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REG - LMS Capital PLC - Half-year Report

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RNS Number : 7380U  LMS Capital PLC  11 August 2025

11 August 2025

 

LMS CAPITAL PLC

Half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2025

 

Financial Update

 

·   Net Asset Value ("NAV") at 30 June 2025 of £31.3 million, 38.8p per
share, compared to £36.2 million (44.8p per share) at 31 December 2024;

·    The net reduction in NAV of £4.9 million comprises:

o  Realised and unrealised underlying portfolio losses of £2.2 million.

o  Unrealised foreign exchange losses, due to the devaluation of the US
Dollar, of £1.3 million;

o  Running costs of £0.7 million; and

o  Investment related costs of £0.3 million plus further one-off items of
£0.2 million relating to the circular and implementation of the B Share
Scheme and a further £0.2 million being the write-off of historic fees due
from Dacian.

·    Group cash at 30 June 2025 was £11.3 million (31 December 2024:
£13.5 million).

 

Managed Realisation Strategy

 

·    Realisation of the legacy private equity portfolio has begun;

·    A follow-on investment in Dacian has been agreed;

·    The Company made its first return of capital to shareholders of 2
pence per share, in July 2025;

·   Shareholders are reminded that the issue of B Shares will not reduce
the number of the Company's ordinary shares in issue. However, following the
issue and redemption of B Shares, the NAV (and NAV per ordinary share) will be
reduced by the total amount of capital returned. Consequently, the share price
is likely to reflect this reduction in NAV.

 

James Wilson, Chairman, commented:

"Following approval by shareholders in May 2025 of the adoption of a managed
realisation strategy, realisation of the legacy private equity assets has
started, a follow-on investment in Dacian has been agreed and options are
under review for retirement living. We are committed to achieving the best
managed realisation for shareholders in an orderly way and in a reasonable
time frame."

 

11 August 2025

 

Enquiries: LMS Capital plc

0207 935 3555

James Wilson, Chairman

Nicholas Friedlos, Managing Director

Chairman and Managing Director's Statement

 

The financial results of the Company for the first six months of the year and
an update on the portfolio and the direction of the business are set out
below.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Managed realisation strategy

At the Company's General Meeting in May 2025, shareholders approved the
Board's recommendation, as set out in the circular to shareholders on 24 April
2025 (the "Circular"), to adopt a strategy of managed realisation of the
Company's assets, over time, and the return of capital to shareholders.

 

The Company's investments range from its legacy private equity investments,
which are relatively liquid, to its energy and retirement living investments
which are less liquid.

 

In relation to the more liquid investments the realisation process has begun,
and the Board anticipates these investments should be realised within 12 to 18
months.

 

As outlined in the Circular, the Board reserved capital to enable it to
provide additional investment in energy and retirement living provided the
investment case supported it, and it resulted in a better overall realisation
outcome for shareholders.

 

The Board has today announced a further investment in Dacian which is expected
to provide a better overall realisation outcome for investors.

 

In relation to the retirement living sector the Board continues to see
opportunity. As stated in the Circular the Board may determine that it is
appropriate to reduce the debt financing and/or may seek additional investment
into the subsidiary which holds Castle View and which could add additional
assets and enhance realisation value. The Board is evaluating options.

 

Portfolio update

Legacy private equity investments - three principal holdings

 

-     Weber Fund (valuation £2.0 million). This is the most liquid
investment in the portfolio being a fund of listed US micro-cap stocks. The
manager has commenced realisation and, subject to market conditions, is
planning, to realise approximately 40% of this fund during Q3;

-     Opus (valuation £3.0 million). The manager of this early-stage
technology fund is optimistic that liquidity can be achieved within a
reasonable time frame for the fund's two principal remaining assets, and is
actively engaged in seeking to achieve this.

-     Elateral (valuation £1.7 million). Options to allow the Company to
realise its investment are under review.

