Half-yearly Report

Fidelity China Special Situations PLC Half-Yearly Report For the 6 months ended 30 September 2014 Six months ended 30 September 2014 Net Asset Value per Share total return 16.8% Share Price total return 14.3% MSCI China total return (net) - in UK 10.1% sterling The Half-Yearly Report will shortly be available at www.fidelity.co.uk/china. Commenting on results the Chairman, John Owen, stated: The Company's Net Asset Value increased by 16.8% in the six months to 30 September 2014 (since launch the Net Asset Value has increased by 38.6%). The Company's shares delivered a total return of 14.3% during the period, compared to an index return of 10.1%. The outperformance was generated by investment in companies reflecting `new' China, such as Alibaba and BitAuto, which benefit from the shift to e-commerce and the reforms that are being introduced in China. We believe that the effects of these positive changes will encourage investors to see China in a new light and to invest in the world's second largest economy measured by GDP. For further information please contact: Fidelity: Keren Holland Tel: 020 7074 5262 Keren.holland@fil.com Company Secretary: Fidelity China Special Situations PLC Faith Pengelly Tel: 01737 834156 Faith.pengelly@fil.com Fidelity China Special Situations PLC Half-Yearly Report For the 6 months ended 30 September 2014 The Investment Objective and Performance The investment objective of the Company is to achieve long-term capital growth from an actively managed portfolio made up primarily of securities issued by companies listed in China or Hong Kong and Chinese companies listed elsewhere. The Company may also invest in listed companies with significant interests in China and Hong Kong. Investment Performance Six months ended 30 September 2014 Net Asset Value ("NAV") per Share total return 16.8% Share Price total return 14.3% MSCI China Index total return (net) - in UK sterling 10.1% Standardised Performance Total Return* % 01/10/ 01/10/ 01/10/ 01/10/ 19/04/2010 Since 2013 2012 2011 2010 ** launch to to to to to 30/09/ 30/09/ 30/09/ 30/09/ 30/09/2010 2014 2013 2012 2011 NAV Performance +25.9 +36.8 +7.5 -30.5 +7.7 +38.6 Share Price +22.7 +35.0 -3.1 -33.1 +13.2 +21.5 Performance Benchmark Index +4.4 +12.4 +13.4 -23.1 +1.4 +3.8 Performance ** Includes reinvested dividends ** Date of launch Sources: Fidelity and Datastream Past performance is not a guide to future returns The Company's Net Asset Value increased by 16.8% in the six months to 30 September 2014 (since launch the Net Asset Value has increased by 38.6%). The Company's shares delivered a total return of 14.3% during the period, compared to an index return of 10.1%. The outperformance was generated by investment in companies reflecting `new' China, such as Alibaba and BitAuto, which benefit from the shift to e-commerce and the reforms that are being introduced in China. We believe that the effects of these positive changes will encourage investors to see China in a new light and to invest in the world's second largest economy measured by GDP. John Owen Chairman Summary of Results 30 September 31 March 2014 2014 Assets Gross Asset Exposure £915.3m £806.6m Net Assets £759.1m £656.2m Gearing 20.6% 22.9% Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share 132.86p 114.84p Number of Ordinary Shares in issue 571,354,480 571,354,480 Stock market data Share Price at the period/year end 117.30p 103.80p Share Price period/year high 122.90p 108.80p Share Price period/year low 97.20p 81.00p Discount at the period/year end (11.7%) (9.6%) Discount period/year high (13.9%) (13.0%) Discount period/year low (5.0%) (4.9%) Earnings for the six months ended 30 September 2014 2013 Revenue return per Ordinary Share1 1.52p 1.43p Capital return per Ordinary Share1 17.65p 8.10p Total return per Ordinary Share1 19.17p 9.53p 1 Based on the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period Sources: Fidelity and Datastream Past performance is not a guide to future returns Manager's Half-Yearly Review In the six months to the end of September 2014, the Company's Net Asset Value produced a total return of 16.8% and share price total return of 14.3%. This compares to a total return of 10.1% from the MSCI China Index (in Sterling), the Company's benchmark index. Market Background The six months under review have been an interesting time for the Chinese market, with reforms taking place across all sections of the market and society in China. For example, the Government has pledged to change the hukou system, which will effectively give 100 million migrant workers equal social and health care benefits as the residents of the cities they work in. This means there is potential to release pent-up consumption demand for 100 million people as these migrant workers, who currently lack the social safety net and support of their locally-born neighbours, have less need to save. Another example is the announcement of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect programme, which will enable international investors to access the domestic Chinese stock market without the need to obtain a QFII quota from the Government, and give Chinese investors the opportunity to access international equity markets. This is a further step in opening up the Chinese financial markets and is also positive for facilitators like Citic Securities (one of our investments). Steps are also being taken by the Government to introduce market-orientated price mechanisms across a range of industry sectors. This is encouraging management teams of state-owned enterprises to work on behalf of shareholders by the introduction of corporate practices that we take for granted in the West, for example management incentive schemes. These are but a few examples of the ongoing reforms being pushed through by the Government. Whilst there are many positive factors to highlight there are also factors contributing to the weakness in the Chinese market relative to many other