Final Results

F&C Capital & Income Inv Tst PLC 27 November 2007 Date: 27 November 2007 Contact: Julian Cane F&C Management Limited 020 7628 8000 F&C Capital and Income Investment Trust plc Audited Preliminary Statement of Results for the year ended 30 September 2007 HIGHLIGHTS • Total dividend increase of 13.8%, the largest increase since launch; • Over five years, the dividend has grown at a compound rate of 7.1%, well in excess of retail price inflation ; • Net asset value ("NAV") per share up 3.9% compared to a rise in the Benchmark, the FTSE All-Share Index, of 8.7%; • Long-term performance continues to be well ahead of benchmark. SUMMARY OF RESULTS Attributable to equity shareholders 30 September 2007 30 September 2006 % Change Net assets £204.13m £200.76m +1.7 Net asset value per share 258.76p 249.03p +3.9 Net revenue after tax £6.60m £5.88m +12.3 Return per share - revenue 8.25p 7.25p +13.8 Dividends per share 7.40p 6.50p +13.8 Share price 243.25p 233.50p +4.2 The Chairman, commenting on the results, said: The Board is proposing a final dividend of 2.4 pence per share, which makes a total increase year-on-year of 13.8%. This maintains the record of rising annual dividends every year since launch. However, the gain in our net asset value ("NAV") per share was a relatively disappointing 3.9% compared to a rise in our Benchmark, the FTSE All-Share Index, of 8.7%. This is against a background of fluctuating global stock markets which became increasingly volatile because of the uncertainty of the impact of the US sub-prime mortgage crisis. Our long-term performance continues to be well ahead of our benchmark. Capital performance During the summer and autumn the problems in the US sub-prime mortgage market created very considerable uncertainty about the prospects for economic growth in the US and elsewhere. The response of the US monetary authorities in reducing interest rates and the injection of extra liquidity into the markets by the European Central Bank seemed to restore confidence and stock markets showed more resilience than many analysts predicted. Despite the run on Northern Rock, the UK stock market recovered most of its lost ground and by the end of the year was 8.7% higher than a year earlier. The UK stock market benefited during the year from reasonable levels of earnings and dividend growth and from continued corporate activity in mergers and acquisitions. Although the recent NAV performance of the Company has been somewhat disappointing, as already stated our results over the longer term have been good. This was primarily because we were relatively defensively positioned when the market was weak, but also kept a little ahead of the market when conditions turned more positive. Throughout this time, the investment approach used has been to focus predominantly on UK companies with a higher than average dividend yield and on their ability to increase the dividend significantly. At the beginning of the year the Board reviewed this investment approach to consider whether there was a convincing case for increasing our risk appetite and therefore broadening the range of assets in our portfolio in pursuit of higher returns. We concluded that our shareholders had actively chosen our existing investment policy when they decided to buy shares in the Company and that it would be wrong to change it. Revenue and dividend The Company has recorded a good increase in revenue and earnings over the year allowing us to declare our largest increase in the dividend since launch in 1992. Income from investments, net return before taxation, and net return to shareholders all increased by more than 12% as many companies within the portfolio reported strong levels of dividend growth. Revenue return per share increased by 13.8% as there was a positive impact from the share buy-back programme. The proposed final dividend of 2.4 pence per share brings the total dividend for the year to 7.4 pence per share, an increase of 13.8%. Over five years, the dividend has grown at a compound rate of 7.1%, well in excess of retail price inflation. Share price performance and discount The Directors remain committed to ensuring that the Company's share price does not trade at a material discount to NAV and to this end the Company maintains an active share buy-back programme. The share price started the year at a discount to NAV of 6.2% and finished at a discount of 6.0%, with an average discount over the year of 5.6%. In total 1.73 million shares, representing 2.1% of the shares in issue, were bought at an average discount of 6.8%. Gearing Throughout the year, the Company borrowed money to invest in equities. The amounts borrowed were relatively modest at between £8m and £13m compared to shareholders' equity of over £200m. Over the year as a whole the impact of gearing was marginal as the total return on the portfolio was very similar to the cost of borrowing. Shareholders