -         - 
Purchase of shares for cancellation          -           -         - 
Net cash inflow from financing             292           -       292 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
Increase in cash at bank                   820         671     1,491 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
 
Reconciliation of return before tax 
to 
net cash flow from operating 
activities 
Return on ordinary activities before       184         477       661 
tax 
(Gain)/loss on disposal of                (339)          5      (334) 
investments 
Movements in fair value of                 399        (323)       76 
investments 
(Increase)/decrease in debtors            (867)        153      (714) 
Increase/(decrease) in creditors           (18)        112        94 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from            (641)        424      (217) 
operating activities 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
 
Analysis of movement in net funds 
                                     1 October  Cash flows  31 March 
                                          2007                  2008 
                                          GBP000        GBP000      GBP000 
Cash at bank                             6,372       1,491     7,863 
                                        ------      ------    ------ 
 
 
 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
(unaudited) for the year ended 30 September 2008 
 
                                    Ordinary   C shares      Company 
                                     shares 
                                       GBP000        GBP000         GBP000 
Net cash inflow from operating          471         613        1,084 
activities 
Taxation: 
Corporation tax paid                    (73)        (97)        (170) 
Financial investment: 
Purchase of investments              (6,036)     (3,937)      (9,973) 
Sale/repayment of investments        11,795       4,585       16,380 
Net cash inflow from 
  financial investment                5,759         648        6,407 
Equity dividends paid                (3,465)       (413)      (3,878) 
                                     ------      ------       ------ 
Net cash inflow before financing      2,692         751        3,443 
Financing: 
Issue of shares                         464           -          464 
Share issue expenses                     (1)          -           (1) 
Purchase of shares for                  (65)        (15)         (80) 
cancellation 
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from          398         (15)         383 
financing 
                                     ------      ------       ------ 
Increase in cash at bank              3,090         736        3,826 
                                     ------      ------       ------ 
 
Reconciliation of return before 
tax to 
net cash flow from operating 
activities 
Return on ordinary activities           741        (898)        (157) 
before tax 
(Gain)/loss on disposal of              110        (566)        (456) 
investments 
Movements in fair value of               56       1,870        1,926 
investments 
(Increase)/decrease in debtors         (437)        205         (232) 
Increase in creditors                     1           2            3 
                                     ------      ------       ------ 
Net cash inflow from operating          471         613        1,084 
activities 
                                     ------      ------       ------ 
 
Analysis of movement in net funds 
                                  1 October              30 September 
                                       2007  Cash flows         2008 
                                       GBP000        GBP000         GBP000 
Cash at bank                          6,372       3,826       10,198 
                                     ------      ------       ------ 
 
 
 
 
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO SUMMARY 
as at 31 March 2009 
ORDINARY SHARES 
 
                                       Cost Valuation % of net assets 
                                       GBP000      GBP000    by valuation 
DxS                                   1,107     5,757            19.1 
Weldex (International) Offshore         205     4,568            15.2 
Envirotec                               813     1,462             4.9 
CGI Group Holdings                    3,449       862             2.9 
Abermed                                 600       844             2.8 
Arleigh International                   375       725             2.4 
S&P Coil Products                       480       685             2.3 
e-know.net                              360       490             1.6 
Alaric Systems                        2,174       471             1.6 
Direct Valeting                         591       443             1.5 
Tikit Group*                            752       395             1.3 
Paladin Group                           291       378             1.2 
Axial Systems Holdings                  301       334             1.1 
CloserStill Holdings                    300       300             1.0 
Ingleby (1804)                          298       298             1.0 
                                     ------    ------           ----- 
Fifteen largest venture capital      12,096    18,012            59.9 
investments 
Other venture capital investments     6,451     1,936             6.4 
                                     ------    ------           ----- 
Total fixed asset investments        18,547    19,948            66.3 
                                     ------ 
Net current assets                             10,133            33.7 
                                               ------           ----- 
Net assets                                     30,081           100.0 
                                               ------           ----- 
 
C SHARES 
 
                                       Cost Valuation % of net assets 
                                       GBP000      GBP000    by valuation 
Paladin Group                         1,161     1,512            10.0 
Axial Systems Holdings                  703       775             5.1 
CloserStill Holdings                    700       700             4.6 
Ingleby (1804)                          696       696             4.6 
Optilan Group                           700       574             3.8 
Frontier Foods                          542       542             3.6 
Promanex Group Holdings                 801       401             2.6 
Promatic Group                          797       399             2.6 
IDOX*                                   298       367             2.4 
Gentronix                               406       304             2.0 
Advanced Computer Software*             229       269             1.8 
Wear Inns                               270       269             1.8 
IS Pharma*                              276       242             1.6 
Brulines (Holdings)*                    184       137             0.9 
Shieldtech*                             248        40             0.2 
                                     ------    ------           ----- 
Fifteen largest venture capital       8,011     7,227            47.6 
investments 
Other venture capital investments     1,798        15             0.1 
                                     ------    ------           ----- 
Total venture capital investments     9,809     7,242            47.7 
Listed fixed-interest investments     7,208     6,337            41.8 
                                     ------    ------           ----- 
Total fixed asset investments        17,017    13,579            89.5 
                                     ------ 
Net current assets                              1,594            10.5 
                                               ------           ----- 
Net assets                                     15,173           100.0 
                                               ------           ----- 
*Quoted on AIM 
 
 
 
The above summary of results for  the six months ended 31 March  2009 
does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning 
of Section 240  of the Companies  Act 1985, has  not been audited  or 
reviewed by  the  company's independent  auditors  and has  not  been 
delivered to the Registrar  of Companies.  The  figures for the  year 
ended 30 September  2008  have  been  extracted  from  the  financial 
statements for that year, which have been delivered to the  Registrar 
of Companies;  the  independent auditors' report  on those  financial 
statements  under  Section  235  of   the  Companies  Act  1985   was 
unqualified. 
 
The directors  confirm  that  to  the best  of  their  knowledge  the 
half-yearly financial  statements have  been prepared  in  accordance 
with the Statement "Half-yearly financial  reports" issued by the  UK 
Accounting Standards  Board  and  the  half-yearly  financial  report 
includes a fair review of the information required by (a) DTR  4.2.7R 
of the  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 year, and (b)  DTR 
4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related  party 
transactions that have  taken place in  the first six  months of  the 
current  financial  year  and  that  have  materially  affected   the 
financial position or performance of  the entity during that  period, 
and any changes in  the related party  transactions described in  the 
last annual report that could do so. 
 
The proposed interim ordinary  share dividend of  3.0p per share  for 
the year ending 30  September 2009 will  be paid on  26 June 2009  to 
ordinary shareholders on the register at  the close of business on  5 
June 2009. 
 
The proposed interim C share dividend of 1.0p per share for the  year 
ending 30  September  2009  will  be  paid  on  26  June  2009  to  C 
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 5 June 2009. 
 
A copy of the half-yearly financial  report for the six months  ended 
31 March 2009 is expected to be posted to shareholders on 29 May 2009 
and will be available to the  public at the registered office of  the 
company at Northumberland House, Princess Square, Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE1 8ER and on the NVM Private Equity Limited website, www.nvm.co.uk. 
 
=--END OF MESSAGE--- 
 
 
 
 
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is 
solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
 

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