London: September 18th, 2008
Impax Group plc ("the Company"), the AIM quoted investment management company targeting the environmental sector, today announces a pre-close statement for the year to 18 September 2008, ahead of the publication of its preliminary results expected on 11 December 2008.
The Company has performed strongly this year and the board expects its results to be materially ahead of market expectations. Despite falling equity markets, assets under management and advisory have increased from £983 million at the end of September 2007 to £1.184 billion on 12 September 2008.
The Company's listed equities division has done well for two reasons. First, the equity portfolios in which we invest have held up relatively well, reflecting the robust earnings growth of our holdings. Between the end of the interim period on 31 March and 12 September 2008, the net asset value of Impax Environmental Markets plc had fallen by 3.2 per cent, a significant out-performance over the MSCI World Index, which was down 10.5 per cent over the same period.
Second, in spite of difficult market conditions, the Company has seen strong inflows from institutional investors, who have committed capital to both pooled funds and segregated mandates. In the latter area, we were recently appointed to manage assets for the UK's Environment Agency Pension Fund, while earlier this year Russell Investments asked the Company to manage a dedicated environmental portfolio. When the equity markets recover, we expect to enjoy growth from both areas.
The Company's private equity division has also enjoyed a very successful year, and our teams have made several new investments. In particular, following further investments by Impax New Energy Investors LP, a fund targeting renewable power projects, we are well placed to raise additional capital for this strategy.
Cash generation has been strong in 2008, enabling the Company to invest further in the people and other resources necessary to extend its platform. With the Company restored to sustainable financial health, the board intends to propose the payment of a small maiden dividend. A resolution to this effect will be included when the preliminary results are released.
Equity markets continue to struggle in the wake of ongoing bad news from the financial sector and sustained worries about the health of the global economy. In the present conditions it is difficult to express a strong view on the timing of a recovery. However, when better sentiment returns, the board is confident that the Company is well positioned for further growth.
About Impax Group plc:
Impax Group plc ("Impax"), which is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, was founded in 1994 as a specialist finance house focusing on the markets for cleaner or more efficient delivery of basic services of energy, water and waste.
These markets are expanding rapidly, as business and political leaders encourage the development of cleaner products and services in response to the increasing pressures placed on the environment.
Impax's dedicated team of professionals, with many years of experience in the financial and environmental sectors, is ideally placed to understand and take advantage of the investment opportunities arising from the fast growing environmental markets. Impax has assets under management or advisory of circa £1.2 billion from institutional and private investors, across a range of listed and private equity funds.
Key facts:
Impax has an extensive track record of identifying compelling investment opportunities in the environmental sector.
Environmental markets are growing at up to 30%, with aggregate revenues in excess of US $200 billion per year.
Impax manages the only "pure-play" environmental investment trust in the FTSE All Share Index. Impax has a team of 13 investment professionals focusing solely on the environmental sector. Impax has been selected to partner FTSE in the development and management of its Environmental Technology Index series.
Impax is a signatory to the UN Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI)
For further information please visit: www.impax.co.uk