Interim Results

Henderson TR Pacific Inv. Trust PLC 03 August 2005 3 August 2005 HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Henderson TR Pacific Investment Trust plc ('Henderson TR Pacific'), which seeks a high rate of total return from Pacific region stock markets and economies excluding Japan and Australasia, announces interim results for the half year ended 30 June 2005. Henderson TR Pacific is one of the largest investment trusts specialising in this region. Highlights: • Positive total return over half year of 14.2% in net assets per share, outperforming MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index 13.2% return • Gearing significantly reduced from 5% of total assets at 2004 year end to net cash position at 30 June 2005 • Moved to overweight position in technology sector due to attractive valuations; raised exposure to Taiwan market to 24.9% of investments (15.9% at 2004 year end • India now included in the Trust's investment universe; investment approvals awaited • New Fund Manager to succeed Michael Watt who retires after 18 years as Manager and Director. Andrew Beal joins from Nicholas Applegate in the USA; previously 10 years with Schroder Investment Management Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Audited and Restated+) (Unaudited) 30 June 2005 31 Dec 2004 30 June 2004 Net asset value (#) 98.5p 88.5p 82.5p Share Price 85.8p 76.8p 73.0p Discount 12.9% 13.2% 11.5% Gearing (*) - 5.0% 7.2% Performance to 30 June 2005 Total returns 6 months % 12 months % Net asset value (i) 14.2 21.7 Share price (i) 13.7 19.5 Peer group net asset value (i) and (ii) 12.5 29.4 MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index (iii) 13.2 27.0 (i), (ii) and (iii) Sources: see page 12 (+) See note 2 (#) The net asset value as at 30 June 2005 with investments at mid market prices was 98.8p (see note 1) (*) Defined here as borrowings, less cash balances and deposits, as a percentage of shareholders' funds. - MORE - - 2 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Commenting on the results and economic outlook, Chairman, David Robins, said: 'We were pleased to see the strength of Far East stock markets but would observe that it was the weakness of sterling that accounted for most of the Trusts's positive advance. Economic growth is being revised down across the region as expectations for Far East economies reflect the global slowdown. Economic data and leading indicators are mixed at present. As the outlook for stock market sentiment remains opaque at present, we will continue to follow a reasonably cautious investment policy.' Extracts from the Chairman's Statement The region's stock markets achieved a solid advance over the first six months of 2005 despite a slowing global economy, almost no improvement in company profits, higher oil prices and steadily rising short term interest rates in the USA. Investors were apparently encouraged by the good relative valuations of Far East securities, and a rising risk tolerance brought on by falling global long term interest rates. Performance Our portfolio performed broadly in line with the MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index (MSCI Index) over the half year to 30 June 2005, with a positive total return of 14.2% in net assets per share compared to a rise of 13.2% in the Index. We became increasingly cautious of the outlook for Far East economies and stock markets as the months progressed and reduced the level of gearing from 5.0% of total assets at the year end to a net cash position of 4.5% at the interim stage. Believing that the technology sector had fallen to attractive valuations we decided to overweight the sector on the basis that final demand is strengthening as the inventory cycle unwinds. This resulted in a raised exposure to Taiwan, which is the stock market most heavily exposed to technology companies, to 24.9% of investments from 15.9% at the year end. This compared with a market weight in the Index of 25.9%. Disposals were made in Thailand, Hong Kong and China to fund this strategy. New Manager I am pleased to announce that Andrew Beal has been appointed Fund Manager. He will succeed Michael Watt, who will retire as Manager and Director of the Trust since its inception 18 years ago. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Michael for his dedication, for his success over the life of the company and for his deep knowledge and contribution as a member of the Board. Andrew joined Henderson on 1 August 2005 and will take over from Michael after a handover period. Andrew most recently worked for Nicholas Applegate in the USA, prior to which he spent ten years at Schroder Investment Management. He is an experienced Pacific investor with a bottom up style, who has both a detailed knowledge of the region and a proven track record. - MORE - - 3 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Extracts from the Chairman's Half Year Statement cont'd Management Fee and Performance Fee In the light of the above changes the Board has also entered into management fee negotiations with Henderson Global Investors. It is expected that these negotiations will result in a lower base management fee and the introduction of a performance fee so as to incentivise the Manager to deliver the outperformance our shareholders expect. New Objectives I am pleased to report that shareholders overwhelmingly voted at April's Annual General Meeting to support the inclusion of India in the countries in which we are permitted to invest. This will give us the opportunity to invest in an important new market with huge long term potential and allows more of a level playing field on which to compete with our peers. Though no investments had been made in India as at 30 June, investment ground work has been completed and formal approvals for direct investment are awaited from the Indian authorities. The Board has agreed to adopt the MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan Index, which includes India, with effect from 1 January 2006. In addition, since the beginning of this year we have shifted from a focus on growth as our central objective. We will in future invest flexibly across all our target markets, seeking a high total return both from companies exhibiting growth and those generating high levels of income. Discount and Share Repurchases We closely monitor the discount at which the shares trade to the underlying net asset value, with the objective of buying back shares if the discount seems excessive. Over the first six months of the year, 3,550,000 shares were repurchased and cancelled at an average discount of 12.1%. We believe the discount continues to stand at a disappointingly high level and are prepared to buy back further shares as opportunities arise as we consider that they represent good relative value against our peers. However, with the future size and performance of the company in mind, the Board is considering the introduction of treasury shares at the AGM in 2006. Dividend In accordance with our past policy we have not declared an interim dividend but shareholders will recall that at the year end we will be paying out a high proportion of earnings, following the change in dividend policy undertaken at the last year end. - MORE - - 4 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Extracts from the Chairman's Half Year Statement cont'd Outlook We were pleased to see the strength of Far East stock markets but would observe that it was the weakness of sterling more than the underlying fundamental performance that accounted for most of the Trust's positive advance. Asian companies are having to come to terms with still rising costs of oil and some raw materials, which, for the most part, they have not been able to pass on. Company profits growth has slowed and economic growth is being revised down across the region as expectations for Far East economies reflect the global slow down. The US economy to date has confounded expectations and enjoyed relatively strong growth but it is hard to see this continuing if short term interest rates continue to rise. Economic data and leading indicators are mixed at present. As the outlook for stock market sentiment remains opaque at present we will continue to follow a reasonably cautious investment policy. David Robins 3 August 2005 - MORE - - 5 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the revenue account) for the half year ended 30 June 2005 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited and Restated+) Half year ended 30 June Half year ended 30 June 2004 Year ended 31 December 2004 2005 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total capital gains/(losses) - 20,341 20,341 - (15,506) (15,506) - (5,788) (5,788) on investments Income from investments 3,159 - 3,159 3,028 - 3,028 5,525 - 5,525 Other interest receivable and 42 - 42 19 - 19 66 - 66 similar income -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Gross revenue and capital 3,201 20,341 23,542 3,047 (15,506) (12,459) 5,591 (5,788) (197) gains/(losses) Management fee (316) (574) (890) (299) (513) (812) (593) (1,015) (1,608) Other expenses (256) (212) (468) (333) (88) (421) (630) (328) (958) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before interest payable and taxation 2,629 19,555 22,184 2,415 (16,107) (13,692) 4,368 (7,131) (2,763) Interest payable (44) (131) (175) (41) (124) (165) (72) (214) (286) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary 2,585 19,424 22,009 2,374 (16,231) (13,857) 4,296 (7,345) (3,049) activities before taxation Taxation on net return on (828) 270 (558) (723) 397 (326) (1,423) 727 (696) ordinary activities -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary 1,757 19,694 21,451 1,651 (15,834) (14,183) 2,873 (6,618) (3,745) activities ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Return/(loss) per ordinary 11.19p (6.98p) (1.88p) share (note 3) ======== ======== ======== The total columns of this statement represent the profit and loss accounts of the company. (+ see note 2) -MORE - - 6 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Balance Sheet As at 30 June 2005 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited and Restated+) At 30 June At 30 June At 31 December 2005 2004 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 ------------- ------------- ------------- Fixed asset investments Listed at market value - overseas 179,785 175,858 181,221 ---------- ---------- ---------- Current assets Debtors 2,138 1,418 142 Bank balances and short term deposits 8,658 2,952 5,685 ---------- ---------- ---------- 10,796 4,370 5,827 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (3,749) (15,826) (16,137) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net current assets/(liabilities) 7,047 (11,456) (10,310) Provision for liabilities and charges (2) - - ---------- ---------- ---------- Total net assets 186,830 164,402 170,911 ========== ========== ========== Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 9,483 9,959 9,660 Capital redemption reserve 6,423 5,947 6,246 Special reserve 89,583 96,339 92,410 Other capital reserves 73,607 44,697 53,913 Revenue reserve 7,734 7,460 8,682 ---------- ---------- ---------- Equity shareholders' funds 186,830 164,402 170,911 ========== ========== ========== Net asset value per ordinary share (note 5) 98.5p 82.5p 88.5p (+ see note 2) - MORE - - 7 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Cash Flow Statement for the half year ended 30 June 2005 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Half year Half year Year ended ended ended 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 December 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 ----------- ----------- ----------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,559 1,225 2,182 Interest paid (185) (195) (309) Net tax paid - - (118) Net cash inflow from financial investments 21,332 24,565 30,799 Equity dividends paid (2,705) (2,036) (2,036) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow before financing 20,001 23,559 30,518 Net cash outflow from financing (16,994) (23,645) (28,360) ---------- ---------- ---------- Increase/(decrease) in cash 3,007 (86) 2,158 ========== ========== ========== Reconciliation of operating revenue to net cash inflow from operating activities Net revenue before interest payable and taxation 2,629 2,415 4,368 Increase in accrued income (152) (205) (6) Increase in other debtors - (17) (19) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (47) 32 34 Management charge taken to other capital reserves (574) (513) (1,015) Overseas withholding tax (288) (286) (578) Taiwanese stock dividends (9) (201) (602) ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,559 1,225 2,182 ========== ========== ========== Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds/ (debt) Increase/(decrease) in cash as above 3,007 (86) 2,158 Decrease in debt 14,167 20,602 21,278 ---------- ---------- ---------- Change in net funds resulting from cash flows 17,174 20,516 23,436 Exchange movements (176) (206) 124 ---------- ---------- ---------- Movement in net funds during the period 16,998 20,310 23,560 Net debt at beginning of the period (8,600) (32,160) (32,160) ----------- ----------- ---------- Net funds/(debt) at the end of the period 8,398 (11,850) (8,600) ========== ========== ========== Represented by: Cash at bank and short term deposits less bank overdrafts 8,398 2,868 5,252 Debt falling due within one year - (14,718) (13,852) ---------- ---------- ---------- 8,398 (11,850) (8,600) ========== ========== ========== - MORE - - 8 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Notes 1. Accounting policies The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of investments