Interim Management Statement

Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC Interim Management Statement - 3 months to 30 June 2008 Investment Objective The Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC ("MUSCIT") was launched in March 1995 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Initial investments may be made in UK companies with a market capitalisation lower than the largest constituent of the Hoare Govett Smaller Companies Index ("the HGSC") which represents the smallest 10% by value of the UK stock market. Investments may be held if they rise above the HGSC. The investment policy remains to focus on the "smaller" end of the quoted UK small companies market. The benchmark is the FTSE SmallCap (excluding Investment Companies) Index ("SmallCap"). The investment objective is capital growth. Benchmark FTSE SmallCap (excluding Investment Companies) Net Asset Value Total Return Performance 3 months 1 year 3 years 5 years Launch MUSCIT (2.0%) (17.6%) 32.4% 105.0% 221.1% Benchmark (7.0%) (33.6%) (6.5%) 33.1% 118.4% Performance Summary (capital only) As at 30 June As at 31 March Movement 2008 2008 Gross assets £116,948,745 £117,857,395 (0.8%) Net asset value 295.3p 304.5p (3.0%) per share Share price 238.0p 245.0p (2.9%) Discount (19.4%) (19.55%) Potential 14.92% 14.65% Gearing Net Gearing 1.94% 3.80% Period Review The macro-economic news has continued to deteriorate over the course of the past three months. The British economy is simultaneously facing the twin forces of rising commodity prices and slowing growth. Set against a backdrop of continued uncertainty in the British housing market and an ongoing credit crisis, there has been a discernible squeeze on the consumer's pocket. It is easy to see why the FTSE UK Smaller Companies Index has now seen five consecutive quarters of negative returns. Over the past three months the FTSE UK Smaller Companies Index excluding Investment Companies was down 17%. Since the 4th June 2007 the Index is down over 45%, highlighting the fact we have entered a bear market. MUSCIT's continued focus on profitable, quality businesses that enjoy good visibility of earnings and healthy cash generation has continued to serve investors well. Over the last three months the Company's NAV is down 2%, which represents outperformance of 5%. The Company has been helped by retaining underweight positions in Real Estate and General Financials, which have been two of the hardest hit sectors. It has also run a low level of net gearing over the period. We have done little trading over the past three months as we have heightened our focus on our existing holdings. It has not been possible to avoid all the banana skins that have been out there. There were disappointing trading updates from Eaga and Superglass, who have both suffered from weakness in construction related markets. Additionally, in the wake of a banking crisis the market has reappraised the state of corporate balance sheets. What eighteen months ago was perceived to be an efficient balance sheet, is now considered stretched. UTV (Media) and Holidaybreak (Leisure) have both come under pressure as a result. Strong absolute returns have been possible. Two common themes connecting our best performing holdings have been the oil price and M&A activity. Dana Petroleum and Venture Productions have been particular beneficiaries of the oil price moving over $140 per barrel. The Company also saw two takeovers during the period. IBS OpenSystems, a public sector software business, was acquired by Capita, while Gibbs and Dandy, a regional builder's merchants, was acquired by St. Gobain. Material Events At the Company's AGM on 18 July 2008 all Resolutions put to the meeting were passed. The announcement of the results, including proxy votes, can be found on the Company's website. Following approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 18 July 2008, a final dividend of 3.65p (2007: 2.65p) will be paid on 18 August 2008 to shareholders on the register on 13 June 2008. Since the 31st March 2008 the Company has bought a total of 145,000 shares for cancellation. This interim management statement and up to date NAV is available at www.montanarouksmaller.co.uk Top Ten Holdings as at 30 June 2008 Company Sector % of total portfolio Dechra Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 3.2 Chloride Group Electronic & Electrical 3.0 Equipment Fisher (J) & Sons Industrial Transportation 3.0 Dignity General Retailers 3.0 Wilmington Group Media 2.5 BPP Holdings Support Services 2.5 Hargreaves Services Support Services 2.4 Fenner Industrial Engineering 2.3 Scott Wilson Group Support Services 2.3 Latchways Support Services 2.3 Total 26.5 Sector Breakdown Sector % of total % of market portfolio Aerospace & Defense 4.5% 1.7% Beverages 1.3% 0.8% Chemicals 4.6% 2.3% Construction & Materials 1.9% 3.7% Electronic & Electrical 8.6% 2.3% Equipment Food Producers 1.8% 4.4% General Financial 4.7% 8.6% General Retailers 5.5% 7.0% Health Care Equipment & 4.6% 2.6% Services Industrial Engineering 5.3% 3.9% Industrial Transportation 3.0% 4.8% Leisure Goods 1.2% 0.4% Life & Nonlife Insurance 0.0% 3.4% Media 3.2% 4.0% Oil & Gas Producers 3.4% 1.5% Other 0.0% 3.6% Pharmaceuticals & 5.5% 6.3% Biotechnology Real Estate 4.5% 10.3% Software & Computer Services 9.0% 7.4% Support Services 24.9% 11.4% Technology Hardware & Telecoms 0.0% 5.3% Travel & Leisure 2.5% 4.5% 100.0% 100.0% This Interim Management Statement and up to date NAV and Share Price are available at the Company's website www.montanarouksmaller.co.uk.
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