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BTU Brait

0.00
0.00 (0.00%)
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Brait LSE:BTU London Ordinary Share LU0011857645 NPV(UK REG)
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 0.00 -
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Interim Results

03/11/2006 7:02am

UK Regulatory


RNS Number:5035L
Brait S.A.
03 November 2006

Brait

Brait S.A., Societe Anonyme, Incorporated in Luxembourg (R C Luxembourg B-13861)

Partnerships based on passion, energy and a pioneering spirit of enterprise

Unaudited interim group results for the six months ended 30 September 2006

Highlights

* Earnings summary

Profit from operations up by 16% to US$27,0 million (ZAR184 million, up by 22%)

Attributable earnings down by 8,9% to US$18,4 million (ZAR125 million, down by
4%)

Headline earnings down by 8% to US$18,6 million (ZAR127 million, down by 3%)

* Return on US dollar equity 11,9% (ZAR equity 57,4%)

* Interim dividend distribution retained at 7,85 US cents per share (59,40 SA
  cents per share, up by 15,3%)

* NAV at 153,2 US cents per share, up by 5,6% for the half year after adding
  back dividends (1 190,5 SA cents per share, up by 31,8% after dividends)

* Growth in Assets under Management (fee earning) from US$1,05 billion to
  US$1,27 billion (ZAR6,46 billion to ZAR9,89 billion)



Salient features
for the six months ended 30 September

Supplementary Rand information (Note 1)

    Audited                                                                            Audited
 year ended               Unaudited                                   Unaudited     year ended
                         six months                                  six months   
      31Mar       30 Sept     30 Sept                           30 Sept    30 Sept       31 Mar
       2006         2005         2006                              2006       2005        2006
      ZAR'm        ZAR'm        ZAR'm                             US$'m      US$'m       US$'m
      338,6        150,6        184,1 Profit from                  27,0       23,3        52,9
                                      operations
      250,2         98,8         98,1 Private equity               14,4       15,3        39,1
        5,8          5,8        (4,1) Corporate finance           (0,6)        0,9         0,9
        8,3          1,9          6,1 Specialised funds             0,9        0,3         1,3
       74,3         44,1         84,0 Group investments            12,3        6,8        11,6
     (15,4)        (9,7)       (21,1) Finance costs               (3,1)      (1,5)       (2,4)
       12,2          1,3       (23,2) Capital items               (3,4)        0,2         1,9
      335,4        142,2        139,8 Profit before                20,5       22,0        52,4
                                      taxation
     (17,3)        (5,8)        (8,2) Taxation                    (1,2)      (0,9)       (2,7)
      318,1        136,4        131,6 Profit after                 19,3       21,1        49,7
                                      taxation
     (17,3)        (5,8)        (6,1) Minority interest           (0,9)      (0,9)       (2,7)
      300,8        130,6        125,5 Attributable                 18,4       20,2        47,0
                                      earnings
                                      PERFORMANCE
                                      Headline earnings
                                      per share
      291,7        144,6        124,7 - Basic (cents)              18,3       22,4        45,8
      256,7        126,9        119,2 - Diluted (cents)            17,5       19,6        40,3
                                      Attributable
                                      earnings
                                      per share
      331,9        144,6        123,5 - Basic (cents)              18,1       22,4        51,9
      292,1        126,9        117,9 - Diluted (cents)            17,3       19,6        45,6
     119,32        51,51        59,40 Dividends per share          7,85       7,85       18,24
      51,51        51,51        59,40 - Interim (cents)            7,85       7,85        7,85
      67,81                           - Final (cents)                                    10,39
                                      Net asset value per
      961,6        907,2      1 190,5 share (cents)               153,2      142,4       155,7
      45,4%        14,3%        57,4% Return on equity            11,9%      37,1%       45,9%
                                      FINANCIAL
                                      STATISTICS
    2 536,9      1 661,5      2 163,7 Market                      278,5      260,9       410,8
                                      capitalisation
      101,5         90,3        101,8 Shares in issue (m)         101,8       90,3       101,5
                                      Weighted average
                                      shares
                                      in issue
       90,6         90,3        101,6 - Basic (m)                 101,6       90,3        90,6
      103,0        102,9        106,4 - Diluted (m)               106,4      102,9       103,0
    2 500,0      1 840,0      2 125,0 Closing share price         273,5      288,9       404,8
                                      ZAR/US Dollar
                                      exchange rates
     6,1765       6,3700       7,7693 - closing                  0,1287     0,1570      0,1619
     6,3979       6,4587       6,8116 - average                  0,1468     0,1548      0,1563



