Interim Results

Templeton Emerging Markets IT PLC 16 December 2003 PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT TEMPLETON EMERGING MARKETS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC ("TEMIT") ("the Company") Interim Results for the six months to 31 October 2003 The Company today announced its interim results for the period to 31 October 2003. Chairman's Statement At 31 October 2003, your Company had net assets of £757.4 million, compared with £595.5 million at 30 April 2003. At period-end, 97.7% of the Company's total assets were invested in equities, with the remaining 2.3% being held in liquid assets. The general policy of the Manager is to be fully invested. Undiluted net asset value per share at the period-end was 166.38 pence, an increase of 27.2% over the period. The share price at 31 October 2003 was 139.00 pence, compared with 107.25 pence on 30 April 2003, an increase of 29.6%. Over the same period, the MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index, on a total return basis, rose 32.3%, and the S&P/IFCI Composite Index increased by 32.1%. The Manager's Report and Portfolio Review (pages 10 to 12) gives a detailed analysis of the Company's performance for the period under review. Since our last report on 30 April 2003, investors have shown an increasing interest in emerging market stocks. The asset class continued to outperform the US and European markets while falling a bit behind the Japanese market for the six months under review. The MSCI Emerging Market Free Index's 32.3% return compared favourably with the S&P 500 Composite Index's 8.9% gain and the MSCI All Country Europe Index's 12.7% increase. Asian emerging markets were among the strongest performers as investors accumulated stocks that were oversold during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak earlier in the year. China's attractiveness to multinational companies has stimulated foreign, direct and portfolio investment. Eastern European markets sustained an upward trend as prospective European Union candidates continued to successfully pass referendums for accession into the Union next year. Russia's economic growth forecast for 2003 increased from 4.0% to 6.0%, according to revisions by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Domestic matters continued to dominate news from Latin America, with Argentina's markets lagging behind most other countries in the region amid talks with the IMF. Overall, emerging markets have recorded positive performances year-to-date and expect them to continue to improve. The Board is pleased to announce that following its statement at the Annual General Meeting in September 2003 regarding a review of Board structure, the following Board changes have taken place with effect from 15 December 2003: - Sir Richard Brooke, Bt Martin L Flanagan Richard Frank Sir John Shaw CBE Sir Brian Williamson CBE have resigned from the Board. Four new non-executive directors have been appointed as follows:- Sam L. Ginn Peter Godsoe, O.C. Sir Ronald Hampel Andrew S.B. Knight Biographies for the new directors are attached. The Board has elected Geoffrey A. Langlands to assume the role of Chairman until the next Annual General Meeting. Thereafter Sir Ronald Hampel will assume the role of Chairman. Geoffrey A. Langlands 16 December 2003 Indices above are shown on a total return basis in GBP. Sources: Franklin Templeton Investments and Standard & Poor's. BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW DIRECTORS SAM L. GINN Sam Ginn, 67, served as Chairman of Vodafone AirTouch PLC from 1999, following the merger of Vodafone and AirTouch, until his retirement in May 2000. He was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of AirTouch Communications, Inc. from December 1993 to June 1999, before which he was Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Pacific Telesis Group. Sam Ginn began his career with AT&T, where he last served as Vice President of Network Operations for AT&T Long Lines. He is also a director of ChevronTexaco Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company and the Fremont Group. Sam Ginn is a graduate of Auburn University's School of Engineering and was a Sloan Fellow at the Stanford University School of Business. PETER C. GODSOE, O.C. Peter Godsoe is Chairman of the Board of The Bank of Nova Scotia. He began his career with the Bank in 1966 as a teller in Ottawa, Ontario. After serving in Toronto and Montreal, he moved to New York and rose rapidly through various positions in international, corporate and investment banking to become Vice Chairman of the Board in 1982. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in 1992, Chief Executive Officer in 1993 and Chairman in 1995. Mr. Godsoe stepped down as Chief Executive Officer in December 2003. Mr. Godsoe holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Toronto, which he attended on a scholarship in mathematics and French. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School, and is a C.A. and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. In 1993, Mr. Godsoe accepted the degree of Doctor of Civil Law honoris causa from University of King's College, in June 1995 accepted the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa from Concordia University and in October 2001 accepted the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa from the University of Western Ontario. In 2002, Mr. Godsoe became a member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and an Officer of the Order of Canada. In addition to his corporate directorships which include several Bank of Nova Scotia subsidiaries and affiliates, Mr. Godsoe's corporate directorships include Empire Company Limited, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Ingersoll-Rand Company; Lonmin PLC and Rogers Communications Inc. In addition, he is affiliated with a number of non-profit institutes. Mr. Godsoe was born in 1938. He lives in Toronto with his wife Shelagh and has three children: Craig, Eden and Cynthia. SIR RONALD HAMPEL Sir Ronald Hampel retired as Chairman of United Business Media plc in November 2002. He previously spent 44 years with ICI, where he joined the Board in 1985, became COO in 1991, CEO in 1993 and was Chairman from 1995-1999. He is a non-executive director of Alcoa Inc. and a member of the Advisory Board of Teijin. He is Chairman of the Trustees of the Eden Project and a member of the Committee of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. He was Chairman of the Committee on Corporate Governance from 1995-1998. He read Modern Languages and Law at Cambridge and is an Honorary Fellow of Corpus Christi College. He was knighted in the 1995 New Year's Honours. Sir Ronald Hampel was formerly a member of the Steering Committee of the European Round Table, of the UK Advisory Board on INSEAD, of the Listed Companies Advisory Committee of the London Stock Exchange, and of the Nomination Committee of the New York Stock Exchange. He was a Non-Executive Director of Powell Duffryn PLC from 1983-1988, of Commercial Union Plc from 1987-1995, of BAE SYSTEMS plc from 1989-2002, and Chairman of United Business Media from 1999-2002. He was a Member of the Executives Committee of the British-North American Committee from 1987-1995, and a Director of the American Chamber of Commerce from 1988-1991. He was from 1997 to 2001 a member of the Advisory Committee of the Karlpreis Aachen (Charlemagne Prize). He was a member of the Council of Action on Addiction from 1994-1999. Sir Ronald Hampel was born in 1932. He is married with four children. An enthusiastic sportsman, he is a keen golfer, skier and tennis player; he is a member of the MCC, of the R&R and of the AELTC. ANDREW S.B. KNIGHT Andrew Knight, 65, served as Editor of The Economist from 1974 until 1986. He was Chief Executive of the Daily Telegraph plc from 1986 until 1989 and Editor in Chief of the Daily Telegraph plc from 1987 until 1989. Between 1990 until 1993, Andrew Knight was Executive Chairman of News International plc and between 1993 and 1995 he was Non Executive Chairman of News International plc. He was Deputy Chairman of Home Counties Newspapers Holdings plc from 1996 until 1998. Andrew Knight was a Member of the Advisory Board for Centre for Economic Development and Policy Research at Stanford University in 1981 and is also a Member of Advisory Council Institute of International Studies at Stanford University. Andrew Knight is a Director of the Anglo Russian Opera & Ballet Trust, Chairman of Shipston Home Nursing and was Governor of Ditchley Foundation in 1981 (Member of Management Council in 1982). He has also been a Director of News Corporation since 1991. Andrew Knight is a Member of Brooks's, Beefsteak, Royal Automobile and Tadmarton Heath. STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (UNAUDITED) For the six months to 31 October 2003 (unaudited) Revenue Capital Total £000 £000 £000 INCOME Gains/(losses) on investments - 154,850 154,850 Investment 14,874 - 14,874 income* Interest income 214 - 214 15,088 154,850 169,938 EXPENSES Administrative (5,076) - (5,076) expenses PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 10,012 154,850 164,862 Taxation (3,005) - (3,005) PROFIT AFTER TAXATION 7,007 154,850 161,857 Dividend in respect of - - - equity shares TOTAL RETURN FOR THE PERIOD 7,007 154,850 161,857 Return per Ordinary 1.54p 34.02p 35.56p Share Annualised Expense 1.47% N/A Ratio Notes: The capital element of returns is not distributable. The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. * The unusually high investment income figure for the six months ended 31 October 2003 is principally due to passing of ex-date of a significant proportion of the underlying portfolio. It is not foreseen that the investment income for the forthcoming six months will be of a similar amount. STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED) For the six months to Year to 31 October 2002 (unaudited) 30 April 2003 (audited) Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 - (147,368) (147,368) - (72,344) (72,344) 9,555 - 9,555 18,535 - 18,535 435 - 435 920 - 920 9,990 (147,368) (137,378) 19,455 (72,344) (52,889) (4,335) - (4,335) (8,402) - (8,402) 5,655 (147,368) (141,713) 11,053 (72,344) (61,291) (1,687) - (1,687) (3,310) - (3,310) 3,968 (147,368) (143,400) 7,743 (72,344) (64,601) - - - (5,685) - (5,685) 3,968 (147,368) (143,400) 2,058 (72,344) (70,286) 0.87p (32.38p) (31.51p) 1.70p (15.89p) (14.19p) 1.53% N/A 1.49% N/A Dividend Policy In accordance with the Company's stated policy, no interim dividend is declared for the period. (A dividend of 1.25 pence per Ordinary Share was paid for the year ended 30 April 2003.) BALANCE SHEET As at As at As at 31 October 31 October 30 April 2003 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) FIXED ASSETS Investments 740,334 501,164 591,452 