Performance at month end

Impax Environmental Markets PLC 15 December 2004 IMPAX ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS plc All information is at 30 November 2004 and unaudited DATA AND PERFORMANCE Data Pricing & Performance Share Price (pence) 70.5 IEM MSCI Impax Net Asset Value World ET50 Total Fund Size (m) 37 Pence (30.11.04) 74.3 n/a n/a Management fee 1.0% Premium/discount -5.1% Established 22 February 2002 Fund structure Investment Trust Performance Number of stocks 61 1 month (%) +4.9% +0.7% +3.3% held Exchange London 3 Months (%) +12.6% +3.0% +6.9% Currency GBP 1 year (%) +12.6% +3.9% -3.1% ISIN Number GB0031232498 2 year (%) +26% +10.1% +5.9% Sedol 3123249 Year to date (%) +12.1% +1.9% -0.9% Reuters RIC Code IEM.L Bloomberg Code IEM LN TOP TEN HOLDINGS Company Holding % Description Country Ionics 4.0 Water treatment US RPS Group 3.6 Environmental consulting UK Casella Waste 3.6 Waste disposal & recycling US Itron 3.4 Meters & software US BWT 3.1 Water treatment Austria Kurita Water 2.7 Water treatment Japan Zenon Environmental 2.7 Membranes Canada Vestas Wind Systems 2.7 Wind Denmark CDS Tech 2.6 Stormwater & wastewater Australia Shanks 2.5 Integrated waste management UK Total 30.9 PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS* Geographical Company Size North America 51% >£500m 19% Europe 40% £100-500m 60% Rest of the World 9% <£100m 21% Sectoral Profitability Energy 33% Profitable 89% Water 34% Pre-Profitable 11% Waste 31% Cash 2% * of funds invested as of 30 November 2004 MANAGER'S COMMENTARY (November 2004) The Company NAV was up +4.9% during the month compared with the MSCI World Index which increased +0.7% and the Impax ET50, which increased +3.3%. Currencies were volatile during the world and the US dollar weakened against both sterling (-3.8%) and the euro (-3.6%) which had an adverse effect on the performance of IEM - the Company currently holds 35% of assets in US$. Specific developments in the Environmental Markets during the month are discussed below. It was as interesting month in the fuel cell and hydrogen sector as both listed companies in which General Motors holds an equity stake announced acquisitions. Hydrogenics (fuel cells & testing, Canada) has bid for Stuart Energy (hydrogen electrolysis, Canada) to add a third leg to the company's integrated strategy - fuel cell modules; fuel cell testing, and hydrogen generation and fueling. The company has substantially increased its revenue expectations and, thought it will remain loss-making, Hydrogenics has enough cash to finance the business plan for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile Quantum (fuel cells & hydrogen) has made an offer for Starcraft (tier 1 automotive supplier, US) to create a 'one-stop-shop' for vehicle system design, powertrain engineering, and second stage manufacturing/assembly for future alternative fuel and fuel cell vehicle programs. The new Quantum is expected to have revenues of over $200 million in the first year, to be profitable and cashflow generative as well has maintaining $50 million of net cash on the balance sheet. In the wind sector, the news was mixed as both Gamesa (slightly) and Vestas (substantially) downgraded expectations for 2005 despite news of several large orders from North America. In the same sector, the UK engineering company FKI announced that it would be exiting the wind sector and closing the small wind turbine manufacturer Dewind after substantial losses. The water treatment sector has been in the spotlight during the month as General Electric agreed to acquire Ionics (water treatment & desalination, US) for $44 which was a 48% premium to the share price and on valuation multiples for 2005 of 44X EPS and 12.4 EV/EBITDA. This is the 6th Environmental Markets acquisition (see May 2004 factsheet) that GE has made in the last three years and reflects the growth potential of these markets. The high valuation paid by GE led to a rise in other IEM holdings that are exposed to the water treatment markets but trade on lower multiples to the price paid for Ionics - examples include BWT, Zenon Environmental, Cuno (filtration, US), Calgon Carbon (activated carbon & UV disinfection, US) and Pall Corp (water treatment & filtration, US). Other companies announcing positive results during the month were Horiba (environmental testing, Japan) and Esco Technologies (automated meter reading & filtration). In the waste and resource management sector, Shanks (integrated waste management, UK) announced its first set of results since the sale of its landfill assets earlier in the year and profitability improved in the main markets of Belgium, Netherlands and UK. Shanks also signed a 25 year contract with Dumfries & Galloway for the treatment and disposal of circa 95,000 tonnes per year of municipal solid waste and will ensure compliance with the requirements of the European Landfill Directive and the UK legislation for biodegradable municipal solid waste (using Ecodeco technology). Also in the UK, the Queen's Speech made reference to the Neighbourhood and Environment Bill that will grant more powers to local authorities to enforce waste management standards and tackle issues relating to abandoned vehicles. The Bill is likely to lead to increased opportunities for private companies in the waste sector and could benefit both PM Group (weighing devices, UK) and Universal Salvage (vehicle auctions and recycling, UK). Latest information available at: www.impax.co.uk/asset/iemdown.htm 15 December 2004 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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