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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
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Sitka Health | LSE:STH | London | Ordinary Share | GB0030199391 | 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% | 142.00 | 0.00 | 00:00:00 |
Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
RNS Number:2292E Sitka Health Fund VCT PLC 20 September 2007 Sitka Health Fund VCT plc 20 September 2007 Objective of the Fund The investment objective of the fund is to provide investors with an attractive return by maximising the stream of dividend distributions from the capital gains and income generated from a diversified portfolio of investments in the health sector. Investment Policy * To create a balanced portfolio of growth companies in the health sector * To invest in companies which have proven management and technology or business propositions which are protected by patents or know how and where there are barriers to entry for competitors * Investments may include unquoted early-stage companies, those requiring development capital and companies raising money on AIM Portfolio highlights * New investment of #850k completed in Onyx Scientific Limited, a chemistry services company, alongside Noble VCT * ImmunoDiagnostics Systems revenues up 22% to #9.9m and earnings before interest and tax of #2.26m, up from #1.25m * Sitka invested #210k in Digital Healthcare in a further financing of #2m provided largely by existing investors; * Biovex secured an additional investment of $22m including new USA based investors and in which Sitka made a follow-on investment circa #116k Key points * Net assets per share of 83.8p after dividend of 5p per share distributed during this half year * Interim dividend of 1.5p per Ordinary share payable on 30 November 2007 * Completed new Ordinary Share Issue of #4.7m increasing assets to #15.8m * Dr Stephane Mery joins the team and re-enforces the health sector expertise of NFM Chairman's Statement I am pleased to present the sixth Interim Report of the Sitka Health Fund VCT in respect of the half-year ended 31 July 2007. During the past six months the Fund has been increased in size through a fund raising of #4.7m bringing the total net assets of the Fund to #15.8m This will permit the fund to make follow on investments in the most promising companies in the portfolio, and also to carry out new investments in order to increase portfolio diversification. Review of performance The Net Asset Value of the ordinary shares as at 31 July 2007 was 83.8p following a dividend of 5p per share which was paid to all ordinary shareholders in May 2007. This compares to a Net Asset Value of 89.5p on 31 January 2007. Taking the 5p dividend into consideration, the Net Asset Value has decreased by 0.8% during the six month period. However over the last 12 months, the Net Asset Value has moved from 83.4p on 31 July 2006 to 90.8p on 31 July 2007 including the cumulative dividends of 2p paid in October 2006 and 5p paid in May 2007. This represents a growth of total return (Net Asset value plus distributed dividends) of 9% over the last 12 months. Portfolio Development Over the last 5 years, Sitka VCT has maintained a consistent investment strategy of diversification within the healthcare sector. Investments have been made in the following sectors; Drug Development (4 investments), Medical Devices (4), Specialty Pharma (5), Healthcare Services (3) and Diagnostics (3). The value of the nine unquoted investments now stands at #6.4m, an uplift of 6.7 % over cost. During the period a new investment of #850k was completed in Onyx Scientific Limited. Onyx is a well established company which provides chemistry services to a range of pharmaceutical companies. The investment was made alongside Noble VCT who also invested #850k. Further follow on investments were completed in a number of developing companies including Digital Healthcare Limited, Biovex Limited, DeltaDOT Limited and Amura Holdings Limited. Biovex has made good progress in clinical studies for the treatment of melanoma, a skin cancer, and Amura has demonstrated that its protease inhibitors have the potential to treat osteoporosis in preclinical studies. DeltaDOT has started selling its research analytical machines to major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as to leading medical research centres as a result of which the third tranche of investment of nearly #84k was advanced. Turning to the quoted portfolio, there have been significant movements, both negative and positive during the period. The number of quoted investments rose from 7 to 10 over this half year. Investments were completed in Sinclair Pharma plc, Maelor plc and CeNeS Pharmaceuticals plc and follow on investments were made in Vectura Group plc, and Genosis plc. The merit of holding quoted stocks in the portfolio has been demonstrated by the ability to realise gains earlier than it would be possible in a totally quoted portfolio. Selective sales realised #295k, generating a net gain of #117k during the