Final Results

Deutsche Latin American Cos Tst PLC 29 April 2004 DEUTSCHE LATIN AMERICAN COMPANIES TRUST PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2004 Extract from the Chairman's Statement I am delighted to report a significant recovery in the Latin American markets over the year reflected in a 66.1% increase in our share price. Our net asset value per share rose by 56.8% underperforming the MSCI Latin American Free Index in sterling capital terms, which rose by 59.1%. The discount of share price to net asset value narrowed from 20.8% to 16.1% at the year end. We again took an active approach to gearing during the year increasing the loan from £3.2 million to its maximum level of £7 million. Immediately following the year end, this was reduced to £3.9 million for short term tactical reasons. The Board is pleased to note that gearing added value over the year. Our earnings per share rose significantly to 0.97p from 0.61p as a result of better dividend flow from Latin American investments and lower interest rates on our US dollar loan. We are therefore recommending a final dividend of 0.70p per share, 133.3% higher than last year. This will be paid on 2 July 2004 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 4 June 2004. As always the level of dividend will fluctuate from year to year as capital growth remains your Company's priority. Richard Watkins Chairman The final dividend of 0.70p per share will be paid on 2 July 2004 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 4 June 2004. The financial information set out overleaf does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 29 February 2004 or 28 February 2003. The financial information for 2004 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2003 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors have reported on the 2003 accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for 2004, which have not yet been reported on by the Auditors, will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The annual report will be sent to shareholders and will also be made available to the public at the Company's registered office. By order of the Board Registered Office: M Pope One Appold Street Secretary London EC2A 2UU 29 April 2004 For further information please contact: John Murray at Deutsche Investment Trust Managers Limited Tel: 020 7545 6000 Statement of Total Return (incorporating the revenue account*) For the year ended February Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total 2004 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains/(losses) - 14,533 14,533 - (16,204) (16,204) on investments Income 1,306 - 1,306 1,128 - 1,128 Investment (317) - (317) (284) - (284) management fee Other (284) - (284) (238) - (238) expenses Net return 705 14,533 15,238 606 (16,204) (15,598) before finance costs and taxation Interest (89) - (89) (223) - (223) payable Return on 616 14,533 15,149 383 (16,204) (15,821) ordinary activities before tax Tax on (153) - (153) (89) - (89) ordinary activities Return on ordinary activities after tax for the financial 463 14,533 14,996 294 (16,204) (15,910) year attributable to equity shareholders Dividends in (335) - (335) (143) - (143) respect of equity shares Transfer to reserves after proposed dividend of 0.70p per 128 14,533 14,661 151 (16,204) (16,053) share(2003 - 0.30p) Return per ordinary share: Undiluted and 0.97 p 30.39 p 31.36 p 0.61 p (33.89) p (33.28) p diluted *The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. Balance sheet As at year end February 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments 46,244 28,285 Current assets Debtors 1,069 211 Cash at bank and in hand 739 801 1,808 1,012 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (7,566) (3,479) Net current liabilities (5,758) (2,467) Total assets less current liabilities 40,486 25,818 Provisions for liabilities and charges (15) (8) Net assets 40,471 25,810 Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 11,953 11,953 Share premium account 11,752 11,752 Other reserves Special reserve 17,981 17,981 Warrant reserve 4,026 4,026 Warrant exercise reserve 3 3 Capital redemption reserve 4,089 4,089 Capital reserve - realised (17,910) (20,000) Capital reserve - unrealised 7,179 (5,264) Revenue reserve 1,398 1,270 Total equity shareholders' funds 40,471 25,810 Net asset value per ordinary share Diluted 84.65p 53.98p Fully diluted 87.90p 63.72p CASH FLOW STATEMENT As at Year Ended February 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Cash received from investments 1,182 1,081 Interest received 16 104 Cash received from stocklending - 1 Investment management fees paid (298) (311) Cash paid to and on behalf of directors (55) (49) Other cash payments (202) (214) Net cash inflow from operating activities 643 612 Servicing of finance Interest paid (119) (479) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (119) (479) Taxation paid (158) (62) Financial investment Purchase of investments (22,465) (17,139) Sale of investments 18,334 14,952 Net cash outflow from financial investment (4,131) (2,187) Equity dividends paid (143) (96) Financing Drawdown/(part repayment) of bank loan 3,974 (6,369) Netcash inflow/(outflow) from financing 3,974 (6,369) Increase/(decrease) in cash 66 (8,581) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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