Interim Results
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended
31 January 2006
PERFORMANCE
For the six months to 31 January 2006, Fidelity Asian Values' undiluted net
asset value per share rose by 19.9% and the diluted net asset value per share
rose by 17.3%. In comparison, the benchmark MSCI All Countries (Combined) Far
East ex Japan Index gained 14.6%. (All figures in sterling and on a total
return basis.)
The discount at which the ordinary shares traded to the diluted net asset value
of the Company narrowed to 6.7% at the period end from 8.3% six months ago.
The diluted net asset value is included in this report as, for the first time,
the net asset value of each of the Company's shares exceeds the subscription
price of one of its warrants. Hence on exercise of the outstanding warrants,
permitted on 30 November 2006, the net asset value per share in issue will be
diluted.
MARKETS
Asian stockmarkets performed well relative to the majority of their global
peers over the six months to 31 January 2006. Investor sentiment remained
buoyant despite the significant increase in oil prices and the rising interest
rate environment in most markets across the region.
Amongst the larger markets, Korea proved to be one of the region's strongest
performers, benefiting from the clear recovery in the country's domestic
economy, improving asset quality in the banking sector, robust export activity
and turnaround in corporate investment. The return of the domestic Korean
investor to the local equity market has been an important driver of that
market's performance.
China's performance varied over the review period but finished on a positive
note. This was due to continued economic growth momentum and improvements in
its macro visibility. Taiwan was lifted by foreign investor buying attracted by
a positive news flow from the technology sector and relatively inexpensive
valuations.
In Hong Kong, concern over a moderation in property prices due to the rising
interest rate environment in the United States dampened the market's
performance. However, Hong Kong still posted positive returns. The Singapore
market reported muted returns during the review period, although bank stocks
and the technology sector performed well.
The region's smaller exchanges produced strong returns for the six month
period, but underperformed their larger peers in aggregate terms. Both Thailand
and Indonesia posted variable performance. Equity prices in Malaysia ended the
period on a weak note.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Rewarding stock selection in Korea, in particular selected overweight positions
amongst capital goods and software and services, contributed to performance.
Specifically, the Company's overweight position in Korea's top internet search
engine and a holding in a Korean engineering, construction and procurement
company had a positive impact.
Stock selection in Singapore also proved rewarding. In the Hong Kong market
overweight positions in certain retailing and clothing companies dampened
performance.
Telecommunication services and consumer durables in Taiwan also detracted from
performance.
Finally, the effects of stock selection in the region's smaller markets varied.
A holding in Thailand's largest oil refiner contributed to the Company's
performance whilst Malaysia continued to underperform the broader regional
index and detracted from relative returns.
Over the six month review period, the Company increased exposure to Korea to
take advantage of attractively valued opportunities in the export market as
well as domestically-driven sectors benefiting from the recovery in
consumption. Exposure to China was also raised, the Manager having identified
strong earnings potential across a variety of sectors including upstream oil
companies, insurance and property companies and mobile telephone companies.
OUTLOOK FOR THE REGION
The Asian region continues to attract investor interest given the positive long
term growth drivers and the opportunities available for both export and
domestic-oriented investments amongst the region's markets. However, consensus
forecasts suggest that the resilience of the Asian economies may be put to the
test in 2006, with consumer spending widely expected to moderate.
A rising interest rate environment, a recurring phenomenon affecting many Asian
countries, is expected to be a major trend throughout the region in the near
term. Many Asia Pacific central banks have taken their lead from the US Federal
Reserve and are likely to continue to increase interest rates. This results in
higher borrowing costs, potentially moderating economic growth rates and
curbing inflation levels. Domestic consumption could be affected in the short
term with a particular negative impact on those sectors that are interest rate
sensitive, such as property, banks and retailers. More positively, the currency
appreciation which is a potential byproduct of higher interest rates could help
bring down the cost of imports.
The region's increasing demand for energy will be another area of focus in
2006. Reflecting the concerns of some regional governments, the Asian
Development Bank has expressed anxiety over the ongoing impact of inflated fuel
prices.
