Interim Results
FIDELITY EUROPEAN VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Unaudited Results
For the six months ended 30 June 2005
Performance
During the first six months of the year, the net asset value of the portfolio
rose by 13.5% to 922.89p per share, compared with a return of 5.9% for the FTSE
World Europe (ex UK) Index, in sterling terms on a total return basis. (Past
performance is not a guide to future returns.)
Market Review
The performance of European equities during the first six months of 2005 was
influenced by a combination of concerns over the strength of the economic
recovery and USeconomic news. The French and Dutch 'No' votes to the European
Constitution referendum had little impact on European equity markets. However,
the votes weighed on the euro, which weakened relative to the US dollar, the
currency falling from $1.36 to $1.21 during the six months.
In terms of the economy, European economic growth accelerated in the first
three months of 2005 to 0.5% quarter-on-quarter. Despite this reasonable
first-quarter growth, the underlying components of GDP suggest that growth in
Europe, particularly consumer expenditure, remains slow.
Portfolio Manager Report
Over the six-month period, performance was helped by successful stock selection
and sector allocation. In particular, stock selection within the oil & gas
sector proved rewarding, with a particularly strong contribution from the
refining-related companies; OMV, Magyar Olaj-es Gazipari Rt, ERG and Polski
Koncern Naftowy. Other large holdings which performed well included European
Aeronautic Defence & Space (aerospace), SAP (German software) and Verbund
(Austrian utility).
The general structure of the portfolio remained unchanged, with a bias to
medium-sized and smaller companies combined with the manager's approach of
searching for undervalued companies. However, the manager increased the
weighting in larger-sized companies as their valuations are attractive.
The country weightings have become much more balanced between peripheral and
core countries. At sector level, the weighting in telecommunication stocks,
which peaked in March 2003, was substantially reduced. The Manager believes
that a number of growth-oriented sectors have attractive valuations and
consequently the portfolio's exposure to pharmaceutical and software stocks was
increased.
Outlook
After a period of relatively stable economic outlook, the European Commission
has recently reduced its economic growth forecast for 2005, from 2.0% down to
1.6%. In particular, the economies of Italy, Germany, Franceand Portugalhave
weakened, while Irelandand Spainare improving.
The euro has fallen relative to the dollar since the start of 2005. The
weakening of the single currency is a positive trend for exporters and
dollar-correlated technology stocks. However, it is not clear whether this
trend change will be durable. The European Central Bank (ECB) policy has been
for an unchanged 2% interest rate over the last two years and the most recent
data appears to increase the chances of rate reductions, although policy
statements of the ECB have not supported this view.
Political instability and terrorism continue to weigh on investor sentiment,
however stock markets have so far shown resilience and we continue to believe
that stock selection based on in depth company analysis will be the key factor
in achieving good performance.
GEARING
On 20 June 2005the Company entered into a facility with Lloyds TSB Bank plc.
The loan was for an amount of €40m at a fixed rate of 3.23% for a period of
five years. The loan was drawn down in full on 22 June 2005and will be
repayable on 22 June 2010. The proceeds of the loan are being invested in a
manner consistent with the Company's investment objective. Loans held by the
Company now total €130m.
The Company's level of net gearing is now 14% and the Board will ensure that in
normal circumstances net gearing is below 20%.
DIVIDEND
The Company is not proposing to pay an interim dividend.
By order of the Board
Fidelity Investments International
22 July 2005
Enquiries: Barbara Powley - Fidelity Investments International 01737 836 883
Issued by Fidelity Investments International. Authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
CB23439
FIDELITY EUROPEAN VALUES PLC
Statement of Total Return
for the six months ended for the year ended for the six months ended
30.06.05 31.12.04 30.06.04
unaudited audited restated unaudited restated
revenue capital total revenue capital total revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on - 60,705 60,705 - 106,079 106,079 - 20,901 20,901
investments
Costs of - (672) (672) - (1,286) (1,286) - (748) (748)
investment
transactions
Income - 13,919 - 13,919 12,465 - 12,465 10,066 - 10,066
Dividend
61 - 61 81 - 81 38 - 38
- Interest
Investment (3,631) - (3,631) (5,882) - (5,882) (2,809) - (2,809)
management
fee
Other (448) - (448) (902) - (902) (441) - (441)
expenses
Exchange 66 (280) (214) (22) (294) (316) (3) (348) (351)
gains/
(losses)
Exchange - 2,815 2,815 - (2) (2) - 3,150 3,150
gains/
(losses) on
loans
Net return 9,967 62,568 72,535 5,740 104,497 110,237 6,851 22,955 29,806
before
finance costs
and taxation
Interest (1,617) - (1,617) (3,239) - (3,239) (1,570) - (1,570)
payable
Return on 8,350 62,568 70,918 2,501 104,497 106,998 5,281 22,955 28,236
ordinary
activities
before
taxation
Taxation on (1,973) - (1,973) (1,254) (315) (1,569) (1,209) - (1,209)
return on
ordinary
activities
Return on 6,377 62,568 68,945 1,247 104,182 105,429 4,072 22,955 27,027
ordinary
activities
after
taxation for
the period
Return per 109.60p 167.60p 42.97p
ordinary
share
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AITC
Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) issued in January 2003 and changes to
the accounting policies as set out in Note 1.
Dividend - No dividend has been declared in the current period (31.12.04:
1.75p; 30.06.04: nil).