 

Dacian (valuation £7.3 million)

 

LMS is investing US$5.3 million in Dacian by way of a new loan, of which
US$600,000 was advanced prior to 30 June 2025. Information on the background
to the investment is set out in a separate announcement released today. The
investment will provide funding for a plan developed by Dacian's new
leadership team the key elements of which are:

 

-    Investment in inventory of replacement components and implementation of
a maintenance plan to reduce the frequency of equipment failures and
consequent interruptions to production;

-    Carrying out a programme of well workovers and interventions,
financially evaluated and risk adjusted in accordance with industry best
practice, to enhance production over the next 12 months;

-     Implementation of cost efficiencies;

-     Taking opportunities to monetise some unutilised land and equipment
held by Dacian;

-   Evaluating and presenting to external capital, an identified set of
additional development projects within Dacian's existing fields; and

-     Continuing to work with partners in the development of other
opportunities including in clean energy initiatives.

 

In the Board's view the returns on the additional investment are attractive
and will offer investors the prospect of a materially better overall financial
outcome on realisation than seeking an immediate sale. The Board acknowledges
the risks inherent in the oil and gas industry and Dacian's past track record.
However, in reaching the decision to invest further, the Board has taken
account of the analysis and challenge process which has been gone through over
the last few months with the external consulting team, the transparency and
speed of execution of financial and governance matters under the new
leadership and the preliminary feedback on market opportunities to realise the
value in the oil and gas business, that the plans are designed to unlock. In
addition, the Board continues to see potential value in the opportunities in
clean energy which the company is exploring.

 

The underlying valuation of the Dacian investment at 30 June 2025, prior to
the additional funding, has been reduced by US$2.4 million (£1.7 million)
reflecting the impact of the additional refinancing on the underlying value of
the prior investment.

 

Retirement Living (valuation £6.6 million)

 

The Company's investment in Castle View has a valuation of £6.6 million and
debt at 30 June 2025 of £4.8 million, the debt having reduced from £5.2
million at 31 March 2025 as a result of apartment sales.

 

There are currently reservations from buyers on units to the value of
approximately £1.3 million. These reservations are in the hands of buyers'
solicitors and whilst not certain, there is an expectation that they will
proceed to exchange and completion. The timing is difficult to predict and is
dependent on the personal circumstances, including existing house sale chains,
of the individual buyers.

 

Rental options are also now being offered, alongside sale, on the 9 unreserved
units which will accelerate the fuller occupancy of the village and reduce the
negative effect of the cost of holding empty units.

 

Costs

Some initial reductions have already been implemented and further reductions
are planned for the second half of the year. The Board estimates that the run
rate of operating costs during the second half will be reduced from an annual
rate of £1.7 million in 2024 to an annual rate of approximately £1.3
million. Investment costs will reduce to an annual rate of approximately
£0.25 million.

 

The Board will continue to look to reduce the Company's cost base, consistent
with operating requirements of the business and maintaining appropriate
governance as the managed realisation progresses.

 

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The NAV of the Company at 30 June 2025 was £31.3 million, 38.8 pence per
share (31 December 2024: £36.2 million, 44.8 pence per share) and is
summarised below:

 

                                              30 June             31 December
                                              2025 (unaudited)    2024 (audited)
                                              £'000               £'000
 Weber                                        1,953               2,243
 Opus                                         3,039               3,329
 Elateral                                     1,680               1,680
 Other                                        309                 420
 Dacian                                       7,339               9,258
 Castle View                                  6,553               6,553

 Total Investments                            20,873              23,483

 Cash                                         11,295              13,506
 Other net assets / (liabilities/provisions)  (854)               (835)

 Net Assets                                   31,314              36,154

 

The overall decrease of £4.9 million in the half year comprises:

·    Portfolio valuation movements - net reduction £2.2 million
summarised below:

o  Dacian £1.7 million

o  Weber £0.1 million

o  Castle View £0.4 million

·    Unrealised foreign exchange losses £1.3 million;

·    Running costs of £0.7 million; and

·    Investment related costs were £0.3 million plus further one-off
items of £0.2 million  relating to the circular and B share mechanism and
£0.2 million relating to the write-off of historical management fees from
Dacian.

 

First Return of Capital

The Company made its first return of capital to shareholders of £1.6 million
in aggregate equal to 2 pence per share, in July 2025.

 

The Company will make further returns of capital as and when appropriate,
although the timing and exact value of future returns will continue to depend
on the realisation of the investments in the Company's portfolio.