Note 1: The disclosure above is for information purposes and does not form part
of the group financial statements.



Abridged group income statements
for the six months ended 30 September
Supplementary Rand information


 Audited                                                                           Audited
     year      Unaudited                                      Unaudited                year
    ended                                                                             ended
              six months                                      six months
   31 Mar    30 Sept     30 Sept                             30 Sept      30 Sept    31 Mar
     2006       2005        2006                                2006         2005      2006
    ZAR'm      ZAR'm       ZAR'm                    Notes      US$'m        US$'m     US$'m
    284,8      119,5       210,5 Revenue                        30,9         18,5      44,5
    315,4      130,5        95,5 Other income                   14,0         20,2      49,3
    600,2      250,0       306,0 Total revenue                  44,9         38,7      93,8
                                 and income
  (272,5)  (104,6)       (129,4) Operating                    (19,0)       (16,2)    (42,6)
                                 expenses
     10,9        5,2         7,5 Income from                     1,1          0,8       1,7
                                 associates
    338,6      150,6       184,1 Profit from            3       27,0         23,3      52,9
                                 operations
   (15,4)      (9,7)      (21,1) Finance costs                 (3,1)        (1,5)     (2,4)
     12,2        1,3      (23,2) Capital items          4      (3,4)          0,2       1,9
    335,4      142,2       139,8 Profit before                  20,5         22,0      52,4
                                 taxation
   (17,3)      (5,8)       (8,2) Taxation                      (1,2)        (0,9)     (2,7)
    318,1      136,4       131,6 Profit for the                 19,3         21,1      49,7
                                 period
                                 Attributable to:
     17,3        5,8         6,1 - Minority                      0,9          0,9       2,7
                                 shareholders
    300,8      130,6       125,5 - Equity holders               18,4         20,2      47,0
                                 of the parent
   119,32      51,51       59,40 Dividends per                  7,85         7,85     18,24
                                 share (cents)
                                 Basic
                                 attributable
                                 earnings
    331,9      144,6       123,5 per share                      18,1         22,4      51,9
                                 (cents)
                                 Diluted earnings
                                 per share
    292,1      126,9       117,9 (cents)                        17,3         19,6      45,6



Abridged group balance sheets
as at 30 September
Supplementary Rand information


 Audited      Unaudited                                         Unaudited           Audited
    31 Mar       30 Sept                                           30 Sept             31 Mar
      2006       2005        2006                                  2006       2005       2006
     ZAR'm      ZAR'm       ZAR'm                        Notes    US$'m      US$'m      US$'m
                                  ASSETS
     945,5      870,8     1 113,4 Non-current assets              143,3      136,7      153,1
     898,0      817,9     1 057,4 Investments                     136,1      128,4      145,4
      47,5       52,9        56,0 Other non-current                 7,2        8,3        7,7
                                  assets
     904,8      332,4       918,3 Current assets                  118,2       52,2      146,5
     518,2      101,9        63,7 Cash and cash                     8,2       16,0       83,9
                                  equivalents
     386,6      230,5       854,6 Other current                   110,0       36,2       62,6
                                  assets
                                  Non-current assets
                                  held
         -       51,0        15,0 for sale                   5      1,9        8,0          -
   1 850,3    1 254,2     2 046,7 Total assets                    263,4      196,9      299,6
                                  EQUITY AND
                                  LIABILITIES
     975,8      819,2     1 212,2 Equity and reserves             156,0      128,6      158,0
     612,7      166,3       617,7 Non-current                      79,5       26,1       99,2
                                  liabilities
                                  Redeemable
                                  preference
     450,3          -       456,9 shares                     6     58,8          -       72,9
     162,4      166,3       160,8 Other non-current                20,7       26,1       26,3
                                  liabilities
     261,8      187,2       216,8 Current liabilities              27,9       29,4       42,4
                                  Liabilities
                                  directly associated
                                  with
         -       81,5           - non-current assets                  -       12,8          -
                                  held for sale
   1 850,3  1 254,2       2 046,7 Total equity and                263,4      196,9      299,6
                                  liabilities
                                  Net asset value per
                                  ordinary
     961,6      907,2     1 190,5 share (cents)                   153,2      142,4      155,7





