TIDMVELA
RNS Number : 6103L
Vela Technologies PLC
28 December 2018
28 December 2018
Vela Technologies plc
("Vela" or the "Company")
Half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 September
2018
The board of Vela is pleased to announce the interim results for
the six months ended 30 September 2018.
Chairman's Statement
The themes outlined in my statement covering the 2018 Annual
Report have continued into the first six months of the current
financial year. We considered a number of new investment
opportunities in the period but were unable to progress towards
completing an investment into a new business mainly due to the
valuations expected by those companies. As we approach the end of
2018, and with global stock markets having dropped sharply, there
are signs that valuations are becoming a little more realistic.
During the period under review, we updated shareholders in
respect of our investments in Portr, Argo Blockchain, BTL Group,
Vibe Group and BlockchainK2. Notable among these was an investment
of GBP200,000 in Vibe Group Holdings and a further follow on
investment of GBP150,000 in Portr, the owner of AirPortr. Our
investment in AirPortr continues to provide evidence of the
viability of the home pick-up luggage service following the
recently announced alliance with Cathay Pacific and an extension of
its existing relationship with easyJet.
Between June 2018 and September 2018 we acquired a small holding
of 185,000 shares in Nektan, an AIM quoted gaming technology
platform and services provider, for a total cost of c. GBP37,500.
This small investment reflects our statement in the 2018 Annual
Report that we believe there are opportunities in quoted companies
where the market has become disenchanted, disinterested or does not
want to understand companies that may have not lived up to
expectations in the past but are now correcting that going forward
with a valuation that reflects this.
We will continue to update shareholders whenever possible in
relation to the activities of our investee companies although we
would reiterate that Vela is a minority investor not a manager of
these businesses. We are therefore dependent on the investee
companies providing Vela with the information to release. At the
date of this announcement Vela has minority interests in 12
investee companies.
Subsequent to the period end we have added to our holding in
StreamTV through an investment of US$100,000 purchasing 66,666
Class A Common Stock and being issued with 333,335 warrants
exercisable at $1.50 per Class A Common Stock.
I would also like to make two further comments for which we
receive regular enquiries from shareholders.
Firstly, in regard to keeping shareholders up to date with
investee companies. It is sometimes the case that whilst there
might be news on an investee company which could be of interest to
shareholders, the news item is not considered to be sufficiently
material for the Company to issue a Regulatory News Service
release. We would therefore direct investors to also follow Vela on
our social media sites at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
where we are able to keep investors informed of developments,
whether company or industry specific. This information will already
be in the public domain but may not be easily accessible.
Secondly, we would also like to reiterate that Vela is not a
direct crypto-currency investor - again something that investors
seem to be confused about. The only exposure Vela has to this
sector is via its investment in Argo Blockchain which provides a
service enabling investors to mine for crypto-currency. Based on
recent updates issued by Argo Blockchain, the business is
performing well.
Investors should also note that the accounts for this and future
periods will reflect the requirements of the latest accounting
practices, IFRS9, where all gains and losses will be reflected
within the income statement which for the current period has
resulted in a loss-on-assets available for sale of GBP166,000 and
an overall loss after tax of GBP298,000 (HY 2017: profit after tax
of GBP184,000). Net assets at 30 September 2018 were GBP2,370,000
(30 September 2017: GBP3,153,000) and investments were valued at
GBP3,034,000 (30 September 2018: GBP3,469,000). Vela's cash balance
at 30 September 2018 was GBP262,000 (30 September 2017 -
GBP526,000).
We look forward to continuing to keep shareholders updated on
the performance of the Company and the underlying investee
companies during 2019 and beyond.
