Half-yearly Report
Fidelity European Values PLC
Preliminary announcement of unaudited Half-Yearly results for the six months
ended 30 June 2014
Contents
Interim Reports
Investment Objective and Performance Summary 1
Financial Summary 2
Half-Yearly Report 3
Twenty Largest Investments 6
Interim Management Report
Principal Risks and Uncertainties 7
Related Party Transactions 7
Going Concern 7
Directors' Responsibility Statement 7
Financial Statements
Income Statement 8
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds 10
Balance Sheet 12
Cash Flow Statement 13
Notes to the Financial Statements 14
Information for Shareholders
Shareholder Information 19
Glossary of Terms 21
Investing in Fidelity European Values PLC 24
Warning to Shareholders 25
Investment Objective and Performance Summary
The investment objective of the Company is to achieve long term capital growth
from the stockmarkets of continental Europe.
Performance (Total Return) (%)
Six From
months launch
to 5
30 November
June 1991
2014
Net Asset Value ("NAV") per Share Total Return +3.1 +2,013.9
Share Price Total Return +5.6 +1,884.5
FTSE World Europe (ex UK) Index* Total Return +3.1 +641.4
*The Company's Benchmark Index
Standardised performance (Total Return) (%)
30/06/13 30/06/12 30/06/11 30/06/10 30/06/09
to to to to to
30/06/14 30/06/13 30/06/12 30/06/11 30/06/10
NAV per Share +10.5 +26.8 -12.0 +30.5 +14.9
Share Price +16.3 +30.5 -12.1 +37.0 +7.0
FTSE World Europe (ex UK) +16.4 +27.9 -20.0 +29.4 +15.1
Index1
1 Data prior to the period ended 30 June 2011 is on a net of tax basis
Sources: Fidelity and Datastream
Past performance is not a guide to future returns
The Company is a member of the Association of Investment Companies
Financial Summary
30 31
June December
2014 2013
Assets
Total portfolio exposure1 £743.5m £741.9m
Shareholders' funds £713.0m £711.2m
Total portfolio exposure in excess of shareholders' 4.3% 4.3%
funds (Gearing)
NAV per share (cum-income)2 170.80p 168.58p
NAV per share (ex-income)2 167.60p 165.58p
Stockmarket data
FTSE World Europe (ex UK) Index3 432.45 430.40
Share price2 158.00p 152.50p
Discount (ex-income basis) 5.7% 7.9%
Discount (cum-income basis) 7.5% 9.5%
Results for the six months to 30 June - see pages 8 2014 2013
and 9
Revenue return per ordinary share2 3.19p 3.08p
Capital return per ordinary share2 1.86p 13.91p
Total return per ordinary share2 5.05p 16.99p
Total returns (includes reinvested income) for the 2014 2013
six months to 30 June
NAV per share +3.1% +11.9%
Share price +5.6% +9.7%
FTSE World Europe (ex UK) Index3 +3.1% +10.9%
1 The total exposure of the investment portfolio, including exposure to the
investments underlying the long CFDs
2 Prior period figures have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one ordinary
share sub-division which took place on 2 June 2014 (see Notes 4, 6 and 7 in the
Notes to the Financial Statements on pages 15 to 18)
3 Benchmark Index
Sources: Fidelity and Datastream
Past performance is not a guide to future returns
Half-Yearly Report
PERFORMANCE
During the first six months of the year the net asset value ("NAV") total
return was 3.1%, exactly matching the total return of 3.1% for the FTSE World
Europe (ex UK) Index (the Company's Benchmark Index). The share price total
return was 5.6% which is ahead of the NAV total return as a consequence of a
narrowing in the share price discount to NAV. The discount narrowed from 7.9%
at the beginning of the year to 5.7% at the end of the reporting period, based
on the NAV excluding income. (All figures in UK sterling.)
MARKET REVIEW
After a very strong run in 2013, continental European markets rose more
modestly in the first half of 2014.
Currency exposure was the key differentiator of stock performance during the
first months of the year. Companies exposed to the domestic European economy
performed best, especially those listed in `peripheral' markets. Global
multi-nationals suffered, most notably those doing more of their business in
emerging markets which continued to struggle on a range of concerns, from the
Fed's "tapering" to the crisis in Ukraine.
The second quarter of the year has proved more challenging for the market
overall, with almost no progress made in UK sterling terms. There were,
however, changes in market leadership, with some of the key trends in recent
years reversing. For instance, larger companies which have typically lagged
their smaller brethren during the market rally of the last two years, saw some
healthy rises, led by sectors such as energy and utilities. High profile
mergers and acquisitions ("M&A") involving larger companies, such as the mooted
acquisition of AstraZeneca by Pfizer or the proposed take-over of much of
Alstom by GE, catalysed a reappraisal of larger company valuations.
