Half-yearly Report

The Edinburgh Investment Trust plc Half-Yearly Financial Report Six Months to 30 September 2010 Financial Information and Performance Statistics The Edinburgh Investment Trust plc (the `Company') is a UK investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange. Investment Objective of the Company The Company invests primarily in UK securities with the long term objective of achieving: 1. an increase of the Net Asset Value per share by more than the growth in the FTSE All-Share Index; and 2. growth in dividends per share by more than the rate of UK inflation. Performance Statistics At At 30 31 March % September 2010 2010 Change Capital Return Net asset value (`NAV') - debt at 437.86p 422.41p +3.7 par - debt at market value 408.66p 398.92p +2.4 FTSE All-Share index 2867.58 2910.19 -1.5 Share price 417.00p 396.30p +5.2 Discount/(premium) - debt at par 4.8% 6.2% - debt at market value (2.0)% 0.7% Gearing - actual(1) 22.9% 24.1% - potential(2) 23.3% 24.2% % For the Six Months to 30 September 2010 2009 Change Revenue Return First interim dividend(3) 4.75p 4.75p Special dividend(3) 0.93p - Revenue return per share 11.9p 10.4p +14.4 Retail price index +2.1% +1.9% Total Return (capital growth with income reinvested) NAV - debt at par +5.2 - debt at market value +4.1 FTSE All-Share Index +0.2 Share price, including income +6.9 reinvested Notes: 1. Actual gearing: borrowings less cash and investments in money market funds ÷ shareholders' funds. 2. Potential gearing: borrowings ÷ shareholders' funds. 3. Dividends declared in respect of the financial year. INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT INCORPORATING THE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Chairman's Statement Introduction When the Company's management was transferred to Invesco Asset Management (`Invesco') in September 2008, Neil Woodford, the Invesco executive with prime responsibility for the Company's investments, believed - as did your Board - that the path to economic recovery was not without difficulty and that the most appropriate portfolio in such circumstances was a defensive one, with the potential to produce growth of earnings and dividends in a challenging environment. This broad thinking has subsequently remained fundamentally unchanged, as has the bulk of the portfolio. The UK Equity Market As described in detail in the Manager's Report, the UK equity market fell sharply in the first three months (April-June 2010) of the review period, reflecting investor concerns prompted principally by fiscal balances in a number of EU Sovereign states, with the position of Greece being most prominent. From early July the market began a process of recovery as these concerns lessened when investors took confidence from monetary stimulus in the US and more positive expectations elsewhere. The net effect was that over the six months to 30 September 2010 as a whole the Company's capital benchmark, the FTSE All-Share Index (the `Index') fell by 1.5%. Investment Performance Capital: The Company's defensive portfolio tends to out-perform when confidence is weak and the Index falls; the converse is also true. In the first half of the recent six month period, our investments did well in the weak market. The position was to some extent reversed in the second. Overall, the result was satisfactory: the Company's Net Asset Value (`NAV') increased by 3.7% (debt at par) and 2.4% (debt at market value). The former measure is the better indicator of the performance of the equity portfolio and represents good out-performance of the Index which, as previously stated, fell by 1.5%. Shareholders' Return: Reflecting continuing market demand, the Company's share price increased over the six months by 5.2%, clearly much more satisfactory than the fall of 1.5% in the Index in the same period. The discount of the share price to NAV (with debt at par) narrowed from 6.2 to 4.8%; valuing debt at market value, the shares traded at a premium of 2.0% to NAV, compared to a discount of 0.7% at the year-end. Over the six month period, the share price total return (reflecting capital growth with income reinvested) was 6.9% - the equivalent Index measure was 0.2%. VAT Further to my Statement in the most recent Annual Financial Report, I can now report that Aberdeen Asset Management, successors to Edinburgh Fund Managers has, after the period end, obtained repayment from HMRC of VAT paid by the Company in the period 1990-96. Aberdeen has also remitted an amount, further to that received last year, in respect of the years 2001-02. The total of these receipts is £3.176million reflecting allocations made when the VAT was originally charged, £1.367million of this payment has been allocated to the Company's capital, and £1.809million to revenue. This latter amount ( 0.93 pence per share) will be paid to shareholders immediately, as described in the section `Company Dividend' below. Aberdeen expects to remit in due course a further amount in respect