markets around the world. There are concerns over macroeconomic factors and fear of how they will be resolved over time. Significant focus has been on China's ability to meet the Government's short-term target of `around' 7.5%, and investors are generally doubtful. It is well documented that the Government wants to drive a structural change in its economic model from one that is reliant on investment and exports to one driven by consumption. Due to this structural shift we should expect economic growth to fall further from the heady days of annual double digit growth. This should be welcomed as consumer-driven growth is less volatile and more sustainable. Credit growth has supported much of the rise in investment. This is clearly not sustainable and could lead to issues for the financial system in the future. Chinese economic growth rates in a global context are still high and a good environment for individual companies to grow. This is particularly true for companies in areas of the economy that the Government wants to grow at a faster rate than the general economy, such as consumption. Debt levels in China have rapidly expanded in the last five years, taking it from around 120% of GDP to current estimates of around 250%. History teaches us that such expansions usually end in significant non-performing assets, particularly in areas where the poor investment has been most severe. I expect the same in China and this is the main reason why the portfolio does not hold shares in Chinese banks. We are already seeing some well publicised defaults and I believe the sooner authorities start dealing with the problem the better. Significant contraction in liquidity and credit flow are the key factors in defining financial crises. However, China has significant deposits supporting the system and, importantly, the Government is the bank's majority shareholder which can create liquidity if needed. Finally, the property market is an area the bears particularly like to focus on. We are clearly in the down cycle with volumes and pricing corrections. There is significant oversupply in some regions but I believe the adjustment is underway, and having visited many regions I find stories of `ghost cities' to be exaggerated. There have been a number of mini-stimulus measures to try and clear this supply, such as a relaxation of mortgage measures - although it is important to highlight that the required levels of deposit are still very high - and rules around purchasing second homes. I do believe that we will see underlying demand respond and that we are unlikely to see the 30-40% fall in property prices that some are calling for. From an investment perspective the portfolio is overweight in the real estate sector due to a combination of very low valuations and the fact that these stocks tend to perform well in an easing cycle which I believe can continue for some time. Portfolio Review I assumed responsibility for managing the portfolio from Anthony Bolton on 1 April 2014. Many of the investments in the portfolio were already familiar to me as I have been managing investments in China for over 12 years. The portfolio I inherited was one I was very comfortable with and any changes made since the handover have been part of my investment management process. In fact, the first three months saw portfolio turnover of 26.6%, which is in line with the portfolio's historic three month average turnover of 26.4%. The IPO of Alibaba in September was a highlight of this six month period and it was a very profitable event for shareholders of Fidelity China Special Situations PLC. The portfolio opened an unlisted position two years ago that valued Alibaba at $48 billion. On the day of the IPO Alibaba traded with a market-cap of over $220 billion. I used this price strength to reduce the holding, but Alibaba remains the largest overweight position as its talented management team has built a dominant position in a market that represents one of the biggest commercial opportunities most of us will see in our lifetimes - e-commerce in China. The shift from offline to online in commerce is a global trend, but is occurring even faster in China partly because, in the lower tier cities, the traditional bricks and mortar infrastructure has not been built to levels common in the West. Alibaba is at the heart of this change - gross merchandise value is expected to surpass $300 billion this financial year, more than Amazon and Ebay combined, yet continues to grow at rates above 30%. Alibaba is clearly on track to be a globally recognised name, and will be a company investors cannot ignore. So long as valuations remain reasonable relative to growth and returns of the business, I believe this is likely to remain a long-term holding in the portfolio. Outperformance of the portfolio was driven by a number of holdings in the IT sector, with Alibaba leading the way followed by BitAuto, an online platform for car sales, however, over the last few months I have found valuations of IT stocks to be less compelling following significant re-rating from the market. Therefore, I decided to use market strength as an opportunity to take profits by trimming positions such as BitAuto, while long-standing positions in Soufun and Kingsoft were sold. Some of the positions in the financial sector, and more specifically in securities companies such as Citic Securities, also proved positive contributors. E-commerce and securities companies fall within a broader theme underlying the portfolio, which is `new' China. This theme encompasses companies that are expected to be major beneficiaries of reform. I think that reform will be the primary fundamental driver that underpins the Chinese market for many years ahead. From speaking to companies, industry experts and spending time in China, I think investors cannot underestimate its importance. I have been adding exposure to real estate and insurance companies. This is relatively contrarian, but I believe that both