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 5,095 1,214 19,444 Cash 16,893 22,549 6,807 21,988 23,763 26,251 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year (4,825) (2,458) (21,342) NET CURRENT ASSETS 17,163 21,305 4,909 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 757,497 522,469 596,361 PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES AND CHARGES - deferred tax (100) (97) (875) NET ASSETS 757,397 522,372 595,486 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called-up Share Capital 113,806 113,796 113,796 Share Premium Account 275,351 275,307 275,307 Capital Redemption Reserve 3,940 3,940 3,940 Capital Reserve - Realised 195,871 189,074 194,356 Capital Reserve - Unrealised 143,498 (79,579) (9,837) Revenue Reserve 24,931 19,834 17,924 SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS (all equity) 757,397 522,372 595,486 Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share (in pence) - Basic 166.38 114.76 130.82 - Diluted 160.74 N/A* N/A* * The diluted net asset value per ordinary share as at 31 October 2002 and 30 April 2003 is deemed not applicable as the exercise price of the warrants in issue was higher than the basic net asset value per share on both of those dates. CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the six For the six For the year months to months to to 30 April 31 October 2003 31 October 2002 2003 £000 £000 £000 (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Net return on ordinary activities before taxation 10,012 5,655 11,053 (Increase) in debtors (67) (48) (39) Decrease in accrued income 2,460 2,331 398 (Decrease) in creditors (6) (292) (69) Net cash inflow from operating activities 12,399 7,646 11,343 Cash Flow Statement Net cash inflow from operating activities 12,399 7,646 11,343 Taxation (1,793) (2,227) (3,876) Financial investments 5,116 24,364 6,569 15,722 29,783 14,036 Equity dividends paid (5,690) (5,695) (5,690) 10,032 24,088 8,346 Financing - movements in share capital 54 (445) (445) Increase in cash 10,086 23,643 7,901 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds Increase in cash in the period 10,086 23,643 7,901 Opening net funds 6,807 (1,094) (1,094) Closing net funds 16,893 22,549 6,807 The figures and financial information for the year ended 30 April 2003 are an extract from the latest published financial statements and do not constitute statutory financial statements for that year. Those financial statements have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included a report of the auditors which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) and 237 (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The interim report has not been audited by the Company's auditors. The interim report has been prepared using accounting policies that are consistent with those adopted in the statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April 2003. GEOGRAPHIC ASSET DISTRIBUTION AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2003 AS AT 30 APRIL 2003 COUNTRY % COUNTRY % China 15.04 China 12.06 Korea (South) 14.25 Korea (South) 12.88 Brazil 11.41 Brazil 11.11 Thailand 9.26 Thailand 8.07 Turkey 7.17 Turkey 6.34 Hungary 6.30 Hungary 6.34 South Africa 3.93 South Africa 4.87 India 3.73 India 4.76 Taiwan 3.55 Taiwan 4.94 Mexico 3.19 Mexico 5.89 Austria 2.73 Austria 3.47 Hong Kong 2.55 Hong Kong 3.00 Greece 2.48 Greece 1.99 Poland 2.14 Poland 2.14 Czech Republic 1.50 Czech Republic 1.50 Denmark 1.31 Denmark 0.00 Portugal 1.22 Portugal 1.24 Argentina 1.18 Argentina 1.23 Croatia 1.11 Croatia 1.32 Philippines 0.99 Philippines 1.49 Singapore 0.99 Singapore 0.95 Egypt 0.96 Egypt 0.45 Russia 0.43 Russia 1.61 Indonesia 0.30 Indonesia 0.85 Peru 0.03 Peru 0.00 Israel 0.00 Israel 0.82 Liquid Assets 2.25 Liquid Assets 0.68 ------- ------- 100.00 100.00 ======= ======= TOP TWENTY HOLDINGS As at 31 October 2003 Market Value Company Country Industry £000 China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. China Integrated Oil & Gas 41,588 Akbank Turkey Diversified Banks 28,705 Gedeon Richter Ltd. Hungary Pharmaceuticals 25,835 Unibanco Uniao Bancos Brasileiros SA Brazil Diversified Banks 24,796 Siam Commercial Bank Public Co., Ltd Thailand Diversified Banks 22,102 OMV AG Austria Integrated Oil & Gas 20,696 Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA Brazil Electric Utilities 19,374 Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafineleri AS Turkey Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing 18,357 Banco Bradesco Brazil Diversified Banks 17,804 Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd. Thailand Construction Materials 17,091 Hyundai Development Co. Korea (South) Construction & Engineering 16,511 Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen SA Poland Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing 16,239 MOL Magyar Olaj-Es Gazipari Rt . Hungary Integrated Oil & Gas 16,181 China Merchants Holdings International Co., Ltd. China Industrial Conglomerates 15,396 SK Corp. Korea (South) Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing 15,346 Companhia Paranaense de Energia-Copel, ADR, pfd. Brazil Electric Utilities 15,080 Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. Hong Kong Food Retail 13,728 KT Corp. Korea (South) Integrated Telecommunication Services 13,584 PetroChina Co., Ltd., H China Integrated Oil & Gas 13,091 ITC Ltd. India Tobacco 12,875 Top 20 Holdings - 50.75% of Net Assets 384,379 INVESTMENT REVIEW This is the semi-annual report for the Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust PLC covering the six-month period ending 31 October, 2003. As outlined in the Chairman's Statement on page 3, we are pleased to report our performance over the past six-month period. Overview Emerging markets outperformed key developed markets including the US and major European markets during the period as greater interest in the asset class continued to attract investors. Asian markets were among the strongest performers as investors accumulated stocks that had been oversold as a result of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) concerns earlier in the year. Eastern European markets also continued on an upward trend as the last of the prospective EU candidates successfully passed referendums for accession into the Union next year. Domestic matters dominated news in Latin America, with Brazilian President Lula's success on the reform front leading to a new wave of confidence in the local market. Portfolio Changes & Investment Strategies As at 31 October and 30 April, the top three sectors were Diversified Banks, Oil & Gas Refining and Marketing and Electric Utilities. Within the top 10 holdings, Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA (Brazil) and Siam Cement Pubic Co., Ltd. (Thailand) replaced KT Corp. (Korea (South)) and MOL Magyar Olaj-Es Gazipari Rt. (Hungary). During the period, the Company's exposure to Asia increased, as investments were made in Korea and China "H" shares. Key purchases included SK Corp. a strong player in South Korea's refining industry, Kookmin Bank, the largest retail bank in South Korea and Sinopec, the largest integrated petrochemical company in China. Selective sales were undertaken in Taiwan, India and Indonesia as sales targets were reached. In Europe, the Company added Carlsberg (Denmark), a major brewing group with significant exposure to the economies of Eastern Europe and Asia. Holdings in telecom operators, Matav (Hungary) and Hellenic Telecommunications (Greece) were increased. While the investigation and subsequent arrest of Michail Khodorkovsky, the CEO and major shareholder of Yukos in Russia, did lead to some severe market fluctuations towards the end of the period, these did not impact performance significantly. The Company's holdings in Brazil were increased via purchases in Companhia Paranaense de Energia-Copel, a monopoly distributor of energy in the Parana state and Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, the federal government's holding company for the electricity sector. We also realised some gains on Cemex (Mexico). Asia Asian markets recovered strongly. The markets also benefited from the region's continued economic recovery. Reflecting a full rebound from the SARS outbreak, China's economy grew 9.1% in the third quarter, up from the 6.7% recorded in the second quarter. Additionally, foreign domestic investment rose 11.9% year on year to US$40.2 billion in the first nine months of the year, signalling China's attractiveness to international investors. In South Korea, second quarter GDP grew 1.9% year on year, leading the government to reduce its growth forecast for the year to 3.5% from 5.5%. While GDP growth in South Korea has slowed, strengthening exports could help boost the country's recovery in the future. Towards the end of the period, attention was diverted to the political scene when following the defection of 37 members of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), President Roh Moo-hyun also resigned from the MDP. Additionally, the President announced intentions of holding a national referendum to judge public confidence in his leadership on 15 December. Roh also said that he would resign if the referendum went against him. However, recent polls have showed Roh will emerge victorious in the voting. Thus, the opposition parties agreed that the referendum should not be held. The speaker of the National Party announced that it would ask Roh to withdraw the motion. Thus, no major impact is expected to result from this event. Confirming its regional significance, Thailand hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting during October, the conclusion of which saw leaders from the 21 member-states pledging to improve trade, security and economic development issues. Strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals as well as a stable political arena have also accelerated Thailand's economic recovery. Thailand's economic growth has continued uninterrupted. The Finance Ministry raised 2003 GDP projections by a full percentage point to 6.1%. Second quarter GDP grew 5.8% year on year, following growth of 6.7% year on year in the first quarter, supported by strong export growth and resilient domestic spending. Latin America Latin American markets continued on an upward trend during the period as key economies such as Brazil, Argentina and Mexico continued to reap the benefits of reforms and economic recovery. Latest in Brazil was the Lower House approval of the bankruptcy law and the pension bill, both of which will now be sent to the Senate for approval. That news is positive since it could increase the banking sector's growth potential and reduce the perception of risk in the sector. The implementation of the pension bill is expected to reduce inequalities in the current system and improve the country's fiscal position. The Argentine