of accrued interest: this, when received, will be allocated wholly to revenue and will be distributed to shareholders at the next convenient opportunity after receipt. Company Dividend The Board has declared an unchanged first interim dividend of 4.75 pence per share together with an additional special dividend of 0.93 pence per share representing the repayment of VAT, described in the previous section of this Statement. Thus a total of 5.68 pence per share will be paid on 30 November 2010 to shareholders on the Company's register on 19 November 2010. Other Matters Board Succession: I am very pleased to report that the Board has nominated Jim Pettigrew to succeed me as Chairman on my retirement in July 2011. Jim has wide experience as Chief Financial Officer and as a Director of a number of major companies in the financial services sector. He has already made a substantial contribution to the Company since joining the Board in October 2005, and has gained wide respect from his colleagues as a most effective Chairman of the Audit Committee. Electronic Communication: Following a change in legislation, Shareholders approved a resolution at the Annual General Meeting in 2008 to permit the Company to communicate with shareholders by electronic means. A letter from the Company Secretary, enclosed with this Report, gives details of the Company's proposals. The Board wishes to maintain strong links with shareholders by ensuring that information is provided in a manner which suits individual needs. I should therefore be grateful if you would give appropriate consideration to the enclosed letter, and to note particularly that it is necessary to complete and return the relevant form if you wish to continue to receive, as you do now, full half-yearly and annual financial reports in written form, by post. Outlook The future pattern of economic development remains unclear despite recent fiscal and monetary initiatives by many world governments. The UK public spending initiatives, however right for the long term, will reduce consumer spending both by those directly affected and by others who suffer, or fear they may suffer, from secondary effects. Other countries present equally difficult challenges to the international trading environment for the UK corporate sector in which the Company invests. The Board and Manager, whilst remaining vigilant, see no need to change the Company's investment approach at this time. We continue to believe that its defensively orientated, concentrated portfolio, whilst not without risks, will continue even in this difficult environment to produce the steady growth needed to fuel the progressive dividend policy which is important to the Company's shareholders. We also feel that the portfolio's characteristics are such that it has potential for substantial upward re-rating when confidence in world economies is regained. Scott Dobbie Chairman 10 November 2010 Manager's Report Market Review UK stocks ended the period little changed as positive corporate earnings were negated by signs of slowing growth domestically and fragile confidence in the global outlook. Sentiment early in the period supported UK equity markets as confidence in the global recovery remained relatively firm. However, the sovereign debt crisis that engulfed the peripheral Eurozone countries and signs of moderating growth in China and the US saw markets falter during the summer months as investors sought out `safe-haven' assets. The latter part of the period saw sentiment make tentative steps forward, although economic data remained mostly weak, the market reaction was more positive in anticipation of a second round of quantitative easing. Weak first quarter GDP data, with the economy hampered by the exceptionally cold weather experienced at the start of the year, was followed by stronger than anticipated expansion in the three months to the end of June. Second quarter growth benefited from the impact of deferred activity and GDP expanded by 1.2% quarter-on-quarter, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. A decline in unemployment added to the more positive economic data, but stubbornly high inflation and falls in retail sales and house prices reinforced the fragile economic outlook. With doubts about the economy remaining high, two members of the Monetary Policy Committee outlined the challenges that still lay ahead, including the severe spending cuts announced in the Emergency Budget, and concluded that further stimulus measures may yet be required. The Bank of England held interest rates steady, at their historic low of just 0.5%, despite consumer price inflation remaining well above the Bank's 2% target throughout the period. The Bank's latest Inflation Report, released in August, forecast that growth would be weaker than previously thought, with inflation still expected to undershoot its 2% target over the next two years, despite the impact of the planned VAT rise to 20% at the beginning of next year. In