TIDMMVCT 
 

Molten Ventures VCT plc

LEI: 2138003I9Q1QPDSQ9Z97

Half-Year Report

14 December 2023

Recent performance summary

 
                           30 Sept  31 Mar  30 Sept 
                             2023    2023     2022 
                            Pence   Pence    Pence 
Net Asset Value ("NAV") 
 per Share                    49.9    53.3     52.8 
Cumulative distributions 
 paid per Share              115.1   113.6    113.6 
Total Return per Share       165.0   166.9    166.4 
                           =======  ======  ======= 
 
 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to present the Half-Yearly Report for the Company for the six months ended 30 September 2023.

Market conditions have remained difficult throughout the period, however we have seen a steady level of new investment activity, utilising some of the funds raised from the successful offer for subscription earlier this year.

Net Asset Value and results

At 30 September 2023, the Company's Net Asset Value per share ("NAV") stood at 49.9p, a decrease of 1.9p or 3.6% since 31 March 2023 (after adding back the dividend paid during the period).

The loss on ordinary activities after taxation for the period was GBP3.8 million, comprising a revenue loss of GBP209,000 and a capital loss of GBP3.6 million.

Dividend

In 2023, the Company paid dividends in April and September 2023, totalling 1.5p. As explained in the 2023 Annual Report, VCT regulations restrict the payment of dividends out of reserves related to funds raised in the last three to four years. Following a series of successful fundraising offers in recent years, the Company has raised substantial levels of funds and as a result the Board currently has to carefully monitor reserves to ensure that the VCT regulations remain adhered to. The Board targets a total annual dividend of equal to 5% of net asset value, although ensuring continuing compliance with the VCT regulations will always take precedent.

As a result of the above, the Board is not proposing to pay a dividend prior to the end of the accounting period but intends to review this and continue a strong dividend policy once a greater level of reserves is "unlocked" from the VCT regulation restrictions in future.

With this in mind, the Company will pay an interim dividend on 5 April 2024 of 1.0p per share, to Shareholders on the register at 23 February 2024.

Shareholders are reminded that the Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Scheme, which allows Shareholders to automatically reinvest their dividends into new shares in the Company and obtain further income tax relief on that investment. Further details about how to opt-in can be found in the "Shareholder Information" section on the inside cover of this report. The last date for elections under the Dividend Reinvestment Scheme for the above dividend will be 8 March 2024.

Venture capital investments

During the period, the Company made four new and three follow-on investments, at a total cost of GBP13.2 million.

New investments were made in Morressier GmbH, Melio Healthcare Limited, Binalyze OU, and Oliva Health Holdings Inc. Follow-on investments were made in Global Satellite Vu Limited, Allplants Limited, and Apperio Limited.

At the period end, the Company held a portfolio of 52 venture capital investments, valued at GBP92.2 million.

As usual, the Board has reviewed the valuations of the unquoted investments as at 30 September 2023 and a number of adjustments to their carrying values have been made. This has resulted in a net valuation downturn of GBP2.6 million for the period across the whole portfolio.

The Company holds two AIM-quoted investments; Access Intelligence plc and Fulcrum Utility Services Limited, which are both valued at their share prices as at 30 September 2023. The valuation of the investment in Access Intelligence saw a decrease of GBP1.7 million over the period and that in Fulcrum of GBP383,000.

Fundraising

As noted in the last Annual Report, the Company closed a successful offer for subscription in February 2023, having raised GBP29.6 million.

In view of the strong demand from investors and the expectation of a continuing stream of good quality deal flow, the Company launched a new offer for subscription in October, seeking to raise up to GBP20 million (with an overallotment facility of GBP20 million to be used at the Directors' discretion). Approximately GBP3.5 million has been raised to date.

Shareholders can find full details of the offer, including the prospectus, and online application at:

investors.moltenventures.com/investor-relations/vct https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=od5aBy1U4DwkVll1w4jpSTaqryiWc7CVrhOguw5C_TEvkddRYPLE1KDGgopEcOKw2moJQ6HqOOhMxEBV_9aJzyf53V4nToPkxovP1UVHIIOcMvilOKRcsYriEAl1vLKYesthg8UVrMo5XbWFnFvZEe-ydDtDzRyO4U6yL2o76NDh2BYouBJ9kQYmcJA48_9O

Investors are recommended to consult their financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

Share buybacks

The Company continues to operate a policy of buying in its shares that become available in the market at approximately a 5% discount to the latest published NAV, subject to regulatory and liquidity constraints.