FIDELITY EUROPEAN VALUES PLC
Balance Sheet
30.06.05 31.12.04 30.06.04
unaudited audited unaudited
restated
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 658,516 572,722 494,432
Current assets
Debtors 8,545 1,690 5,951
Cash at bank 9,484 4,455 1,166
18,029 6,145 7,117
Creditors - amounts
falling due within one
year
Other creditors (8,646) (2,623) (6,859)
Net current assets 9,383 3,522 258
Total assets less current 667,899 576,244 494,690
liabilities
Creditors - amounts
falling due after more
than one year
Fixed rate unsecured (87,370) (63,559) (60,407)
loans
Total net assets 580,529 512,685 434,283
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 15,725 15,725 15,725
Share premium account 58,615 58,615 58,615
Capital redemption 100 100 100
reserve
Capital reserve - 362,438 305,447 292,588
realised
Capital reserve - 133,362 127,785 59,414
unrealised
Revenue reserve 10,289 5,013 7,841
Total equity 580,529 512,685 434,283
shareholders' funds
Net asset value per 922.89p 815.04p 690.40p
ordinary share
FIDELITY EUROPEAN VALUES PLC
Cash Flow Statement
30.06.05 31.12.04 30.06.04
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 11,062 10,873 8,384
Interest received 70 72 38
Investment management fee (3,345) (5,601) (2,703)
paid
Directors' fees paid (37) (52) (17)
Other cash payments (864) (874) (349)
Net cash inflow from 6,886 4,418 5,353
operating activities
Returns on investments and
servicing of finance
Interest paid (807) (3,239) (1,579)
Net cash outflow from (807) (3,239) (1,579)
returns on investments and
servicing of finance
Taxation
Overseas taxation 140 399 189
recovered
Taxation recovered 140 399 189
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (270,624) (382,807) (216,418)
Disposals of investments 243,809 385,297 213,310
Net cash (outflow)/inflow (26,815) 2,490 (3,108)
from financial investment
Equity dividend paid (1,101) (944) (944)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow (21,697) 3,124 (89)
before financing
Financing
3.23% fixed rate unsecured 26,625 - -
loan drawn down
Net cash inflow from 26,625 - -
financing
Increase/(decrease) in 4,928 3,124 (89)
cash
The results for the six months to 30 June 2005 and 30 June 2004, which are
unaudited, constitute non statutory accounts within the meaning of s240 of the
Companies Act 1985. The figures and financial information for the year ended 31
December 2004 are extracted from the latest published accounts and have been
restated as disclosed below in Notes 4 and 5. Those accounts, on which the
auditors gave an unqualified report, have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies.
1. Accounting policies
The interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies set out in the Company's annual report and accounts dated
31 December 2004 except as stated below.
UK GAAP is converging with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS')
and the following Financial Reporting Standards ('FRS') have been introduced:
FRS26: 'Financial Instruments: Measurement' requires that quoted investments
are valued at fair value which is deemed to be bid price. The Company's
investments have accordingly been re-valued to bid price but no adjustments
have been made to the prior periods' results as the Company has taken advantage
of Paragraph 108D of the Standard and disclosed the effect of valuing the
investments at bid price.
FRS26 also requires that where investments are held at fair value through the
profit and loss account the transactions costs should be recognised as a
separate item from gains and losses on investments.
FRS21: 'Events after the Balance Sheet Date' states that dividends declared
and approved by the Company after the balance sheet date should not be
recognised as a liability of the Company at the balance sheet date. Prior year
results have accordingly been restated and this is shown below in Notes 4 and
5.
2. Statement of Total Return
The total column of the Statement of Total Return is the profit and loss
account of the Company.
3. Taxation on return on ordinary activities
30.06.05 31.12.04 30.06.04
unaudited audited unaudited
revenue capital total revenue capital total revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Overseas taxation suffered 1,973 - 1,973 1,566 3 1,569 1,209 - 1,209
Tax (credit)/
charge for use of revenue expenses - - - (312) 312 - - - -
1,973 - 1,973 1,254 315 1,569 1,209 - 1,209
4. Prior year adjustments and restatements
30.06.05 31.12.04
Shareholders' Shareholders'
funds funds
£'000 £'000
Opening balance as previously stated 511,584 407,256
Effect of prior year adjustment as a result of a change
in accounting policy regarding the treatment of proposed
dividends 1,101 944
Opening balance as restated 512,685 408,200
Effect of changing prices at 1 January 2005 (1,077) -
Other recognised gains for the period 63,645 104,182
Revenue after taxation 6,377 1,247
Dividend (1,101) (944)
580,529 512,685
The capital net return before finance costs and taxation for the period ended
30 June 2004 has been restated from £19,802,000 to £22,952,000. This
restatement has been necessary as exchange gains/(losses) have been included as
part of the net return before finance costs at 31 December 2004 rather than a
finance cost. This restatement has no impact on the Company's return on
ordinary activities for the period ended 30 June 2004.
5. Statement of changes in equity for the 6 months ended 30 June 2005
Share Share Capital Capital Capital Revenue
capital premium redemption reserve reserve reserve
account reserve £ realised unrealised
£'000 '000 £'000 £'000
£'000 £'000
At 1 January 2004: as
previously stated 15,725 58,615 100 245,461 83,589 3,766
Effect of prior year
adjustment as a result
of a change in the
accounting policy
regarding the treatment
of proposed dividends - - - - - 944
At 1 January 2004: as
restated 15,725 58,615 100 245,461 83,589 4,710
Net recognised gain for
the year - - - 59,986 44,196 1,247
Dividend to shareholders - - - - - (944)
At 31 December 2004:as
restated 15,725 58,615 100 305,447 127,785 5,013
Net recognised gain for
the period - - - 56,991 5,577 6,377
Dividend to shareholders - - - - - (1,101)
At 30 June 2005 15,725 58,615 100 362,438 133,362 10,289
Copies of the interim report will be posted to shareholders as soon as
practicable. Copies will also be available to the public at the Company's
registered office, Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth,
Surrey KT20 6RP.