Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 8460A
Monks Investment Trust PLC
07 August 2008
 



THE MONKS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

Interim Management Statement 3 months to 31 July 2008


Monks' objective is to invest internationally to achieve capital growth, which takes priority over income and dividends. The Company is prepared to move freely between different markets as opportunities arise. Asset classes other than equities may be purchased from time to time including fixed interest holdings, unquoted securities and derivatives. The equity portfolio may be relatively concentrated for a global fund.


Review of the Period


Over the period, the Company's net asset value (NAV) fell by 4.8% compared to a fall in the FTSE World Index of 9.0%, while the share price fell by 1.6%. All figures are total return (capital and income).

During the period 0.5 million shares were repurchased at a cost of £2.0m, enhancing the NAV per share by 0.02%.

The final dividend of 3.20p per share was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 5 August 2008 and will be paid on 8 August 2008.

Vale (CVRD) and Blackrock World Mining dropped from the Top Ten Equity Holdings due to part sales. Imperial Energy entered the Top Ten following an additional investment. 



Geographical Analysis of Total Assets




Top Ten Equity Holdings


Region

% of

total

assets at

31/07/08

% of total

assets at

30/04/08


Name

% of

total

assets at

31/07/08

% of total

assets at

30/04/08

North America

19.9

19.2


Baillie Gifford Pacific Fund

6.5

7.2

Asia Pacific

13.8

15.5


Petrobras

3.6

5.1

Continental Europe

16.6

17.5


Schlumberger

3.2

3.0

United Kingdom

11.2

10.3


National Oilwell Varco

2.8

2.3

Japan

5.9

6.3


EOG Resources

2.5

3.0

Other Emerging Markets

12.4

12.7


Imperial Energy

2.0

1.0

Net liquid assets and bonds

20.2

18.5


BHP Billiton

1.7

1.7





Seadrill

1.7

1.7





US Steel

1.7

1.9





Diamond Offshore Drilling

1.6

1.6

Total

100.0

100.0


Total

27.3

28.4


Total Return Performance



%


3 Months

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

Share Price

-1.6

6.6

57.9

123.3

NAV (Par)

-4.8

3.2

43.4

105.4

Comparative Index

-9.0

-7.5

12.8

46.0

Source: Fundamental Data Ltd.;  Comparative Index is FTSE World Index (sterling terms).

Past performance is not a guide to future performance


General Information



31/07/08

30/04/08

Share Price

339.25p

348.0p

Total assets (before deduction of borrowings)

£1,042.7m

£1,110.4m




Total borrowings (at fair value)

£87.7m

£89.3m

Net asset value per share (after deducting borrowings at fair value)

362.2p

386.5p

Discount (borrowings at fair value)

6.3%

10.0%

Potential Gearing (borrowings at fair value)

9.2%

8.7%

Gearing less cash (borrowings at fair value)

-2.6%

0.1%

Gearing less cash and bonds (borrowings at fair value)

-14.3%

-10.3%




Total borrowings (at par)

£80.0m

£80.0m

Net asset value per share (after deducting borrowings at par)

365.2p

390.0p

Discount (borrowings at par)

7.1%

10.8%

Potential Gearing ( borrowings at par)

8.3%

7.8%

Gearing less cash (borrowings at par)

-3.4%

-0.8%

Gearing less cash and bonds (borrowings at par)

-15.0%

-11.1%




This interim management statement and up to date NAV and share price information is available on the Managers' website www.monksinvestmenttrust.co.uk



For further information contact:-  Robert O'Riordan on 0131 275 3181


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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