period. Overall, the value of the ten quoted companies stands at #3.5m which is 89% of cost. During the period, the deal flow was strong and the manager continued to be highly selective when choosing new investments. The objective is to use the # 6m in cash or cash equivalent available for investment to grow the number of companies held to over twenty. Two or three new investments in unquoted companies are expected to be completed in the second half of the year. Dividend Payment During the six month period to 31 July 2007 and as stated above, a number of gains were achieved on partial sales of quoted investments generating profits of #117k over a cost of #178k. Based on these profits and on those achieved in the previous period, the directors have agreed to pay an interim dividend of 1.5p, to be paid on 30 November 2007. VCT Legislation The Chancellor of the Exchequer made a number of changes to the qualification rules for VCTs in his 2007 budget. These changes, while they may materially alter the risk profile of future VCTs, are not expected to affect Sitka VCT's investment strategy. The main rule changes were that in future new portfolio companies must have a maximum of 50 employees and a maximum of #2m gross assets at the time of investment. The majority of Sitka's existing portfolio companies would have met these conditions at the time of investment. Future fund raising The Board has decided that it is appropriate to increase the size of the Fund. It will therefore use the limited fund raising powers permitted under the Prospectus Directive to raise up to Euro2.5m, equivalent to #1.69m, without a full prospectus. We expect to issue the relevant documentation early in 2008. Prior to this we will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting to extend the life of the Company. Noble Fund Managers Limited The investment management team at Noble Fund Managers Limited ("NFM") has recently been considerably strengthened and the VCT funds under management have been increased with NFM now managing four VCTs with total net assets of #80m. Dr Stephane Mery has recently joined NFM reinforcing the manager's expertise in healthcare. He gained his experience in the pharmaceutical industry and more recently in managing the Bloomsbury Bioseed Fund, whose investors include University College London, The School of Pharmacy and Cancer Research UK, which is managed by NFM. NFM has also recently strengthened its expertise in the AIM sector. First State AIM VCT, now renamed Noble AIM VCT, with net assets of #34m, and one of the highest performing AIM VCTs over the past two years, joined NFM in June 2007 together with its manager, Dr Paul Jourdan. We expect that these moves will enable the Fund Manager to enhance the service it provides to your company through the increased expertise available within NFM. Composition of the Board There have also been a number of changes to the Board of your company. After a formal process we appointed Charles Pinney, who is also director of the Noble AIM VCT plc, to the Board of the Sitka VCT on 27 July 2007. I would formally like to welcome Charles to the Board. He has many years of experience in the investment management business. We also decided that from now on, in compliance with best practice, we will only have completely independent directors on the Board and therefore Dr Louis Nisbet and Gerard Tardy stepped down as Directors of the Company, with effect from 27 July 2007. They will continue in their executive capacity as Fund Manager to Sitka VCT and will generally attend all Board meetings. Outlook The directors review regularly the strategy of the Sitka VCT and remain convinced that over the long term the sector will continue to provide good investment opportunities. While the market capitalisation of the world's ten largest pharmaceutical companies has declined by almost 10% over the last twelve months, the UK Healthcare Index has increased by 22%, demonstrating that there are a good number of more agile companies operating in the UK Healthcare sector which are experiencing fast growth and increasing in value. Finally the exposure of our company to changes in market interest rates is very limited as the VCT is financed through equity, does not have any borrowings and most of the investee companies have very little debt. We expect that despite the present market turbulence most of our portfolio companies will demonstrate further progress in the second half of the year. The main concern must be that if there is a sustained period of extreme volatility assessing the investment valuations may be more difficult and realisations may be slower. Gill Nott OBE Chairman 20 September 2007 Investment Portfolio as at 31 July 2007 Cost Valuation Valuation % of # # shareholders' funds % ------------ ------------ ------------- Quoted investments 1st Dental Laboratories plc 289,000 117,981 0.7 CeNeS Pharmaceuticals plc 200,000 200,000 1.3 Chromogenex plc 253,000 155,250 1.0 Genosis plc 899,886 219,111 1.4 Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings plc 276,495 760,002 