Interim Results

Foreign & Colonial Eurotrust PLC 01 June 2004 Date: 1 June 2004 Contact: Stephen White Lisa Stanley F&C Management Limited Lansons Communications 020 7628 8000 020 7294 3692 FOREIGN & COLONIAL EUROTRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Statement of Results for the half-year ended 31 March 2004 HIGHLIGHTS • Between the year end at 30 September 2003 and 31 March 2004, the net assets per share rose from 433.7p to 474.7p, an increase of 9.5%. This compares with a similar gain of 9.5% over the same period in the FTSE All-World Europe Index. • Over the six months, the European equity markets recovered further from the lows to which they had fallen in the run-up to the Iraq war. SUMMARY OF RESULTS 31 March 2004 30 September 2003 % change Net assets £335.46m £319.83m +4.9 Net asset value per share 474.71p 433.71p +9.5 Ordinary shares in issue 70,665,614 73,743,568 -4.2 Share price 400.00p 349.50p +14.4 6 months to 6 months to 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 Revenue loss per share (0.78)p (0.24)p Chairman's Statement Dear Shareholder Between the year end at 30 September 2003 and 31 March 2004, the net assets per share rose from 433.7p to 474.7p, an increase of 9.5%. This compares with a similar gain of 9.5% over the same period in the FTSE All-World Europe Index, which excludes the United Kingdom and is adjusted for the movement in sterling against the European currencies. Review of Markets Over the six months, the European equity markets recovered further from the lows to which they had fallen in the run-up to the Iraq war. Investors were encouraged by signs of growing business and consumer confidence. At the same time, interest rates remained at very low levels as the central banks on both sides of the Atlantic made it clear that they were in no hurry to tighten monetary policy. Company results were largely as expected. While the strength of the euro weighed heavily, investors seemed happy to look through the currency influence and to focus more on improving business trends and the upbeat accompanying outlook statements. As confidence in the equity markets grew, not only did volumes on the exchanges recover, but there was a revival in merger and acquisition activity, the largest being Sanofi's €49bn unexpected and hostile bid for its French pharmaceutical rival, Aventis. Towards the end of the period, the markets saw some profit taking as a clutch of disappointing economic data and news of the atrocious bombings in Madrid led some to question the sustainability of the recovery. Over the six month period, the better performing sectors included technology, many industrials and the financials as investors looked to the improving business and financial conditions, while the poorer performers included many of the more defensive issues, such as the foods, consumer goods and oils. Portfolio Strategy We made only a few changes to the portfolio over the period, seeing no reason to alter our investment stance and its focus on companies likely to benefit from improving economic and financial conditions. We increased further our weightings in telecoms and technology, encouraged by the healthy mobile subscriber numbers, the improving financial situation of the operators and the acceleration in the roll-out of the third generation mobile networks. We also added to the insurers on signs of an improvement in the underwriting cycle and as their asset base strengthened with the recovery in the financial markets. We financed these moves through again reducing our exposure to some of the more defensive sectors, such as the foods, utilities and pharmaceuticals, where we felt the earnings outlook was dull by comparison and where valuations were stretched. We also cut our weighting in the oil sector despite a rise in the oil price as we felt the sector looked fully valued. The gearing of the Company rose a little further over the period as we financed further buying-in of shares on attractive discounts through increased borrowings. The current level of effective gearing is around 6%. It is the policy of the Board that the level of effective gearing should not exceed 20%. Unaudited Figures The revenue account for the period, as is usually the case at the interim stage, shows a loss owing to the fact that most European companies declare their annual dividend in the summer months, while costs are incurred throughout. The interim figures should thus not be taken as indicative of the revenue for the full year. The loss this period is greater than at the interim stage last year owing to lower dividend income with the appreciation of sterling against the euro and a higher management fee with the rise in the value of the portfolio compared to a year ago. Douglas McDougall May 2004 Unaudited Balance Sheet 31 March 2004 31 March 2003 30 September 2003 £'000s £'000s £'000s Fixed assets Investments 354,455 277,237 330,054 Current assets Debtors 557 996 1,360 Taxation recoverable 379 494 568 Short-term deposits - - 7,010 Cash at bank 899 212 677 1,835 1,702 9,615 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Foreign currency loans (19,725) (11,736) (12,617) Other (1,107) (989) (7,221) (20,832) (12,725) (19,838) Net current liabilities (18,997) (11,023) (10,223) Net assets 335,458 266,214 319,831 Capital and Reserves Called up equity share capital 17,666 18,539 18,436 Capital redemption reserve 1,145 272 375 Share premium 123,749 123,749 123,749 Capital reserves 189,959 120,406 173,766 Revenue reserve 2,939 3,248 3,505 Total equity shareholders' funds 335,458 266,214 319,831 Net asset value per ordinary share - pence 474.71 358.99 433.71 The geographical distribution of investments at 31 March 2004 was: France - 33.8%; Switzerland - 19.2%; Germany - 15.3%; Netherlands - 12.6%; Finland - 5.5%; Italy - 4.5%; Spain - 4.2%; Sweden - 3.6%; United Kingdom - 1.0%; Denmark - 0.3%. Unaudited Statement of Total Return (incorporating the Revenue Account*) for the 6 months to 31 March 2004 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Gains on investments - 28,195 28,195 - 5,892 5,892 Exchange (losses)/gains (36) 513 477 32 (852) (820) Income 1,201 - 1,201 1,355 - 1,355 Management fee (1,067) - (1,067) (845) - (845) Other expenses (389) (13) (402) (419) (12) (431) Net return before finance costs and taxation (291) 28,695 28,404 123 5,028 5,151 Interest payable and similar charges (194) - (194) (158) - (158) Return on ordinary activities before taxation (485) 28,695 28,210 (35) 5,028 4,993 Taxation on ordinary activities (81) - (81) (143) - (143) Return attributable to equity shareholders (566) 28,695 28,129 (178) 5,028 4,850 Dividend on ordinary shares - - - - - - Amount transferred (from)/to reserves (566) 28,695 28,129 (178) 5,028 4,850 Return per ordinary share - pence (0.78) 39.69 38.91 (0.24) 6.72 6.48 * 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. Unaudited Summarised Cash Flow Statement for the 6 months to 31 March 2004 2003 2002 2001 £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Net cash outflow from operating activities (594) (309) (374) (1,622) Interest paid (185) (161) (66) (1,035) Taxation paid (528) (68) (61) 167 Net cash inflow from financial investment 3,921 3,269 Equity dividends paid (4,721) (3,526) (1,731) (1,279) Net cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (2,107) (795) (596) 21,357 Decrease in short-term deposits 6,944 - (11,156) (10,693) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (4,540) 612 6,690 (8,598) Increase/(decrease) in cash during the 297 (183) (5,062) 2,066 period Notes The Interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's financial statements at 30 September 2003. The Board recommends that no interim dividend payment be made. The Interim Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in mid June 2004. Copies may be obtained during normal business hours from the Company's Registered Office, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY. By order of the Board F&C Management Limited, Secretary 28 May 2004 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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