Final Results - Replacement
Henderson TR Pacific Inv. Trust PLC
8 February 2000
The issuer has made the following amendment to the Final Results announcement
released today at 7.01 under RNS No 1443F.
In Note 4. Dividend, the ex-dividend date is 13 March 2000 and not 3 March 2000
as previously stated.
All other details remain unchanged.
The full corrected version is shown below.
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
'Investments in new technologies produce excellent results'
Key Points
* Net asset value per ordinary share rose 107% from 60.9p to
125.8p. Final two months of 1999 saw a 49.2% rise in net
asset value.
* Share price advanced 128% to 117.0p.
* Regional economic recovery gathered momentum.
* Stock market advances focused on new technologies.
Regarding prospects, Mr Iain Dale, the Chairman, says:-
'We expect the recovery in Far Eastern economies to be sustained,
helped by an expected strengthening in global growth. Exports
should remain strong and domestic economies are expected to
recover. While some countries' prospects are capped by high
borrowings we expect a generally favourable stock market
environment spurred by further high growth in technology sectors.'
For further information contact:-
Michael Watt, Director and Manager
Telephone: 020 7410 4100
Stephen Westwood Vicki Staveacre
Head of Investment Trusts Henderson Press Office
Telephone: 020 7477 5517 Telephone: 020 7410 4028
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
Extract from Chairman's Statement
1999 saw a strong recovery in Asia's stock markets and economies.
The company's net assets rose by 107% to 125.8p per share, which
challenges previous high points. The share price advanced by 128%
to 117p as its discount to assets narrowed to 7%. There was an
optimistic end to the year, despite ultimately unfounded concerns
over the 'millennium bug'. The company's net asset value grew by
49.2% in the final two months of 1999.
Stock Markets
The region's stock markets and currencies advanced in sterling
terms over 1999. The major rises occurred in the larger stock
markets with Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore achieving strong re-
ratings. It was more than usually important to focus on
investment themes and sector weightings, particularly as optimism
for global technology gathered momentum over the second half year.
Performance
The Manager had anticipated the stronger stock markets in most
countries and we were well positioned in the telecommunications
and technology sectors, which showed notable advances.
The company achieved a positive total return in net assets per
share of 107% reaching 125.8p at the year end compared to 60.9p at
the end of 1998. The share price advanced by 128% to 117p from an
end 1998 level of 51.3p. At the end of 1999 the shares stood at a
discount of 7% compared to a discount of 15.8% at the previous
year end. The company's performance is measured against a peer
group of investment trust competitors and a benchmark index. The
107% advance in net assets may be compared with an equivalent peer
group return of 98%. The benchmark index, the MSCI AC Far East
Free ex Japan Index, advanced by 67%.
Revenue and Earnings
Revenues fell sharply in 1999 as investment returns reverted to
normal for a trust such as Henderson TR Pacific which seeks
capital growth. Bond and cash holdings were replaced by equities
and borrowings were invested in equity markets with a consequent
sharp decline in yields. Gross revenues amounted to £2.9 million,
a decline of 40% over the previous year. Earnings per share fell
by 71% to 0.36p.
Dividend
As foreshadowed at the interim stage, there is no requirement to
pay a special dividend for 1999. Consequently a maintained final
dividend of 0.25p in respect of 1999 but no special dividend will
be recommended at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) in
line with the company's underlying policy of seeking to maximise
capital growth.
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
Share repurchase policy
At last year's AGM shareholders approved proposals to buy back up
to 14.9% of the company's shares. This followed the Board's
concern at the historically high levels of discount at which the
shares had traded, at times reaching more than 20%. Share
repurchases make sense if the discount is high in its own right or
relative to the company's peer group. A policy and procedure for
share buy backs was implemented but no shares were repurchased in
1999. The Board will be seeking approval from shareholders to
renew this authority for the year ahead. Purchases will only be
made if the Board believes there will be clear benefits to the
company and shareholders.