Abridged group cash flow statements
for the six months ended 30 September

                                                                              Unaudited                   Audited
                                                                              six months               year ended
                                                                         30 Sept        30 Sept          31 March
                                                                            2006           2005              2006
                                                                           US$'m          US$'m             US$'m
Cash flows from:
Operating activities                                                        12,8          (2,3)               5,7
Dividends received                                                           1,2            0,6               1,7
Interest received                                                            3,1            9,6               5,5
Finance costs                                                              (3,1)          (1,5)             (2,4)
Capital items                                                              (0,5)            0,2             (3,5)
Taxation paid                                                              (1,0)              -             (2,2)
Change in treasury funds                                                  (56,7)              -                 -
Change in working funds                                                   (12,8)          (6,5)             (2,5)
Cash (applied in)/generated from operating activities                     (57,0)            0,1               2,3
Cash flows (applied in)/generated from investing activities                (2,9)            7,6              22,0
Cash flows (applied in)/generated from operating and
investing activities                                                      (59,9)            7,7              24,3
Dividends paid                                                            (11,4)          (9,1)            (19,8)
Cash flows from financing activities                                       (2,0)          (0,4)              61,7
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                      (73,3)          (1,8)              66,2
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents              (2,4)              -             (0,1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                           83,9            17,8              17,8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                  8,2            16,0              83,9



Group statements of changes in equity
as at 30 September
                                                                                                          Audited
                                                                               Unaudited               year ended
                                                                          30 Sept      30 Sept           31 March
                                                                             2006         2005               2006
                                                                            US$'m        US$'m              US$'m
Balance at beginning of period                                              158,0        115,1              115,1
Net translation adjustments                                                 (7,1)        (1,0)                0,7
Restructuring of subsidiary                                                     -            -              (0,3)
Bonus shares issued                                                             -            -               12,3
Treasury shares                                                                 -          2,2             (12,3)
Delivered share scheme shares                                                 0,2            -                9,4
Attributable earnings                                                        18,4         20,2               47,0
Foreign currency adjustment on capital loan                                 (2,7)        (0,6)                0,2
Share entitlements                                                            0,2          0,4                0,7
Ordinary dividends paid                                                    (11,4)        (9,1)             (19,8)
Ordinary shareowners' interest                                              155,6        127,2              153,0
Sale of interest in subsidiary                                                  -            -                1,8
Acquisition of subsidiary                                                     0,3            -                  -
Minority arising from acquisition of subsidiary                                 -          0,5                  -
Restructuring of subsidiary                                                 (0,3)            -              (0,3)
Net translation adjustment minority interest                                (0,5)            -                0,8
Earnings attributable to minority shareowners                                 0,9          0,9                2,7
Balance at end of period                                                    156,0        128,6              158,0



