Asian Total Return Investment Company plc (the "Company") (formerly Henderson Asian Growth Trust plc) hereby submits its Half-Year Report for the period ended 30 June 2013 as required by the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.
The Half-Year Report is also being published on the Company's website www.asiantotalreturninvestmentcompany.com. Please click on the following link to view the document:
An abbreviated version, "Update for the half year ended 30 June 2013" will be circulated to shareholders in early September 2013. The Company has submitted a pdf of the hard copy format of its Half-Year Report to the National Storage Mechanism and it will shortly be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.
Enquiries:
John Spedding
Schroder Investment Management Limited Tel: 020 7658 3206
30 August 2013
Financial Highlights
|
30 June 2013 |
31 December 2012 |
% Change |
Net asset value ("NAV") per share |
198.37p |
201.15p |
(1.4) |
Share price |
192.00p |
185.00p |
3.8 |
Discount |
3.2% |
8.0% |
|
Net cash1 |
2.7% |
0.2% |
|
1At 30 June 2013 and 31 December 2012, cash exceeded borrowings and this is shown as a "Net cash" position. If borrowings were to exceed cash, this would be shown as "Gearing".
Performance1
|
6 months |
1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
10 years |
Total returns to 30 June 2013 |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
NAV per share2 |
(0.3) |
12.7 |
14.3 |
56.7 |
220.3 |
Share price3 |
5.4 |
21.5 |
23.6 |
70.7 |
253.7 |
Reference index4 |
(2.2) |
9.2 |
14.0 |
52.7 |
264.3 |
Peer Group NAV per share5 |
2.9 |
14.5 |
25.5 |
64.3 |
300.9 |
1The Company appointed a new investment manager (Schroder Investment Management Limited), with effect from close of business on 15 March 2013.
2Source: Morningstar. For periods of 6 months, 1, 3 and 5 years, the cum income net asset value total return is shown. For the 10 year period, the ex-income net asset value total return is shown.
3Source: Morningstar.
4Source: Thomson Financial Datastream. With effect from 15 March 2013, the Reference Index has been the MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index. Prior to that date, it was the MSCI AC Asia ex-Japan Index. The performance numbers shown are a combination of these two indices.
5Source: Morningstar. The performance of a group of nine investment trust competitors (arithmetic average).
Interim Management Report
Chairman's Statement
Changes to Investment Management, Investment policy and Company Name
At the General Meeting held on 15 March 2013, shareholders approved the appointment of Schroders as Investment Manager and the change of the Company's investment policy to provide a high rate of total return primarily through investment in equity and equity related securities in Asia Pacific Companies (excluding Japan). Later that day, the name of the Company was changed from Henderson Asian Growth Trust plc to Asian Total Return Investment Company plc. The Company's assets are now managed by Robin Parbrook and King Fuei Lee, based in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively, who transitioned the Company's portfolio to the new investment policy during the period. As at 30 June 2013, the Company held a total of 57 holdings and had a net cash position of 2.7%.
The Company does not tie its stock selection to the constituents of any benchmark. Instead, the size of stock positions are set on an absolute basis reflecting where the best potential risk adjusted returns are to be found. The MSCI All Countries Asia (ex Japan) Index was previously used for reference purposes and this has, since the appointment of the new manager, been changed to the MSCI All Countries Asia Pacific ex-Japan Index to reflect the inclusion of Australasia in the investment policy.
Tender Offer
At the General Meeting, shareholders also authorised a tender offer of up to 50% of the Company's issued share capital and as a result, 74,091,140 of the Company's ordinary shares were repurchased on 27 March 2013, of which 62,977,469 ordinary shares were cancelled and the remaining 11,113,671 ordinary shares were transferred to Treasury.
Discount Management and Re-Issue of Treasury Shares
As part of the package of measures adopted by shareholders at the General Meeting, the Board indicated that periodic tenders related to a discount wider than 10% in any six-month period would no longer be part of the Company's discount management policy and instead it would seek to manage the Company's discount on an on-going basis with the aim of ensuring that the discount to Net Asset Value per Share of the Company's shares was no greater than 9%, in normal market conditions, through the use of the Company's share buyback authorities.
Since the change in manager, the shares have enjoyed a re-rating and between 27 March and 27 August 2013 the shares have traded at an average premium to net asset value of 0.6%. The Company has re-issued 290,000 ordinary shares from Treasury at a modest premium to net asset value.
Performance
In the six months to 30 June 2013, the net asset value total return of your Company fell by 0.3%, which compares to a 2.2% fall in the reference index in sterling terms (the MSCI AC Asia ex-Japan index until 15 March and subsequently the MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Index).
As outlined above, the period saw the appointment of a new investment manager, the approval of a new investment policy and half the portfolio, as at 15 March 2013, sold and the proceeds of realisation, less costs, used to buy back ordinary shares from the tendering shareholders. The timing of these changes, following approval at the General Meeting, meant that the portfolio in the first quarter of the year was managed in accordance with the old investment policy, with a transition to the new policy in late March that put the new policy and fund manager in place for the second quarter. The NAV underperformed in the first quarter, in part from the trading costs of the move to the new policy, and outperformed in the second quarter. Details of the latter are given in the Manager's Review.
Market Background
In distinct contrast with most developed markets, the first six months of the year were a weak period for Asian markets. The Company's reference index (chain-linked for the change in index in March) fell 2.2% in sterling terms, a return that contrasts with a rise of 21.6% from the US stock market and 24.4% from the Japanese stock market over the same period.*
Part of this lower return reflects Asian companies' profits and share prices having recovered more quickly from the 2008-10 recession. Thus, they have not had the same recovery potential as companies in the West. It also reflects the fact that investors' attention switched away from the region. The developed markets have had new attractions - signs of improvement in the US economy, a transformation in Japan's fiscal and monetary policies under a new Prime Minister, and the Eurozone's traumas seem temporarily in abeyance - while Asia, still growing faster than all three, has had some challenges.
The biggest has been China. The economy's above-average growth has been slowing, in part because of the government's desire to dampen the substantial growth in credit over recent years and the consequent risk of bank bad debts and rising inflation. The result has been local interest rate increases, falling Chinese share prices, and (for example) lower demand for commodities that has hit Australian mining shares. At the same time, concerns about how long Western quantitative easing will continue have impacted on Asian bond yields, which had previously benefited from inflows into emerging market bond funds.
The result was the region's large markets producing small gains or losses in the first half of the year, with Korea the worst as a loser from Japan's liquidity stimulus when the resulting weak yen fed through to its own competitiveness. The best performing markets were the Philippines and Malaysia, both benefiting from local recoveries in activity.
Gearing
While the Company's Articles limit the amount of gearing to a maximum of the Company's adjusted capital and reserves, the Board does not anticipate net effective gearing levels in excess of 30% of net asset value. The Board has agreed a disciplined framework for gearing, based on a number of specific market valuation levels. Currently, the Company does not employ gearing.
Outlook
It is disappointing - and relatively untypical - to see Asian markets underperforming strong Western markets. Nevertheless, there have been some encouraging developments.
First, with company profits continuing to increase, share ratings in Asia are become more appealing. Secondly, some of the macro-economic and financial concerns holding share prices back are themselves evidence that required long-term changes in the region may be starting. Asian bond yields, for example, had been driven to excessively low levels, with the attendant risk of capital being mispriced and poor investment decisions. The rise in yields suggests this bubble is over, and it is leading to policy decisions (for example India and Indonesia raising interest rates, Thailand and Indonesia cutting fuel and rice subsidies) that are unpopular in the short term but desirable in the longer term.
Similarly, while there is market concern about slowing Chinese growth this year, there is a longer term need for China to transition itself onto a lower growth path rebalanced away from investment towards domestic consumption - again involving short term pain but with the potential of a healthier long-term investment environment.
There is always the risk of Western events derailing Asian markets, particularly now when there is a danger of investors being too optimistic about US economic recovery and the impact of less quantitative easing. Asia's financial strengths remain, however, and the Board notes the Manager's belief that the volatility of individual stocks is starting to offer interesting new investment opportunities. The Board sees any short term weakness in Asia as a potential opportunity to be seized.
David Robins
Chairman
29 August 2013
* net income reinvested: source Schroders.
Investment Manager's Review
Performance Analysis
The new investment manager took over the portfolio after the General Meeting on 15 March 2013, using the rest of the month to raise cash to meet the tender offer and move the remaining assets onto the new investment policy. Therefore, this policy having only been in place from the end of March, comments on performance cover from then until the end of June.