 

 

James Wilson

Chairman

Nicholas Friedlos

Managing Director

11 August 2025

Portfolio Management Review

 

The movement in NAV during the six months ended 30 June was as follows:

 

                                                            Six months ended 30 June
                                                            2025                  2024
                                                            £'000                 £'000
 Opening NAV                                                36,155                42,141
 Income and fair value adjustments on investment portfolio  (3,537)               (4,120)
 Dividends                                                  -                     (505)
 Overheads and other net movements                          (1,304)               (1,004)
 Closing NAV                                                31,314                36,512

 

Cash realisations and new and follow-on investments from the portfolio were as
follows:

                                        Six months ended 30 June
                                        2025                  2024
                                        £'000                 £'000
 Distributions from funds               -                     430
 Proceeds from the sale of investments  121                   -
 Total - gross cash realisations        121                   430
 New and follow-on investments          (1,049)               -
 Fund calls                             -                     (55)
 Total - net                            (928)                 375

 

Realisations in 2025 relate to the sale of Tialis Essential IT plc and Cresco
International Limited, along with a further receipt from the disposal of
Medhost.

 

Below is a summary of the investment portfolio of the Company and its
subsidiaries, which reflects all investments held by the Group:

 

                              30 June 2025                                     31 December 2024
 Mature investment portfolio  GBP denominated  USD denominated  Total          GBP denominated  USD denominated  Total

                              £'000            £'000            £'000          £'000            £'000            £'000
 Quoted                       -                5                5              54               5                59
 Unquoted                     1,680            -                1,680          1,680            56               1,736
 Funds                        304              4,992            5,296          293              5,584            5,877
                              1,984            4,997            6,981          2,027            5,645            7,672

 Other investments            GBP denominated  USD denominated  Total          GBP denominated  USD denominated  Total

                              £'000            £'000            £'000          £'000            £'000            £'000
 Dacian                       -                7,339            7,339          -                9,258            9,258
 Castle View                  6,553            -                6,553          6,553            -                6,553
                              6,553            7,339            13,892           6,553          9,258            15,811
 Total investments            8,537            12,336           20,873         8,580            14,903           23,483

 

Basis of valuation:

 

Quoted investments

Quoted investments for which an active market exists are valued at the closing
bid price at the reporting date.

 

Unquoted direct investments

Unquoted direct investments for which there is no active market are valued
using the most appropriate valuation technique with regard to the stage and
nature of the investment.

 

Valuation methods that may be used include:

·    investments in an established business are valued using revenue or
earnings multiples depending on the stage of development of the business and
the extent to which it is generating sustainable revenue or earnings;

·    investments in an established business which is generating
sustainable revenue or earnings but for which other valuation methods are not
appropriate are valued by calculating the discounted value of future cash
flows;

·    investments in debt instruments or loan notes are determined on a
standalone basis, with the initial investment recorded at the price of the
transaction and subsequent adjustments to the valuation are considered for
changes in credit risk or market rates; and

·    convertible instruments are valued by disaggregating the convertible
feature from the debt instrument and valuing it using a Black-Scholes model.

 

Funds

Investments in managed funds are valued at fair value. The general partners of
the funds will provide periodic valuations on a fair value basis, the latest
available of which the Company will adopt provided it is satisfied that the
valuation methods used by the funds are not materially different from the
Company's valuation methods. Adjustments will be made to the fund valuation
where the Company believes the evidence available supports an alternative
valuation.

 

Performance of the investment portfolio

The return on investments for the six months ended 30 June was as follows:

 

                       Six months ended 30 June 2025                           Six months ended 30 June 2024
                       Realised              Unrealised                        Realised        Unrealised
                       gains/(losses)        gains/(losses)        Total       gains/(losses)  gains/(losses)  Total
 Asset type            £'000                 £'000                 £'000       £'000           £'000           £'000

 Quoted                (12)                  -                     (12)        -               (14)            (14)
 Unquoted              23                    (3,126)               (3,103)     -               (1,491)         (1,491)
 Funds                 -                     (580)                 (580)       -               (3,355)         (3,355)
                       11                    (3,706)               (3,695)     -               (4,860)         (4,860)

 Accrued interest income                                           158                                         740
 Income and fair value adjustments on investment portfolio         (3,537)                                     (4,120)

 

Approximately 59% of the portfolio at 30 June 2025 is denominated in US
Dollars (31 December 2024: 63%) and the above table includes the impact of
currency movements. In the first six months of 2025, the strengthening of
sterling against the US Dollar resulted in an unrealised foreign currency loss
of £1.3 million.   (2024: unrealised gain of £0.1 million). As is common
practice in private equity investment, it is the Board's current policy not to
hedge the Company's underlying non-sterling investments.

