for year ended 31st Dec 04

JPMorgan Fleming American IT PLC 9 March 2005 STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT JPMORGAN FLEMING AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC UNAUDITED FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2004 Investment Performance Following the improvement in the Company's fortunes in 2003, 2004 has proved to be another positive year. The S&P 500 Composite Index produced a total return of 3.0% in sterling terms whilst the Company's net asset value total return rose by 4.9%. The return to Shareholders was a lesser 2.8%, following the widening of the discount from 7.9% to 9.8%. Markets were weak for much of 2004 as investor concerns over Iraq, the economy and the outcome of the Presidential elections clouded sentiment. In fact, there continued to be no real momentum until President Bush's re-election was secured in November. Over the course of the year the Index rose by 10.5% in Dollar terms and the Company's net asset value increased by 12.9%. For UK, Sterling based, investors the continued weakness of the Dollar meant that returns were reduced by 6.8%. The Dollar began 2004 at a rate of 1.79 to the Pound and ended at 1.92. A currency hedge, in respect of the Company's existing £50 million debenture, has been in place since 30 September 2000 to protect against currency fluctuations. The Company's net asset value outperformance in total return terms was attributable to strong returns from the smaller companies portfolio, share buybacks and the currency hedge on the £50 million debenture. The larger companies portfolio lagged the Index somewhat as the investment manager continued his policy of investing in larger, blue chip growth companies on attractive valuations. Gearing The Company's gearing is managed on an active basis with the Board of Directors setting the overall strategic policy and guidelines. At present, there is an upper limit of 20% of shareholders' funds and this can only be altered with Board consent. The £50 million debenture, together with a US$20 million revolving credit facility, provide the potential to gear up to 18.1%. As at the year end, the US$20 million facility remained undrawn and the Company's net gearing level was 13.8% of shareholders' funds, having ranged between 9% and 16% during the year. Revenue Account and Dividends Earnings per share for the year, calculated on the average weekly number of shares in issue, were 8.20p compared with 6.41p in 2003. This substantial increase in income is primarily due to a special dividend of $3.00 per share paid by Microsoft during the year, equivalent to 2.78p per JPMF American share. The Company's dividend policy has been to distribute substantially all the available income in each year and in this instance, the Board is proposing a dividend of 7.50p per share (2003: 6.80p), resulting in a transfer of £678,000 to revenue reserves, which produces a new balance of £11.4m, equivalent to 24.8p per share. The dividend will be paid on 4th May 2005 to shareholders on the register on 8th April 2005. Management of the Discount The Company's shares continued to trade at a discount to net asset value during the year, ranging between 7.5% and 14.0%. Over the course of the year the Company repurchased 6,303,250 ordinary shares (11.8% of the shares in issue) at an average discount of 11.3%. The total cost of these repurchases was £33.2 million and this activity enhanced the net asset value by £4.0 million or 1.4% in performance terms. A resolution to renew the authority to allow the Company to repurchase shares will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting. The Board has continued to follow developments with regard to the introduction and use of treasury shares. It considers the ability to hold ordinary shares in treasury, with a view to either subsequent re-issue or cancellation, to be attractive. Whilst not seeking powers from shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the Company will continue to monitor market practice and to gauge the views of shareholders and their representatives and will revert to shareholders at an appropriate time. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will be held at JPMorgan Fleming's offices at 10 Aldermanbury, London, EC2V 7RF on Wednesday 27th April 2005 at 2.30 p.m. The investment managers will make a presentation to shareholders, reviewing the year and commenting on the outlook for the current year. Outlook Looking ahead to the coming year, the Board believe that the US economy should continue to expand in 2005 albeit at a slower pace than seen in the last few quarters. The Federal Reserve appears willing to keep inflation at low levels which should give confidence to the market. Companies are continuing to focus on maintaining and growing profit margins and with costs remaining under control this should set the tone for profit growth and thereby translate into rising equity share prices. In the larger company part of the portfolio the economic background should favour financially sound companies which the investment manager believes will produce the best returns. Hamish Buchan Chairman 9th March 2005 J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (UK) Limited - Secretary For further information please contact: Andrew Norman.....................020 7742 6000 JPMorgan Fleming American Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the year ended 31 December 2004 Statement of Total Return (Unaudited) Year ended 31 December 2004 Year ended 31 December 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gains on investments - 4,897 4,897 - 16,050 16,050 Unrealised gains on investments - 2,423 2,423 - 28,038 28,038 Net currency losses on cash and short-term deposits held during the year - (380) (380) - (2,326) (2,326) Realised gain on US dollar loan - - - - 606 606 Unrealised gains on outstanding currency - 1 1 - 1 1 transactions Unrealised gains in forward foreign currency transactions - 2,772 2,772 - 7,314 7,314 Other capital credits - 31 31 - 1 1 Income from investments 6,266 - 6,266 6,002 - 6,002 Other income 302 - 302 166 - 166 _______ ________ _______ _______ ________ _______ Gross return 6,568 9,744 16,312 6,168 49,684 55,852 Management fee (338) (1,350) (1,688) (356) (1,428) (1,784) Other administrative expenses (474) - (474) (448) - (448) Interest payable (696) (2,786) (3,482) (859) (3,436) (4,295) _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Return before taxation 5,060 5,608 10,668 4,505 44,820 49,325 Taxation (920) - (920) (876) - (876) _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Total return attributable to ordinary shareholders 4,140 5,608 9,748 3,629 44,820 48,449 Dividends on ordinary shares (3,462) - (3,462) (3,560) - (3,560) ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ Transfer to reserves 678 5,608 6,286 69 44,820 44,889 ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== Return per ordinary share 8.20p 11.11p 19.31p 6.41p 79.13p 85.54p Dividend per ordinary share 7.50p 6.80p JPMorgan Fleming American Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the year ended 31 December 2004 BALANCE SHEET 31 December 31 December 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Investments at valuation 325,718 347,027 Net current assets 10,012 15,629 Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year (49,608) (49,579) _______ _______ Total net assets 286,122 313,077 ===== ===== Net asset value per ordinary share 607.6p 586.3p CASH FLOW STATEMENT 2004 2003 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,710 3,135 Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (3,461) (4,257) Net cash inflow from capital expenditure and financial investment 28,679 59,083 Total equity dividends paid on ordinary shares (3,561) (2,749) Net cash outflow from financing (33,910) (49,931) _______ _______ (Decrease)/increase in cash for the period (8,543) 5,281 ===== ==== The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The comparative financial information is based on the statutory accounts for the year ended 31st December 2003. These accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors have reported under Section 235 on the accounts for 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004. The preliminary announcement is prepared on the same basis as the previous year's annual accounts J.P. MORGAN FLEMING ASSET MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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