RNS Number:7785B
Worldsec Ld
27 September 2002


                                Worldsec Limited


              Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2002


The Directors submit the interim report on Worldsec Limited (the "Company") and
its subsidiaries (collectively known as the "Group") for the six months ended 30
June 2002 (the "Period").


HIGHLIGHTS


  * Turnover for the Period increased by 8% as compared with the same period
    in 2001 to US$4,067,000.


  * Loss for the Period was US$3,894,000, as compared to US$3,083,000 for the
    same period in 2001.


DIVIDEND


The Directors do not recommend the payment of an interim dividend.


REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND PROSPECTS


The business environment continued to be difficult and we again operated at a
loss, despite reduction in staff and fixed costs and the closure in 2001 of our
offices in Malaysia and the Philippines.


During the period we reached agreement on the proposed disposal of certain
assets to UOB Kay Hian Holdings Limited. A Circular to Shareholders dated 1st
August 2002 gave details of the proposed disposal, which has since been approved
at a Special General Meeting of the shareholders held on 19th August 2002.
Completion of this disposal marks our Group's withdrawal from our broking,
research and corporate finance activities which have provided the bulk of our
revenues in the past.


Since the end of the first half, trading conditions have become even more
difficult, vindicating the proposed disposal. An amount of US$1.9m has been
provided in the interim results to reflect the estimated losses since June and
the necessary cost leading up to the completion of the proposed disposal.


We are planning to realise our assets as cash and the Directors intend to invest
cash balances in money market investments and deposits whilst considering how to
redeploy such cash balances either into a new business or by way of a return of
funds to shareholders or a combination of both.



                                        By order of the Board


                                        Henry Ying Chew Cheong

                                        Deputy Chairman and

                                        Chief Executive Officer

                                        27 September 2002



                              CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT


                                                                                Unaudited           Audited
                                                                             Six months ended      Year ended
                                                         Notes           30.6.2002    30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                                           US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

          Turnover                                            3              4,067       3,754         8,035

          Fees and commission payable                                        (802)      (609)         (1,155)

                                                                             3,265       3,145         6,880

          Gain on disposal of intangible assets                              164         180           181

          Gain/(loss) on investments                                         53         (295)          541

          Recovery of doubtful receivables                                   -           -             232

          Other operating income                                             384         572           794

                                                                             3,866       3,602         8,628

          Staff costs                                                       (3,319)     (3,940)       (8,305)

          Provision for doubtful receivables                                (369)       (500)         (1,193)

          Loss on revaluation of investments                                (375)        -            (1,824)

          Other operating costs                                             (1,714)     (2,225)       (4,397)

          Operating loss                                      3             (1,911)     (3,063)       (7,091)

          Interest receivable and similar income                             103         287           473

          Interest payable and similar charges                              (158)        (268)        (480)

          Provision for closure of operations                 4             (1,900)       -           (123)

          Goodwill written off                                               -            -           (591)

          Loss on ordinary activities before taxation                       (3,866)      (3,044)      (7,812)

          Tax on loss on ordinary activities                  5             (28)         (39)         (149)

          Loss for the financial period/year                                (3,894)      (3,083)      (7,961)

          Loss per share                                      6             (29) cents   (23) cents   (60) cents



STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

                                                                                      Six months ended       Year ended
                                                                                 30.6.2002    30.6.2001      31.12.2001 
                                                                                    US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

  Loss for the period/year                                                          (3,894)      (3,083)       (7,961)

  Surplus arising on revaluation of investments and tangible fixed                  1            3             7
  assets                                                                                                              

  Currency translation differences                                                  70        (145)          (73)
  Total recognised losses                                                           (3,823)      (3,225)       (8,027)



RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                  Unaudited               Audited
                                                                               Six months ended         Year ended
                                                                             30.6.2002    30.6.2001     31.12.2001 
                                                                               US$'000      US$'000      US$'000

       Loss for the period/year                                                (3,894)      (3,083)       (7,961)

       Other recognised gains/(losses) relating to the period/year              71          (142)          (66)