The political backdrop remained benign in the latter stages of 2005 but further
developments could have a bearing on the direction of individual equity markets
in the months ahead. The snap election called in Thailand in response to
anti-Thaksin demonstrations and the declaration of a state of emergency in the
Philippines by President Arroyo to thwart alleged preparations for a military
coup have caused some local nervousness but are unlikely to affect wider
regional stability.
Taken together, the outlook for equity-based investment in the Asian region
appears to be broadly positive. While valuations across the region have risen
they still remain compelling in comparison to those of their international
counterparts. Given the robust growth being generated by a number of Asia's
economies and the positive impact on corporate earnings in the region, Asian
equities should continue to benefit from the support of overseas investors.
By order of the Board
Fidelity Investments International
29 March 2006
Enquiries:
Stephen Westwood - Head of Investment Trusts, Fidelity Investments
International - 020 7961 4477
Graham Symonds - Fidelity Investments International, Company Secretary - 01737
837345
CB26566
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Income Statement - for the six months ended 31 January 2006(1)
for the six months for the year ended for the six months
ended ended
31.01.06 31.07.05 31.01.05
unaudited audited unaudited
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
Return Return Return
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on
Investments - 17,850 17,850 - 28,065 28,065 - 13,283 13,283
Income
- UK dividends - - - 22 - 22 5 - 5
- UK scrip - - - 6 - 6 6 - 6
dividends
- Overseas 928 - 928 2,619 - 2,619 840 - 840
dividends
- Overseas scrip 215 - 215 138 - 138 - - -
dividends
- Overseas 10 - 10 253 - 253 188 - 188
interest
- Deposit interest 17 - 17 41 - 41 29 - 29
Investment
management fee (559) - (559) (900) - (900) (442) - (442)
Other expenses (219) - (219) (391) - (391) (166) - (166)
Exchange losses (5) (13) (18) (10) (85) (95) - (91) (91)
Exchange gains/ - 90 90 - (89) (89) - 633 633
(losses) on loans
Net return before
finance costs
and taxation 387 17,927 18,314 1,778 27,891 29,669 460 13,825 14,285
Interest payable (324) - (324) (924) - (924) (539) - (539)
Loan redemption - - - - (168) (168) - - -
costs
Net return/(loss)
on ordinary
activities before 63 17,927 17,990 854 27,723 28,577 (79) 13,825 13,746
taxation
Taxation on (156) - (156) (308) - (308) (66) - (66)
ordinary
activities*
Net (loss)/return
on ordinary
activities after
taxation for the
period
attributable to
equity
Shareholders (93) 17,927 17,834 546 27,723 28,269 (145) 13,825 13,680
(Loss)/return per
ordinary share (7)
Basic (0.10p) 19.17p 19.07p 0.58p 29.65p 30.23p 0.15p 14.78p 14.63p
Diluted (0.10p) 18.86p 18.76p 0.58p 29.65p 30.23p (0.15p) 14.78p 14.63p
* This relates to overseas taxation only.Fidelity Asian Values PLC
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' funds
for the six months ended 31 January 2006
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
shareholoders'
funds: 1
August 2004
Net recognised - - - - - 9,718 18,005 - 27,723
gains for the
period
Net revenue - - - - - 546 546
for the period
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 market
at 1 August
2005
Net recognised - - - - - 12,619 5,308 - 17,927
gains for the
period
Net revenue - - - - - - - (93) (93)
loss for the
period
Exercise of 1 5 - 2 (2) - - - 6
warrants
Closing 23,377 12 2,330 59,284 7,367 (12,926) 28,566 (1,681) 106,329
shareholders'
funds: 31
January 2006
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Balance Sheet
as at 31 January 2006
31.01.06 31.07.05 31.01.05
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments at fair value through 115,807 97,779 88,848
profit or loss
Current assets
Debtors 1,258 2,325 567
Cash at bank 902 919 2,695
2,160 3,244 3,262
Creditors - amounts falling due within
one year
Fixed rate unsecured loan (10,162) - -
Other creditors (1,476) (2,067) (1,008)
(11,638) (2,067) (1,008)
Net current (liabilities)/assets (9,478) 1,177 2,254
Total assets less current liabilities 106,329 98,956 91,102
Creditors - amounts falling due after
more than one year
Fixed rate unsecured loan - (10,252) (16,987)
Total net assets 106,329 88,704 74,115