and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies' ('SORP') dated January 2003. All of the company's operations are of a continuing nature. The same accounting policies used for the year ended 31 December 2004 have been applied with the following exceptions: (a) Investments - Prior to 1 January 2005, listed investments were valued at middle market prices. Following the introduction of FRS 26 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, listed investments are now valued at fair value deemed to be bid market prices. Unlisted investments continue to be valued by the directors taking into account the information available on the investee company and funds held by the company. The effect of this change is to decrease the value of listed investments at 30 June 2005, and therefore the net return on ordinary activities after taxation, by £512,000. Comparatives have not been restated. FRS 26 also requires, where investments are held at fair value through the profit and loss account, that the purchase transaction costs should be recognised as a separate item from gains and losses on investments. These costs are shown within other expenses in the capital columns of the Statement of Total Return. (b) Dividends - In accordance with FRS 21, Events after the Balance Sheet Date, dividends are not accrued in the accounts unless they have been declared before the balance sheet date. Final dividends are therefore recognised in the period in which they are declared and paid. As a result of this change the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004 have been restated as per note 2 below. 2. Restatement in respect of final dividend (a) Statement of Total Return The Statement of Total Return no longer reflects payment of dividends, these are now shown in the Statement of Changes in Equity during the period in which they are declared and paid (see note 4). The Statement of Total Return for the year ended 31 December 2004 has been restated accordingly. (b) Balance Sheet at 31 December 2004 £'000 Per ordinary share Net assets as at 31 December 2004 as previously stated 168,206 87.1p Add back 2004 final dividend declared on 8 February 2005 2,705 1.4p --------- ------- Restated net assets as at 31 December 2004 170,911 88.5p _______ _____ The balance sheet at 30 June 2004 remains unchanged. - MORE - - 9 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Notes continued 3. Return/(loss) per ordinary share (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) Half Year Ended Half Year Ended Year Ended 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 December 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 The return per ordinary share is based on the following figures: Revenue return 1,757 1,651 2,873 Capital return 19,694 (15,834) (6,618) -------- ---------- --------- Total return 21,451 (14,183) (3,745) ________ __________ _________ Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 191,640,651 203,070,501 198,788,181 Revenue return per ordinary share 0.91p 0.81p 1.45p Capital return per ordinary share 10.28p (7.79p) (3.33p) -------- ---------- --------- Total return per ordinary share 11.19p (6.98p) (1.88p) ________ __________ _________ 4. Statement of Changes in Equity Capital Notes Share redemption Special Capital Revenue capital reserve reserve reserve reserve Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 At 31 December 2003 (as previously stated) 10,180 5,726 99,492 60,531 5,809 181,738 Add final dividend 2003 declared 2 1(b) February 2004 - - - - 2,036 2,036 At 31 December 2003 (as restated) 10,180 5,726 99,492 60,531 7,845 183,774 Shares bought back and cancelled (520) 520 (7,082) - - (7,082) Net (loss)/return from ordinary activities - - - (6,618) 2,873 (3,745) Final dividend for 2003 paid and declared 1(b) - - - - (2,036) (2,036) At 31 December 2004 (as restated) 9,660 6,246 92,410 53,913 8,682 170,911 Shares bought back and cancelled (177) 177 (2,827) - - (2,827) Net return from ordinary activities - - - 19,694 1,757 21,451 Final dividend for 2004 paid and declared 2 - - - - (2,705) (2,705) At 30 June 2005 9,483 6,423 89,583 73,607 7,734 186,830 - MORE - - 10 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 Notes continued 5. Net asset value per ordinary share and issued share capital 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 2005, being 189,653,359 (30 June 2004: 199,183,359 and 31 December 2004: 193,203,359). During the six months to 30 June 2005, the company bought 3,550,000 of its own issued ordinary shares in the market for cancellation at a total cost of £2,827,000. 6. 