addition to largely positive corporate earnings results, renewed merger and acquisition activity also provided support to equities. International Power, SSL International and Tomkins were all targets of takeover approaches. Cairn Energy and Aviva both received bids for parts of their businesses, Dana Petroleum was the subject of a £1.87 billion bid from Korea National Oil and BHP Billiton offered $39 billion for Potash Corp. Retailers Next, DSG International and Debenhams highlighted the difficult and uncertain outlook for the UK consumer, but Vodafone announced improvements in service and data revenues, while strong results from Capita and British American Tobacco were accompanied by dividend increases of 15% and 19% respectively. Portfolio Strategy and Review The Company's net asset value, including reinvested dividends, rose by 5.2% during the period, compared to a rise of 0.2% (total return) for the FTSE All-Share Index. In a period where the outlook for the global economy became increasingly uncertain, the portfolio's bias towards dependable growth companies with low earnings volatility benefited returns. Over the period, the significant overweight to the tobacco sector was positive, with Altria and Reynolds American both making positive contributions. The utility sector representations, most notably International Power, were also strong. International Power rose on news that it had agreed to merge with French utility GDF Suez. The media sector exposure, through the position in Yell, detracted, as did the holding of Roche. In terms of portfolio activity, the takeover of Climate Exchange, one of the smaller holdings, was concluded during the period and the holding of Severn Trent was sold. In the year to date (to the end of the third quarter) the stock comfortably outperformed the wider market, rising by more than 20% against the FTSE All-Share's 6.7% gain. In our view, the share price is now more fully valued and we are able to find more attractive valuation opportunities in other parts of the market. We also sold the position in Bunzl. The stock had performed well in both relative and absolute terms, providing the opportunity to secure profits and to reinvest in higher conviction ideas. The stock's robust performance had also resulted in its dividend yield becoming less attractive than some alternative investment opportunities. A holding in Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis was introduced during the period. In our view, the company shares many of the attributes exhibited by the portfolio's existing pharmaceutical holdings; a strong balance sheet, low volatility of earnings and positive dividend growth prospects. We believe the introduction of a new management team has increased the opportunity to enhance shareholder returns by improving productivity and cost control. We continued to build positions in companies that we believe are undervalued, taking advantage of stock specific opportunities. We added to the representation in the aerospace and defence sector, through an increase in the holding of BAE Systems. We believe that the group's share price reflects overly pessimistic assumptions about potential defence spending cuts. BAE Systems currently trades on a forward earnings multiple of around 8 times and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. The group has strong international businesses; a proven track record and a high degree of earnings visibility, which leaves the shares looking more attractively valued than they have been in many years. With a number of our favoured companies, across a range of sectors, also offering attractive valuations, we made further purchases in stocks including AstraZeneca, BAE Systems, BT, Capita, GlaxoSmithKline, Morrisons and Roche. Outlook In our view, the prospects for the UK economy remain challenging. The UK has seen a muted recovery so far despite the scale of monetary and fiscal support it has received and with the process of bank crisis resolution still far from over we expect growth to be minimal in the years ahead. At the current time the combination of consumers and banks de-leveraging is restricting growth and the outlook for 2011 will be further challenged by fiscal consolidation. The spending cuts required to address the UK's deficit will be severe and have negative implications for the employment market. We believe these factors will lead to the underlying weakness of private sector demand becoming clear. In this scenario, we expect there to be a lack of pricing pressure in the economy that will see inflation gradually retreat, despite the one-off impact of next year's VAT rise. The businesses that the Company has exposure to can, in our view, continue to grow revenues, profits and dividends despite the current economic headwinds. A number of these companies, including pharmaceuticals and tobacco, are insulated from weakness in discretionary consumer spending and are benefiting from expansion in faster growing overseas