       Net reduction in shareholders' funds during the period/year             (3,823)      (3,225)       (8,027)

       Shareholders' funds brought forward                                      24,208       32,235        32,235

       Shareholders' funds carried forward                                      20,385       29,010        24,208


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                                                                                            
                                                                              Unaudited               Audited
                                                              Notes      30.6.2002    30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                                          US$'000      US$'000       US$'000
            Fixed assets                                                                                    
            Intangible assets                                      7       772        929             875

            Tangible fixed assets                                          667        1,013           832

            Investments                                            8       1,271      1,270           1,271

            Purchased goodwill                                             -          690             -

                                                                           2,710      3,902           2,978

            Current assets                                                                                  

            Investments                                            9       1,208      3,264           1,548

            Debtors                                                        27,523     24,803          25,086

            Bank deposits and cash                                10       38,517     41,052          36,167

                                                                           67,248     69,119          62,801

            Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year        11     (49,543)     (43,979)       (41,541)

            Net current assets                                            17,705       25,140         21,260

            Total assets less current liabilities                         20,415       29,042         24,238

            Provisions for liabilities and charges                12     (30)         (32)           (30)

            Net assets                                                    20,385      29,010         24,208
            Capital and reserves                                                                            

            Called up share capital                               13      13,367      13,367         13,367

            Reserves                                                      7,018       15,643         10,841

            Equity shareholders' funds                                    20,385      29,010         24,208



CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
                                                                                                                        
                                                                                       Unaudited              Audited
                                                                                   Six months ended          Year ended
                                                                                 30.6.2002    30.6.2001      31.12.2001 
                                                                                    US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

  Net cash outflow from operating activities (Note 14)                              (2,125)      (4,291)       (2,207)
  Returns on investments and servicing of finance                                                                     

  Interest received from banks                                                       103          287           473

  Interest paid on bank loans and overdrafts                                        (158)        (268)         (480)

  Net cash (outflow)/inflow from returns on investments and servicing               (55)          19           (7)
  of finance                                                                                                          

  Tax paid                                                                          (38)         (67)          (230)
  Capital expenditure and financial investment                                                                        

  Purchase of tangible fixed assets                                                 (16)         (86)          (166)

  Sale of tangible fixed assets                                                      69           -             -

  Sale of intangible assets                                                          215          457           458

  Net cash inflow from capital expenditure and financial investment                  268          371           292

  Net cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing                     (1,950)      (3,968)       (2,152)
  Management of liquid resources                                                                                      

  Increase in time deposits of maturity exceeding 1 day                             (70)         (25)          (71)

  Decrease in cash (Note 15)                                                        (2,020)      (3,993)       (2,223)



NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT

1.   BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
          
     The Group's financial statements consolidate the financial statements
     of the Company and the subsidiary undertakings included in the Group.


2.  Accounting policies

    The financial statements set out in this report have been prepared
    under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of
    certain fixed assets and investments, in accordance with accounting
    principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom. Where applicable,
    assets have been stated at their recoverable amount.

    During the period, the Group reached an agreement on the proposed
    disposal of certain assets to UOB Kay Hian Holdings Limited.

    Completion of this disposal will result in the Group's withdrawal from
    the broking, research and corporate finance activities which have provided
    the bulk of the revenues in the past. On completion, the Group will have no
    significant revenue generating activities. However, the directors are
    planning to realise the remaining assets and invest cash balances in money
    market investment and deposits whilst considering how to redeploy such cash
    balances either into a new business or by a return of funds to shareholders
    or a combination of both.

    The directors have held negotiations with several parties interested in
    acquiring the remaining assets of the Group or setting up a new business
    within the Group. The directors consider that the Group has adequate
    resources to continue in operational existence and they are continuing to
    look for investment opportunities. On this basis, the directors consider it
    appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

    Save as disclosed above, the accounting policies adopted in preparing
    this report are consistent with those adopted in preparing the consolidated
    financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2001.


    NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED)


3. ANALYSIS OF TURNOVER, OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT AND NET ASSETS

                                                                                    Unaudited       Audited
                                                                                Six months ended    Year ended
                                                                         30.6.2002    30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                                            US$'000      US$'000       US$'000
          Turnover analysed by class of business                                                              
          Broking and related services                                        3,724        3,239         6,389
          Corporate finance                                                   343          515           1,646
                                                                              4,067        3,754         8,035
          Geographical analysis of turnover                                                                   
          Hong Kong                                                           3,125        2,781         6,369
          Thailand                                                            791          595           1,012
          Others                                                              151          378           654
                                                                              4,067        3,754         8,035
          Operating (loss)/profit analysed by class of business                                               
          Broking and related services                                       (1,724)      (3,200)       (7,637)
          Corporate finance                                                  (187)          137           546
                                                                             (1,911)      (3,063)       (7,091)


         The net assets utilised in the Group relate substantially to broking
         activities.



    NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED)


4.  PROVISION FOR CLOSURE OF OPERATIONS


    During the period, the Group has reached agreement on the proposed
    disposal of certain assets, the effect of which is the Group's withdrawal
    from the broking, research and corporate finance activities. The provision
    reflects the estimated losses since 30 June 2002 and the necessary cost
    leading up to the completion of the proposed disposal.



5.  TAX

                                                                            Unaudited            Audited
                                                                        Six months ended       Year ended
                                                                    30.6.2002    30.6.2001      31.12.2001 
                                                                       US$'000      US$'000       US$'000
               The charge comprises:                                                                     

               UK Corporation Tax at 30% - current year                     25           22           46

               Hong Kong Profits Tax at 16% - current year                  -            16           86

               Other overseas taxation                                      3            1            19

                                                                            28           39           151

               Deferred taxation                                            -            -            (2)
              

                                                                                                        
6. LOSS PER SHARE

                                                                           Unaudited             Audited
                                                                       Six months ended         Year ended
                                                                    30.6.2002    30.6.2001      31.12.2001 
                                                                       US$'000      US$'000       US$'000


                Loss for the financial period/year                     (3,894)      (3,083)       (7,961)

                Loss per share                                      (29) cents   (23) cents    (60) cents


                                                                        Number       Number        Number

                Weighted average number of shares in issue          13,367,290   13,367,290    13,367,290


    NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED)


7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS


    Intangible assets represent eligibility rights to trade on or through
    the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and Hong Kong Futures Exchange
    Limited respectively ("Trading Rights").


                                                                                        
                                                            Unaudited             Audited
                                                      30.6.2002    30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                         US$'000      US$'000       US$'000
                            Cost or valuation                                              

                            At 1 January                   1,071        1,385        1,385

                            Disposal                       (64)        (314)        (314)

                            At 30 June/31 December         1,007        1,071        1,071

                            Amortisation                                                   

                            At 1 January                   196          115          115

                            Provided for the year          52           64           118

                            Eliminated on disposal        (13)         (37)          (37)

                            At 30 June/31 December         235          142           196

                            Net book value                                                 

                            At 30 June/31 December         772          929           875

 
8.  INVESTMENTS HELD AS FIXED ASSETS

                                                                                                       
                                                                         Unaudited                Audited
                                                                   30.6.2002     30.6.2001     31.12.2001 
                                                                     US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

                Exchange memberships - at directors' valuation         81           81            81

                Unlisted investments - at cost                         1,190        1,189         1,190
                                                                       1,271        1,270         1,271


NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED)
 
9.   INVESTMENTS HELD AS CURRENT ASSETS

                                                                                                                      
                                                                                       Unaudited                Audited
                                                                                 30.6.2002     30.6.2001     31.12.2001 
                                                                                    US$'000      US$'000       US$'000
  Listed investments - overseas, at market value                                      711        2,786         1,064

  Unlisted investments - overseas, at directors' valuation                            31         -             30

  Right to trade on or through the Philippine Stock Exchange, at directors'           466        478           454
  valuation                                                                                                           
                                                                                      1,208      3,264         1,548
 