N Brent Fitzpatrick MBE
Chairman
Vela Technologies PLC
For further information, please contact:
Vela Technologies plc
Brent Fitzpatrick, Non-Executive
Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 7802 262
Antony Laiker, Director 443
Allenby Capital Limited
(Nominated Adviser)
Nick Athanas/Asha Chotai Tel: +44 (0) 20 3328
5656
Smaller Company Capital Limited
(Broker)
Rupert Williams/Jeremy Woodgate Tel: +44 (0) 20 3651
2910
Unaudited Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 30 September 2018
6 months 6 months year ended
ended ended
30 September 30 31
September March
2018 2017 2018
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue - - -
Gross profit - - -
Administrative expenses
share based payments - - -
other administrative expenses (102) (98) (214)
profit on disposal of available-for-sale
assets - 304 731
Loss on fair value through
profit or loss assets /
impairment of available-for-sale
assets (166) - (551)
Total administrative expenses
and profit/(loss) from operations (276) 206 (34)
Finance expense (22) (22) (126)
Profit/(Loss) before tax (298) 184 (160)
Income tax - - -
-------------
Profit/(Loss) (298) 184 (160)
------------- ----------- -----------
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will or may be
reclassified to profit/loss:
Fair value movement on available
for sale investments - - 580
Reclassification of changes
in fair value of available-for-sale
investments to profit or
loss - - (1,434)
Other comprehensive income
for the year - - (854)
------------- ----------- -----------
Total comprehensive income (298) 184 (1,014)
------------- ----------- -----------
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the company (298) 184 (1,014)
Earnings per share
Basic and diluted earnings/(loss)
per share (pence) 5 0.03 0.03 (0.02)
Unaudited Balance Sheet
as at 30 September 2018
30 September 30 September 31
March
2018 2017 2018
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Assets
Investments 6 3,034 3,469 2,761
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 7 16 23 13
Cash and cash equivalents 262 526 847
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Total current assets 278 549 860
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Non-current assets held - - -
for sale
Total assets 3,312 4,018 3,621
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Called up share capital 8 837 722 837
Share premium reserve 1,715 1,117 1,715
Available for sale reserve 1,019 1,873 1,019
Share-based payment
reserve 130 130 130
Retained earnings (1,331) (689) (1,033)
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Total equity 2,370 3,153 2,668
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 17 5 28
Loans and borrowings 9 445 - 445
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Total current liabilities 462 5 473
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings 9 480 860 480
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Total equity and liabilities 3,312 4,018 3,621
------------------------------ --------- ------------- ------------- --------
Unaudited Cashflow Statement
for the six months ended 30 September 2018
6 months 6 months year ended
ended ended
Notes 30 September 30 September 31
March
2017 2018 2018
------------------------------------ ------- ------------- ------------- -----------
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating activities
(Loss)/profit before tax (298) 184 (160)
(Profit)/Loss on disposal
of available-for-sale assets - (304) (731)
Loss on fair value through
profit or loss assets /
impairment of available-for-sale
assets 166 - 551
Finance expenses 22 22 126
Issue of shares in lieu - - -
of services
(Increase)/Decrease in receivables (3) (10) -
Increase/(Decrease) in payables (11) (17) -
Total cash flow from operating
activities (124) (125) (214)
Investing activities
Consideration for disposal
of investment - 351 806
Consideration for purchase
of investment (439) (61) (786)
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Total cash flow from investing
activities (439) 290 20
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Financing activities
Interest paid (22) (22) (55)
Proceeds from the issue
of ordinary share - - 713
Total cash flow from financing
activities - - 658
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Net (decrease)/increase
in cash and cash equivalents (384) 143 464
Cash and cash equivalents
at start of year/period 847 383 383
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the year/period 262 526 847
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents
comprise:
Cash and cash in bank 262 526 847
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of year/period 262 526 847
--------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------
Unaudited Statement of Changes in Equity
for the six months ended 30 September 2018
Share Share Share Available Retained Total
capital Premium Option for sale Earnings Equity
Reserve reserve
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Balance at 1
April 2018 837 1,715 130 1,019 (1,033) 2,668
Loss for the
period and total
comprehensive
income for the
period (298) 184
Adjustment on
adoption of IRFS
9 (1,019) (1,019) -
Issue of shares - - -
Balance at 30
September 2018 837 1,715 130 - (312) 2,370
Balance at 1
April 2017 722 1,117 130 1,873 (873) 2,969
Issue of share - - - - - -
capital
Loss for the
year - - - - 184 184
Balance at 30
September 2017 722 1,117 130 1,873 (689) 3,152
Balance at 1
April 2017 722 1,117 130 1,873 (873) 2,969
Transactions - - - - - -
with owners
Issue of share
capital 115 598 - - - 713
--------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Transactions
with owners 115 598 - - - 713
--------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Loss for the
year - - - - (160) (160)
Other comprehensive
income - - - (854) - (854)
Total comprehensive
income - - - (854) (160) (1,014)
Balance at 31
March 2018 837 1,715 130 1,019 (1,033) 2,668
--------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
Notes to the Interim Accounts
for the six months ended 30 September 2018
1. General information
Vela Technologies Plc is a company incorporated in the United
Kingdom.
These unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the
six months ended 30 September 2018 have been prepared in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IAS 34
"Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union and
do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006. This condensed set of financial statements
has been prepared applying the accounting policies that were
applied in the preparation of the Company's published financial
statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 and are presented in
pounds sterling.
The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 March
2018 have been extracted from the Company's statutory accounts
which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and
reported on by the company's Auditors. Their report was unqualified
and contained no statement under section 298 (2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 2006.
2. Changes in accounting policy
The company has adopted IFRS 9 for the first time in these
interim accounts. The standard requires financial instruments to be
valued at fair value. The company has opted to recognise movements
in the year through the profit and loss account. The comparatives
have not been restated, in line with adoption of this standard.
The assessment of other new standards, amendments and
interpretations issued but not effective, are
not anticipated to have a material impact on the interim
financial statements.
3. Going concern
The company's activities, together with the factors likely to
affect its future development and performance, the financial
position of the company, the Directors have considered its cash
flows and liquidity position, taking account of the current market
conditions which demonstrate that the company shall continue to
operate within its own resources.
The Directors believe that the company is well placed to manage
its business risks successfully, and that the company has adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable
future. Accordingly, they consider it appropriate to adopt the
going concern basis in preparing these condensed financial
statements.
4. Investments
Fixed asset investments are stated at fair value.
5. Earnings per share
Earnings per share has been calculated on a loss of GBP298,000
(period to 30 September 2017: GBP184,000 profit; year to 31 March
2018: GBP160,000 loss) and the weighted number of average shares in
issue for the period of 836,973,115 weighted (30 September 2017:
721,588,500; 31 March 2018: 756,045,343).
Reconciliation of the profit and weighted average number of
shares used in the calculations are set out below:
6 months 6 months Year ended
ended ended 30 31 March
30 September September 2018
2018 2017
Profit/(loss) (GBP'000) (298) 184 (160)
Earnings per share (pence) (0.03) 0.03 (0.02)
6. Investments
Other investments
Fair value at 1 April 2018 2,761
Additions during the period 439
Disposals during the year -
Current period fair value movement
charged to profit or loss (166)
Fair value at 30 September 2018 3,034
------------------
Investment in Vibe Group Holdings Limited
In June 2018 the Company announced the completion of an
investment of GBP200,000 in Vibe Group Holdings Limited ("VGHL").
Following the investment, the company owns 5674 shares in VGHL
representing approximately 4% of the issued share capital of
VGHL.
Investment in Nektan
In June 2018 the company purchased 85,000 shares in Nektan, the
AIM quoted gaming technology platform and services provider, for a
consideration of GBP18,614. In July 2018 the company purchased a
further 50,000 shares in Nektan for a consideration of GBP9,319. In
September 2018 the company purchased a further 50,000 shares in
Nektan for a consideration of GBP9,508.
The company has made a total investment of GBP37,442 for 185,000
shares.
Under IFRS9 investment have been valued at fair value and the
movement charged to profit and loss.
