Half-yearly Report

Half-yearly Report

Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Ld

GENESIS EMERGING MARKETS FUND LIMITED
(the “Company”; the “Fund”)

STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT

HALF YEARLY REPORT

The Company has today, in accordance with DTR 6.3.5, released its Half Year Report for the six months ended 31st December 2010. The Report will shortly be available from the Company's website www.giml.co.uk and will shortly be available for inspection on the National Storage Mechanism, which is located at http://hemscott.com/nsm.do where users can access the regulated information provided by listed entities.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

To achieve long-term capital growth, primarily through investment in equity markets of developing countries.

BENCHMARK

MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Total Return).

MATERIAL EVENTS

    31st December 2010

US$

  31st December 2009

US$

Total net assets

 

Net assets per Participating Share

 

Total income per Participating Share

1,223,843,903

 

9.07

 

1.85

994,493,032

 

7.40

 

1.93

 

Commenting on the results the Chairman has made the following statement:

After a somewhat nervous first half of 2010, the last six months have been another strong period for investors in emerging market equities, with the Fund’s published net asset value per share rising 20.4% in Sterling terms over the half-year (slightly lagging the 21.6% generated by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the most appropriate benchmark).

The Fund held its Annual General Meeting on 29th October 2010, at which point the retirement of Christian Baillet as a Director of the Fund became effective. My fellow Directors and I very much appreciate the expertise and experience Mr. Baillet brought to the Board during his tenure.

The Fund held its annual Information Meeting in London in early November, enabling shareholders to hear presentations from – and ask questions of – representatives of the Manager. The discussion provided a detailed view of the Fund’s current strategy, details on recent performance and the Manager’s outlook for the asset class.

Meanwhile, it is with great pleasure that we have now announced the appointment of Dr. Geng Xiao to the Fund’s Board of Directors effective 1st March 2011, subject to regulatory approval. Dr. Xiao is based in Beijing, and is the director of Columbia Global Centers (East Asia) at Columbia University, an honorary professor at the University of Hong Kong and an independent director of HSBC Bank (China). He is well-known and respected internationally for his work in finance and macroeconomics and has held many advisory positions in the private sector and for public policy bodies, as well as in academia. We are confident that Dr. Xiao’s knowledge and advice will make him a valuable member of the Board.

The rise in the Fund’s NAV over the past two years has been some 112% and clearly it would be highly unrealistic to expect returns in the near future being at close to this level. In recent weeks investor sentiment on emerging markets seems to have become more hesitant, with concerns including the potential for further rises in inflation, possible changes in regulatory and state influence in some countries and the level to which the Chinese market supports and influences so many different aspects of global economic activity – combined with, of course, the levels of valuation implied by current stock prices.

The Manager’s Review on the following pages outlines this environment for investors and, among other points – including detailing some of the changes that the Manager has been making in recent months – explains why this concern over valuation may be to some degree misplaced.

As a Board, we note these potential short-term risks attached to emerging markets stock prices. We would, however, also emphasise to shareholders our firm belief that the structural trends in developing countries remain strong and that a sensible stock selection-based approach to distinguish between good and bad companies – such as that practised by the Manager – will continue to provide the Fund’s investors with solid long-term returns.

Coen Teulings, Chairman
February 2011February 2011


DIRECTORS’ REPORT

CAPITAL VALUES

At 31st December 2010 the value of net assets available to shareholders was $1,223,843,903 (30th June 2010: $974,358,807) and the Equity per Participating Preference Share was $9.07 (30th June 2010: $7.22).

RISK MANAGEMENT

The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve capital growth over the medium to long term, primarily through investment in equity securities quoted on emerging markets. The main risks to the value of its assets arising from the Fund’s investment in financial instruments are unanticipated adverse changes in market prices and foreign currency exchange rates and an absence of liquidity. The Board reviews and agrees with the Manager policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below. These policies have remained unchanged since the beginning of the period to which these financial statements relate.

