REG-Edinburgh Inv. Trust: Half-yearly Report

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Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:00am EST

The Edinburgh Investment Trust plc                       

                         Half-Yearly Financial Report                          

                        Six Months to 30 September 2009                        

Financial Information and Performance Statistics

The Edinburgh Investment Trust plc (the `Company') is a UK investment trust
listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Investment Objective of the Company

The Company invests primarily in UK securities with the long term objective of
achieving:

1. an increase of the Net Asset Value per share by more than the growth in the
FTSE All-Share Index; and

2. growth in dividends per share by more than the rate of UK inflation.

Performance Statistics

                                            At         At          
                                  30 September   31 March         %
                                          2009       2009    Change
                                                                   
Capital Return                                                     
                                                                   
Net asset value (`NAV') - debt at      392.89p    326.99p     +20.2
par                                                                
                                                                   
- debt at market value                 363.82p    293.56p     +23.9
                                                                   
FTSE All-Share index                   2634.79    1984.17     +32.8
                                                                   
Share price                            352.40p    292.50p     +20.5
                                                                   
Discount - debt at par                   10.3%      10.5%          
                                                                   
- debt at market value                    3.1%       0.4%          
                                                                   
Gearing - actual(1)                      25.6%      31.2%          
                                                                   
- potential(2)                           26.0%      31.2%          
                                                                   
                                                                  %
For the six months to 30 september        2009       2008    Change
                                                                   
Revenue Return                                                     
                                                                   
First interim dividend(3)                4.75p      4.75p          
                                                                   
Revenue return per share                 10.4p      12.0p     -13.3
                                                                   
Retail price index                       +1.9%      +2.9%          
                                                                   
Total Return (capital growth with                                  
income reinvested)                                                 
                                                                   
NAV - debt at par                                             +24.0
                                                                   
- debt at market value                                        +28.3
                                                                   
FTSE All-Share Index                                          +35.7
                                                                   
Share price                                                   +24.7

Notes:

1. Actual gearing: borrowings less cash and investments in money market funds ÷
shareholders' funds.

2. Potential gearing: borrowings ÷ shareholders' funds.

3. Dividends recommended in respect of the financial year.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT INCORPORATING THE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Chairman's Statement

Introduction - The UK Equity Market

It is now just over a year since the Company appointed a new manager, Invesco
Asset Management Limited (`Invesco') where Neil Woodford is responsible for
management of the portfolio. He is a long-term investor prepared to take often
substantial positions in companies which he believes, in the light of expected
economic conditions, have the potential to generate above-average increases in
earning and dividends. In my statement six months ago in the 2009 Annual
Financial Report I explained that Mr Woodford believed that expectations of
economic recovery were premature and that he had therefore adopted a defensive
posture, investing in companies expected to be resilient to a weak global
economy. The Board was strongly supportive of this approach, in particular
because it believed that this strategy will help to sustain the Company's
income stream, an issue of major importance to shareholders.

In the event, as outlined in the Manager's Report, the UK equity market
performed very strongly in the period April - September 2009, when the
benchmark FTSE All-Share Index (`The Index') increased by 32.8%. This growth
was prompted by increasing investor optimism of economic recovery and was led
by the financial, mineral and auto-related sectors.

Company Performance

Capital: Against this background, which was unsympathetic to the Company's
portfolio positioning, capital performance was significantly weaker than that
of the benchmark index, albeit strong in absolute terms. The Net Asset Value
(`NAV') increased by 20.2% (debt at par) or 23.9% (debt at market value), both
measures being well below the benchmark index return of 32.8%. Total return
(comprising income and capital) was 24.0% and 28.3% respectively with debt at
par and market value. The index total return was 35.7%. The Manager's Report
provides detail of this performance.

Share Price: The share price increased by 20.5% in the six months under review:
this represented a small increase - from 0.4% at 31 March to 3.1% at 30
September - in the discount to NAV, with debt at market value.

Income Performance: The Board's position on dividend payments was set out in
detail in my statement in the last Report and Accounts. I am pleased to report
that, with the exception of only one or two holdings, dividends paid by
companies in the

Company's portfolio were the same or higher in the period under review than in
the equivalent period in 2009. The Board does not at this stage expect a
material change in this position in the remainder of the year to March 2010.