The start of the new policy coincided with a period of weakness in Asian markets, as they reacted to uncertainty both from the West (eg new uncertainty about how long US quantitative easing would continue) and locally, with continued concern about Chinese economic growth. The reference index, which changed to the MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Index, fell 7.5% in sterling terms in the second quarter, led by Australia (suffering both from falling commodity prices and a weak currency) and Korea (whose exporters suffered from the weaker yen, given the importance of Japanese competitors). There was also a widespread increase in bond yields in the region's emerging countries, another indicator of investors' newfound caution about some of the more optimistic forecasts for the region's future.
The portfolio was unable to avoid losses in this environment, with the NAV return being -3.5% over the three months. That the losses were half those of the reference index was due largely to limiting potential losses in the region's largest market, Australia, together with the portfolio's stock selection in North East Asia.
The relatively small exposure in Australia came from a perceived lack of opportunities locally, while the exposure was further reduced by hedges removing the risk of the Australian dollar falling - as indeed it has done. There was also a small contribution from the capital protection strategy, an integral part of the portfolio's new policy. Concern about the short term outlook led to a small portion of the assets being protected by put options that offset part of the losses as markets fell.
The portfolio's other successes were more company specific, as befits a policy which targets stock selection by the Manager's local team of analysts as a major part of future outperformance. In this quarter these included Taiwanese bicycle maker Giant, rising on strong results driven by its Chinese sales; China's Wuxi Pharmatech on the back of improving profitability; and Halla Visteon Climate Control Group, a Korean manufacturer of automotive air control equipment. The one area of missed opportunity was in Hong Kong, where there were falls in the share prices of trading companies Jardine and Swire, and by Chow Sang Sang, Hong Kong's largest jewellery chain.
The portfolio, through the use of derivative protection, was approximately 76% invested at the end of the second quarter and no gearing was utilised during that time.
Portfolio Positioning
The following table shows your Company's largest stock positions as at 30 June 2013.
Holding |
Business |
% of Total |
Jardine Strategic Holdings |
Regional conglomerate |
4.3% |
Jardine Matheson Holdings |
Regional conglomerate |
3.6% |
Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg |
Semiconductors |
3.5% |
AIA Group |
Insurance |
3.5% |
Brambles |
Australian-based pallets and logistics |
3.2% |
Kasikornbank |
Thai bank |
3.2% |
Hongkong Land |
Hong Kong commercial property |
3.1% |
HSBC |
Global bank |
3.0% |
Sun Hung Kai Properties |
Hong Kong and China property |
2.9% |
Hyundai Motor |
Korean car maker |
2.9% |
The portfolio remains a stock specific selection of holdings where the fund managers believe that the shares are trading well below fair value. As at the time of the introduction of the new policy in March, the portfolio was concentrated in domestic Asian companies, particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore (eg trading companies and property shares, with the latter selling at significant discounts to their net asset value at a time of limited new supply); and in ASEAN (eg in banks, retail, and construction, all of which are expected to benefit from improvements in regional infrastructure and strong domestic consumer confidence). While the fund managers are not bullish on the global cycle, there is also a preference for industrial shares with good yield in industries with significant barriers to entry.
The resulting portfolio has materially more in ASEAN and Hong Kong-based companies than in the reference index and correspondingly less in the three largest countries (Australia, China and Korea), a reflection of where the fund managers see the opportunities at a stock level. It also has the mid-cap bias anticipated at the time of the appointment of the new manager, with the local analysts continuing to find opportunities across the size spectrum (eg China Lodging, selected small Indonesian banks and Astro Malaysia) at a time when many of the region's largest companies (eg Chinese banks and some of the North East Asian exporters) look less appealing. The portfolio is avoiding cyclicals and 'China-recovery' stocks.
Currently, we continue to believe it is prudent to have some capital protection in place, particularly because the cost of this protection is low by historic standards. At the end of June slightly under a quarter of the portfolio was hedged through exchange-traded index put options, and the fund managers continue to look to hedge the currency risk in the Australian holdings.
Conclusion
The continuing volatility in world markets, as investors react to the challenges facing economies as different as China, the US and the Eurozone, could easily drive Asian markets lower despite their reasonably sound fundamentals, creating an attractive new entry point for Asian equities. If this happens we anticipate removing the hedges, and utilising the gearing facility.