markets. Companies in the utility, aerospace and telecom sectors can also provide sustainable earnings growth. Selected businesses in these areas of the market are profoundly undervalued and we are confident that as the market's belief in sustainable and robust economic recovery fades these businesses will be much sought after. While some companies will struggle during a protracted period of economic weakness, the Manager expects the businesses within the portfolio to continue to deliver robust operating performance and progressive dividend growth. Neil Woodford Investment Manager 10 November 2010 Related Party Invesco Asset Management Limited (`IAML'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Limited, acts as Manager, Company Secretary and Administrator to the Company. Details of the management fee arrangements are given in notes 2 and 3. There are no other related party transactions. Principal Risks and Uncertainties The principal risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business can be divided into various areas: • market risk; • investment performance risk; • gearing risk; • income/dividend risk; • share price risk; • control system risk; and • other risks. A detailed explanation of these principal risks and uncertainties can be found on pages 18 to 20 of the 2010 annual financial report, which is available on the Company's website at http://investmenttrusts.invescoperpetual.co.uk/portal/ site/iptrust/investmentrange/investmenttrusts/edinburgh/. In the view of the Board, these principal risks and uncertainties are as much applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review. Going Concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Directors consider this is the appropriate basis as the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In considering this, the Directors took into account the diversified portfolio of readily realisable securities which can be used to meet funding commitments, and the ability of the Company to meet all its liabilities and ongoing expenses from its assets. Directors' Responsibility Statement In respect of the Preparation of the Half-Yearly Financial Report The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report using accounting policies consistent with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards. The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge: * the condensed set of financial statements contained within the half-yearly financial report have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board's Statement `Half-Yearly Financial Reports'; * the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules; and * the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required on related party transactions. Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors. Scott Dobbie Chairman 10 November 2010 Top Twenty Holdings At 30 September 2010 UK listed and ordinary shares unless otherwise stated Market Value % of Investment Sector £'000 Portfolio GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals & 98,719 9.4 Biotechnology AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals & 96,991 9.2 Biotechnology British American Tobacco Tobacco 74,214 7.1 Vodafone Mobile Telecommunications 59,264 5.6 Reynolds American - US common stock Tobacco 55,891 5.3 BT Fixed Line 50,650 4.8 Telecommunications BG Oil & Gas Producers 49,071 4.7 Imperial Tobacco Tobacco 47,288 4.5 Tesco Food & Drug Retailers 45,460 4.3 National Grid Gas & Water Multiutilities 40,929 3.8 Top ten holdings 618,477 58.7 Altria - US common stock Tobacco 37,678 3.6 BAE Systems Aerospace & Defence 33,716 3.2 Roche - Swiss common stock Pharmaceuticals & 32,548 3.1 Biotechnology Reckitt Benckiser Household Goods 31,123 3.0 Capita Support Services 28,595 2.7 Rolls Royce Aerospace & Defence 27,112 2.6 Centrica Gas & Water Multiutilities 25,193 2.4 Scottish & Southern Energy Electricity 22,661 2.2 International Power Electricity 19,016 1.8 Novartis - Swiss common Pharmaceuticals & 17,422 1.7 stock Biotechnology Top twenty holdings 893,541 85.0 Aggregate value of other 158,952 15.0 investments Total investments 1,052,493 100.0 Independent Review Report Introduction We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2010 which comprises the condensed income statement, condensed reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds, condensed balance sheet, condensed cash flow statement and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements. This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (the `DTR') of the UK's Financial Services Authority (the `UK FSA'). Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached. Directors' Responsibilities The half-yearly report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA. As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement `Half-Yearly Financial Reports' as issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board. Our Responsibility Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. Scope of Review We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 `Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion. Conclusion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2010 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Statement `Half-Yearly Financial Reports' as issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board and the DTR of the UK FSA. Salim Tharani For and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc Chartered Accountants Edinburgh 10 November 2010Condensed Income Statement Six Months to 30 September 2010 (Unaudited) Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 26,347 26,347 Foreign exchange gains - - - Income UK dividends 22,110 - 22,110 Scrip dividends 404 - 404 Overseas dividends 3,122 - 3,122 Income from money market funds 3 - 3 UK unfranked investment income - interest - - - Deposit interest - - - Underwriting and other income 148 - 148 25,787 26,347 52,134 Operating costs Investment management fee - note 2 (692) (1,615) (2,307) Performance fee - note 3 - - - VAT recoverable on management fees - 1,809 1,367 3,176 note 4 Other expenses (375) (1) (376) Net return before finance costs and 26,529 26,098 52,627 taxation Finance costs - note 2 (2,938) (6,853) (9,791) Return on ordinary activities before 23,591 19,245 42,836 tax Tax on ordinary activities (430) - (430) Return on ordinary activities after 23,161 19,245 42,406 tax Return per ordinary share - note 5 11.9p 9.8p 21.7p The total column of this statement represents the Company's profit and loss account, prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are presented for information purposes in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations and the Company has no other gains or losses therefore no statement of recognised gains or losses is presented. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period. Condensed Income Statement continued Year Ended 31 March Six Months to 30 September 2009 2010 (Unaudited) (Audited) Revenue Capital Total Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 137,595 137,595 212,356 Foreign exchange gains/ - 27 27 (187) (losses) Income UK dividends 21,231 - 21,231 38,795 Scrip dividends 541 - 541 870 Overseas dividends 2,138 - 2,138 5,936 Income from money market 5 - 5 7 funds UK unfranked investment income - interest 401 - 401 1,190 Deposit interest 1 - 1 1 Underwriting and other 61 - 61 159 income 24,378 137,622 162,000 259,127 Operating costs Investment management (571) (1,332) (1,903) (4,079) fee - note 2 Performance fee - note 3 - - - - VAT recovered on - - - 963 management fees Other expenses (363) (6) (369) (703) Net return before finance costs and taxation 23,444 136,284 159,728 255,308 Finance costs - note 2 (2,925) (6,825) (9,750) (19,502) Return on ordinary activities before tax 20,519 129,459 149,978 235,806 Tax on ordinary (256) - (256) (809) activities Return on ordinary 20,263 129,459 149,722 234,997 activities after tax Return per ordinary share 10.4p 66.3p 76.7p 120.4p - note 5 Condensed Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds Capital Share Share Redemption Capital Revenue Capital Premium Reserve Reserve Reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 For the six months to 30 September 2010 (Unaudited) At 31 March 2010 48,779 6,639 24,676 698,000 49,231 827,325 Dividends paid - final - - - - (12,390) (12,390) Net return on ordinary activities - - - 19,245 23,161 42,406 At 30 September 48,779 6,639 24,676 717,245 60,002 857,341 2010 For the year ended 31 March 2010 (Audited) At 31 March 2009 48,779 6,639 24,676 501,670 59,636 641,400 Dividends paid - third interim - - - - (9,268) (9,268) - final - - - - (12,000) (12,000) Net return on ordinary activities - - - 196,330 38,667 234,997 Dividends paid - first interim - - - - (9,268) (9,268) - second interim - - - - (9,268) (9,268) - third interim - - - - (9,268) (9,268) At 31 March 2010 48,779 6,639 24,676 698,000 49,231 827,325 For the six months to 30 September 2009 (Unaudited) At 31 March 2009 48,779 6,639 24,676 501,670 59,636 641,400 Dividends paid - third interim - - - - (9,268) (9,268) - final - - - - (12,000) (12,000) Net return on ordinary activities - - - 129,459 20,263 149,722 At 30 September 48,779 6,639 24,676 631,129 58,631 769,854 2009 Condensed Balance Sheet Registered number SC1836 At At At 30 31 March 30 September September 2010 2010 2009 (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 1,052,493 1,021,857 965,324 Current assets Amounts due from brokers - - 5,573 VAT recoverable on management 3,176 - - fees Prepayments and accrued 4,419 7,233 3,856 income Cash and cash funds 3,959 231 2,558 11,554 7,464 11,987 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Amounts due to brokers (4,589) - (5,609) Accruals (3,419) (3,426) (3,402) (8,008) (3,426) (9,011) Net current assets 3,546 4,038 2,976 Total assets less current 1,056,039 1,025,895 968,300 liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Debenture stock (196,987) (196,859) (196,735) Provision for performance fee (1,711) (1,711) (1,711) Net assets 857,341 827,325 769,854 Capital and reserves Share capital 48,779 48,779 48,779 Share premium 6,639 6,639 6,639 Capital redemption reserve 24,676 24,676 24,676 Capital reserve 717,245 698,000 631,129 Revenue reserve 60,002 49,231 58,631 Shareholders' funds 857,341 827,325 769,854 Net asset value per ordinary 437.86p 422.41p 392.89p share Basic - note 7 Condensed Cash Flow Statement Six Months Six Months to to Year Ended 30 30 S 31 March September eptember 2010 2009 2010 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Net return before finance costs and taxation 52,627 159,728 255,308 Scrip dividends (404) (541) (870) Gains on investments (26,347) (137,595) (212,356) Foreign exchange (gains)/losses - (27) 187 (Increase)/decrease in debtors (362) 1,857 (1,535) Decrease in creditors (45) (2,031) (2,006) Overseas tax paid (430) (256) (809) Net cash inflow from operating 25,039 21,135 37,919 activities Servicing of finance (9,625) (9,625) (19,250) Financial investment Purchase of investments (82,800) (122,607) (201,812) Sale of investments 83,504 134,903 232,628 Equity dividends paid (12,390) (21,268) (49,072) Net cash inflow before management of liquid resources and 3,728 2,538 413 financing Net cash outflow from management of liquid - (1,500) - resources Increase in cash 3,728 1,038 413 Cashflow from movement in - 1,500 - liquid resources Exchange movements - 15 (187) Debenture stock non-cash (128) (128) (252) movement Net debt at beginning of period (196,628) (196,602) (196,602) Net debt at end of period (193,028) (194,177) (196,628) Analysis of changes in net debt: Brought forward: Cash and cash funds 231 5 5 Debenture stock (196,859) (196,607) (196,607) Net debt brought forward (196,628) (196,602) (196,602) Movements in the period: Cash inflow from cash and 3,728 2,538 413 cash funds Exchange movements - 15 (187) Debenture stock non-cash (128) (128) (252) movement Net debt carried forward (193,028) (194,177) (196,628) Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements 1. Basis of preparation The condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared using the same accounting policies as those adopted in the 2010 annual financial report, which are consistent with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards, and with the Statement of Recommended Practice `Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts'. The Financial Statements are also prepared on a going concern basis. 2. Investment management fee and finance costs Invesco Asset Management Limited (`IAML') acts as Manager and Secretary to the Company under an investment management agreement dated 15 September 2008. The agreement is terminable by either party by giving not less than 3 months' notice. The management fee is payable monthly in arrears and is equal to 0.05% of the market capitalisation of the Company's ordinary shares at each month end. Investment management fee and finance costs are allocated 30% to revenue and 70% to capital. 3. Performance fee IAML is entitled to a performance fee of 15% of the out-performance of the NAV (with debt at par), up to a maximum of 1% of net assets in any one year, in respect of each rolling three year period in which the Company outperforms its benchmark ( the FTSE All-Share Index) plus a hurdle rate, being the equivalent of 1.25% per annum, as adjusted for shorter periods. A deferred fee of £1,711,000 is shown as a provision following transitional arrangements under which half of any performance fee earned is paid, and half deferred. This provision represents half of the performance fee for the first performance fee period from the change of manager in September 2008 to 31 March 2009, and becomes payable after 31 March 2011, if and when cumulative performance meets or exceeds the benchmark plus hurdle rate. No performance fee is due for the half-years ended 30 September 2009 and 30 September 2010, or for the year ended 31 March 2010. Performance fees are allocated wholly to capital. 4. VAT Recoverable on Management Fees Subsequent to the period Aberdeen Asset Management formally advised the Company that they had obtained repayment of VAT on management fees for the period 1990-96 and an additional payment of VAT for the period 2001-02, totalling £3.176 million, and would be paying these monies to the Company. As the amount is known and receipt virtually certain, the Company has accounted for this as an adjusting post balance sheet event. As explained in the Chairman's Statement, the amount is allocated £1.809 million to revenue and £ 1.367 million to capital, reflecting the allocations made when the VAT was originally charged. The Board expects the Company to receive interest on these repayments, however, as the amount involved and the timing of receipt is uncertain, no provision has been made in these financial statements. 