Final Results-Replacement

Edinburgh Small Companies Trust PLC 14 August 2000 The issuer has made the following amendment to the Final Results announcement released today at 07:30 under RNS No 3834P. The text should refer to the following:- If approved the final dividend will be paid on 6 October 2000 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 8 September 2000 and not the 4 September as previously stated. All other details remain unchanged. The full corrected version is shown below. ------------------------------------------------------------------- EDINBURGH SMALL COMPANIES TRUST Edinburgh Small Companies Trust plc, the investment trust with an investment objective to achieve long term capital growth by investing in small UK quoted companies mainly with a market capitalisation below £150 million, announces its preliminary results for the year ended 30 June 2000. PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2000 - Outperforms Benchmark by 52% - Net asset value increased by 67.9%, while the benchmark, the Extended Hoare Govett Smaller Companies Index, excluding investment trusts, saw a 15.9% rise - an outperformance of 52% Share price increased by 86.4% to 198.5p At 30 June, gearing represented 16.9% of shareholder funds The fund manager, Alistair Currie, was recently voted UK Smaller Companies Fund Manager of the Year at The Investment Week Annual Awards. For further information, please contact: Alex Gowans, Director, Edinburgh Fund Managers plc 0131 313 1000 Alistair Currie, Director Edinburgh Fund Managers plc 0131 313 1000 Please note that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Investors may not get back the amount they originally invested. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Performance Over the past year the net asset value of Edinburgh Small Companies Trust has increased by 67.9% from 150.39p to 252.48p and the share price has appreciated by 86.4% to 198.5p. The performance has been well ahead of the rise of 15.9% from the benchmark, the Extended Hoare Govett Smaller Companies Index, excluding investment trusts. By comparison the FTSE All-Share Index rose by 2.8%. The outperformance was due to good stock selection and the decision taken in previous years to allocate a considerable part of the portfolio to the fast growing technology and media sectors. The active use of gearing throughout the year, particularly during the first half, also enhanced returns to shareholders. The annual performance figures have disguised a considerable amount of stock market volatility throughout the period under review. In the first eight months, the background for investment in smaller companies was beneficial particularly for companies operating in new economy' sectors including technology, media and telecom, often referred to as the TMT sectors. Share prices rose sharply as investors focussed on the long-term attractions of the development of new technology. Through its large weightings in many of these industries, Edinburgh Small Companies Trust was a prime beneficiary of the rise in share prices. The background remained positive until mid-March but was followed by a period of profit taking in a number of companies. The trust was not immune during this period and some of the earlier gains were eroded. The manager's decision to reduce exposure to a number of holdings which had exceeded short-term expectations and then later to raise liquidity to reduce the impact of gearing in a falling market helped the trust to improve its relative position to the benchmark during this difficult period. Towards the end of the period share prices started to recover and this has continued into the new financial year. Gearing The trust has long term gearing in the form of a £30m debenture due to be repaid in 2023. In line with stated policy, the gearing has been actively managed throughout the year. Whilst the debt is fixed until 2023, the trust does have the ability to reduce the amount of effective gearing by raising cash through the sale of investments. During the first half of the year the average level of the borrowing committed to the market averaged £21m. Liquidity was raised ahead of the fall in equity prices which reduced the impact of being geared into a falling market. The weakness in share prices in the latter part of the year created an attractive buying opportunity and all of the debt is now invested in the equity market. At 30 June 2000 gearing represented 16.9% of shareholder funds. The use of gearing has enhanced the net asset value by approximately 15.1% over the period under review. Share and Warrant Buybacks The company has acquired 1,671,143 warrants for cancellation at a cost of £953,000 over the past twelve months. As the warrants cannot be reissued their cancellation will reduce the dilution which would have occurred on exercise. At 30 June 2000, the trust had 3,091,288 warrants outstanding. No ordinary shares were purchased during the period. The board is however seeking permission from shareholders to renew the authority to purchase up to 14.99% of the shares in the issue. Revenue Account Earnings per share have fallen from 1.86p to 0.81p. Although investment income has remained largely unchanged, the rise in the value of the portfolio has led to an increase in the investment management fee and various administration expenses, which are calculated on the value of the assets. During the year, gross assets increased by 52.8%. Interest receivable was also lower due to a reduction in the cash levels throughout the year. The board is recommending a final and total dividend of 0.75p (1999-1.15p) for the full year. If approved the final dividend will be paid on 6 October 2000 to shareholders on the register at close of business on *8 September 2000.* Shareholders are reminded that the objective of Edinburgh Small Companies Trust is to achieve long-term capital growth. The fall in the earnings which has necessitated a reduction in the dividend is directly attributed to the success in achieving the company's objective. Marketing Initiative The board remains supportive of the Association of Investment Trust Companies 'its' campaign to raise market awareness on the attractions of the investment trust sector. The campaign appears to have started well and initial evidence, including press coverage of the sector and enquiries from the public for more information on investment trusts, is encouraging. The campaign is being funded by the investment trust sector and, in the second year, the company will contribute £22,000 towards the campaign. The company also contributes towards the Edinburgh Fund Managers Investment Trust Initiative, which enables shareholders to invest in Edinburgh Small Companies Trust in a cost effective manner through various saving products such as regular savings schemes, ISAs, Pension Scheme and PEP Transfers. Additional information is also available on the Edinburgh Fund Manager website www.edfd.com. Shareholders can also access more up to date