Portfolio Managers
Robin Parbrook and King Fuei Lee
29 August 2013
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties with the Company's business fall into the following categories: financial risk; gearing; strategic risk; and accounting, legal and regulatory risk. A detailed explanation of the principal risks and uncertainties in each of these categories can be found on pages 16 and 17 of the Company's published Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012. These risks and uncertainties have not materially changed during the six months ended 30 June 2013.
Going Concern
The Directors believe, having considered the Company's investment objectives, risk management policies, capital management policies and procedures, nature of the portfolio and expenditure projections; that the Company has adequate resources, an appropriate financial structure and suitable management arrangements in place to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they consider there is reasonable evidence to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.
Related Party Transactions
Details of transactions with the Manager can be found in note 21 on page 44 of the Company's published Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012. There have been no other material transactions with the Company's related parties during the six months ended 30 June 2013.
Directors' Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, this set of condensed financial statements has been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) and with the Statement of Recommended Practice Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts (SORP) issued in January 2009 and the Interim Management Report as set out above includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Income Statement
|
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2013 |
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2012 |
(Audited) For the year ended 31 December 2012 |
||||||
|
Revenue |
Capital |
Total |
Revenue |
Capital |
Total |
Revenue |
Capital |
Total |
|
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
Gains on investments held at fair value through profit or loss |
- |
4,482 |
4,482 |
- |
18,924 |
18,924 |
- |
50,996 |
50,996 |
Net gains on forward currency contracts |
- |
631 |
631 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Net foreign currency (losses)/gains |
- |
(77) |
(77) |
- |
408 |
408 |
- |
1,107 |
1,107 |
Income from investments |
1,481 |
- |
1,481 |
3,789 |
- |
3,789 |
6,198 |
- |
6,198 |
Other interest receivable and similar income |
31 |
- |
31 |
383 |
- |
383 |
414 |
- |
414 |
Gross return |
1,512 |
5,036 |
6,548 |
4,172 |
19,332 |
23,504 |
6,612 |
52,103 |
58,715 |
Investment management fee (note 3) |
(202) |
(378) |
(580) |
(322) |
(590) |
(912) |
(647) |
(1,193) |
(1,840) |
Administrative expenses |
(332) |
- |
(332) |
(368) |
- |
(368) |
(751) |
- |
(751) |
Net return before finance costs and taxation |
978 |
4,658 |
5,636 |
3,482 |
18,742 |
22,224 |
5,214 |
50,910 |
56,124 |
Finance costs |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(31) |
(95) |
(126) |
(71) |
(214) |
(285) |
Net return on ordinary activities before taxation |
977 |
4,656 |
5,633 |
3,451 |
18,647 |
22,098 |
5,143 |
50,696 |
55,839 |
Taxation (note 4) |
(16) |
(103) |
(119) |
(306) |
- |
(306) |
(617) |
- |
(617) |
Net return on ordinary activities after taxation |
961 |
4,553 |
5,514 |
3,145 |
18,647 |
21,792 |
4,526 |
50,696 |
55,222 |
Return per ordinary share (note 5) |
0.90p |
4.26p |
5.16p |
1.99p |
11.80p |
13.79p |
2.92p |
32.68p |
35.60p |
The "Total" column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. The "Revenue" and "Capital" columns represent supplementary information prepared under guidance issued by The Association of Investment Companies. The Total column includes all the information that is required to be disclosed in a Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses ("STRGL"). For this reason a STRGL has not been presented.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period.
