Interim Results

Scottish Mortgage Inv Tst PLC 28 October 2005 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Results for the six months to 30 September 2005 Excellent results from Scottish Mortgage reflect the success of the focussed global approach initiated by the Manager three years ago. The share price rose by 28% and net asset value by 23% outstripping the 13% rise in the Benchmark*. The Chairman, Sir Donald MacKay commented: 'These excellent results show the success of our focussed global approach initiated three years ago. The Manager, James Anderson** has carefully built up a portfolio of shares in a limited number of leading companies from around the world. By taking a long term view and not slavishly reproducing the list of shares which make up regional indices, he has demonstrated the significant value that rigorous management can add. The success of this distinctive and committed stock selection process is clearly reflected in the three year record too - net asset value per share is up by 77% compared to a 52% rise in the benchmark index.' + • Globalisation underpins growth. There were sharp increases in the share prices of a number of large holdings, notably overseas energy and mining shares where prices have been boosted by strong demand driven by the development and growth of Asian and emerging market economies. The Manager currently views certain leading global technology companies as opportunities for the patient investor. • The long-term outlook remains favourable. While there may be a period of consolidation ahead, we believe any setbacks are likely to be buying opportunities rather than signaling serious concerns. Corporate profits remain buoyant, inflation is remains subdued and the process of economic globalisation is intact. • Dividend equalised and a real increase for the year is expected. An interim dividend of 3.85p is proposed as Scottish Mortgage moves to two roughly equal payments during the year. The intention is that the total for the year will continue to rise at a faster pace than inflation. * The Benchmark is 50% FTSE All-Share Index and 50% FTSE World Ex. UK Index expressed in sterling terms. ** Scottish Mortgage is managed by James Anderson who is the partner heading the Baillie Gifford Global Investment Team and the firm's Chief Investment Officer Designate. + Five year record, net asset value down 2% compared to a fall in the benchmark of 15%. Your low cost alternative for global investment. Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC aims to maximise total return whilst also generating real dividend growth. Investment is made internationally but with a core of exposure to the UK market. The trust has total assets of £1.7 billion (before deduction of debentures, long and short term borrowings of £215 million). Scottish Mortgage is managed by Baillie Gifford & Co, an Edinburgh based fund management group. 28 October 2005 - ends - For further information please contact: Robert O'Riordan, Baillie Gifford & Co. 07730 412007 Mike Lord, Director, Broadgate Marketing 020 7726 6111 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC INTERIM REPORT In the six months to 30 September the NAV rose by 22.9% to 519.4p. This compares very favourably with a gain of 13.2% in the benchmark (50% FTSE All-Share Index and 50% FTSE World Index Ex. UK in sterling terms) and contributed to a 28.5% increase in the share price. We have benefited from sharp rises in the share prices of many of our large holdings that are exposed to the rapid growth of the major emerging market economies. We have made no major changes to our asset allocation. We think that the themes influencing the world economy and corporate fortunes have changed little in recent months. Globalisation continues to underpin growth and to shift the focus of economic development towards Asia and emerging markets. In the last six months most attention has been focussed on the boost to commodity demand and prices that this process implies. This has helped our performance and we remain content with most of our holdings in the energy and mining sectors. But as so often, the narrow focus of markets may have obscured other opportunities that are just as closely linked to these patterns in the global economy. We are increasingly interested by the shares of several global technology leaders, such as Samsung, SAP and eBay, as we think that the aversion to growth stock investing that followed the collapse of the Bubble in 2000 has eventually led to opportunities for the patient investor. The Board is proposing an interim dividend of 3.85p. This reflects the decision to move towards two roughly equal dividend payments that we discussed in the Annual Report. The sharp increase from the 2.30p of a year ago should not be taken as representative of the degree of increase for the year as a whole. However, we can confirm our intention to increase the total dividend