Group segmental reports
for the six months ended 30 September

Supplementary Rand information


      Audited                                                                                           Audited
   year ended         Unaudited                                               Unaudited              year ended
                      six months                                             six months
       31 Mar      30 Sept       30 Sept                                    30 Sept       30 Sept        31 Mar
         2006         2005          2006                                       2006          2005          2006
        ZAR'm        ZAR'm         ZAR'm                                      US$'m         US$'m         US$'m
                                         BUSINESS ANALYSIS
                                         Segment income
        284,8        119,5         210,5 Revenue                               30,9          18,5          44,5
         70,4         32,3          77,0 - Private equity                      11,3           5,0          11,0
         50,5         22,6             - - Corporate finance                      -           3,5           7,9
         25,0          4,5          22,1 - Specialised funds                    3,3           0,7           3,9
        138,9         60,1         111,4 - Group investments                   16,3           9,3          21,7
        315,4        130,5          95,5 Other income                          14,0          20,2          49,3
        293,7        115,6          79,7 - Private equity                      11,7          17,9          45,9
        (0,6)            -             - - Corporate finance                      -             -         (0,1)
         16,6         12,3           2,1 - Specialised funds                    0,3           1,9           2,6
          5,7          2,6          13,7 - Group investments                    2,0           0,4           0,9
        600,2        250,0         306,0 Total segment income                  44,9          38,7          93,8
        338,6        150,6         184,1 Segment result                        27,0          23,3          52,9
        250,2         98,8          98,1 - Private equity                      14,4          15,3          39,1
          5,8          5,8         (4,1) - Corporate finance                   (0,6)          0,9           0,9
          8,3          1,9           6,1 - Specialised funds                    0,9           0,3           1,3
         74,3         44,1          84,0 - Group investments                   12,3           6,8          11,6
       (15,4)        (9,7)        (21,1) Finance costs                        (3,1)         (1,5)         (2,4)
         12,2          1,3        (23,2) Capital items                        (3,4)           0,2           1,9
        335,4        142,2         139,8 Profit before taxation                20,5          22,0          52,4
      1 867,6      1 203,9       1 966,7 Segment assets                       253,1         189,0         302,4
        735,0        598,8         875,6 - Private equity                     112,7          94,0         119,0
          1,9          8,3         (0,8) - Corporate finance                  (0,1)           1,3           0,3
        470,0        143,3         155,4 - Specialised funds                   20,0          22,5          76,1
        660,7        453,5         936,5 - Group investments                  120,5          71,2         107,0
       (17,3)         50,3          80,0 Other                                 10,3           7,9         (2,8)
                                         Total assets per balance
      1 850,3      1 254,2       2 046,7 sheet                                263,4         196,9         299,6
        266,1        202,5         226,9 Segment liabilities                   29,2          31,8          43,2
         59,3         24,8          49,7 - Private equity                       6,4           3,9           9,6
         16,1          1,9           1,6 - Corporate finance                    0,2           0,3           2,6
          6,8          2,5           2,3 - Specialised funds                    0,3           0,4           1,1
        183,9        173,3         173,3 - Group investments                   22,3          27,2          29,9
        608,4        232,5         607,6 Other                                 78,2          36,5          98,4
                                         Total liabilities per
        874,5        435,0         834,5 balance sheet                        107,4          68,3         141,6
      1 601,5      1 001,4       1 739,8 Segment net assets                   223,9         157,2         259,2
        675,7        574,0         825,9 - Private equity                     106,3          90,1         109,4
       (14,2)          6,4         (2,4) - Corporate finance                   (0,3)           1,0         (2,3)
        463,2        140,8         153,1 - Specialised funds                    19,7          22,1          75,0
        476,8        280,2         763,2 - Group investments                    98,2          44,0          77,1
      (625,7)      (182,2)       (527,6) Other                                (67,9)        (28,6)       (101,2)
                                         Total net assets per
        975,8        819,2       1 212,2 balance sheet                        156,0         128,6         158,0
                                         GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
                                         Segment income
        284,8        119,5         210,5 Revenue                               30,9          18,5          44,5
        138,9         54,3         125,3 - International                       18,4           8,4          21,7
        145,9         65,2          85,2 - South Africa                        12,5          10,1          22,8
        315,4        130,5          95,5 Other income                          14,0          20,2          49,3
         60,9        116,9          25,6 - International                        3,8          18,1           9,5
        254,5         13,6          69,9 - South Africa                        10,2           2,1          39,8
        600,2        250,0         306,0 Total segment income                  44,9          38,7          93,8
        338,6        150,6         184,1 Segment result                        27,0          23,3          52,9
         73,7        136,3          96,0 - International                       14,1          21,1          11,5
        264,9         14,3          88,1 - South Africa                        12,9           2,2          41,4
       (15,4)        (9,7)        (21,1) Finance costs                        (3,1)         (1,5)         (2,4)
         12,2          1,3        (23,2) Capital items                        (3,4)           0,2           1,9
        335,4        142,2         139,8 Profit before taxation                20,5          22,0          52,4
                                         Segment assets
        850,3        802,6       1 134,3 - International                      146,0         126,0         137,7
      1 000,0        451,6         912,4 - South Africa                       117,4          70,9         161,9
                                         Total assets per
      1 850,3      1 254,2       2 046,7 balance sheet                        263,4         196,9         299,6



