Final Results

Capital Gearing Trust PLC 07 June 2006 Chairman's Statement I am pleased to report another year of growth in the assets of your company. In the year to 5th April 2006 the net asset value per share increased from 1692p (restated) to 1937p or by 14.5%. This follows a 13.6% gain in 2005 and a 20.7% gain in 2004. The latest reporting period represents the 22nd consecutive year of growth in net asset value and is consistent with our stated objective of delivering capital growth in absolute terms rather than performance relative to any stock market index. As a matter of record, during the year to 5th April 2006 the FTSE Equity Investment Instruments Index rose by 39.5%, the FTSE All Share Index by 24.5% and the FTSE Government All Stock Index by 2%. As mentioned in previous reports, our investment policy is as much geared to the preservation of shareholders' wealth as it is to achieving capital growth. As such during relatively short periods of sharply rising markets, asset growth may not be as great as that recorded by a particular stock market index. Equally in more volatile and or falling markets we would expect to perform relatively well. Looking at our long term record of asset growth and taking into account the potential downside risks at current market levels, we believe that this policy will continue to serve investors well. The table showing the overall asset allocation of the investment portfolio can be found on page 7 of the accounts. Over the year, there has been little change in the broad composition save that the exposure to zero dividend preference shares has been reduced as a result of holdings being redeemed. Although the equity content has increased, in part as a result of market movements, the cautious strategy that is being adopted continues to be reflected in high weightings in defensive areas such as the Index Linked and Fixed Interest holdings. Earnings per share for the period amounted to 17.9p compared with 16.7p last year. Last year, a total distribution of 13p was paid made up of 11p plus a special dividend of 2p. This year the board recommends a total distribution of 13.5p, made up of 11.5p plus a special dividend of 2p. The special dividend reflects the income generated from the high bond content of the portfolio that at some later stage might be switched into lower yielding capital growth orientated securities if market levels become attractive. There are many benefits of operating within a closed-end investment trust structure but the Board is also aware that as a result of market supply and demand imbalances, investment trust share prices do not always fairly reflect net asset value. To address this particular issue the Board has for some time and with shareholder approval effected an informal discount/premium control mechanism, issuing shares at a premium to net assets and buying back shares at a discount. Last year, shareholders approved resolutions seeking authority to issue up to 10% of share capital on a non pre-emptive basis. During the year I am pleased to confirm that in order to satisfy investor demand a total of 40,000 shares were issued at prices that represented a 15% premium to the then prevailing asset value. The Board will be putting forward a similar resolution at this year's AGM. Having on previous occasions indicated to shareholders our readiness to buy in shares providing the price paid was at a discount to net asset value we will also be seeking shareholders' authority to buy in stock within the terms set out in the resolution in the Notice of the AGM. As reported last year full attention is given to all matters of corporate governance. In this respect, the Board has given consideration to the updated guidance issued earlier this year by the Association of Investment Trust Companies and continues to aim to strike an appropriate balance between full compliance and the ability to manage the company's affairs to the optimum benefit of shareholders. A full statement regarding corporate governance is contained in the Directors' Report. Although our name may suggest something to the contrary, the company has no structural gearing at present. This is a deliberate policy and is based upon our medium term outlook for financial markets. However, should conditions change and it was thought to be in the interest of shareholders, the Board would not be averse to introducing leverage. As mentioned in the Company Summary on page 2 of the Report, it is the Board's intention to offer shareholders the opportunity to realise their investment in the company, at a price that fairly reflects the underlying net asset value in 2008. However, for the sake of clarity, I would like to reassure all shareholders that providing there is sufficient ongoing support, the company will continue in its present form after 2008. It is always going to be difficult if nigh on impossible to predict just when any market bubble is about to burst. There is no doubt that world stock markets and indeed asset prices in general have benefited from easy access to cheap money. Indeed, excess liquidity from trade surpluses generated from the manufacturing based industries of China, India and other developing nations has effectively financed the ever increasing indebtedness of the US consumer and as a result world economic growth rates have been revised upwards. Rampant takeover activity and high levels of financial speculation have further fuelled share prices. Eventually, some of these imbalances will be unwound. Already monetary policy is being tightened by most central banks and interest rates are trending upwards. High oil and commodity prices will eventually impact on output prices as well as reducing net disposable income of consumers. The rapid rise in the US housing market already looks to have turned over. All these factors lead us to believe that the market outlook is uncertain at best and we are