Interim Results

Alliance Trust PLC 19 August 2002 INTERIM REPORT OF THE ALLIANCE TRUST PLC FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2002 (UNAUDITED) This interim report will be posted to stockholders on Monday, 26 August 2002 and will also be made available to the public at the Company's registered office, Meadow House, 64 Reform Street, Dundee DD1 1TJ and at the offices of the Company's paying agents, Computershare Investor Services PLC, Owen House, 8 Bankhead Crossway North, Edinburgh EH11 4BR. This interim report was approved by the Board on 19 August 2002. It brings stockholders up to date about the performance of the Alliance Trust over the six months to 31 July 2002, the environment in which we have been operating over this period, and how we see the outlook over the next six months, before we report to them again with the final results for the year to 31 January 2002. The figures we report are unaudited. The last audited figures are in the 2002 annual report which was sent to stockholders in March 2002. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Income 31 July 2002 Change interim dividend (1) 29.0p 3.6% gross dividend yield (2) 3.1% 24.0% Capital six months to 31 July 2002 Change net asset value 2739p -17.3% stock price 2455p -16.0% FTSE All-Share Index 2051 -17.8% Savings business six months to 31 July 2002 Change net inflows (3) £89m 15.6% total investor numbers 35,344 4.6% total valuation £959m -8.8% Alliance Trust holding (4) 13.9% 10.3% (1) Amount payable 4 October 2002 per ordinary stock unit. Ex dividend 18 September 2002. (2) Annual dividend (including tax credit) expressed as a % of stock price at 31 July. (3) Receipts of cash, securities and dividends less withdrawals. Change compares 6 months to 31 July 2001. (4) % of ordinary capital of the Alliance Trust held for individual investors through Alliance Trust Savings Limited. RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR Income and dividend We are pleased to announce a 3.6% increase in the interim dividend to 29p per ordinary stock unit payable on 4th October. The Board expects to be able to recommend at least a maintained final dividend payable in early May 2003. Income and income growth remain the most important components of long term investment returns and a steady dividend growth provides critical stability for stockholders in these times of falling interest rates and capital values. Our portfolio has had to weather some dividend cuts but it is well diversified and underlying increases still predominate. This strength together with accounting policies which do not depend on capital gains to pay interest and management costs give us some confidence that our progressive dividend policy remains robust. Net asset value Valuations of most equity markets dropped sharply in June and July and our own asset value declined by 17.3% to £1,380m over the six month period. This compares with falls of 17.8% and 27% respectively for the FTSE All-Share Index and for the sterling-adjusted US S&P 500 index. Damage to the portfolio was limited by our cash, fixed interest and Far Eastern investments and in the UK our stocks outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index by 1.8% over the period. Savings business Alliance Trust Savings (ATS), our savings and pension subsidiary, continued to expand its business and profits despite the pervading gloom in the industry. Over our half year investor numbers increased by 4.6% and, compared with the equivalent period last year, revenue and net inflows were up by 6.4% and 15.6% respectively. The first half of the year is always the most active as it includes the fiscal year end ISA and pension deadlines. 2002 was no exception: ISA investor numbers increased by 9% and pension members by 30%. Pensions fit well with our value for money and long term investment objectives and our products are clearly attractive in these times of falling investment returns and rising pension concerns. We are currently recruiting, training and increasing capacity in all IT and ATS service departments to meet the growing demands of this business. INVESTMENT REPORT Economic and market background Following 11 September, the Federal Reserve and other central banks made aggressive cuts in interest rates in an effort to avoid a deep recession in the US and elsewhere and, at the start of our financial year, we were beginning to see early signs that this policy had been successful. Low interest rates and fiscal easing promoted an upward trend in household spending, and firms began to boost production levels once inventories had stabilised. However, because excess capacity has not been removed, companies have been left with little pricing power and the outlook for corporate profits remains uncertain. This has restrained capital spending and raised doubts about the sustainability of the recovery. The deterioration we have seen in stock prices from peak levels has been the worst for several decades as investors' confidence has been steadily eroded by continued profit warnings and a series of corporate and accounting scandals, mainly in the US. This has especially affected 'new economy' companies but even the established stocks have also now weakened. Geographical distribution of assets % UK 50 USA 23 Europe 11 Japan 6 Rest of World 6 Cash & Fixed Interest 4 Source: Internal Investment activity Throughout, we have remained ungeared with an element of cash and a small position in bonds. Our long term perspective and the availability of suitable stocks has encouraged us to use the opportunity of weak phases in markets to invest a net £23m over the last six months. On a geographical basis we have reduced our exposure to the US by almost £18m while adding £15m to the UK, £3m in Europe and £23m in the Far East (excluding Japan). Outlook The US continues to hold the key to any global economic upswing and an uplift in capital spending is much needed. This is unlikely to occur until businesses have confirmation of improved sales and profits. Further economic