Final Results
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Unaudited Results
For the year ended 31 July 2007
PERFORMANCE AND MARKETS
Your Company has had another good year. The net asset value per share rose by
47.4% over the twelve months to 31 July 2007. In comparison, the benchmark MSCI
All Countries (Combined) Far East ex Japan Index gained 41.3%. (All figures in
sterling terms and on a total return basis.)
The Asian region saw continued economic growth during the period, largely
driven by domestic demand. Real GDP growth in China, the dominant player in the
region, accelerated in the second quarter of 2007.
Asian stock markets advanced over much of the twelve months, despite sharp
declines, in tandem with global equities, at the end of February and in the
closing week of the period. Overall, equities saw positive gains in sterling
terms. While China, India and Singapore were strong performers, smaller markets
including those of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia also gained
significantly. Strong earnings encouraged foreign funds to invest more in the
region, while takeovers and corporate consolidations further supported investor
sentiment. Plantation companies in Malaysia and Indonesia benefited from rising
agricultural commodities prices and a slew of economic reforms. Conversely,
equities in Hong Kong underperformed the region, due to concerns about Chinese
government policy measures. However the benchmark index rose towards the end of
the review period, supported by robust corporate earnings results and by
inflows from China, following the mainland's relaxation on restrictions on
overseas investment. Hong Kong-listed Chinese stocks in particular helped drive
up the market. Korea and Taiwan benefited from a slight rebound in exports
during the three month period to June. In July, investor sentiment throughout
the region was affected by renewed concerns about the US sub-prime market,
though steps taken by monetary authorities, including those in Australia, Korea
and Malaysia, towards the end of the period helped to calm nerves.
OUTLOOK
The economic outlook for the region remains largely favourable. Strong domestic
demand and robust business and government investments should continue to drive
GDP growth in the remainder of 2007, although an expected slowdown in exports
might prove a dampener, especially if the US economy slows as a result of the
sub-prime mortgage and subsequent liquidity issues.
While the recent nervousness and volatility in global markets may continue for
some time, over the long-term Asian growth has remained strong, in part due to
the continued strength of the Asian consumer and government investment
spending. In addition, equity valuations remain attractive when compared to the
majority of global peers, and could provide support to the markets in an
environment of more muted corporate earnings growth.
From a company perspective, attractive dividend payouts, improved balance
sheets and sound corporate governance are just some of the characteristics that
continue to appeal to investors. Against this background, the Board remains
confident the Asia Pacific region continues to offer attractive long term
investment opportunities.
GEARING
Historically the Company's gearing has been in the higher part of the peer
group, but is now towards the lower end. The portfolio manager is permitted by
the Board to maintain gearing between 5% and 7% depending on the strength or
weakness of the markets.
WARRANTS
In December 2006 an aggregate of 20,462,735 ordinary shares of 25p each were
issued and allotted fully paid at a price of 100p per share following exercises
of warrants in November and December 2006. The proceeds of the exercise of
warrants added £20,463,000 in cash to the assets of the Company which was
applied in accordance with the Company's investment policy.
SHARE REPURCHASES
Shares may be repurchased when, in the opinion of the Directors, the discount
is excessive or is wider than the peer group average or a block becomes
available in the market. During the period under review your Company
repurchased a total of 4,627,000 shares These share repurchases have resulted
in an increase in the net asset value per remaining share of approximately 0.94
pence. Since the year end a further 1,250,000 shares have been repurchased.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
This year's AGM is scheduled for 7 December 2007 at Fidelity's Cannon Street
office commencing at 11.00 am. All shareholders, Fidelity ISA, PEP and Share
Plan investors are invited to attend. The portfolio manager will be making a
presentation on the year under review and immediate prospects for the Company.
Sir Victor Garland
Chairman
21 September 2007
Enquiries:
Stephen Westwood, Head of Investment Trusts, Fidelity Investments International
- 0207 961 4477
Richard Miles, Director Corporate Communications, Fidelity Investments
International
- 01737 837844
Issued by Fidelity Investments International. Authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
The value of the fund can go down as well as up so you may get back less than
you invested. Past performance is not a guide of what might happen in the
future. You may get back more or less than this as a result of currency
fluctuations. Investments in small and emerging markets can be more volatile
than other more developed markets. Fidelity only gives information about its
own products and services and does not provide investment advice based on
individual circumstances. Fidelity Investment Trusts are managed by Fidelity
Investments International. Source of performance: Fidelity as at 31.07.07
performance is excluding initial charge. Basis: bid-bid with net income
reinvested. Issued by Fidelity Investments International, authorised and
regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority.