2004 Accounts The figures and financial information for the year ended 31 December 2004 are extracted from the latest published accounts of the company as restated and do not constitute statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts (prior to restatement) 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 - - 11 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 APPENDIX 1 Geographical Distribution of the Investment Portfolio As at 30 June 2005 As at 31 December 2004 Company Index* Company Index* South Korea 18.2% 24.3% 16.5% 25.9% Taiwan 24.9% 25.9% 15.9% 20.5% China 13.2% 11.2% 14.6% 11.3% Hong Kong 16.1% 18.0% 19.8% 19.9% Thailand 5.7% 3.1% 9.9% 3.6% The Philippines 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% 0.7% Malaysia 6.0% 5.3% 6.9% 5.8% Singapore 12.0% 9.0% 10.3% 9.6% Indonesia 2.2% 2.5% 4.6% 2.7% Vietnam 1.7% 0.0% 1.5% 0.0% India 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 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 2005 Local Currency Sterling Adjusted South Korea 12.5% 20.7% Taiwan 1.7% 9.2% China 2.4% 9.7% Hong Kong -0.2% 6.9% Thailand 1.1% 1.8% The Philippines 5.6% 13.5% Malaysia -2.1% 4.9% Singapore 7.0% 10.9% Indonesia 12.2% 14.3% Vietnam 2.9% 9.1% India 9.0% 16.7% - MORE - - 12 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 APPENDIX 3 Sector Analysis of Investments at 30 June 2005 As at 30 June 2005 As at 31 December 2004 Company Index* Company Index* Consumer Discretionary 10.8% 8.8% 11.7% 9.1% Consumer Staples 3.4% 3.2% 3.5% 3.3% Energy 5.7% 5.2% 3.4% 4.5% Financials and Property 36.2% 27.1% 44.0% 28.8% Healthcare 1.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2% Industrials and Transport 1.4% 11.8% 7.9% 11.6% Information Technology 30.0% 23.4% 11.2% 20.8% Materials 1.6% 6.5% 4.8% 7.1% Telecommunication Services 9.4% 8.6% 10.3% 9.0% Utilities 0.4% 5.2% 3.2% 5.6% ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- 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 income reinvested). (ii) The company's performance is compared against a group of leading investment trust competitors. Source: AITC Services Ltd (net income reinvested). (iii)MSCI AC Far East (Free) ex-Japan Index: (gross dividends reinvested). Source: Thomson Financial Datastream - MORE - - 13 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 APPENDIX 4 List and Valuation of Investments as at 30 June 2005 % of Market % of Market Investments Value Investments Value £'000 £'000 CHINA 13.2 23,789 SINGAPORE 12.0 21,539 Beijing Capital Land 1,314 Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing 3,492 China Heartland Fund 110 Citiraya Industries 714 China Life Insurance 3,014 Great Eastern 3,310 China Mengniu Dairy 1,739 Keppel Corporation 4,920 China Netcom 3,893 Noble Group 2,522 China Shineway Pharmaceutical 1,852 Singapore Petroleum 3,936 China Techfaith Wireless 1,747 Venture Corporation 2,645 China Telecom 3,187 Global Bio-Chem 2,205 TAIWAN 24.9 44,696 Kingboard Chemicals 2,123 Asustek Computer 4,237 Sinopec 2,605 Cathay Financial 3,603 Gemtek Technology 3,552 INDONESIA 2.2 4,005 High Tech Computer 2,364 Perusahaan Gas Negara 804 Mega Financial 2,936 Telekomunikasi Indonesia 3,201 Mitac International 3,234 Nanya Technology 3,480 HONG KONG 16.1 28,987 Novatek Microelectronics 3,123 Cheung Kong 4,335 Quanta Computer 3,416 Culturecom 1,447 Synnex Technology 3,221 Giordano International 3,804 Taiwan Cement 2,767 Henderson Land Development 3,204 Taiwan Semiconductor 5,336 Hutchison Whampoa 4,138 Vanguard International Semiconductor 3,427 Li & Fung 5,546 Linmark 1,597 THAILAND 5.7 10,195 Swire Pacific 4,916 Bank of Ayudhya 2,636 CP Seven Eleven 2,136 SOUTH KOREA 18.2 32,751 Central Pattana 1,879 Hankook Tire 4,819 Shin Corporation 3,544 Hynix Semiconductor 2,937 Industrial Bank of Korea 4,167 VIETNAM 1.7 3,128 Kookmin Bank 3,048 Vietnam Enterprise Investment Fund 3,128 Samsung Electronics 4,262 Samsung Fire & Marine 4,970 TOTAL INVESTMENTS 100.0 179,785 SK Corporation 3,543 ====== SK Telecom 2,743 Top Engineering 2,262 MALAYSIA 6.0 10,695 Genting 3,312 Malayan Banking 2,560 Roadbuilder 1,740 SP Setia 3,083 - MORE - - 14 - HENDERSON TR PACIFIC INVESTMENT TRUST PLC Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 2005 For further information contact: Michael Watt, Director and Manager Tel: 020 7818 1818 Paul Vann Binns & Co. PR Tel: 020 7786 9600 James de Sausmarez Head of Investment Trusts Henderson Global Investors Telephone: 020 7818 3349 Sarah Gibbons-Cook Investor Relations and PR Manager Henderson Global Investors Telephone: 020 7818 3198 - ENDS - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100