Interim Results
2 September 2003
EDINBURGH US TRACKER TRUST PLC
Edinburgh US Tracker Trust aims to achieve long term growth of capital and income by
tracking the performance of the S&P Composite Index.
Edinburgh US Tracker Trust is the only investment trust with the objective of tracking
the performance of the S&P Composite Index.
INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 31 JULY 2003
· Net asset value per share rose by 18.4% compared to a rise in the S&P Composite
Index of 18.3%
· Share price rose by 21.1% to 490p, representing a discount of 3.7%
to net asset value per share. This compares to a discount of 5.9% at the beginning
of the year.
· Interim dividend maintained at 2.00p per share.
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For further information, please contact:-
David McCraw
Edinburgh Fund Managers plc 0131 313 1000
Ian Massie
Edinburgh Fund Managers plc 0131 313 1000
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The company continues to meet the objective of tracking the performance
of the S&P Composite Index. In the six months to 31 July 2003, the net
asset value per share (NAV) rose by 18.4% to 508.83p compared to a rise
of 18.3% in the index (in sterling terms). The company's share price
rose by 21.1% to 490p which represented a discount of 3.7% to the net
asset value per share. At the start of the financial year, the share
price was standing at a discount of 5.9%.
The combination of a swift conclusion to the war in Iraq and more
encouraging corporate profits pushed US share prices sharply higher.
Investors also began to anticipate that the combination of accommodating
monetary and fiscal policies and a weaker dollar would re-invigorate the
US economy. Statements from the US Federal Reserve suggesting that
steps would be taken to avoid deflation and deliver economic growth were
also interpreted positively by investors in equities.
The revenue per share fell slightly from 2.50p to 2.40p per share due to
a 9.2% fall in the average US dollar/sterling exchange rate. The
directors have declared an interim dividend of 2.00p (2002-2.00p) per
share for the year to 31 January 2004 payable on 10 October 2003 to
shareholders on the register on 12 September 2003.
Continuation Vote
Your board was encouraged by the continued support for the company as
expressed by the vote for continuation at the Annual General Meeting in
May. 90% of the 24.2 million shares voted by proxy were in favour of
continuation.
Investment Activity
The level of activity in the portfolio remained at relatively low levels
and reflected the limited number of changes to the constituents of the
index. In February, Rational Software was acquired by International
Business Machines and replaced in the index by AutoNation. In March,
AMR was removed from the index on account of its low market
capitalization and replaced by Apartment Investment & Management,
Healthsouth was removed from the index following violations of
securities laws and was replaced by McCormick & Co. while Household
International was replaced in the index by Symantec after Household was
acquired by HSBC Holdings. In April, following the merger of Pfizer and
Pharmacia, both constituents of the index, Federated Investors was added
to the index while in July ProLogis replaced Mirant after Mirant had
filed for bankruptcy. The total value of purchases amounted to £1.9m
while sales totalled £2.0 million.
Edinburgh US Tracker Trust is the only UK investment trust to track the
performance of the S&P Composite Index and provides shareholders with a
broadly diversified portfolio which covers the top 500 listed company in
the USA. The method employed by the company to track the index involves
a full replication of the index constituents. This means that the
company holds every stock making up the index in an amount that equals
the stock's proportionate weight in the index.
Board of Directors
Archie Hunter was appointed to the board on 1 September 2003.
Mr Hunter, who is a chartered accountant, spent his career in the
profession and is a former President of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Scotland.
Outlook
The expected rebound in the US economy post the Iraq war has, so far,
been modest although commentators continue to suggest that recovery is
underway. Sentiment indicators have improved with expectations of a
buoyant second half to the year being based on tax cuts, lower interest
rates and a weaker dollar. Interest rates have been lowered to 1.0% and
the Federal Reserve remains committed to take all available steps to
promote economic growth. The recent sharp rise in bond yields suggests
that deflation risks have been contained and that the Federal Reserve
will be successful in reflating the economy.