Interim Dividend: In the meantime, the Board has declared an unchanged first
interim dividend of 4.75 pence per share. This declared dividend will be paid
on 27 November 2009 to shareholders on the Company's register on 20 November
2009

(ex dividend date, 18 November 2009).

Outlook

Despite the disappointing capital performance relative to the index in the six
months under review, the Board continues strongly to support the Manager's
portfolio positioning. Although UK financial markets, stimulated at least in
part by the Bank of England's programme of quantitative easing, have performed
strongly, there is yet no clear sign of a rise in activity in the broader
economy. Further, there is concern that markets will be adversely affected by
the removal of the Bank's stimulus and, longer term, that inflation and
interest rates will show upward trends. The companies in our portfolio have
been selected on the basis that they will continue to produce profit growth in
a difficult economic environment. Their share prices should be relatively
resilient to any general market weakness. Moreover, given that many holdings
are rated at historically low levels, there is a reasonable expectation that,
within the time horizon in which the Manager operates, they will enjoy strong
relative share price performance. In the meantime, the Board believes that the
investment portfolio will continue to provide an income flow to enable your
Company to meet its own dividend objectives.

Scott Dobbie
Chairman
11 November 2009

Investment Manager's Report

Market Review

The period under review saw the UK equity market experience an almost
uninterrupted rally from the lows hit early in March. The market's strength was
partly the result of stocks being over-sold in the first quarter of the year
but the improvement was sustained by growing hopes that a sharp rebound in
economic activity could be achieved. This saw economically sensitive areas of
the market lead the advance as investors predicted that a potential `V-shaped'
recovery could translate into a strong recovery in corporate profits,
particularly for cyclical businesses. While the economic backdrop did improve
during the period, supported by emergency monetary and fiscal measures,
prevailing data in the UK was mixed. Manufacturing and service sector activity
strengthened, albeit from low levels, and retail sales were relatively
resilient as falling mortgage costs provided a boost to disposable incomes.
However, unemployment rose and by the end of the period had reached 7.9%, or
just under 2.5 million people. Growth in the money supply also failed to
materialise as consumers joined the corporate sector in paying down debt and as
banks remained reluctant to lend. This saw the Bank of England extend its
programme of Quantitative Easing by £50bn in August, taking the total to £
175bn.

Car related sectors, industrial metals and financials were among the leading
gainers as risk appetite returned to the UK equity market. With cyclical
sectors most in demand, the traditionally more defensive areas trailed the
wider market's rise. Corporate earnings announcements provided additional
impetus to stock prices as profits generally came in ahead of forecasts,
although expectations had previously been revised significantly lower. A return
of merger and acquisition activity also supported sentiment, as Resolution
agreed to buy fellow insurer Friends Provident and Cadbury received an
unsolicited offer from US rival Kraft.

Portfolio Strategy and Review

The Company's net asset value, including reinvested dividends, rose by 24.0%
during the period, compared to a rise of 35.7% (total return) for the FTSE
All-Share Index. The disappointing relative return was a function of the
market's belief in rapid economic recovery and its resultant bias towards
cyclical market sectors, which contrasted with my view. I believe the outlook
for the UK and global economies is more challenging and portfolio positioning
reflects this view. Consequently, the Company's performance lagged the market's
rise, although returns were strong in absolute terms. My investment preferences
are biased towards genuine growth companies with sustainable business models,
reliable earnings and rising dividends. At the current time, I am able to find
such opportunities in the tobacco, pharmaceuticals, utilities and telecoms
sectors. In my view, stocks in these areas have effectively been de-rated as
more economically sensitive sectors have led the market higher, creating
attractive opportunities for the long-term investor.

Portfolio activity was characterised by the building of positions in favoured
companies at what I believe to be compelling levels. These included AstraZeneca
and GlaxoSmithKline, tobacco groups Altria and Reynolds American and BAE
Systems, as well as other quality growth companies such as Capita and Reckitt
Benckiser.

I continued to build the position in BAE Systems, as I believe it remains
significantly undervalued. In my view, the company has a stronger spread of
earnings across business units and geographies than was historically the case,
providing greater diversification of earnings. In addition to being a key
partner in government defence contracts globally, significant revenues are
being generated by maintenance and support services, which are activities with
strong and sustainable margins. The group's involvement in the Joint Strike
Fighter also has significant potential to boost earnings over the long-term.
Although the ongoing SFO investigation may cause some short-term volatility, I
believe the current share price clearly undervalues the group's long-term
potential.

AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline are highly cash generative, have dependable
earnings profiles, and secure, rising dividends. Despite these fundamental
qualities, these companies are among the cheapest in the market, which
represents an exceptional buying opportunity in my view. New earnings streams
from expanding markets in areas like Asia and Latin America, together with
significantly improved drug pipelines, represent future growth drivers and in
my view more than outweigh concerns about patent expiries and US healthcare
reforms. I believe the share prices of these groups are unjustifiably low and I
actively added to the Company's exposure.

With regard to disposals, these were focused largely on oil and gas related
companies. Oil majors BP and Royal Dutch Shell, as well as oil services group
Amec, were sold as I had concerns about the future viability of their
dividends. In my view, the global economy will continue to experience
significant challenges in the years ahead and I expect this to result in muted
demand for oil. As such, I expect the oil price to come under pressure,
creating doubt about the ability of these companies to maintain existing
dividend levels. It is becoming increasingly expensive to find and extract new
oil and gas reserves and with oil prices potentially weakening from current
levels so I believe that these companies may fail to generate sufficient cash
to cover both capital expenditure and dividend payments to shareholders.

The position in Reed Elsevier was sold, as my level of conviction in the
company's ability to improve returns diminished during the period and I
believed that more compelling opportunities were available in other areas of
the market. The holding of Rexam was sold as disappointing trading performance,
combined with the announcement of a rights issue, reduced my conviction in the
outlook for the company.

Outlook

In my view the UK economy has experienced some improvement from the trough seen
earlier this year, but I believe that this is unsurprising given the scale of
monetary and fiscal support provided by UK authorities. In this environment, I
remain cautious about the current outlook, believing that the economy is still
some way from being able to deliver independent growth. Banks remain reluctant
to lend, businesses and consumers have little appetite to borrow and with
unemployment likely to continue rising, I believe there is little prospect of
the economy returning to sustainable levels of growth in the short term.
Looking into next year, I expect to see public sector job losses begin to put
further pressure on the economy and in my view uncertainty surrounding the
election in the UK is also likely to be negative for both corporate and
consumer confidence.

With regard to the equity market and the positioning of the Company's
portfolio, my conviction in the assets held remains high. Consequently, I am
happy to maintain the Company's current level of financial gearing, believing
that the portfolio's long-term return potential will comfortably exceed the
cost of the gearing. I believe that the businesses in which the Company is
invested will provide leadership to the UK equity market as the extent of the
economy's remaining challenges become clear and I expect them to regain the
premium rating relative to the market that they have historically enjoyed. In
my opinion, these companies are currently significantly undervalued and I am
positive about their potential to deliver very attractive returns over the long
term.

Neil Woodford
Investment Manager
11 November 2009

Related Party

Invesco Asset Management Limited (`IAML'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco
Limited, acts as Manager, Company Secretary and Administrator to the Company.
Details of the management fee arrangements are given in notes 2 and 3.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's business
can be divided into various areas:

• market risk;

• performance risk;

• gearing risk;

• income/dividend risk;

• share price risk;

• control system risk; and

• other risks.

A detailed explanation of these principal risks and uncertainties can be found
on pages 19 to 21 of the 2009 annual financial report, which is available on
the Company's website at www.invescoperpetual.co.uk/investmenttrusts.

In the view of the Board, these principal risks and uncertainties are as much
applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to
the six months under review.

Directors' Responsibility Statement

In respect of the Preparation of the Half-Yearly Financial Report

The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report
using accounting policies consistent with applicable law and UK Accounting
Standards.

