Interim Results

Schroder Split Investment Fund PLC 01 July 2005 1 July 2005 PRESS RELEASE PRELIMINARY RESULTS The Directors of Schroder Split Investment Fund plc announce the unaudited preliminary results for the Group's six months ending 30 April 2005 Highlights 30 April 2005 31 October 2004 % change Pence Pence Net asset value per Zero Dividend Preference Share 127.42p 122.82p +3.8 Ordinary Share 88.25p 82.73p +6.7 Share price per Zero Dividend Preference Share 133.00p 130.00p +2.3 Ordinary Share 78.00p 65.50p +19.1 Total return to shareholders Results for the 6 months to Results for the 6 months to 30 April 2005 30 April 2004 £'000 £'000 Zero Dividend Preference Shares 1,265 1,187 _ Ordinary Shares 3,510 3,388 _ CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Performance I am pleased to report that during the six-month period ended 30 April 2005 the Group's net asset value produced a total return of 7.0% (the total return for the equity portfolio was 7.7%), outperforming the FTSE All-Share Index, which produced a total return of 6.1% and matching the FTSE 350 Higher Yield Index, which produced a total return of 7.0% over the same period. The long-term performance of the Group remains good. Since launch in January 2002 the Group's net asset value has outperformed both the FTSE All-Share Index and the FTSE 350 Higher Yield Index. The Group's net asset value produced a total return of 22.4% from launch to 30 April 2005, comparing favourably to the total return from the FTSE All-Share of 6.2% and the FTSE 350 Higher Yield of 16.8% over the same period. The ordinary shares produced a total return of 24.4% during the six-month period to 30 April 2005 as the discount to net asset value narrowed significantly from 20.8% to 11.6%, with sentiment towards the Company and the sector improving. Dividends As previously announced your Board has declared an increased second interim dividend for the year ended 31 October 2005 of 1.5p compared with 1.4p in 2004. This follows an increased first interim dividend for the year of 1.5p (1.4p in 2004). Your Directors expect, on the basis of current market forecasts for income receivable, that they will be able to declare dividends for the year ended 31 October 2005 totalling in excess of the 6.2p paid to shareholders in respect of the year ending 31 October 2004. This is not a profit forecast. Outlook Our manager has a cautious view of the world economy. Its research based style lends itself to such market conditions and gives us confidence that they will continue to provide shareholders with satisfactory performance. We remain confident that the strong performance of the Group should continue to provide shareholders with reassurance that the business model adopted at launch remains appropriate. John Padovan Chairman 1 July 2005 Investment Manager's Reports Equity Investments Performance The value of the UK equity investments rose by 7.7 per cent. during the six month period to 30 April 2005 compared to a rise in the FT All Share and FTSE 350 High Yield Indices of 6.1 per cent and 7.0 per cent respectively. Market Background The market rose sharply during the first four months driven by corporate merger and acquisition activity. However, during March and April the market fell due to concerns that inflation would be higher than had been previously expected, driven by sharp rises in the price of oil and other commodities. At the same time there were mounting signs of a slow down in UK consumer spending. This led to a heightened level of risk aversion within the market. These trends benefited the portfolio which was further boosted by takeovers for RAC and Allied Domecq. The increasing demand for yield has led to a re-rating of companies with defensive earnings streams such as tobacco and utilities. Now the re-rating has occurred the fund is gradually redeploying capital away from these areas into major capitalisation companies which we believe offer better medium term growth prospects but are trading at lower multiples such as Vodafone, Pearson and Rentokil. Outlook The outlook for the world economy is one of relative caution. The major economic imbalances in the world, in particular those in the US economy, have yet to be resolved, whilst lack of domestic demand growth still dogs most of Europe and Japan. This is a risky backdrop for both corporate and portfolio investors and we reflect this in your portfolio. Corporate Bond and Monthly High Income Funds During the six month period to 30 April 2005 the value of the Schroder Corporate Bond Fund and the Schroder Monthly High Income Fund rose by 2.8% and 3.6% respectively (source Micropal). Corporate bonds were able to make good progress over the six months to end April, despite having faced numerous challenges late in the reporting period. Earlier, the market had benefited from companies continuing to repair balance sheets and from strong market fundamentals - such as low default rates and demand outstripping the supply of new bonds. However, markets later backtracked a little, as uncertainties brought about by profitability issues at two of the US's largest automakers and the high and sustained oil price weighed negatively on market sentiment. Despite the challenging backdrop, both the Schroder Corporate Bond and the Schroder Monthly High Income Funds outperformed the average returns of their peer groups. Strong stock selection decisions were of particular benefit, with