CB32354/na
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Income Statement
- unaudited - for the year ended 31 July 2007 (1)
2007 2006
revenue capital total revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investments - 55,516 55,516 - 10,253 10,253
Income 3,669 - 3,669 2,446 - 2,446
Investment management fee (1,528) - (1,528) (1,125) - (1,125)
Other expenses (498) - (498) (457) - (457)
Exchange (losses)/gains (5) (238) (243) 12 (208) (196)
on other net assets
Exchange gains on loans - 815 815 - 597 597
Net return before finance 1,638 56,093 57,731 876 10,642 11,518
costs and taxation
Interest payable (519) - (519) (637) - (637)
Net return on ordinary 1,119 56,093 57,212 239 10,642 10,881
activities before
taxation
Taxation on ordinary (461) (35) (496) (299) - (299)
activities
Net return on ordinary a 658 56,058 56,716 (60) 10,642 10,582
ctivities after taxation
for the year
Return/(loss) per
ordinary share
Basic 0.63p 53.37p 54.00p (0.06p) 11.38p 11.32p
Diluted 0.62p 53.35p 53.97p (0.06p) 11.38p 11.32p
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as there
are no gains and losses other than those reported in this Income Statement. The
total column of the Income Statement is the profit and loss account of the
Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from
continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds - unaudited - for the year
ended 31 July 2007
called share capital other other warrant capital capital revenue total
up premium redemption non-distributable reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve equity
share account reserve reserve realised unrealised
capital
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening 23,376 7 2,330 - 59,282 7,369 (25,545) 23,258 (1,588) 88,489
shareholders'
funds: 1
August 2005
Net - - - - - - 16,435 (5,793) - 10,642
recognised
gains/
(losses) for
the year
Revenue loss - - - - - - - - (60) (60)
after
taxation
Exercise of 1 5 - - 2 (2) - - - 6
warrants
Closing 23,377 12 2,330 - 59,284 7,367 (9,110) 17,465 (1,648) 99,077
shareholders'
funds: 31
July 2006
Net - - - - - - 19,908 36,150 - 56,058
recognised
gains for the
year
Repurchase of (1,157) - 1,157 - (5,535) - - - - (5,535)
ordinary s
hares
Revenue after - - - - - - - - 658 658
taxation
Exercise of 5,116 15,347 - 7,367 (7,367) - - - 20,463
warrants
Closing 27,336 15,359 3,487 7,367 53,749 - 10,798 53,615 (990) 170,721
shareholders'
funds: 31
July 2007
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Balance Sheet
- unaudited - as at 31 July2007
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments held at fair value through profit or loss 175,057 107,538
Current assets
Debtors 5,949 4,111
Cash at bank 4,696 1,313
10,645 5,424
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Fixed rate unsecured loan - (9,655)
Other creditors (6,141) (4,230)
(6,141) (13,885)
Net current assets/(liabilities) 4,504 (8,461)
Total assets less current liabilities 179,561 99,077
Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one
year
Fixed rate unsecured loan (8,840) -
Total net assets 170,721 99,077
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 27,336 23,377
Share premium account 15,359 12
Capital redemption reserve 3,487 2,330
Other non-distributable reserve 7,367 -
Other reserve 53,749 59,284
Warrant reserve - 7,367
Capital reserve - realised 10,798 (9,110)
Capital reserve - unrealised 53,615 17,465
Revenue reserve (990) (1,648)
Total equity shareholders' funds 170,721 99,077
Net asset value per ordinary share:
Basic 156.13p 105.95p
Diluted 156.13p 104.88p
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Cashflow Statement
- unaudited- for the year ended 31 July 2007
2007 2006
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 2,713 2,310
Interest received 144 56
Investment management fee paid (1,447) (1,445)
Directors' fees paid (71) (79)
Other cash payments (379) (288)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 960 554
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest paid (403) (641)
Net cash outflow from returns on investments and (403) (641)
servicing of finance
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (123,551) (90,518)
Disposal of investments 111,301 91,013
Net cash (outflow)/inflowfrom financial investment (12,250) 495
Net cash (outflow)/inflowbefore financing (11,693) 408
Financing
Repurchase of ordinary shares (5,535) -
Exercise of warrants 20,463 6
5.60% fixed rate unsecured loan drawn down 9,541 -
6.28% fixed rate unsecured loan repaid (9,541) -
Net cash inflowfrom financing 14,928 6
Increasein cash 3,235 414
1. The total column of the Income Statement is the profit and loss account of
the Company.
2. Returns/(losses) per ordinary share are based on the net revenue return on
ordinary activities after taxation of £658,000 (2006: loss £60,000), the
net capital return in the year of £56,058,000 (2006: £10,642,000) and the
total return in the year of £56,716,000 (2006: £10,582,000) and on
105,041,064 ordinary shares (2006: 93,509,538) being the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
In accordance with the provisions of FRS14, the diluted returns have been
calculated on the assumption that the warrants in issue were converted on the
first day of the financial period on a weighted average basis for the period
over which they were outstanding and that the proceeds from the conversion have
been used by the Company to purchase its own shares at a fair market price.
3. The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting
policies as set out in annual financial statements to 31 July 2007. The
figures for the year to 31 July 2006 have been extracted from the financial
statements for the year ended 31 July 2006 which have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies and on which the Auditors gave an unqualified
report. The annual report and financial statements will be posted to
shareholders as soon as is practicable and in any event no later than 7
November 2007.