Portfolio Update

Merrill Lynch Latin Amer Inv. Trust 21 February 2007 MERRILL LYNCH LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC All information is at 31 January 2007 and unaudited. Performance at month end is calculated with net income reinvested One Three *Since One Three Five Month Months launch Year Years Years Sterling: Net asset value 2.2% 15.4% 13.6% 16.0% 155.3% 155.7% Share price 0.7% 14.9% 13.0% 23.4% 211.5% 228.4% MSCI EM Latin American 1.7% 12.2% 11.8% 12.9% 182.8% 198.4% US Dollars: Net asset value 2.2% 18.4% 28.2% 27.8% 174.5% 254.2% MSCI EM Latin American 1.7% 15.2% 26.2% 24.4% 204.1% 313.2% Sources: BlackRock MLIM, Standard & Poor's Micropal. *Date which BlackRock MLIM took over the investment management of the Company. At month end Net asset value*: 408.99p Share price: 390.00p Total assets: £193.2m Discount: 4.6% Gearing: 0.0% Net yield: 1.3% Ordinary shares in issue: 47,789,753 includes 13 months net revenue equal to 4.84p (after interim dividend paid of 1.31p (2.5 cents)). Geographical Regional Exposure % of Total Assets Brazil 62.3 Mexico 28.6 Chile 6.4 Argentina 2.6 Colombia 0.7 Panama 0.7 Net current liabilities (1.3) ----- Total 100.0 ----- Ten Largest Equity Investments (in alphabetical order) Company Country of Risk AmBev Brazil America Movil Mexico Banco Bradesco Brazil Corporation Geo Mexico CVRD Brazil Grupo Televisa Mexico Petrobras Brazil Tenaris Argentina Unibanco Brazil Walmart de Mexico (Walmex) Mexico Commenting on the markets, Will Landers, representing the Investment Manager noted: Performance For the month of January 2007, the Merrill Lynch Latin American Investment Trust posted a 2.2% increase in its NAV and a 0.7% appreciation for its shares (all in USD). This compared favorably with the 1.7% return posted by the Trust's benchmark, the MSCI EM Latin America Free Index. The approximate 50 basis points outperformance during the first month of the year was derived mostly from positive stock selection in Brazil and Mexico. The Company's overweight holding in CVRD was the largest contributor to positive performance, followed by several mid- and small-cap names in Brazil and Chile. This was partially offset by negative stock selection in Mexico, where the Company's overweight position in Cementos Moctezuma and underweight stake in Telmex were the largest detractors from performance. Transactions/Leverage During January, we rotated stocks between countries, but did not make significant changes to country weights. In Brazil, we increased the Company's exposure to the homebuilding, cable TV, steel and mining sectors, while reducing our exposure to healthcare, utilities, ethanol and wireline telecommunications. In Mexico, we increased the Company's position in America Movil and Televisa while reducing exposure slightly to homebuilders and beverages. We also took some profits in Colombia due to concerns regarding BanColombia's results. Leverage remained at 0% during the month. Positioning The portfolio continues to be positioned to benefit from continued strength in the Brazilian market and select sectors in Mexico. Overall, the portfolio is tilted towards growth in the various domestic economies. In Brazil, we expect interest rates to continue to fall, which along with low inflation and growing income/employment should result in stronger domestic economic growth. In Mexico, the Company's largest position continues to be a pan-regional play on profitable wireless growth via America Movil - we are also overweight homebuilders and retailers. Retailers also represent an overweight position in the Company's Chilean portfolio, along with airlines and financials, as we look to participate in another year of over 5% GDP growth in Chile. We are underweight in materials and energy, but have an overweight position in CVRD and are neutral on Brazilian steels (via Usiminas, where we are overweight at the stock level). Overall, we remain positive on the prospect for Latin American markets in 2007 given a stable macro environment, benign global risk appetite, strong earnings growth and attractive valuations relative to the other global markets. Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.co.uk/its on the internet, 'BLRKINDEX' on Reuters, 'BLRK' on Bloomberg or '8800' on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). 21 February 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings