INTERIM RESULTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2006
The Board of St Helen's Capital Plc ("St Helen's" or "the Company"), the leading PLUS Markets adviser, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months to 30 September 2006.
HIGHLIGHTS
* Underlying Turnover increased by 14% to GBP 515,657
* Loss of GBP 89,659
* Net Assets increased by 50% to GBP 625,561
* Investments and Options increased by 33% to GBP 654,771
* Over GBP 4.9 million raised for clients
* Number of PLUS listed clients increased to 29
* Completion of largest PLUS Market IPO since 2001
* Business gearing up for next stage of its development.
Commenting on today's announcement, Chairman Mark Warde-Norbury said:
"Whilst profitability is down for the six month period, all other business indicators are up including the value of investments and options in St Helen's balance sheet. The Company is now positioned for the next stage of its development and we believe that the investment being made in people and infrastructure will enable St Helen's to make a quantum step forward in 2007."
---ENDS---
The Directors of St Helens Capital Plc accept responsibility for this announcement.
ENQUIRIES:
ST HELEN'S CAPITAL PLC 020 7628 5582
Mark Warde-Norbury, Chairman
www.sthelenscapital.com
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
During the last six months the business has continued to make good progress. Underlying turnover during the period increased by 14% to GBP 515,657 (2005: GBP 450,785). St Helen's raised finance totalling GBP 4,902,000 for the period, the highlights being two client funding over subscriptions of GBP 1.3m for Air Touring and GBP 2.8m for Quercus Publishing, which was also the largest IPO on PLUS Markets since 2001. St Helen's now represents 29 PLUS (formerly Ofex) listed companies and is the leading PLUS Markets adviser. St Helen's represents 15% of the companies traded on PLUS Markets.
PLUS Markets completed its re-branding during the period and the Directors believe that the increasing stature of the renamed PLUS Markets positions St Helen's well for the immediate future. The Company is seeing a marked increase in the number of companies, both in the UK and overseas, enquiring about listing on PLUS.
Whilst turnover is up, profitability is down and a loss of GBP 89,659 is reported for the six month period. This is in line with the Directors expectations as operating costs have been increased as the business is geared up for the next stage of the Company's development.
REVENUE GROWTH
Over the six month period St Helen's attracted a further 14 new client companies bringing the total number of clients to 29 thus ensuring that the company maintains its position as the leading corporate adviser for PLUS-quoted companies. Of the 14 new clients 10 were admitted to PLUS following a fund raising and the remainder by way of Introductions.
St Helen's now represents overseas clients including companies in the USA, Canada and Israel.
In the period under review (excluding other income) 74% of the revenue was derived from fund raising transactions and admissions and 22% was from corporate retainer income. This compares to 75% and 17% respectively in 2005.
TEAM STRENGTHENED
The increase in turnover was coupled with an increase in the cost based of the business as the company gears up for the next stage of its development. St Helen's now employs 14 staff and 3 consultants (12 staff in 2005) and is looking to further expand its corporate finance, equity distribution and research teams in the near future.
BALANCE SHEET
Net asset value at the end of September was GBP 625,561, an increase of 50% on last year's figure of GBP 417,481.
St Helen's continues with its strategy of building its portfolio of investments and options in the Company's client base. The value of these at the end of September was GBP 654,771 compared to GBP 490,966 last year, an increase of 33%.
THE FUTURE
St Helen's continues to see increasing new business and the current transaction list is encouraging.
PLUS Markets is developing from strength to strength and the Directors believe that this will positively impact on St Helen's ability to raise funds for its clients and the level of fees that it can charge for its services. St Helen's continues to build on its position as the leading PLUS Markets Corporate Adviser.
St Helen's currently focuses on private equity and PLUS Markets activity. In the past it has advised a number of successful businesses which have moved up to AIM. Steps have now been taken towards St Helen's being able to act for these businesses when they move to AIM. The first milestone has been achieved by St Helen's becoming an LSE broker and a further announcement is expected in January 2007.
Interim Results
n 6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March
2005 2006 2006
GBP GBP GBP
PROFIT & LOSS
INCOME/TURNOVER
Sales 450,785 515,657 973,384
Gross Profit 378,964 490,632 840,553
Net Operating Loss (110,730) (97,633) (238,409)
Net Gain/(Loss) after
Sale of Investments 93,832 (89,659) 10,857
The Interim Results are unaudited and have not been reviewed by the Company's auditors. |