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
|
For the six months ended 30 June 2013 (Unaudited) |
||||||
|
Called-up share capital |
Share premium |
Capital redemption reserve |
Special reserve |
Other capital reserves |
Revenue reserve |
Total |
|
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
At 31 December 2012 |
7,409 |
- |
8,497 |
29,182 |
239,712 |
13,276 |
298,076 |
Re-issue of shares from Treasury |
- |
5 |
- |
- |
487 |
- |
492 |
Repurchase and cancellation of the Company's own shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
following a Tender Offer |
(3,149) |
- |
3,149 |
- |
(151,812) |
- |
(151,812) |
Net return on ordinary activities |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4,553 |
961 |
5,514 |
Ordinary dividend paid in the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(4,816) |
(4,816) |
|
At 30 June 2013 |
4,260 |
5 |
11,646 |
29,182 |
92,940 |
9,421 |
147,454 |
|
For the six months ended 30 June 2012 (Unaudited) |
||||||
|
Called-up share capital |
Share premium |
Capital redemption reserve |
Special reserve |
Other capital reserves |
Revenue reserve |
Total |
|
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
At 31 December 2011 |
8,044 |
- |
7,862 |
50,616 |
189,016 |
13,879 |
269,417 |
Repurchase and cancellation of the Company's own shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(243) |
- |
243 |
(8,495) |
- |
- |
(8,495) |
|
Net return on ordinary activities |
- |
- |
- |
- |
18,647 |
3,145 |
21,792 |
Ordinary dividend paid in the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(5,129) |
(5,129) |
|
At 30 June 2012 |
7,801 |
- |
8,105 |
42,121 |
207,663 |
11,895 |
277,585 |
|
For the year ended 31 December 2012 (Audited) |
||||||
|
Called-up share capital |
Share premium |
Capital redemption reserve |
Special reserve |
Other capital reserves |
Revenue reserve |
Total |
|
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
At 31 December 2011 |
8,044 |
- |
7,862 |
50,616 |
189,016 |
13,879 |
269,417 |
Repurchase and cancellation of the Company's own shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(635) |
- |
635 |
(21,434) |
- |
- |
(21,434) |
|
Net return on ordinary activities |
- |
- |
- |
- |
50,696 |
4,526 |
55,222 |
Ordinary dividend paid in the year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(5,129) |
(5,129) |
At 31 December 2012 |
7,409 |
- |
8,497 |
29,182 |
239,712 |
13,276 |
298,076 |
Balance Sheet
|
(Unaudited) 30 June 2013 £'000 |
(Unaudited) 30 June 2012 £'000 |
(Audited) 31 December 2012 £'000 |
Fixed assets |
|
|
|
Investments held at fair value through profit or loss |
144,751 |
285,118 |
298,003 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
Debtors |
95 |
1,346 |
395 |
Cash and short-term deposits |
3,929 |
- |
451 |
|
4,024 |
1,346 |
846 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
(1,321) |
(8,879) |
(773) |
Net current assets/(liabilities) |
2,703 |
(7,533) |
73 |
Net assets |
147,454 |
277,585 |
298,076 |
Capital and reserves |
|
|
|
Called-up share capital (note 6) |
4,260 |
7,801 |
7,409 |
Share premium |
5 |
- |
- |
Capital redemption reserve |
11,646 |
8,105 |
8,497 |
Special reserve |
29,182 |
42,121 |
29,182 |
Capital reserves |
92,940 |
207,663 |
239,712 |
Revenue reserve |
9,421 |
11,895 |
13,276 |
Total equity shareholders' funds |
147,454 |
277,585 |
298,076 |
Net asset value per ordinary share (note 7) |
198.37p |
177.92p |
201.15p |
Cash Flow Statement
|
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2013 £'000 |
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2012 |
(Audited) For the year ended 31 December 2012 £'000 |
Net cash inflow from operating activities (note 8) |
294 |
2,180 |
3,696 |
Net cash outflow from servicing of finance |
(20) |
(126) |
(288) |
Taxation |
(103) |
- |
- |
Net cash inflow from investment activities |
158,723 |
13,947 |
33,569 |
Dividends paid |
(4,816) |
(5,129) |
(5,129) |
Net cash outflow from financing (note 6) |
(150,523) |
(8,495) |
(21,434) |
Net cash inflow in the period |
3,555 |
2,377 |
10,414 |
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds/(debt) |
|
|
|
Net cash inflow in the period |
3,555 |
2,377 |
10,414 |
Exchange movements |
(77) |
408 |
1,107 |
Changes in net funds/debt arising from cash flows |
3,478 |
2,785 |
11,521 |
Net funds/(debt) at the beginning of the period |
451 |
(11,070) |
(11,070) |
Net funds/(debt) at the end of the period |
3,929 |
(8,285) |
451 |
Represesented by: |
|
|
|
Cash and short-term deposits |
3,929 |
- |
451 |
Bank overdrafts |
- |
(8,285) |
- |
Net funds/(debt) |
3,929 |
(8,285) |
451 |
Notes to the Accounts
1. Financial Statements
The information contained within the accounts in this half-year report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditors.
The figures and financial information for the year ended 31 December 2012 are extracted from 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 either section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
2. Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and with the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts" issued in January 2009.
All of the Company's operations are of a continuing nature.
The accounting policies applied to these interim accounts are consistent with those applied in the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012.
