Interim Results

JPMorgan American IT PLC 01 August 2007 STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT JPMORGAN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 2007 Chairman's Statement Performance Over the half year to 30th June 2007, the Company's net asset value rose by 6.3% in total return terms, outperforming the total return of the S&P 500 Index, in Sterling terms, which rose by 4.2%. Performance attribution data shows that the larger companies' portfolio outperformed by 1.6%, with the smaller companies' portfolio, gearing and share buybacks all adding modestly to performance. This continues to build on the longer term record of the Company and the Board looks forward to further progress over the second half of the year. Discount Management The Company's discount, calculated with liabilities deducted at their fair value and excluding current year income, remained virtually unchanged over the period and was 6.4% as at 30th June 2007. During the six months under review, the Company repurchased 208,500 ordinary shares (0.5% of the shares in issue) at an average discount of 8.9%. The cost of these repurchases was £1.4m. The Board has been encouraged that the level of buybacks remained relatively low over the period. Outlook Our Managers remain optimistic that the USA will manage to navigate a course that avoids the economy overheating, whilst also steering clear of a 'hard landing'. Short term interest rates appear to have neared their peak and ongoing economic growth, combined with productivity gains, has maintained earnings growth. Concerns remains over energy prices, consumer spending and credit market conditions, but global growth and low inflation should continue to underpin equity markets going forward, although returns may become more volatile. Hamish Buchan Chairman 1st August 2007 Investment Managers' Report Market Review The first six months of the year were characterised by rising long-term interest rates and energy prices, deepening problems in the housing market and inflationary concerns. Strong balance sheets, impressive earnings growth and increasing consolidation overcame those fears and led the market higher. The total return of the S&P 500 Index, the Company's benchmark, was 4.2% in Sterling terms, for the period. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 5.25% over the first six months as Fed officials reiterated that their primary concern continued to be inflation. Market participants are now looking for the Fed Funds Rate to stay at 5.25% for the remainder of the year, with interest rate futures pricing the possibility of a decrease in early 2008. Despite short term rates being on hold for the first half of the year, longer term Treasury Securities increased in yield as the market's view changed from one of a gradual slowing of the world economy to one of reaccelerating growth as the demand for goods remained robust. The price of oil rose from $61 to $71 over the period as worldwide economic growth increased demand. The US economy continued to grow at a slightly slower pace in the face of higher energy costs and real GDP grew modestly during the first six months of the year. This economic growth, together with corporate cost cutting, led to positive earnings growth, although that growth fell below 10% after fourteen consecutive quarters in double digits. Performance The Company's net asset value increased by 6.3% in total return terms in the first six months of 2007 as the US dollar declined 2.4% during the period. There was a positive performance contribution of 1.6% from the large cap portfolio. The key drivers of this were particularly strong stock selection in financial services stocks such as Mastercard and a strong benefit from owning Corning whose successful LCD display business has been the primary source of growth. The portfolio's lack of exposure to energy companies, however, detracted from performance, as did its exposure to producer durables. The Company's level of the gearing remained relatively stable during the first six months of the year. After starting the year at 104%, the gearing ratio was reduced to 100%, and ended the period at 102%. The composition of the portfolio changed slightly, as the investment managers reduced exposure to small cap to concentrate on the increasingly attractive outlook for larger caps. Market Outlook Our optimistic market view remains intact, but is tempered in the near term by the risks we foresee. Economic developments in the USA have largely panned out as we expected. The excess supply in the housing market has helped subdue inflationary pressures, whilst economic growth has slowed to below trend, but not recessionary, levels. Thus far, the economy looks poised to navigate successfully the fine passage between overheating and a hard landing. Residential construction activity has declined appreciably since the early part of last year and we continue to look for weakness in housing related employment and consumer spending. The risk is that any mortgage market weakness may affect the borrowing costs for all companies as risk appetites decline across the fixed income spectrum. The portfolio's relatively defensive bias leads us to believe, however, that the Company is well positioned to weather any market dislocation. Garrett Fish - Investment Manager Tim Parton - Smaller companies portfolio Eytan Shapiro - Smaller companies portfolio 1st August 2007 For further information, please contact: Andrew Norman For and on behalf of JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited - Secretary 020 7742 6000 JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 30th June 2007 Income Statement (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six months ended 30th June Six months ended 30th June Year ended 31st December 2006 2007 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains/(losses) from investments held at fair value through profit or loss - 13,885 13,885 - (13,123) (13,123) - 5,703 5,703 Net foreign currency gains/ - 6 6 - 1,199 1,199 - 1,431 1,431 Income from investments 3,407 - 3,407 2,613 - 2,613 6,235 - 6,235 Other interest receivable and similar income 395 - 395 747 - 747 1,065 - 1,065 _______ ________ _______ ______ _______ ________ _______ _______ _______ Gross return/(loss) 3,802 13,891 17,693 3,360 (11,924) (8,564) 7,300 7,134 14,434 Management fee (184) (739) (923) (161) (645) (806) (366) (1,465) (1,831) Other administrative expenses (182) - (182) (239) - (239) (516) - (516) _______ ________ _______ ______ _______ ________ _______ _______ _______ Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation 3,436 13,152 16,588 2,960 (12,569) (9,609) 6,418 5,669 12,087 Finance costs (347) (1,389) (1,736) (352) (1,408) (1,760) (713) (2,851) (3,564) _______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 3,089 11,763 14,852 2,608 (13,977) (11,369) 5,705 2,818 8,523 Taxation (861) 451 (410) (383) - (383) (821) - (821) _______ ________ _______ ______ _______ ________ _______ _______ _______ Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 2,228 12,214 14,442 2,225 (13,977) (11,752) 4,884 2,818 7,702 ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ ______ Return/(loss) per share 5.15p 28.26p 33.41p 5.13p (32.25)p (27.12)p 11.28p 6.50p 17.78p (note 2) All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period. The 'Total' column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company and the 'Revenue' and 'Capital' columns represent supplementary information. The 'Total' column represents all the information that is required to be disclosed in a 'Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses' ('STRGL'). For this reason a STRGL has not been presented. JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 30th June 2007 Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds (Unaudited) Called up Capital share redemption capital Share Capital Revenue premium reserve reserve reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 At 31st December 2006 10,820 18,906 8,013 259,381 14,867 311,987 Shares bought back and cancelled (52) - 52 (1,434) - (1,434) Capital return from ordinary activities - - - 12,214 - 12,214 Revenue return from ordinary activities - - - - 2,228 2,228 Dividends appropriated in the period - - - - (4,760) (4,760) At 30th June 2007 10,768 18,906 8,065 270,161 12,335 320,235 At 31st December 2005 10,870 18,906 7,963 256,320 14,966 309,025 Shares bought back and cancelled (50) - 50 (1,295) - (1,295) Capital loss from ordinary activities - - - (13,977) - (13,977) Revenue return from ordinary activities - - - - 2,225 2,225 Dividends appropriated in the period - - - - (3,462) (3,462) At 30th June 2006 10,820 18,906 8,013 241,048 13,729 292,516 At 31st December 2005 10,870 18,906 7,963 256,320 14,966 309,025 Transfer of accumulated tax relief on expenses charged to capital - - - 1,538 (1,538) - Shares bought back and cancelled (50) - 50 (1,295) - (1,295) Capital return from ordinary activities - - - 2,818 - 2,818 Revenue return from ordinary activities - - - - 4,884 4,884 Dividends appropriated in the year - - - - (3,445) (3,445) At 31st December 2006 10,820 18,906 8,013 259,381 14,867 311,987 JPMorgan American Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 30th June 2007 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) 30th June 2007 30th June 2006 31st December 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments at fair value through profit or loss 346,268 300,965 347,979 Current assets Derivative instrument (note 3) 12,417 11,670 12,174 Debtors 3,503 2,132 610 Cash at bank and in hand 10,701 30,910 1,347 BALANCE SHEET 26,621 44,712 14,131 Creditors : amounts falling due within one year (2,973) (3,510) (457) Net current assets 23,648 41,202 13,674 Total assets less current liabilities 369,916 342,167 361,653 Creditors : amounts falling due after more than one (49,681) (49,651) (49,666) year Total net assets 320,235 292,516 311,987 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 10,768 10,820 10,820 Share premium 18,906 18,906 18,906 Capital redemption reserve 8,065 8,013 8,013 Capital reserve 270,161 241,048 259,381 Revenue reserve 12,335 13,729 14,867 Shareholders' funds 320,235 292,516 311,987 Net asset value per share (note 4) 743.5p 675.9p 720.9p (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) CASH FLOW STATEMENT Six months ended Six months ended Year ended Unaudited figures for the six months ended 30th June 30th June 2007 30th June 2006 31st December 2006 2007 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 2,826 2,009 4,074 Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (1,723) (1,741) (3,533) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from capital expenditure and financial investment 14,222 23,683 (5,896) Dividends paid (4,760) (3,462) (3,445) Net cash outflow from financing (974) (1,295) (1,295) Increase/(decrease) in cash for the period 9,591 19,194 (10,095) Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies The accounts have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ('UK GAAP') and with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies' dated 31st December 2005. All of the Company's operations are of a continuing nature. The accounting policies applied to these interim accounts are consistent with those applied in the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2006. 2. Return / (loss) per share (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Six months ended Six months ended Year ended 30th June 2007 30th June 2006 31st December 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 Return / (loss) per share is based on the following: Revenue return 2,228 2,225 4,884 Capital return / (loss) 12,214 (13,977) 2,818 _______ ______ ______ Total return / (loss) 14,442 (11,752) 7,702 ====== ====== ===== Weighted average number of shares in issue 43,224,757 43,333,295 43,306,372 Revenue return per share 5.15p 5.13p 11.28p Capital return / (loss) per share 28.26p (32.25)p 6.50p _______ ______ ______ Total return / (loss) per share 33.41p (27.12)p 17.78p ====== ====== ===== 3. Derivative instrument The Company has hedged its £50m debenture liability by purchasing Sterling against the US Dollar, out to 5th October 2011. The counterparty for this transaction is The Royal Bank of Scotland. 4. Net asset value per share Net asset value per share is based on the net assets attributable to the ordinary shareholders of £320,235,000 (30th June 2006: £292,516,000 and 31st December 2006: £311,987,000) and on the 43,070,949 (30th June 2006: 43,279,449 and 31st December 2006: 43,279,449) shares in issue at the period end. 5. 2006 Accounts The figures and financial information for the year ended 31st December 2006 are extracted from the latest published accounts of the Company and do not constitute statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the report of the auditors which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 237(2) or 237 (3) of the Companies act 1985. JPMORGAN ASSET MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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