for the year at a rate higher than inflation. In the six months, earnings rose by 26.5% to 4.73p but this was largely due to changes in the timing of dividends received by the Company. We do not expect the full year's earnings to rise by this extent. We consider the rise in global markets to be generally justified. There may well be a period of consolidation in the months ahead but we would tend to see any setback as being more likely to offer opportunities than as being a signal of serious concerns. Whilst corporate profits remain buoyant, inflation remains subdued and globalisation intact we are likely to remain fundamentally optimistic. By order of the Board Baillie Gifford & Co 27 October 2005 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Interim Report The following is the interim statement for the six months ended 30 September 2005 which has been neither reviewed nor audited by the auditors. This statement is being printed and will be sent to all shareholders on 7 November 2005. Copies will be available for inspection at the Registered Office of the Company or may be obtained on request from the Managers and Secretaries after that date. SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (unaudited and incorporating the revenue account*) for the six months ended for the six months ended for the year ended 30 September 2005 30 September 2004 31 March 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Restated+ Restated+ Restated+ Restated+ £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gains/(losses) on investments - 39,819 39,819 - (6,777) (6,777) - (1,102) (1,102) Unrealised gains on - 249,921 249,921 - 2,948 2,948 - 117,283 117,283 investments Currency (losses)/gains - (2,482) (2,482) - 323 323 - 1,534 1,534 Income (note 4) 22,398 - 22,398 17,794 - 17,794 35,456 - 35,456 Investment management fee (1,447) (1,447) (2,894) (1,150) (1,150) (2,300) (2,385) (2,385) (4,770) Other administrative (801) - (801) (805) - (805) (1,382) - (1,382) expenses Net return before finance costs and taxation 20,150 285,811 305,961 15,839 (4,656) 11,183 31,689 115,330 147,019 Finance costs of (3,814) (3,814) (7,628) (3,658) (3,658) (7,316) (7,385) (7,385) (14,770) borrowings Return on ordinary activities before 16,336 281,997 298,333 12,181 (8,314) 3,867 24,304 107,945 132,249 taxation Tax on ordinary (2,400) 1,715 (685) (1,091) 552 (539) (2,495) 392 (2,103) activities Return on ordinary activities after taxation 13,936 283,712 297,648 11,090 (7,762) 3,328 21,809 108,337 130,146 Return per ordinary share (note 5) 101.14p 1.12p 43.95p Note: Dividends paid and proposed per ordinary share (note 6) 3.85p 2.30p 7.35p * The total column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing operations. + see note 1. SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET at 30 September 2005 (unaudited) Restated + Restated + at 30 September at 30 September at 31 March 2005 2004 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 FIXED ASSETS Investments 1,724,387 1,309,668 1,448,352 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6,691 7,599 9,293 Term deposits - 11,052 - Cash and short term deposits 7,872 2,851 10,892 14,563 21,502 20,185 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year ++ (6,574) (4,706) (12,833) NET LIQUID ASSETS ++ 7,989 16,796 7,352 TOTAL ASSETS (before deduction of loans and debentures) 1,732,376 1,326,464 1,455,704 Loans and debentures (note 2) (215,436) (203,862) (213,083) 1,516,940 1,122,602 1,242,621 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called-up share capital 73,319 73,901 73,901 Capital redemption reserve 16,861 16,279 16,279 Capital reserves - realised 801,159 769,495 773,424 Capital reserves - unrealised 557,490 197,796 309,966 Revenue reserve 68,111 65,131 69,051 EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 1,516,940 1,122,602 1,242,621 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE (after deducting debentures at par) 519.4p 382.0p 422.6p NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE (after deducting debentures at market value) 492.8p 359.3p 398.8p ORDINARY SHARES IN ISSUE (note 3) 293,275,115 295,605,115 295,605,115 + see note 1 ++ excluding short term borrowings STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (unaudited) Restated + Restated + Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 30 September 2004 31 March 2005 £'000 2005 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 March 2005/2004 (restated) 1,242,621 1,125,371 1,125,371 Net profit on ordinary activities after taxation 297,648 3,328 130,146 Dividends paid (note 6) (14,876) (1,189) (7,988) Buyback of ordinary shares (8,453) (4,908) (4,908) BALANCE AT 30 SEPTEMBER / 31 MARCH 1,516,940 1,122,602 1,242,621 + see note 1 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC SUMMARISED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (unaudited) Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 