3. Investment management fee
Following a review of its investment management arrangements, the Board appointed Schroders to manage the Company's assets with effect from 15 March 2013. Under the terms of the management agreement, the base management fee is calculated at a rate of 0.65% per annum of gross assets less cash. There will also be a performance fee of 10% of the excess annual NAV total return above a 7% hurdle. The base and performance fee will be capped at 2% (in aggregate) of the Company's net assets. Schroders has agreed to waive the management fee and any performance fee for a period of 6 months following appointment and therefore these fees will apply from 15 September 2013.
4. Taxation
The Company's effective corporation tax rate is nil, as deductible expenses exceed taxable income. The taxation charge comprises irrecoverable overseas withholding tax on dividends receivable, and overseas capital gains tax.
5. Return per ordinary share
|
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2013 |
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2012 |
(Audited) For the year ended 31 December 2012 |
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
Revenue return |
961 |
3,145 |
4,526 |
Capital return |
4,553 |
18,647 |
50,696 |
Total return |
5,514 |
21,792 |
55,222 |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period |
106,921,728 |
158,055,354 |
155,131,153 |
Revenue return per ordinary share |
0.90p |
1.99p |
2.92p |
Capital return per ordinary share |
4.26p |
11.80p |
32.68p |
Total return per ordinary share |
5.16p |
13.79p |
35.60p |
6. Called-up share capital
The Company's share capital consists of ordinary shares of 5p each.
During the period, the Company repurchased 74,091,140 ordinary shares (50% of its share capital) following a Tender Offer, for a total consideration of £151,812,000. Of these, 62,977,469 ordinary shares were cancelled and the remaining 11,113,671 ordinary shares held in Treasury. A total of 290,000 ordinary shares have been subsequently re-issued from Treasury for a total consideration of £585,801.
7. Net asset value per ordinary share
Net asset value per ordinary share is calculated by dividing shareholders' funds by the number of ordinary shares in issue at 30 June 2013 of 74,331,141 (30 June 2012: 156,012,512 and 31 December 2012: 148,182,281).
8. Reconciliation of total return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation to net cash inflow from operating activities
|
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2013 £'000 |
(Unaudited) For the six months ended 30 June 2012 £'000 |
(Audited) For the year ended 31 December 2012 £'000 |
Total return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation |
5,636 |
22,224 |
56,124 |
Less capital return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation |
(4,658) |
(18,742) |
(50,910) |
Stock dividends received as income |
- |
(137) |
(572) |
Decrease/(increase) in prepayments and accrued income |
371 |
(631) |
308 |
Decrease/(increase) in other debtors |
24 |
(9) |
3 |
(Decrease)/increase in creditors |
(685) |
371 |
553 |
Management fee allocated to capital |
(378) |
(590) |
(1,193) |
Overseas withholding tax deducted at source |
(16) |
(306) |
(617) |
Net cash inflow from operating activities |
294 |
2,180 |
3,696 |
List and Valuation of Investments at 30 June 2013
Stocks in bold are the 20 largest investments, which by value account for 55.0% of the total investments.
|
£'000 |
% |
AUSTRALIA |
|
|
Amcor |
2,283 |
1.6 |
Brambles |
4,682 |
3.2 |
Newcrest Mining |
1,137 |
0.8 |
Resmed1 |
2,381 |
1.7 |
Rio Tinto |
1,501 |
1.0 |
TOTAL AUSTRALIA |
11,984 |
8.3 |
|
|
|
CHINA |
|
|
China Lodging Group1 |
1,860 |
1.3 |
China Shineway Pharmaceutical |
2,015 |
1.4 |
Shenzou International |
2,364 |
1.6 |
Wuxi Pharmatech1 |
2,930 |
2.0 |
TOTAL CHINA |
9,169 |
6.3 |
|
|
|
HONG KONG |
|
|
AIA Group |
4,919 |
3.4 |
Chow Sang Sang Holdings |
1,808 |
1.3 |
Hang Lung Group |
2,939 |
2.0 |
Hongkong Land2 |
4,548 |
3.1 |
HSBC |
4,470 |
3.1 |
Hysan Development |
2,503 |
1.7 |
Jardine Matheson2 |
5,266 |
3.6 |
Jardine Strategic2 |
6,318 |
4.4 |
Johnson Electric Holding |
1,990 |
1.4 |
Stella International Holdings |
1,429 |
1.0 |
Sun Hung Kai Properties |
4,322 |
3.0 |
Swire Properties |
3,224 |
2.2 |
Techtronic Industries |
2,513 |
1.7 |
Wing Hang Bank |
1,584 |
1.1 |
TOTAL HONG KONG |
47,833 |
33.0 |
|
|
|
INDIA |
|
|
Eredene Capital3 |
199 |
0.1 |
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (JPM) 07/11/174 |
2,635 |
1.8 |
Axis Bank (JPM) 08/02/174 |
2,083 |
1.4 |
Phoenix Mills (Merrill Lynch) 18/05/184 |
680 |
0.5 |
Phoenix Mills (Merrill Lynch) 18/06/184 |
639 |
0.4 |
Shriram Transport Finance (JPM) 30/4/184 |
1,409 |
1.0 |
Zee Entertainment Enterprises (JPM) 20/03/174 |
1,966 |
1.4 |
TOTAL INDIA |
9,611 |
6.6 |
|
|
|
INDONESIA |
|
|
Bank Mandiri |
3,556 |
2.5 |
Bank Pan Indonesia |
1,065 |
0.7 |
Bank Permata |
703 |
0.5 |
Sumber Alfaria Trijaya |
1,374 |
0.9 |
TOTAL INDONESIA |
6,698 |
4.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£'000 |
% |
KOREA |
|
|
Halla Visteon Climate Control |
2,084 |
1.4 |
Hyundai Motor |
4,278 |
3.0 |
Samsung Electronics |
2,674 |
1.8 |
TOTAL KOREA |
9,036 |
6.2 |
|
|
|
MALAYSIA |
|
|
Astro Malaysia Holdings |
2,337 |
1.6 |
TOTAL MALAYSIA |
2,337 |
1.6 |
|
|
|
PHILIPPINES |
|
|
Alliance Global |
2,192 |
1.5 |
Ayala Corp |
1,527 |
1.1 |
Ayala Land |
2,944 |
2.0 |
GMA Network |
1,707 |
1.2 |
GT Capital Holdings |
2,463 |
1.7 |
RFM Corporation |
1,368 |
0.9 |
TOTAL PHILIPPINES |
12,201 |
8.4 |
|
|
|
SINGAPORE |
|
|
Great Eastern Holding |
1,460 |
1.0 |
Jardine Cycle & Carriage |
2,209 |
1.5 |
Keppel Corporation |
3,703 |
2.6 |
UOL Group |
1,812 |
1.3 |
TOTAL SINGAPORE |
9,184 |
6.4 |
|
|
|
TAIWAN |
|
|
Asustek Computer |
1,209 |
0.8 |
Giant Manufacturing |
2,819 |
2.0 |
Radiant Opto Electronics |
1,281 |
0.9 |
Taiwan Semicon Manufacturing |
5,038 |
3.5 |
TOTAL TAIWAN |
10,347 |
7.2 |
|
|
|
THAILAND |
|
|
Bank of Ayudhya |
3,752 |
2.6 |
Hemaraj Land & Development |
1,875 |
1.3 |
Kasikornbank |
4,578 |
3.2 |
Land & Houses |
1,902 |
1.3 |
TOTAL THAILAND |
12,107 |
8.4 |
|
|
|
OTHER |
|
|
LVMH5 |
2,139 |
1.5 |
TOTAL OTHER |
2,139 |
1.5 |
SUB TOTAL |
142,646 |
98.5 |
|
|
|
OPTIONS |
|
|
CBOE S&P 500 Put Option 1615 July 2013 |
134 |
0.1 |
KOSPI Put Option 252.5 August 2013 |
439 |
0.3 |
KOSPI Put Option 257.5 August 2013 |
506 |
0.4 |
S&P/ASX 200 Put Option 4750 August 2013 |
201 |
0.1 |
S&P/ASX 200 Put Option 4775 August 2013 |
213 |
0.2 |
S&P/ASX 200 Put Option 5200 August 2013 |
612 |
0.4 |
TOTAL OPTIONS6 |
2,105 |
1.5 |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS |
144,751 |
100.0 |
1Listed in the USA.
2Listed in Singapore.
3Listed in the UK, on AIM.
4Participatory notes.
5Listed in France.
6The combined effect of the options gives downside protection to 24% of total investments.
Investments are classified by the investment manager in the country of their main business operations.
With the exception of the options and participatory notes shown above, all other investments are in equities.