7. Trade and other receivables
30 30 31
September September March
2018 2017 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Trade and other receivables 16 23 13
16 23 13
----------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------
8. Share capital
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2017 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- ---------
Authorised capital
9,999,520,000 ordinary shares of
0.1 pence each 10,000 10,000 10,000
10,000 10,000 10,000
------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- ---------
Allotted, called up and fully paid
capital
836,973,115 (30 September 2017:
721,588,500 31 March 2018: 836,973,115)
ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each 837 722 837
837 722 837
------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- ---------
Allotments during the period
The Company allotted the following ordinary shares during the
period:
6 months ended 30 September 2018
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Shares in issue at 1 April 2018 836,973,115
Shares issued during the year -
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Shares in issue at 30 September
2018 836,973,115
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
6 months ended 30 September
2017
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
Shares in issue at 1 April
2017 721,588,500
Shares issued during the period -
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
Shares in issue at 30 September
2017 721,588,500
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
Year ended 31 March 2017
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
Shares in issue at 1 April
2017 721,588,500
Shares issued during the period 115,384,615
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
Shares in issue at 31 March
2018 836,973,115
--------------------------------- ----------------------------
9. Loans and borrowings
Loans due after 1 year 30 Sept 30 Sept 31 March
2018 2017 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------ --------- --------- ---------
Convertible loan notes 445 408 445
Bonds 480 452 480
------------------------ --------- --------- ---------
925 860 925
------------------------ --------- --------- ---------
On 9 September 2016, the Company issued GBP400,000 of
convertible unsecured loan notes to certain Shareholders, including
Antony Laiker (a director of the Company). The loan notes are
repayable on 30 September 2018 and carry an annual interest rate of
8 per cent. The Loan Notes will be convertible into Ordinary Shares
at 0.15p per share, a discount of 6.25 per cent. to the closing bid
price of 0.16p per share on 8 September 2016. The Directors
consider the convertible loan notes to represent a compound
financial instrument. The Directors consider the equity element of
the instrument to be immaterial. Accordingly, the full balance is
classified as a financial liability.
Post period end the loan note holders (including Antony Laiker,
a director of the Company) entered into extension agreements with
the Company extending the repayment date of the Loan Notes to 30
September 2019. Further details were announced by the Company on 30
September 2018.
On 1 February 2017, the Company launched the issue of secured
bonds, through UK Bond Network, to raise GBP550,000 for the
Company. The Bonds have a coupon of 10% and a term of 3 years with
full repayment in cash of the principal amount of the Bonds due at
maturity. The Bonds may be repaid at the option of Vela: (i) after
the first anniversary of the issue of the Bond, together with all
accrued (but unpaid) interest on the amount prepaid; or (ii) prior
to the first anniversary of issue, together with the interest that
would have accrued up to the first anniversary had the Bond not
been prepaid. The Bonds will not be convertible into ordinary
shares in the capital of the Company.
The Bonds are secured by way of fixed and floating charges over
all assets of the Company present and future.
Further protection for bondholders has been provided through a
personal guarantee being given by Scott Fletcher, an existing
shareholder in the Company and the Chairman of UK Bond Network. As
consideration for the provision of the personal guarantee, Scott
Fletcher received a fee of GBP40,000 from the Company which was
satisfied by the Company transferring 3,780 shares that it
previously held in Portr Limited to Scott Fletcher.
The loan balances above are stated net of debt issue costs and
rolled up interest amounting to GBP90k.
10 Financial instruments
The Company is required to report the category of fair value
measurements used in determining the value of its investments, to
be disclosed by the source of its inputs, using a three-level
hierarchy. There have been no transfers between Levels in the fair
value hierarchy.