30 September 31 March 2005 2004 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 20,342 17,212 30,443 Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (7,665) (7,478) (14,766) Total tax paid (632) (508) (1,024) Net cash inflow from financial investment 8,264 26,594 14,424 Equity dividends paid (14,876) (14,270) (21,069) NET CASH INFLOW BEFORE USE OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND FINANCING 5,433 21,550 8,008 Shares purchased for cancellation (8,453) (4,908) (4,908) Net cash outflow from bank loans (note 2) - (23,069) (12,709) Net cash (outflow)/inflow to liquid resources - (11,116) 107 DECREASE IN CASH (3,020) (17,543) (9,502) RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT Decrease in cash in the period (3,020) (17,543) (9,502) Increase/(decrease) in short term investments - 11,116 (107) Exchange movement on short term investments - (64) 107 Decrease in bank loans - 23,069 12,709 Exchange movement on bank loans (2,396) 593 1,695 Other non-cash changes 43 36 73 MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT IN THE PERIOD (5,373) 17,207 4,975 NET DEBT AT START OF THE PERIOD (202,191) (207,166) (207,166) NET DEBT AT END OF THE PERIOD (207,564) (189,959) (202,191) RECONCILIATION OF NET REVENUE BEFORE FINANCE COSTS AND TAXATION TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net revenue before finance costs and taxation 20,150 15,839 31,689 Management fees charged to capital (1,447) (1,150) (2,385) Changes in debtors and creditors 1,639 2,523 1,139 NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 20,342 17,212 30,443 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC THIRTY LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS at 30 September 2005 Market % of total value assets Name Country Business £'000 Vodafone United Kingdom Mobile telecommunication services 55,955 3.2 Petrobras Brazil Oil company 55,031 3.2 Gazprom Russia Gas producer 44,727 2.6 Royal Bank of Scotland United Kingdom Banking 40,659 2.4 Samsung Electronics Korea Electronics manufacturer 40,370 2.3 GlaxoSmithKline United Kingdom Pharmaceuticals 38,907 2.3 Barclays United Kingdom Banking 38,876 2.2 British American Tobacco United Kingdom Tobacco 37,783 2.2 EOG Resources United States Gas and oil exploration and production 37,422 2.2 BHP Billiton Australia Diversified resources 33,584 1.9 Atlas Copco Sweden Engineering 30,555 1.8 SAP Germany Business software 30,364 1.8 Carnival United Kingdom Cruise ship operator 29,961 1.7 Moody's United States Bond rating agency 28,112 1.6 ConocoPhillips United States Integrated oil company 27,646 1.6 Golden West Financial United States Savings and loans 26,884 1.6 CVRD Brazil Mining company 26,386 1.5 Suncor Energy Canada Oil company 24,865 1.4 Man Group United Kingdom Hedge fund manager and asset gatherer 24,840 1.4 Altria United States Tobacco and food 24,687 1.4 Microsoft United States Software products 23,262 1.3 Imperial Tobacco United Kingdom Tobacco 23,079 1.3 Sandvik Sweden Engineering 22,933 1.3 Wolseley United Kingdom Builders' merchant 22,762 1.3 Standard Chartered United Kingdom Banking 22,564 1.3 Teva Pharmaceuticals Israel Generic drugs manufacturer 22,518 1.3 eBay United States Internet trading company 22,515 1.3 Diageo United Kingdom Branded spirits 22,154 1.3 Northern Rock United Kingdom Mortgage banking 21,632 1.3 CNOOC China Oil and gas exploration 21,455 1.2 922,488 53.2 DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS at 30 September 2005 (unaudited) Restated + Restated + 30 September 30 September 31 March 2005 2004 2005 % % % Equities: United Kingdom 36.4 43.3 41.7 Continental Europe 8.9 9.0 9.7 North America 23.6 20.6 21.5 Japan 5.0 5.2 4.8 Asia Pacific 10.1 9.2 9.0 Other Emerging Markets 11.2 5.3 7.7 Total equities 95.2 92.6 94.4 Sterling denominated bonds 3.0 4.2 3.8 Euro denominated bonds 1.0 1.5 0.9 US$ denominated bonds 0.3 0.4 0.4 Net liquid assets 0.5 1.3 0.5 Total assets (before deduction of loans and debentures) 100.0 100.0 100.0 + see note 1 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC NOTES 1. A number of new UK Financial Reporting Standards have been introduced with which the Company must comply by its 31 March 2006 financial year end. These standards are part of the UK convergence programme with International Accounting Standards and as such have required most UK listed companies to restate prior year figures to reflect the new accounting treatment. The financial statements for the six months to 30 September 2005 have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's Annual Financial Statements at 31 March 2005 except as detailed below: (a) investments have been valued at fair value through profit and loss in accordance with FRS 26 ' Financial Instruments: Measurement'. The effect is to move from a mid to a bid basis of valuation, resulting in a reduction in the value of investments and unrealised