Ad-hoc | 29 July 2008 07:15
NEW VALUE AG / Miscellaneous
Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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In the first quarter of the 2008/09 business year, New Value continued to
strengthen its equity portfolio of Swiss growth companies: Net Asset Value
(NAV) rose by 11%, to CHF 30.54 per share. In the same period, the share
price of New Value rose by 1%, to CHF 21.00, thereby defying the overall
market, which was in decline. In the reporting period, New Value made a new
investment in Qualilife SA, a software company based in the Ticino.
Portfolio holding 3S Industries AG took over a German company, Somont GmbH,
and successfully concluded a capital increase of over CHF 62 million.
Finally, Colorplaza SA became part of FotoDesk Group AG, of which New Value
became a shareholder through an exchange of shares. Gerhart Isler, former
publisher and chairman of the Board of Directors of Finanz und Wirtschaft
AG, joined the board of New Value.
The Net Asset Value of New Value continued its upward trend even in the
2008/09 business year, rising by 11 %, to CHF 30.54 per share, in the first
quarter which ended on 30 June 2008. Nor did the hoped-for decline in
market volatility materialize in the quarter gone by. Above all, a poor
June wiped out the recovery in April and May. It was thus all the more
gratifying to see the share price of New Value holding steady, even adding
1 % in the quarter-to-quarter comparison, while the SPI Index, for example,
lost ground, giving up 2 %.
3S Industries AG (previously 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG) took over Somont
GmbH, a German specialty producer of string soldering machines. By this
move, 3S in the future will have at its disposal all the key technologies
needed to create production facilities for solar modules (stringing,
laminating and testing). This strategic step strengthens its international
competitiveness and enables it to quickly set up and expand new business
areas. The acquisition of Somont was financed around 35 % in cash and 65 %
in shares. To finance the takeover as well as finance the company's growth,
3S at the beginning of July carried out a capital increase, with Landesbank
Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) acting as Sole Lead Manager. The capital increase
was fully placed despite the volatile stock market environment. 3S received
a cash inflow of CHF 62.05 million (gross). A company study recently
prepared by LBBW contains a target price of CHF 34.00 for 3S shares. For
technical reasons of portfolio management, New Value decided not to
increase its holdings of 3S Industries, thereby adhering to its portfolio's
broad sector diversification. Due to the non-exercise of its subscription
rights, New Value's percentage holding of the share capital of 3S
Industries AG was reduced to 17.0 % at the beginning of July.
New Value's portfolio holding Colorplaza SA has become a part of FotoDesk
Group AG. The company is setting up an Online Photo Service, presently
unique, that brings together photo processing, sharing of digital photos,
storage and photo printing. FotoDesk also acquired flauntR
(www.flauntr.com), a comprehensive online provider of photo processing,
storage and sharing services (exchanging and mutual access). flauntR is
also getting excellent marks, from both users and industry experts alike,
for its fast and user-friendly system. Upon the conclusion of the
transaction, New Value now holds 45 % of FotoDesk Group AG's shares.
Gerhart Isler joins the Board of New Value
At the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of 10 July 2008, Gerhard
Isler was newly elected to the Board of Directors of New Value. Until 2004,
entrepreneur Isler was a publisher and Chairman of the Board of Finanz und
Wirtschaft AG. He is currently active on the boards of Publigroupe SA,
Ypsomed AG and the Baden Grand Casino.
Additional information regarding New Value
New Value, listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange, directly invests in
up-and-coming private companies, from Switzerland and other German-speaking
areas, with above-average market and growth potential. As an investment
company, New Value encourages innovative business models using venture
capital, and provides them with support until success on the market is
achieved. The portfolio includes companies of different degrees of
maturity, all the way from market launch up through their establishment as
medium-sized operations with stable profits. A conscious choice has been
made to adopt a broad-based approach. The portfolio has companies
representing the areas of renewable energy, medical technology, health,
information technology and new materials. In selecting its holdings, New
Value sets great store on ethical business concepts and good corporate
governance. Criteria such as being meaningful, socially responsible and
economically sustainable are regarded by New Value as decisive competitive
advantages, having the effect of promoting the quality of products and
services offered and thereby making above-average performance potential
possible. Since New Value was founded, EPS Value Plus AG, Zurich, has
served as Investment Manager.
29.07.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: NEW VALUE AG
Bodmerstrasse 9
8027 Zürich
Schweiz
Phone: +41-43-344 38 38
Fax: +41-43-344 38 39
E-mail: info@newvalue.ch
Internet: www.newvalue.ch
ISIN: CH0010819867
WKN: 552932
Listed: Freiverkehr in Berlin, Stuttgart, München, Düsseldorf; Open
Market in Frankfurt; Foreign Exchange(s) SWX
End of News DGAP News-Service
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