EP Global Opportunities Trust plc
INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2010
The Board of EP Global Opportunities Trust plc ('the Company') announces its
Interim Management Statement as required by the UK Listing Authority's
Disclosure and Transparency Rules. This Statement is in respect of the period
from 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2010 and should not be relied upon for any
other purpose.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of EP Global Opportunities Trust plc is to provide Shareholders
with an attractive real long-term total return by investing globally in
undervalued securities. The portfolio is managed without reference to the
composition of any stock market index.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
31 March 31 December % change
2010 2009
Net asset value per 192.1p 175.9p 9.2%
share (including
income)
Share price 184.0p 172.0p 7.0%
Share price 4.2% 2.2%
discount to net
asset value
Net assets £54.3m £50.7m
REVIEW OF THE PERIOD
Results
The net asset value total return for the three month period to 31 March 2010
was 10.5%, which includes the dividend of 2.4p paid on 31 March 2010. In
comparison the FTSE All-Share Index return was 6.4% and the FTSE All-World
Index return was 9.9% (all index returns are stated on a total return basis).
Share price and discount
During the quarter to 31 March 2010 the share price increased by 12p from 172p
to 184p, an increase of 7.0%. The share price discount to net asset value
widened from 2.2% to 4.2%.
During the period the Company repurchased 555,000 shares which were placed into
treasury. The total number of shares held in treasury at 31 March 2010 was
4,385,000 shares, representing 13.4% of the total number of shares in issue of
32,654,180 shares. The total number of shares in circulation was 28,269,180
shares. As highlighted in the annual report your Board has implemented a
stricter approach to monitoring the level of the discount and to the buying
back of shares. The Company will therefore continue its policy of buying in
shares at a discount to net asset value, with a view to maintaining the share
price at close to the net asset value per share.
There have been no further transactions in the Company's own shares since 31
March 2010.
Investment strategy and outlook
During the first quarter of 2010 economic growth across the world continued to
increase with most developed countries recovering from previous recessionary
conditions. In many emerging market economies the worldwide economic downturn
had merely resulted in a reduction in growth rates which have now started to
increase.
The key question concerning western economic growth is whether the consequences
of prior consumption patterns have been avoided or merely postponed. It is
believed that they have only been postponed, with the massive additional
government spending programmes resulting in enormous fiscal deficits still
requiring to be addressed. It is therefore likely that some of the optimism
around the early stages of the economic recovery will fade once increased
taxation and public expenditure reductions actually begin to take effect.
Stock markets globally look reasonably valued when compared to other asset
classes; however, in terms of absolute valuation, they now appear to be
marginally expensive. It is expected that the Company's emerging markets and
technology sector holdings will continue to be reduced as share price movements
impact on valuations. However, it is believed that an exception to this equity
reduction strategy will be in Japan, where the Company has invested in certain
attractively priced companies such as Taisei (the construction, civil
engineering and real estate development group).
Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
The Directors are not aware of any significant event or transactions which have
occurred between 31 March 2010 and the date of publication of this statement
which have had a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
Enquiries:
Sandy Nairn
Kenneth Greig
Edinburgh Partners Limited
12 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4DJ
Tel: 0131 270 3800
Registered Office of the Company:
12 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4DJ
29 April 2010
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