Response to press speculation

Graphite Enterprise Trust PLC 26 August 2004 ANNOUNCEMENT TO STOCK EXCHANGE GRAPHITE ENTERPRISE TRUST PLC 26 August 2004 Graphite Enterprise Trust PLC (the 'Trust') notes today's press speculation on the potential sale of Maplin Electronics ('Maplin'), the largest investment in the Trust's portfolio. While discussions are under way that may lead to the disposal of the Trust's investment in Maplin, no binding agreement has been reached and there is no certainty that a disposal will take place. On 20 May 2004 the Trust announced that its net asset value per share as at 31 March 2004 was 289.6p. Since that date the Trust has disposed of its investment in Paperchase and it has received proceeds from the refinancing of Ridgmont. The effect of these disposals, taken in isolation, has been to increase the Trust's net asset value per share by 7.4p, of which 6.1p is attributable to the capital account and 1.3p is attributable to the revenue account. The Board reviews the valuation of the portfolio quarterly and expects to announce the Trust's net asset value per share as at 30 June 2004 by 30 September 2004. As well as reflecting the increases in value as a result of the disposals of Paperchase and Ridgmont, the Board expects to increase the valuation of certain investments that are performing well, including Maplin, and to make provisions against other investments that are underperforming. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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