Final Results
Edinburgh New Income Trust plc
16 July 2007
News Release
16 July 2007
EDINBURGH NEW INCOME TRUST PLC
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MAY 2007
Edinburgh New Income Trust's investment objective is to provide ordinary
shareholders with an attractive level of income, together with the potential for
capital and income growth and its zero dividend preference shareholders with a
pre-determined capital entitlement on 31 May 2011.
• Fourth interim dividend of 3.0p per ordinary share payable on 24 August
2007, making a total dividend for the year of 6.6p, an increase of 10%
• Net asset value rose by 30.1% on a total return basis
For further information, please contact:
Stewart Methven,
Investment Manager,
Edinburgh Fund Managers plc Tel: 0131 313 1000
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.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Against a backdrop of supportive financial markets, I am pleased to be able to
report another year of progress for the Company. The year to 31 May 2007 has
been a good one for shareholders, with total assets less current liabilities
rising to £48.7m and the net asset value per ordinary share to 154.1p, an
increase in total return terms of 30.1%. Although the Trust does not have a
benchmark, this compares favourably to the corresponding total return of 21.7%
in the FTSE All-Share index. The ordinary share price rose from 107.25p to
138.5p, providing a total return of 36.7%.
Dividends
The Board is pleased to announce a fourth interim dividend of 3.0p which will be
paid on 24 August 2007 to shareholders on the register on 27 July 2007. This
brings the total dividend to 6.6p, the amount that was anticipated at the
interim stage, and reflects an increase of 10% on the previous year. Dividend
growth within the market has been strong, and as such our revenue return per
ordinary share for the year to 31 May 2007 was 7.47p, enabling some further
strengthening of our revenue reserves.
Performance
Despite some high profile market corrections, it has been a strong year for the
UK equity market. This was set against a backdrop of rising interest rates,
which led to a degree of rotation in terms of stockmarket leadership. This rise
in interest rates did not dampen the degree of corporate activity witnessed in
the market, however, and the fund benefited from a number of takeover approaches
to companies held within the portfolio.
Within the total NAV performance of 30.1%, it was pleasing to note that the
total return on the equity portfolio was 24.8% compared to a return of 21.7% on
the FTSE All-Share index. Against this rising net asset value, the ordinary
share price increased by 36.7%. This represents a narrowing of the discount to
NAV at which the ordinary shares trade, from 11.7% to 10.1%. The zero dividend
preference (ZDP) share price rose to 116.5p, a premium of 3.7% over its
underlying net asset value of 112.3p. As the total assets of the Trust have
risen, this as had the effect of increasing the capital cover of the ZDPs from
1.91x at the end of May 2006 to 2.26x at the end of May 2007.
Gearing
The Trust has significant structural capital gearing through its zero dividend
preference shares, and while this has benefited the Trust over the last year, a
time of rising equity markets, the effect of gearing will be to exacerbate the
downside in falling markets. At the end of May 2007, equity investments
totalled £44.4m, which resulted in the ratio of total equity investments to
shareholders' funds of 140.5%. Total potential gearing, which compares total
assets to ordinary shareholders funds, was 153.9%, the difference between the
two measures being the amount of cash held within the portfolio. While not
currently an issue, the Board is conscious that gearing levels rise
automatically in falling markets unless protective action is taken, and it has
controls in place to ensure that gearing should never exceed 190%.
Board
It was with sadness that during the period we reported on the death of Frank
Malcolm. Frank had been a director of the Trust since it was launched in May
2005 and before that of Edinburgh Income and Value Trust, and he contributed
greatly with his understanding, experience and knowledge. We shall miss his
clear and well reasoned contributions to our Board deliberations, always
presented in his own inimitable style.
Outlook
The strength of the equity market over the past twelve months has been set
against a backdrop of rising interest rates and rising bond yields, but it has
only been more recently that these have featured in market thinking. So far,
higher financing costs have not affected the level of corporate activity which
we have seen, and which has been one of the supporting factors in past months.
However, the Manager does expect that the monetary tightening now being seen,
will moderate activity here and abroad and will constrain the rate of corporate
profit and dividend growth. While equity market valuations do not appear
stretched, and corporations generally remain soundly financed, the Managers have
nevertheless increased cash levels as a precautionary measure. This should be
seen in the context of the Trust remaining highly geared. We shall be monitoring
this situation carefully.
Annual General Meeting
The Company's Annual General Meeting takes place at 40 Princes Street, Edinburgh
on 25 September 2007, and I look forward to seeing as many of you there as
possible.
David Ritchie
Chairman
INCOME STATEMENT (audited)
Year ended
31 May 2007
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investments 7,651 7,651
Income 1,862 1,862
Investment management fee (176) (176) (352)
Administration expenses (154) (154)
________ ________ ________
Net return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation 1,532 7,475 9,007
Finance costs of ZDP Shareholders - (964) (964)
________ ________ ________
Net return on ordinary activities before and after taxation 1,532 6,511 8,043
________ ________ ________
Return per Ordinary share (pence) 7.47 31.73 39.20
________ ________ ________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Period ended 31 May 2006
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investments - 4,930 4,930
Income 1,778 - 1,778
Investment management fee (149) (149) (298)
Administration expenses (182) (18) (200)
________ ________ ________
Net return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation 1,447 4,763 6,210
Finance costs of ZDP Shareholders - (907) (907)
________ ________ ________
Net return on ordinary activities before and after taxation 1,447 3,856 5,303
________ ________ ________
Return per Ordinary share (pence) 7.05 18.79 25.84
________ ________ ________
The total column of this statement represents the profit and loss account of the
Company.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period.