Promotional activity
The Board welcomed the initiative of the Association of Investment
Trusts to promote investment trusts to a wider audience, and has
fully supported the 'its' campaign at a first year cost to the
company of £73,831. The Board also welcomed the decision by
Henderson Investors to promote the Henderson brand name more
forcefully. These important initiatives have supplemented the
company's own efforts to promote itself both to financial advisors
and existing shareholders.
Prospects
1999 saw a welcome upturn in most of the region's economies.
Currencies strengthened further and the necessary economic reforms
continued to be implemented. We expect the recovery in Far Eastern
economies to be sustained, helped by an expected strengthening in
global growth. Exports should remain strong and domestic
economies are expected to recover. While some countries'
prospects are capped by high borrowings we expect a generally
favourable stock market environment spurred by further high growth
in technology sectors. This should allow the markets in which we
invest to move firmly higher.
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
Statement of Total Return (incorporating the revenue account)
Year ended 31 December Year ended 31 December
1999 1998
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Total capital - 134,459 134,459 - (14,214)(14,214)
gains/(losses) from
investments
Income from fixed asset 2,249 - 2,249 3,643 - 3,643
investments
Other interest 618 - 618 1,149 - 1,149
receivable and similar
income
------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------
Gross revenue and 2,867 134,459 137,326 4,792 (14,214) (9,422)
capital gains/(losses)
Management fee (705) (705) (1,410) (838) (838) (1,676)
Other administrative (474) - (474) (425) - (425)
expenses
------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------
Net return/(loss) on
ordinary activities
before interest payable 1,688 133,754 135,442 3,529 (15,052) (11,523)
and taxation
Interest payable (343) (1,028) (1,371) (316) (949) (1,265)
------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------
Net return/(loss) on
ordinary activities
before taxation 1,345 132,726 134,071 3,213 (16,001) (12,788)
Taxation on net return (600) 453 (147) (666) 554 (112)
on ordinary activities
------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------
Net return/(loss) on 745 133,179 133,924 2,547 (15,447) (12,900)
ordinary activities
after taxation
Proposed dividend
Final ordinary: 0.25p (514) - (514) (514) - (514)
per share (1998: 0.25p)
Special: nil per share - - - (1,542) - (1,542)
(1998: 0.75p)
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -------
(514) - (514) (2,056) - (2,056)
------ ------- ------- ------ ------- ------
Transfer to/(from) 231 133,179 133,410 491 (15,447) (14,956)
reserves
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Return/(loss) per 0.362p 64.795p 65.157p 1.239p (7.515p) (6.276p)
ordinary share (note 1)
The revenue columns of this statement represent the revenue accounts of the
company.
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
Summary of Net Assets 31 December 31 December
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Fixed asset investments 280,263 129,075
Net current (3,013) 14,191
(liabilities)/assets
---------- ----------
Total assets less current 277,250 143,266
liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more
than one year (18,614) (18,031)
Provisions for liabilities - (9)
and charges
---------- ----------
Total net assets 258,636 125,226
====== ======
Net asset value per 125.8p 60.9p
ordinary share
Notes:
1. Return/(loss) per ordinary share
Revenue returns per ordinary share are based on earnings
attributable to the ordinary shares of £745,000 (1998:
£2,547,000) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares
in issue during the year to 31 December 1999, being 205,540,359
(1998: 205,540,359).
Capital returns per ordinary share are based on net capital gains
attributable to the ordinary shares of £133,179,000 (1998: losses
£15,447,000) and on the weighted average number of ordinary
shares in issue during the year, as shown above.
2. 1998 Accounts
The figures and financial information for the year ended 31
December 1998 are an extract of the latest published accounts of
the company and do not constitute statutory accounts for that
year. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies and included the report of the auditors which was
unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2)
or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985.
3. 1999 Accounts
The preliminary figures for the year ended 31 December 1999 have
been extracted from the latest company accounts. These accounts
have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, nor
have the auditors yet reported on them.
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
4. Dividend
A final dividend of 0.25p per ordinary share will, if approved by
shareholders, be paid on 14 April 2000 to shareholders recorded
on the register on 17 March 2000. The company's shares go ex-
dividend on 13 March 2000.
