Final Results
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Unaudited Results
for the year ended 31 July 2004
Please note that past performance is not a guide to future returns. The value
of investments can go down as well as up and may be affected by exchange rate
fluctuations.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Performance
The year under review has been one of mixed fortunes for Asian markets, and for
your Company. The net asset value of the Company increased by 2.6%, broadly in
line with the performance of the MSCI All Countries Far East Free ex Japan
Index, which returned 2.7% in sterling terms over the same period. The share
price fell by 3.5%; the discount to net asset value, year end to year end,
widened to 14.9%.
The modest increase in the regional benchmark index masked sharp differences in
the performance of individual markets. Some, like Hong Kong (up 13%) and
Singapore (up 11%) did very well. Others, notably Taiwan (down 10%) and Korea
(down 7%), suffered negative returns. Most stock exchanges started the year on
an upbeat note in the wake of strengthening economic momentum, increasing
global liquidity and surging commodity prices. Active trading of smaller
markets further reflected the increased risk appetite of global investors. But
market conditions began to deteriorate early in 2004, as concerns over a US
interest rate rise and increasing oil prices triggered selling of equities.
Meanwhile, news about monetary tightening in China also dampened investment
enthusiasm across the region, although some smaller markets, particularly
Thailand and Indonesia outperformed.
Continuation Vote
The average discount for the 12 months to 22 September 2004 was 11.4%. It
follows that there will not be a vote on the continuation of the Company at the
Annual General Meeting this year.
Gearing
The Board keeps a close watch on the level of gearing in the Company and
adjusts it from time to time in the light of short term trends. As at 31 July
2004, gross gearing amounted to 29.2% of shareholders' funds and net gearing
(i.e. after deducting cash held, including the Company's investment in the
Fidelity Institutional Cash Fund) amounted to 6.0%. At the time of writing,
gross gearing is 26.2% and net gearing is 6.1%.
Directorate
It is with great sadness that I have to record that Roger Hulett, a Director of
the Company, died late last year after a short illness. Roger had been on the
Board some three and a half years and brought us the benefit of his
considerable investment trust expertise and commercial awareness. He will be
greatly missed. Hugh Bolland was appointed a Director on 11 March 2004. He has
valuable experience and his colleagues look forward to working with him in
years to come.
Outlook
Though elections cleared the political air in some regional countries, major
concerns remain, notably over the maverick North Korean regime's nuclear
ambitions and renewed tension between mainland China and Taiwan. Events beyond
the region, including the spread of terrorist activity, worries over the
security of oil supplies, and the outcome of the US Presidential election,
could also affect investor sentiment.
On the economic front, the performance of the Chinese economy is likely to have
an influence on the region as a whole, due to the country's increasing
importance as the engine of growth. At the time of writing, the Chinese
authorities look more likely than not to succeed in their efforts to bring
excessive growth in the domestic economy under control. As always, developments
in the US, particularly over interest rates, will also be important, as will
the apparent emergence of Japan (where the Company does not invest) from its
long recession.
Fundamentally, investors find the growth prospects of Asian companies
attractive because of their globally competitive edge. Strong trade figures
have recently suggested that the global outsourcing trend is intact, while
robust trade should fuel domestic consumption in the region. Against this
background, your Board is confident that the Asia Pacific region continues to
offer attractive longer-term investment opportunities. However, as always, the
right stock selection remains vital.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM is due to take place on 25 November 2004 at Fidelity's London Cannon
Street office at 11.00 am and all shareholders, ISA, PEP and Share Plan
investors are invited to attend. The Investment Manager will be making a
presentation on Asia and the prospects for Fidelity Asian Values.
Sir Victor Garland
Chairman
23 September 2004
Dividend
The Company does not declare a dividend for the year ended 31 July 2004.
Enquiries:
Barbara Powley - Fidelity Investments International
01737 836883
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Statement of Total Return (unaudited)
(incorporating the revenue account) of the Company for the year ended 31 July
2004
2004 2003
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Losses on investments - (358) (358) - (1,946) (1,946)
Income from dividends 1,973 - 1,973 1,891 - 1,891
Income from scrip 60 - 60 4 - 4
dividends
Overseas interest 291 - 291 266 - 266
Deposit income 12 - 12 32 - 32
Investment management (793) - (793) (705) - (705)
fee
Other expenses (383) - (383) (344) - (344)
Exchange losses - (216) (216) - (95) (95)
Net return/(loss)
before
finance costs and 1,160 (574) 586 1,144 (2,041) (897)
taxation
Exchange gains on - 2,250 2,250 - 567 567
loan
Interest payable (1,119) - (1,119) (1,262) - (1,262)
Return/(loss) on
ordinary
activities before tax 41 1,676 1,717 (118) (1,474) (1,592)
Tax on ordinary (212) - (212) (214) - (214)
activities
(Loss)/return on
ordinary
activities after tax
for the
year attributable to
equity
shareholders (171) 1,676 1,505 (332) (1,474) (1,806)
(Loss)/return per
ordinary share
Basic and diluted (0.18p) 1.79p 1.61p (0.36p) (1.57p) (1.93p)
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
Balance Sheet (unaudited)
as at 31 July 2004
2004 2003
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 71,445 78,736
Current assets
Debtors - amounts falling due within 2,269 276
one year
Cash at bank 6,196 343
8,465 619
Creditors - amounts falling due within (1,855) (555)
one year
Net current assets 6,610 64
Total assets less current liabilities 78,055 78,800
Creditors - amounts falling due after
more than one year
Fixed rate unsecured loan (17,620) (19,870)
Total net assets 60,435 58,930
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 23,376 23,376
Share premium account 7 7
Capital redemption reserve 2,330 2,330
Other reserves
Other reserve 59,282 59,282
Warrant reserve 7,369 7,369
Capital reserve - realised (35,263) (35,960)
Capital reserve - unrealised 5,468 4,489
Revenue reserve (2,134) (1,963)
Total equity shareholders' funds 60,435 58,930
Net asset value per ordinary share:
Basic and diluted 64.63p 63.02p
Cash Flow Statement (unaudited)
for the year ended 31 July 2004
2004 2003
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 1,637 1,802
Interest received 303 301
Investment management fees paid (793) (713)
Directors' fees paid (36) (44)
Other cash payments (335) (249)
Net cash inflow from operating 776 1,097
activities
Returns on investments and servicing of
finance
Interest paid (1,130) (1,258)
Net cash outflow from returns on
investments
and servicing of finance (1,130) (1,258)
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (72,315) (54,738)
Realised exchange losses (276) (137)
Disposals of investments 78,693 50,790
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 6,102 (4,085)
financial investment
Increase/(decrease)/ in cash 5,748 (4,246)
The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies
as set out in the most recently published set of annual financial statements.
The figures for the year ended 31 July 2003 have been extracted from the
accounts for the year ended 31 July 2003 which have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies and on which the Auditors gave an unqualified report.
The annual report and accounts will be posted to shareholders in October 2004
and copies will also be available from the Secretary, Fidelity Investments
International, Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey
KT20 6RP.