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as all
gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement.
BALANCE SHEET (audited)
As at As at
31 May 2007 31 May 2006
£'000 £'000
Non-current assets
Investments at fair value through profit or loss 44,413 38,489
__________ __________
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments 264 185
AAA Money Market funds 3,750 -
Cash and short term deposits 364 2,532
__________ __________
4,378 2,717
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (132) (204)
__________ __________
Net current assets 4,246 2,513
__________ __________
Total assets less current liabilities 48,659 41,002
Creditors: amounts falling due in more than one year (17,038) (16,074)
__________ __________
Net assets 31,621 24,928
__________ __________
Share capital and reserves
Called-up share capital 205 205
Special reserve 20,035 20,035
Capital reserve - realised 1,979 648
Capital reserve - unrealised 8,392 3,208
Revenue reserve 1,010 832
__________ __________
Ordinary Shareholders' Funds 31,621 24,928
__________ __________
Net asset value per Ordinary share (pence) 154.1 121.5
__________ __________
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS (audited)
For the year ended 31 May 2007
Capital Capital
Share Special reserve reserve Revenue
capital reserve realised unrealised reserve Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Balance at 31 May 2006 205 20,035 648 3,208 832 24,928
Expenses of share issue - - 4 - - 4
Return on ordinary activities after - - 1,327 5,184 1,532 8,043
taxation
Dividends paid - - - - (1,354) (1,354)
_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Balance at 31 May 2007 205 20,035 1,979 8,392 1,010 31,621
_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
For the period ended 31 May 2006 Share Capital Capital
Share premium Special reserve reserve Revenue
capital account reserve realised unrealised reserve Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Issue of Ordinary shares 205 20,314 - - - - 20,519
Expenses of share issue - (279) - - - - (279)
Cancellation of share premium account - (20,035) 20,035 - - - -
Return on ordinary activities after - - - 648 3,208 1,447 5,303
taxation
Dividends paid - - - - - (615) (615)
_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Balance at 31 May 2006 205 - 20,035 648 3,208 832 24,928
_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
CASHFLOW STATEMENT (audited)
Year ended Period ended
31 May 2007 31 May 2006
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,266 1,235
Financial investment
Purchases of investments (8,170) (12,675)
Sales of investments 9,840 6,974
________ ________
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment 1,670 (5,701)
Equity dividends paid (1,354) (615)
________ ________
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 1,582 (5,081)
Financing
Share issue proceeds - 7,892
Share issue expenses - (279)
________ ________
Net cash inflow from financing - 7,613
Net cash outflow from management of liquid resources (3,750)
________ ________
(Decrease)/increase in cash (2,168) 2,532
________ ________
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net debt
(Decrease)/increase in cash as above (2,168) 2,532
Net change in liquid resources 3,750 -
Net change in debt due in more than one year (964) (16,074)
________ ________
Movement in net debt in the year 618 (13,542)
Net debt as at 1 June (13,542) -
________ ________
Net debt at 31 May (12,924) (13,542)
________ ________
Notes:
1. Accounting policies
(a) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis and in accordance with applicable UK Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice ('UK GAAP') and with the Statement of Recommended
Practice for ' Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies'
(December 2005). They have also been prepared on the assumption that
approval as an investment trust will be granted.
(b) Valuation of investments
Investments have been designated upon initial recognition as
fair value through the 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 time frame established
by the market concerned, and are initially measured as fair value.
Subsequent to initial recognition, investments are valued at fair value.
For listed investments, this is deemed to be bid market prices or closing
prices for SETS (London Stock Exchange's electronic trading service)
stocks sourced from The London Stock Exchange. Gains and 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 reserve.
(c) Income
Income from investments, including taxes deducted at source,
is included as a revenue item in the Income Statement (other than
special dividends) by reference to the date on which the investment
is quoted ex dividend. Special dividends are credited to capital or
revenue in the Income Statement, according to the circumstances.
Short term deposit interest is dealt with on an accruals basis.
(d) Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenses are
charged through the revenue column of the Income Statement except
as follows:
- transaction costs incurred on the purchase and disposal of
investments are recognised as a capital item in the Income
Statement.
- the Company charges 50% of investment management fees to capital,
in accordance with the Board's expected long term return in the
form of capital gains and income respectively from the investment
portfolio of the Company.
(e) Taxation
Deferred tax
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 Financial Statements which are capable of reversal in one or
more subsequent periods.
Due to the Company's status as an investment trust company,
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.
(f) Capital reserves
Realised
Gains or losses on investments realised in the year that
have been recognised in the Income Statement are 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 realised capital reserve on disposal of the investment.
Unrealised
Increases and decreases in the fair value of investments are
recognised in the Income Statement and are then transferred to the
unrealised capital reserve.
(g) Compound growth entitlement of the Zero Dividend Preference ('ZDP')
Shares
The increase in the annual compound growth entitlement of
the ZDP shares is accrued on a daily basis as a finance cost through
the capital column of the Income Statement and allocated to the capital
reserve.
2. The fourth interim dividend of 3.0p per share will be paid on 24 August
2007 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 27 July 2007.
The ex-dividend date is 25 July 2007.
3. The income statement, balance sheet, reconciliation of movement in
shareholders' funds and the cashflow statement set out above do not represent
full financial statements in accordance with Section 240 of the Companies Act
1985 and are based on the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2007.
The statutory financial statements for 2007 are unqualified and will be
delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
4. The Annual Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in July
2007 and copies will be available from the investment manager.
For Edinburgh New Income Trust plc
Edinburgh Fund Managers plc, Company Secretary
END
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