The economies, the currencies and the financial markets of a number of developing countries in which the Fund invests may be extremely volatile. To manage the risks posed by adverse price fluctuations the Fund’s investments are geographically diversified, and will continue to be so. The Fund will not normally invest more than 25% of its assets (at the time the investment is made) in any one country. Further, the exposure to any one company or group (other than an investment company, unit trust or mutual fund) is unlikely to exceed 5% of the Fund’s net assets at the time the investment is made.

The Fund’s assets will be invested in securities of companies in various countries and income will be received by the Fund in a variety of currencies. However, the Fund will compute its net asset value and make any distributions in dollars. The value of the assets of the Fund as measured in dollars may be affected favourably or unfavourably by fluctuations in currency rates and exchange control regulations. Further, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.

Trading volumes on the stock exchanges of developing countries can be substantially less than in the leading stock markets of the developed world. This lower level of liquidity exaggerates the fluctuations in the value of investments described previously. The restrictions on concentration and the diversification requirements detailed above also serve normally to protect the overall value of the Fund from the risks created by the lower level of liquidity in the markets in which the Fund operates.

MANAGER

In the opinion of the Directors, in order to achieve the investment objective of the Fund, and having taken into consideration the performance of the Fund, the continuing appointment of the Manager is in the interests of the shareholders as a whole.

A more detailed commentary of important events that have occurred during the period and their impact on these accounts and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year is contained in the Manager’s Review.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

The following Directors served throughout the period under review, except where noted otherwise.

    Beneficial interest in
Participating
Preference Shares
Directors at 31st December 2010
Coen Teulings 40,000
Christian Baillet (resigned on 29th October 2010) -
Michael Hamson -
Dr. John Llewellyn -
The Hon. John Train (including family interests) 20,510
 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the first six months of the current financial year, no transactions with related parties have taken place which has materially affected the financial position or performance of the Fund during the period. Details of related party transactions are disclosed in the annual report for the year ended 30th June 2010.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

  • the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’;
  • as required by DTR 4.2.7R of the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the interim management report includes a fair review of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and
  • the interim management report includes a fair review of the information concerning related party transactions required by DTR 4.2.8R.

Signed on behalf of the Board
Coen TeulingsCoen Teulings
Dr. John LlewellynDr. John Llewellyn
2828th February 2011

MANAGER’S REVIEW

The Fund ended the six months to 31st December 2010 up 20.4% in Sterling terms (calculated based on published net asset value), bringing the return for the calendar year to 27.5%.

Following a spectacular 79% return in 2009, the strong market performance in 2010 return means that questions of valuation are understandably being asked. A main point of concern is the amount of new money that has been invested in emerging markets and which has therefore in theory boosted valuations; but in fact much of this money found its way into new issues. The fourth quarter of 2010 was the busiest on record for global IPOs, and Asia, mostly China, accounted for 60% of the activity. As more companies expand and seek external financing this trend seems likely to continue.

Clearly, some stocks have seen substantial price rises in 2010, and in some cases this has provided us with a catalyst to sell or reduce positions towards the end of the period. Credicorp in Peru and DMCI in the Philippines were two examples of stocks removed from the Fund and we also reduced the weight in Turkish Bank YKB for similar reasons. We sold out of the Fund’s position in Russian telecom operator MTS, although here valuation concerns were linked to concerns over potential regulatory changes too.

On the other hand, we continue to find attractive companies for investment throughout the markets we look at. New additions to the Fund during the period included Chinese sportswear firm Li Ning, Axis Bank in India and the South Korean internet search portal firm NHN Corp. During the period the Fund also increased its position in both Samsung Electronics and TSMC – two IT companies (and longstanding Fund holdings) whose quality of management has helped them exhibit consistently higher profitability than their competition.

In terms of the economic and investment outlook the mood seems to be turning and inflation is suddenly on many investors’ minds. This is particularly true in China, where wage inflation has both positive and negative implications for businesses well beyond China’s borders. Wumart, a Beijing-based supermarket chain, is expecting staff wages to rise 20% in 2011, whilst Li Ning says its distributors are complaining about a 10-15% increase. Retailers are at the sharp end of wage inflation because low end salaries are rising the most. Some analysts say this is the beginning of the end of China’s economic miracle because the supply of cheap labour is running out, but rising low end wages is not a new phenomenon. The average 23% increase in the minimum wage across China in 2010 must be balanced against no increase in 2009, compared with 10-12% per year before that. A survey of entry level factory jobs in the heart of migrant worker territory in Guangdong province shows wages rising 10-15% annually since 2005 (with a pause in 2009). However this is not true for all sectors. The rapid expansion of higher education, and reported 25% graduate unemployment means software and IT outsourcing companies are having no problems finding graduates, and wage pressures are muted.