5. Return per ordinary share The basic revenue, capital and total returns per share are based on the returns after tax and the average number of shares in issue during the period as follows: Six months six months year ended to to 30 30 31 March September September 2010 2009 2010 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Returns after tax: Revenue 23,161 20,263 38,667 Capital 19,245 129,459 196,330 Total return after tax 42,406 149,722 234,997 Weighted average number of shares during the period 195,116,734 195,116,734 195,116,734 6. Dividends A first interim dividend of 4.75p (2010: 4.75p) for the year ended 31 March 2011, together with an additional special dividend of 0.93p, representing VAT recovered on management fees, making a total dividend payment of 5.68p, will be paid on 30 November 2010 to shareholders on the register on 19 November 2010. 7. Net asset value (`NAV') per ordinary share (a) Debt at par The shareholders' funds in the balance sheet are accounted for in accordance with accounting standards, however, this does not reflect the rights of shareholders on a return of assets under the Articles of Association. These rights are reflected in the net assets with debt at par and the corresponding NAV per share. 30 September 31 March 30 September 2010 2010 2009 (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited) (pence) (pence) (pence) NAV per ordinary share 439.40 424.02 394.56 Less: unamortised discount and expenses arising from debenture issue (1.54) (1.61) (1.67) NAV - debt at par 437.86 422.41 392.89 (b) Debt at market value 30 September 31 March 30 September 2010 2010 2009 (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited) (pence) (pence) (pence) NAV - debt at par 437.86 422.41 392.89 Debt at par 102.50 102.50 102.50 Debt at market value (131.70) (125.99) (131.57) NAV - debt at market value 408.66 398.92 363.82 8. Share capital 30 September 31 March 30 September 2010 2010 2009 (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited) Allotted, called-up and fully paid Number of ordinary shares of 195,116,734 195,116,734 195,116,734 25p each 9. It is the intention of the Directors to conduct the affairs of the Company so that it satisfies the conditions for approval as an investment trust company set out in section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. 10. The financial information contained in this half-yearly financial report, which has not been audited, does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the half years ended 30 September 2010 and 2009 has not been audited. The figures and financial information for the year ended 31 March 2010 are extracted and abridged from the latest published accounts and do not constitute the statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the Report of the Independent Auditors, which was unqualified. By order of the Board Invesco Asset Management Limited Company Secretary 10 November 2010 http://investmenttrusts.invescoperpetual.co.uk/portal/site/iptrust/ investmentrange/investmenttrusts/edinburgh/ Directors, Manager and Administration Directors Scott Dobbie, Chairman Jim Pettigrew, Audit Committee Chairman Richard Barfield, Senior Independent Director Nicola Ralston William Samuel Sir Nigel Wicks Manager and Company Secretary Invesco Asset Management Limited 30 Finsbury Square London EC2A 1AG Company Secretarial contact: Carolyn Ladd Invesco Perpetual Investor Services Invesco Perpetual has an Investor Services Team, available to assist you from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each working day. Please feel free to take advantage of their expertise. Tel: 0800 085 8677 You can now invest in the shares of the Company through an Invesco Perpetual savings plan and ISA Invesco Perpetual Investment Trust ISA and Savings Scheme Invesco Perpetual Perpetual Park Perpetual Park Drive Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 1HH Tel: 0800 085 8677 Textphone: 01491 576104 Fax: 01491 416000 Registered Office Quartermile One 15 Lauriston Place Edinburgh EH3 9EP Registered in Scotland: No. SC1836 Registrars Capita Registrars Northern House Woodsome Park Fenay Bridge Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD8 0LA If you hold your shares direct and not through a Savings Scheme or ISA and have queries relating to your shareholding you should contact the Registrars on: Tel: 0871 664 0300. Calls cost 10p per minute plus network charges. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. every working day. Shareholders can also access their holding details via Capita's website www.capitaregistrars.com or www.capitashareportal.com. Capita Registrars provide an on-line and telephone share dealing service to existing shareholders who are not seeking advice on buying or selling. This service is available at www.capitadeal.com or Tel: 0871 664 0454. Calls cost 10p per minute plus network charges. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. every working day.
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