information on the performance and strategy being adopted for the company through The Inside Line, a monthly publication also published on the website. Prospects The immediate outlook for the UK economy is reasonably encouraging. Economic growth may moderate slightly over the coming twelve months but the longer-term trend of sustainable growth is expected to remain intact. Inflationary pressures are subdued and the authorities should have little need to raise interest rates substantially above current levels. Against this background, the smaller companies sector is expected to produce further good returns for shareholders. As always stock selection will be of paramount importance. The growth and development of new technology will continue to provide exciting opportunities for investment. The portfolio already has a good exposure to companies which are benefiting from the significant growth in the TMT sectors. In coming years we anticipate that other young companies able to harness their products to the revolution which is currently taking place through the introduction of new technology will seek stock market listings and we hope to participate in their development as quoted companies. Other smaller companies operating in old economy' industries will remain under pressure to improve efficiencies or return value to shareholders. As a result the level of corporate activity which has been a feature of the past year is likely to continue. Edinburgh Small Companies Trust offers exposure to both of these areas of the market and the board continues to view the outlook for investment in smaller companies with optimism. Alex Gowans resigned from the board on 27 April 2000 and, on behalf of the board and shareholders, I wish to thank him for his contribution towards the company. Alex continues to contribute to the company's affairs as a director of the manager, Edinburgh Fund Managers plc. I am also pleased to tell you that your trust's fund manager, Alistair Currie, was recently voted UK smaller companies fund manager of the year at The Investment Week Annual Awards. Donald MacDonald, Chairman 14 August 2000 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN for the year ended 30 June 2000 (audited) Revenue Capital Total £000 £000 £000 Net gains on investments - 74,366 74,366 Loss on early sales of treasury - (4) (4) bills Buy back of warrants - (521) (521) Income from investments 2,763 - 2,763 Interest receivable 444 - 444 Other income 31 - 31 Investment management fee (1,168) (1,168) (2,336) Administrative expenses (337) (120) (457) ______ ______ ______ Return before finance costs and 1,733 72,553 74,286 taxation Interest payable and similar (1,141) (1,141) (2,282) charges ______ ______ ______ Return on ordinary activities 592 71,412 72,004 before taxation Taxation (30) 26 (4) ______ ______ ______ Return attributable to equity 562 71,438 72,000 shareholders Dividend in respect of equity (522) - (522) shares ______ ______ ______ Transfer to reserves 40 71,438 71,478 ______ ______ ______ Return per ordinary share 0.81p 102.73p 103.54p ______ ______ ______ Diluted return per ordinary 0.79p 100.64p 101.43p share ______ ______ ______ for the year ended 30 June 1999 (audited) Revenue Capital Total £000 £000 £000 Net losses on investments - (6,300) (6,300) Buy back of warrants - (228) (228) Income from investments 2,788 - 2,788 Interest receivable 658 - 658 Other income 17 - 17 Investment management fee (685) (685) (1,370) Administrative expenses (253) - (253) ______ ______ ______ Return before finance costs and 2,525 (7,213) (4,688) taxation Interest payable and similar (1,147) (1,141) (2,288) charges ______ ______ ______ Return on ordinary activities 1,378 (8,354) (6,976) before taxation Taxation (88) 78 (10) ______ ______ ______ Return attributable to equity 1,290 (8,276) (6,986) shareholders Dividend in respect of equity (800) - (800) shares ______ ______ ______ Transfer to reserves 490 (8,276) (7,786) Return per ordinary share 1.86p (11.90p) (10.04p) ______ ______ ______ Diluted return per ordinary - - - share ______ ______ ______ BALANCE SHEET (audited) At 30 June At 30 June 2000 1999 £000 £000 Fixed assets Investments 205,292 130,011 _______ _______ Current assets 3,406 7,470 Current liabilities 3,110 2,911 _______ _______ Net current assets 296 4,559 _______ _______ 205,588 134,570 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one 30,954 30,996 year _______ _______ 174,634 103,574 _______ _______ Capital and reserves Called up share capital 17,386 17,382 Reserves 157,248 86,192 _______ _______ Total equity shareholders' 174,634 103,574 funds _______ _______ Net asset value per share 252.48p 150.39p Diluted net asset value per 245.99p 147.16p share CASHFLOW STATEMENT (audited) For the For the year ended year 30 June ended 2000 30 June 1999 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from 630 1,916 operating activities Net cash outflow from (2,324) (2,069) servicing of finance Total tax paid (2) 501 Net cash outflow from (1,167) (4,103) financial investment Equity dividends paid (279) (1,042) ______ ______ Net cash outflow before (3,142) (4,797) financing Net cash outflow from (1,059) 15,417 financing Management of liquid 5,963 (5,967) resources ______ ______ INCREASE IN CASH 1,762 4,653 ______ ______ NOTES: 1. The accounts are prepared under the same accounting policies used for the year to 30 June 1999 except for the reporting of investment income. In accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 16 Current Tax', dividends received from UK companies are now reported net of the tax credit and therefore the figures in relation to 1999 have been restated. 2. The financial information for the year ended 30 June 1999 has been extracted from the Annual Report and Accounts of the company which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and contained an unqualified auditors' report. The statutory accounts for 2000 are unqualified and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's Annual General Meeting which will be held at the registered office of the company, Donaldson House, 97 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD on Thursday 5 October 2000 at 11.00am. 3. The statement of total return (incorporating the revenue account) and balance sheet set out above do not represent full accounts in accordance with Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 4. The investment management fee in each case includes irrecoverable VAT calculated at 17.5%. 5. The final dividend, subject to shareholder approval, will be paid on 6 October 2000 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 8 September 2000. The ex-dividend date is 4 September 2000. 6. The Annual Report will be posted to shareholders on 1 September 2000 and copies will be available from the registered office of the company. For Edinburgh Small Companies Trust plc Edinburgh Fund Managers plc, Secretary David Holland Assistant Secretary
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