4.8 Maelor plc 227,944 307,724 2.0 MediGene GA 639,173 197,410 1.2 Sinclair Pharma plc 219,219 183,345 1.2 Vectura Group plc 385,496 397,098 2.5 York Pharma plc 598,375 996,149 6.3 ------------ ------------ ------------- Total AIM investments 3,988,588 3,534,070 22.4 ------------ ------------ ------------- Unquoted investments Altacor Limited 300,000 300,000 1.9 Amura Holdings Limited 800,000 950,000 6.0 Biovex Limited 763,886 645,869 4.1 DeltaDOT Limited 251,406 251,406 1.6 Digital Healthcare Limited 810,000 777,077 5.0 InforSense Limited 1,020,000 1,418,215 9.0 Onyx Scientific Limited 850,000 850,000 5.4 Omni Dental Sciences Limited 500,000 500,000 3.1 Optasia Medical Limited 650,000 650,000 4.1 ------------ ------------ ------------- Total unquoted investments 5,945,292 6,342,567 40.2 ------------ ------------ ------------- Total investments 9,933,880 9,876,637 62.6 ------------ ------------ ------------- Net current assets 5,898,342 37.4 ------------ ------------ ------------- Shareholders' funds 15,774,979 100.0 ------------ ------------ ------------- Income Statement For the six months ended 31 July 2007 Six Months ended 31 July 2007 Six Months ended 31 July 2006 Year Ended 31 January 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total # # # # # # # # # ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net gains on disposal of investments - 57,010 57,010 - 17,428 17,428 - 453,235 453,235 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (Decrease)/ - (145,785) (145,785) - (621,167) (621,167) - 217,850 217,850 Increase in fair value of investments held Income 175,061 - 175,061 83,190 - 83,190 161,329 - 161,329 Investment (34,907) (104,720) (139,627) (34,173) (102,517) (136,690) (57,157) (171,468) (228,625) management fee Other expenses (118,423) - (118,423) (109,756) - (109,756) (225,843) (1,040) (226,883) ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Return/(loss) 21,731 (193,495) (171,764) (60,739) (706,256) (766,995) (121,671) 498,577 376,906 on ordinary actvities before taxation Tax on ordinary - - - - - - - - - activities ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Return/(loss) on ordinary 21,731 (193,495) (171,764) (60,739) (706,256) (766,995) (121,671) 498,577 376,906 activities after taxation ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Return per Ordinary Share 0.13p (1.12)p (0.99)p (0.81p) (6.69)p (7.50)p (1.29)p 4.69p 3.40p ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Return per C1 share n/a n/a n/a 0.97p (1.44)p (0.47)p 1.17p (1.66)p (0.49)p There have been no other recognised gains or losses in the period The total revenue column is the profit & loss account for the Company All revenue and capital items derive from continuing operations No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period Dividends Six Months ended 31 Six Months ended 31 Year Ended 31 January July 2007 (unaudited) July 2006 (unaudited) 2007 (audited) Ordinary Shares # # # ------- ------- ------ Interim dividend for the six months ended 31 July 2006 of 2p per Ordinary share paid on 10 November 2006 - 204,419 - Interim dividend for the year ended 31 January 2007 of 5p per Ordinary share paid on 14 May 2007 - - 943,912 Interim dividend for the six months ended 31 July 2007 of 1.5p per ordinary share payable on 30 November 2007 281,606 - - 281,606 204,419 943,912 ------- ------- ------- Six Months ended 31 July Six Months ended 31 July Year Ended 31 January 2007 (unaudited) 2006 (unaudited) 2007 (audited) C1 Shares # # # ------- ------- ------ Interim dividend for the six months ended 31 July 2006 of 1.5p per 'C1' share paid on 10 November 2006 - 31,805 - ------- ------- ------ - 31,805 - ------- ------- ------ Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds For the six months ended 31st July 2007 Six Months ended Six Months ended Year Ended 31 July 2007 31 July 2006 31 January 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) # # # ---------- ---------- ---------- Opening shareholders' funds 12,137,079 10,774,286 10,774,286 (Loss)/Return for the half year (171,764) (766,995) 376,906 Increase in share capitalin issue (net of expenses) 4,753,576 509,253 1,222,111 Dividend Paid (943,912) - (236,224) ---------- ---------- --------- Closing shareholders'funds 15,774,979 10,516,544 12,137,079 ---------- ---------- ---------- Balance Sheet 31 July 2007 31 July 2006 31 January 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) # # # -------- -------- -------- Fixed assets Investments at fair value 9,876,637 10,382,561 7,651,092 Current assets Debtors 52,177 54,016 1,455,740 Investments - global liquidity funds 6,031,299 - 1,587,702 Cash at bank and on deposit - 94,524 1,560,130 Prepayments and accrued income 70,574 89,887 44.562 -------- --------- -------- 6,154,050 238,427 4,648,134 Current liabilities Creditors:amounts falling due within one year (255,708) (104,444) (162,147) -------- --------- -------- Net current assets 5,898,342 133,983 4,485,987 --------- --------- --------- Total assets less current liabilities 15,774,979 10,516,544 12,137,079 ---------- ---------- ---------- Capital and reserves Called up share capital 188,225 314,245 135,666 Share premium account* 6,352,776 668,874 1,483,143 Special distributable reserve 8,940,718 10,371,370 10,055,474 Capital redemption reserve* 388,703 197,831 386,476 Capital reserve (realised)** 288,055 (935,675) 276,358 Capital reserve (unrealised)* (57,245) 155,148 147,948 Revenue reserves (326,253) (255,249) (347,986) --------- ---------- ---------- Equity shareholders'funds 15,774,979 10,516,544 12,137,079 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net asset value per Ordinary 83.8p 83.4p 89.5p * These reserves are not distributable. ** Until 7 August 2006 the Company was an investment company and therefore until this date these reserves were not distributable. On 7 August 2006 the Company revoked its investment company status at which point these reserves became distributable. We confirm that to the best of our knowledge the condensed set of financial statements which has been prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards and in accordance with the Accounting Standard Board's Statement on half Yearly Financial Reports (July 2007); - gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss - includes an indication of important events in the six months ended 31 July 2007 and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements - includes a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the six months to 31 January 2008 - includes related party transactions in the six months to 31 July 2007. For and on behalf of the Board Gill Nott 20 September 2007 Cash Flow Statement Six months to Six months to Year to 31 31 July 2007 31 July 2006 January 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) # # # ---------- ----------- ---------- Operating activities Investment income received 143,296 53,412 166,615 Deposit interest received 7,636 8,625 12,925 Investment management fees (139,627) (56,066) (182,056) Other operating costs (168,713) (141,201) (228,708) ---------- ----------- ---------- Net cash outflow from operating activities (157,408) (135,230) (231,224) ---------- ----------- ---------- Financial investment Purchase of investments (2,609,666) (915,010) (2,358,654) Purchase of global liquidity funds (4,443,597) - (1,587,702) Disposals of investments 690,025 401,082 5,282,816 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financial investment (6,363,238) (513,928) 1,336,460 Payment of Dividend (801,572) - (236,224) ---------- ----------- ---------- Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (7,322,218) (649,158) 869,012 ---------- ----------- ---------- Financing Issue of shares 5,885,942 711,948 839,675 Expenses of the issue of shares (104,570) (30,651) (120,279) Buy back of shares (191,657) (167,097) (257,760) ---------- ----------- ---------- Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 5,589,715 514,200 461,636 ---------- ----------- ---------- (Decrease)/increase in cash (1,732,503) (134,958) 1,330,648 ---------- ----------- ---------- Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash Net cash at start of period 1,560,130 229,482 229,482 Net cash at end of period (172,373) 94,524 1,560,130 ---------- ----------- ---------- (Decrease)/increase in cash during the period (1,732,503) (134,958) 1,330,648 ---------- ----------- ---------- Notes to the Accounts for the six months ended 31 July 2007 1. The unaudited interim results cover the six months to 31 July 2007 and have been drawn up in accordance with the accounting Standard Board's (ASB) Statement on Half-yearly Financial Reports (July 2007) and adopting the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 January 2007 which were prepared under UK GAAP and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for investment companies issued by the Association of Investment Companies in January 2003, revised December 2005. 2. The financial information set out in this report has not been audited and does not comprise full financial statements within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 January 2007, which were unqualified, have been lodged with the Registrar of Companies. No statutory accounts in respect of any period after 31 January 2007 have been reported on by the Company's auditors or delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 3. Copies of the Interim Report are being sent to all shareholders. Further copies are available free of charge from the Company's registered office. 4. The return per Ordinary share is based on the return attributable to Ordinary shareholders for the six months to 31 July 2007 and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 17,265,852 (2006: 10,087,364). 5. The net asset value per Ordinary share is calculated based on net assets of #15,774,979 (2006: #8,529,253) and the number of Ordinary shares in issue of 18,822,500 (2006: 10,220,945). 