Interim Results

JPMorgan Fleming Eur Fldglng IT PLC 28 November 2002 JPMORGAN FLEMING EUROPEAN FLEDGELING INVESTMENT TRUST PLC LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT JPMorgan Fleming European Fledgeling Investment Trust plc today announces its results for the six months ended 30th September 2002. Performance Global equity markets have continued to suffer, with European smaller companies being no exception. In the six months to 30th September 2002 the Company produced a total return on net assets of -27.7%. This compares with the Company's benchmark, the HSBC Smaller European Companies (ex UK) Index which produced a total return of -29.6%. The Company's share price fell from 221.0p to 147.5p during the six months and the discount widened from 18.9% to 25.1%, reflecting a general widening of discounts within the industry and the sector. Whilst this performance is disappointing in absolute terms for investors, the relative performance continues to be good. Indeed, the Company remains the best performer within the AITC European Smaller Companies sector over one, three, five and ten years. The Company's objective is long term capital growth from Smaller European Companies. Short term performance is likely to be volatile and it is on long term performance that the Company should be judged. During the period the Company's level of actual gearing reduced from 10.7% to 0.1%. In the six months to 30th September 2002 the Company repurchased a total of 1,150,000 ordinary shares in the market for cancellation for a total consideration of £2,141,270. Since 30th September 2002 the Company has repurchased a further 250,000 shares at a cost of £383,266. Revenue and Dividend Revenue after tax for the six months to 30th September 2002 was £881,000 (2001: loss of £440,000). This reflects an increase in dividend income from the Company's portfolio, together with reductions in the management fee and interest charges. The Company's Investment objective is to achieve capital growth in the long term and, as in previous years, our revenue estimates indicate that there will be a deficit at the end of the year. In view of the deficit on the revenue reserve, no dividend will be payable. Michael Hart, Chairman 28th November 2002 For further information, please contact: Jonathan Latter J. P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (UK) Limited 020 7742 6000 JPMorgan Fleming European Fledgeling Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 30th September 2002 Statement of Total Return (Unaudited) Six months to 30th September Six months to 30th September Year to 31st March 2002 2002 2001 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised losses on investments - (22,502) (22,502) - (18,657) (18,657) - (31,034) (31,034) Net change in unrealised appreciation - (21,666) (21,666) - (44,303) (44,303) - 4,686 4,686 Currency (loss)/gain on cash and short term deposits held during the year - (117) (117) - (288) (288) - (224) (224) Net change in unrealised exchange gains on currency loans - (592) (592) - 226 226 - 344 344 Realised gain on repayment of loan - -- - - 273 273 - 362 362 Other capital - (159) (159) - (39) (39) - (54) (54) charges Income from investments 2,706 - 2,706 1,689 - 1,689 2,259 - 2,2590 Other income 143 - 143 379 - 379 520 - 520 _______ _______ ______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Gross return 2,849 (45,036) (42,187) 2,068 (62,788) (60,720) 2,779 (25,920) (23,141) Management fee (913) - (913) (1,071) - (1,071) (1,969) - (1,969) Other administrative expenses (103) - (103) (134) - (134) (407) - (407) Interest payable (606) - (606) (1,123) - (1,123) (1,911) - (1,911) _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Return before 1,227 (45,036) (43,809) (260) (62,788) (63,048) (1,508) (25,920) (27,428) taxation Taxation (346) - (346) (180) - (180) (254) - (254) ______ _______ ______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Return attributable 881 (45,036) (44,155) (440) (62,788) (63,228) (1,762) (25,920) (27,682) to ordinary shareholders ______ _______ ______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Transfer to/(from) 881 (45,036) (44,155) (440) (62,788) (63,228) (1,762) (25,920) (27,682) reserves ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== Return per ordinary 1.53p (78.30)p (76.77)p (0.73)p (103.86)p (104.59)p (2.94)p (43.29)p (46.23)p share JPMorgan Fleming European Fledgeling Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 30th September 2002 Balance Sheet 30th September 30th September 31st March 2002 2001 2002 Assets £'000 £'000 £'000 Investments at valuation 125,354 138,767 182,667 Net current assets/liabilities 10,857 11,388 (718) _________ _________ _________ Total assets less current liabilities 136,211 150,155 181,949 ======= ======= ======= Less :Euro loans 23,566 23,237 22,974 Deferred taxation 4 6 37 Total net assets 112,641 126,912 158,938 Financed by : Share capital 14,298 15,017 14,586 Capital redemption reserve 1,338 619 1,050 Other reserve 37,007 42,669 39,149 Capital reserve- realised 82,582 117,669 98,011 Capital reserve- unrealised (13,333) (40,251) 16,275 Revenue reserve (9,251) (8,811) (10,133) _________ _________ _________ Equity shareholders' funds 112,641 126,912 158,938 ======= ======= ======= Net assets value per share 197.0p 211.3p 272.4p Cash Flow Statement Six months to Six months to Year to 30th September 30th September 31st March 2002 2001 2002 Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,228 1,268 849 Net cash outflow from returns on investments and (625) (1,592) (2,460) servicing of finance Taxation recovered/(paid) 113 (109) (11) Net cash inflow from capital expenditure and 11,091 38,067 34,500 financial investment Net cash outflow from financing (2,142) (12,369) (32,055) _______ ______ ______ Increase in cash for the period 9,665 25,265 823 ===== ==== ==== The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts for the six months ended 30 September 2002 or 2001. The financial information for the year ended 31st March 2002 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year that have been delivered to the Registrars of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under s237(2) or (3) Companies 1985. The statutory accounts for the six months ended 30 September 2002 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's annual general meeting. J.P. MORGAN FLEMING ASSET MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED 28th November 2002 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange IR EVLFLLFBBFBZ
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