government finally reached an agreement with the IMF allowing the country to roll-over the US$12.5 billion owed to the organization (no fresh money commitments were awarded) and US$21 billion in total to multilateral organisations over the next 3 years. In exchange, Argentina has committed to a 3.0% primary surplus (Federal government and provinces) for 2004. This news provided the local stock markets with a further boost. In Mexico, President Fox delivered his third State of the Union address and stressed the need for structural reforms in order to boost the country's recovery. Public Policy Coordinator Eduardo Sojo made known that the government's priority during the next legislative period would be the fiscal and energy reforms. Further integration with the US was the government's third priority. Economically, signalling Mexico's strengthening economy, the country extinguished all of its Brady bonds, repaying the last US$1.29 billion in June. Southern / Eastern Europe As already noted, Eastern European markets also rose as the last of the prospective EU candidates successfully passed referendums for accession next year. Efforts on the reform front are expected to continue as EU candidates work towards the fulfilment of accession goals. In Hungary, second quarter GDP grew 2.4% year on year, after recording a growth of 2.7% in the first quarter. Despite some concerns surrounding the country's growing trade deficit, Moody's maintained a stable outlook for the country's A1 rating citing Hungary's integration with the rest of Europe and entry into the European Monetary Union targeted for 2008. Rating agencies, Moody's and Standard & Poor's, both upgraded their respective ratings for Turkey. S&P raised the country's long-term foreign currency rating to B+ from B while Moody's raised the outlook on the nation's B1 rating to stable from negative. The agencies cited Turkey's commitment to reforms, improving debt levels as a result of lower real interest rates and strong foreign exchange reserves. The IMF is expected to complete its sixth review in November, which would lead to the disbursement of US$487 million. South Africa South Africa's financial sector started implementation of a US$10.5 billion black empowerment charter, which requires that at least 25% of every South African financial institution should be black-owned by 2010. Moreover, each institution is required to spend 1.5% of its annual payroll to train black employees over the next five years. While the charter is voluntary, 10 industry associations in the sector fully support it. It is believed that the goals set forth in the charter could result in greater sustainability as well as higher economic growth. Economically, second quarter GDP grew 1.8% year on year, compared to 2.5% year on year in the first quarter, mainly due to weaker exports as a result of lower global demand. US President George W. Bush visited South Africa where he and President Thabo Mbeki discussed matters pertaining to AIDS and Zimbabwe. South Africa and Iran signed numerous pacts on a range of issues. Outlook Despite many political and other uncertainties worldwide, there do appear to be encouraging signs of strengthening economic activity and prospects. Whilst likely to continue to be more volatile than fully-developed countries, we believe emerging markets continue to hold great promise because of their attractive valuations, high growth rates, young and increasingly literate populations, improving corporate transparency, high foreign reserves, undervalued currencies, improving capital market conditions and strengthening political stability. The list is endless. As such, we will continue to follow our value strategy and identify those companies selling at the greatest discount to future intrinsic value. Over time we expect this approach to will produce the greatest share price returns commensurate with minimal risk. Thank you for your continued interest and support. Dr. Mark Mobius, Ph.D. Fund Manager 16 December 2003 This report does not constitute or form part of any offer for shares or an invitation to apply for shares. Subscriptions for shares in the Templeton Investment Plan can only be made on the basis of the most recent brochure. The price of shares and income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount that you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Currency fluctuations will affect the value of overseas investments. Emerging Markets can be more risky than Developed Markets. Please consult your profesional adviser before deciding to invest. The research and analysis contained herein has been procured by Franklin Templeton Investments for its own purposes and may have been acted upon in that connection, and as such is provided to you only incidentally Copies of the Interim Report will shortly be sent to shareholders. For information please contact David Bliss/Will Rogers at UBS Limited (0207 567 8000) or David Smart at Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited (0207 925 7171). No representation or warranty is made by UBS Limited as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this announcement and no liability will be accepted for any loss arising from its use. These figures have been prepared by Franklin Templeton Investments and are their sole responsibility. End of Announcement. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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