5. Year 2000
The directors of Henderson TR Pacific Investment Trust plc have
been advised by Henderson plc, and its subsidiaries ('Henderson')
which provide investment management, UK custodial, accounting,
administrative and company secretarial services to the company
that the corporate action programme initiated by Henderson has
been satisfactorily completed and that at the date of this
document no material or significant problems affecting the
company have arisen from the Year 2000 date change. Costs
relating to this project were borne by Henderson.
6. Annual General Meeting
The annual report will be posted to shareholders in March 2000
and thereafter copies will be available at the registered office
at 3 Finsbury Avenue, London EC2M 2PA. The Annual General
Meeting of the company will be held at 3 Finsbury Avenue, London
EC2M 2PA on Monday 10 April 2000 at 12.30 pm.
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
Stock Market Performance Comparison for the year to 31 December 1999
Local Currency Sterling
% Adjusted
%
South Korea 82.8 100.3
Taiwan 31.6 39.6
China* 41.8 46.4
Hong Kong 68.8 73.7
Thailand 35.4 35.2
The 8.8 8.5
Philippines
Malaysia 38.6 42.8
Singapore 74.8 78.8
Indonesia 70.1 98.0
* The local movements on the China B Index have been calculated with
reference to a US$ denominated price index.
Henderson TR Pacific also has an investment in The Vietnam Fund, which
is listed in Dublin. Vietnam has no stock market at the present time.
Distribution of the Investment Portfolio
As at 31 December 1999 As at 31 December
% 1998
%
South Korea 27.7 7.7
Taiwan 19.6 18.6
China 2.8 6.0
Hong Kong 23.1 26.3
Thailand 6.9 5.8
The 1.6 3.8
Philippines
Malaysia 3.0 -
Singapore 15.2 15.2
Indonesia - -
Vietnam 0.1 0.3
Bonds - 16.3
-------- --------
100.0 100.0
-------- --------
HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
Unaudited Preliminary Results
for the Year Ended 31 December 1999
Sector Analysis of Investments
As at 31 December As at 31 December
1999 1998
% %
Bonds - 16.3
Collective Investment 1.4 5.8
Vehicles
Computers & Peripherals 6.9 7.3
Consumption 12.5 15.8
Electrical Equipment 2.8 3.6
Finance & Real Estate 12.6 10.1
Resources & Heavy 7.8 9.6
Industrial
Semiconductors & 27.5 12.9
Electronics
Software Services 2.7 -
Telecommunications 18.4 7.9
Transport & 4.6 4.6
Distribution
Utilities 2.8 6.1
------- -------
100.0 100.0
------- ------
Top 20 Investments as at 31 December 1999
Company Country Sector Value of
Investment
£'000
SK Telecom South Telecommunications 12,532
Korea
Dacom South Telecommunications 11,263
Korea
Korea Telecom South Telecommunications 11,006
Korea
China Telecom Hong Kong Telecommunications 9,688
Samsung Electronics South Semiconductors & 9,333
Korea Electronics
Johnson Electric Hong Kong Electrical Equipment 7,950
Holdings
Li & Fung Hong Kong Transport & 7,752
Distribution
Pacific Century Hong Kong Software Services 7,194
Cyberworks
Taiwan Semiconductor Taiwan Semiconductors & 6,610
Electronics
JIT Holdings Singapore Semiconductors & 6,567
Electronics
Television Hong Kong Consumption 6,390
Broadcasts
Singapore Press Singapore Consumption 6,050
Far East Textile Taiwan Consumption 5,899
Cheung Kong Hong Kong Finance & Real Estate 5,889
SK Corporation South Resources & Heavy 5,510
Korea Industrial
Datacraft Asia Singapore Semiconductors & 5,134
Electronics
Housing & Commercial South Finance & Real Estate 4,916
Bank Korea
Natsteel Electronic Singapore Computers & 4,902
Peripherals
Dialer and Business Taiwan Semiconductors & 4,676
Electronics
Shin Corporations Thailand Software Services 4,610
143,871
These twenty investments represented 51.3% of total investments
compared with 53.1% at the previous year end.