Audited 2009 Financial Result

RNS Number : 9824H

Canadian General Investments Ld

02 March 2010

 



NEWS RELEASE TRANSMITTED BY MARKETWIRE

FOR: CANADIAN GENERAL INVESTMENTS, LIMITED

TSX SYMBOLS: CGI, CGI.PR.B, CGI.PR.C

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE: CGI

MARCH 2, 2010

Canadian General Investments, Limited Reports Audited 2009 Financial Results

TORONTO, CANADA - Canadian General Investments, Limited's (CGI) net asset value per share (NAV) return, with dividends reinvested, for 2009 was 44.2%, compared with a 35.1% total return for the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index (S&P/TSX). The NAV at December 31, 2009 was $19.27, up from the NAV of $13.93 at year end 2008. CGI's net asset value was $402,001,000, up 38.4% from the 2008 year-end value of $290,477,000.

2009 saw a dramatic return to positive performance in Canada, as global economic conditions started to repair the damage from 2008 and market sentiment became more positive as the year progressed.  Increases were broadly based, as all ten S&P/TSX sectors were up for the year with eight of ten sectors appreciating by more than 15%.  In particular, the two largest sectors of the S&P/TSX, Financials and Energy, which together comprised 58.1% of the benchmark at year end, were up 45.6% and 39.5%, respectively.  CGI's superior performance relative to the benchmark can be largely attributed to two factors: i) an overweighting of the portfolio in smaller capitalization stocks and ii) the leverage provided by the Company's preference shares, which served to magnify positive portfolio returns. Effectively, 2009 was the opposite of 2008.

In addition to the payment of four regular quarterly dividends of $0.06 per common share, CGI paid a year-end special capital gains distribution of $0.50 per common share on December 30, 2009.  Based on the year-end common share price of $15.83, total dividend payments during 2009 represented a yield of 4.7%.

CGI is a closed-end equity fund, focused on medium to long-term investments in primarily Canadian corporations.  Its objective is to provide better than average returns to investors through prudent security selection, timely recognition of capital gains and appropriate income generating instruments.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

                                                                                                            For the Year Ended

		December 31, 2009	December 31, 2008
Net investment loss		(640)	(453)
Net gain (loss) on investments		124,110	(391,533)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		123,470	(391,986)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations    per share		5.92	(18.79)

                                                                                                                           As at

		December 31, 2009	December 31, 2008
Selected data(1)
Net asset value		402,001	290,477
Net asset value per share		19.27	13.93
Selected data according to GAAP(1)
Net assets		399,804	288,011
Net assets per share		19.17	13.81

⁽¹⁾ The Company calculates the net asset value and net asset value per share on the basis of the valuation principles set out in its annual information form.  These valuation principles differ from the requirements of Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), with the main difference relating to securities that are listed on a public stock exchange.  While the Company values such securities based on the latest sale price, GAAP requires the use of the closing bid price.  Accordingly, bid prices are used in determining net assets and net assets per share for purposes of the interim and annual financial statements.

In the United Kingdom, copies of the Company's financial reports will be made available at the U.K. branch transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC, P.O. Box 82, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZY. Phone [phone].

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Canadian General Investments, Limited

Jonathan A. Morgan

President & CEO

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

website: www.mmainvestments.com

 

 

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