Interim Results

JPMorgan Fleming Overseas IT PLC 10 March 2004 STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT JPMORGAN FLEMING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS The Directors of JPMorgan Fleming Overseas Investment Trust plc announce the Company's unaudited results for the period ended 31st December 2003. The Company's performance over the six months to 31st December 2003 was a welcome improvement over that of previous accounting periods and reflected a significant turnaround in world stockmarkets. I am pleased to report a total return to shareholders of +13.7% and a return on net assets of +12.3%. These were both well ahead of the benchmark which itself rose +10.4%. This outperformance can be attributed in part to the Company's more flexible gearing arrangements that are now in place and operating very effectively. This factor should prove an important contributor to the Company's performance throughout all stages of the cycle. The Board continues to monitor the level of discount both in absolute terms and against a peer group of investment trusts. In accordance with guidelines set by the Board, the Company's stockbroker is authorised to buy in shares. This facility has been used on two occasions since the end of the reporting period. The record consumer credit levels fuelled by continuing low interest rates in the US are a concern. Given the Company's high exposure to the US markets, these factors, when coupled with a weak dollar, will inevitably present challenges for the investment managers. However, in this election year, a number of shorter-term fiscal stimuli can be expected from the incumbent administration and it is likely that these should soften any adverse reaction that might otherwise occur. George Paul Chairman 10th March 2004 For further information please contact: Philip Jones J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (UK) Limited - Secretary Telephone: 020 7742 6000 JP Morgan Fleming Overseas Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 31 December 2003 Statement of Total Return (Unaudited) Six months to 31 December 2003 Six months to 31 December 2002 Year to 30 June 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gain / (losses) on investments - 5,479 5,479 - (10,379) (10,379) - 185 185 Net change in unrealised losses - 26,380 26,380 - (53,564) (53,564) - (44,595) (44,595) Currency (losses) / gains on cash and short-term deposits - (28) (28) - 226 226 - (173) (173) Unrealised gain on currency hedge - - - - 343 343 - - - Realised gains on currency hedge - - - - - - - 769 769 Other capital charges - (39) (39) - (41) (41) - (66) (66) UK income 518 - 518 299 - 299 1,219 - 1,219 Unfranked income 2,349 - 2,349 2,837 - 2,837 6,397 - 6,397 Deposit interest 158 - 158 453 - 453 635 - 635 Stock lending fees 8 - 8 2 - 2 - - - _______ ________ _______ ______ _______ ________ _______ _______ _______ Gross return 3,033 31,792 34,825 3,591 (63,415) (59,824) 8,251 (43,880) (35,629) Management fee (342) (342) (684) (397) (397) (794) (716) (716) (1,432) Other administrative expenses (301) - (301) (264) - (264) (529) - (529) Performance fee - 611 611 - 962 962 - 980 980 Interest payable (160) (160) (320) (958) (958) (1,916) (1,363) (1,363) (2,726) _______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Return before taxation 2,230 31,901 34,131 1,972 (63,808) (61,836) 5,643 (44,979) (39,336) Taxation (278) - (278) (307) 64 (243) (1,796) 886 (910) ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ ______ _______ _______ _______ Total return attributable to ordinary shareholders 1,952 31,901 33,853 1,665 (63,744) (62,079) 3,847 (44,093) (40,246) Dividend (s) payable on ordinary shares - - - - - - (3,547) - (3,547) ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ Transfer to/ (from) reserves 1,952 31,901 33,853 1,665 (63,744) (62,079) 300 (44,093) (43,793) Return per ordinary share 2.75p 44.97p 47.72p 2.35p (89.87)p (87.52)p 5.42p (62.16)p (56.74)p Dividend (s) per ordinary share - - 5.00p JP Morgan Fleming Overseas Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 31 December 2003 BALANCE SHEET 31 December 31 December 30 June 2003 2002 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Investments at valuation 343,643 330,958 326,986 Net current assets 8,954 189 2,369 Creditors (amounts falling due after more than one year) (10,200) (40,091) (20,200) Provisions for liabilities and charges (2,595) (3,393) (3,206) _______ _______ _______ Total net assets 339,802 287,663 305,949 ======= ======= ======= Net asset value per ordinary share 479.1p 405.6p 431.3p CASH FLOW STATEMENT 31 December 31 December 30 June 2003 2002 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities (1,095) 900 4,197 Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (407) (4,873) (2,639) Total tax recovered - - 358 Net cash inflow from capital expenditure and financial investment 17,566 16,455 39,909 Total equity dividends paid (3,457) (2,980) (2,979) Net cash outflow from financing (10,000) - (59,758) _______ ______ ______ Increase / (decrease) in cash for the period 2,517 9,502 (20,912) ======= ====== ====== 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 30th June 2003. These accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. J.P. MORGAN FLEMING ASSET MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED 10th March 2003 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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