Notes to the financial statements
for the six months ended 30 September

1. Basis for preparation

The financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The abridged financial
statements are presented in accordance with IAS 34. The accounting policies are
consistent with those applied in the previous year.

2. Supplementary Rand information

The balance sheets and income statements of the group have also been presented
in Rands for the convenience of South African stakeholders in the group. The
supplementary Rand results have been converted from the US$ functional results
using a closing rate of ZAR7,7693 to US$1 (2005: ZAR6,3700 to US$1) for the
balance sheets and an average rate of ZAR6,8116 to US$1 (2005: ZAR6,4587 to
US$1) for the income statements.
                                                                                                           
                                                                                     Unaudited             Audited
                                                                                    six months          year ended
                                                                            30 Sept         30 Sept       31 March
                                                                               2006           2005            2006
                                                                              US$'m          US$'m           US$'m
3. Profit from operations includes:
Dividends received                                                              1,2            0,6             2,3
Interest received                                                              15,6            9,8            23,3
Depreciation                                                                  (0,3)          (0,3)           (0,6)
Related party transactions
- Interest received                                                             0,1            0,4             1,0
- Interest paid                                                               (0,2)          (0,6)           (1,2)
- Fees paid                                                                   (0,4)          (0,3)           (0,6)
- Key management                                                              (1,2)          (1,0)           (5,0)

4. Capital items comprise:
Currency hedge gain/(cost)                                                     0,9           (0,5)           (2,2)
Fair valuation adjustment of financial liability                              (4,1)           0,7            (1,4)
Loss on diluted interest in subsidiary                                        (0,2)             -               -
Profit on disposal of interest in subsidiary                                    -               -              2,9
Profit on disposal of property, buildings and fittings                          -               -              2,8
Realisation of translation adjustment                                           -               -             (0,2)
Total                                                                         (3,4)            0,2             1,9

5. Non-current assets held for sale
During the period a decision was taken to dispose of the group's South
African micro-lending operations and as a consequence, the investment in
Capital Alliance Finance (Pty) Limited was revalued and classified as "
Non-current assets held for sale and Discontinued Operations" in terms
of IFRS 5. (2005: The group's Johannesburg property and buildings,
including fittings, situated at 9 Fricker Road, Illovo were sold during
the previous financial year.)                                                   1,9             8,0            -

6. Redeemable cumulative preference shares


In March 2006 a subsidiary of the group, Brait South Africa Limited,
raised US$73 million (ZAR450 million) preference share capital to 
provide additional capital to leverage the group's internal growth
strategy. 450 000 (four hundred and fifty thousand) cumulative redeemable 
preference shares were issued at a par value of ZAR0,01 and a premium of 
ZAR999,99 per share. These shares carry a dividend of 78% of the South 
African prime rate and are redeemable in four tranches on 31 July of
each year commencing in 2010 until 2013. These shares are redeemable at
the option of Brait South Africa Limited.                                      58,8               -          72,9


7. Investments

Included in investments, are investments in unlisted associates:
  - carrying value                                                               8,4             8,7         11,6
  - directors' valuation                                                         8,4             8,7         11,6


8. Related party balances

- Liabilities                                                                 (13,8)          (13,1)       (14,5)
- Assets                                                                         8,9            19,0         11,5


