Interim Results

Henderson TR Pacific Inv. Trust PLC 03 August 2004 2 August 2004 HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 Henderson TR Pacific Investment Trust plc ('Henderson TR Pacific'), which seeks capital growth from Pacific region stock markets and economies excluding Japan and Australasia, announces interim results for the half year ended 30 June 2004. Henderson TR Pacific is one of the largest investment trusts specialising in this region. Highlights: • Global economic uncertainty combined with higher inflation and interest rates caused markets to adjust across the region in the first half of 2004. • China and Thailand saw sharp corrections with general weakness in cyclical sectors. • Net asset value per share on a total return basis fell by 7.4% against a 2.3% fall in the MSCI Index (#) but this compared to rises last year in the company's net assets of 40.4% and 30.4% for the Index. • New £40 million multi-currency 2 year facility arranged, allowing flexible access to low cost funds. • Gearing reduced to 7.2% at 30 June 2004 from 17.7% at the year end. • Lower exposure to cyclical sectors but stance favouring overweight positions in China and Thailand remains. • Discount to net asset value widened during the first half to 11.5% at period end. • 4.42 million shares repurchased for cancellation at an average discount of 13.4%. • Fundamentals for investment in the region remain sound. Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited) 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2003 30 June 2003 Net asset value 82.5p 89.3p 70.9p Share Price 73.0p 85.0p 63.5p Discount 11.5% 4.8% 10.4% Gearing (*) 7.2% 17.7% 11.0% Performance to 30 June 2004 Total returns 6 months 12 months Net asset value (i) -7.4% 17.6% Share price (i) -13.1% 16.3% Peer group net asset value (i) and (ii) -5.5% 22.3% MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index (iii) -2.3% 18.6% Sources: please see page 10 (*) Defined here as borrowings, less cash balances and deposits, as a percentage of shareholders' funds. (#) MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index - MORE - - 2 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 Regarding prospects, Chairman, David Robins, in his first Statement to Shareholders, said: 'Stock markets have adjusted for the uncertainties currently facing the region. We expect economic growth across the region to remain stronger than that of the rest of the world. For the foreseeable future we continue to anticipate corporate profits growth to be sustained in most countries. Valuations therefore continue to be attractive by global standards and the longer term still presents us with substantial growth opportunities'. - MORE - - 3 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 Extract from the Chairman's Half Year Statement:- Chairman's Half Year Statement The first six months of 2004 saw growing uncertainty over prospects for a sustained global economic recovery. Inflation turned higher spurred by rising raw material costs and interest rates tightened in most countries. Moreover, the Chinese economy, which has been an important engine of growth, began to overheat in some sectors. Those stock markets which had been strongest in 2004, namely China and Thailand, where we held significant investments, saw sharp corrections and regional stock markets generally saw weakness in cyclical sectors, where the portfolio was also heavily weighted. Performance Having achieved a positive total return of 40.4% over 2003, comfortably outperforming the 30.4% rise in the MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index ('MSCI Index'), the first six months of 2004 saw a modest setback with net asset value total return per share falling by 7.4% compared with a fall of 2.3% in the MSCI Index. Whilst action was taken to reduce the level of gearing and exposure to cyclical sectors our basic stance, favouring cyclical growth with overweight positions in China and Thailand, remained intact. Directors This is my first opportunity to communicate with you as Chairman, a position I took up on Iain Dale's retirement at the Annual General Meeting in April last. I would like to thank Iain for his ten years of dedicated service to the company as Chairman before me. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to maintain and develop the Trust as a leader in its sector. Our two newest directors, Hugh Aldous and Struan Robertson, appointed to the Board in November 2003 and February 2004 respectively, have made a valuable start and I am confident we have maintained a highly effective Board. Borrowings Whilst the level of gearing was reduced over the first six months of 2004 due to the uncertain stock market environment, we decided to proceed with the increase in the loan facility with ING Bank. A new £40 million multi-currency facility for two years replaced previous arrangements, which allows us access to substantial low cost funds when suitable opportunities arise. Discount to net asset Value and repurchase of shares The Board was heartened to see last year's narrowing of the discount at which your shares trade to net assets. The shares ended the year at a discount of 4.8%. In the first half of this year, however, the shares drifted lower and the discount widened towards the end of the period. It was decided to buy in shares for cancellation in view of their attractive valuation. 4,420,000 shares were bought in June at an average discount of 13.4%. The discount at the month end narrowed to 11.5%. Since the end of June a further 1,645,000 shares have been repurchased for cancellation at an average discount of 13.1% - MORE - - 4 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 Dividend As usual no dividend has been declared at the interim stage. The company's policy is to pay dividends sufficient to retain its status as an investment trust. Our focus on capital growth opportunities means shareholders should not expect any significant return from dividend payments. The 1.00p per share final dividend paid in respect of the year ended 31 December 2003 included a small non-recurring tax adjustment and the dividend paid for the current year may not be as high. Outlook We are aware that inflationary pressures and interest rates are rising globally and that economic growth across the region is likely to be lower next year than this. The markets have already made significant adjustments for this scenario. On the other hand, fundamentals remain sound as we expect economic growth across the region to remain stronger than that of the rest of the world. We continue to anticipate positive corporate profits growth in most countries. Valuations therefore continue to be attractive by global standards and the longer term still presents us with substantial growth opportunities. David Robins 2 August 2004 - MORE - - 5 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the revenue account) for the half year ended 30 June 2004 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Half year ended 30 June 2004 Half year ended 30 June 2003 Year ended 31 December 2003 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total capital (losses)/gains - (15,594) (15,594) - 51,601 51,601 on investments - 12,684 12,684 Income from fixed asset 3,028 - 3,028 2,379 - 2,379 4,418 - 4,418 investments Other interest receivable 19 - 19 35 - 35 and similar income 13 - 13 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Gross revenue and capital 3,047 (15,594) (12,547) 4,453 51,601 56,054 (losses)/gains 2,392 12,684 15,076 Management fee (299) (513) (812) (273) (445) (718) (547) (890) (1,437) Other administrative (333) - (333) (227) - (227) (496) - (496) expenses -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before interest payable and taxation 2,415 (16,107) (13,692) 1,892 12,239 14,131 3,410 50,711 54,121 Interest payable (41) (124) (165) (21) (61) (82) (72) (218) (290) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net return/(loss) on 2,374 (16,231) (13,857) 3,338 50,493 53,831 ordinary activities before 1,871 12,178 14,049 taxation Taxation on net return on (723) 397 (326) (773) 224 (549) ordinary activities (571) 351 (220) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net return/(loss) on 1,651 (15,834) (14,183) 2,565 50,717 53,282 ordinary activities after 1,300 12,529 13,829 taxation Final dividend 2003: 1.00p - - - - - - (2,036) - (2,036) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Transfer to/(from) reserves 1,651 (15,834) (14,183) 1,300 12,529 13,829 529 50,717 51,246 ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== Return/(loss) per ordinary 0.81p (7.79p) (6.98p) 1.26p 24.90p 26.16p share (Note 1) 0.64p 6.15p 6.79p ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== The revenue columns of this statement represent the revenue accounts of the company. - MORE - - 6 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 Balance Sheet As at 30 June 2004 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) At 30 June At 30 June At 31 December 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------- ------------- ------------- Fixed asset investments Listed at market value - overseas 175,858 159,815 216,097 Unlisted - directors' valuation - 142 - ---------- ---------- ---------- 175,858 159,957 216,097 ---------- ---------- ---------- Current assets Debtors 