The difference now is that companies are feeling the pain of wage inflation more than in the past because they have run out of easy productivity gains. In a less forgiving environment, corporate winners will be those with the skill to optimise operations and refine business practices, just like companies everywhere else.

Notably, emerging markets are now the global leaders in tightening monetary policy, with some central banks apparently torn between raising rates to discourage inflation and keeping them low to deter yield-hungry hot money.

Looking at the valuations of the holdings of the Fund, they do not seem unreasonable given continuing earnings growth, which is expected to be about 20% in 2011. Strong cash flow generation in these companies more than justifies today’s prices, although the upside is naturally not as great as in early 2009. It is admittedly unusual to see emerging market equities at a 10% premium to global equities by price/book value (ten years ago this was a 50% discount) but it seems to us that this is justified given the superior growth that is offered by developing market companies.

Genesis Asset Managers, LLP
February 2011February 2011

 

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

     

 

(Audited)

31st December 30th June

 

 

2010

 

2010

US$ US$
 
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 1,209,035,402 960,328,412
Current assets
Amounts due from brokers 497,999 131,002
Dividends receivable 846,788 1,895,408
Other receivables and prepayments 154,713 155,295
Cash and cash equivalents 18,352,934 13,689,031
   
TOTAL ASSETS 1,228,887,836 976,199,148
 
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Amounts due to brokers - 257,983
Capital gains tax payable 3,076,598 -
Payables and accrued expenses 1,967,335 1,582,356
Bank overdraft - 2
   
TOTAL LIABILITIES 5,043,933 1,840,341
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS 1,223,843,903 974,358,807
 
EQUITY
Share premium 135,509,473 135,509,473
Capital reserve 1,058,111,817 804,245,831
Revenue account 31,383,113 35,764,003
Purchase of own shares (1,160,500) (1,160,500)
 
TOTAL EQUITY 1,223,843,903 974,358,807
 
EQUITY PER PARTICIPATING
PREFERENCE SHARE* $9.07 $7.22
 

* Calculated on an average number of 134,963,060 Participating Preference Shares outstanding
(30th June 2010: 134,963,060).(30th June 2010: 134,963,060).

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the six months ended 31st December 2010

     
2010 2009
US$ US$
INCOME
Net change in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 254,158,991 262,918,866
Net exchange losses (293,005) (73,068)
Dividend income 10,890,381 7,242,270
Deposit interest 14,292 14,841
264,770,659 270,102,909
EXPENSES
Management fees (8,499,991) (6,784,210)
Custodian fees (746,696) (582,969)
Transaction costs (547,331) (642,145)
Directors' fees and expenses (265,545) (183,496)
Administration fees (78,714) (64,624)
Audit fees (28,995) (16,870)
Other expenses (74,579) (242,693)
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES (10,241,851) (8,517,007)
 
OPERATING PROFIT 254,528,808 261,585,902
 
FINANCE COSTS
Bank charges (244) (633)
Interest expense (238) (2,878)
TOTAL FINANCE COSTS (482) (3,511)
 
TAXATION
Capital gains tax (3,964,430) (598,684)
Withholding taxes (1,078,800) (750,764)
TOTAL TAXATION (5,043,230) (1,349,448)
   
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 249,485,096 260,232,943
 
RETURN PER PARTICIPATING PREFERENCE SHARE* US$1.85 US$1.93
 

* Calculated on an average number of 134,963,060 Participating Preference Shares outstanding
(31(31st December 2009: 134,963,060)