9. Contingent liabilities, commitments and subordinated loans

9.1 Contingencies
Sureties and guarantees                                                          0,1             2,7          0,2

9.2 Commitments
Commitments to invest in funds and proprietary investments                      53,2            13,1         34,9
Other                                                                            0,6               -          1,1
Rental commitments                                                               3,7             3,9          5,1
   Within one year                                                               0,5             0,6          1,1
   Between one and five years                                                    3,2             3,3          4,0

9.3 Subordinated loans                                                           3,9             5,6          5,3


10. Interest-bearing liabilities

All liabilities are interest bearing except for US$15,5 million
(2005: US$23,5 million) in respect of accounts payable, accruals,
and deferred taxation.


11. Headline earnings

Attributable earnings                                                           18,4            20,2         47,0
Headline earnings adjustment                                                     0,2               -        (5,5)
- Loss/(profit) on disposal of interest in subsidiary                            0,2               -        (2,9)
- Profit on sale of non-current assets held for sale                               -               -        (2,8)
- Realisation of translation adjustment                                            -               -          0,2
Headline earnings                                                               18,6            20,2         41,5

12. Subsequent events

No events have taken place since 30 September 2006 and the date of the release
of this report, which would have a material impact on either the financial
position or operating results of the group.



Commentary

Group profile

Brait is an international investment and financial services group focused on
private equity, specialised funds, corporate finance and strategic investments.
It is listed on the Luxembourg, London and the JSE Securities Exchanges, with
shareowners' funds of US$156,0 million at 30 September 2006.

Brait's earnings are derived from:

* Private equity management fees and investment returns;

* Alternative funds' management fees and investment returns;

* Corporate and debt advisory services; and

* Group investment returns.

Financial results

Earnings

* Profit from operations - US$27,0 million

Profit from operations has increased from US$23,3 million to US$27,0 million for
the period. The major contribution to the earnings increase has come from Group
Investments.

* Finance costs - US$3,1 million

In March 2006, Brait raised ZAR450 million preference share capital to fund its
internal group strategy.

The increased finance charge represents the cost of funding this capital.

* Capital items - US$3,4 million net loss

Net currency hedge profit

Brait has consistently applied its policy of hedging the group's South African
tangible assets into US dollars, which is the functional currency of Brait S.A..
The net gain on the hedge is US$0,9 million after recognising the majority of
the five year call option premium in the current period and setting off currency
losses on ZAR investments by the group.

Fair value adjustment of financial liability

The sale of 26% of Brait South Africa during 2004 to the group's BEE partner has
not been recorded as a sale as it has given rise to a financial instrument which
has been disclosed in terms of IAS 32 (Financial Instruments: Disclosure and
Presentation) and measured in terms of IAS 39 (Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement). The fair value adjustment loss of this financial
instrument for the period was US$4,1 million and substantially equates to the
portion of earnings that would have been recognised as belonging to minority
shareholders had the sale been recognised as such.

Return on equity - 11,9%

The annualised US dollar return on average shareowners' funds was 11,9% compared
with the 37,1% achieved in the previous period. The group's net asset value in
US dollars increased by 5,9% after adding back dividends paid. The decline in
the return on equity and the relative low increase in the group's net asset
value in US dollars is primarily due to foreign currency translation
adjustments.

In ZAR terms, the impact of the foreign currency movement during the period
caused the return on equity to increase to 57,4% compared with 14,3% achieved in
the previous period. Similarly, the group's ZAR net asset value increased by
32,2% over the six months after adding back dividends.

Segmental review

Private Equity

Private Equity has delivered profit from operations of US$14,4 million (2005:
US$15,3 million) for the first half of the financial year. This result has been
derived from a strong investment performance in proprietary investing and also a
marked increase in fees from funds under management, but has been offset by a
negative growth in fund investment performance following the decline in the
listed Net 1 market value between 1 April 2006 and 30 September 2006. The net
impact on earnings for the period due to the Net 1 fair value decline was
approximately US$7,0 million, although the decline has been partially reversed
since the period end.