Quoted market prices in active markets - "Level 1"
Inputs to Level 1 fair values are quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets. An active market is one in which
transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide
pricing information on an ongoing basis. The Company has two (2017:
two) investments classified in this category. The aggregate
historic cost of the two investments is GBP450,698 (31 March 2018:
GBP450,698) and the fair value as at 31 March 2018 was GBP1,269,044
(31 March 2018: GBP1,470,044)
Valued using models with significant observable market
parameters - "Level 2"
Inputs to Level 2 fair values are inputs other than quoted
prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset,
either directly or indirectly. The Company has one (2017: one)
unquoted investment classified in this category. The historic cost
of this investment is GBP745,479 (31 March 2018: GBP745,479) and
the fair value as at 31 September 2018 was GBP644,612 (31 March
2018: GBP644,612), giving rise to an impairment charge of
GBP100,867 recognised directly in profit or loss in the period. The
investment was valued using the transaction price ascribed to the
shares following a placing by the investee Company in March
2018.
Valued using models with significant unobservable market
parameters - "Level 3"
Inputs to Level 3 fair values are unobservable inputs for the
asset. Unobservable inputs may have been used to measure fair value
to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby
allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market
activity for the asset at the measurement date (or market
information for the inputs to any valuation models). As such,
unobservable inputs reflect the assumptions the Company considers
that market participants would use in pricing the asset. None of
the Company's investments are valued using this technique.
The Company has seven (2018: six) investments that are held at
cost less impairment as a reliable estimate of fair value cannot be
determine. As at 30 September 2018 the historical cost of these
investments amounted to GBP1,408,946 (31 March 2018: GBP1,171,504)
and their aggregate carrying value was GBP919,154 (31 March 2018:
GBP696,504).
The revaluing of these investments has resulted in a charge to
the profit and loss account of GBP165,759.
11. Related party transactions
During the period the Company entered into the following related
party transactions. All transactions were made on an arm's length
basis:
Ocean Park Developments Limited
Nigel Brent Fitzpatrick, Non-Executive director, is also a
director of Ocean Park Developments Limited. During the period the
Company paid GBP20,000 (6 months ended 30 September 2017:
GBP23,000; Year ended 31 March 2018: GBP46,000) in respect of his
director's fees to the Company. The balance due to Ocean Park
Developments at the period end was GBPnil (30 September 2017
GBPnil; 31 March 2018: GBPnil).
Risk Alliance Insurance Brokers Limited
Nigel Brent Fitzpatrick, Non-Executive director, is also a
director of Risk Alliance Insurance Brokers Limited. During the
period the Company paid GBP5,551 (Six months ended 30 September
2017: GBP5,700; Year ended 31 March 2018: GBP5,700) in respect of
insurance services for the Company. The balance due to Risk
Alliance Insurance Brokers Limited at the period end was GBPnil (30
September 2017 GBPnil; 31 March 2018: GBPnil)
Widdington Limited
Antony Laiker, director, is also a director of Widdington
Limited. During the period the Company paid GBP27,500 (Six months
ended 30 September 2017: GBP32,000; Year ended 31 March 2018:
GBP64,000) in respect of his director's fees to the Company. The
balance due to Widdington Limited at the period end was GBPnil (30
September 2017 GBPnil; 31 March 2018: GBPnil).
12. Principal risks and uncertainties
Principal risks and uncertainties are set out in the annual
financial statements within the directors' report and also in note
14 and are reviewed on an on-going basis.
The Board will provide leadership within a framework of
appropriate and effective controls. The Board will set up, operate
and monitor the corporate governance values of the company, and
will have overall responsibility for setting the company's
strategic aims, defining the business objective, managing the
financial and operational resources of the Company and reviewing
the performance of the officers and management of the company's
business both prior to and following an acquisition.
There have been no significant changes in the first six months
of the financial year to the principle risks and uncertainties as
set out in the 31 March 2018 Annual Report and Accounts.
13. Board Approval
These interim results were approved by the Board of Vela
Technologies Plc on 27 December 2018.
DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND REPORT ON PRINCIPAL RISKS
AND UNCERTANTIES
Responsibility statement
We confirm to the best of our knowledge:
(a) The condensed set of financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by
the EU;
(b) The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:
(1) 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 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
(2) 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
the period; and any changes in the related party described in the
last annual report that could do so.
N Brent Fitzpatrick MBE
Chairman
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END
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