Many other individual holdings assisted in the Company's beating the benchmark. Catamaran Corporation (formerly named SXC Health Solutions Corp.) had another spectacular year. Since CGI's initial purchase in early 2009, exceptional growth in the company's operations has been reflected in its stock price appreciation, resulting in its current status as second largest position in the portfolio. A one-year return in excess of 60% would be difficult to repeat in 2013, but its outlook remains extremely positive. Transportation stocks Canadian Pacific Railway Limited and TransForce Inc. each provided gains greater than 45%, unique retailer Dollarama Inc. returned 32%, technology behemoth Apple Inc. 31%, premier quality REIT Brookfield Canada Office Properties 20% plus and recent up-and-coming financial Element Financial Corp. at 48%. Expectations are high that these companies will be able to add to their records in the future. Conversely, Poseidon Concepts Corp., BMTC Group Inc., and Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corp., with returns of -88%, -22%, and -7%, respectively, all contributed negatively to the 2012 performance, after being noted good performers in past years. Tempur-Pedic International Inc., added to the portfolio in early 2012, also negatively impacted CGI's overall performance with its return of -70%.
In addition to the payment of four regular quarterly dividends of $0.06 per common share, CGI paid a year-end special capital gains distribution of $0.52 per common share on December 28, 2012. Based on the year-end common share price of $15.75, total dividend payments during 2012 represented a yield of 4.8%.
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/losses and appropriate income generating instruments.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) For the Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2012 2011 -------------------------------Net investment income (loss) 192 (1,899)Net gain/(loss) on investments 44,907 (58,631) -------------------------------Increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 45,099 (60,530)Increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per share 2.16 (2.90) As at December 31, December 31, 2012 2011 -------------------------------Selected data(1)Net asset value 456,150 426,413Net asset value per share 21.87 20.44Selected data according to GAAP(1)Net assets 454,782 424,875Net assets per share 21.80 20.37(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 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.
In the United Kingdom, copies of the Company's financial reports are available from the National Storage Mechanism (http://www.hemscott.com/nsm.do). PDF versions are also available at www.mmainvestments.com and at www.sedar.com.
Contacts:
Canadian General Investments, Limited
Jonathan A. Morgan
President & CEO
(416) 366-2931
(416) 366-2729 (FAX)
cgifund@mmainvestments.com
www.mmainvestments.com
