Final Results
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Unaudited Results
For the year ended 31 July 2006
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 and Markets
The year under review has been positive for the Company. The undiluted net
asset value increased by 11.7%, compared to the performance of the MSCI All
Countries (Combined) Far East ex Japan Index which returned 9.2% in sterling
terms over the same period. The share price rose by 11.8% and the discount to
diluted net asset value narrowed to 7.3%.
In the comparatively short term covered by the year under review mixed returns
were delivered by Asian region stock markets but all, other than Taiwan,
finished in positive territory in sterling terms. The correction in the final
quarter of the Company's year was expected by investors in the region given the
pressures from sustained high oil prices and rising interest rates globally.
The broad based sell down took place across several emerging markets but one of
the hardest hit, Korea, enjoyed an early equity rebound helped by consumer
spending, gradual diversification in exports and increased competitiveness.
Among individual markets, China was one of the strongest performers rising over
27% in sterling terms. Global investors were encouraged by the continuing
programme of reform measures including regulatory changes intended to decrease
government holdings in traded companies and move to a more market friendly
environment. Similarly, transparency and corporate governance continued to
improve.
Of the smaller markets Indonesia posted the strongest returns rising over 20%
in sterling terms. In the Thai market political uncertainties and continued
inflationary concerns dampened consumer and investor sentiment, although export
growth has remained robust. Singapore and Malaysia performance was unexciting.
Gearing
The Board keeps the level of gearing within the Company under close control. At
31 July 2006 gross gearing was 9.7% of shareholders' funds and net gearing
(after deducting cash held including the Company's investment in Fidelity
Institutional Cash Fund) was 8.0%. At today's date gross gearing stands at 9.1%
and net gearing at 7.6%.
Continuation Vote
A continuation vote is required in any year if the average discount has
exceeded 15% of the net asset value over a defined twelve month period. This
year, because the Company has been operating for ten years, the Articles of
Association require that a continuation vote be taken. Accordingly, an ordinary
resolution proposing that the Company continue as an investment trust for five
years until the conclusion of the annual general meeting in 2011, or any
earlier date if so required under the Articles will be put to the Annual
General Meeting to be held in 2006.
Outlook
Asia is a region of significant economic growth, this being demonstrated
particularly by China. The region has proved resilient with concerns over
rising oil and commodity prices not dampening export growth. There are of
course uncertainties arising from the geopolitical background and the trend of
global interest rates but the consensus is that growth in developing Asian
economies will continue to remain robust.
The rising number of globally competitive companies strengthens the region's
position as a global export leader. Domestically driven consumption demand is
also increasingly important, and not only in China. In addition, equity
valuations remain attractive when compared to the majority of global peers and
could provide support to the markets in an environment of more muted corporate
earnings growth.
Against this background the Board is in no doubt that the Asia Pacific region
will continue to offer attractive long term investment opportunities.
Annual General Meeting
This year's AGM is scheduled for 23 November 2006 at Fidelity's Cannon Street
office commencing at 11.00 am. All shareholders, ISA, PEP and Share Plan
investors are invited to attend. The investment manager will be making a
presentation on the year under review and immediate prospects for the Company.
Sir Victor Garland
Chairman
21 September 2006
Dividend
The Company does not declare a dividend for the year ended 31 July 2006.