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

- the condensed set of financial statements contained within the half-yearly
financial report have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standards
Board's Statement `Half-Yearly Financial Reports';

- the interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules;
and

- the interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required on related party transactions.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Scott Dobbie
Chairman
11 November 2009


Top Twenty Holdings

At 30 September 2009

UK listed and ordinary shares unless otherwise stated

                                                           Market          %
                                                            Value         of
Investment                 Sector                           £'000  Portfolio
                                                                            
AstraZeneca                Pharmaceuticals &               83,075        8.6
                           Biotechnology                                    
                                                                            
GlaxoSmithKline            Pharmaceuticals &               81,015        8.4
                           Biotechnology                                    
                                                                            
Vodafone                   Mobile Telecommunications       67,977        7.0
                                                                            
British American Tobacco   Tobacco                         61,228        6.4
                                                                            
Imperial Tobacco           Tobacco                         52,908           
                                                                            
- ordinary                                                                  
                                                                            
- 9% notes 17 February                                      7,380           
2022                                                                        
                                                                            
                                                           60,288        6.3
                                                                            
BG                         Oil & Gas Producers             56,060        5.8
                                                                            
BT                         Fixed Line                      48,403        5.0
                           Telecommunications                               
                                                                            
Tesco                      Food & Drug Retailers           47,382        4.9
                                                                            
National Grid              Gas & Water Multiutilities      44,255        4.6
                                                                            
Reynolds American -                                                         
                                                                            
  US common stock          Tobacco                         39,891        4.1
                                                                            
Top Ten holdings                                          589,574       61.1
                                                                            
BAE Systems                Aerospace & Defence             30,635        3.2
                                                                            
Reckitt Benckiser          Household Goods                 28,363        2.9
                                                                            
Capita                     Support Services                25,894        2.7
                                                                            
Rolls Royce                Aerospace & Defence             25,844        2.7
                                                                            
Altria - US common stock   Tobacco                         24,249        2.5
                                                                            
Centrica                   Gas & Water Multiutilities      22,173        2.3
                                                                            
Scottish & Southern Energy Electricity                     21,700        2.2
                                                                            
Drax                       Electricity                     19,046        2.0
                                                                            
Tate & Lyle                Food Producers                  17,691        1.8
                                                                            
International Power        Electricity                     15,012        1.6
                                                                            
Top Twenty holdings                                       820,181       85.0
                                                                            
Aggregate value of other                                  145,143       15.0
investments                                                                 
                                                                            
Total investments                                         965,324      100.0

Condensed Income Statement

                                       Six Months to 30 September  
                                                  2009             
                                                                   
                                              (Unaudited)          
                                                                   
                                       Revenue   Capital      Total
                                                                   
                                         £'000     £'000      £'000
                                                                   
Gains on investments                         -   137,595    137,595
                                                                   
Gains on foreign exchange                    -        27         27
                                                                   
Income                                                             
                                                                   
UK dividends                            21,231         -     21,231
                                                                   
Scrip dividends                            541         -        541
                                                                   
Overseas dividends                       2,138         -      2,138
                                                                   
Income from money market funds               5         -          5
                                                                   
UK unfranked investment                                            
                                                                   
income - interest                          401         -        401
                                                                   
Deposit interest                             1         -          1
                                                                   
Interest on VAT recovered on                                       
                                                                   
management fees                              -         -          -
                                                                   
Underwriting and other income               61         -         61
                                                                   
                                        24,378   137,622    162,000
                                                                   
Operating costs                                                    
                                                                   
 Investment management fee - note 2      (571)   (1,332)    (1,903)
                                                                   
 Performance fee - note 3                    -         -          -
                                                                   
 VAT recovered on management fees            -         -          -
                                                                   
 Other expenses                          (363)       (6)      (369)
                                                                   
Net return before finance costs                                    
                                                                   
 and taxation                           23,444   136,284    159,728
                                                                   
Finance costs - note 2                 (2,925)   (6,825)    (9,750)
                                                                   
Return on ordinary activities before    20,519   129,459    149,978
tax                                                                
                                                                   
Tax on ordinary activities               (256)         -      (256)
                                                                   
Return on ordinary activities after     20,263   129,459    149,722
tax                                                                
                                                                   
Return per ordinary share - note 4       10.4p     66.3p      76.7p

The total column of this statement represents the Company's Income Statement,
prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards. The supplementary revenue
and capital columns are presented for information purposes in accordance with
the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment
Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations
and the Company has no other gains or losses. No operations were acquired or
discontinued in the period.