10.  ANALYSIS OF CASH

                                                                                                     
                                                                       Unaudited               Audited
                                                                 30.6.2002    30.6.2001      31.12.2001 
                                                                   US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

                   Bank deposits and cash                           38,517       41,052        36,167

                   Bank loans and overdrafts                       (8,984)      (8,390)       (7,234)
                                                                    29,533       32,662        28,933
                   Less:                                                                             

                   Cash at bank - trust accounts                   (21,377)     (24,372)      (18,827)

                   Time deposits of maturity exceeding 1 day       (2,648)      (2,532)       (2,578)

                   Cash (Note 16)                                   5,508        5,758         7,528




NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED)
 
11.  CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

                                                                                                             
                                                                               Unaudited              Audited
                                                                        30.6.2002      30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                                           US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

           Bank overdrafts                                                 8,984        8,390         7,234

           Trade creditors                                                 37,269       34,449        32,846

           Taxation                                                        32           93            42

           Other creditors, accruals, provisions and deferred income       3,258        1,047         1,419

                                                                           49,543       43,979        41,541
 
12.  PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES
     Deferred taxation represents the tax effect of the excess of depreciation 
     allowances claimed for tax purposes over the depreciation charged in the 
     financial statements. The tax effect of other timing differences, which 
     includes valuation surplus on the valuation of land and building and 
     exchange memberships are not significant and have not been provided. 

                                                                                               
                                                                 Unaudited               Audited
                                                            30.6.2002    30.6.2001     31.12.2001 
                                                             US$'000      US$'000       US$'000
                        Deferred taxation                                                      

                        At 1 January                              30           32            32

                        Profit and loss account charge             -            -           (2)

                        At 30 June/31 December                    30           32            30


A deferred tax asset of approximately US$2,383,000 (2001:US$2,048,000) has not 
been recognised in respect of tax losses available to offset future profits as 
it is not certain when these tax losses will be utilised in the foreseeable 
future. There was no material unprovided deferred tax liability at the balance 
sheet date.



NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED) 


13.   CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL
                                                                                                 
                                                                 Unaudited               Audited
                                                            30.6.2002    30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                               US$          US$           US$

                       Authorised:                                                               

                       ordinary shares of US$1 each         50,000,000   50,000,000    50,000,000

                       Called up, issued and fully paid:                                         

                       ordinary shares of US$1 each         13,367,290   13,367,290    13,367,290


 
14.   RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING LOSS TO NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                                                                                                             
                                                                              Unaudited             Audited
                                                                           Six months ended        Year ended
                                                                        30.6.2002    30.6.2001     31.12.2001 
                                                                           US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

          Operating loss                                                   (1,911)      (3,063)       (7,091)

          Gain on disposal of intangible assets                            (164)        (180)         (181)

          Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets                         -            -             81

          Depreciation                                                      109          147           301

          Provision for doubtful receivables                                369          500           1,193

          Loss on revaluation of investments                                375          -             1,824

          Amortisation of intangible assets                                 52           64            118

          Amortisation of purchased goodwill                                -            98            197

          Exchange difference                                               74          (133)         (38)

          Decrease in investments held as current assets                   (35)          301           199

          Increase in debtors                                              (2,806)      (7,252)       (8,228)

          (Increase)/decrease in cash at bank - trust accounts             (2,550)      (497)         5,048

          Increase in trade creditors                                       4,423        6,449        4,846

          Decrease in other creditors and accruals                         (61)         (725)        (476)

          Net cash outflow from operating activities                       (2,125)      (4,291)       (2,207)



NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT (CONTINUED)
 
15.   RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS

                                                                                                           
                                                                              Unaudited            Audited
                                                                          Six months ended        Year ended
                                                                      30.6.2002    30.6.2001      31.12.2001 
                                                                         US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

              Decrease in cash                                           (2,020)      (3,993)       (2,223)

              Cash outflow from increase in liquid resources              70           25            71

              Movement in net funds                                      (1,950)      (3,968)       (2,152)

              Net funds brought forward                                   10,106       12,258        12,258

              Net funds carried forward                                   8,156        8,290         10,106