 

Quoted investments

                                              30 June    31 December
                                              2025       2024
 Company                       Sector         £'000      £'000
 Tialis Essential IT plc       UK technology  -          54
 Arsenal Digital Holdings Inc  US energy      5          5
                                              5          59

 

The changes in valuation on the quoted portfolio arose as follows:

                                                       Six months ended 30 June
                                                       2025                  2024
 Fair value increases/(decreases)                      £'000                 £'000
 Realised
 Tialis Essential IT plc                               (12)                  -
                                                       (12)                  -
 Unrealised
 Tialis Essential IT plc                               -                     (17)
 Arsenal Digital Holdings Inc                          -                     (6)
 Other quoted holdings                                 -                     9
 Unrealised foreign currency gains/(losses)            -                     -
                                                       -                     (14)
 Total net losses                                      (12)                  (14)

 

Unquoted investments

                                 30 June    31 December
                                 2025       2024
 Company      Sector             £'000      £'000
 Dacian       Romanian energy    7,339      9,258
 Castle View  Retirement living  6,553      6,553
 Elateral     UK technology      1,680      1,680
 Cresco       US consumer        -          56
                                 15,572     17,547

 

The changes in valuation on the unquoted portfolio arose as follows:

                                                 Six months ended 30 June
                                                 2025                  2024
 Fair value increases/(decreases)                £'000                 £'000
 Realised
 Medhost                                         23                    -
                                                 23                    -
 Unrealised
 Dacian (See note below)                         (1,763)               (1,580)
 Castle View                                     (553)                 -
 Cresco                                          1                     13
 Medhost                                         -                     -
 Tialis loan notes                               -                     -
 Unrealised foreign currency (losses)/gains      (811)                 76
                                                 (3,126)               (1,491)
 Total net losses                                (3,103)               (1,491)

 Income movements
 Interest on Dacian investment                   -                     740
 Interest on Castle View investment              158                   -
                                                 158                   740

 

Valuations are sensitive to changes in the following inputs:

·    the operating performance of the individual businesses within the
portfolio;

·    changes in the revenue and profitability multiples and transaction
prices of comparable businesses, which are used in the underlying
calculations;

·    changes in the estimated future cash flows of the individual
businesses which are derived based on judgemental inputs; and

·    the discount rates applied to all valuations.

 

Fund interests

                                                      30 June    31 December
                                                      2025       2024
 General partner                Sector                £'000      £'000
 Brockton Capital Fund 1        UK real estate        -          -
 Opus Capital Venture Partners  US venture capital    3,039      3,329
 GW 2001 Fund                   US quoted micro-caps  1,953      2,243
 EMAC ILF                       Europe real estate    303        292
 Simmons Parallel Energy        UK energy             1          1
 Other interests                                      -          12
                                                      5,296      5,877

 

 

The changes in valuation on the Company's fund portfolio arose as follows:

                                                        Six months ended 30 June
                                                        2025                  2024
 Fair value increases/(decreases)                       £'000                 £'000
 Unrealised
 Brockton Capital Fund 1                                -                     (2,526)
 Opus Capital Venture Partners                          (5)                   (826)
 GW 2001 Fund                                           (94)                  (217)
 Simmons Parallel Energy                                -                     176
 Others (net)                                           (11)                  9
 Unrealised foreign currency (losses)/gains             (470)                 29
 Total net losses                                       (580)                 (3,355)

 

Costs

Group costs for the period (including £1.0 million incurred by the Company
and £0.4 million by subsidiaries) were £1.4 million (2024: £1.5 million)
which include running costs of £0.7 million and investment related costs,
being support costs for the Dacian and Castle View investments, of £0.5
million and £0.2 million of costs in relation to the managed realisation.

 

Taxation

The Group tax provision for the period, all of which arose in the
subsidiaries, is £nil (2024: £0.1 million).

 

Financial Resources and Commitments

At 30 June 2025 cash holdings, including cash in subsidiaries, were £11.3
million (31 December 2024: £13.5 million) and neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries had any external debt.