                                                         Year ended  
                                                           31 March
                         Six months to 30 September 2008       2009
                                                                   
                                   (Unaudited)            (Audited)
                                                                   
                            Revenue   Capital      Total      Total
                                                                   
                              £'000     £'000      £'000      £'000
                                                                   
Losses on investments             - (136,577)  (136,577)  (274,429)
                                                                   
Losses on foreign                 -      (60)       (60)        (4)
exchange                                                           
                                                                   
Income                                                             
                                                                   
 UK dividends                23,518         -     23,518     42,307
                                                                   
 Scrip dividends                768         -        768      1,269
                                                                   
 Overseas dividends             738         -        738      1,883
                                                                   
 Income from money            1,379         -      1,379      1,416
market funds                                                       
                                                                   
 UK unfranked investment                                           
                                                                   
  income - interest               -         -          -        116
                                                                   
 Deposit interest               825         -        825        854
                                                                   
 Interest on VAT                                                   
recovered on                                                       
                                                                   
  management fees                 -         -          -        251
                                                                   
 Underwriting and other          24         -         24        145
income                                                             
                                                                   
                             27,252 (136,637)  (109,385)  (226,192)
                                                                   
Operating costs                                                    
                                                                   
 Investment management        (433)   (1,009)    (1,442)    (3,311)
fee - note 2                                                       
                                                                   
 Performance fee - note           -   (1,382)    (1,382)    (3,422)
3                                                                  
                                                                   
 VAT recovered on                 -         -          -      1,969
management fees                                                    
                                                                   
 Other expenses               (361)      (43)      (404)      (783)
                                                                   
Net return before                                                  
finance costs                                                      
                                                                   
 and taxation                26,458 (139,071)  (112,613)  (231,739)
                                                                   
Finance costs - note 2      (2,937)   (6,853)    (9,790)   (19,501)
                                                                   
Return on ordinary           23,521 (145,924)  (122,403)  (251,240)
activities before tax                                              
                                                                   
Tax on ordinary                (20)         -       (20)      (134)
activities                                                         
                                                                   
Return on ordinary           23,501 (145,924)  (122,423)  (251,374)
activities after tax                                               
                                                                   
Return per ordinary           12.0p   (74.6)p    (62.6)p   (128.5)p
share - note 4                                                     


Condensed Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds

                             Share   Share    Capital   Capital  Revenue          
                                           Redemption                             
                           Capital Premium    Reserve   Reserve  Reserve     Total
                                                                                  
                             £'000   £'000      £'000     £'000    £'000     £'000
                                                                                  
For the six months to 30                                                          
September 2009                                                                    
                                                                                  
(Unaudited)                                                                       
                                                                                  
At 31 March 2009            48,779   6,639     24,676   501,670   59,636   641,400
                                                                                  
Dividends paid                                                                    
                                                                                  
  - third interim                -       -          -         -  (9,268)   (9,268)
                                                                                  
  - final                        -       -          -         - (12,000)  (12,000)
                                                                                  
Net return on ordinary                                                            
                                                                                  
  activities                     -       -          -   129,459   20,263   149,722
                                                                                  
At 30 September 2009        48,779   6,639     24,676   631,129   58,631   769,854
                                                                                  
For the year ended 31                                                             
March 2009 (Audited)                                                              
                                                                                  
At 31 March 2008            49,574   6,639     23,881   807,375   57,569   945,038
                                                                                  
Dividends paid                                                                    
                                                                                  
  - third interim                -       -          -         -  (9,441)   (9,441)
                                                                                  
  - final                        -       -          -         - (11,085)  (11,085)
                                                                                  
Net return on ordinary                                                            
                                                                                  
  activities                     -       -          - (292,503)   41,129 (251,374)
                                                                                  
Repurchase of shares         (795)       -        795  (13,202)        -  (13,202)
                                                                                  
Dividends paid                                                                    
                                                                                  
  - first interim                -       -          -         -  (9,268)   (9,268)
                                                                                  
  - second interim               -       -          -         -  (9,268)   (9,268)
                                                                                  
At 31 March 2009            48,779   6,639     24,676   501,670   59,636   641,400
                                                                                  
For the six months to 30                                                          
September 2008                                                                    
                                                                                  
(Unaudited)                                                                       
                                                                                  
At 31 March 2008            49,574   6,639     23,881   807,375   57,569   945,038
                                                                                  
Dividends paid                                                                    
                                                                                  
  - third interim                -       -          -         -  (9,441)   (9,441)
                                                                                  
  - final                        -       -          -         - (11,085)  (11,085)
                                                                                  
Net return on ordinary                                                            
                                                                                  
  activities                     -       -          - (145,924)   23,501 (122,423)
                                                                                  