The economic base for earnings growth from Private Equity has improved with the
successful fund raising progress made to date on Brait IV, which has exceeded
Brait's goal of raising US$500 million. Further commitments are expected prior
to the final closing of the fund in December 2006.

Specialised Funds

Specialised Funds income, which consists largely of fees earned from the
management of third-party capital in the group's hedge funds, increased by 38%
to US$3,6 million from US$2,6 million in the previous year, while operating
earnings increased by 200% to US$0,9 million from US$0,3 million the previous
year. This result was driven by the markedly higher asset base within our
flagship fund of hedge funds, Brait Absolute SA Fund (Brait Absolute), which
earned higher management fees, but was off-set by conservative exposure, and
therefore performance, during volatile market conditions in the period under
review.

The focus on building performance consistency through investment process
enhancements and robust infrastructure has enabled us to support the development
of customized institutional client solutions across an increased range of
products. To this end the period was significant for a strategic drive to
strengthen our in-house investment team, enhance the risk and IT infrastructure,
and develop new products, distinct in their performance target, risk appetite,
investment strategy, and client appeal. They have found support from domestic
and international institutional and HNW investors.

Assets under management improved by 5% since 31 March 2006 to US$539 million, as
the industry paused for breathe after spectacular recent gains. We have spread
these assets across 21 hedge funds, chosen for their ability to balance risk
against investment opportunity - particularly given the concern that many hedge
fund strategies carry too much market exposure, as a legacy of the gains offered
to single strategy funds by following a high beta strategy since March 2003.

Brait Absolute has therefore been positioned as a low-risk, cash alternative for
institutional investors, and continues to provide almost neutral equity market
exposure along with both cash and bond out performance. Returns during the
period were lower than historical precedent, but remain very attractive on a
risk-adjusted basis.

Brait Absolute SA Fund (Brait Absolute) continues to outperform three-year
rolling return objectives, returning 6,9% above cash and 9,3% ahead of
inflation, whilst limiting volatility to 2,9%. Brait Absolute's correlation and
beta to the All Share Index remained low at 0,39 and 0,07 respectively.

Corporate Finance

The operational loss from Corporate Finance for the period was US$0,6 million
(2005 profit: US$0,9 million). Minimal fee income has been accrued as the
majority of current work in progress is outcome based and, until such time as
these conditions have been fulfilled, no revenue has been recognised. The
Specialised Debt team is well advanced on some sizeable mandates which, if
concluded, could have a material impact on the business unit's results in the
next half year or the period thereafter.

Group Investments

Profit from operations from the group's strategic investments has increased by
80,9% to US$12,3 million from US$6,8 million and return on capital employed is
28,1% for the period.

Bayport, an important contributor to Group Investments, maintained its profit
growth, increasing its contribution to Brait's attributable earnings by 36,3%
from US$1,1 million to US$1,5 million. Bayport has grown its advances book from
US$33,8 million to US$41,9 million and continues to expand its micro-lending and
financial services operations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The group's South African micro-lending interest held through Capital Alliance
Finance remained profitable and is generating surplus cash. Negotiations are
currently underway to realise its interest and, as a consequence, Brait has
reclassified its investment in Capital Alliance Finance as a "Non-current asset
held for sale". In terms of IFRS 5 (Non-current Assets Held for Sale and
Discontinued Operations), the carrying amount of this investment was revalued
prior to its reclassification as held for sale, resulting in a fair value uplift
of US$2,2 million.

During the previous financial year the group established, as a joint venture, an
independent mezzanine fund management business. At 30 September 2006, the fund
had concluded investments of US$10,3 million with undrawn committed capital of
US$29,0 million.

Prospects

Brait's growth potential is based on some solid platforms: Third party fund
raising in Brait IV, even though not yet complete, is likely to be at the top
end of expectations and will provide a strong impetus for long term earnings
growth in Private Equity. The group has significant proprietary capital for
investment into its Private Equity and Specialised Funds operations and to seed
new strategic growth opportunities elsewhere in the group. Brait Specialised
Funds has established a leading position in its market and has the potential to
continue its significant expansion.