 

16.  ANALYSIS OF NET FUNDS

                                                                                                       
                                                                                Unaudited       Audited
                                                                    30.6.2002    30.6.2001    31.12.2001 
                                                                     US$'000      US$'000       US$'000

                 Cash in hand and deposits repayable on demand        14,492       14,148        14,762

                 Bank loans and overdrafts                           (8,984)      (8,390)       (7,234)

                 Cash (Note 10)                                       5,508        5,758         7,528

                 Time deposits of maturity exceeding 1 day            2,648        2,532         2,578

                 Net funds                                            8,156        8,290        10,106



17. COMPARATIVES FIGURES

    Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the
    presentation of the financial statements of the Group for the six months
    ended 30 June 2002.


18. INTERIM REPORT

    The interim report will be posted to shareholders on or about 7 October
    2002.


CORPORATE INFORMATION


Board of directors


Non-Executive Chairman

David Archibald Evelyn LYLE


Executive directors

Henry Ying Chew CHEONG (Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer)

Paul Kwok Kin CHENG (Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director)

Alastair GUNN-FORBES


Non-executive directors

Mark Chung FONG

HO Soo Ching

Yoshiaki WATANABE

Yasumine SATAKE

Makato ITO (Alternate to Yasumine SATAKE)


Company secretary

Paul Kwok Kin CHENG


Registered office address

Cedar House, 41 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda


Registration number

EC21466 Bermuda


Principal bankers

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

1 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong


The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.

7-1 Marunouchi, 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan



CORPORATE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)




Auditors

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Certified Public Accountants

26th Floor, Wing On Centre, 111 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong


Solicitors

Linklaters

One, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ, England


Principal share registrar and transfer office

The Bank of Bermuda Limited

Bank of Bermuda Building, 6 Front Street, Hamilton HMDX, Bermuda


International branch registrar

Capita IRG (Offshore) Limited

Victoria Chambers, Liberation Square,1/3 the Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey,
Channel Islands


United Kingdom transfer agent

Capita IRG plc

Bourne House, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU, England


Investor relations

For further information about Worldsec Limited, please contact:

The Chief Executive Officer

Worldsec Group

11th Floor, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong




PRINCIPAL OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES




HONG KONG


Worldsec Brokerage Limited

Worldsec Futures Limited

Worldsec International Limited

Worldsec Nominees Limited


                Address:     11th Floor, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt

                             Road, Central, Hong Kong

                Telephone:   +(852) 2867 7288     Fax:     +(852) 2810 0281


Worldsec Corporate Finance Limited


                Address:     Room 1601, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road,

                             Central, Hong Kong

                Telephone:   +(852) 2971 4288     Fax:     +(852) 2537 8830


BANGKOK


Worldsec International Limited Thailand representative office


                Address:     Rm 2922/217, 14th Floor, Charn Issara Tower II, New

                             Petch Buri Road, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

                Telephone:   +(662) 718 1818     Fax:     +(662) 718 1828




LONDON


Worldsec International (U.K.) Limited


                Address:     2nd Floor, 6 Broadgate, London, EC2M 2BT, England

                Telephone:   +(44207) 972 0881     Fax:     +(44207) 972 0882




PRINCIPAL OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)




NEW YORK


Worldsec International Securities Inc.


                Address:     919 3rd Avenue, Suite 2700, New York, N.Y. 10022,

                             USA

                Telephone:   +(1212) 371 0888     Fax:     +(1212) 754 0076


SHANGHAI


Worldsec Investment Consulting (Shanghai) & Co. Ltd.


                Address:     Rm G, 15th Floor, Heng Ji Tower, 99 Huaihai Road

                            (E.), Shanghai 200021, China

                Telephone:   +(8621) 6386 4668     Fax:     +(8621) 6386 5727


TAIPEI


Worldsec Investment Consulting (Taiwan) & Co. Ltd.


                Address:     6th Floor, 29 An Ho Road, Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan

                Telephone:   +(8862) 2751 3737     Fax:     +(8862) 2731 2966





                   This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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