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. - END - 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 END
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