Final Results

ACM European Enhanced Inc.Fund PLC 29 April 2005 ACM EUROPEAN ENHANCED INCOME FUND PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004 29 APRIL 2005 ACM European Enhanced Income Fund Plc announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2004. The Fund's articles of association require that a resolution be proposed at its annual general meeting held after the year ending 31 December 2004 to the effect that the Fund continue in existence for a further period of five years. The Board confirms that it is considering the options available to the Fund in the light of this requirement, including mechanisms to provide shareholders with an opportunity to remain invested in assets providing an attractive level of income. A further announcement and notice of the annual general meeting will be released by the Fund in due course. For further information, please contact: ACM Geoffrey Hyde Tel. 020 7470 0100 Manager's Report This report contains investment results and market activity for ACM European Enhanced Income Fund Plc (the 'Company') for the annual reporting period ended 31 December 2004. INVESTMENT RESULTS The following table provides performance data for the Company for the six- and 12-month periods ended 31 December 2004. For comparison, we have included a custom blended benchmark consisting of 50% Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index (hedged into euros) and 50% Lehman Brothers European Corporate Bond Index converted into sterling. This benchmark represents an unmanaged measure of the markets and instruments in which the Company is able to invest. The performance presented below is reported in sterling. INVESTMENT RESULTS* Periods Ended 31 December 2004 Returns 6 Months 12 Months ACM European Enhanced Income Fund Plc 16.35% 14.44% Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index 15.51% 15.50% (hedged into euros) Lehman Brothers European Corporate Bond Index 11.13% 7.88% Custom Benchmark** 13.30% 11.64% Unleveraged Custom Benchmark*** 15.32% 14.64% * The Company's investment results are monthly compounded total returns for the periods shown and are based on the net asset value (NAV) as of 31 December 2004. All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Company have been deducted. For each index and benchmark, the results shown are monthly compounded returns converted into sterling. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. ** The custom benchmark is comprised of equal 50% weightings of two indices, the Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index (hedged into euros) and the Lehman Brothers European Corporate Bond Index. The Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index is a euro-denominated index and is comprised of corporate bonds with maturities greater than or equal to one year. The Lehman Brothers European Corporate Bond Index is a multiple currency index and is a measure of fixed-rate securities with at least one year remaining until maturity. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any particular investment, including the Company. Neither the index nor the custom benchmark includes the operating expenses associated with an investment in an investment company. *** The leveraged custom benchmark is the custom benchmark leveraged by 25%. During the annual reporting period ended 31 December 2004, the Company outperformed its custom benchmark, however, slightly underperformed the leveraged custom benchmark. The custom benchmarks are reported on a gross basis, and so their performance does not reflect the costs and expenses associated with the operation of the Company, including the interest cost on the borrowing, transaction costs, custodial costs, and administrative and management fees. Contributing positively to performance relative to the custom benchmarks was the Company's overweighted exposure to high yield, particularly the insurance sector, which outperformed during the reporting period. The Company's overweighted allocation to investment grade subordinated bank securities, which outperformed significantly for the year, also contributed positively to overall performance. Over the course of the year, the currency impact to the Company from hedging into Euro was minimal. MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY During 2004, the euro zone economy grew 1.8%. Weak domestic demand, held back by sluggish labour markets in the major euro zone economies of Germany and France, was offset by solid external demand, supported by strong global growth. Despite the potential inflationary effects of the rising price of oil (a record $55/ barrel) and the rising euro (a record $1.36/euro), inflation remained in check, though above the European Central Bank (ECB) target of 2.0% for much of the year. With euro area growth below its historic trend and the outlook deteriorating in the second half of the year, the ECB left its main rate unchanged at 2.0%. Investment grade corporate bonds returned 7.55% for the year, according to the Lehman Brothers European Corporate Bond Index. Throughout 2004, corporate fundamentals continued to improve and market technicals (demand versus supply) remained strong, helping corporate bonds outperform government debt by 1.0% on a duration-adjusted basis. High yield investments returned 15.15% for the year, according to the Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index (hedged into euros). High yield securities benefited from improving corporate fundamentals, declining default rates, strong market technicals and low equity market volatility. As a general indicator of improving corporate fundamentals, the Moody's global high yield default rate fell to 2.3%, down from 5.2% at the start of the year. Record new issuance was easily absorbed by investors hungry for additional yield. The average yield on the Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index ended the year at 5.9%, down from 7.7% at the beginning of the year, and the yield spread over government bonds fell from 4.2% to 2.8%. During the year, the Company continued to be overweight in both B-rated debt and the high yield sector, where we were focused on smaller issues with better value rather than in large 'fallen angels.' ('Fallen angels' are bonds that were investment-grade at the time of issuance but have since declined in quality to below investment grade.) Within the investment grade sector, we found subordinated bank securities, industrials and telecoms attractive. Alliance Capital Management L.P. Investment Manager STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN For the year ended 31 December 2004 2004 2003 Revenue Capital Total Total £ £ £ £ Net gains/(losses) on investments during the year -0- 2,040,771 2,040,771 6,739,613 Net gains/(losses) on foreign exchange -0- 617,143 617,143 (322,087) Net investment gains/(losses) during the year -0- 2,657,914 2,657,914 6,417,526 Gross income 3,447,691 -0- 3,447,691 3,437,631 Expenses (575,798) (191,932) (767,730) (805,583) Net income for the year 2,871,893 (191,932) 2,679,961 2,632,048 Return on ordinary activities 2,871,983 2,465,982 5,337,875 9,049,574 Distributions (2,842,048) -0- (2,842,048) (2,355,619) Net increase/(decrease) in Shareholder's funds from 29,845 2,465,982 2,495,827 6,693,955 investment activities STATEMENT OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS For the year ended 31 December 2004 2004 2003 £ £ Net assets at the start of the year 39,579,296 32,885,341 Net increase/(decrease) in Shareholders' funds from 2,495,827 6,693,955 investment activities Net assets at the end of the year 42,075,123 39,579,296 All returns are generated by continuing operations. There were no gains or losses other than those included in the Statement of Total Return. BALANCE SHEET as at 31 December 2004 2004 2003 Total Total £ £ Portfolio of investments 48,320,586 45,931,956 Current assets Debtors 1,641,117 1,355,489 Cash and bank balances 946,356 1,092,123 2,587,473 2,447,612 Less: Current liabilities Creditors (less than one year) (162,273) (149,100) Loan (8,670,663) (8,651,172) (8,832,936) (8,800,272) Net current liabilities (6,245,463) (6,352,660) Net assets 42,075,123 39,579,296 Shareholders' funds (all equity interests) 42,075,123 39,579,296 Number of Shares in issue 54,654,743 54,654,743 Net Asset Value per Share £0.7698 £0.7242 CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the year ended 31 December 2004 2004 2003 Total Total £ £ Net cash flow from operating activities 3,186,597 2,467,339 Servicing of finance Interest paid (161,948) (251,899) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (161,948) (251,899) Capital expenditure and financial investment Acquisition of investments (40,657,579) (45,657,370) Sale of investments 40,309,720 44,836,552 Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and (347,859) (820,818) financial investment Dividends paid (2,842,048) (2,355,619) Financing Increase (Decrease) in short term loans 19,941 1,350,950 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 19,491 1,350,950 Increase/(Decrease) in cash (145,767) 389,953 Closing cash balance 946,356 1,092,123 Opening cash balances 1,092,123 702,170 Movement in cash balance (145,767) 389,953 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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