ZDP Share Redemption Result

Gartmore Monthly Income Tst PLC 11 March 2002 11 March 2002 Gartmore Monthly Income Trust PLC ('Gartmore Monthly'/the 'Company') and GMIT Securities PLC ('GMIT Securities') (together the 'Group') Result of ZDP Share redemption elections The board of directors of GMIT Securities announces that 80,021,124 ZDP shares (representing 76.78 per cent. of the ZDP shares in issue) have been elected for redemption on or around 30 April, 2002. The aggregate redemption entitlement attributable to those ZDP shares elected for redemption in 2002, based upon the accrued capital entitlement of 109.37p per ZDP share as at 30 April, 2002, is £87,519,103. As announced on 25 February 2002, the special resolution proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting of GMIT Securities held that day to amend the articles of association of GMIT Securities to provide for the 2004 redemption option was passed. As noted in the circulars issued by Gartmore Monthly and GMIT Securities each dated 8 February, 2002, the Group will be required to realise securities from its portfolio in order to fund the redemption of ZDP shares and the related prepayment of the bank facility (together with associated repayment costs) in order to comply with the financial covenants contained in that facility agreement. In considering the prospects and ongoing viability of the Group, the Directors will consider the required level of prepayment of the bank facility to be made at the same time as those ZDP shares elected for redemption are redeemed. Such a prepayment would be intended to ensure that there is sufficient headroom to withstand further falls in the market value of the Group's investments before the financial covenants contained in the bank facility are breached. The actual amount of the bank facility to be prepaid, together with any associated breakage costs arising from terminating (in whole or in part) the Group's existing interest rate swap arrangement, will not be determined until April 2002 and will depend, among other factors, upon the level of total assets of the Group at that time, the value of the assets expected to be comprised in the income portfolio and equity portfolio and market movements generally. As at the close of business on Friday, 8 March 2002, the total value of the Group's portfolio was £202.5 million. Approximately 70.7 per cent (£143.2 million) was invested in the equity portfolio, 25.1 per cent. (£50.9 million) in the income portfolio and 4.2 per cent. (£8.4 million) in cash. Shareholders should be aware there can be no certainty as to the achievable level and value of realisations from the Company's income share portfolio in particular. There is therefore a risk that GMIT Securities may not, following the prepayment of part or all of the bank facility (and associated repayment costs), have sufficient realisable assets to be able to redeem the ZDP Shares at their accrued capital entitlement of 109.37p per share on or around 30 April 2002. In such circumstances, the holders of all the ZDP Shares would instead be repaid in a liquidation of GMIT Securities, save to the extent that they elect to continue their investment in any successor investment vehicle made available by the board of GMIT Securities. In this event, there may be no assets attributable to the holders of ordinary shares in Gartmore Monthly. The Directors expect to write to ordinary shareholders and ZDP shareholders at the earliest practicable date, which is expected to be not later than 25 April 2002, to report the outcome of their review of the ongoing viability of the Group. Enquiries: Roger Wood 020 7782 2000 Chairman Vivien Gould/Richard Prvulovich 020 7782 2000 Gartmore Investment Limited Bob Cowdell/Ian Davis 020 7678 8000 Hoare Govett Limited This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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