Preliminary Interim Results

Aberdeen Latin American Inv Tst PLC 27 February 2002 ABERDEEN LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS for the six months to 31 December 2001 Chairman's Statement The Company's undiluted net asset value per Ordinary share at 31 December 2001 was 68.0p, which compares with a value of 76.97p at 30 June 2001. This represents a decrease in the net asset value of 11.7%, which compares with a decrease of 10.5% in the MSCI EMF Latin American index over the same period. The mid-market prices of the Company's Ordinary shares and Warrants as at 31 December 2001 were 54.0p and 8.75p respectively. Latin American news was overshadowed during the second half of the year by the tragic events in the US, and markets in the region declined as global investors fled riskier assets. Within the region, Argentina remained the focal point of concern, and the deteriorating situation in that country put additional pressure on the region's equity markets. However, following a strong recovery at the end of the year, Latin American equities regained much lost ground, perhaps foreshadowing a brighter outlook for 2002. As we anticipated, the situation in Argentina finally came to a head as widespread social unrest prompted the resignations of President Fernando de la Rua and Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo. Eduardo Duhalde finally took the helm after brief stints by three interim presidents who resigned in the face of ongoing demonstrations. However, he was unable to keep the peso afloat as economic fundamentals continued to deteriorate. The government suspended payments on its debts, and barely averted a collapse of the banking system by implementing temporary restrictions on deposit withdrawals. The situation remains unsettled and it is still uncertain if President Duhalde can prevent Argentina from sinking into economic and social chaos. The fund currently has no exposure in Argentina. Brazilian equities and the currency, which were under pressure all year due to concerns about its southern neighbour, rallied dramatically over the last two months of 2001. However, Brazil has not emerged completely unscathed. Third quarter GDP growth slowed to an annual rate of 0.34% as high interest rates dampened industrial activity, and annual inflation rose to 9.4% by the end of the year due to the slide in the currency. The unexpected rise in inflation has delayed a cut in interest rates, which have been fixed at 19% since July. The Mexican market, which had been viewed as a safe haven from the troubles in Argentina, has suffered in recent months due to the economic slowdown in the US and the downturn in global oil prices. In the third quarter, Mexican GDP declined by an annual rate of 1.6% and, by November, exports were 15.3% lower than the year before. Investors had pinned their hopes on a comprehensive fiscal reform programme proposed by President Fox, which could have prompted Standard & Poor's to upgrade the country's sovereign debt rating to 'investment grade'. However, the reform programme fell apart in the face of bitter resistance in Congress. Although an extremely watered-down version was eventually passed, the distress caused by the episode may complicate President Fox's future dealings with Congress. As always, the fortunes of Latin America are also tied to developments in the United States, where the worst may now be behind us. The strong year-end rally in Latin equities has also given us hope for a brighter 2002. Now that investors have become resigned to the financial collapse in Argentina, the rest of the region can be evaluated on its own merits. For example, there is still significant room for interest rates to come down over the next twelve months, particularly in Brazil. This would re-ignite economic growth in the region and support an increase in equity valuations. Finally, given the region's cyclical characteristics, the eventual turnaround of the global economy would be disproportionately beneficial for Latin America. Bryan N. Lenygon Chairman 27 February 2002 The unaudited results were: Statement of Total Return (incorporating the revenue account*) Six months ended 31 December 2001 (unaudited) Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Losses on investments - (1,665) (1,665) Income 86 - 86 Investment management fee (18) (55) (73) Other expenses (115) - (115) Exchange gains/(losses) 2 (22) (20) ________ ________ ________ Net loss before finance costs and taxation (45) (1,742) (1,787) Interest payable and similar charges (2) - (2) ________ ________ ________ Net loss on ordinary activities before taxation (47) (1,742) (1,789) Taxation on ordinary activities (18) 12 (6) ________ ________ ________ Transfer from reserves (65) (1,730) (1,795) ======== ======== ======== Loss per Ordinary share (pence): (0.33) (8.65) (8.98) ======== ======== ======== Six months ended 31 December 2000 (unaudited) Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Losses on investments - (2,512) (2,512) Income 112 - 112 Investment management fee (26) (78) (104) Other expenses (126) - (126) Exchange gains/(losses) 6 (12) (6) ________ ________ ________ Net loss before finance costs and taxation (34) (2,602) (2,636) Interest payable and similar charges (19) - (19) ________ ________ ________ Net loss on ordinary activities before taxation (53) (2,602) (2,655) Taxation on ordinary activities (23) 11 (12) ________ ________ ________ Transfer from reserves (76) (2,591) (2,667) ======== ======== ======== Loss per Ordinary share (pence): (0.38) (12.96) (13.34) ======== ======== ======== * The revenue column of this statement represents the revenue account of the Company. The Statement of Total Return is presented in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies. Balance Sheet At At At 31 December 31 December 30 June 2001 2000 2001 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments 13,373 15,314 15,502 _________ _________ _________ Current assets Debtors 118 128 158 Cash at bank and in hand 199 125 - _________ _________ _________ 317 253 158 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (90) (102) (265) _________ _________ _________ Net current assets/(liabilities) 227 151 (107) _________ _________ _________ Net assets 13,600 15,465 15,395 ========= ========= ========= Share capital and reserves Called-up share capital 5,000 5,000 5,000 Share premium account 11,642 11,642 11,642 Warrant reserve 2,353 2,353 2,353 Capital reserve - realised (3,275) (1,372) (1,402) Capital reserve - unrealised (2,359) (2,334) (2,502) Revenue reserve 239 176 304 _________ _________ _________ Total equity shareholders' funds 13,600 15,465 15,395 ========= ========= ========= Net asset value per Ordinary share (pence): 68.00 77.33 76.97 ========= ========= ========= Cash Flow Statement Six months Six months ended ended 31 December 2001 31 December 2000 (unaudited) (unaudited) £'000 £'000 Net cash outflow from operating activities (57) (80) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (2) (14) Net tax recovered - 48 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment 465 (788) Equity dividends paid (100) - _________ _________ Increase/(decrease) in cash 306 (834) ========= ========= Reconciliation of operating revenue to net cash flow from operating activities Net loss before interest payable and taxation (45) (34) Decrease in accrued income 35 29 Decrease in other debtors 4 6 Increase in other creditors 11 9 Management fees charged to capital (55) (78) Overseas withholding tax suffered (7) (12) _________ _________ (57) (80) ========= ========= Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Increase/(decrease) in cash as above 306 (834) Exchange movements (22) (12) _________ _________ Movement in net funds/(debt) in the period 284 (846) Opening net (debt)/funds (85) 971 _________ _________ Closing net funds 199 125 ========= ========= Represented by: Cash at bank 199 125 ========= ========= Notes:- 1.In accordance with stated policy no interim dividend has been declared (2000 -nil). 2.The breakdown of income for the periods to 31 December 2001 and 2000 was as follows: 31 December 31 December 2001 2000 £'000 £'000 Unfranked investment income (gross) 84 101 Deposit interest 2 11 _____ _____ Total income 86 112 ===== ===== 3.The basic revenue loss per Ordinary share is based on the net loss on ordinary activities after taxation of £65,000 (2000 - loss of £76,000) and on 20,000,000 (2000 - 20,000,000) Ordinary shares, being the number of Ordinary shares in issue throughout the period. The basic capital loss per Ordinary share is based on net capital losses of £1,730,000 (2000 - losses of £2,591,000) and on 20,000,000 (2000 - 20,000,000) Ordinary shares, being the number of Ordinary shares in issue throughout the period. 4.The basic net asset value per Ordinary share is based on net shareholders' funds at the period end of £13,600,000 (31 December 2000 - £15,465,000; 30 June 2001 - £15,395,000) and on 20,000,000 (31 December 2000 and 30 June 2001 - 20,000,000) Ordinary shares, being the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the end of the period. The fully diluted net asset value per Ordinary share for 31 December 2001,31 December 2000 and 30 June 2001 has not been calculated, as it has been assumed that the 4,000,000 outstanding Warrants at each period end would not have been exercised, as the exercise price of 100p exceeded the undiluted net asset value. 5.The financial statements for the six months ended 31 December 2001 and 31 December 2000 are non-statutory within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.The financial information for the year ended 30 June 2001 has been abridged from published accounts that have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the report of the auditors was unqualified. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC Secretaries 27 February 2002 Independent Review Report by KPMG Audit Plc to Aberdeen Convertible Income Trust PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information set out above and we have read the other information contained in the Interim Report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' Responsibilities The Interim Report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where they are to be changed in the next annual accounts in which case any changes, and the reasons for them, are to be disclosed. Review Work Performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4: Review of Interim Financial Information issued by the Auditing Practices Board. A review consists principally of making enquiries of management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review Conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 31 December 2001. KPMG Audit Plc Chartered Accountants Aberdeen This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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