The Board continues to value the benefits of a diversified shareholder base and is encouraged that there is a continued increase in the number of investors attracted to the Company via the F&C savings schemes. For historical reasons, the shareholder base has been dominated by investors who first came to the Company via Personal Equity Plans, but it is encouraging that there are now more than 6,500 investors via the Child Trust Fund and a growing number via the Individual Savings Account and the Private Investor Plan. VAT The Association of Investment Companies, of which the Company is a member, has recently won an important case in the European Court of Justice for all investment trust companies in the UK. It frees them in the future from VAT on management fees, thus reducing their total costs. The UK authorities have accepted the ruling in principle and it is highly probable that the Company will be able to recover at least some of the VAT suffered in the past on management fees. The Board is in discussion with the Manager and the Association of Investment Companies on how to calculate and recover the amounts due to us. The claims will also include VAT paid in earlier years by F&C Income Growth Investment Trust ("FIGIT") before it merged with the Company in 2005. It is for this reason FIGIT has been kept in legal being, albeit as a dormant company in liquidation. We are not yet able to quantify the size of our claims nor to know when it will be paid. Continuation Vote There will be a triennial vote at this year's AGM on whether the Company should continue. Having consideration for the long-term record of capital performance and dividend growth, the Board believes it is in shareholders' best interests to continue and therefore encourages all shareholders to vote in favour of the resolution to be put to the AGM. Directors will be voting all their shares in favour of this resolution. Prospects At the time of writing it is impossible to foresee the full impact on the real economy of the turmoil in credit markets . If many banks have large losses and are forced to restrict rates of further lending, future rates of growth of the economy and of asset prices are likely to be reduced. The evidence, especially in the property sector, that this slowdown has started is getting stronger, although employment levels and consumer spending remain fairly robust despite high levels of personal indebtedness. There seems to be little impact on the economies of China and India which are fast becoming locomotive global economies. However, while interest rates are expected to decline over the next year, the inflationary pressures resulting from the recent sharp rise in oil prices will be a restraining influence on the Bank of England. On balance the risks to growth are increasing and the weakness of the dollar could add to strains in the financial sector. The current valuation of the UK stock market is being tested by these uncertainties but current expectations for further growth in earnings and dividends remain quite encouraging. We may be in for a rather bumpy ride in the stock market but with dividends so far comfortably covered by earnings and the prospect of reasonable rates of future income growth from the portfolio, the outlook for the Company's own dividends remains positive. Pen Kent November 2007 INCOME STATEMENT for the year ended 30 September 2007 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Gains on investments - 8,734 8,734 - 22,769 22,769 Exchange gains/(losses) - 1 1 1 (24) (23) Income 7,947 - 7,947 7,088 - 7,088 Management fee (513) (513) (1,026) (472) (472) (944) Other expenses (508) (4) (512) (476) (17) (493) Net return before finance costs and taxation 6,926 8,218 15,144 6,141 22,256 28,397 Interest payable and similar charges (285) (285) (570) (229) (229) (458) Net return on ordinary activities before taxation 6,641 7,933 14,574 5,912 22,027 27,939 Taxation on ordinary activities (37) - (37) (33) - (33) Net return attributable to equity shareholders 6,604 7,933 14,537 5,879 22,027 27,906 Return per ordinary share - pence 8.25 9.92 18.17 7.25 27.18 34.43 The total column is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. A statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required as all gains and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above statement. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Total Called-up Share Capital equity share premium redemption Special Capital Revenue shareholders' capital account reserve reserve reserves reserve funds For the year ended £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s 30 September 2007 Balance brought forward at 20,548 76,334 3,154 10,313 85,648 4,758 200,755 1 October 2006 Dividends paid - - - - - (6,882) (6,882) Purchase of ordinary shares - - - (4,279) - - (4,279) held in treasury Return attributable to equity - - - - 7,933 6,604 14,537 shareholders Balance carried forward at 20,548 76,334 3,154 6,034 93,581 4,480 204,131 30 September 2007 Total Called-up Share Capital equity share premium redemption Special Capital Revenue shareholders' capital account reserve reserve reserves reserve funds For the year ended £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s 30 September 2006 Balance brought forward at 20,548 76,334 3,154 11,960 63,621 3,729 179,346 1 October 2005 Dividends paid - - - - - (4,850) (4,850) Purchase of ordinary shares - - - (1,647) - - (1,647) held in treasury Return attributable to equity - - - - 22,027 5,879 27,906 shareholders Balance carried forward at 20,548 76,334 3,154 10,313 85,648 4,758 200,755 30 September 2006 BALANCE SHEET At 30 September 2007 2006 £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Fixed assets Investments 213,328 203,978 Current assets Debtors 875 3,069 Cash at bank and short-term deposits 346 3,152 1,221 6,221 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Loans (10,000) (8,000) Other (418) (1,444) (10,418) (9,444) Net current liabilities (9,197) (3,223) Net assets 204,131 200,755 Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 20,548 20,548 Share premium account 76,334 76,334 Capital redemption reserve 3,154 3,154 Special reserve 6,034 10,313 Capital reserves 93,581 85,648 Revenue reserve 4,480 4,758 Total equity shareholders' funds 204,131 200,755 Net asset value per ordinary share - pence 258.76 249.03 CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 30 September 2007 2006 £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Operating activities Investment income received 7,824 6,970 Interest received 61 70 Other revenue 10 13 Fee paid to management company (868) (781) Fees paid to Directors (80) (80) Other cash payments (571) (475) Net cash inflow from operating activities 6,376 5,717 Servicing of finance Interest paid (575) (455) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (575) (455) Taxation Overseas tax paid (41) (21) UK tax paid (3) - Total tax paid (44) (21) Financial investment Purchase of equities and other investments (52,115) (50,189) Sales of equities and other investments 52,872 53,717 Other expenses (5) (19) Net cash inflow from financial 752 3,509 investment Equity dividends paid (6,882) (4,850) Net cash (outflow)/inflow before use of liquid resources and financing (373) 3,900 Management of liquid resources (Increase)/ decrease in short-term deposits (4) 1,700 Financing Sterling loans raised/(repaid) 2,000 (500) Purchase of ordinary shares (4,434) (1,605) Net cash outflow from financing (2,434) (2,105) (Decrease)/increase in cash (2,811) 3,495 Reconciliation of net cash flow movement to movement in net debt (Decrease)/increase in cash (2,811) 3,495 Increase/(decrease) in short-term deposits 4 (1,700) (Increase)/decrease in short-term loans (2,000) 500 Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (4,807) 2,295 Exchange movement on currency balances 1 (24) Movement in net debt during the period (4,806) 2,271 Net debt brought forward (4,848) (7,119) Net debt carried forward (9,654) (4,848) Notes 1 DIVIDENDS The Directors recommend a final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 September 2007 of 2.40p (2007: 2.10p) per share, payable on 31 January 2008 to all shareholders on the register at close of business on 4 January 2008. The recommended final dividend is subject to approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. 2 RETURN PER ORDINARY SHARE Revenue return The revenue return per share is based on the revenue return attributable to equity shareholders of £6,604,000 (2006: £5,879,000). Capital return The capital return per share is based on the capital return attributable to equity shareholders of £7,933,000 (2006: £22,027,000). Both the revenue and capital returns per share are based on a weighted average of 80,004,514 (2006: 81,045,828) ordinary shares in issue during the year. Shares held in treasury have been excluded from the weighted average number of shares in issue with effect from the date of purchase. 3 FINANCIAL INFORMATION The above financial information comprises non-statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the year ended 30 September 2006 has been extracted from published accounts for the year ended 30 September 2006 that have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the report of the auditors was unqualified. 4 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 28 January 2008 at 11.30 am at the offices of F&C Management Limited at Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY. 5 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS The Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in early December 2007. Copies may be obtained thereafter 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 27 November 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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