Interim Results

Foreign & Colonial Eurotrust PLC 27 May 2002 Date: EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01AM MONDAY 27 MAY 2002 Contact: Stephen White, F&C Management Limited, 020 7628 8000/Emma Chilvers, Lansons Communications, 020 7294 3606 FOREIGN & COLONIAL EUROTRUST PLC Unaudited Preliminary Statement of Results for the half-year ended 31 March 2002 HIGHLIGHTS • Between the year end at 30 September 2001 and 31 March 2002, the net assets per share rose from 478.3 pence to 550.7 pence, an increase of 15.1%. This compares with a gain of 15.5% over the same period in the FTSE AW Europe ex UK Index. • In anticipation of a pickup in economic activity later this year we added to the portfolio a number of cyclical names in the steel, consumer durable and transport industries. • Overall, the economic background for the equity markets is favourable, although it may take more confirmation that the recovery is underway before investors commit themselves more fully and a convincing upward trend becomes established. SUMMARY OF RESULTS 31 March 2002 30 September 2001 % change Net assets £414.39m £359.90m +15.14 Net asset value per share 550.72p 478.29p +15.14 Share price 506.50p 438.50p +15.51 6 months to 6 months to 31 March 2002 31 March 2001 Earnings/(loss) per share (0.59p) (2.80p) Chairman's Statement Dear Shareholder, Between the year-end at 30 September 2001 and 31 March 2002, the net assets per share rose from 478.3p to 550.7p, an increase of 15.1%. This compares with a gain of 15.5% over the same period in the FTSE AW Europe ex UK Index, which is adjusted for the movement in the European currencies against sterling. Review of Markets Over the past six months, the continental European equity markets recovered somewhat from the lows to which they had fallen in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks. However, most of this advance took place in the latter part of last year on relief that the political situation did not deteriorate further, as from the beginning of 2002 the markets merely moved sideways. Indeed, since then volumes on the exchanges fell considerably as investors preferred to sit on the sidelines and await more concrete signs of any recovery in economic activity. Certainly, the Argentinean devaluation, the Enron scandal and the poor results coming from much of the telecom and technology industries did little to encourage the taking of risk. Corporate activity was also extremely limited. There were no major themes over the period within the markets in terms of relative sector performances. Generally, the better performers throughout were the more cyclical companies, including technology, on hopes of an economic recovery later in the year. Oils held their ground as the price of crude remained supported by the situation in the Middle East. By contrast, the poorer performers included the telecoms on continuing balance sheet concerns, the pharmaceuticals on patent worries and the banks as their investment banking divisions suffered from the sluggish equity markets. Portfolio Strategy We made only limited changes to the portfolio during the period, still not wishing to take major sector views given the uncertain outlook. That said, in anticipation of a pickup in economic activity later this year we added a number of cyclical names in the steel, consumer durable and transport industries. We also took advantage of the setback in the insurance stocks following the terrorist attacks to add to positions. We financed these purchases through reducing our previously overweight positions in oil and pharmaceuticals. In the case of the former, we felt that weaker demand in the short term and friction between Russia and OPEC over production cuts would weigh on the price of crude. In the case of the latter, we felt that relative valuations had been pushed to extreme and that the earnings outlook for many of the majors in 2002 was dull given the lack of new block-buster drugs and the rising threat from generic drugs. The Company had only negligible gearing throughout the period. Unaudited Figures The revenue account for the period, as is usually the case at the interim stage, shows a loss due to the fact that most European companies pay their annual dividend in the summer months, while costs are incurred throughout. The interim figures should thus not be taken as indicative of the revenue for the full year. However, the loss this year is significantly lower than at the interim stage last year. This is due to the lower management fee with the fall in value of the portfolio compared to a year ago and the reduction in the rate agreed last year with F&C, and to the almost negligible interest cost as a result of the cutting of the gearing. Outlook Although the markets have made little progress of late, we remain optimistic for the year ahead. Consumer confidence remains upbeat despite the problems of the past year and business expectations are starting to improve again. While we may have seen the low point in interest rates, it is likely that any increases in rates in the months ahead as economies improve will still be modest. The outlook for company profits in most industries, with the notable exception of technology and telecommunications, is thus encouraging. Overall, this is a favourable background for the equity markets, although it may take more confirmation that the recovery is underway before investors commit themselves more fully and a convincing upward trend becomes established. Douglas McDougall 24 May 2002 Unaudited Balance Sheet 31 March 31 March 30 September 2002 2001 2001 £'000s £'000s £'000s Fixed assets Investments 412,657 474,013 359,512 Current assets Debtors 4,020 4,679 4,995 Taxation recoverable 421 773 507 Cash at bank and short-term deposits 12,070 12,562 2,316 16,511 18,014 7,818 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Foreign currency loans (6,739) (37,085) - Other (8,037) (6,843) (7,435) (14,776) (43,928) (7,435) Net current assets/(liabilities) 1,735 (25,914) 383 Net assets 414,392 448,099 359,895 Capital and Reserves Called up Equity Share Capital 18,811 18,811 18,811 Share premium 123,749 123,749 123,749 Capital reserves 268,977 305,351 214,035 Revenue reserve 2,855 188 3,300 Total equity shareholders' funds 414,392 448,099 359,895 Net asset value per ordinary share - pence 550.72 595.52 478.29 The geographical distribution of investments at 31 March 2002 was: France - 37.0%; Germany - 14.8%; Netherlands - 11.7%; Switzerland - 7.8%; Italy - 6.8%; Sweden - 6.5%; Spain - 6.1%; Finland - 4.4%; Denmark - 2.7%; United Kingdom - 1.3%; Greece - 0.9%. Unaudited Statement of Total Return (incorporating the Revenue Account*) for the 6 months to 31 March 2002 2001 Revenue Capital £'000s Total Revenue £'000s Capital Total £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s Gains/(losses) on - 55,039 55,039 - (66,855) (66,855) Investments Exchange (losses)/gains (5) (84) (89) 20 (2,534) (2,514) Income 1,384 - 1,384 1,577 - 1,577 Management fee (1,149) - (1,149) (2,103) - (2,103) Other expenses (458) (13) (471) (484) (10) (494) Net return before finance costs and taxation (228) 54,942 54,714 (990) (69,399) (70,389) Interest payable and similar (70) - (70) (976) - (976) charges Return on ordinary activities before taxation (298) 54,942 54,644 (1,966) (69,399) (71,365) Taxation on ordinary activities (147) - (147) (140) - (140) Return attributable to equity shareholders (445) 54,942 54,497 (2,106) (69,399) (71,505) Dividend on ordinary shares - - - - - - Amount transferred (from)/to reserves (445) 54,942 54,497 (2,106) (69,399) (71,505) Return per ordinary share - pence (0.59) 73.02 72.43 (2.80) (92.23) (95.03) * The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. Unaudited Summarised Cash Flow Statement for the 6 months to 31 March 2002 2001 £'000s £'000s Net cash outflow from operating activities (374) (1,622) Interest paid (66) (1,035) Taxation (paid)/recovered (61) 167 Net cash inflow from purchases and sales of investments 1,636 25,126 Equity dividends paid (1,731) (1,279) Net cash (outflow)/inflow before use of liquid resources (596) 21,357 and financing Increase in short-term deposits (11,156) (10,693) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 6,690 (8,598) (Decrease)/increase in cash during the period (5,062) 2,066 Notes The Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in early June 2002. Copies may be obtained during normal business hours from the Company's Registered Office, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY. By order of the Board F&C Management Limited, Secretary 24 May 2002 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange URRVUAR
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