Monthly briefing August 2002

Lindsell Train Investment Trust PLC 12 September 2002 The Lindsell Train Investment Trust PLC As at 31st August 2002 Fund Objective To maximise long-term total returns subject to the avoidance of loss of absolute value and with a minimum objective to maintain the real purchasing power of Sterling capital, as measured by the annual average yield on the 2.5% Consolidated Loan Stock. Share Price GBP 91.50 Net Asset Value GBP 96.77 Discount (Premium) 5.5% Market Capitalisation GBP 18.3mn Source: Bloomberg NAV - LTL Performance (based in GBP) Aug Jul Jun 1 Year Since Launch NAV +3.6 -5.3 -3.6 -0.5 -3.2 Share Price -6.8 -8.0 -11.6 -8.5 2.5% Consol Loan Stock -5.2 Annual Average Yield Source: Bloomberg. 5.1 Based in GBP. Top 10 Holdings % NAV US Gov Treasury 6.25% 14.5 Lindsell Train Japan (Dist) 12.6 Lindsell Train Global Media (Dist) 11.8 US Gov Treasury IL 3.875% 8.3 HBOS 6.125% Non Cum 6.7 21/2% Consolidated Loan Stock 6.2 Cadbury Schweppes 6.1 UK Treasury 2.5% 5.4 Barr (AG) 5.1 HBOS 9.25% Non Cum 4.9 Industry Breakdown % NAV Bonds 37.4 Preference Shares 11.7 Media 8.8 Banks & Investment Co. 7.6 Leisure & Tourism 7.9 Food & Beverage 15.9 Investment Fund 24.4 Cash & Equivalent (13.7) Total 100.0 Geographical Breakdown % NAV Bonds 37.4 UK* 14.6 US 22.8 Preference Shares 11.7 Equities 40.2 UK 29.0 US 5.0 Japan 4.0 Europe 2.2 Funds 24.4 LT Japan 12.6 LT Global Media 11.8 Cash & Equivalent (13.7) Total 100.0 * Including the Daily Mail 2.5% 2004 Convertible Bonds (3% of NAV) Currency Exposure % NAV USD 52.7 JPY (0.2) EUR 2.2 GBP 44.9 Total 100.0 Fund Manager's Comments Stock Markets (the MSCI world index in Sterling) added 1.1% of value during the month. The company's NAV followed the same trend with more vigour. It ended the month 3.6% higher. The NAV remains 6.3% lower than the year-end figure and 7.6% lower than the level at the end of last fiscal year (Mar 2002). There has been no change to the portfolio except some small addition to the HBOS preference shares. Although frustrated with our inability to guard against capital loss however insubstantial relative to falls in world stock markets, we are somewhat encouraged about one development this month. At last our bond holdings have begun to perform. The lack of any evidence of inflation and a growing fear of deflation, should world economies slow more if consumers decide to save instead of consume, has encouraged a growing body of investors to raise their weightings in bonds. During the month our holding of the 28 year US Treasury bond rose in price by 5.8% (not counting income), the US Inflation linked bond by the same and the 2 irredeemable gilts by 6.2% on average. Since the end of March 2002, which was near the low point for bonds so far this year, they have appreciated by 13.3%, 13.2% and 13.6% respectively (not counting income). These are heady gains reminiscent of a return profile of equities in past years. Shareholders might reasonably wonder why we don't we have more of them, especially as we have been extolling their virtues for some time (see all but the February report this year). One reason is tax. The income we earn from bonds and cash has not been subject to any tax, unlike dividend income that is paid from company's post tax profits. As a result any such income, in excess of expenses (which includes our borrowing costs) is subject to tax of 30% within the investment trust. This acts as a major disincentive to building a position any larger than one that would earn us income equal to or less than our expenses. It is this tax issue that makes our 10% holding in the two Halifax preference shares so attractive. The 7% income yield from these shares is equivalent to income from the highest quality corporate bond but because the dividend has already suffered tax prior to being paid to us we pay no more on it within the investment trust. As a result it provides us a way of increasing our weighting to long duration fixed interest assets without incurring the punitive tax burden. The price of these preference shares tends to lag the performance of government bonds. As yet they have hardly reacted to the recent fall in long rates, we are confident they will in short order. Even though bonds will have substantially contributed to our performance last month the weakness of the dollar against sterling remains a drag, however unsustainable we think it likely to be. The Extraordinary General meeting of the company's shareholders convened on 28th August 2002 resulted in the successful passage of all seven resolutions. Cutting to the quick this practically means two things: • For one day, October 1st, the share price will likely adjust to one third of its value from the day before. The next day the price will likely adjust back to the prior price. Investors should not be alarmed about this. It simply results from the bonus issue being one business day before the capitalisation. • Following these changes each shareholder will receive a new certificate showing his ownership of exactly the same number of shares as before but with a par value of 75p rather than 25p. The whole point of this rather complicated set of changes was to put in place provisions to allow the directors of the company to buy back its own shares subject to the conditions outlined in the memorandum circulated to shareholders and released to the Stock Exchange on 8th August 2002. This follows the commitment made in the placing memorandum when the company was established last year. Fund Manager Launch Date Denominated Currency Nick Train 22 January 2001 GBP Year End Dividend Benchmark 31st March Ex-date: June The annual average yield on Payment: August the 21/2% Consolidated Loan Stock. Sedol No Bloomberg 3001710 LTI LN The Board Management Fees Registered Address Rhoddy Swire Standard Fee: 0.65% p.a. Lindsell Train Investment Michael Mackenzie Performance Fee: Trust Donald Adamson 10% of annual increase in 77A High Street Michael Lindsell the share price, plus Brentwood dividend, above ESSEX DM14 4RR the gross annual yield of the 21/2% Consolidated Loan Stock. Disclaimer The contents in this document is solely for information purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or invitation to buy or subscribe any securities or funds in any jurisdiction in which such distribution is not authorised. Nothing in this document constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice and cannot be relied upon in making any investment decision. Applications to invest in some of the funds must only be made on the basis of offer documents which may only be available for private circulation. The information contained in this document is published in good faith and neither Lindsell Train Limited nor any other person so connected assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information as provided. No representation is made or assurance given that any statements made, views, projections or forecasts are correct or that objectives will be achieved. Lindsell Train and/or persons connected with it may have an interest in the Fund. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and are not guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. You may not get back the amount you invested. Foreign exchange rates may cause the value of investments to go up or down. Investments may be subject to higher volatility in certain funds and the investment value may fall suddenly and substantially. Lindsell Train Limited 35 Thurloe Street, London SW7 2LQ Tel. +44 20 7225 6400 Fax. +44 20 7225 6499 info@lindselltrain.com www.lindselltrain.com Lindsell Train Limited is regulated by the FSA. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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