deterioration is possible, but central banks stand ready to loosen policy further if required. We therefore expect, at this time, that growth will return to sustainable levels although this could take longer than many had hoped. In addition to economic concerns, investors are having to cope with other uncertainties, including the war against terrorism, the effect of high levels of debt and the questionable validity of some company accounting. We expect to see a comparative improvement in corporate profitability towards the end of this year which, together with better corporate structures and accounting practices, should provide the market with a more secure base. Valuations are now more reasonable, but we shall continue to be cautious, maintaining a wide diversity of investments and aiming to hold companies with strong market positions which can thrive in a difficult environment and which are willing and able to pay growing dividends. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) returns £000 6 months to 6 months to year to 31 July 2002 31 July 2001 31 January 2002 revenue return dividends and interest 25,947 26,858 47,815 other income 1,521 1,685 2,102 total income 27,468 28,543 49,917 expenses (3,597) (3,531) (6,142) net revenue before interest payable and taxation 23,871 25,012 43,775 interest payable (528) (786) (1,428) revenue before taxation 23,343 24,226 42,347 taxation (2,536) (2,707) (4,419) revenue after taxation 20,807 21,519 37,928 minority interest - equity (187) (154) (352) 20,620 21,365 37,576 dividend on preference stock - non-equity (49) (49) (97) revenue return attributable to ordinary stockholders 20,571 21,316 37,479 revenue return per ordinary stock unit 40.82p 42.29p 74.36p capital return realised gains on investments 3,551 41,290 22,559 unrealised depreciation (292,769) (242,200) (325,726) foreign exchange losses (414) (783) (1,399) (289,632) (201,693) (304,566) minority interest - equity - 35 4 capital return attributable to ordinary stockholders (289,632) (201,658) (304,562) capital return per ordinary stock unit (574.66p) (400.12p) (604.29p) total return total return attributable to ordinary stockholders (269,061) (180,342) (267,083) total return per ordinary stock unit (533.84p) (357.83p) (529.93p) summarised balance sheet £000 31 July 2002 31 July 2001 31 January 2002 investments at valuation 1,347,680 1,714,826 1,614,344 net current assets 46,298 69,024 69,292 total assets less current liabilities 1,393,978 1,783,850 1,683,636 long term liabilities and prior charges (13,491) (13,501) (13,517) ordinary stockholders' funds 1,380,487 1,770,349 1,670,119 net asset value per ordinary stock unit £27.39 £35.13 £33.14 cashflow statement £000 6 months to 6 months to year to 31 July 2002 31 July 2001 31 January 2002 net cash inflow from operating activities 32,879 36,333 54,045 servicing of finance (789) (1,048) (1,950) taxation paid (1,992) (1,010) (3,665) investment purchases settled (103,279) (98,943) (177,324) investment sales settled 79,118 135,747 213,549 equity dividends paid (20,412) (20,412) (34,524) (decrease)increase in cash (14,475) 50,667 50,131 Notes to Financial Statements 1 These results should not be taken as a guide to the full year and do not constitute the statutory accounts. 2 The revenue return statement is the profit and loss account of the Group. 3 Expenses include £1,673,000 (£1,703,000) incurred by subsidiary companies. 4 The accounting policies are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the annual statutory accounts. In the interim statements, net current assets are stated after the provision of £14,616,000 (£14,112,000) for payment of the interim dividend and £5,955,000 (£7,204,000) being the balance of revenue attributable to ordinary stockholders. 5 The figures for 31 January 2002 are extracted from the full accounts which have been filed with the registrar of companies and which contain an unqualified report from the auditor. Dividend Interim dividend of 29.0p per ordinary stock unit. The interim dividend on the Company's ordinary stock and half year dividends on its preference stocks are payable on Friday, 4 October 2002 to holders on the register on 20 September 2002 and the ex dividend date is 18 September 2002. The press release summarising these interim results follows and questions should be addressed to Mr. Gavin Suggett or Mr. Alan Young (Tel. 01382 201700). Press Release INTERIM REPORT FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2002 (UNAUDITED) • Interim Dividend raised 3.6%. Stock now yielding 3.1% gross. • UK portfolio outperformed FTSE All-Share by 1.8% in the six months. • Savings net inflow up 15.6%. • ISA and Pension clients increase by 9% and 30% respectively. The Alliance Trust PLC today (Monday, 19 August) announced its interim results for the half-year to July 31 2002. Commenting on the results Gavin Suggett, Chief Executive, said: 'For long term investors the importance of a progressive dividend policy cannot be underestimated, particularly when valuations are down, and we are pleased to announce another increase in the interim dividend. Our ability to do this is thanks once again to a well-balanced portfolio, no significant interest liabilities and a cost base which is appropriate in such times of low inflation and low returns. 'Alliance Trust Savings continues to be a success story with particularly strong growth in its pensions business and we are pleased to welcome the many new stockholders who have joined us through ATS.' Alan Young, Investment Director, added: 'We avoided the worst effects of the collapse of the telecommunications, media and technology sectors of the market. We remain well-diversified and ungeared which has helped us outperform the main indices. It is in markets like these that the Alliance style shows its strength. We concentrate on owning the better companies and have cash resources to take opportunities when they arise.' This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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