Trading Update (5804V)

TIDMVSA

RNS Number : 5804V

VSA Capital Group PLC

16 January 2012

VSA Capital Group plc

("VSA Capital Group" or "the Company")

16 January 2012

Trading Update

VSA Capital Group plc (AIM:VSA) , the AIM listed natural resources focused specialist corporate finance advisory and broking firm, is pleased to provide the following trading update.

In its interim results announced on 8 December 2011, the Company noted that VSA Capital Limited ("VSA"), its principal operating subsidiary, was engaged in a significant transaction which could have a very material positive impact on the Company. This transaction, a private placement of new equity for NewAge (African Global Energy) Limited, a private independent Oil & Gas exploration and development company with a regional focus on, and operations in, Africa and the Middle East, has now been completed. The private placement is being undertaken by a Hong Kong based investment fund with strong Asian industry partners. It is a major strategic transaction for the parties involved and VSA expects further such co-investment in the future.

The Company announced a loss for the period ended 30 September 2011 totalling GBP598,812. However, as a consequence of the fees earned from this transaction, the Board now expects that the Company will make a profit in excess of GBP500,000 for the current financial year. These fees are receivable over a 12 month period, of which US$1.75m (c. GBP1.14m) is receivable prior to the end of the current financial year.

This transaction will also significantly strengthen VSA's balance sheet, which will enable it to pursue its strategy of commencing secondary trading, applying for Nominated Adviser status with the London Stock Exchange and continuing the recruitment of additional quality staff to fulfil its aim of becoming a leading institutional broking and investment banking firm in London focused on natural resources. VSA's board believes that the resources sector will continue to be active for many years to come, especially as China shows no sign of slowing the rate at which it acquires assets. VSA is aiming to change the broking model, to be global in outlook and not dependent purely on UK equity funds, so as to provide the appropriate service to meet the needs of its corporate and institutional clients.

Andrew Monk, Chief Executive of VSA Capital Group, commented:

"Completion of this transaction represents a significant milestone in the development of VSA, in what is a difficult economic environment. This demonstrates that our strategy of changing the traditional business model is proving successful and I expect further success as we continue to develop VSA and expand its capabilities in international funding and M&A".

Lyndon Chapman, Non-Executive Chairman of VSA Capital Group, commented:

"It is now a little over 16 months since our acquisition of VSA and 10 months as a pure financial services business.

"The directors and staff have remained focused throughout in dealing with an extremely challenging market environment and have built a firm with a good client base that I would expect to continue to grow and provide further significant transactions in the future.

"I believe that shareholders can look forward to the start of a new era for the business and I thank them for their support and the VSA team for their vision".

For further information, please contact:

VSA Capital Group plc

Andrew Monk, CEO or Peter Joy, FD                                 020 3005 5000 

Blythe Weigh Communications

   Tim Blythe/Ana Ribeiro/Matthew Neal                           020 7138 3204 

Shore Capital and Corporate Limited

Bidhi Bhoma or Toby Gibbs                                              020 7408 4090 

Rivington Street Corporate Finance

Jon Levinson                                                                         020 7562 3357 

NOTES TO EDITORS

VSA Capital Group plc is an international investment banking and institutional broking group headquartered in London. Via its subsidiary, VSA Capital Limited, the group provides corporate finance, broking, research, sales and capital raising capabilities to companies in the natural resources sectors; Oil & Gas, Mining, Agriculture and Timber. VSA Capital Limited is authorised and regulated by the FSA and advises companies listed in London (AIM and the Main Market), Canada (TSX) Australia (ASX) and the USA (OTCBB) with assets on every continent. The firm currently has 19 retained corporate clients with an aggregate market value of over $1bn.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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