EP Global Opportunities Trust plc
INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2009
The Board of EP Global Opportunities Trust plc ('the Company') announces its
Interim Management Statement as required by the UK Listing Authority's
Disclosure and Transparency Rules. This Statement is in respect of the period
from 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2009.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of EP Global Opportunities Trust plc is to provide shareholders
with an attractive real long-term total return by investing globally in under
valued securities. The portfolio is managed without reference to the
composition of any stock market index.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
31 March 31 December % Change
2009 2008
Net asset value per 133.9p 150.4p (11.0)%
share (including
income)
Share price 124.5p 132.5p (6.0)%
Share price 7.0% 11.9%
discount to net
asset value
Net assets £40.9m £46.4m
REVIEW OF THE PERIOD
Results and Dividend
The net asset value total return in the three month period to 31 March 2009 was
-11.0%. In comparison the FTSE All-Share Index return was -9.1% and the
sterling adjusted return of the S&P 500 Composite Index was -10.7%. The FTSE
All-World Index return was -10.2%, in a period of volatile equity markets, with
the impact of the continuing financial crisis and recessionary economic
conditions adversely influencing share prices. (All Index returns are stated on
a total return basis.)
Following the approval of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on 30
April 2008, the Company will pay a dividend of 3.1p per share relating to the
year ended 31 December 2008 on 18 May 2009. The dividend is payable to
shareholders on the register as at the close of business on 17 April 2009, with
the ex-dividend date being 15 April 2009.
Share Price and Discount
During the quarter to 31 March 2009 the share price decreased by 8.0p from
132.5p to 124.5p, a reduction of 6.0%. The share price discount to net asset
value narrowed from 11.9% to 7.0% in the quarter.
During the period the Company repurchased 300,000 of its own shares at a total
cost of £371,000, of which 217,000 shares were acquired and placed into
treasury and 83,000 shares were purchased for cancellation. The total number of
shares held in treasury at 31 March 2009 was 3,391,000 shares, representing
10.0% of the total number of shares in issue of 33,915,180. When appropriate
the Company will continue its policy of buying in shares at a discount to net
asset value.
Investment Strategy and Outlook
In order to stimulate economies, Governments worldwide have adopted an
expansionary fiscal and monetary stance and there are few signs of the policy
mistakes of the 1930's. To date protectionism has not gained momentum.
Inflation is on a sharply lower trend and is likely to continue as commodity
price declines work through the financial system.
While the global economy will continue to weaken throughout 2009 the principal
question concerning equity markets is whether the current recessionary economic
conditions will turn into a depression. We believe that an economic depression
will be avoided and that many outstanding long-term investment opportunities
are being created by recent share price falls, particularly in areas like
technology and emerging markets. To acquire investments in those areas the
Company has started to reduce exposure to more defensively orientated sectors
such as healthcare and telecommunications, which have performed relatively well
in recent months.
Significant events or transactions
Other than as detailed above the Directors are not aware of any significant
events or transactions which have occurred between 1 January 2009 and the date
of publication of this Interim Management Statement which would have had a
material impact on the financial position of the Company.
Enquiries:
Sandy Nairn
Kenneth Greig
Edinburgh Partners Limited
12 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4DJ
Tel: 0131 270 3800
Registered Office of the Company:
12 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4DJ
1 May 2009
*A Private Investor is a recipient of the information who meets all of the conditions set out below, the recipient:
Obtains access to the information in a personal capacity;
Is not required to be regulated or supervised by a body concerned with the regulation or supervision of investment or financial services;
Is not currently registered or qualified as a professional securities trader or investment adviser with any national or state exchange, regulatory authority, professional association or recognised professional body;
Does not currently act in any capacity as an investment adviser, whether or not they have at some time been qualified to do so;
Uses the information solely in relation to the management of their personal funds and not as a trader to the public or for the investment of corporate funds;
Does not distribute, republish or otherwise provide any information or derived works to any third party in any manner or use or process information or derived works for any commercial purposes.
Please note, this site uses cookies. Some of the cookies are essential for parts of the site to operate and have already been set. You may delete and block all cookies from this site, but if you do, parts of the site may not work. To find out more about the cookies used on Investegate and how you can manage them, see our Privacy and Cookie Policy
To continue using Investegate, please confirm that you are a private investor as well as agreeing to our Privacy and Cookie Policy & Terms.