Repurchase of shares         (795)       -        795  (13,202)        -  (13,202)
                                                                                  
At 30 September 2008        48,779   6,639     24,676   648,249   60,544   788,887


Condensed Balance Sheet

                                         At         At           At
                                         30   31 March 30 September
                                  September                        
                                       2009       2009         2008
                                                                   
                                (Unaudited)  (Audited)  (Unaudited)
                                                                   
                                      £'000      £'000        £'000
                                                                   
Fixed assets                                                       
                                                                   
  Investments held at fair                                         
value                                                              
                                                                   
    through profit or loss          965,324    839,462      980,725
                                                                   
Current assets                                                     
                                                                   
  Amounts due from brokers            5,573          -        2,347
                                                                   
  Prepayments and accrued             3,856      5,698        3,577
income                                                             
                                                                   
  Cash and cash funds                 2,558          5        5,367
                                                                   
                                     11,987      5,703       11,291
                                                                   
Creditors: amounts falling due                                     
                                                                   
  within one year                                                  
                                                                   
  Amounts due to brokers            (5,609)       (15)      (1,949)
                                                                   
  Accruals                          (3,402)    (5,432)      (3,314)
                                                                   
                                    (9,011)    (5,447)      (5,263)
                                                                   
Net current assets                    2,976        256        6,028
                                                                   
Total assets less current           968,300    839,718      986,753
liabilities                                                        
                                                                   
Creditors: amounts falling due                                     
after                                                              
                                                                   
  more than one year                                               
                                                                   
  Debenture stock                 (196,735)  (196,607)    (196,484)
                                                                   
  Provision for performance fee     (1,711)    (1,711)      (1,382)
                                                                   
Net assets                          769,854    641,400      788,887
                                                                   
Capital and reserves                                               
                                                                   
Share capital                        48,779     48,779       48,779
                                                                   
Share premium                         6,639      6,639        6,639
                                                                   
Capital redemption reserve           24,676     24,676       24,676
                                                                   
Capital reserve                     631,129    501,670      648,249
                                                                   
Revenue reserve                      58,631     59,636       60,544
                                                                   
Shareholders' funds                 769,854    641,400      788,887
                                                                   
Net asset value per share -                                        
note 6                                                             
                                                                   
Basic                               392.89p    326.99p      402.51p


Condensed Cash Flow Statement

                                 Six Months  Six Months            
                                         To          to  Year ended
                                         30          30    31 March
                                  September   September            
                                       2009        2008        2009
                                                                   
                                (Unaudited) (Unaudited)   (Audited)
                                                                   
                                      £'000       £'000       £'000
                                                                   
Total return before finance                                        
                                                                   
  costs and taxation                159,728   (112,613)   (231,739)
                                                                   
Scrip dividends                       (541)       (768)     (1,269)
                                                                   
(Gains)/losses on investments     (137,595)     136,577     274,429
                                                                   
Foreign exchange (gains)/losses        (27)          60           4
                                                                   
Decrease in debtors                   1,857       5,742       3,620
                                                                   
(Decrease)/increase in              (2,031)       1,139       3,544
creditors                                                          
                                                                   
Overseas Tax paid                     (256)        (20)       (134)
                                                                   
Net cash inflow from operating       21,135      30,117      48,455
activities                                                         
                                                                   
Servicing of finance                (9,625)     (9,625)    (19,250)
                                                                   
Financial investment                                               
                                                                   
  Purchase of investments         (122,607)   (688,758)   (871,506)
                                                                   
  Sale of investments               134,903     631,965     819,120
                                                                   
Equity dividends paid              (21,268)    (20,526)    (39,062)
                                                                   
Net cash inflow/(outflow)                                          
before                                                             
                                                                   
  management of liquid                                             
resources                                                          
                                                                   
  and financing                       2,538    (56,827)    (62,243)
                                                                   
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from                                     
                                                                   
  management of liquid              (1,500)      47,269      52,601
resources                                                          
                                                                   
Financing - repurchase of                 -    (15,794)    (15,793)
ordinary shares                                                    
                                                                   
Increase/(decrease) in cash           1,038    (25,352)    (25,435)
                                                                   
  Cashflow from movement in           1,500    (47,269)    (52,601)
liquid resources                                                   
                                                                   