In line with this policy, during the period, the Company purchased 1,233,000 shares for cancellation at an average price of 48.91p per share.

As noted above in respect of the dividend, the Board is currently monitoring the Company's reserves to ensure continued compliance with the VCT regulations. In view of this, it is not expected that any further share buybacks will be made prior to the end of March 2024. However, the Board confidently expects to resume buybacks, subject to the above, in the Company's next financial year.

Any Shareholders considering selling their shares will need to use a stockbroker, whom you should ask to contact Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, who acts as the Company's corporate broker, and maintains a list of potential sellers to be contacted when the next buyback is undertaken by the Company.

Outlook

Although we have seen a slight fall in NAV over the period, the Board is satisfied with the approach taken by the manager in supporting existing portfolio companies and continuing to identify suitable new opportunities.

We are hopeful that conditions will begin to improve in 2024 and that we may now be approaching a point in the cycle when excellent investment opportunities in the sectors in which your Company operates are available at attractive prices which can drive strong performance in future.

I look forward to updating Shareholders on progress in my statement in the Annual Report to 31 March 2024, which will be published in the summer.

David Brock

Chairman

INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REPORT

The challenging market backdrop has continued for the period however we continue to actively support our portfolio companies as well as making new investments.

The valuation movements in the first half of the year showed a NAV Total Return (NAVTR - adding back dividends paid in the period) decrease of 3.6%. While we are disappointed to report this small decline in NAVTR in the period, our long-held and consistent approach to valuations has enabled the manager to demonstrate relative resilience. Having acted quickly at the onset of the downturn in early 2022, we are now seeing evidence of greater stability in our valuations, and we anticipate further stabilisation, and in parts, recovery.

Following a successful fundraising season, deployment has been strong for the first seven months of the year. Including one new investment made post the period end, the team completed eight investments totalling GBP15.9 million. This compares with a total invested in the previous twelve months of GBP17.3 million. This comprised five new investments totalling GBP12.1 million alongside three follow-on investments totalling GBP3.8 million.

At the period end, Molten technology companies represented 87% of the portfolio and legacy companies 13%. The net asset valuation split was 76% in investments, and 24% in cash and other net current assets, which was reduced by the new investment made post the period end.

Five new investments (including one made post the period end), alongside the Molten EIS and Molten Ventures plc funds, were made into the following companies:

 
                                        GBP'000 
Oliva Health Holdings Inc 
 Non-clinical mental health solutions     1,628 
Morressier GmbH 
 Publishes workflow and integrity 
 software                                 3,162 
Binalyze OU 
 Cybersecurity Forensics and incident 
 response                                 2,161 
Melio Healthcare Limited t/a IMU 
 Bioscience 
 Immune system bio diagnostics            2,520 
Anima Group Inc (made after the 
 period end) 
 Care enablement platform                 2,653 
                                         12,124 
                                        ------- 
 

In the period, one portfolio company, Global Satellite Vu Limited, attracted a GBP12.7 million follow-on investment bringing their total investment to GBP30.5m in venture capital funding. The round was led by Molten Ventures, with participation from Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC, A/O Proptech, Lockheed Martin, Ridgeline Ventures, Earth Sciences Foundation, and Stellar Ventures - all existing investors.

Global Satellite Vu Limited, is a UK-based company that is launching a constellation of infrared satellites capable of monitoring the thermal footprint of any building on earth multiple times a day. The technology, built by Airbus, is proven, and there's commercial exclusivity over the intellectual property in perpetuity. The first satellite launched in June 2023 with SpaceX. By 2024/5 a constellation of just 7 satellites will provide global coverage with the ability to capture data over specific areas of interest 10-20 times a day.

Global Satellite Vu is not just focusing on delivering geospatial intelligence for defence and government customers; its long-term vision is to create proprietary data, analytics, and solutions focusing on energy efficiency, retrofit, and net-zero markets. Global Satellite Vu has already secured customer commitments through its Early Access Option Programme (EAP) valued at over GBP128 million.

Two further smaller follow-on investments were made into Apperio Limited and AllPlants Limited.

There were no successful exits in the period, however, post the period end Fluidic Analytics entered administration. While disappointing from a returns perspective, we are hopeful that the technology will be sold to continue the ground-breaking work achieved by the company.