therefore comfortable maintaining our defensive position. Since our interim report, the Board and I am sure many long standing shareholders were sorry to learn of the death of Lt Col. Chris Harding who along with his brother Cecil was one of the founders of Capital Gearing Trust. Chris served as Company Secretary and Director for many years and was a valuable contributor to its early success. Tony Pattison 6 June 2006 Investment Manager's Report In the year to 5 April 2006, the net asset value per share of Capital Gearing increased by 14.5%. Following changes in accounting rules, the portfolio is now valued on a bid basis which would have reduced the NAV by about three quarters of a per cent at the previous year end. That return, satisfactory for an absolute return fund, is well behind the returns yielded by equities and property but better than fixed interest markets over the period. The year was most interesting. The world economy did well. It had seemed that the surging energy prices associated with Hurricane Katrina in the autumn might undermine the vigour of the American consumer, the single pillar on which all other growth depended. However, he (or she) responded magnificently by taking the savings rate to negative levels (not seen since the 1930's). Together with the benefits of reconstruction in New Orleans, this led to a reacceleration in growth worldwide. Corporate profits did well in general against that background, but particularly as a result of a boom in commodity prices in response to voracious demand in China and India. Furthermore the valuation put on those earnings, especially where they can be considered stable, has been raised by the wave of mergers and acquisitions. This continuing process has meant that most stocks are priced by consideration of what a private equity buyer might pay for the company. Not only that, but private equity buyers can pay far more than previously because the banks and loan providers ask for low credit spreads and are willing to finance gearing of 8:1 rather than 4:1. Until the end of 2005, a further aid to market valuations in the UK came from a collapse in long risk free real interest rates; 50 year index-linked gilts traded at less than 1/2% real yields (they have returned to over 1% now). This made property as well as equity seem attractive and very large sums were allocated to the sector, driving yields down to less than 5% on a broad index by the end of the first quarter of 2006. Returns were thus typically in the high teens despite very modest moves in rents. Conventional and index-linked bonds saw a substantial correction in 2006 to date, as central banks tightened in response to more rapid than expected growth and bond holders felt less able to look through the peak of short term interest rates. With the world economy growing at a good rate and animal spirits running wild, the path of least resistance for equities still looks to be up. Yet we remain cautious, as we have been throughout the last year, because of the unprecedented disequilibria in the real economy and the extravagant leverage that prevails in the financial system. The American household sector is borrowing 7% of GDP per annum - this sector is normally in reasonable surplus. The counter party is the US current account deficit of the same size. Neither deficit is sustainable and it seems unlikely, although possible, that the correction of them will be anything other than painful. Elements to the resolution including a weakening of the US dollar against Asian currencies, especially that of China, and a substantial increase in the savings rate. Neither is bullish for corporate profits or for world growth in general. A key contributor to the ability of US consumers to borrow so much has been the strength of the housing market, which has allowed owners to extract equity via mortgage refinancing. If the housing market merely flattens out, that ability becomes more constrained, particularly if short and long term interest rates are rising. All this seems to be happening now, so this thesis could be tested over the balance of 2006. There is some hope that growth in capital expenditure in the US and domestic consumption in Asia, and possibly Europe, could replace the consumer as an engine of growth. Unfortunately, both sources of demand look ultimately to be derived from US domestic consumption, so that while they may reinforce any further upswing, they seem unlikely to do much to offset a downturn. Of course, all this could merely lead to a normal recession. The fear, though, must be that eight years of exceptionally accommodative monetary policy have encouraged speculation and leverage to a degree that might prove damaging in a difficult environment. Credit Default Swaps, for example, have reached $17 trillion; that is to say that credit risk of that value has been traded between institutions. Recent experience of bond and loan defaults has been exceptionally favourable; this has led to pricing in both the CDS and junk bond markets that would look irrational in normal markets. High gearing pervades the US economy with credit having grown six times as fast as nominal GDP since 2000. If this combination of economic and financial problems were to occur, the Federal Reserve would likely act with vigour to ease monetary policy, including printing money if necessary. That would provide a bullish background for index-linked bonds, which thus provides a good insurance policy for the portfolio. In Europe, conventional government bonds should also do well, especially since the ECB is not a good candidate for printing. Equities may be weak. The outlook for commercial property values in the UK remains positive for the time being; there remain substantial funds allocated to the sector that should drive yields down yet further, notwithstanding a rather modest outlook for rents. Further support should be provided by the