1,418 323 117 Bank balances and short term deposits 2,952 3,623 3,359 ---------- ---------- ---------- 4,370 3,946 3,476 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (15,826) (19,583) (37,835) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net current liabilities (11,456) (15,637) (34,359) ---------- ---------- ---------- Total net assets 164,402 144,320 181,738 ========== ========== ========== Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 9,959 10,180 10,180 Capital redemption reserve 5,947 5,726 5,726 Special reserve 96,339 99,491 99,492 Other capital reserves 44,697 22,343 60,531 Revenue reserve 7,460 6,580 5,809 ---------- ---------- ---------- Equity shareholders' funds 164,402 144,320 181,738 ========== ========== ========== Net asset value per ordinary share (Note 2) 82.5p 70.9p 89.3p - MORE - - 7 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 Cash Flow Statement for the half year ended 30 June 2004 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Half year Half year Year ended ended ended 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 31 December 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 ----------- ----------- ----------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,225 1,036 1,576 Interest paid (195) (77) (264) Net tax paid - - (106) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investments 24,565 (13,873) (32,036) Equity dividends paid (2,036) (1,223) (1,223) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 23,559 (14,137) (32,053) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (23,645) 12,105 30,176 ---------- ---------- ---------- Decrease in cash (86) (2,032) (1,877) ========== ========== ========== Reconciliation of operating revenue to net cash inflow from operating activities Net revenue before interest payable and taxation 2,415 1,892 3,410 (Increase)/decrease in accrued income (205) (155) 59 (Increase)/decrease in other debtors (17) 8 1 Increase/(decrease) in creditors 32 (23) (25) Management charge taken to other capital reserves (513) (445) (890) Overseas withholding tax (286) (220) (443) Taiwanese stock dividends (201) (21) (536) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,225 1,036 1,576 ========== ========== ========== Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Decrease in cash as above (86) (2,032) (1,877) Cash outflow/(inflow) from financing 20,602 (12,227) (30,297) ---------- ---------- ---------- Change in net debt resulting from cash flows 20,516 (14,259) (32,174) Exchange movements (206) 112 1,678 ---------- ---------- ---------- Movement in net debt during the period 20,310 (14,147) (30,496) Net debt at beginning of the period (32,160) (1,664) (1,664) ----------- ----------- ---------- Net debt at the end of the period (11,850) (15,811) (32,160) ========== ========== ========== Represented by: Cash at bank and short term deposits less bank overdrafts 2,868 3,588 3,359 Debt falling due within one year (14,718) (19,399) (35,519) ---------- ---------- ---------- (11,850) (15,811) (32,160) ========== ========== ========== - MORE - - 8 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2003 Notes 1. Return/(loss) per ordinary share Revenue return per ordinary share is based on earnings of £1,651,000 (half year ended 30 June 2003: £1,300,000; year ended 31 December 2003: £2,565,000) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 203,070,501 (half year ended 30 June 2003: 203,759,823; year ended 31 December 2003: 203,680,948). Capital loss per ordinary share is based on net capital losses of £15,834,000 (half year ended 30 June 2003: gains of £12,529,000; year ended 31 December 2003: gains of £50,717,000) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 203,070,501 (half year ended 30 June 2003: 203,759,823; year ended 31 December 2003: 203,680,948). 2. Net asset value per ordinary share Net asset value per ordinary share is calculated on the basis of shareholders' funds attributable to ordinary shares divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue at 30 June 2004, being 199,183,359 (30 June 2003 and 31 December 2003: 203,603,359). 3. Issued Share Capital During the six months to 30 June 2004, the company bought 4,420,000 of its own issued ordinary shares in the market for cancellation at a total cost of £3,153,000. As at 30 June 2004 there was 199,183,359 ordinary shares in issue (30 June 2003 and 31 December 2003: 203,603,359). Since 30 June 2004 a further 1,645,000 shares were repurchased for cancellation at a total cost of £1,093,000. As at the date of this report there were 197,538,359 ordinary shares in issue. 4. 2003 Accounts The figures and financial information for the year ended 31 December 2003 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 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. - MORE - - 9 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 APPENDIX 1 Geographical Distribution of the Investment Portfolio As at 30 June 2004 As at 31 December 2003 Company Index* Company Index* South Korea 22.8% 26.8% 20.7% 26.1% Taiwan 21.7% 17.1% 20.2% 17.4% China 13.4% 12.1% 15.9% 11.3% Hong Kong 11.3% 20.2% 9.5% 20.6% Thailand 14.1% 4.0% 17.0% 4.6% The Philippines 0.0% 0.8% 0.6% 0.7% Malaysia 8.3% 6.5% 8.3% 6.6% Singapore 6.6% 10.2% 6.6% 10.5% Indonesia 0.0% 2.3% 0.0% 2.2% Vietnam 1.8% 0.0% 1.2% 0.0% --------- --------- --------- --------- 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% ========= ========= ========= ========= * MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index Country Weightings APPENDIX 2 Stock Market Performance Half year ended 30 June 2004 Local Currency Sterling Adjusted South Korea -3.1% -1.3% Taiwan -0.9% -1.2% China -13.0% -14.2% Hong Kong -2.3% -4.0% Thailand -16.3% -19.9% The Philippines 9.5% 6.9% Malaysia 3.3% 1.9% Singapore 4.2% 1.4% Indonesia 5.6% -6.4% Vietnam 52.1% 49.4% - MORE - - 10 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 APPENDIX 3 Sector Analysis of Investments at 30 June 2004 As at 30 June 2004 As at 31 December 2003 Company Index* Company Index* Consumer Discretionary 12.8% 9.3% 14.0% 10.1% Consumer Staples 4.9% 2.9% 4.2% 2.8% Energy 4.7% 4.6% 2.3% 3.9% Financials and Property 28.9% 27.8% 20.4% 27.3% Healthcare 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2% Industrials and Transport 10.6% 11.5% 21.6% 11.6% Information Technology 21.1% 21.8% 19.9% 21.7% Materials 6.9% 6.4% 7.5% 6.8% Telecommunication Services 5.7% 9.5% 5.9% 9.6% Utilities 4.4% 6.0% 4.2% 6.0% ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% ========= ========= ========= ========= * MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index Sector Weightings Sources relate to notes (i) to (iii) on page 1. (i) Source: AITC Services Ltd (net dividends reinvested). (ii) The company's performance is compared against a group of leading investment trust competitors. Source: AITC Services Ltd (net dividends reinvested). (iii)MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index: (gross dividends reinvested). Source: Datastream - MORE - - 11 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 APPENDIX 4 List and Valuation of Investments as at 30 June 2004 % of Market % of Market Investments Value Investments Value £'000 £'000 CHINA 13.4 23.610 VIETNAM 1.8 3,101 China Heartland Fund 249 The Vietnam Fund 42 China Shipping Development 2,637 Vietnam Enterprise Investment Fund 3,059 China Telecom 1,251 CNOOC 3,774 SOUTH KOREA 22.8 40,121 Global Bio-Chem 2,545 Huaneng Power International 4,788 Hana Bank 2,783 Kingboard Chemicals 2,964 Hyundai Motor 3,392 Sinopec 2,256 Industrial Bank of Korea 2,556 Sinotrans 3,146 Interflex 2,775 Kookmin Bank 2,055 TAIWAN 21.7 38,109 KT Corporation 2,075 LG Electronics 3,141 Cathay Financial 3,187 Lotte Confectionery 1,759 Compal Electronics 2,205 Posco 1,782 CTCI Corporation 1,920 Samsung Electronics 6,825 Evergreen Marine 2,602 Samsung Fire & Marine 2,823 High Tech Computers 2,618 Shinsegae 3,167 Nan Ya Plastic 2,815 SK Telecom 2,745 Nien Made Enterprise 2,075 Top Engineering 2,243 Novatek Microelectronics 2,097 Optimax Technology 2,949 SINGAPORE 6.6 11,716 Synnex Technology 3,231 Taishin Financial 2,901 Great Eastern 2,633 Taiwan Paiho 1,455 Noble Group 3,977 Taiwan Semiconductor 2,893 Singapore Press 2,217 Tsann Kuen Enterprise 1,654 Venture 2,889 United Microelectronics 2,127 Waffer Technology 1,380 HONG KONG 11.3 19,895 THAILAND 14.1 24,771 Far East Consortium 1,578 Aromatics Thailand 2,341 Hong Kong Land Holdings 2,762 Bank of Ayudhya 2,686 Hong Kong & China Gas 2,890 BEC World 1,299 Lee & Man Manufacturing 1,192 Central Pattana 2,018 Li & Fung 2,573 CP Seven Eleven 2,313 Linmark Group 2,041 Kasikornbank 3,071 Orient Overseas 3,298 Sansiri 1,314 Swire Pacific 3,561 Shin Corporation 3,952 Siam Cement 3,965 MALAYSIA 8.3 14,535 Tisco Finance 1,812 ---------- AMMB 2,767 Courts Mammoth 842 TOTAL INVESTMENTS 100.0 175,858 Gamuda 1,889 ========== Resorts World 2,520 Roadbuilder 1,125 Sime Darby 2,427 SP Setia 2,965 - MORE - - 12 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2004 For further information contact: Michael Watt, Director and Manager Tel: 020 7818 1818 Paul Vann Binns & Co. PR Tel: 020 7786 9600 or Vicki Staveacre Henderson Press Office Telephone: 020 7818 4222 - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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