sectors trade at attractive valuations as the market tends to ignore the whole sector amid macro-driven concerns. I see significant opportunity in insurance as the market is still very underpenetrated in China, the product offerings are improving, the sales teams selling these products are getting better and we expect to see more and more regulatory tailwinds as China looks to open up its financial markets. Within real estate, I think the market is too negative on potential price adjustments and ongoing regulatory easing in the market should support the stocks that are trading at very low valuations. Outlook My view on the macroeconomic outlook is that growth will be subdued. The market sometimes gets so engrossed in headline grabbing numbers such as GDP and property prices that they are possibly missing the real long-term opportunities; reform and the shift to a consumer-driven economic model. These risks need to be monitored but I think they are manageable. I believe that growth will be slower than in the past but it will still be at an enviable rate in a global context, providing a good environment for individual companies to grow. This is particularly true for companies that lie within areas of the economy that the Government wants to see grow at a faster rate than the general economy, for example consumption. I would be disappointed if I could not find companies with solid growth stories in this environment. One of the big stories to focus on for 2015 will be the implementation of reform. These reforms will provide a solid foundation for China's next phase of development, and include the opening up of financial and capital markets, the introduction of market-orientated price mechanisms across a range of sectors, improvements in efficiency and profitability of State Owned Enterprises and the release of pent-up consumer demand via changes in social welfare, such as the hukou system. This, coupled with attractive valuations makes China an attractive opportunity for investors. The China market is trading at 9.5x price–to–earnings ratio compared to the S&P 500 trading at 18x yet its companies have enjoyed strong earnings growth over the last few years. I am expecting companies in the portfolio to increase earnings by over 20% in the coming year, and at some point this is expected to be reflected in stock performance. Dale Nicholls Portfolio Manager 19 November 2014 Interim Management Report DISCOUNT AND PREMIUM The Board believes it is in the best interests of shareholders if the share price of the Company tracks closely the underlying NAV, which is published each business day. The Board has the ability to issue shares at a premium to NAV and to buy back shares at a discount to NAV where it is in the best interests of shareholders to do so. There have been no share repurchases during the period. GEARING The Company has a revolving credit facility agreement with Scotiabank Europe PLC for US$150,000,000. This facility has been fully drawn down. The Company achieves further gearing by the use of Contracts For Difference on a number of holdings in its portfolio and the use of other derivative instruments. At 30 September 2014, the Company's gearing was 20.6% (31 March 2014: 22.9%; 30 September 2013: 20.0%). PERFORMANCE FEE A performance fee is payable of 15% of any change in NAV attributable to performance which is more than 2% above the return of the MSCI China Index total return (net) - in UK sterling, including making good any cumulative underperformance carried forward from previous years (including the 2% hurdle each year). The performance fee is payable subject to a maximum in any year of 1.0% of the arithmetic mean of the value of assets calculated at the end of each month during the year. Any out-performance above this cap is not carried forward. If the Company under-performs, the under-performance must be made good before any further performance fee becomes payable. A provision has been made on a time apportioned basis of £2,558,000 for the six months ended 30 September 2014. The provision has reduced the NAV at 30 September 2014 by 0.3%. PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES The Board, with the assistance of the Manager, has developed a risk matrix which, as part of the internal controls process, identifies the key risks faced by the Company. The Board believes that the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Company continue to fall into the following categories: market, performance, discount control, gearing, currency, tax, regulatory and operational - service providers. Information on each of these risks is detailed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2014 together with a risk matrix listing the specific top risks identified by the Board. The Annual Report is available for inspection on the Company's pages of the Manager's website www.fidelity.co.uk/china. GOING CONCERN The Board receives regular reports from the Manager and the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements as outlined in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2014. By order of the Board FIL Investments International 19 November 2014 Directors' Responsibility Statement The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that: a) the condensed set of financial statements contained within the Half-Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with the International Accounting Standards 34: "Interim Financial Reporting"; b) the Interim Management Report (which incorporates the Manager's Half-Yearly Review) includes a fair review of the information required by Rule 4.2.7R of the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules 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 c) in accordance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.8R there have been no related party transactions during the six month period to 30 September 2014 and therefore nothing to report on any material effect by such a transaction on the financial