Interim Results
British & American Inv Trust PLC
28 September 2001
British & American Investment Trust PLC
Interim Report
30 June 2001
Registered number: 433137
Directors
Jonathan C Woolf (Chairman and Managing Director)
Dominic G Dreyfus
J Anthony V Townsend
Ronald G Paterson
Chairman's Statement
I report our results for the 6 months to 30 June 2001.
The return on revenue account before tax amounted to £1.3 million (£901,000).
Total return before taxation, which includes both realised and unrealised
capital appreciation, recorded a deficit of £2.0 million (£1.3 million
deficit), reflecting the decline in equity valuations over the period, noted
below.
The return on revenue account per ordinary share was 4.26 pence on an
undiluted basis (2.75 pence) and 3.54 pence on a fully diluted basis (2.47
pence).
Group net assets were £46.7 million (£49.4 million at 31 December 2000), a
decrease of 5.5 percent. Compensating for the special dividend payment of £
625,000 in January 2001, the decrease in group net assets would be reduced to
4.3 percent. This compares to a decrease over the same six month period of
9.3 percent in the FTSE 100 share index and a fall of 8.5 percent in the FTSE
All Share index. The net asset value per £1 ordinary share (prior charges
deducted at par) was 147 pence, equivalent to 133 pence per share on a fully
diluted basis.
We intend to pay an interim dividend of 1.845 pence per ordinary share on 15
November 2001 to shareholders on the register at 12 October 2001. This
represents an increase of 10.15 percent from last year's interim dividend. A
preference dividend of 1.75 pence will be paid to preference shareholders on
the same date.
2
The UK equity market declined significantly over the period as the unwinding
of overvaluations from 2000, particularly in technology stocks, continued into
the first half of the current year. A brief rally in valuations took place in
the second quarter, but this was not sustained and prices resumed their
negative trend across all sectors, and particularly in telecommunications, as
lower forecasts for economic growth initially in the USA and subsequently the
UK began to be recognised. Stocks generally posted double digit declines
despite continued monetary easing both in the USA and the UK, while in the new
economy sectors, many recently formed companies without a history of
profitability and even some well established companies which had been
constituents of the leading indices saw substantial declines in their market
capitalisations.
As at 25 September 2001, group net assets were £38.2 million, a decrease of
18.2 percent since 30 June. This compares with a decrease of 18.0 percent in
the FTSE All Share index over the same period and is equivalent to 113.0 pence
per share (prior charges deducted at par) and 109.2 pence per share on a fully
diluted basis.
The third quarter of 2001 started weakly, with the negative trends of the
first half being continued. The uncertainties for markets generally given the
weakness seen in economic performance in all the major world economies were,
however, hugely compounded by the catastrophic events in the USA on 11
September which resulted in a further 10 percent fall in markets in the
immediate aftermath of the event. The effects which this event and any
consequential political actions will have on confidence and economic
performance are impossible to gauge. In the light of these uncertainties, we
will continue to maintain our investment profile in generalist and income
producing investment trusts and certain other quality investments. This has
resulted in movements in portfolio valuations which are comparable with those
of the leading indices and also the ability to pay growing levels of ordinary
dividends.
As previously announced, the final 2.5 pence instalment of the special
dividend payments following the reorganisation of First Leisure PLC in January
2000, will be made in the second half of this year. A further announcement
will be made before the end of the year on the timing of this payment.
