Change in Portfolio Asset Allocation

Murray International Trust PLC 12 January 2000 MURRAY INTERNATIONAL TRUST PLC ------------------------------ Murray International Trust PLC is managed in Glasgow by Murray Johnstone Limited. The Board has decided, on the advice of the Manager, to effect a change in the asset allocation of the portfolio, designed to achieve an improved total return. Some years ago the decision was taken substantially to reduce the proportion of the Trust's assets invested in Japan, and this decision was highly beneficial in terms of the development of both the income and the capital account of the Company. As the circumstances have changed, the Manager recommended in December 1999 that the Company should have an overweight exposure to Japanese equities. This is being achieved partly through switching from other markets and partly through use of the Company's existing multi-currency borrowing facilities. It is now intended to take advantage of the low interest rates in Japan by borrowing in Japanese Yen at least to the extent necessary to match the Japanese equity content of the portfolio. The Board intends to allow the Manager to increase the Company's gearing to a maximum of 30%. This would result in a maximum initial exposure to equities of 105%, the balance of the gearing being matched by the Trust's existing 25% investment in a portfolio of international fixed interest securities. It is expected that despite this move into lower yielding Japanese equities the dividend level of the Company will be at least maintained, although dividend distributions, and any increases in dividend, over the next 2-3 years may be funded partly from the very substantial revenue reserves, which represent some 1.9 times dividend distributions for the year to 31 December 1998. Following the realignment of the portfolio, the Board intends to change the Company's benchmark index to a composite of 40% FT/S&P World UK Index, 60% FT/S&P All World Index excluding the UK. This composite benchmark will therefore now include Japan with a current weighting of 9.2% and replaces the current benchmark which excludes Japan.
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