 

At 30 June 2025, subsidiary companies had commitments of £2.5 million (31
December 2024: £2.5 million) to meet outstanding capital calls from fund
interests.

 

 

 

 

LMS CAPITAL plc

11 August 2025

 

Unaudited Condensed Company Income Statement

 

                                               Six months ended 30 June
                                               2025                  2024
                                        Notes  £'000                 £'000

 Net losses on investments              5      (4,554)               (4,509)
 Interest income                               645                   309
 Other income                                  -                     59
 Total losses on investments                   (3,909)               (4,141)
 Operating expenses                            (968)                 (1,042)
 Foreign currency exchange differences         (21)                  2
 Loss before tax                               (4,898)               (5,181)
 Taxation                                      -                     -
 Loss for the period                           (4,898)               (5,181)

 Attributable to:
 Equity shareholders                           (4,898)               (5,181)

 Loss per ordinary share - basic        6      (6.1p)                (6.4p)
 Loss per ordinary share - diluted      6      (6.1p)                (6.4p)

 

Unaudited Condensed Company Statement of Other Comprehensive Income

 

                                                 Six months ended 30 June
                                                 2025                  2024
                                          Notes  £'000                 £'000

 Loss for the period                             (4,898)               (5,181)
 Other comprehensive income                      -                     -
 Total comprehensive loss for the period         (4,898)               (5,181)

 Attributable to:
 Equity shareholders                             (4,898)               (5,181)

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Company Statement of Financial Position

 

                                              30 June 2025    31 December 2024
                                       Notes  £'000           £'000
 Assets
 Non-current assets
 Right-of-use assets                          -               14
 Investments                           8      3,288           7,842
 Amounts receivable from subsidiaries         19,489          17,805
 Total non-current assets                     22,777          25,661
 Current assets
 Operating and other receivables              129             231
 Cash                                         9,631           11,646
 Total current assets                         9,760           11,877
 Total assets                                 32,537          37,538
 Liabilities
 Current liabilities
 Operating and other payables                 (281)           (462)
 Amounts payable to subsidiaries              (942)           (921)
 Total current liabilities                    (1,223)         (1,383)
 Non-current liabilities
 Other long-term liabilities                  -               -
 Total non-current liabilities                -               -
 Total liabilities                            (1,223)         (1,383)
 Net assets                                   31,314          36,155

 Equity
 Share capital                                8               8,073
 Share premium                                -               508
 Capital redemption reserve                   -               24,949
 Share-based equity                           379             322
 Retained earnings                            30,927          2,303
 Total equity shareholders' funds             31,314          36,155

 Net asset value per ordinary share    11     38.79p          44.79p

 

Unaudited Condensed Company Statement of Changes in Equity

 

Six months ended 30 June 2025

                                                       Capital     Share-
                                     Share    Share    redemption  based   Retained  Total
                                     capital  premium  reserve     equity  earnings  equity
                                     £'000    £'000    £'000       £'000   £'000     £'000

 Balance at 1 January 2025           8,073    508      24,949      322     2,303     36,155

 Comprehensive loss for the period
 Loss for the period                 -        -        -           -       (4,898)   (4,898)
 Equity after total comprehensive    8,073    508      24,949      322     (2,595)   31,257

 loss for the period

 Contributions by and distributions

to shareholders
 Share capital reduction             (8,065)  (508)    (24,949)    -       33,522    -
 Share-based payments                -        -        -           57      -         57
 Dividends (note 7)                  -        -        -           -       -         -
 Balance at 30 June 2025             8        -        -           379     30,927    31,314

 

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2024

                                                       Capital     Share-
                                     Share    Share    redemption  based   Retained  Total
                                     capital  premium  reserve     equity  earnings  equity
                                     £'000    £'000    £'000       £'000   £'000     £'000

 Balance at 1 January 2024           8,073    508      24,949      207     8,404     42,141

 Comprehensive loss for the period
 Loss for the period                 -        -        -           -       (5,181)   (5,181)
 Equity after total comprehensive    8,073    508      24,949      207     3,223     36,960

 loss for the period

 Contributions by and distributions

to shareholders
 Share-based payments                -        -        -           57      -         57
 Dividends (note 7)                  -        -        -           -       (505)     (505)
 Balance at 30 June 2024             8,073    508      24,949      264     2,718     36,512

