Monthly Update

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC 20 June 2007 BRITISH EMPIRE SECURITIES AND GENERAL TRUST PLC Performance Commentary This investment management report relates to performance figures as at 31 May 2007. Over the month NAV was up 4.4%1. This compares to an increase in the benchmark of 3.2%2, and an increase of 2.5%1 for the MSCI World (£) and 4.0%1 the FTSE All Share indices. Financial* year to date, net asset value rose 17.9%1 compared to a rise of 15.6%2 for the Datastream index, 13.0%1 for the MSCI World (£) and 15.1%1 for the FTSE All Share. Over three years NAV is up 113.8%1 while the FTSE All Share is up72.0%1. Manager's Comment Equity markets were strong again in May. It appears that the return on equity in the stock market still comfortably exceeds the cost of funding for private equity players and strategic buyers, thus inciting bids. This situation may continue for some time until a spike in interest rates or a fall in ROE brings an end to the profitability of these trades. Discounts on our universe of stocks has widened slightly so we feel more comfortable that we have a greater 'margin of safety' than in recent years. This has allowed us to become more fully invested. Statistics Value % 1 mo % 1 yr % 3 yr % 5 yr Price (£)1 480.5 1.8 8.1 107.5 154.3 Net Asset Value1 505.3 4.2 19.8 108.0 134.9 Net Asset Value Total Return1 4.4 21.3 113.8 145.7 Benchmark2 (£) 3.2 19.8 74.4 64.6 Annual Returns (%) 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 Price1 0.3 51.7 36.0 41.6 -12.2 MSCI World1 5.8 23.0 7.2 20.6 -27.4 1 Source: Fundamental Data 2 Datastream Global Growth Investment Trust Index(TR) Source: Thomson Financial Top 10 Equity Holdings % Investor AB 3.78 Sofina 3.30 Paris Orleans 2.92 Jardine Strategic 2.91 Alliance Trust 2.87 Electra Private Equity 2.50 NTT Urban Development 2.48 Lundbergforetagen 2.48 GBL 2.25 Heineken Holding 2.09 Capital Structure Ordinary Shares 160,080,089 10 3/8% Debenture stock 2011 £8,514,940 8 1/8% Debenture stock 2023 £14,875,319 Equities index unsecured loan stock 2013 2,837,000 Gross Assets/Gearing Gross Assets £846 mil. Debt £ 29.5 mil. Actual Gearing (Debt less cash divided by net asset value) -7.7% Fund Codes Bloomberg Reuters Ticker / ISIN BTEM GB0001335081 Geographical Breakdown Continental Europe 25.9% Japan 13.4% Canada / US 13.2% Asia Pacific 15.2% UK 21.3% Liquidity 11.0% EMEA 0.0% All figures as at 31 May 2007 unless otherwise stated. All sources Asset Value Investors Ltd unless otherwise stated. British Empire Securities Trust is managed by Asset Value Investors Ltd. The price of shares and the income from them may go down as well as up; they can be affected by exchange rate movements between currencies and it is possible that investors may not get back the full amount invested on disposal of the shares. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Investments in emerging markets carries a greater degree of risk, in particular the volatility of the markets and the local custody and registration arrangements, which may be less developed than in more mature markets. There is no guarantee that the market price of shares in Investment Trusts will fully reflect their underlying Net Asset Value (NAV). This Investment Trust should be considered only as part of a balanced portfolio, of which it should not form a disproportionate part. Under no circumstances should this information be considered as an offer, or solicitation, to deal in investments. Issued by Asset Value Investors Ltd., which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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