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT

OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 
for the six months ended 31st December 2010
Share   Share   Capital   Revenue   Purchase of  
Capital Premium Reserve Account Own Shares Total
US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ US$
Net assets at the beginning

of the period

- 135,509,473 804,245,831 35,764,003 (1,160,500) 974,358,807
Movement in the period - - 1253,865,986 2(4,380,890) - 249,485,096
Net assets at the end

of the period

- 135,509,473 1,058,111,817 31,383,113 (1,160,500) 1,223,843,903
 
  for the six months ended 31st December 2009
Share   Share   Capital   Revenue   Purchase of  
Capital Premium Reserve Account Own Shares Total
US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ US$
Net assets at the beginning

of the period

270,633 135,238,840 559,694,846 40,216,270 (1,160,500) 734,260,089
Redenomination of shares* (270,633) 270,633 - - - -
Movement in the period - - 1262,845,798 2 (2,612,855) - 260,232,943
Net assets at the end

of the period

- 135,509,473 822,540,644 37,603,415 (1,160,500) 994,493,032
 

* At the Extraordinary General Meeting held at the end of October 2009 it was resolved to re-denominate the share capital so as to permit the shares to be quoted in Sterling rather than US dollars, and secondly a division of each existing share into ten, thereby reducing the market price of each share.

1 Represents the movement in capital reserve during the period, which is comprised of net changes in financial assets at fair value through profit and loss and net exchange losses.

2 Represents other income less expenses during the period.

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

       
 
For the six

months ended

For the six

months ended

31st December 31st December
2010 2009
US$ US$
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Dividend received 11,939,001 8,426,022
Taxation paid (1,966,632) (1,349,448)
Purchase of investments (108,076,482) (110,824,359)
Proceeds from sale of investments 112,903,503 105,091,114
Interest received 14,292 15,420
Operating expenses paid (9,856,772) (8,224,706)
Foreign exchange loss (48) (32)
   
NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 4,956,862 (6,865,989)
 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 4,956,862 (6,865,989)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents (292,957) (73,036)
4,663,905 (6,939,025)
 
Net cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 13,689,029 12,291,183
 
NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD 18,352,934 5,352,158
 
 
Comprising:
Cash and cash equivalents 18,352,934 5,386,767
Bank overdraft - (34,609)
   
NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD 18,352,934 5,352,158
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the six months ended 31st December 2010

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

The interim financial information for the six months ended 31st December 2010 has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2010, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’).

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the valuation of financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.

2. RECONCILIATION OF PUBLISHED NET ASSET VALUE ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS TO THE IFRS EQUIVALENT

 
31st December 2010
  Per Participating
Total Preference Share
US$     US$
Published Net Asset Value 1,230,614,712 9.12
Change from mid market

pricing to bid pricing for

investments

(6,770,809) (0.05)
Net Asset Value under IFRS 1,223,843,903 9.07
 
 

    30th June 2010

     

Per Participating

Total Preference Share
US$ US$
Published Net Asset Value 979,819,807 7.26
Change from mid market

pricing to bid pricing for

investments

(5,461,000) (0.04)
Net Asset Value under IFRS 974,358,807 7.22
 

3. COSTS OF INVESTMENTS TRANSACTIONS

During the period, expenses were incurred in acquiring or disposing of investments.

  For the six   For the six
months ended   months ended
31st December 2010 31st December 2009
US$ US$
 
Acquiring 328,347 362,365
Disposing 218,984 279,780
547,331 642,145
 

4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Fund has elected to treat all of its operations, for management purposes, as a single operating segment as it does not aim at controlling or having any significant influence over the entities in which it holds its investments. The Fund is invested in equity securities. All of the Funds’ activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependant on the others. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Fund as one segment. The financial positions and results from this segment are equivalent to the financial statements of the Fund as a whole, as internal reports are prepared on a consistent basis with the measurement and recognition principles of IFRS.

The table below analyses the Fund’s operating income per investment type.

 
 
  For the six months ended   For the six months ended
31st December 2010 31st December 2009
US$ US$
 
Equity Securities 264,770,659 270,102,909
Total 264,770,659 270,102,909

For Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Limited
HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited, SecretaryHSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited, Secretary
2828th February 2011

END

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