EIGHT CAPITAL PARTNERS PLC

("Eight Capital" or the "Company")

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2018

Chairman's Interim Report

I am delighted to report on the Company's Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2018. 

Eight Capital Partners Plc is an investment company.  Its objective is to generate an attractive rate of return for shareholders, predominantly through capital appreciation, by taking advantage of opportunities principally to invest in the technology, media, and telecom or financial services sectors.

2018 has brought with it a substantial amount of change for the Company including the sale of its historic operating business, Cogenpower, two name changes, board changes, updates to the Company strategy, and moving from the London AIM exchange to the NEX exchange.  In its new status as a NEX investment company it has successfully made a first investment in the financial services sector and is actively working on follow on investments. 

Operations

Sale of Cogenpower operating business, change of name and admission to the NEX Exchange

The Company (then Cogenpower Plc) confirmed on 14 November 2017 that it had entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement to dispose of its operating subsidiary Cogenpower srl which resulted in a disposal of substantially all its assets and related liabilities (the "Disposal"). Shareholders approved the Disposal at a General Meeting on 1 December 2017.  The Disposal completed on 4 December 2017 and the Company became an AIM Rule 15 Cash Shell.

The Company changed its name to Monreal Plc.  Under the AIM Rules, an AIM Rule 15 Cash Shell and as such, the Company is required to make an acquisition or acquisitions which constitute a reverse takeover under AIM Rule 14 on or before the date falling six months from completion of the Disposal, or be re-admitted to trading on AIM as an investing company under the AIM Rules.  (Readmission as an AIM investing company requires the raising of at least £6 million.)  Failing this, the Company's Ordinary Shares would be suspended from trading on AIM pursuant to AIM Rule 40. Admission to trading on AIM would then be cancelled six months from the date of suspension should the reason for the suspension not have been rectified.

Numerous opportunities were considered by the Company but none found to be suitable.  On 4th June 2018 the Board proposed to shareholders that the Company's shares delist from AIM and instead be admitted to trading on the NEX Exchange Growth Market and its status be changed to an Investment Vehicle under the NEX Growth Market Rules for Issuers.  Following shareholder approval on 22^nd June 2018, Admission to NEX took place on ^3rd July 2018. 

Strategy update, board changes, second name change

I was appointed as Non Executive Chairman in July 2018 (and then Executive Chairman in August 2018).  Shareholders approved an update to the investment strategy and name change to reflect the Company's Investment Company status.

The Board now aims to use its combined investment experience, having invested and managed £billions of capital across Europe, to deliver the new Investment Strategy. 

A full description of the corporate activity can be found on the Company's web site.

Investment since Interim date

The Board sees an opportunity to consolidate sub-scale financial services businesses, improve their operational efficiency to reduce costs and promote cross selling to the combined client base to drive revenues. 

In September 2018 Eight Capital made its first investment in the European financial services sector.  The Company invested in Finance Partners Group S.p.A. ("FP Group"), through the acquisition of €111,100 worth of listed 8% yielding FP Group corporate bonds, expiring in 2020.  The investment generates a strong income on capital invested and is part of a growing strategic relationship with FP Group. FP Group's regulated fund manager has permissions to operate a range of funds including real estate funds, hedge funds and other alternative investment funds. The Group's advisory arm is well placed to benefit from the growing listed capital markets sector in Italy (in particular AIM Italia) and has clients including Unicredit and BNL Banks, Tamoil, Diesel and Zegna fashion brands.

Results

At the interim statement date of 30^th June 2018, the loss before taxation was £190,000 (30^th June 2017 loss: £140,000) with a loss per share of 0.04p (30^th June 2017 loss per share: 0.28p). 

The Company's main asset was cash of £773,000.  Its liabilities were predominantly trade creditors of £43,000. Net assets increased to £739,000 (31^st December 2017: £254,000).  This resulted in a net asset value per share of 0.14p (31^st December 2017: 0.09p).   

Outlook

Eight Capital will consider strategic capital raises in the coming period should the Board feel it prudent to have further funds available to implement its investment strategy. This could be through the issue of equity or through other more accretive instruments. We are encouraged by the number of investors that have expressed an interest in the Company's strategy.

There are a number of potential investments in the financial services and technology sectors under consideration.  These include early and growth stage businesses in the UK and Continental Europe.   

We're delighted to be moving Eight Capital forward with its updated strategy and first strategic investment. The team is working on a strong pipeline of potential opportunities, often with a consolidation theme, to deliver operational efficiencies and cross-selling activity. This has attracted interest from a number of potential sources of capital.

We look forwards to sharing more details of Eight Capital's progress with shareholders in the coming months.

Dominic White

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

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