introduction of REITS at the end of the year, though that may well mark the peak. The portfolio is well placed to deal with the pitfalls that potentially face the US and world economy. If instead the world is able to muddle through, a reasonable return can be expected. RPA Spiller 6 June 2006 Income Statement for the year ended 5 April 2006 2006 2005 Revenue Capital Total (Restated) (Restated) (Restated) Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 6,926 6,926 - 5,889 5,889 Income 948 - 948 876 - 876 GROSS RETURN 948 6,926 7,874 876 5,889 6,765 Investment management fees (152) (354) (506) (131) (308) (439) Transaction costs - (74) (74) - (72) (72) Other expenses (240) - (240) (234) - (234) RETURN ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 556 6,498 7,054 511 5,509 6,020 BEFORE TAXATION Tax on ordinary activities (59) 59 - (50) 50 - RETURN ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS 497 6,557 7,054 461 5,559 6,020 RETURN PER ORDINARY SHARE 253.92p 218.52p The total 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. Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds for the year ended 5 April 2006 Called up Share Capital Capital Capital share premium redemption reserve reserve Revenue capital reserve reserve -unrealised realised reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 6 April 689 7,296 16 7,994 30,078 532 46,605 2005 as previously reported Prior year adjustment - - - - - 358 358 - FRS 21 Prior year adjustment - FRS 26 - - - (351) - - (351) Balance at 6 April 689 7,296 16 7,643 30,078 890 46,612 2005 as restated Issue of shares 10 - - - - - 10 On issue of shares - 818 - - - - 818 Exchange gains on - - - 444 11 - 455 investments Net gains on - - - - 1,139 - 1,139 realisation of investments Net increase in - - - 5,332 - - 5,332 unrealised appreciation Transfer on disposal - - - (2,649) 2,649 - - of investments Transaction costs - - - (63) (11) - (74) Costs charged to - - - - (354) - (354) capital Tax on costs charged - - - - 59 - 59 to capital Net revenue for the - - - - 497 497 year Dividends - - - - (358) (358) Balance at 5 April 699 8,114 16 10,707 33,571 1,029 54,136 2006 Prior year adjustments: In accordance with FRS 21, 'Events after the balance sheet date', dividends are not accrued in the accounts unless they have been declared before the balance sheet date. The Income Statement no longer reflects the payment of dividends. These are shown in the reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds in the period in which they are declared and paid. The financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2005 have been restated to recognise the final proposed dividend for the year ended 5 April 2005 of £358,000 in the current year and to recognise the proposed final dividend for the year ended 5 April 2004 of £344,000. The final proposed dividend of £377,000 for the current year will be recognised when paid in the year to 5 April 2007. The effect of the change in accounting policy to adopt FRS 26 was to value investments at their fair value, considered to be their bid value. Investments were formerly valued at middle market prices. As a result prior year's figures have been adjusted and this has resulted in: (a) a reduction in net assets attributable to shareholders at 5 April 2005 of £ 351,000 and (b) an increase in the net return to shareholders for the year ended 5 April 2005 of £ 88,000. Balance sheet - 5 April 2006 2006 2005 (Restated) FIXED ASSETS £'000 £'000 Investments: Listed investments 53,008 45,258 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 1,193 1,378 Cash at bank 145 151 1,338 1,529 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 210 175 NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,128 1,354 NET ASSETS 54,136 46,612 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 699 689 Share premium account 8,114 7,296 Capital redemption reserve 16 16 Capital reserve - unrealised 10,707 7,643 Capital reserve - realised 33,571 30,078 Revenue reserve 1,029 890 TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS - EQUITY 54,136 46,612 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE 1,937.0p 1,692.0p Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 5 April 2006 2006 2005 £'000 £'000 NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 103 186 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENT Payments to acquire investments (16,595) (15,634) Receipts from sale of investments 15,697 16,245 (898) 611 EQUITY DIVIDENDS PAID (358) (344) MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES Cash with brokers awaiting investment 319 (433) FINANCING Issue of new shares 828 - (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH (6) 20 The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 5 April 2006 or 2005. The financial information for the year ended 5 April 2005 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts and their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement either under Article 245(2) or Article 245(3) of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986. Other than as impacted by the adoption of FRS 21 and FRS 26 (see Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholder funds above), the financial information for the year ended 5 April 2006 has been prepared using the same accounting policies as adopted in the company's statutory accounts for the year ended 5 April 2005. The statutory accounts for the year ended 5 April 2006 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the company's Annual General Meeting. The dividend will be paid on 28 July 2006 to shareholders on the register as at 30 June 2006. For queries, please contact Andrew Kane or Keith Hawkins, Ernst & Young LLP 01582 643 000 Campbell Morton, Senior Independent Director 02890 763 631 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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