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 23,377 23,376 23,376
Share premium account 12 7 7
Capital redemption reserve 2,330 2,330 2,330
Other non-distributable reserve 59,284 59,282 59,282
Warrant reserve 7,367 7,369 7,369
Capital reserve - realised (12,926) (25,545) (34,425)
Capital reserve - unrealised 28,566 23,473 18,455
Revenue reserve (1,681) (1,588) (2,279)
Total equity shareholders' funds 106,329 88,704 74,115
Net asset value per ordinary share:
Basic 113.71p 94.86p 79.26p
Diluted 111.25p 94.86p 79.26p
FIDELITY ASIAN VALUES PLC
Cash Flow Statement
for the six months ended 31 January 2006
31.01.06 31.07.05 31.01.05
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 904 2,123 868
Interest received 23 294 217
Investment management fee paid (487) (848) (405)
Directors' fees paid (18) (51) (21)
Other cash payments (164) (338) (79)
Net cash inflow from operating
Activities 258 1,180 580
Returns on investments and
servicing of finance
Interest paid (325) (966) (543)
Loan redemption costs - (168)
Net cash outflow from returns
on
investments and servicing of (325) (1,134) (543)
finance
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (49,701) (73,315) (26,750)
Disposals of investments 49,731 75,555 23,329
Net cash inflow /(outflow)
from financial
Investment 30 2,240 (3,421)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow (37) 2,286 (3,384)
before financing
Financing
Exercise of warrants 6 - -
6.28% fixed rate unsecured - (7,457) -
loan part repaid
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 6 (7,457) -
financing
Decrease in cash (31) (5,171) (3,384)
Notes
1. The results for the six months to 31 January 2006 and 31 January 2005, which
are unaudited, constitute non-statutory accounts within the meaning of s240 of
the Companies Act 1985. The figures and financial information for the year
ended 31 July 2005 are extracted from the latest published accounts. These
accounts, on which the auditors gave an unqualified report, have been delivered
to the Registrar of Companies.
2. These interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies set out in the Company's annual report and accounts dated
31 July 2005 except as stated below:
UK GAAP is converging with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
and the following key changes were made as a result of the introduction of
Financial Reporting Standards ("FRS") 26.
FRS26: "Financial Instruments: Measurement" requires that quoted investments
are measured at fair value which is deemed to be bid price. The company's
investments have accordingly been revalued to bid price but no adjustments have
been made to the prior period's results as the Company has taken advantage of
paragraph 108D of the Standard and disclosed the effect of valuing the
investments at bid price as shown in the Reconciliation of Movements in
Shareholders' Funds.
3. A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as
there are no gains and losses other than those reported in the Income
Statement. All revenue and capital items in the Income Statement derive from
continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
4. 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.
5. The Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds has been introduced
as a new primary statement. The issue of ordinary shares from the exercise of
the warrants is reported through this statement.
6. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AITC
Statement of Recommended Practice ("SORP") issued in January 2003 and revised
in December 2005 and the changes to the accounting policies as set out above.
7. (Loss)/returns per ordinary share are based on the net revenue loss on
ordinary activities after taxation of £93,000 (31.07.05: return £546,000;
31.01.05; loss £145,000) and the capital return in the period of £17,927,000
(31.07.05: £27,723,000; 31.01.05: £13,825,000) and on 93,508,000 ordinary
shares (31.07.05: 93,505,653; 31.01.05: 93,505,653) being the weighted average
number of shares in issue during the period.
According to the provisions of FRS14 the fully 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 value.
8. Copies of the interim report will be posted to shareholders as soon as
practicable. Copies will also be available to the public from the Company's
registered office, Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth,
Surrey KT20 6RB.