Following the successful fundraise of GBP29.6 million in the last tax season, the Company recently launched its new fundraising offer with a target first close of GBP20 million. The prospectus is available to download from the VCT's website at investors.moltenventures.com/investor-relations/vct https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=od5aBy1U4DwkVll1w4jpSTaqryiWc7CVrhOguw5C_TEvkddRYPLE1KDGgopEcOKw2moJQ6HqOOhMxEBV_9aJz63ae3d_2khcktOWARKU447zw1W_QWXomdIki5QY7sS_1ZGQOqten2yIa1tZ3gLwxplxlb6BT14C1ljaAEP6NEN79PxfDrzW9DKAmAENGBxy

Access to the application portal and other documentation is also available on that page.

The Investment Manager is an active member of the VCT Association (VCTA) which represents 13 of the largest VCT fund managers and makes up over 90% of the GBP6.6 billion VCT industry. We were delighted to see that the Chancellor has officially confirmed the extension of the sunset clause on the VCT scheme to 2035. This fantastic result is a testament to the hard work of the VCTA and its members over the last few years. The data, resources and site visit opportunities provided by VCT managers were vital in helping to make the case to HM Treasury that the VCT scheme deserves to be extended and help the next generation of British businesses scale and grow.

As your fund manager, we are cautiously optimistic for the year ahead as the technology markets continue to stabilise and recover in places. Our focus remains on positioning ourselves to capture exceptional opportunities at attractive valuations in what is increasingly a buyers' market for venture capital.

Elderstreet Investments Limited

Part of the Molten Ventures Group

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

 
                                                        Valuation      % of 
Investment Portfolio as                                  movement    portfolio 
 at 30 September 2023                Cost    Valuation   in period   by value 
                                    GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
Top ten venture capital 
 investments 
Thought Machine Group Limited         2,400      9,688       (613)        8.0% 
Endomagnetics Limited                 2,147      8,698          63        7.2% 
Form3 Limited                         1,420      8,251       1,646        6.8% 
Fords Packaging Topco Limited         2,433      5,867           -        4.8% 
Focal Point Positioning 
 Limited                              3,300      5,561           -        4.6% 
Global Satellite Vu Limited           4,089      4,688         583        3.9% 
Access Intelligence plc*              2,586      4,488     (1,741)        3.7% 
River Lane Research Limited           2,661      4,113           -        3.4% 
IESO Digital Health Limited           3,567      3,758       (119)        3.1% 
Evonetix Limited                      2,999      3,383           -        2.8% 
                                     27,602     58,495       (181)       48.2% 
 
Other venture capital investments    46,847     33,673     (2,430)       27.8% 
 
                                     74,449     92,168     (2,611)       76.0% 
 
Cash at bank and in hand/Money 
 market funds                                   29,104                   24.0% 
 
Total investments                              121,272                  100.0% 
 

*Quoted on AIM

All venture capital investments are unquoted unless otherwise stated.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT MOVEMENTS

 
Investment additions 
 
Venture capital investments   GBP'000 
Morressier GmbH                 3,162 
Global Satellite Vu Limited     3,111 
Melio Healthcare Limited        2,520 
Binalyze OU                     2,161 
Oliva Health Holdings Inc       1,628 
Allplants Limited                 400 
Apperio Limited                   240 
                               13,222 
                              ======= 
 
 

All venture capital investments are unquoted unless otherwise stated.

UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET

as at 30 September 2023

 
                                  30       30       31 
                                  Sept     Sept     Mar 
                                  2023     2022     2023 
                                GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
 
Fixed assets 
Investments                      92,168   71,756   81,557 
 
Current assets 
Debtors                             143        8       27 
Cash at bank and in hand          2,885   28,665   28,845 
Money market fund investments    26,219        -        - 
                                 29,247   28,673   28,872 
 
Creditors: amounts falling 
 due 
 within one year                  (101)  (1,083)    (117) 
 
Net current assets               29,146   27,590   28,755 
 
Net assets                      121,314   99,346  110,312 
 
 
Capital and reserves 
Called up Share capital          12,146    9,406   10,347 
Capital redemption reserve           62      925        - 
Share premium account            25,510   63,628    8,689 
Special reserve                  63,602    2,285   65,178 
Capital reserve - unrealised     24,735   23,744   27,346 
Capital reserve - realised      (2,431)      936      853 
Revenue reserve                 (2,310)  (1,578)  (2,101) 
 