 

Unaudited Condensed Company Cash Flow Statement

 

                                                                                  Six months ended 30 June
                                                                                  2025                  2024
                                                         Notes                    £'000                 £'000
 Cash flows from operating activities
 Loss before tax                                                                  (4,898)               (5,181)
 Adjustments for non-cash income and expenses:
 Equity settled share-based payments                                              57                    57
 Depreciation of right-of-use assets                                              14                    14
 Interest expense on lease                                                        1                     1
 Losses on investments                                   5                        4,554                 4,509
 Other income                                                                     -                     (59)
 Interest income                                                                  (645)                 (309)
 Exchange differences on cash balances                                            20                    (2)
                                                                                  (897)                 (970)
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 Decrease/(increase) in operating and other receivables                           87                    (27)
 Decrease in operating and other payables                                         (173)                 (43)
 Increase in amounts receivable from subsidiaries                                 (1,684)               (1,207)
 Increase in amounts payable to subsidiaries                                      21                    5,959
 Net cash (used in)/from operating activities                                     (2,646)               3,712
 Cash flows from investing activities
 Interest received                                                                660                   302
 Other income received                                                            -                     59
 Net cash from investing activities                                               660                   361
 Cash flows from financing activities
 Dividends paid                                          7                        -                     (505)
 Repayment of principal lease liabilities                                         (8)                   (15)
 Repayment of lease interest                                                      (1)                   (1)
 Net cash used in financing activities                                            (9)                   (521)
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash                                                  (1,995)               3,552
 Exchange gains/(losses) on cash balances                                         (20)                  2
 Cash at the beginning of the period                                              11,646                9,027
 Cash at the end of the period                                                    9,631                 12,581

 

Notes to the unaudited financial information

 

1.      Reporting entity

LMS Capital plc ("the Company") is a public limited company limited by shares
incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act and registered in
England. These unaudited condensed interim financial statements are presented
in pounds sterling because that is the currency of the principal economic
environment of the Company's operations.

 

The Company was formed on 7 March 2006 and commenced operations on 9 June 2006
when it received the demerged investment division of London Merchant
Securities.

 

2.      Statement of compliance and basis of preparation

These condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with IAS 34: 'Interim Financial Reporting'. They do not include all of the
information required for full annual financial statements and should be read
in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31
December 2024 which were prepared in accordance with UK adopted International
Financial Reporting Standards.

 

The financial information presented in these interim results has been prepared
in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the
requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The principal accounting policies
adopted in the preparation of the financial information in these interim
results are primarily unchanged from those used in the Company's financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 and are consistent with those
that the Company expects to apply in its financial statements for the year
ended 31 December 2025.

 

These condensed interim financial statements do not comprise statutory
accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.
Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 were approved by the
Board of Directors on 27 March 2025 and delivered to the Registrar of
Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did
not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph and did not contain any statement
under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the
periods ended 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2025 are unaudited and have not been
reviewed by the Company's auditors.

 

3.      Estimates and management judgements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed interim financial statements
requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect
the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.

 

In preparing these unaudited condensed interim financial statements, the
significant judgements made by management in applying the Company's accounting
policies and the key sources of estimation were the same as those that applied
to the Company financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December
2024.

 

4.      Financial risk management

The Company's financial risk management objectives and policy are consistent
with those disclosed in the Company financial statements as at and for the
year ended 31 December 2024.

 

5.      Net losses on investments

 

The losses on investments were as follows

 

                   Six months ended 30 June 2025                   Six months ended 30 June 2024
                   Realised          Unrealised                    Realised        Unrealised
                   gains/(losses)    gains/(losses)    Total       gains/(losses)  gains/(losses)  Total
 Asset type        £'000             £'000             £'000       £'000           £'000           £'000

 Quoted            (12)              -                 (12)        -               (14)            (14)
 Unquoted          23                (3,126)           (3,103)     -               (1,491)         (1,491)
 Funds             -                 (580)             (580)       -               (3,355)         (3,355)
                   11                (3,706)           (3,695)     -               (4,860)         (4,860)