Jonathan C Woolf
28 September 2001
Registered Office
214 The Chambers, Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 OXF
Telephone: 020 7376 3791
England No. 433137
Financial highlights
For the 6 months ended 30 June 2001
6 months to 6 months to Year ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Return before taxation 1,304 901 1,729
__________ __________ __________
Earnings per £1 ordinary shares 4.26p 2.75p 5.38p
- basic
__________ __________ __________
Earnings per £1 ordinary shares 3.54p 2.47p 4.84p
- fully diluted
__________ __________ __________
Investments at valuation and 47,512 53,134 50,865
cash at bank
__________ __________ __________
Net assets per ordinary share
- deducting preference £1.47 £1.65 £1.58
shares at par
__________ __________ __________
- fully diluted £1.33 £1.46 £1.41
__________ __________ __________
Fully diluted net assets per £1.07
ordinary
share at 25 September 2001 __________
Group balance sheet
31 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
FIXED ASSETS
Investments 47,127 48,652 48,901
Cash and bank balances 385 4,482 1,964
OTHER NET CURRENT LIABILITIES (834) (1,919) (1,449)
__________ __________ __________
Total assets less current 46,678 51,215 49,416
liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due - - -
after more than one year
__________ __________ __________
Net assets 46,678 51,215 49,416
__________ __________ __________
Capital and reserves (Note 5) 46,678 51,215 49,416
__________ __________ __________
Company Nature of Valuation
Business £'000 Percentage
of portfolio
Prudential Life Assurance 6,891 14.62
Esporta Leisure 3,885 8.24
Liberty International Property 3,786 8.03
Securities Trust of Scotland Investment Trust 2,599 5.52
Alliance Trust Investment Trust 2,595 5.51
Dunedin Investment Trust 2,330 4.94
British Assets Investment Trust 2,265 4.81
Electra Investment Trust Investment Trust 2,074 4.40
RIT Capital Partners Investment Trust 1,619 3.44
Chatham Maritime EZT Enterprise Zone 1,250 2.65
Trust
Aberdeen Preferred - Loan Fixed Interest 1,241 2.63
Stock stock
St James Place Capital - Unit Unit Trust 1,052 2.23
Trust
Murray International Investment Trust 912 1.94
Shires Income Investment Trust 905 1.92
Scottish American Investment Trust 875 1.86
Aberdeen Preferred - Ordinary Investment Trust 680 1.44
BFS Absolute Return Investment Trust 630 1.34
Invesco Convertible Trust Investment Trust 610 1.29
Georgica plc Leisure 590 1.25
The Throgmorton Trust Investment Trust 512 1.09
20 Largest investments 37,301 79.15
Other investments 9,826 20.85
Total investments 47,127 100.00
__________ __________
6 months to 30 June 2001 6 months to 30 June 2000
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Income (note 2) 1,504 - 1,504 1,160 - 1,160
Realised gains - 550 550 - 3,696 3,696
on investments
(Decrease)/incre - (3,893) (3,893) - (5,867) (5,867)
ase in
unrealised
appreciation
Other expenses (192) - (192) (213) - (213)
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Net return 1,312 (3,343) (2,031) 947 (2,171) (1,224)
before finance
costs and
taxation
Interest (8) - (8) (46) - (46)
payable and
similar charges
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Return before 1,304 (3,343) (2,039) 901 (2,171) (1,270)
taxation
Taxation (63) - (63) (38) - (38)
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Return on 1,241 (3,343) (2,102) 863 (2,171) (1,308)
ordinary
activities
after tax
Dividend and (175) - (175) (175) - (175)
other
appropriations
in respect of
preference
shares
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Return 1,066 (3,343) (2,277) 688 (2,171) (1,483)
attributable to
ordinary
shareholders
Dividend in (461) - (461) (419) - (419)
respect of
ordinary shares
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Transfer to 605 (3,343) (2,738) 269 (2,171) (1,902)
reserves after
dividends paid
and proposed
________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Return per
ordinary share
Basic 4.26p (13.37)p (9.11)p 2.75p (8.68)p (5.93)p
Fully diluted 3.54p (9.55)p (6.01)p 2.47p (6.20)p (3.73)p
(Note 4)
Year ended 31 December 2000
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Income (note 2) 2,222 - 2,222
Realised gains on - 4,184 4,184
investments
(Decrease)/increase in - (7,437) (7,437)
unrealised appreciation
Other expenses (408) - (408)
_________ _________ _________
Net return before finance 1,814 (3,253) (1,439)
costs and taxation
Interest payable and (85) - (85)
similar charges
_________ _________ _________
Return before taxation 1,729 (3,253) (1,524)
Taxation (33) - (33)
_________ _________ _________
Return on ordinary 1,696 (3,253) (1,557)
activities after tax
Dividend and other (350) - (350)
appropriations in respect
of preference shares
_________ _________ _________
Return attributable to 1,346 (3,253) (1,907)
ordinary shareholders
Dividend in respect of (1,794) - (1,794)
ordinary shares
_________ _________ _________
Transfer to reserves after (448) (3,253) (3,701)
dividends paid and
proposed
__________ __________ __________
Return per ordinary share
Basic 5.38p (13.01)p (7.63)p
Fully diluted (Note 4) 4.84p (9.29)p (4.45)p
1 Accounting policies
The results are based on unaudited Group consolidated accounts prepared under
the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments.
The results have been prepared in accordance with applicable Accounting
Standards and with the Statement of Recommended Practice, 'Financial
Statements of Investment Trust Companies'.
2 Total income
6 months to 6 months to Year ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover - film
revenue 127 81 202
Income from 1,311 965 1,609
investments
Interest receivable 28 102 387
Other income 38 12 24
__________ __________ __________
1,504 1,160 2,222
__________ __________ __________
3 Dividends
6 months to 30 June 2001 6 months to 30 June 2000
Pence per Pence per
share £ share £
Ordinary shares - 1.845 461,250 1.675 418,750
interim
Preference shares - 1.75 175,000 1.75 175,000
fixed
________ ________
636,250 593,750
_________ _________
The dividends on ordinary shares are based on 25,000,000 ordinary £1 shares.
Dividends on preference shares are based on 10,000,000 non-voting 3.5%
convertible preference shares of £1.
The holders of the 3.5% convertible preference shares will be paid a dividend
of £175,000 being 1.75p per share. The payment will be made on the same date
as the dividend to the ordinary shareholders.
4 Return per ordinary share
6 months 6 months Year ended
to 30 June to 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
Standard earnings per share
Calculated on the basis of:
Return after taxation and £1,066,000 £688,000 £1,346,000
preference dividends
__________ __________ __________
Ordinary shares in issue 25,000,000 25,000,000 25,000,000
__________ __________ __________
Fully diluted earnings per
share
Calculated on the basis of:
Return after taxation £1,241,000 £863,000 £1,696,000
__________ __________ __________
Ordinary and preference shares 35,000,000 35,000,000 35,000,000
in issue
__________ __________ __________
Independent review report to British & American Investment Trust PLC
Introduction
We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information for
the six months ended 30 June 2001 which comprises the consolidated balance
sheet, consolidated statement of total return and the related notes numbered 1
to 9.
Directors' responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is
the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors
are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing
Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting
policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent
with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any
changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.
Review work performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/
4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A
review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and
applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying
financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and
presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A
review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of
assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than
an audit performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and
therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly, we
do not express an audit opinion on the financial information.
Review conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months
ended 30 June 2001.
Arthur Andersen
Chartered Accountants
20 Old Bailey
London EC4M 7AN
28 September 2001
5 Capital and reserves
30 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Called up share
capital
- ordinary 25,000 25,000 25,000
- preference 10,000 10,000 10,000
Capital reserve - 12,677 11,639 12,127
realised
Capital reserve - (3,909) 1,554 (16)
unrealised
Profit and loss 2,910 3,022 2,305
account
__________ __________ __________
46,678 51,215 49,416
__________ __________ __________
6 Consolidated cash flow statement
6 months to 6 months to Year ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from 1,318 917 1,732
operating activities
Servicing of finance
- interest paid (6) (46) (91)
- preference dividends (175) (175) (350)
paid
Taxation recovered/(paid) 64 23 (10)
Investment purchases (3,168) (2,570) (5,502)
Investment sales 1,763 6,301 7,821
Equity dividends paid (1,375) (1,938) (2,356)
Financing - - (1,250)
__________ __________ __________
(Decrease)/increase in cash (1,579) 2,512 (6)
__________ __________ __________
7 Net asset value attributable to each share
Basic net asset value attributable to each share has been calculated by
reference to 25,000,000 ordinary shares, and net assets attributable to
shareholders as follows:
30 June 30 June 31 December
2001 2000 2000
£'000 £'000 £'000
Total net assets 46,678 51,215 49,416
Less preference shares (10,000) (10,000) (10,000)
__________ __________ __________
Net assets attributable to 36,678 41,215 39,416
ordinary shareholders
__________ __________ __________
Fully diluted net asset value attributable to each share has been calculated
by reference to total net assets and 35,000,000 ordinary and preference
shares.
In both cases the effective net assets of the group have been calculated
taking investments at their market value and after making certain other
adjustments.
8 The financial information set out above is unaudited and does not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the
Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000,
which received an unqualified auditors' report, have been filed with the
Registrar of Companies.
9 A copy of this statement has been sent today to the company's
shareholders, and members of the public may obtain a copy on application to
the company's registered office.