Interim Results
JPMorgan Fleming US Disc IT PLC
18 August 2004
JPMORGAN FLEMING US DISCOVERY INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT OF
UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD
TO 30th JUNE 2004
The Board today release the unaudited interim results of the Company for the
period to 30th June 2004.
The following are comments from the Chairman:
Market Review
The equity markets gained during the first half of 2004 on positive economic
news and strong corporate profit growth, despite concerns about stretched equity
valuations and higher interest rates. The second quarter proved to be a struggle
for the market, with the indices posting modest gains as investors started to
brace themselves for the impact of record oil prices and higher interest rates
on the economic recovery. Large caps outperformed small caps for the first time
in five quarters during the second quarter. However, small caps remain ahead for
the year-to-date. The S&P 500 Index and the Russell 2000 index returned 3.4% and
5.3% respectively.
Investment Performance
The portfolio gained 6.1% during the first six months of 2004, whereas the
Russell 2000 index rose by 5.3%. The portfolio benefited from good stock
selection in the Healthcare and Auto and Transportation sectors, which represent
25% and 5% of the portfolio, respectively. The Technology sector was the largest
detractor from performance, with our modest overweight position and stock
selection equally contributing to the underperformance.
Portfolio Highlights
The top three contributors to performance were American Dental Partners, Impax
Laboratories, and NuCo2. American Dental Partners, a dental practice management
software provider, was the best performer after its first quarter results
exceeded market expectations. Shares of Impax Laboratories continued to gain as
investors remain optimistic about the company's competitive position in the
generic drugs industry. Finally, on the heels of a strong 2003, shares of NuCo2
continued to appreciate as the company executes its refocused business plan.
The top three detractors from performance were PDF Solutions, Verisity and TTM
Technologies. After a strong 2003, PDF Solutions, Verisity and TTM Technologies
declined in the first six months of 2004 as the sentiment in the technology
sector turned sharply negative in the second quarter. Investor concerns have
focused on slowing demand growth in important end markets (handsets, PCs),
manufacturing capacity growth in 2005, and the building of inventory levels
throughout the supply chain. While we agree with most investors that we are
facing a slower growth environment for certain end markets, we still believe
that large consumers of technology, such as the corporate market, are poised to
increase their IT spending.
Market Outlook
We are again at a transition point in terms of growth momentum and the inflation
rate. Whereas for much of the second quarter, markets were transfixed on the
risk of much higher US inflation rates and a tough stance by the Fed, by the end
of June the focus had shifted to the risk of a significant softening in growth.
Recent evidence suggests that the pace of economic expansion is beginning to
slow. We do not, however, think that this is cause for major concern. While
investor focus is likely to move from inflation and higher interest rates to the
outlook for growth and profits, we believe that overall economic and profit
growth are likely to remain solid.
Share Repurchase Facility
Since the end of the reporting period, the Directors took the opportunity to
repurchase and cancel 825,000 ordinary shares, representing 7.4% of the issued
share capital at a discount of approximately 19%. The repurchase of these shares
cost nearly £4.6m and had the effect of increasing the net asset value of the
remaining shares by 1.4%.
Board of Directors
As detailed in the Company's last annual report, Jeremy Leigh Pemberton retired
as Chairman and as a Director of the Company immediately following the Annual
General Meeting in May 2004. On behalf of the Board, I should like to thank
Jeremy for his invaluable contribution to the Company's success.
In accordance with its succession plans, the Board is in the process of
recruiting two additional members. Announcements regarding the appointments will
be made in due course.
Robin Lewis
Chairman, 18th August 2004
Please note that the above statements may differ from the final version to be
published in the interim accounts.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Lewis
J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (UK) Limited, 020 7742 3477
Secretary to the Company
JPMorgan Fleming US Discovery Investment Trust plc
Unaudited figures for the period ended 30th June 2004
Statement of Total Return
Six months to 30th June 2004 Six months to 30th June 2003 Year to 31st December 2003
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Realised gains/(losses)
on investments - 354 354 - (1,875) (1,875) - 5,425 5,425
Net unrealised gains on
investments - 5,093 5,093 - 12,142 12,142 - 18,397 18,397
Currency gains/(losses)
on cash and short term
deposits held during
the period - 18 18 - (63) (63) - (178) (178)
Other capital items - 28 28 - (26) (26) - (5) (5)
Overseas dividends 168 - 168 112 - 112 226 - 226
Deposit interest 2 - 2 17 - 17 24 - 24
_______ _______ ______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Gross return 170 5,493 5,663 129 10,178 10,307 250 23,639 23,889
Management fee (45) (401) (446) (34) (306) (340) (74) (667) (741)
Other administrative
expenses (129) - (129) (120) - (120) (253) - (253)
Performance fee - 5 5 - (189) (189) - (934) (934)
Interest payable (26) (233) (259) (22) (198) (220) (49) (444) (493)
_______ _______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
(Loss)/return before
taxation (30) 4,864 4,834 (47) 9,485 9,438 (126) 21,594 21,468
Taxation (25) - (25) (15) - (15) (25) - (25)
______ _______ ______ ______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Transfer (from)/to
reserves (55) 4,864 4,809 (62) 9,485 9,423 (151) 21,594 21,443
====== ======= ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
(Loss)/return per share 1 (0.49)p 43.56p 43.07p (0.54)p 82.40p 81.86p (1.33)p 190.41p 189.08p
1Based on average number of shares in issue during each period.
JPMorgan Fleming US Discovery Investment Trust plc
Unaudited figures for the period ended 30th June 2004
Balance Sheet
30th June 30th June 31st December
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Investments at valuation 95,874 70,480 85,401
Net current (liabilities)/assets (6,282) 3,170 156
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 1 (5,957) (6,840) (6,731)
______ _______ _______
Total net assets 83,635 66,810 78,826
====== ======= =======
Net asset value per share 1 749.1p 598.4p 706.0p
1With debt at par value.
Cash Flow Statement
Six months to Six months to Year ended
30th June 30th June 31 st December
2004 2003 2003
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net cash outflow from operating activities (1,433) (825) (1,151)
Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing
of finance (451) - (301)
Total tax (paid)/recovered - (28) 7
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from capital expenditure and
financial investment (4,086) 3,354 1,957
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 4,735 (2,493) (2,496)
_______ ______ ______
(Decrease)/increase in cash for the period (1,235) 8 (1,984)
======= ====== ======
The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts as
defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the
year ended 31 December 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
J.P. MORGAN FLEMING ASSET MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED
18th August 2004
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange