Final Results

Edinburgh Worldwide Inv Trust PLC 10 December 2003 EDINBURGH WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT TRUST plc Results for the year to 31 October 2003 Chairman's Statement 31 October 2003 Global equity markets staged a recovery in the second half of the period under review after having endured extremely volatile conditions in the first six months. The prospect of war in the Middle East and economic uncertainty weighed heavily on investors for most of the first half of the year but, as it became apparent that the conflict in Iraq would be resolved quickly, equity markets recovered in March and April. Global equity markets received a further boost in subsequent months from stronger economic data and better than expected corporate profits, particularly in North America. The net asset value per share rose by 7.3% to 162.75p for the twelve months to 31 October 2003 compared with a rise of 12.1% for the company's benchmark, the MSCI World Index in sterling terms. The under-performance of the net asset value against our benchmark was attributable to poor returns in the equity portfolio, particularly from our European and North American holdings, and the costs of charging a proportion of our finance costs and investment management fees to the capital account. The company's share price rose by 6.1% to 130.5p and represented a discount of 19.8% to the net asset value at 31 October 2003 - at the start of the year the discount was standing at 18.9%. Investment Manager The performance of the company has been disappointing recently. During the summer months, the board undertook a detailed review of the company's investment management arrangements with the objective of enhancing shareholder value through both improved investment performance and a reduction in the discount of the company's share price to net asset value. Bestinvest (Research) Ltd acted as advisers to the board for this review. After an extensive process, the board appointed Baillie Gifford & Co to manage the company in place of Edinburgh Fund Managers plc, with effect from 1 November 2003. In addition to Baillie Gifford's expertise in managing global equities, the board was impressed by their commitment to the investment trust sector and believes that Baillie Gifford offers the potential for that enhancement of shareholder value. The board is grateful to the staff of Edinburgh Fund Managers for their efforts and hard work in managing the trust since its launch. In order to further align the interests of the manager and shareholders, the agreement with Baillie Gifford will provide for management fees payable on the basis of the company's market capitalisation rather than assets under management. In addition, there will be an incentive element linked to out-performance against the new benchmark of the MSCI All Countries World Index. The company's investment objective of achieving long term capital growth by investing in stock markets throughout the world will not be affected by the change in manager. Revenue and Dividends The revenue return for the year amounted to 2.06p per share (2002 - 2.66p). The company's revenues are influenced by the level of gearing, the allocation of investments, interest rates and the level of sterling although the main factor in the decline in the revenue return over the year was a change in the allocation of investment management fees and finance costs. Following a review of the expected long term returns from global equities, the board revised the allocation of investment management fees and finance costs between capital and revenue and, with effect from 1 November 2002, these costs have been allocated between capital and revenue in the ratio 75:25, previously 85:15. The directors are recommending a final dividend of 1.70p per share, which is unchanged from last year and will be paid on 3 February 2004 to shareholders on the register on 9 January 2004. When combined with the interim dividend of 0.50p, the total dividends paid for the year will amount to 2.20p (2002 - 2.20p). Marketing Baillie Gifford have prepared and are working to a detailed plan to promote the company to the core market of intermediaries and Independent Financial Advisers as well as sophisticated private investors and smaller funds. The company will also feature as an option for investment under a range of Baillie Gifford's savings products. Share Buybacks At last year's Annual General Meeting, shareholders renewed the board's authority to repurchase the company's shares for cancellation. The board will consider using this authority when there is an imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, the company's shares and repurchasing shares would enhance the net asset value per share for continuing shareholders. The company did not repurchase any of its shares in the year to 31 October 2003. A special resolution proposing an extension of this facility will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. The board will consider the appropriateness of the use of treasury shares (whereby shares which have been bought back can be reissued rather than cancelled) in due course. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will be held in the manager's offices at Calton Square, Edinburgh on Monday 2 February 2004 at 12 noon. The meeting will include an investment presentation from representatives of the manager as well as providing an opportunity for shareholders to meet and question the directors. Prospects On assuming management responsibility, Baillie Gifford repositioned the portfolio in the first week of November in line with the proposals agreed with your board. The new managers' approach is to find companies on a global basis which offer good prospects of long-term growth wherever they are listed. The portfolio is now comprised of investments in around 50 companies. David A Coltman Chairman 9 December 2003 EDINBURGH WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT TRUST plc The following is the unaudited preliminary statement for the year to 31 October 2003 which was approved by the Board on 9 December 2003. The Board of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust plc is recommending to the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 2 February 2004 the payment of a final dividend of 1.70p (1.70p last year) per ordinary share making 2.20p (2.20p last year) for the year ended 31 October 2003. STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the revenue account*) For the year ended For the year ended 31 October 2003 31 October 2002 (unaudited) (audited) Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised losses on investments - (12,585) (12,585) - (14,490) (14,490) Unrealised gains/(losses) on - 21,232 21,232 - (9,388) (9,388) investments Currency (losses)/gains - (1,497) (1,497) - 29 29 Total capital gains/(losses) on - 7,150 7,150 - (23,849) (23,849) investments Income from investments 1,890 - 1,890 1,879 - 1,879 Interest receivable on short 361 - 361 642 - 642 term deposits Investment management fee (161) (482) (643) (133) (754) (887) Other administrative expenses (424) - (424) (344) - (344) Net return before finance costs 1,666 6,668 8,334 2,044 (24,603) (22,559) and taxation Interest payable and similar (416) (1,242) (1,658) (356) (2,344) (2,700) charges Return on ordinary activities 1,250 5,426 6,676 1,688 (26,947) (25,259) before taxation Tax on ordinary activities (243) 60 (183) (382) 189 (193) Return attributable to equity 1,007 5,486 6,493 1,306 (26,758) (25,452) shareholders Dividends in respect of equity (1,078) - (1,078) (1,078) - (1,078) shares Transfer (from)/to reserves (71) 5,486 5,415 228 (26,758) (26,530) Return per ordinary share (note 2) 2.06p 11.19p 13.25p 2.66p (54.60p) (51.94p) Dividend per ordinary share (note 3) 2.20p 2.20p * 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. EDINBURGH WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT TRUST plc SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET at 31 October 2003 31 October 2003 31 October 2002 £'000 £'000 (unaudited) (audited) NET ASSETS Fixed asset investments 85,298 87,492 Net liquid assets 23,710 17,472 Total assets (before deduction of loans) 109,008 104,964 Loans (note 4) (29,255) (30,626) 79,753 74,338 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called-up share capital 2,450 2,450 Capital reserves 76,477 70,991 Revenue reserve 826 897 Equity shareholders' funds 79,753 74,338 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE 162.75p 151.70p Ordinary shares in issue (note 5) 49,004,319 49,004,319 DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS at 31 October 2003 (unaudited) 31 October 2003 31 October 2002 % % Equities: United Kingdom 12.8 11.7 Continental Europe 13.8 16.3 North America 36.5 41.8 Japan 7.5 7.8 Asia Pacific 7.6 5.8 Total equities 78.2 83.4 Net liquid assets 21.8 16.6 Total assets (before deduction of loans) 100.0 100.0 EDINBURGH WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT TRUST plc SUMMARISED CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended For the year ended 31 October 2003 31 October 2002 (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1,200 1,297 NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM SERVICING OF FINANCE (1,687) (2,899) TOTAL TAX PAID (176) (193) FINANCIAL INVESTMENT Acquisitions of investments (55,196) (65,953) Disposals of investments 64,716 72,298 Sale of investment property - 105 NET CASH INFLOW FROM FINANCIAL INVESTMENT 9,520 6,450 EQUITY DIVIDENDS PAID (1,078) (1,274) NET CASH INFLOW BEFORE USE OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND 7,779 3,381 FINANCING NET CASH (OUTFLOW)/INFLOW FROM LIQUID RESOURCES (12,671) 4,178 FINANCING Foreign loan repaid - (9,528) DECREASE IN CASH (4,892) (1,969) RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT Decrease in cash in the period (4,892) (1,969) Increase/(decrease) in liquid resources 12,671 (4,178) Decrease in bank loans - 9,528 Exchange movement (126) 1,396 MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT IN THE PERIOD 7,653 4,777 NET DEBT AT 1 NOVEMBER (12,006) (16,783) NET DEBT AT 31 OCTOBER (4,353) (12,006) EDINBURGH WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT TRUST plc NOTES 1. The financial statements for the year to 31 October 2003 have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's financial statements as at 31 October 2002. 31 October 2003 31 October 2002 £'000 £'000 2. Return per ordinary share Revenue return 1,007 1,306 Capital return 5,486 (26,758) Return per ordinary share is based on the above returns and on 49,004,319 (2002 - 49,004,319) ordinary shares, being the number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. 3. The total cost of the dividend for the year is £1,078,000 (2002 - £1,078,000). If approved the final dividend will be paid on 3 February 2004 to all shareholders on the register at the close of business on 9 January 2004. 4. Loans include US$31,250,000, Y1,313,200,000 and £3,800,000 drawn down under a multi-currency loan facility with ING Bank N.V. (2002 - US$31,250,000, Y1,313,200,000 and £3,800,000). The loan is due for repayment in July 2008. 5. At the Annual General Meeting on 30 January 2003 the Company renewed its authority to purchase shares in the market, in respect of 7,345,747 ordinary shares (equivalent to 14.99% of its issued share capital at that date). In the year to 31 October 2003 no shares were bought back. At 31 October 2003 the Company's authority to buy back shares remains unchanged at 7,345,747. 6. The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2003. The financial information for 2002 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2002 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors have reported on the 2002 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 2003 are unaudited, however it is expected that the Auditors will issue an unqualified opinion. The statutory accounts for 2003 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. For further information please contact: Mark Urquhart, Manager, Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust plc 0131 275 2070 Robert O'Riordan, Marketing Manager, Baillie Gifford & Co. 0131 275 3181 Baillie Gifford & Co. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings