Final Results

Dunedin Income Growth Inv Tst PLC 21 March 2007 DUNEDIN INCOME GROWTH INVESTMENT TRUST PLC ('DIGIT') PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2007 Highlights • A year of strong outperformance • NAV total return with debt at market value 21.8% compared to a total return for the FTSE All-Share Index of 13.1%. • Total dividend to increase by 9.8% from last year to 9.0p per share • Revenue return per share increased by 9.1% to 10.04p, allowing for a further strengthening of revenue reserves For further information, please contact:- John Scott, Chairman Dunedin Income Growth Investment Trust PLC 01896 752 371 or 07786 543462 Chou Chong, Investment Manager Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited 0207 463 6000 Chairman's Statement Year ended 31 January 2007 In my first year as Chairman of DIGIT, it gives me pleasure to be able to report to you on a good year for your Company, with solid results set against a backdrop of rising UK equity markets. Following the changes reported on in the year to January 2006, this year has proved to be altogether quieter, with the benefits of some of these changes coming through in terms of performance. DIGIT's Net Asset Value ('NAV') total return for the year, with debt valued at market, was 21.8%, which was comfortably ahead of the total return of 13.1% attributable to the FTSE All-Share Index for the period. The principal reasons for this outperformance are covered in the Manager's Review, but it was gratifying to see the majority of outperformance coming from stock selection and sector allocation. At the same time, I am pleased to report that the Manager has once again succeeded in growing the income available to Shareholders at a rate which comfortably exceeds current inflation. Dividend The period under review has continued to witness robust dividend growth across the market, as company balance sheets are generally in good shape and corporate profitability is still healthy. DIGIT's portfolio benefited from this and, as a result, our revenue return per share rose from 9.20p to 10.04p. This has allowed us to achieve another year of real dividend increases, an important objective for us and this has been accompanied by a proposed further strengthening of our revenue reserve, in order to provide comfort when times are not as positive. The Board is delighted to recommend a final dividend of 5.9p per share, to give a total dividend for the year of 9.0p, a rise of 9.8% on last year's 8.2p. For comparison, the rise in the Retail Price Index was 4.2% over the same period. Subject to Shareholders' approval, the final dividend will be paid on 8 May 2007 to Shareholders on the register at 10 April 2007. Management Fee I am pleased to report that we have recently negotiated a new scale for the annual management fee paid by your Company to Aberdeen Asset Managers so that, henceforth, fees are earned on net assets under management, as distinct from gross assets hitherto. This change, which we believe reflects best industry practice, is intended to be broadly neutral as to the quantum of the fee paid to the Manager, which your Board continues to regard as being competitive by industry standards, in particular the marginal fee of 0.25% per annum paid on assets over £425 million. Investment Management My predecessor made reference to changes in investment strategy undertaken in the previous year to move the portfolio away from the shackles of the benchmark Index. The Manager has substantially completed this process, with a significant reduction in capital tied up in some of the larger constituents of the Index, resulting in a better spread of investments across sectors. Although DIGIT's principal mandate is to invest in companies whose primary listing is in London, as reported in detail in DIGIT's last interim statement, the portfolio now includes a small exposure to oil companies listed in Continental Europe. Gearing The benefit of replacing the 111/2% fixed rate Debenture Stock in 2005 and substituting a variable rate loan facility allowed us to respond to higher equity markets by reducing the absolute level of gearing within the portfolio. In consequence, we have now cancelled without penalty £5 million of the original £40 million variable facility. Since we believe that returns can be enhanced through the judicious use of gearing within the portfolio, the Board continues to review this on an active and regular basis. Discount and Buybacks The Ordinary share price rose by 21.8% to 267.25p, reflecting a narrowing in the discount to NAV at which the shares trade, from 9.1% at the end of the previous year, to 6.3% at the end of January 2007. During the year, we bought back 3.23 million shares, which have been kept in treasury. The Company has the option of re-issuing these shares at a later date, although it must be stressed that we undertake not to re-issue treasury shares at a discount to NAV (calculated by deducting the Debenture at market value). We are firmly of the view that, as well as providing a degree of stability to the discount, share buybacks can enhance value to continuing Shareholders through increasing the NAV of the Company, and we will continue to engage in buybacks on terms which will be advantageous to Shareholders. As part of prudent housekeeping, treasury shares will be subject to review ahead of the Annual General Meeting. Marketing We continue to attach great importance to the marketing of the fund, and we believe that effective discount management is best achieved through consistent investment performance and effective marketing. While the Manager strives to achieve the former, it is perhaps easier to control the latter, and the bulk of the marketing effort is targeted at attracting new Shareholders; your Board has recently agreed to increase its expenditure on marketing in order to assist the Manager in its efforts to promote what we see as an attractive investment product for those seeking an income bias. To this effect, the Manager regularly meets with financial intermediaries, investors, and potential investors to ensure the market place understands and is aware of the attractions of the Company. The Company's website www.dunedinincomegrowth.co.uk gives a great deal of information about DIGIT. It also gives details on how to invest in the shares of DIGIT in a low cost manner, either through regular savings, or a lump sum. Outlook The pendulum has swung within the equity market from concerns on deflation to a preoccupation with inflation. The impact of this transition was felt in May/June 2006, when the UK equity market posted close to a 10% correction. The market moved on from this, reaching levels not seen since 2000, but the damaging impact of untamed inflation should not be dismissed. This is particularly relevant given the background in recent years of a plentiful supply of cheap debt, which has helped support the level of corporate activity. Real interest rates are, however, still low by historical standards and, with UK companies remaining in sound financial health, valuations are not stretched. Your Manager can still find opportunities within the market, at valuations it considers to be attractive. The Company's Annual General Meeting takes place in Edinburgh, on 3 May 2007, and I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. John Scott Chairman 20 March 2007 INCOME STATEMENT (AUDITED) Year ended 31 January 2007 Year ended 31 January 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gains on investments - 37,480 37,480 - 32,278 32,278 Unrealised gains on investments - 29,907 29,907 - 24,835 24,835 Currency losses - (4) (4) - - - Income 17,988 - 17,988 17,314 - 17,314 Investment management fee (551) (1,285) (1,836) (513) (1,197) (1,710) Administrative expenses (633) - (633) (677) - (677) ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Net return before finance costs and 16,804 66,098 82,902 16,124 55,916 72,040 taxation Finance costs (1,049) (2,447) (3,496) (1,604) (26,821) (28,425) ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Return on ordinary activities before 15,755 63,651 79,406 14,520 29,095 43,615 taxation Taxation (54) - (54) - - - ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Return on ordinary activities after 15,701 63,651 79,352 14,520 29,095 43,615 taxation ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Return per Ordinary share (pence): 10.04 40.71 50.75 9.20 18.43 27.63 ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ The column of this statement headed 'Total' represents the profit and loss account of the Company. A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as all gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. BALANCE SHEET (AUDITED) As at As at 31 January 2007 31 January 2006 £'000 £'000 Non-current assets Investments at fair value through profit or loss 501,706 430,986 _____________ _____________ Current assets Debtors and prepayments 1,553 7,249 AAA money market funds 950 11,150 Cash and short term deposits 1,313 9,496 _____________ _____________ 3,816 27,895 _____________ _____________ Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank loan (20,000) (25,000) Other creditors (1,014) (7,186) _____________ _____________ (21,014) (32,186) _____________ _____________ Net current liabilities (17,198) (4,291) _____________ _____________ Total assets less current liabilities 484,508 426,695 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (28,441) (28,428) _____________ _____________ Net assets 456,067 398,267 _____________ _____________ Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 38,492 39,300 Share premium account 4,543 4,543 Capital redemption reserve 1,533 725 Capital reserve - realised 278,829 253,307 Capital reserve - unrealised 112,674 82,767 Revenue reserve 19,996 17,625 _____________ _____________ Equity Shareholders' funds 456,067 398,267 _____________ _____________ Adjusted net asset value per Ordinary share (pence): 296.10 253.24 _____________ _____________ RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS (AUDITED) For the year ended 31 January 2007 Share Capital Capital Capital Share premium redemption reserve - reserve - Revenue capital account reserve realised unrealised reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 January 2006 39,300 4,543 725 253,307 82,767 17,625 398,267 Return on ordinary activities after - - - 33,744 29,907 15,701 79,352 taxation Dividends paid - - - - - (13,330) (13,330) Purchase of own shares (808) - 808 (8,222) - - (8,222) ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Balance at 31 January 2007 38,492 4,543 1,533 278,829 112,674 19,996 456,067 ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ For the year ended 31 January 2006 Share Capital Capital Capital Share premium redemption reserve - reserve - Revenue Capital account reserve realised unrealised reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 January 2005 as 39,525 4,543 500 250,838 57,932 15,502 368,840 restated Return on ordinary activities after - - - 4,260 24,835 14,520 43,615 taxation Dividends paid - - - - - (12,397) (12,397) Purchase of own shares (225) - 225 (1,791) - - (1,791) ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ Balance at 31 January 2006 39,300 4,543 725 253,307 82,767 17,625 398,267 ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ CASH FLOW STATEMENT (AUDITED) Year ended Year ended 31 January 2007 31 January 2006 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 15,276 14,825 Servicing of finance Interest paid (3,486) (5,342) Taxation Overseas withholding tax paid (54) - Financial investment Purchases of investments (122,359) (153,224) Sales of investments 118,796 193,369 _________ _________ _________ _________ Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financial investment (3,563) 40,145 Equity dividends paid (13,330) (12,397) _________ _________ Net cash (outflow)/inflow before use of liquid resources and (5,157) 37,231 financing Net cash inflow from management of liquid resources 10,200 12,050 _________ _________ Net cash inflow before financing 5,043 49,281 Financing (Repayment)/drawdown of loan (5,000) 25,000 Purchase of own shares (8,222) (1,791) Redemption/repurchase of Debenture Stock - (64,080) _________ _________ _________ _________ Net cash outflow from financing (13,222) (40,871) _________ _________ (Decrease)/increase in cash (8,179) 8,410 _________ _________ Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net funds (Decrease)/increase in cash as above (8,179) 8,410 Exchange movements (4) - _________ _________ Movement in net funds in the period (8,183) 8,410 Opening net funds 9,496 1,086 _________ _________ Closing net funds 1,313 9,496 _________ _________ NOTES 1. Accounting policies (a) Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified to include the revaluation of investments and in accordance with the applicable UK Accounting Standards and with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies' (issued in 2003 and revised in December 2005). They have also been prepared on the assumption that approval as an investment trust will continue to be granted. The financial statements and the net asset value per share figures have been prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP). (b) Revenue, expenses and interest payable Income from equity investments (other than special dividends), including taxes deducted at source, is included in revenue by reference to the date on which the investment is quoted ex-dividend. Special dividends are credited to revenue or capital according to the circumstances. Foreign income is converted at the exchange rate applicable at the time of receipt. Interest receivable on AAA rated money market funds and short term deposits and expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Income from underwriting commission is recognised as earned. Interest payable is calculated on an effective yield basis. Expenses are charged to capital when they are incurred in connection with the maintenance or enhancement of the value of investments. In this respect, the investment management fee and relevant finance costs are allocated between revenue and capital in line with the Board's expectation of returns from the Company's investments over the long term in the form of revenue and capital respectively. (c) Investments Investments have been designated upon initial recognition as fair value through profit or loss. Investments are recognised and de-recognised at trade date where a purchase or sale is under a contract whose terms require delivery within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are measured initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, investments are recognised at fair value through profit or loss. For listed investments, this is deemed to be bid market prices or closing prices for SETS stocks sourced from the London Stock Exchange. SETS is the London Stock Exchange electronic trading service covering most of the market including all FTSE 100 constituents and most liquid FTSE 250 constituents along with some other securities. Gains or losses arising from changes in fair value are included in net profit or loss for the period as a capital item in the Income Statement and are ultimately recognised in the unrealised capital reserve. (d) Dividends payable Interim and final dividends are recognised in the period in which they are paid. (e) Realised capital reserve Realised gains and losses on realisation of investments held at fair value are recognised in the Income Statement and are ultimately transferred to the realised capital reserve. In addition, any prior unrealised gains or losses on such investments are transferred from the unrealised capital reserve to the realised capital reserve on disposal of the investment. The capital element of the management fee along with the associated irrecoverable VAT and relevant finance costs are charged to this reserve. Any associated tax relief is credited to this reserve. (f) Unrealised capital reserve Increases and decreases in the valuation of investments held at fair value are recognised in the Income Statement and are ultimately transferred to the unrealised capital reserve. (g) Deferred taxation Deferred taxation is recognised in respect of all temporary differences that have originated but not reversed at the Balance Sheet date where transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more or a right to pay less tax in future have occurred at the balance sheet date measured on an undiscounted basis and based on enacted tax rates. This is subject to deferred tax assets only being recognised if it is considered more likely than not that there will be suitable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying temporary differences can be deducted. Temporary differences are differences arising between the Company's taxable profits and its results as stated in the accounts which are capable of reversal in one or more subsequent periods. Owing to the Company's status as an investment trust, and the intention to continue meeting the conditions required to obtain approval in the foreseeable future, the Company has not provided deferred tax on any capital gains and losses arising on the revaluation or disposal of investments. (h) Foreign currency The Company receives a small proportion of its investment income in foreign currency. These amounts are translated at the rate ruling on the date of receipt. Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling on the Balance Sheet date. 2. The Directors recommend that a final dividend of 5.9p per Ordinary share be paid, making a total of 9.0p for the year ended 31 January 2007 (2006 - 8.20p). The final dividend will be paid on 8 May 2007 to Shareholders on the register at 10 April 2007. The ex-dividend date is 4 April 2007. 3. The income statement, balance sheet, reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds and the cashflow statement 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 2006 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. The statutory accounts for 2007 are unqualified and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting which will be held at Donaldson House, 97 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5HD on Thursday 3 May 2007 at 12 noon. 4. The Annual Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders at the end of March 2007 and copies will be available from the registered office of 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. Investors may not get back the amount they originally invested. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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