Equity Shareholders' funds      121,314   99,346  110,312 
 
Basic and diluted Net Asset     49.9p    52.8p    53.3p 
 Value per Share 
 

UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT

for the six months ended 30 September 2023

 
                                                                                    Year 
                                                                                    ended 
                                  Six months ended           Six months ended       31 Mar 
                                    30 Sept 2023               30 Sept 2022          2023 
                             Revenue  Capital   Total   Revenue  Capital   Total    Total 
                             GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
 
Income                           348        -      348        -        -        -        1 
Gains on investments 
Realised                           -        -        -        -        -        -  (1,036) 
Unrealised                         -  (2,611)  (2,611)        -  (6,922)  (6,922)  (3,890) 
                                 348  (2,611)  (2,263)        -  (6,922)  (6,922)  (4,925) 
 
Investment management 
 fees                          (324)    (973)  (1,297)    (289)    (867)  (1,156)  (2,167) 
Performance incentive 
 fees                              -        -        -        -    (621)    (621)        - 
Other expenses                 (233)        -    (233)    (197)        -    (197)    (468) 
 
(Loss) on ordinary 
 activities before 
 taxation                      (209)  (3,584)  (3,793)    (486)  (8,410)  (8,896)  (7,560) 
 
Tax on total comprehensive 
 income and 
 ordinary activities               -        -        -        -        -        -        - 
 
(Loss) attributable 
 to equity Shareholders        (209)  (3,584)  (3,793)    (486)  (8,410)  (8,896)  (7,560) 
                             =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  ======= 
 
Basic and diluted 
 return 
 per Share                    (0.1p)   (1.6p)   (1.7p)   (0.3p)   (4.4p)   (4.7p)   (4.0p) 
 

All Revenue and Capital items in the above statement are derived from continuing operations. The total column within the Income Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company.

UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the six months ended 30 September 2023

 
                       Called 
                         up       Capital                                    Capital     Capital 
                        Share    redemption   Share     Merger   Special     reserve-    reserve-  Revenue 
                       capital    reserve     premium   reserve   reserve   unrealised   realised   reserve   Total 
                      GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
At 1 April 
 2022                    8,880          794    56,273       673     5,303       35,220      1,516   (1,092)  107,567 
                      --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  ---------  --------  ------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income                      -            -         -         -         -      (3,890)    (2,661)   (1,009)  (7,560) 
Transfer 
 between 
 reserves                    -            -         -     (673)   (3,239)      (3,984)      7,896         -        - 
Cancellation 
 of 
 Share Premium               -            -  (63,628)         -    63,628            -          -         -        - 
Cancellation 
 of 
 Capital Redemption          -        (925)         -         -       925            -          -         -        - 
Transactions 
 with 
 owners 
Issue of 
 new 
 Shares                  1,598            -    16,915         -         -            -          -         -   18,513 
Share issue 
 costs                       -            -     (871)         -                      -          -         -    (871) 
Purchase 
 of own Shares           (131)          131         -         -   (1,439)            -          -         -  (1,439) 
Dividends 
 paid                        -            -         -         -         -            -    (5,898)         -  (5,898) 
At 31 March 
 2023                   10,347            -     8,689         -    65,178       27,346        853   (2,101)  110,312 
                      --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  ---------  --------  ------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income                      -            -         -         -         -      (2,611)      (973)     (209)  (3,793) 
Transfer 
 between 
 reserves                    -            -         -         -     (973)            -        973         -        - 
Transactions 
 with 
 owners 
Issue of 
 new 
 Shares                  1,861            -    17,838         -         -            -          -         -   19,699 
Share issue 
 costs                       -            -   (1,017)         -         -            -          -         -  (1,017) 
Purchase 
 of 
 own Shares               (62)           62         -         -     (603)            -          -         -    (603) 
Dividends 
 paid                        -            -         -         -         -            -    (3,284)         -  (3,284) 
At 30 September 
 2023                   12,146           62    25,510         -    63,602       24,735    (2,431)   (2,310)  121,314 
                      ========  ===========  ========  ========  ========  ===========  =========  ========  ======= 
 

A transfer of GBP973,000 was made from the Special Reserve to the Capital Reserve -- realised in respect of capital expenses for the period.

UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the six months ended 30 September 2023

 
                                             Six months  Six months    Year 
                                                ended       ended      ended 
                                               30 Sept     30 Sept    31 Mar 
                                                2023        2022       2023 
                                              GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
Cash flow from operating activities 
Return on ordinary activities 
 before taxation                               (3,793)     (8,896)    (7,560) 
Losses on investments                             2,611       6,922     4,926 
(Increase)/decrease 
 in debtors                                       (113)          14       (5) 
(Decrease)/increase 
 in creditors                                      (16)         400     (179) 
 
Net cash (outflow) generated 
 from operating activities                      (1,311)     (1,560)   (2,818) 
                                             ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
Cash flow from investing activities* 
Purchase of investments 
Venture capital investments                    (13,223)     (8,209)  (17,370) 
Money market funds                             (45,219)           -         - 
Sale of investments 
Venture capital investments                           -       6,339     7,695 
Money market funds                               19,000           -         - 
 
Net cash outflow from investing activities     (39,442)     (1,870)   (9,675) 
                                             ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from Share issue                        19,699       8,424   (5,898) 
Share issue costs                               (1,019)       (414)    18,513 
Purchase of own Shares                            (603)     (1,112)     (873) 
Equity dividends paid                           (3,284)     (5,898)   (1,499) 
 
Net cash inflow from financing activities        14,793       1,000    10,243 
                                             ----------  ----------  -------- 
 
Net (decrease) in cash                         (25,960)     (2,430)   (2,520) 
 
Net movement in cash 
Beginning of period                              28,845      31,095    31,095 
Net cash (outflow)                             (25,960)     (2,430)   (2,520) 
End of period                                     2,885      28,665    28,845 
                                             ==========  ==========  ======== 
 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the six months ended 30 September 2023

1. The unaudited Half-Yearly Report covers the six months to 30 September 2023 and has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the period ended 31 March 2023, which were prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 ("FRS 102") and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies" issued in July 2022 ("SORP").

2. The Company has only one class of business and derives its income from investments made in shares, securities and bank deposits.

3. The comparative figures are in respect of the six months ended 30 September 2022 and the year ended 31 March 2023, respectively.

4. Basic and diluted return per Share

 
                                     Six months   Six months      Year 
                                        ended        ended        ended 
                                       30 Sept      30 Sept       31 Mar 
                                         2023         2022         2023 
    Return per Share based on: 
    Net revenue (loss) (GBP'000)           (209)        (486)      (1,009) 
 
    Capital return per Share based 
    on: 
    Net capital (loss) (GBP'000)         (3,584)      (8,410)      (6,551) 
 
    Weighted average number of 
     Shares                          224,828,251  189,766,121  190,419,643 
 

5. Dividends

 
                                                                    31 March 
                                             30 September 2023        2023 
                             Per Share   Revenue  Capital   Total    Total 
                             Pence       GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
    Forthcoming dividends 
    2024 Interim (5 April 
     2024)                   1.0p              -    2,429    2,429         - 
                                               -    2,429    2,429         - 
                                         =======  =======  =======  ======== 
    Paid in the period 
    2023 Final               0.5p              -    1,214    1,214         - 
    2023 Interim             1.0p              -    2,070    2,070         - 
    2022 Final               3.1p              -        -        -     5,898 
                                               -    3,284    3,284     5,898 
                                         =======  =======  =======  ======== 
 

6. Basic and diluted Net Asset Value per Share

 
                                   30 Sept 2023  30 Sept 2022  31 Mar 2023 
    Net asset value per Share 
    based on: 
    Net assets (GBP'000)                121,314        99,346      110,312 
 
    Number of Shares in issue at 
     period end                     242,913,196   188,123,911  206,931,912 
 
    Net Asset Value per Share             49.9p         52.8p        53.3p 
 

7. Called up Share capital

 
                                   30 Sept 2023  30 Sept 2022  31 Mar 2023 
    Ordinary Shares of 5p each 
    Number of Shares in issue at 
     period end                     242,913,196   188,123,911  206,931,912 
 
    Nominal value (GBP'000)              12,146         9,406       10,347 
 

During the period, the Company allotted 36,846,664 Ordinary Shares of 5p each ("Shares") under an Offer for Subscription that launched in October 2022, at an average price of 52.96p per Share. Gross proceeds received thereon were GBP19.5 million, with issue costs in respect of the Offer amounting to GBP1.0 million.

During the period the Company allotted 367,620 Ordinary Shares of 5p each ("Shares") under a Dividend Reinvestment Scheme, at an average price of 50.29p per Share. Gross proceeds received thereon were GBP185,000.

During the period, the Company purchased Shares for cancellation for an aggregate consideration of GBP603,000, at an average price of 48.91p per Share (approximately equal to a 5.0% discount to the most recently published NAV at the time of purchase) and representing 0.6% of the share capital in issue as at 1 April 2023.