capital reserves of £2,229,000 (30 September 2004 - £2,068,000; 31 March 2005 - £1,743,000); (b) in compliance with FRS 21 'Events after the Balance Sheet Date', dividends declared after the period end are no longer treated as a liability at the period end. The effect is to reduce creditors and increase revenue reserves by £11,291,000 (30 September 2004 - £6,799,000; 31 March 2005 - £14,928,000); The overall effect of these changes on shareholders' funds is detailed below: At 30 Sept At 30 Sept 2004 At 31 March 2005 £'000 2005 £'000 £'000 Investments/Capital reserve - unrealised (2,229) (2,068) (1,743) Creditors: dividends payable/Revenue 11,291 6,799 14,928 reserve 9,062 4,731 13,185 Under the new standards, dividends may no longer be charged through the Statement of Total Return but should be included in the Statement of Changes in Equity. Dividends paid and proposed are disclosed in note 6; and (c) income from fixed interest securities has been calculated using the effective interest rate method. The net effect of this change in the six months to 30 September 2005 is to increase unrealised capital reserves by £118,000 and reduce realised capital reserves by £16,000 and reduce revenue reserves by £102,000 respectively. Comparative figures have not been restated as the effect on prior periods is immaterial. 2. Loans and debentures include Y5,900 million drawn down under a three year multi-currency loan facility and US$60 million drawn down under a short term facility (30 September 2004 - Y5,900 million and US$40 million and 31 March 2005 - Y5,900 million and US$60 million, drawn down under the three year and the short term facilities). Net asset value per share (after deducting prior charges at market value) was 492.8p (30 September 2004 - 359.3p and 31 March 2005 - 398.8p). The market value of debenture stocks at 30 September 2005 was £223,648,000 (30 September 2004 - £212,807,000 and 31 March 2005 - £215,808,000). 3. On 11 February 1999 authority was first granted to the Company to buy back its ordinary shares (equivalent to 14.99% of its issued share capital at that date). The authority has been renewed at each subsequent AGM and was last renewed at the AGM on 30 June 2005 in respect of 44,066,869 ordinary shares (equivalent to 14.99% of its issued share capital at that date). In the six months to 30 September 2005 a total of 2,330,000 ordinary shares with a nominal value of £582,000 were bought back at a total cost of £8,453,000. At 30 September 2005 the Company had authority to buy back a further 43,366,869 ordinary shares. 30 September 2005 30 September 2004 31 March 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 4. Income Income from investments and interest 22,363 17,759 35,386 receivable Other income 35 35 70 SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC NOTES Restated+ Restated+ 30 September 2005 30 September 2004 31 March 2005 5. Return per ordinary share Revenue return 4.73p 3.74p 7.37p Capital return 96.41p (2.62p) 36.58p 101.14p 1.12p 43.95p The return per ordinary share figures are based on the following totals of revenue and capital and on 294,280,853 (30 September 2004 - 296,589,814 and 31 March 2005 - 296,098,814) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during each period. £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue return 13,936 11,090 21,809 Capital return 283,712 (7,762) 108,337 Restated+ Restated+ Six months to Six months to Year to 30 September 2005 30 September 2004 31 March 2005 £'000 £'000 £'000 6. Dividends Amounts recognised as distributions in the period: Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2005 of 5.05p (2004 - 0.40p), paid 6 July 2005 14,876 1,189 1,189 Interim dividend for the year ending 31 March 2005 of 2.30p, paid 26 November 2004 - - 6,799 14,876 1,189 7,988 Interim dividend for the year ending 31 March 2006 of 3.85p (2005 - 2.30p) 11,291 6,799 6,799 The interim dividend was declared after the period end date and has therefore not been included as a liability in the balance sheet. It is payable on 25 November 2005 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 November 2005. The ex dividend date is 9 November 2005. 7. The financial information contained within this Interim Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the year ended 31 March 2005 has been extracted from the statutory accounts and restated as disclosed in note 1. Those accounts have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and contain an unqualified Auditors' Report and do not contain a statement under sections 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act. 8. The Interim Report was approved by the Board on 27 October 2005. None of the views expressed in this document should be construed as advice to buy or sell a particular investment. + see note 1. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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