Final Results
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Results
For the year ended 31 July 2008
Chairman's Statement
PERFORMANCE
Over the 12 months to 31 July 2008 the net asset value per share of Fidelity
Asian Values PLC declined by 15.6%. In comparison the benchmark MSCI All
Countries (Combined) Far East Free ex Japan Index fell by 10.7%. The share
price declined by 13.0% over the period. (All figures in sterling terms and on
a total return basis.) This underperformance against the benchmark should be
seen against the background of a more encouraging longer term record. Over the
three and five years to 31 July 2008 the Company's net asset value rose by
38.9% and 109.7 % respectively against rises of 37.8% and 99.6% by the
benchmark.
A revenue surplus of £499,000 has been made over the year. Subject to
shareholders' approval at the 2008 Annual General Meeting the Directors
recommend that a final dividend in respect of the year to 31 July 2008 of 0.81
pence per share be paid to shareholders on the register at close of business on
10 October 2008 (ex dividend date 8 October 2008). As the Company's objective
is long term capital growth any revenue surplus is a function of a particular
year's business and it should not be assumed that dividends will ordinarily be
payable.
MARKETS
After a sharp fall in the early summer of 2007 Asian equities started the
review period on a positive note. They ended the financial year in negative
territory having succumbed to a series of global issues that led markets down.
Record oil prices and rising inflation were the key concerns in Asia. Increased
write downs by international financial institutions also eroded investor
confidence. Fears that Asian exports would not remain immune to a US slowdown
added to the general malaise. There was a sharp increase in the number of
earnings downgrades while redemptions from the region rose as increasingly risk
averse overseas investors withdrew funds.
Against this backdrop investors favoured the lower risk developed markets of
Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong over their counterparts in emerging Asia and
moved into sectors seen to benefit from robust domestic demand. Interest rate
cuts in the US in the first half of the review period, aimed at stimulating
growth in the world's largest economy, also had a positive impact.
Economic activity remained relatively robust, albeit moderated from 2007
levels, but inflation increased more than anticipated. Central banks in the
region, including the People's Bank of China, raised their key interest rates
and took other policy initiatives to regulate their financial markets. The
higher cost of borrowing dampened the outlook for property, retail, financial
and industrial companies although rising commodity prices were supportive of
profits at mining and oil firms, particularly in Indonesia and Australia.
OUTLOOK FOR THE REGION
Though the events of the past year have largely put paid to theories of
"decoupling", the Asia Pacific region has so far held up well in the face of
slowing growth in more advanced economies and increased stress in financial
markets. Continuing high oil and commodity prices are likely to put pressure on
domestic consumption and corporate profitability in the region. The trade
balances of countries with significant oil imports will also suffer, and
corporate profit margins will be squeezed by inflationary pressures.
Conversely, recent strong investment and infrastructure trends should continue
and thereby help to sustain growth in the region. And market volatility should
throw up stock picking opportunities for adroit managers.
I write this statement against the background of a deepening banking crisis,
markets around the world have fallen heavily. In the short term the outlook is
very cloudy but there are grounds for optimism that Asian economies and markets
will emerge less damaged than those of the developed world.
TENDER OFFER AND REDUCTION OF CAPITAL
After the end of the year under review a tender offer was made for up to 40% of
the Company's issued share capital. The Board took this action to avoid the
potentially destabilising effect on the share price of certain shareholders
wishing to realise their holdings. Following shareholders' approval at an
Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on 5 September 2008 and
completion of the tender offer a total of 41,262,764 ordinary shares have been
cancelled from the Register of Members. This equates to 40% of the issued share
capital immediately prior to the offer being made. Exiting shareholders bore
the costs involved and the remaining shareholders received the benefit of an
uplift to the net asset value of some 2% on the day the tender offer was
completed. As agreed by shareholders at the 5 September EGM the Company has
applied to the Court to confirm a reduction of capital by way of the
cancellation of the share premium account and capital redemption reserve,
including the capital redemption reserve arising on the implementation of the
tender offer. This was done in order to ensure that the Company will have
sufficient distributable reserves to continue to implement share repurchases.
GEARING
The amount of the US$18 million short term loan available to gear the portfolio
was reduced pro rata to the reduced size of the Company following the tender
offer. Currently the loan stands at US$11 million. During the period under
review the portfolio manager was given greater flexibility to maintain gearing
than in prior years because of the increased volatility of the markets.
Currently the net gearing parameters set by the Board are between 0 and 10%.
VAT ON MANAGEMENT FEES
The Board has noted the final judgment from the European Court of Justice in
favour of the claim by JPMorgan Claverhouse plc that Her Majesty's Revenue and
Customs had been wrong in requiring UK investment trusts to pay VAT on their
management fees. As the Company has recovered virtually all the VAT it has been
charged it does not expect further significant recovery of VAT. Hence no
further VAT refund has been accounted for in the accompanying financial
statements. The Company is no longer paying VAT on management fees.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2008 Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 5 December 2008 at
Fidelity's Cannon Street office commencing at 11.00 am. All shareholders and
Fidelity Savings Plan and ISA Scheme investors are invited to attend. The
portfolio manager will be making a presentation on the year under review and
immediate prospects for the Company.