Enquiries:
Stephen Westwood, Head of Investment Trusts, Fidelity Investments International
- 020 7961 4477
Graham Symonds, Company Secretary, Fidelity Investments International
- 01737 837 345
Issued by Fidelity Investments International. Authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
CB28451
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Income Statement
- unaudited - for the year ended 31 July (1)
2006 2005
revenue capital total revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investments - 10,253 10,253 - 28,065 28,065
Income
- UK dividends - - - 28 - 28
- Overseas dividends 2,385 - 2,385 2,757 - 2,757
- Overseas interest 19 - 19 253 - 253
- Deposit interest 42 - 42 41 - 41
Investment management fee (1,125) - (1,125) (900) - (900)
Other expenses (457) - (457) (391) - (391)
Exchange gains/(losses) 12 (208) (196) (10) (85) (95)
Exchange gains/(losses) - 597 597 - (89) (89)
on loans
Net return before finance 876 10,642 11,518 1,778 27,891 29,669
costs and taxation
Interest payable (637) - (637) (924) - (924)
Loan redemption costs - - - - (168) (168)
Net return on ordinary 239 10,642 10,881 854 27,723 28,577
activities before
taxation
Taxation on return on (299) - (299) (308) - (308)
ordinary activities*
Net (loss)/return on (60) 10,642 10,582 546 27,723 28,269
ordinary activities after
tax for the year
Net (loss)/return per
ordinary share (2)
Basicand diluted (0.06p) 11.38p 11.32p 0.58p 29.65p 30.23p
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as there
are no gains and losses other than those reported in this Income Statement. The
total column of the Income Statement is the profit and loss account of the
Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from
continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
* This relates to overseas taxation only.FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
- unaudited - for the year ended 31 July (3)
called share capital other warrant capital capital revenue total
up premium redemption reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve equity
share account reserve realised unrealised
capital
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening 23,376 7 2,330 59,282 7,369 (35,263) 5,468 (2,134) 60,435
shareholders'
funds: 1 August
2004
Net recognised - - - - - 9,718 18,005 - 27,723
gains for the
year
Revenue after - - - - - - - 546 546
taxation
Closing 23,376 7 2,330 59,282 7,369 (25,545) 23,473 (1,588) 88,704
shareholders'
funds: 31 July
2005
Effect of - - - - - - (215) - (215)
changing prices
from middle
market to bid at
1 August 2005
Net recognised - - - - - 16,435 (5,793) - 10,642
gains/(losses)
for the year
Revenue loss - - - - - - - (60) (60)
after taxation
Exercise of 1 5 - 2 (2) - - - 6
warrants
Closing 23,377 12 2,330 59,284 7,367 (9,110) 17,465 (1,648) 99,077
shareholders'
funds: 31 July
2006
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Balance Sheet
- unaudited - as at 31 July
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments held at fair value through profit or 107,538 97,779
loss
Current assets
Debtors 4,111 2,325
Cash at bank 1,313 919
5,424 3,244
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Fixed rate unsecured loan (9,655) -
Other creditors (4,230) (2,067)
(13,885) (2,067)
Net current (liabilities)/assets (8,461) 1,177
Total assets less current liabilities 99,077 98,956
Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one
year
Fixed rate unsecured loan - (10,252)
Total net assets 99,077 88,704
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 23,377 23,376
Share premium account 12 7
Capital redemption reserve 2,330 2,330
Other reserve 59,284 59,282
Warrant reserve 7,367 7,369
Capital reserve - realised (9,110) (25,545)
Capital reserve - unrealised 17,465 23,473
Revenue reserve (1,648) (1,588)
Total equity shareholders' funds 99,077 88,704
Net asset value per ordinary share:
Basic 105.95p 94.86p
Diluted 104.88p 94.86p
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Cash Flow Statement
- unaudited- for the year ended 31 July
2006 2005
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 2,310 2,123
Interest received 56 294
Investment management fee paid (1,445) (848)
Directors' fees paid (79) (51)
Other cash payments (288) (338)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 554 1,180
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest paid (641) (966)
Loan redemption costs - (168)
Net cash outflow from returns on investments and (641) (1,134)
servicing of finance
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (90,518) (73,315)
Disposal of investments 91,013 75,555
Net cash inflowfrom financial investment 495 2,240
Net cash inflowbefore financing 408 2,286
Financing
Exercise of warrants 6 -
6.28% fixed rate unsecured loan part repaid - (7,457)
Net cash inflow/(outflow)from financing 6 (7,457)
Increase/(decrease)in cash 414 (5,171)
1. The Statement of Total Return is now called the Income Statement and the
total column, as opposed to the revenue column, is now the profit and loss
account of the Company.
2. (Losses)/returns per ordinary share are based on the net revenue loss on
ordinary activities after taxation of £60,000 (2005: return £546,000) and the
capital return in the year of £10,642,000 (2005: £27,723,000) and on 93,509,538
ordinary shares (2005: 93,505,653) being the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the year.
The basic and fully diluted returns have been calculated according to the
provisions of FRS22. Since the effect of the warrants outstanding on the first
day of the accounting period is not dilutive, they have not been included in
the diluted return.
3. A new primary statement, the Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders'
Funds, has been introduced. The issue of ordinary shares from the exercise of
warrants is reported through this statement.
The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies
as set out in annual financial statements to 31 July 2006. The figures for the
year to 31 July 2005 have been extracted from the financial statements for the
year ended 31 July 2005 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies
and on which the Auditors gave an unqualified report.
The annual report and financial statements will be posted to shareholders as
soon as is practicable and in any event no later than 24 October 2006.