6. Income Six months ended 31 Six months ended 31 Year ended 31 July 2007 July 2006 January 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) # # # ------------- ------------- ------------- Income from investments: Income from fixed interest securities - 63,243 105,316 Income from global liquidity funds 156,144 - 14,290 Interest on loan stock 11,281 11,323 26,244 Dividends - - 2,647 Other income: Deposit interest 7,636 8,624 12,832 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total income 175,061 83,190 161,329 ------------- ------------- ------------- Year ended 7. An interim dividend for the year ending 31 January 2008 of 1.5 pence per Ordinary share totalling #281,606 (2006: #236,224) has been declared. 8. The effective rate of tax for the six months to 31 July 2006 is nil due to the utilisation of losses brought forward from previous years. 9. Related Party Transactions During the period, the Company was charged sums by Noble Group companies with which certain directors had a relationship until 27 July 2007. These relationships and amounts charged include: Gerard Tardy, a director until 27 July 2007, is also a director of Sitka Limited and Noble Fund Managers Limited. Louis Nisbet, a director until 27 July 2007, is also a director of Sitka Limited. Both Sitka Limited and Noble Fund Managers Limited is part of Noble Group. Noble Fund Managers charged the Company management fees of #139,627 for the six months ended 31 July 2007. Noble Corporate Management Limited (a Noble Group company) charged the Company administration fees of #7,500 and company secretarial fees of #7,500 for the six months ended 31 July 2007. Noble & Company Limited (a Noble Group company) charged the Company broker fees of #4,000 for the six months ended 31 July 2007. Independent Review Report to Sitka Health Fund VCT plc Introduction We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 July 2007 which comprises the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached. Directors' responsibilities The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority. As disclosed in the notes, the annual financial statements of the company are prepared in accordance with UK company law and applicable accounting standards ("UK GAAP"). The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board's Statement "Half-yearly Financial Reports". Our responsibility Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. Scope of review We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion. Conclusion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 July 2007 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board's Statement "Half-Yearly Financial Reports" and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority. PKF (UK) LLP London 20 September 2007 Shareholder Information Share price The Company's Ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The mid-price of the Company's Ordinary shares is given daily in the Financial Times in the Investment Companies section of the London Share Service. Share price information can also be obtained from many financial websites including Noble Group's site: www.noblegp.com and the London Stock Exchange site: www.londonstockexchange.com. Net asset value per share The Company's net asset value per Ordinary share at 31 July 2007 was 83.8 pence. The net asset value per Ordinary share at 31 July 2006 was 83.4p. The Company normally announces its net asset value per share on a monthly basis. Net asset value per share information can be found on Noble Group's website: www.noblegp.com Financial calendar September 2007 Interim Report for the half year ended 31 July 2007 circulated to shareholders November 2007 Interim Management Statement 31 January 2008 Year-end April 2008 Results for the year ended 31 January 2008 announced and annual report and review sent to shareholders June 2008 Annual General Meeting July/August 2008 Interim Management Statement Shareholder enquiries Call Lesley Chambers of Noble Corporate Management Limited (which is the Company Secretary) on 0131 225 9677 or e-mail to Lesley.Chambers@noblegp.com Change of address Communications with shareholders are mailed to the address held on the share register. In the event of a change of address or other amendment this should be notified to the Company's registrar, Capita Registrars, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. Dividends Shareholders who wish to have future dividends paid directly into their bank account rather than sent by cheque can complete a Mandate Form for this purpose. Mandates can be obtained by telephoning the Company's Registrar, Capita Registrars on 0870 162 3100. The Company operates a dividend reinvestment scheme. Details and application forms can be obtained from Lesley Chambers of Noble Corporate Management Limited (which is the Company Secretary) on 0131 225 9677 or e-mail to Lesley.Chambers@noblegp.com. The Interim Report will be circulated by post to all shareholders and copies will be available to members of the public from the Company's registered office 120 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1AR in October 2007. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END IR ILFIDAEIIFID
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