  Exchange movements                     15        (60)         (4)
                                                                   
  Debenture stock non-cash            (128)       (125)       (251)
movement                                                           
                                                                   
Net debt at beginning of period   (196,602)   (118,311)   (118,311)
                                                                   
Net debt at end of period         (194,177)   (191,117)   (196,602)
                                                                   
Analysis of changes in net                                         
debt:                                                              
                                                                   
Brought forward:                                                   
                                                                   
  Cash and cash funds                     5      78,045      78,045
                                                                   
  Debenture stock                 (196,607)   (196,356)   (196,356)
                                                                   
Net debt brought forward          (196,602)   (118,311)   (118,311)
                                                                   
Movements in the period:                                           
                                                                   
  Cash inflow/(outflow) from                                       
cash and                                                           
                                                                   
    cash funds                        2,538    (72,621)    (78,036)
                                                                   
  Exchange movements                     15        (60)         (4)
                                                                   
  Debenture stock non-cash            (128)       (125)       (251)
movement                                                           
                                                                   
Net debt carried forward          (194,177)   (191,117)   (196,602)

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements

1. Basis of preparation

The condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared using the
same accounting policies as those adopted in the 2009 annual financial report,
which are consistent with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards, and
with the Statement of Recommended Practice `Financial Statements of Investment
Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts'.

2. Investment management fee and finance costs

Invesco Asset Management Limited (`IAML') acts as Manager and Secretary to the
Company under an investment management agreement dated 15 September 2008. The
agreement is terminable by either party by giving not less than 3 months'
notice.

The management fee is payable monthly in arrears and is equal to 0.05% of the
market capitalisation of the Company's ordinary shares at each month end.

Investment management fee and finance costs are allocated 30% to revenue and
70% to capital.

3. Performance fee

IAML is entitled to a performance fee in respect of each rolling three year
period in which the Company outperforms its benchmark, the FTSE All-Share
Index, plus a hurdle rate, being the equivalent of 1.25% per annum, as adjusted
for shorter periods.

Transitional arrangements apply for the periods up to 31 March 2011, under
which half of any performance fee for each period is paid at the end of that
period and half deferred. Any deferred portion becomes payable after 31 March
2011, if and when performance meets or exceeds the benchmark plus hurdle rate.

Any performance fee earned will be the lower of 15% of the out-performance
based on the average quarterly net asset value (with debt at par) of the
Company over the relevant performance period and 1% of net asset value, as
adjusted for shorter periods where required.

Performance fees are allocated wholly to capital.

4. Return per ordinary share

                           Six months  Six months  Year ended
                                   to          to            
                                   30          30    31 March
                            September   September            
                                 2009        2008        2009
                                                             
                          (Unaudited) (Unaudited)   (Audited)
                                                             
                                £'000       £'000       £'000
                                                             
Returns after tax:                                           
                                                             
Revenue                        20,263      23,501      41,129
                                                             
Capital                       129,459   (145,924)   (292,503)
                                                             
Total return after tax        149,722   (122,423)   (251,374)
                                                             
Weighted average number                                      
of shares                                                    
                                                             
  during the period       195,116,734 195,657,784 195,657,784

5. Dividends

A first interim dividend of 4.75p (2009: 4.75p) for the year ended 31 March
2010 will be paid on 27 November 2009 to shareholders on the register on 20
November 2009.

6. Net asset value (`NAV') per ordinary share

(a) Debt at par

The shareholders' funds in the balance sheet are accounted for in accordance
with accounting standards, however, this does not reflect the rights of
shareholders on a return of assets under the Articles of Association. These
rights are reflected in the net assets with debt at par and the corresponding
NAV per share.

                         30 September    31 March          30
                                                    September
                                 2009        2009        2008
                                                             
                          (Unaudited)   (Audited) (Unaudited)
                                                             
                              (pence)     (Pence)     (Pence)
                                                             
NAV per ordinary share         394.56      328.73      404.31
                                                             
Less: unamortised              (1.67)      (1.74)      (1.80)
discount and expenses                                        
arising from debenture                                       
issue                                                        
                                                             
NAV - debt at par              392.89      326.99      402.51

(b) Debt at market value

                         30 September    31 March          30
                                                    September
                                 2009        2009        2008
                                                             
                          (Unaudited)   (Audited) (Unaudited)
                                                             
                              (pence)     (Pence)     (Pence)
                                                             
NAV - debt at par              392.89      326.99      402.51
                                                             
Debt at par                    102.50      102.50      102.50
                                                             
Debt at market value         (131.57)    (135.93)    (124.71)
                                                             
NAV - debt at market           363.82      293.56      380.30
value                                                        

7. Share capital

                           Six Months  Year ended  Six Months
                                   to                      to
                         30 September    31 March          30
                                                    September
                                 2009        2009        2008
                                                             
                          (Unaudited)   (Audited) (Unaudited)
                                                             
Number of ordinary                                           
shares of 25p each:                                          
                                                             
Brought forward           195,116,734 198,294,748 198,294,748
                                                             
Bought back and                     - (3,178,014) (3,178,014)
cancelled                                                    
                                                             
In issue at period end    195,116,734 195,116,734 195,116,734
                                                             
Average price of shares           n/a     415.43p     415.43p
bought back                                                  

8. It is the intention of the Directors to conduct the affairs of the Company
so that it satisfies the conditions for approval as an investment trust company
set out in section 842 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

9. The financial information contained in this half-yearly financial report,
which has not been audited, does not constitute statutory accounts as defined
in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the
half years ended 30 September 2009 and 2008 has not been audited. The figures
and financial information for the year ended 31 March 2009 are extracted and
abridged from the latest published accounts and do not constitute the statutory
accounts for that year. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies and included the Report of the Independent Auditors, which was
unqualified.

By order of the Board

Invesco Asset Management Limited

Secretary

11 November 2009

Independent Review Report

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial
statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30
September 2009 which comprises the condensed income statement, condensed
reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds, condensed balance sheet,
condensed cash flow statement and the related explanatory notes. We have read
the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and
considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial
statements.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our
engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure
and Transparency Rules (the `DTR') of the UK's Financial Services Authority
(the `UK FSA'). Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the
Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or
assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for
this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Directors' Responsibilities

The half-yearly report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the
Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly
financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA. As disclosed in note
1, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance
with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice). The condensed set of financial statements included in
this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with the
Statement `Half-Yearly Financial Reports' as issued by the UK Accounting
Standards Board.

Our Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed
set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our
review.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review
Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 `Review of Interim Financial Information
Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing
Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information
consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A
review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does
not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant
matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an
audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to
believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly
financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2009 is not prepared, in
all material respects, in accordance with the Statement `Half-Yearly Financial
Reports' as issued by the UK Accounting Standards Board and the DTR of the UK
FSA.

Salim Tharani

For and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc

Chartered Accountants

Edinburgh

11 November 2009

Directors, Investment Manager and Administration

Directors

Scott Dobbie, Chairman

Jim Pettigrew, Audit Committee Chairman

Richard Barfield, Senior Independent Director

Nicola Ralston

William Samuel

Sir Nigel Wicks

Manager, Company Secretary

Invesco Asset Management Limited

30 Finsbury Square

London EC2A 1AG

Company Secretary contact: Carolyn Ladd

Registered Office

Quartermile One

15 Lauriston Place

Edinburgh EH3 9EP

Registered in Scotland: No. SC1836

Registrars

Equiniti Limited

PO Box 28448

Finance House

Orchard Brae

Edinburgh EH4 1WQ

Tel: 0871 384 2431

Calls cost 8p per minute plus network charges.

Fax: 0871 384 2100

www.shareview.co.uk

Invesco Perpetual Customer Services

Invesco Perpetual has a Customer Services Team available to assist you from
8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every working day on:

Tel: 0800 085 8677

www.invescoperpetual.co.uk/investmenttrusts

You can now invest in the shares of the Company through an Invesco Perpetual
savings plan and ISA

Invesco Perpetual Investment Trust Series 1: Savings and Investment Plan

c/o The Bank of New York Europe Limited

12 Blenheim Place

Edinburgh EH7 5JH

Tel: 0844 892 0998

Fax: 0131 525 9900

Invesco Perpetual Investment Trust Series 1: ISA

Invesco Perpetual

Perpetual Park

Perpetual Park Drive

Henley-on-Thames

Oxfordshire RG9 1HH

Tel: 0800 085 8677

Textphone: 01491 576104

Fax: 01491 416000



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