Sir Angus Grossart, Chairman
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN
for the six months to 31 July 2003 (unaudited)
Revenue Capital Total
£000 £000 £000
Realised losses on investments - (924) (924)
Increase in unrealised appreciation - 70,474 70,474
Foreign exchange losses - (6) (6)
Investment income 3,764 - 3,764
Interest receivable 14 - 14
Investment management fee (546) - (546)
Administrative expenses (202) - (202)
______ ______ ______
Return on ordinary activities before 3,030 69,544 72,574
taxation
Taxation (905) - (905)
______ ______ ______
Return on ordinary activities after taxation 2,125 69,544 71,669
Dividends (1,768) - (1,768)
______ ______ ______
357 69,544 69,901
______ ______ ______
Return per ordinary share 2.40p 78.69p 81.09p
______ ______ ______
Dividend per ordinary share 2.00p
______
for the six months to 31 July 2002 (unaudited)
Revenue Capital Total
£000 £000 £000
Realised losses on investments - (6,197) (6,197)
Decrease in unrealised appreciation - (150,124) (150,124)
Foreign exchange losses - (217) (217)
Investment income 3,941 - 3,941
Interest receivable 22 - 22
Investment management fee (606) - (606)
Administrative expenses (199) - (199)
______ ______ ______
Return on ordinary activities before
taxation 3,158 (156,538) (153,380)
Taxation (951) - (951)
______ ______ ______
Return on ordinary activities after
taxation 2,207 (156,538) (154,331)
Dividends (1,771) - (1,771)
______ ______ ______
436 (156,538) (156,102)
______ ______ ______
Return per ordinary share 2.50p (177.12p) (174.62p)
______ ______ ______
Dividend per ordinary share 2.00p
______
For the year to 31 January 2003 (audited)
Revenue Capital Total
£000 £000 £000
Realised losses on investments - (6,571) (6,571)
Decrease in unrealised appreciation - (195,604) (195,604)
Foreign exchange losses - (323) (323)
Income from investments 7,746 - 7,746
Interest receivable 37 - 37
Investment management fee (1,104) - (1,104)
Administrative expenses (419) - (419)
______ ______ ______
Return on ordinary activities before 6,260 (202,498) (196,238)
taxation
Taxation (1,856) - (1,856)
______ ______ ______
Return on ordinary activities after 4,404 (202,498) (198,094)
taxation
Dividends (4,290) - (4,290)
______ ______ ______
114 (202,498) (202,384)
______ ______ ______
Return per ordinary share 4.98p (229.12p) (224.14p)
______ ______ ______
Dividend per ordinary share 4.85p
______
BALANCE SHEET
At 31 July At 31 January At 31
2003 2003 July 2002
(unaudited) (audited) (unaudited)
£000 £000 £000
Fixed assets
Investments 449,288 379,765 425,759
Current assets
Debtors 633 571 560
Cash and short term deposits 2,387 2,810 2,464
______ ______ ______
3,020 3,381 3,024
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 2,431 3,187 2,551
______ ______ ______
Net current assets/(liabilities) 589 194 473
______ ______ ______
449,877 379,959 426,232
Provision for liabilities and charge (165) (148) (133)
______ ______ ______
449,712 379,811 426,099
______ ______ ______
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 22,095 22,095 22,095
Other reserves 427,617 357,716 404,004
______ ______ ______
Total equity shareholders' funds 449,712 379,811 426,099
______ ______ ______
Net asset value per equity share 508.83p 429.74p 482.12p
______ ______ ______
CASHFLOW STATEMENT
6 months to 6 months to 12 months to
31 July 2003 31 July 2002 31 January 2003
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£000 £000 £000
Revenue before interest and taxation 3,030 3,158 6,260
Decrease in accrued income (60) 70 20
Increase in other debtors (14) (32) 9
Decrease in creditors 29 (148) (179)
______ ______ ______
Net cash inflow from operating
activities 2,985 3,048 6,110
Total tax paid (910) (870) (1,848)
Net cash outflow from financial
investment 27 (2,568) (2,428)
Equity dividends paid (2,519) (2,517) (4,284)
______ ______ ______
Net cash outflow before financing (417) (2,907) (2,450)
Net cash inflow from financing - 2,611 2,606
______ ______ ______
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS (417) (296) 156
______ ______ ______
NOTES:
1. The accounts are prepared under the same accounting policies used for
the year to 31 January 2003.
2. The interim dividend for the year ended 31 January 2003 will be paid
on 10 October 2003 to shareholders on the register at the close of
business on 12 September 2003. The ex-dividend date is 10 September
2003.
3. The financial statements set out above do not represent full accounts
in accordance with Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial
information for the year ended 31 January 2003 has been extracted from
the Annual Report and Accounts of the Company which have been filed with
the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was
unqualified.
4. The Interim Report will be posted to shareholders on 15 September
2003 and copies will be available from the investment manager.
Please note that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the
future and that the value of investments and the income from them may
fall as well as rise and may be affected by exchange rate movements.
Investors may not get back the amount they originally invested.
For Edinburgh US Tracker Trust plc
Edinburgh Fund Managers plc, Secretary
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