Sir Victor Garland
Chairman
30 September 2008
Enquiries:
Graham Symonds, FIL Investments International, Company Secretary - 01737 837
345
Richard Miles, Director Corporate Communications, FIL Investments International
- 020 7961 4921
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Income Statement
- for the year ended 31 July 2008
2008 2007
revenue capital total revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
(Losses)/gains on - (26,390) (26,390) - 55,516 55,516
investments
Income
- overseas dividends 4,188 - 4,188 3,350 - 3,350
- overseas scrip 241 - 241 164 - 164
dividends
- overseas interest - - - 16 - 16
- deposit interest 150 - 150 139 - 139
Investment management fee (1,688) - (1,688) (1,528) - (1,528)
Other expenses (474) - (474) (498) - (498)
Exchange losses on other (14) (26) (40) (5) (238) (243)
net assets
Exchange (losses)/gains - (247) (247) - 815 815
on loans
Net return/(loss)before 2,403 (26,663) (24,260) 1,638 56,093 57,731
finance costs and
taxation
Interest payable (516) - (516) (519) - (519)
Net return/(loss)on 1,887 (26,663) (24,776) 1,119 56,093 57,212
ordinary activities
before taxation
Taxation on return on (398) - (398) (461) (35) (496)
ordinary activities*
Net return/(loss)on 1,489 (26,663) (25,174) 658 56,058 56,716
ordinary activities after
taxation for the year
Return/(loss) per
ordinary share
Basic 1.43p (25.57p) (24.14p) 0.63p 53.37p 54.00p
Diluted - - - 0.62p 53.35p 53.97p
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 - for the year ended 31 July
2008
called share capital other other warrant capital capital revenue total
up premium redemption non-distributable reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve equity
share account reserve reserve realised unrealised
capital
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening 23,377 12 2,330 - 59,284 7,367 (9,110) 17,465 (1,648) 99,077
shareholders'
funds: 1
August 2006
Net - - - - - - 19,908 36,150 - 56,058
recognised
capital gains
for the year
Repurchase of (1,157) - 1,157 - (5,535) - - - - (5,535)
ordinary
shares
Revenue after - - - - - - - - 658 658
taxation
Exercise of 5,116 15,347 - 7,367 - (7,367) - - - 20,463
warrants
Closing 27,336 15,359 3,487 7,367 53,749 - 10,798 53,615 (990) 170,721
shareholders'
funds: 31
July 2007
Transfer - - - - - - 52,787 (52,787) - -
between
reserves*
Net - - - - - - (26,432) (231) - (26,663)
recognised
capital
losses for
the year
Repurchase of (1,547) - 1,547 - (9,606) - - - - (9,606)
ordinary
shares
Revenue after - - - - - - - - 1,489 1,489
taxation
Closing 25,789 15,359 5,034 7,367 44,143 - 37,153 597 499 135,941
shareholders'
funds: 31
July 2008
* In accordance with TECH 01/08: Distributable Profits - with effect from 1
August 2007 changes in fair value of investments which are readily convertible
to cash without accepting adverse terms at the balance sheet date are included
in realised rather than unrealised capital reserves. The balances on both
reserves at 1 August 2007 have been amended by a reserve transfer to reflect
this change.
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Balance Sheet
- as at 31 July2008
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments at fair value through profit or loss 136,356 175,057
Current assets
Debtors 634 5,949
Cash at bank 8,954 4,696
9,588 10,645
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors (916) (6,141)
(916) (6,141)
Net current assets 8,672 4,504
Total assets less current liabilities 145,028 179,561
Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one
year
Fixed rate unsecured loan (9,087) (8,840)
Total net assets 135,941 170,721
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 25,789 27,336
Share premium account 15,359 15,359
Capital redemption reserve 5,034 3,487
Other non-distributable reserve 7,367 7,367
Other reserve 44,143 53,749
Capital reserve - realised 37,153 10,798
Capital reserve - unrealised 597 53,615
Revenue reserve 499 (990)
Total equity shareholders' funds 135,941 170,721
Net asset value per ordinary share 131.78p 156.13p
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
CashFlow Statement
- for the year ended 31 July 2008
2008 2007
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 3,546 2,713
Deposit interest received 154 144
Investment management fee paid (1,272) (1,447)
Directors' fees paid (60) (71)
Other cash payments (566) (379)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,802 960
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest paid (511) (403)
Net cash outflow from returns on investments and (511) (403)
servicing of finance
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (84,344) (123,551)
Disposal of investments 96,901 111,301
Net cash inflow/(outflow)from financial investment 12,557 (12,250)
Net cash inflow/(outflow)before financing 13,848 (11,693)
Financing
Repurchase of ordinary shares (9,606) (5,535)
Exercise of warrants - 20,463
5.60% fixed rate unsecured loan drawn down - 9,541
6.28% fixed rate unsecured loan repaid - (9,541)
Net cash (outflow)/inflowfrom financing (9,606) 14,928
Increasein cash 4,242 3,235
Returns/(losses) per ordinary share are based on the net revenue return on
ordinary activities after taxation of £1,489,000 (2007: £658,000), the capital
loss in the year of £26,663,000 (2007: return £56,058,000) and the total loss
in the year of £25,174,000 (2007: return £56,716,000) and on 104,262,596
ordinary shares (2007: 105,041,064) being the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the year.
In accordance with the provisions of FRS14, the prior year diluted returns have
been calculated on the assumption that the warrants in issue were converted on
the first day of the financial period on a weighted average basis for the
period over which they were outstanding and that the proceeds from the
conversion have been used by the Company to purchase its own shares at a fair
market price. There are no diluted returns in the current reporting year as no
warrants remain outstanding.
The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies
as set out in annual financial statements to 31 July 2008. The statutory
financial statements for the financial year ended 31 July 2008 have been
approved and audited but have not yet been filed. The statutory financial
statements for the financial years ended 31 July 2007 and 31 July 2008 received
unqualified audit reports, did not include a reference to any matters to which
the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report
and did not contain statements under section 237(2) and (3) of the Companies
Act 1985. The annual report and financial statements will be posted to
shareholders as soon as is practicable and in any event no later than 6
November 2008.
CB34757/na