 Charge for incentive plans                            -                                           -
 Net operating (losses)/income of subsidiaries         (859)                                       351
                                                       (4,554)                                     (4,509)

 

 

6.      Loss per ordinary share

 

The calculation of the basic and diluted loss per share, in accordance with
IAS 33, is based on the following data:

 

                                                                                                                         Six months ended 30 June
                                                                                                                         2025                   2024
 Losses
 Losses for the purpose of net profit per share attributable to equity holders                                           (4,898)                (5,181)
 of the parent (£'000)
 Number of shares
 Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic loss per                                           80,727,450             80,727,450
 share
 Loss per share
 Basic                                                                                                                   (6.1p)                 (6.4p)
 Diluted                                                                                                                 (6.1p)                 (6.4p)

 

 

 

7.      Dividends

 

No dividends were declared during the period ending 30 June 2025 as the
Company has commenced its managed realisation and distributions to
shareholders will be made by returns of capital.

 

Dividends declared during the period ended 30 June 2024 were as follows:

                                  Dividend date  Payment date  Dividend £'000   Pence per share
 Final dividend payment for 2023  31 May 2024    21 June 2024  505              0.625
 Total as at 30 June 2024                                      505              0.625

 

 

8.      Investments

 

The Company's investments comprised the following:

 

                                        30 June     31 December
                                        2025        2024
                                        £'000       £'000
 Total investments                      3,288       7,842
 These comprise:
 Investment portfolio of subsidiaries   20,873      23,483
 Other net liabilities of subsidiaries  (17,585)    (15,641)
                                        3,288       7,842

 

The carrying amounts of the investments of the Company's subsidiaries were as
follows:

 

                                        30 June     31 December
 Investment portfolio of subsidiaries   2025        2024
 Asset type                             £'000       £'000
 Quoted                                 5           59
 Unquoted                               15,572      17,547
 Funds                                  5,296       5,877
 Investment portfolio of subsidiaries   20,873      23,483
 Other net liabilities of subsidiaries  (17,585)    (15,641)
                                        3,288       7,842

 

8.      Investments (continued)

 

The movement in the investment portfolio were as follows:

                                  Quoted securities  Unquoted securities  Funds    Other net assets/ (liabilities) of subsidiaries  Total
                                  £'000              £'000                £'000    £'000                                            £'000
 Balance at 1 January 2024        144                18,837               9,469    (7,596)                                          20,854
 Accrued interest                 -                  1,041                -        -                                                1,041
 Proceeds from disposals          (29)               -                    -        -                                                (29)
 Distributions from partnerships  -                  -                    (894)    -                                                (894)
 Contributions to partnerships    -                  -                    55       -                                                55
 Fair value adjustments           (56)               (1,690)              (2,753)  -                                                (4,499)
 Dividends paid                   -                  -                    -        (8,000)                                          (8,000)
 Other movements                  -                  (641)                -        (45)                                             (686)
 Balance at 31 December 2024      59                 17,547               5,877    (15,641)                                         7,842

 Balance at 1 January 2025        59                 17,547               5,877    (15,641)                                         7,842
 Accrued interest                 -                  158                  -        -                                                158
 Purchases                        -                  1,049                -        -                                                1,049
 Proceeds from disposals          (42)               (79)                 -        -                                                (121)
 Distributions from partnerships  -                  -                    (1)      -                                                (1)
 Fair value adjustments           (12)               (3,103)              (580)    -                                                (3,695)
 Other movements                  -                  -                    -        (1,944)                                          (1,944)
 Balance at 30 June 2025          5                  15,572               5,296    (17,585)                                         3,288

 

The following table analyses investments carried at fair value at the end of
the period, by the level in the fair value hierarchy into which the fair value
measurement is categorised. The different levels have been defined as follows:

 

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets;

 

Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are
observable for the asset, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e.
derived from prices); and

 

Level 3: inputs for the asset that are not based on observable market data
(unobservable inputs such as trading comparables and liquidity discounts).

 

Fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable inputs.
Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while
unobservable inputs reflect the Company's view of market assumptions in the
absence of observable market information.