8. Reserves

The special reserve is available to the Company to enable the purchase of its own shares in the market without affecting its ability to pay dividends and allows the Company to write back realised capital losses arising on disposals and impairments.

Distributable reserves are calculated as follows:

 
                                                30 Sept  30 Sept  31 Mar 
                                                  2023     2022     2023 
                                                GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
    Special reserve                              63,602    2,285   65,178 
    Capital reserve - realised                  (2,431)      936      853 
    Revenue reserve                             (2,310)  (1,578)  (2,101) 
    Unrealised losses - net of unquoted gains   (6,149)  (1,057)  (1,579) 
                                                 52,712      586   62,351 
                                                =======  ======= 
 

During the year ended 31 March 2023, the balances on the Share Premium account and the capital redemption reserve were cancelled and added to the special reserve, contributing an additional GBP64.5 million to distributable reserves. The VCT regulations place some restrictions on the use of these reserves during the first three to four years after the funds on which they arose were raised. Currently, GBP54.9 million of the special reserve is restricted by these regulations.

9. Investments

The fair value of investments is determined using the detailed accounting policy as set out in Note 1 of the Annual Report.

The Company has categorised its financial instruments using the fair value hierarchy as follows:

   Level 1        Reflects financial instruments quoted in an active market (fixed interest investments, and investments in shares quoted on either the Main or AIM Markets); 
   Level 2        Reflects financial instruments that have prices that are observable either directly or indirectly; and 
   Level 3        Reflects financial instruments that use valuation techniques that are not based on observable market data (unquoted equity investments and loan note investments). 
 
                                               30 Sept 
                                                 2023 
                     Level    Level    Level 
                       1        2        3      Total 
                    GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
 
AIM quoted shares     4,135      356        -    4,491 
Loan notes                -        -      508      508 
Unquoted shares           -        -   87,169   87,169 
                      4,135      356   87,677   92,168 
 
 
                                               31 Mar 2023 
                     Level    Level    Level 
                       1        2        3        Total 
                    GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000    GBP'000 
 
AIM quoted shares     5,661      600        -        6,261 
Loan notes                -        -      508          508 
Unquoted shares           -        -   74,788       74,788 
                      5,661      600   75,296       81,557 
 

10. Risks and uncertainties

Under the Disclosure and Transparency Directive, the Board is required in the Company's half-yearly results to report on principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company over the remainder of the financial year.

The Board has concluded that the key risks facing the Company over the remainder of the financial period are as follows:

   -- investment risk associated with investing in small and immature 
      businesses; 
 
   -- liquidity risk arising from investing mainly in unquoted businesses; and 
 
   -- failure to maintain approval as a VCT. 

In all cases the Board is satisfied with the Company's approach to these risks. As a VCT, the Company is forced to have significant exposure to relatively immature businesses. This risk is mitigated to some extent by holding a well-diversified portfolio.

With a reasonably illiquid venture capital investment portfolio, the Board ensures that it maintains an appropriate proportion of its assets in cash and liquid instruments.

The Company's compliance with the VCT regulations is continually monitored by the Administration Manager, who regularly reports to the Board on the current position. The Company also retains Philip Hare and Associates LLP to provide regular reviews and advice in this area. The Board considers that this approach reduces the risk of a breach of the VCT regulations to a minimal level.

The Company has considerable financial resources at the period end and holds a diversified portfolio of investments. As a result, the Directors believe that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.

The Directors have concluded that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

11. 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 as well as in accordance with FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting 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 current 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.

12. The unaudited financial statements set out herein do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and have not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The figures for the period ended 31 March 2023 have been extracted from the financial statements for that period, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the Auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified.

13. Copies of the unaudited Half-Yearly Report will be sent to Shareholders shortly. Further copies can be obtained from the Company's registered office or downloaded from investors.moltenventures.com/investor-relations/vct https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=od5aBy1U4DwkVll1w4jpSTaqryiWc7CVrhOguw5C_TEvkddRYPLE1KDGgopEcOKw2moJQ6HqOOhMxEBV_9aJz3JXji8nSxOPAIC2CuOet9ZTB3eRqNuGh-hqyG0QZVc-FL_nhfacfaaI9AQ0gA0DtMgh1mNiZ_JLADH-dfWdSl8yx2FV6S4EDK_BuTRijS9M .

 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 14, 2023 07:35 ET (12:35 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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