Expectations for the macro economic outlook in South Africa as well as the
investment markets are positive. It should be recognized though, that Brait's
earnings are dependent on specific investment performance and the irregular
occurrence of transactions may cause lumpy revenue recognition over short term
cycles. In this context, Brait may not achieve an increase in its US dollar
attributable earnings for the full year. Nonetheless, as long as positive
fundamental market characteristics continue, the prospects for delivering on ROE
and earnings growth targets in Brait remain encouraging over the longer term
cycle.

Dividend

The board holds the view that dividend distributions are an important part of
long-term shareowners' wealth creation and an indication of the health of the
group. Because of the cyclicality of short-term earnings, the group's dividend
payment policy is committed to signaling performance against long-term growth
targets of the group rather than matching short-term cyclical performances.

After taking these factors into account, and also after taking into
consideration the present financial and cash position of the group, the board
proposes to pay an interim dividend of 7,85 US cents per share which equates to
a dividend cover of 2,2 times on diluted attributable earnings per share.


South African resident shareowners registered on the South African register are
advised that the dividend is 59,40 cents per share, and has been determined
using the ZAR/US Dollar average buy/sell rate, as at 12h00 (SA time) on 31
October 2006.


The interim dividend will be payable to shareowners on Monday, 27 November 2006.
The record date for the dividend is the close of business on Friday, 24 November
2006. The last day to trade "cum dividend" will be Friday, 17 November 2006 and
the share will commence trading "ex dividend" on Monday, 20 November 2006. Share
certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 20
November 2006 and Friday, 24 November 2006, both days inclusive.


Non-resident shareowners registered on the South African register, who prefer
their dividends to be paid in US dollars, are advised to inform their CSDPs/
brokers accordingly and provide their banking details to their CSDPs/brokers by
the required deadline in terms of their agreements entered into with their CSDPs
/brokers.





For and on behalf of the board

ME King                 AC Ball
Chairman                Group Chief Executive
3 November 2006



Administration
Registered office
Brait S.A.
180, rue des Aubepines
L-1145, Luxembourg
Tel: +352 269255 2180
Fax: +352 269255 3642


Brait South Africa Limited
9 Fricker Road
Illovo Boulevard, Illovo, Sandton
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 507 1000
Fax: +27 11 507 1001



Listing agent
Dexia Banque Internationale
a Luxembourg
69, route d'Esch
L-2953, Luxembourg
Tel: +352 45901
Fax: +352 45902010



Transfer agent/Registrar
United Kingdom
Capita IRG plc
Bourne House
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent, BR3 4TU
United Kingdom
Tel: 0944 208 639 2157
Fax: 0944 208 639 2342



South Africa
Computershare Investor Services 2004 (Pty) Limited
70 Marshall Street
Johannesburg, 2001

or

PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107
Tel: +27 11 370 5000
Fax: +27 11 668 5200


Legal advisors to the company
Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen
2, Place Winston Churchill
L-1340, Luxembourg



Independent auditors
Deloitte & Touche S.A.
560, rue de Neudorf
L-2220
Luxembourg



Domiciliary agent and registrar
Experta Luxembourg S.A.
180, rue des Aubepines
L-1145, Luxembourg
Tel: +352 269255 2180
Fax: +352 269255 3642



JSE and LSE issuer name and code
Issuer long name - Brait S.A.
Issuer code - BRAIT
Instrument alpha code/
Ticker symbol - BAT
ISIN - LU 0011857645



Directors

ME King (Chairman)++*, AC Ball*, PAB Beecroft++*, JE Bodoni++#, BI Childs*, JA
Gnodde*, RJ Koch++*, AM Rosenzweig++**, CJ Tayelor*, HRW Troskie++**, SJP Weber
#, PL Wilmot++* ++Non-executive, *South African, #Luxembourgish, *British, 
**Dutch,



Financial information for the period ended 30 September 2006
is also available on the Brait website at www.brait.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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