position or the performance of the Company during that period; and there have been no changes in this position since the last Annual Report that could have a material effect on the financial position or performance of the Company in the first six months of the current financial year. The Half-Yearly Financial Report has not been audited by the Company's Independent Auditor. The Interim Management Report was approved by the Board on 19 November 2014 and the above responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by John Owen, Chairman. Twenty Largest Holdings at 30 September 2014 Twenty Largest Holdings, including Balance Gross Asset %1 derivatives Sheet Value Exposure £ £'000 '000 Tencent Holdings Limited2 40,436 61,907 6.8 Provider of internet, mobile and telecommunications value-added services CITIC Securities Company Limited2 39,261 42,041 4.6 Broker and asset manager Alibaba Group Holding Ltd 39,937 39,937 4.4 Major e-commerce group Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of 16,788 25,863 2.8 China2 Insurance company Hutchison China MediTech Limited3 22,506 22,506 2.5 Pharmaceutical and healthcare group BitAuto Holdings Limited 20,791 20,791 2.3 Auto internet company Haitong Securities2 17,151 20,300 2.2 Financial services group Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited 19,373 19,373 2.1 Operator in the pharmaceutical preparations sector NASDAQ 100 Index (put option) 333 17,122 1.9 Put option on the NASDAQ 100 Index China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co2 14,391 16,577 1.8 Insurance company Green Dragon Gas3 16,056 16,056 1.8 Coal bed methane projects developer China Lodging Group 15,015 15,015 1.6 Operates a chain of economy hotels SAIC Motor Corporation Limited 14,781 14,781 1.6 Automobile manufacture and distribution company NetEase, Inc 14,654 14,654 1.6 Internet company China Longyuan Power Group2 8,559 13,609 1.5 Wind power producer New Oriental Education & Technology 11,689 11,689 1.3 Group Provider of private educational services DJI Holdings3 11,388 11,388 1.2 Developer, promoter and distributor of authorised lottery products WuXi Pharma Tech 11,248 11,248 1.2 Pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device research company China Animal Healthcare2 10,039 11,045 1.2 Leading animal drug manufacturer Li-Ning Company 10,563 10,563 1.1 Leading Chinese sports brand company Twenty Largest Holdings (2013: 49.5%) 354,959 416,465 45.5 Other Investments including derivatives 468,781 498,800 54.5 Total Investments including derivatives 823,740 915,265 100.0 1 % of total gross asset exposure 2 Includes investment via CFDs 3 Quoted on AIM Income Statement Six months Year ended Six months ended ended 31 March 30 2014 30 September September 2014 audited 2013 unaudited unaudited revenue capital total revenue capital total revenue capital total Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue Investment 2 11,801 - 11,801 13,938 - 13,938 12,420 - 12,420 income Other 2 9 - 9 5 - 5 3 - 3 income Net 2 342 - 342 (25) - (25) 41 - 41 derivative income/ (expense) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total 12,152 - 12,152 13,918 - 13,918 12,464 - 12,464 income Gains on - 106,028 106,028 - 99,249 99,249 - 46,531 46,531 investments designated at fair value through profit or loss Net gains - 1,901 1,901 - 2,619 2,619 - 2,384 2,384 on derivative instruments held at fair value through profit or loss Foreign (5) 377 372 (111) (696) (807) (44) (148) (192) exchange (losses)/ gains on other net assets Foreign - (2,518) (2,518) - 8,776 8,776 - 6,023 6,023 exchange (losses)/ gains on bank loans ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total 12,147 105,788 117,935 13,807 109,948 123,755 12,420 54,790 67,210 revenue and gains Expenses Investment (1,785) (1,785) (3,570) (3,846) (3,846) (7,692) (1,844) (1,844) (3,688) management fee Performance - (2,558) (2,558) - (6,416) (6,416) - (1,148) (1,148) fee Other (865) - (865) (1,635) - (1,635) (832) - (832) expenses ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Profit 9,497 101,445 110,942 8,326 99,686 108,012 9,744 51,798 61,542 before finance costs and taxation Finance costs Interest on (328) (328) (656) (794) (794) (1,588) (403) (403) (806) bank loans --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Profit 9,169 101,117 110,286 7,532 98,892 106,424 9,341 51,395 60,736 before taxation Taxation (492) (245) (737) (358) 409 51 (357) (598) (955) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- Net profit 8,677 100,872 109,549 7,174 99,301 106,475 8,984 50,797 59,781 after taxation for the period ========= ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= Earnings 3 1.52p 17.65p 19.17p 1.18p 16.39p 17.57p 1.43p 8.10p 9.53p per Ordinary Share ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= The Company does not have any income or expenses that are not included in the net profit for the period. Accordingly the "Net profit after taxation for the period" is also the "Total comprehensive income for the period" and no separate Statement of Comprehensive Income has been presented. The total column of this statement represents the Income Statement of the Company and is prepared in accordance with IFRS. The revenue return and capital return columns are supplementary and presented for information purposes as recommended by the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment Companies. All of the profit and total comprehensive income is attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company. There are no minority interests. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period. Statement of Changes in Equity Notes share share capital other capital revenue total capital £ premium redemption reserve reserve £ reserve £ equity £ '000 account £ reserve £ £'000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 Equity 6,532 211,569 95 444,693 (39,170) 10,514 634,233 shareholders' funds at 31 March 2013 Repurchase of 6 (575) - 575 (52,812) - - (52,812) Ordinary Shares Net profit - - - - 50,797 8,984 59,781 after taxation for the period Dividend paid 4 - - - - - (6,233) (6,233) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Equity 5,957 211,569 670 391,881 11,627 13,265 634,969 shareholders' funds at 30 September 2013 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Equity 6,532 211,569 95 444,693 (39,170) 10,514 634,233 shareholders' funds at 31 March 2013 Repurchase of 6 (819) - 819 (78,323) - - (78,323) Ordinary Shares Net profit - - - - 99,301 7,174 106,475 after taxation for the year Dividend paid 4 - - - - - (6,233) (6,233) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Equity 5,713 211,569 914 366,370 60,131 11,455 656,152 shareholders' funds at 31 March 2014 Net profit - - - - 100,872 8,677 109,549 after taxation for the period Dividend paid 4 - - - - - (6,571) (6,571) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Equity 5,713 211,569 914 366,370 161,003 13,561 759,130 shareholders' funds at 30 September 2014 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Balance Sheet Company number 7133583 30.09.14 31.03.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 Non current assets Investments designated at fair 814,479 735,319 715,355 value through profit or loss ---------- ---------- ---------- Current assets Derivative assets held at fair 14,645 11,810 7,649 value through profit or loss Amounts held at futures clearing 1,070 - - houses and brokers Other receivables 1,547 183 13,938 Cash and cash equivalents 37,537 16,662 6,482 ---------- ---------- ---------- 54,799 28,655 28,069 ---------- ---------- ---------- Current liabilities Derivative liabilities held at (5,384) (7,064) (4,821) fair value through profit or loss Bank loans (92,481) (89,963) (92,716) Overseas capital gains tax (882) (637) (1,644) payable Other payables 5 (11,401) (10,158) (9,274) ---------- ---------- ---------- (110,148) (107,822) (108,455) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net current liabilities (55,349) (79,167) (80,386) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net assets 759,130 656,152 634,969 ========== ========== ========== Equity attributable to equity shareholders Share capital 6 5,713 5,713 5,957 Share premium account 211,569 211,569 211,569 Capital redemption reserve 914 914 670 Other reserve 366,370 366,370 391,881 Capital reserve 161,003 60,131 11,627 Revenue reserve 13,561 11,455 13,265 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total equity shareholders' funds 759,130 656,152 634,969 ========== ========== ========== Net asset value per Ordinary 7 132.86p 114.84p 106.59p Share ========== ========== ========== Cash Flow Statement Six months Year Six months ended ended ended 30.09.14 31.03.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited £'000 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Cash inflow from investment income 10,431 12,902 9,980 Cash inflow from derivative income 291 74 101 Cash inflow from other income 9 5 3 Cash outflow from Directors' fees (78) (158) (78) Cash outflow from other payments (10,856) (9,552) (3,037) Cash outflow from purchase of (245,402) (390,418) (203,308) investments Cash outflow from the cost of (1,993) (8,226) (4,852) derivatives Cash inflow from sale of investments 277,988 465,349 235,952 Cash (outflow)/inflow from (621) 11,581 11,003 derivative positions closed Cash (outflow)/inflow from amounts (1,070) 4,306 4,056 held at futures clearing houses and brokers ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow from operating 28,699 85,863 49,820 activities before servicing of finance Servicing of finance Cash outflow from interest on bank (645) (1,600) (811) loans ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow from operating 28,054 84,263 49,009 activities and servicing of finance ---------- ---------- ---------- Financing activities Cash outflow from the repurchase of (985) (79,183) (54,657) Ordinary Shares Dividends paid to shareholders (6,571) (6,233) (6,233) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash outflow from financing (7,556) (85,416) (60,890) activities ---------- ---------- ---------- Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 20,498 (1,153) (11,881) equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the 16,662 18,511 18,511 beginning of the period Effect of foreign exchange movements 377 (696) (148) ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at the end 37,537 16,662 6,482 of the period ========== ========== ========== Notes to the Financial Statements 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards ("IAS") 34: "Interim Financial Reporting". The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the Interim Financial Statements are the same as those applied in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2014. Six Year Six months ended months ended 31.03.14 ended 30.09.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited £'000 £'000 £'000 2 INCOME Income from investments designated at fair value through profit or loss Overseas dividends 11,801 12,946 11,747 Overseas scrip dividends - 686 457 UK dividends - 127 216 UK scrip dividends - 179 - ---------- ---------- ---------- 11,801 13,938 12,420 ---------- ---------- ---------- Other income Deposit interest 9 5 3 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net derivative income/(expense) Dividends received on long CFDs 720 745 587 Interest paid on long CFDs (206) (328) (198) Dividends paid on short CFDs (172) (442) (348) ---------- ---------- ---------- 342 (25) 41 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total income 12,152 13,918 12,464 ========== ========== ========== Six Year Six months ended months ended 31.03.14 ended 30.09.