both funds owning bonds in companies which received credit ratings upgrades or which reported strong financial results. In addition, both funds had zero exposure to the auto sector, which came under intense pressure as both General Motors and Ford reported falling sales and profitability. This ultimately led to both companies' bonds being downgraded to below investment grade - a key driver of the recent pick-up in volatility and risk aversion. During the second half of the reporting period and in response to the more challenging environment, we adopted a more conservative stance. In both funds we trimmed our exposure to long-dated Investment Grade bonds and to High Yield bonds, both of which tend to suffer most during periods of slowing economic growth. This worked well for relative performance. Outlook Global economic growth is slowing and against this backdrop companies are likely to find it harder to maintain earnings growth and credit quality. We expect to see an increase in credit rating downgrades and default rates. Given this, we hold a preference towards shorter-maturity bonds, higher-rated bonds and those companies less geared to the economic cycle. Schroder Investment Management Limited 1 July 2005 Unaudited Group Statement of Total Return Results for the six months Results for the six months 30 April 2005 30 April 2004 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 3,549 3,549 - 3,357 3,357 Income 1,973 - 1,973 1,942 - 1,942 Investment management fee (94) (141) (235) (79) (119) (198) Other administrative expenses (147) - (147) (161) - (161) Return on ordinary activities 1,732 3,408 5,140 1,702 3,238 4,940 before finance costs and taxation Interest payable (146) (219) (365) (146) (219) (365) Provision for the redemption of - (1,265) (1,265) - (1,187) (1,187) Zero dividend preference shares in the subsidiary Return on ordinary activities 1,586 1,924 3,510 1,556 1,832 3,388 before taxation Taxation on ordinary activities (73) 73 - (97) 97 - Return after taxation attributable 1,513 1,997 3,510 1,459 1,929 3,388 to ordinary shareholders Dividends : ordinary shares - first interim dividend (618) - (618) (577) - (577) 1.5p per share , (2004 : 1.4p per share) - second interim dividend (618) - (618) (577) - (577) 1.5p per share , (2004 : 1.4p per share) Transfer to reserves 277 1,997 2,274 305 1,929 2,234 Return per share Ordinary shares 3.67p 4.85p 8.52p 3.54p 4.68p 8.22p Dividends per share 3.00p - 3.00p 2.80p - 2.80p Zero dividend preference shares - 4.60p 4.60p - 4.32p 4.32p Results for the Results for the Unaudited Abridged Group Cash Flow Statement six months six months 30 April 2005 30 April 2004 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,048 864 Bank loan interest paid (365) (146) Dividends paid (1,442) (1,319) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities (271) 3,311 Net cash (outflow)/inflow (1,030) 2,710 Summary Unaudited Summary Unaudited Summary Balance Summary Balance Balance Sheets at 30 Balance Sheets at Sheets at 31 Sheets at 31 April 2005 30 April 2005 October 2004 October 2004 Group Company Group Company £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed Asset Investments Equities listed in the United Kingdom 65,133 65,133 60,101 60,101 Fixed interest investments 18,294 18,294 18,160 18,160 Investment in subsidiary - 50 - 50 83,427 83,477 78,261 78,311 Net current assets 33 (17) 1,660 1,610 Creditors : Amounts falling due after more than one year Loan facility (12,100) (12,100) (12,100) (12,100) Amount owed to group undertaking - (35,000) Zero dividend preference shares in - (33,735) the subsidiary (35,000) - (33,735) - Net Assets/(Liabilities) 36,360 36,360 34,086 34,086 Funds attributable* to Ordinary shares 36,360 34,086 Zero dividend preference shares in 35,000 33,735 the subsidiary 71,360 67,821 Net asset value per zero dividend 127.42p 122.82p preference share Net asset value per ordinary share 88.25p 82.73p *Funds Attributable may be defined as the net assets employed before deducting amounts owed in respect of zero dividend preference shares. Notes 1. The above financial information is unaudited and does not amount to statutory accounts under Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended). The statutory accounts for the year to 31 October 2004 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. The Group accounts consolidate the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Schroder Split ZDP plc. 3. As permitted by Section 230 of the Companies Act 1985, the Company has not presented its own revenue account. The net revenue after taxation for the period to 30 April 2005 of the Company dealt with in the accounts of the Group was £1,513,000 (Year to 31 October 2004 : £2,656,000.) This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 1 July 2005. The Interim Report for the period ended 30 April 2005 will be mailed to shareholders at their registered addresses in July 2005 and from the date of release copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be available to the public at the Company's registered office: 31 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QA. ________________________________________________________________________________ Enquiries: Schroder Investment Management Limited John Spedding (020 7658 3206) 1 July 2005 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Companies

SCS Group (SCS)
UK 100

Latest directors dealings