Please note that this announcement replaces the version released on Wednesday
10 August 2016. Corrections have been made to errors in sterling denominated
performance figures for both the net asset value and share price for the
periods since March 2016 due to an incorrect dividend reinvestment factor being
applied (reinvestment factor based on 6 pence rather than the sterling
equivalent of 6 cents). Periods affected are 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and since
31.03.06. All other information remains the same.
BLACKROCK LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
All information is at31 July 2016 and unaudited.
Performance at month end with net income reinvested
One month |
Three months |
One year |
Three years |
Five years |
^^Since 31.03.06 |
|
Sterling: | ||||||
Net asset value^ | 6.2 | 16.4 | 23.8 | -5.5 | -23.1 | 59.2 |
Share price | 5.9 | 14.0 | 23.7 | -5.7 | -24.4 | 46.1 |
MSCI EM Latin America | 6.3 | 15.8 | 25.5 | -5.2 | -19.7 | 72.2 |
US Dollars: |
||||||
Net asset value^ | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.4 | -17.1 | -37.7 | 22.1 |
Share price | 5.2 | 3.3 | 5.4 | -17.3 | -38.8 | 12.0 |
MSCI EM Latin America | 5.5 | 5.0 | 6.8 | -17.0 | -35.1 | 31.8 |
^cum income
^^Date which BlackRock took over the investment management of the Company.
Sources: BlackRock, Standard & Poor’s Micropal
At month end | |
Net asset value – capital only: | 435.31p |
Net asset value – cum income: | 443.57p |
Share price: | 380.75p |
Total Assets#: | £174.7m |
Discount (share price to cum income NAV): | 14.2% |
Average discount* over the month – cum income: | 13.9% |
Net cash at month end**: | 0.9% |
Gearing range (as a % of net assets): | 0-25% |
Net yield##: | 3.6% |
Ordinary shares in issue***: | 39,369,620 |
Ongoing charges****: | 1.1% |
#Total assets include current year revenue.
## calculated using total dividends declared in the last 12 months as at the date of this announcement as a percentage of month end share price.
*The discount is calculated using the cum income NAV (expressed in sterling terms).
**Net cash/net gearing is calculated using debt at par, less cash and cash equivalents and fixed interest investments as a percentage of net assets.
***Excluding 2,071,662 shares held in treasury.
**** Calculated as a percentage of average net assets and using expenses, excluding performance fees and interest costs for the year ended 31 December 2015.
Geographic Exposure
% of Total Assets | % of Equity Portfolio * | MSCI EM Latin American Index | |
Brazil | 58.9 | 59.5 | 56.0 |
Mexico | 28.0 | 28.3 | 28.8 |
Peru | 6.1 | 6.1 | 3.0 |
Chile | 2.5 | 2.5 | 9.0 |
Argentina | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
Colombia | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.2 |
Net current assets (inc.Fixed interest) | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
----- | ----- | ----- | |
Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
----- | ----- | ----- |
Sector | % of Equity Portfolio * | % of Benchmark |
Financials | 30.7 | 30.9 |
Consumer Staples | 23.8 | 20.3 |
Energy | 11.6 | 8.1 |
Materials | 9.5 | 12.7 |
Industrials | 8.0 | 6.5 |
Consumer Discretionary | 6.3 | 6.6 |
Information Technology | 4.2 | 2.4 |
Telecommunication Services | 3.4 | 5.4 |
Utilities | 2.5 | 6.6 |
Health Care | 0.0 | 0.5 |
----- | ----- | |
Total | 100.0 | 100.0 |
----- | ----- |
*excluding net current assets & fixed interest
Ten Largest Equity Investments (in percentage order)
Company |
Country of Risk |
% of Equity Portfolio |
% of Benchmark |
Itau Unibanco | Brazil | 9.0 | 5.7 |
Petrobas | Brazil | 8.1 | 5.1 |
Banco Bradesco | Brazil | 8.0 | 6.0 |
AmBev | Brazil | 7.0 | 5.2 |
Femsa | Mexico | 4.5 | 3.1 |
Cielo | Brazil | 4.2 | 2.2 |
Grupo Financiero Banorte | Mexico | 3.6 | 2.6 |
Telefonica Brasil | Brazil | 3.4 | 1.3 |
Credicorp | Peru | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Cemex SAB | Mexico | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Commenting on the markets, Will Landers, representing the Investment Manager noted;
Performance
For the month of July 2016, the Company’s NAV increased by 6.2% and the share price increased by 5.9%, while the Company’s benchmark, the MSCI EM Latin America Free Index, rose by 6.3% (all in sterling terms).
Positive contributions to performance stemmed from our low exposure to Colombia. Colombia was the largest underperformer in the region driven primarily by a weaker currency amid a large decline in oil prices in July. The largest contributor to performance was Petrobras. The stock benefited from favourable domestic developments on the political front which helped support the equity rally in Brazil. An underweight to America Movil also contributed positively.
Stock selection in Brazil weighed on returns. The lack of exposure to Vale weighed on returns as iron ore prices were up by almost 11% during the month. We remain out of Vale as we expect an unfavourable supply/demand equation in the second half of 2016. A lack of exposure to Banco do Brasil also detracted from returns.
Transactions/Gearing
During the month we increased exposure to Brazil while reducing exposure to Mexico. In Brazil, we increased exposure to Petrobras as the stock stands to benefit from a stronger currency and positive political developments. In Mexico, we exited America Movil given negative pricing news in the sector and weak results. In addition, we reduced exposure to Cemex.
Net cash was approximately 0.9% at the end of July.
Positioning
Overall, we are positive about the prospects for Latin America going forward given the structural changes in the region, the potential for reform and the positive implications of those reforms. We continue to prefer Brazil over Mexico. We expect the reform agenda in Brazil to begin moving through Congress once the impeachment process is finalized thus clearing a path to growth. Our more cautious view on Mexico is predicated on the potential for slower growth in the US and the impact of the US election cycle. Elsewhere in the region, we continue to prefer Peru over Chile and Colombia.
16 August 2016
ENDS
Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.co.uk/brla on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager’s website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager’s website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.