 

8.      Investments (continued)

 

The significant unobservable inputs used at 30 June 2025 in measuring
investments categorised as level 3 are considered below:

 

1.       Unquoted securities (carrying value £15.6 million) are valued
using the most appropriate valuation technique such as a revenue-based
approach, an earnings-based approach, or a discounted cash flow approach.
These investments are sensitive to both the overall market and industry
specific fluctuations that can impact multiples and comparable company
valuations. In most cases the valuation method uses inputs based on comparable
quoted companies for which the key unobservable inputs are:

 

·      revenue multiples in the range 1.5-2.5 times, also dependent on
attributes at individual investment level; and

 

·      Discounts applied of up to 40%, to reflect the illiquidity risk of
the unquoted companies. The discount used requires the exercise of judgement
taking into account factors specific to individual investments such as size
and rate of growth compared to other companies in the sector.

 

2.        Investments in funds (carrying value £5.3 million) are valued
using the reported NAV from the general partners of the fund interests with
adjustments made for calls, distributions and foreign currency movements since
the date of the report (if prior to 30 June 2025). The reported NAVs of the
funds are fair value based.  The Company also carries out its own review of
individual funds and their portfolios to satisfy ourselves that the underlying
valuation bases are consistent with our basis of valuation and knowledge of
the investments and the sectors in which they operate. However, the degree of
detail on valuations varies significantly by fund and, in general, details of
unobservable inputs used are not available.

 

The valuation of the investments in subsidiaries makes use of multiple
interdependent significant unobservable inputs and it is impractical to
sensitise variations of any one input on the value of the investment portfolio
as a whole. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing
basis however inputs are highly subjective. Changes in any one of the
variables, earnings or revenue multiples or illiquidity discounts could
potentially have a significant effect on the valuation.

 

The Company's investments are analysed as follows:

 

          30 June    31 December
          2025       2024
          £'000      £'000
 Level 1  -          -
 Level 2  -          -
 Level 3  3,288      7,842
          3,288      7,842

 

8.      Investments (continued)

 

Level 3 includes:

 

                                        30 June     31 December
                                        2025        2024
                                        £'000       £'000
 Investment portfolio of subsidiaries   20,873      23,483
 Other net liabilities of subsidiaries  (17,585)    (15,641)
                                        3,288       7,842

 

The investment portfolio of subsidiaries includes quoted investments of
£5,000 (2024: £59,000).  There were no transfers between levels during the
period ending 30 June 2025.

 

 

9.      Capital commitments

 

                                   30 June    31 December
                                   2025       2024
                                   £'000      £'000

 Outstanding commitments to funds  2,464      2,458
                                   2,464      2,458

 

The outstanding commitments to funds comprise unpaid capital calls in respect
of funds where a subsidiary of the Company is a limited partner.

 

As of 30 June 2025 the Company has no other contingencies or commitments to
disclose (2024: £nil).

 

 

10.    Related party transactions

 

The related parties of LMS Capital plc are its Directors.

 

The salaries paid to the Directors of the Company for the period were
£240,612 (June 2024: £243,387).

 

As at 30 June 2025, the Directors of the Company had the following beneficial
interests in the ordinary shares of the Company:

 

             30 June 2025        31 December 2024
 Director    Number of shares    Number of shares
 J Wilson    1,041,905           1,041,905
 R Rayne     2,670,124           2,670,124
 N Friedlos  661,410             661,410
 P Harvey    20,000              20,000
 G Stedman   20,000              20,000

 

11.    Net asset value per share

 

The net asset value per ordinary share in issue is as follows:

 

                                     30 June       31 December
                                     2025          2024
 Net assets (£'000)                  31,314        36,155
 Number of ordinary shares in issue  80,727,450    80,727,450
 Net asset value per share (pence)   38.79         44.79

 

 

12.    Subsequent events

 

The Company made its first return of capital to shareholders of 2 pence per
share, totalling £1,614,549 on 28 July 2025.

 

There are no other subsequent events that would materially affect the
interpretation of these Financial Statements.

 

 

 

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

 

The Directors listed on pages 19 and 20 of the Company's Annual Report for the
year ended 31 December 2024 continued in office during the six months ended 30
June 2025.

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

a   the condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim
Financial Reporting' and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules
sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority; and

 

b    the interim management report includes a fair review of the
information required by:

 

i     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 interim
financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

 

ii     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 Company during that period; and any changes in
the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report that could
do so.

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas Friedlos

Director

 

11 August 2025

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