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited 3 EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE Revenue earnings per Ordinary 1.52p 1.18p 1.43p Share Capital earnings per Ordinary 17.65p 16.39p 8.10p Share ---------- ---------- ---------- Total earnings per Ordinary 19.17p 17.57p 9.53p Share ========== ========== ========== The revenue, capital and total earnings per Ordinary Share are based on the net profit after taxation in the period divided by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period, as shown below: Six Year Six months ended months ended 31.03.14 ended 30.09.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue net profit after 8,677 7,174 8,984 taxation Capital net profit after 100,872 99,301 50,797 taxation ---------- ---------- ---------- Total net profit after taxation 109,549 106,475 59,781 ========== ========== ========== Weighted average number of 571,354,480 605,705,576 627,470,518 Ordinary Shares in issue ========== ========== ========== Six Year Six months ended months ended 31.03.14 ended 30.09.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited £'000 £'000 £'000 4 DIVIDEND Dividend paid Dividend paid of 1.15 pence per 6,571 - - Ordinary Share for the year ended 31 March 2014 Dividend paid of 1.00 pence per - 6,233 6,233 Ordinary Share for the year ended 31 March 2013 ---------- ---------- ---------- 6,571 6,233 6,233 ========== ========== ========== No dividend has been declared for the six month period to 30 September 2014. 30.09.14 31.03.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited £'000 £'000 £'000 5 OTHER PAYABLES Securities purchased for future 6,266 125 2,614 settlement Amount payable on share repurchases - 985 - Performance fee 2,558 6,416 1,148 Other payables 2,577 2,632 5,512 ---------- ---------- ---------- 11,401 10,158 9,274 ========== ========== ========== Six months Year ended Six months ended ended 30.09.14 31.03.14 30.09.13 unaudited audited unaudited Shares £'000 Shares £'000 Shares £'000 6 SHARE CAPITAL Issued, allotted and fully paid Ordinary Shares of 1 penny each Beginning 571,354,480 5,713 653,229,480 6,532 653,229,480 6,532 of the period Repurchase - - (81,875,000) (819) (57,490,000) (575) of Ordinary Shares of 1 penny each ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- End of the 571,354,480 5,713 571,354,480 5,713 595,739,480 5,957 period ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== 7 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE The net asset value per Ordinary Share is based on net assets of £759,130,000 (31 March 2014: £656,152,000 and 30 September 2013: £634,969,000) and on 571,354,480 (31 March 2014: 571,354,480 and 30 September 2013: 595,739,480) Ordinary Shares, being the number of Ordinary Shares in issue at the period end. 8 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The results for the six month periods to 30 September 2014 and 30 September 2013, which are unaudited, constitute non-statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures and financial information for the year to 31 March 2014 are extracted from the latest published Financial Statements, on which the Independent Auditor gave an unqualified report, and they have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Glossary of Terms AIF Alternative Investment Fund. The Company is an AIF. AIFM Alternative Investment Fund Manager. The Board has appointed FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited to act as the Company's AIFM. AIFMD The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive is a European Union Directive and came into force on 22 July 2013. The implementation date was 22 July 2014. BENCHMARK INDEX The Benchmark Index is MSCI China Index total return - in UK sterling and is a composite of China "B", "H", "Red Chip" and "P Chip" share classes. CHINA "A" SHARES Shares traded on the Chinese Stock Exchanges in Chinese renminbi. Foreign investors were unable to participate in the China "A" Shares market until the introduction of the QFII program in 2002 which provided a legal framework for licensed QFIIs to invest in China "A" shares on the Chinese Stock exchanges and certain other securities previously not eligible for investment by foreign investors. CHINA "B" SHARES Shares traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange in Hong Kong dollars and US dollars, respectively. The shares were originally intended to be available only to foreign individuals and institutional investors, however, since February 2001 they have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts. CHINA "H" SHARES Shares in companies incorporated in the PRC and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. They are available to non-Chinese investors and are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. COLLATERAL Assets provided as security. CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE (CFD) A Contract For Difference is a derivative. It is a contract between the Company and an investment bank at the end of which the parties exchange the difference between the opening price and the closing price of the underlying asset of the specified financial instrument. It does not involve the Company buying or selling the underlying asset, only agreeing to receive or pay the movement in its share price. A Contract For Difference allows the Company to gain access to the movement in the share price by depositing a small amount of cash known as margin. The Company may reason that the asset price will rise, by buying ("long" position) or fall, by selling ("short" position). If the Company holds long positions, dividends are received and interest is paid. If the Company holds short positions, dividends are paid and interest is received. DEBT Bank borrowings and long Contracts For Difference. DERIVATIVES Financial instruments whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset or other financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, currency exchange rates, real estate and commodities, or market benchmarks such as interest rates. The main categories of derivatives are Contracts For Difference, futures, and options. DISCOUNT If the share price of the Company is lower than the net