Interim Results

JPMorgan Fleming Smaller Cos IT PLC 04 April 2005 STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT JPMORGAN FLEMING SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANNUAL RESULTS The Directors of JPMorgan Fleming Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc announce the Company's preliminary results for the six months ended 31st January 2005. Performance I am very pleased to report a strong period of outperformance for the Company's net asset value and share price. Over the six month period to 31st January 2005, the Company's net asset value rose by 26.3% in total return terms and this compares with the 16.2% total return recorded by the Company's benchmark index, the FTSE Small Cap Index (excluding investment trusts). The return to shareholders over the period was 31.7% as the discount of the share price to net asset value reduced from 20.2% to 17.1%. The Company repurchased 400,000 of its shares over the six month period at an average discount of 19.9%. Gearing Average gearing over the review period was 7% of net assets reflecting the Board's belief that a cautious approach to gearing is required while the underlying small cap sector remains volatile. The Board Richard Oldfield has decided to step down as a Director of the Company after being on the Board for six years. We wish him well in his new venture. Outlook Despite concerns expressed by market commentators, the UK stock market has remained resilient over the last 12 months and the area of the market in which the Company invests has seen strong gains. Although it will be difficult to achieve another period of strong outperformance I believe that the small companies investment arena gives good opportunities for the investment managers to invest productively. Strone Macpherson Chairman 4th April 2005 For further information, please contact: Andrew Norman For and on behalf of J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (UK) Limited - Secretary 020 7742 6000 JPMorgan Fleming Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 31 January 2005 Statement of Total Return (Unaudited) Six months to 31 January Six months to 31 January Year to 31 July 2004 2005 2004 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gains on investments - 409 409 - 618 618 - 1,923 1,923 Unrealised gains on investments - 17,233 17,233 - 12,394 12,394 - 8,931 8,931 Other capital charges - (4) (4) - (8) (8) - (15) (15) UK investment income 811 - 811 762 - 762 1,725 - 1,725 Scrip dividends 8 - 8 17 - 17 43 - 43 Deposit interest 20 - 20 - - - 11 - 11 Underwriting commission - - - 2 - 2 11 - 11 _______ ________ _______ _______ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ Gross return 839 17,638 18,477 781 13,004 13,785 1,790 10,839 12,629 Management fee (200) (200) (400) (174) (174) (348) (368) (736) (368) Other administrative expenses (106) - (106) (133) - (133) (282) - (282) Interest payable (74) (74) (148) (98) (98) (196) (174) (174) (348) _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Return before taxation 459 17,364 17,823 376 12,732 13,108 966 10,297 11,263 Taxation - - - - - - - - - ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Total return attributable to ordinary shareholders 459 17,364 17,823 376 12,732 13,108 966 10,297 11,263 Dividend on ordinary shares - - - - - - (953) - (953) ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ ______ _______ _______ Transfer to reserves 459 17,364 17,823 376 12,732 13,108 13 10,297 10,310 Return per ordinary share 1.81p 68.53p 70.34p 1.48p 50.09p 51.57p 3.80p 40.51p 44.31p Dividend per ordinary share Nil Nil 3.75p JPMorgan Fleming Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc Unaudited figures for the six months ended 31 January 2005 BALANCE SHEET 31 January 31 January 31 July 2005 2004 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Investments at valuation 96,479 84,112 78,470 Net current (liabilities)/assets (874) (2,450) 394 Loan (5,600) (5,600) (5,600) _______ _______ _______ Total net assets 90,005 76,062 73,264 ===== ===== ===== Net asset value per ordinary share 359.8P 299.3P 288.3p CASH FLOW STATEMENT 31 January 31 January 31 July 2005 2004 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 327 337 801 Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (148) (188) (333) Net cash inflow from capital expenditure and financial investment 73 588 3,840 Total equity dividends paid (953) (724) (724) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (784) 20 (2,594) _______ _______ ______ (Decrease)/increase in cash for the period (1,485) 33 990 ===== ===== ==== 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 July 2002. 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 4th April 2005 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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