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Canadian General Investments, Limited: Canadian General Investments Reports June 30, 2009 Interim Results

^{Published on 2009-07-14 14:50:17, Last Modified on 2009-07-14 14:50:31 - Market Wire}
 

TORONTO, CANADA--(Marketwire - July 14, 2009) - Canadian General Investments, Limited's (CGI) (TSX:CGI)(TSX:CGI.PR.B)(TSX:CGI.PR.C)(LSE:CGI) net asset value per share (NAV) at June 30, 2009 was $15.61, up from the NAV of $13.93 at year end 2008. CGI's net asset value was $325,646,000, up 12.1% from the 2008 year-end value of $290,477,000. The NAV return, with dividends reinvested, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was 13.1%, compared with a 17.6% total return for the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index (S&P/TSX). CGI's market return of 35.9% surpassed both its NAV and benchmark for the same period.

While CGI underperformed the benchmark for the first six months of 2009, it was reassuring to see many equity markets rallying worldwide, increased consumer confidence, and a return to positive performance for CGI. Eight of the ten sectors of the S&P/TSX were in positive territory, with Information Technology leading the way with an increase of over 50% for the 6 months ending June 30, 2009. The primary reason for CGI's underperformance relative to the benchmark was the underweighting in both the Financials and Energy sectors, which accounted for approximately 75% of the overall performance of the Index.

During each of the first two quarters of both 2009 and 2008, CGI paid regular income dividends of $0.06 per share to its common shareholders.

CGI is a closed-end equity fund, focused on medium to long-term investments in primarily Canadian corporations. Its objective is to provide better than average returns to investors through prudent security selection, timely recognition of capital gains and appropriate income generating instruments.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 For the Six Months Ended
 -------------------------
 June 30, June 30,
 2009 2008
 -------------------------

Net investment income (loss) 582 (509)
Net gain (loss) on investments 33,817 (43,369)
 --------- --------------
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
 from operations 34,399 (43,967)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
 from operations per share 1.65 (2.11)

 As at
 -------
 June 30, December 31,
 2009 2008
 -------------------------

Selected data(1)
----------------
Net asset value 325,646 290,477
Net asset value per share 15.61 13.93

Selected data according to GAAP(1)
----------------------------------
Net assets 323,591 288,011
Net assets per share 15.51 13.81

(1) The Company calculates the net asset value and net asset value per
share on the basis of the valuation principles set out in its annual 
information form. These valuation principles differ from the requirements
of Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), with the 
main difference relating to securities that are listed on a public stock
exchange. While the Company generally values such securities based on the
latest sale price, GAAP requires the use of the closing bid price.
Accordingly, bid prices are used in determining net assets and net assets
per share for purposes of the interim and annual financial statements.