asset value per ordinary share, the Company's shares are said to be trading at a discount. It is shown as a percentage of the net asset value per ordinary share. EQUITY LINKED NOTES OR ELN Debt instruments whose return on investment is linked to specific equities or equity markets. The return on equity linked notes may be determined by an equity index, a basket of equities, or a single equity. FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACT An agreement to buy or sell a currency, commodity or other asset at a specified future date and at a predetermined price. It is not standardised and is not traded on organised exchanges. FUTURE OR FUTURE CONTRACT An agreement to buy or sell a stated amount of a security, currency or commodity at a specific future date and at a pre-agreed price. GEARING Gross asset exposure in excess of net assets. GROSS ASSETS Net Assets plus borrowings. GROSS ASSET EXPOSURE The value of the portfolio to which the Company is exposed, whether through direct or indirect investment (including the economic value of the exposure in the underlying asset of the derivatives, but excluding forward currency contracts). HEDGING A hedge position will demonstrate risk reduction qualities by delivering short exposure to an asset which has regional congruence and a correlation of at least 80% to long exposures in the Company's portfolio. It therefore distinguishes itself from a "short" which is a position not opened with the objective of reducing the long exposure in the portfolio. Qualifying hedge exposures do not count towards the short exposure limits. For the purposes of calculating gross asset exposure the exposure attributed to the hedge positions will be deducted from the exposure of the corresponding long positions. INDEX LINKED SECURITIES Debt instruments whose return on investment is linked to changes in interest rates, stock exchanges, or other price indices. MANAGEMENT FEE The annual management fee is 1.0% of the Net Asset Value of the Company. Prior to 1 April 2014 it was 1.2%. NET ASSET VALUE OR NAV PER ORDINARY SHARE The NAV per ordinary share is calculated as shareholders' funds divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue. OPTIONS Options provide the right to acquire or sell instruments at an agreed price at an agreed date. Options may be call or put and are used to gain or reduce exposure to the underlying asset on a conditional basis. P CHIPS Companies controlled by mainland individuals, with the establishment and origin of the company in mainland China. P Chips are incorporated outside of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and traded on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong with a majority of revenues or assets derived from Mainland China. PERFORMANCE FEE The Investment Managers are entitled to an annual performance fee of 15% of any change in NAV attributable to performance which is more than 2% above the returns on the MSCI China Index total return - in UK sterling (after making good any cumulative under-performance, including the 2% hurdle, carried forward from previous years), subject to a maximum performance fee payable in any year equal to 1.0% of the arithmetic mean of the value of assets with the valuation calculated at the end of each month during the year. PREMIUM If the share price of the Company is higher than the net asset value per ordinary share, the Company's shares are said to be trading at a premium. The premium is shown as a percentage of the net asset value per ordinary share. PUT OPTION An option contract giving the owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell a specified amount of underlying security at a specified price within a specified time. This is the opposite of a call option, which gives the holder the right to buy shares. RED CHIPS The term used to describe companies incorporated outside China but which are based in mainland China. Red Chips are listed on, and are required to observe the filing and reporting requirements of, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chips typically have a significant portion of their business interests located in mainland China and many are owned, either directly or indirectly, by organisations or enterprises controlled by the Chinese state, provinces or municipalities. SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS Also described as net asset value, shareholders' funds represent the total value of the Company's assets less the total value of its liabilities as shown in the balance sheet. UNLISTED SECURITIES Securities which are not listed on a regulated stock exchange. These are stated at best estimate of fair value, based on recognised valuation techniques which may take account of recent arm's length transactions in the investments. Directory BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Owen CMG MBE DL (Chairman) Nicholas Bull FCA (Senior Independent Director) David Causer FCA (Chairman of the Audit Committee) The Hon. Peter Pleydell-Bouverie DL (Chairman of the Investment Committee) Elisabeth Scott Andrew Wells ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGER (AIFM) FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited Oakhill House 130 Tonbridge Road Hildenborough Tonbridge Kent TN11 9DZ INVESTMENT MANAGER FIL Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited Level 21 Two Pacific Place 88 Queensway Admiralty Hong Kong UNLISTED INVESTMENT MANAGER, SECRETARY AND REGISTERED OFFICE FIL Investments International Beech Gate Millfield Lane Lower Kingswood Tadworth Surrey KT20 6RP FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND STOCKBROKERS Cenkos Securities plc 6,7,8 Tokenhouse Yard London EC2R 7AS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR Grant Thornton UK LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor 30 Finsbury Square London EC2P 2YU BANKERS AND CUSTODIAN JPMorgan Chase Bank (London Branch) 125 London Wall London EC2Y 5AJ DEPOSITARY J.P. Morgan Europe Limited 25 Bank Street London E14 5JP REGISTRARS Capita Asset Services The Registry 34 Beckenham Road Beckenham Kent BR3 4TU LAWYERS Slaughter and May One Bunhill Row London EC1Y 8YY Speechly Bircham LLP 6 New Street Square London EC4A 3LX Information for Investors CONTACT INFORMATION Private investors: call free on 0800 41 41 10, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Financial advisers: call free on 0800 41 41 81, 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. www.fidelity.co.uk/its Existing shareholders who have a specific query regarding their holding or need to provide update information, for example a change of address, should contact the appropriate administrator. Holders of ordinary shares Capita Asset Services, Registrars to Fidelity China Special Situations PLC, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. Telephone: 0871 664 0300 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday) Email: shareholderenquiries@capita.co.uk Details of individual shareholdings and other information can also be obtained from the Registrars' website: www.capitaregistrars.com Fidelity Share Plan investors Fidelity Investment Trust Share Plan, PO Box 12062, Mellon House, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 9LX. Telephone: 0845 358 1107 (calls to this number are charged at 3.95p per minute from a BT landline. Other telephone service providers' costs may vary). Fidelity ISA investors Private Investors call free on 0800 41 41 10 and Financial Advisers call free on 0800 41 41 81, or by writing to: UK Customer Service, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, Oakhill House, 130 Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9DZ. General enquiries should be made to FIL Investments International, the Secretary, at the Company's registered office: FIL Investments International, Investment Trusts, Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 6RP. Telephone: 01732 36 11 44 Fax: 01737 83 68 92 www.fidelity.co.uk/its FINANCIAL CALENDAR November 2014 - announcement of Interim results Beginning of December - Posting of Half-Yearly Report 31 March 2015 - financial year end June 2015 - publication of Annual Report July 2015 - Annual General Meeting payment of dividend - 30 September 2015 - Interim period end FURTHER INFORMATION The Fidelity Individual Savings Account ("ISA") is offered and managed by Financial Administration Services Limited. The Fidelity Investment Trust Share Plan is managed by FIL Investments International. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Fidelity Investment Trust Share Plan is administered by The Bank of New York Mellon and shares will be held in the name of The Bank of New York Nominees Limited. The value of savings and eligibility to invest in an ISA will depend on individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. Fidelity investment trusts are managed by FIL Investments International. Fidelity only gives information about its own products and services and does not provide investment advice based on individual circumstances. Should you wish to seek advice, please contact a Financial Adviser. Please note that the value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and the investor may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a guide to future returns. For funds that invest in overseas markets, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of your investment. Investing in small and emerging markets can be more volatile than other more developed markets. Reference in this document to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell these securities, but is included for the purposes of illustration only. Investors should also note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may already have been acted upon by Fidelity. Fidelity, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, the Fidelity Worldwide Investment logo and symbol are trademarks of FIL Limited. The content of websites referred to in this document do not form part of this Half-Yearly Report. Warning to Shareholders SHARE FRAUD WARNING Share fraud includes scams where investors are called out of the blue and offered shares that often turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or an inflated price for shares they own. These calls come from fraudsters operating in `boiler rooms' that are mostly based abroad. While high profits are promised, those who buy or sell shares in this way usually lose their money. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found most share fraud victims are experienced investors who lose an average of £20,000, with around £200m lost in the UK each year. PROTECT YOURSELF If you are offered unsolicited investment advice, discounted shares, a premium price for shares you own, or free company or research reports, you should take these steps before handing over any money: 1. Get the name of the person and organisation contacting you. 2. Check the FCA Register at www.fca.org.uk/register to ensure they are authorised. 3. Use the details on the FCA Register to contact the firm. 4. Call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 if there are no contact details on the Register or you are told they are out of date. 5. Search the FCA's website list of unauthorised firms and individuals to avoid doing business with. 6. REMEMBER: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If you use an unauthorised firm to buy or sell shares or other investments, you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong. REPORT A SCAM If you are approached about a share scam you should tell the FCA using the share fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you can find out about the latest investment scams. You can also call the Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768. If you have already paid money to share fraudsters you should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

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