The half year ended in listless trading with volatility back to low pre-crisis
levels across most geographies and asset classes. There may be some structural
reasons why this is so, such as less proprietary trading by investment banks
and the effects of quantitative easing, but often market calms are followed by
more stormy conditions or, at least, more volatile conditions.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S REPORT
The Company's net asset value matched the Benchmark Index over the period.
At the stock level, there were some strong performances from companies listed
in the so-called `peripheral' economies such as Spain and Italy. In particular
the two Spanish regulated utilities held by the Company benefited from an
on-going reduction in sovereign bond yields and, in the case of Red Electrica,
more clarity in regulation. The strong performance of these holdings off-set
the negative impact of being generally underweight in the `peripheral' markets
of Europe.
Novo-Nordisk, the leading diabetes care company, which suffered an indifferent
2013, rebounded strongly, early on in 2014, as investors became less concerned
about the economic impact of a contract loss and as the company published a
more optimistic time-line on the potential approval of a key drug in the US
market.
Iliad, a French telecoms company, surged as it became apparent that the French
regulator was in favour of in-market consolidation. Although no deal has yet
been consummated, the share price has held up well in anticipation that a
combination with another telecom company is still probable.
The Company's bank holdings gave up some of their gains of the previous year as
the costs of regulation and litigation continued to mount for the sector. BNP
Paribas, in particular, struggled as it became clear that the cost of breaking
sanctions placed by the US on countries such as Iran would be much higher than
analysts had expected. Indeed, the threat of more litigation and regulation
cast a long shadow over the sector, impacting other holdings, such as UBS, who
are still subject to a number of litigation risks, in particular relating to
foreign exchange trading. The Portfolio Manager believes that, at some stage,
these costs will wane and the underlying strength and dividend capacity of
these franchises will justify higher share prices. It has, however, been a
painful wait.
GEARING
The Company continues to gear through the use of long Contracts For Difference
("CFDs"). As at 30 June 2014, the level of gearing was 4.3%. The Board has set
a gearing range of 0-10% and in the six month period gearing made a marginally
positive contribution to performance.
SUB-DIVISION OF SHARES
At the Annual General Meeting on 15 May 2014, shareholders approved the
sub-division of the Company's ordinary share of 25 pence each into ten ordinary
shares of 2.5 pence each. Following completion of the sub-division, 41,792,173
ordinary shares of 25 pence each converted into 417,921,730 new ordinary shares
of 2.5 pence each. The new ordinary shares commenced trading on the main market
of the London Stock Exchange on 2 June 2014.
DISCOUNT MANAGEMENT
The Board continues to adopt an active discount management policy and share
buybacks have been made during the period. Whilst the primary purpose of our
policy is to reduce share price volatility in relation to NAV, buying in shares
at a discount also results in an enhancement to NAV per share.
In the period from 1st January to 1st June 2014, 395,520 ordinary shares of 25
pence each were repurchased for cancellation at an average price of 1,525.45
pence per share. In the period from 2nd June to 30th June 2014, 481,232
ordinary shares of 2.5 pence each were repurchased for cancellation at an
average price of 157.53 pence per share.
Since the period end, 992,588 ordinary shares of 2.5 pence each have been
repurchased for cancellation at a price of 151.99 pence per share. The issued
share capital as at 28 July 2014 was 416,447,910 ordinary shares of 2.5 pence
each.
The discount at 30 June 2014 was 7.5% on a cum-income NAV basis and 5.7% on an
ex-income NAV basis.
REGULATORY MATTERS
As stated in the Annual Report, the Board has worked with its advisors in order
to achieve compliance with the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive
("AIFMD") which came into force on 22 July 2014. The Board has appointed FIL
Investment Services (UK) Limited (a Fidelity group company) to act as the
Company's Alternative Investment Fund Manager. FIL Investment Services (UK)
Limited has delegated the portfolio management to FIL Investments International
who previously acted as the Company's Manager. FIL Investments International
will continue to act as the Company Secretary.
An additional requirement of the AIFMD was to appoint a depositary on behalf of
the Company to oversee the custody and cash arrangements of the Company.
JP Morgan Chase Bank act as the Company's current banker and custodian and will
continue to do so. The Board have extended this arrangement and appointed
J.P.Morgan Europe Limited, part of the same group of companies as JP Morgan
Chase Bank, to act as the Company's Depositary.
OUTLOOK
The Portfolio Manager has become more cautious about prospects for continental
European stock markets. This is reflected in a lower level of gearing which was
4.4% at the date of this report.
Share prices have risen while the earnings of continental European companies
have not, partly due to the strength of the Euro. Valuations are now more
attractive to sellers than buyers. This is evidenced by the rise in issuance,
particularly initial public offerings ("IPOs") from private equity companies.
There are some other warning signs, the recent pick-up in M&A activity being
one example.
This could well herald the usual weaker seasonal spell from May to September.
Beyond that, the direction of the market will be determined by the delivery of
earnings and dividend growth, which is much needed to give fundamental support
to continental European stock markets. The recent measures announced by the
European Central Bank ("ECB"), ostensibly to counter the threat of deflation,
will provide some help. The ECB monetary easing may also start to weaken the
relative strength of the Euro, particularly if the US Federal Reserve continues
to curtail its own asset purchases.
The Portfolio Manager's focus will continue to be on attractively-valued
companies, with sound balance sheets, which can deliver consistent dividend
growth. Although the direction of markets is unclear, the good news is that the
majority of these consistent dividend growers, which had become relatively
expensive during the sovereign debt crisis, have lagged the rally over the last
two years such that, in general, they now appear to be relatively attractive in
terms of valuation.
By order of the Board
FIL Investments International
28 July 2014
Twenty Largest Investments as at 30 June 2014
Twenty Largest Investments, including long Exposure Fair Exposure2
CFDs £'000 value1 %
£'000
Nestlé 46,100 46,100 6.2
Packaged food
Roche 32,101 32,101 4.3
Pharmaceuticals
Sanofi (CFD) 30,002 868 4.0
Pharmaceuticals
Novo-Nordisk 29,175 29,175 3.9
Healthcare services
Anheuser-Busch InBev 27,040 27,040 3.6
Brewing
SAP 25,573 25,573 3.4
Software solutions and consultancy
Schneider Electric 22,753 22,753 3.1
Electricity distribution and automation
management
UBS 21,691 21,691 2.9
Financial services
BNP Paribas 21,273 21,273 2.9
Financial services
Sampo 20,710 20,710 2.8
Property and casualty insurance
Volkswagen 20,452 20,452 2.8
Automobiles
Christian Dior 18,511 18,511 2.5
Clothing and accessories
KBC Groep 18,454 18,454 2.5
Financial services
Statoil 17,638 17,638 2.4
Energy
Hennes & Mauritz 17,351 17,351 2.3
Business services
Linde (CFD) 17,029 1,735 2.3
Gases and engineering
GAM Holding 16,597 16,597 2.2
Asset managers
Deutsche Boerse 15,185 15,185 2.0
Financial services
SES 14,180 14,180 2.0
Broadcasting and entertainment
ASML Holding 14,068 14,068 1.9
Semiconductors
Twenty Largest Investments 445,883 401,455 60.0
Other Investments 297,652 297,652 40.0
Total Portfolio (including long CFDs) 743,535 699,107 100.0
1 Fair value represents the carrying value in the Balance Sheet on page 12
2 % of the total exposure of the investment portfolio, including exposure to
the investments underlying the long CFDs
Interim Management Report
The Company is required to make the following disclosures in its Half-Yearly
Report:
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Board, with the assistance of the Manager, has developed a risk matrix
which, as part of the risk management and internal control process, identifies
the key risks that the Company faces. The Board believes that the principal
risks and uncertainties faced by the Company continue to fall into the
following categories: market risk; performance risk; income/dividend risk;
discount control risk; gearing risk; tax and regulatory risks; and operational
risks. Information on each of these risks can be found in the Strategic Report
section of the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2013.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There have been no related party transactions during the six month period to 30
June 2014, and therefore, there is nothing to report on any material effect by
such a transaction on the financial position or the performance of the Company.
GOING CONCERN
The Board receives regular reports from the Manager and the Directors have a
reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements as
outlined in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2013. The next
continuation vote will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in
2015.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:
a) the condensed set of financial statements contained within the Half-Yearly
Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with the UK Accounting
Standards Board's Statement `Half-Yearly Financial Reports'; and gives a true
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and net return of
the Company as required by the UK Listing Authority Disclosure and Transparency
Rules ("DTR") 4.2.4R; and
b) the Interim Management Report (which incorporates the Half-Yearly Report on
pages 3 to 5) includes a fair review of the information required by DTR Rules
4.2.7R and 4.2.8R.
The Half-Yearly Financial Report has not been audited or reviewed by the
Company's Independent Auditor.
The Half-Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board on 28 July 2014 and
the above responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by
Mr Humphrey van der Klugt, Chairman.
Income Statement
six months year six months
ended ended ended
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
revenue capital total revenue capital total revenue capital total
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on - 6,334 6,334 - 95,243 95,243 - 57,054 57,054
investments
designated
at fair
value
through
profit or
loss
Gains on - 1,537 1,537 - 12,044 12,044 - 2,913 2,913
derivative
instruments
held at
fair value
through
profit or
loss
Income 2 18,055 - 18,055 21,066 - 21,066 17,622 - 17,622
Investment (2,981) - (2,981) (5,821) - (5,821) (2,839) - (2,839)
management
fees
Performance - - - - - - - (502) (502)
fees
Other (414) - (414) (803) - (803) (384) - (384)
expenses
Exchange (35) (84) (119) 4 108 112 (9) (98) (107)
(losses)/
gains on
other net
assets
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net return 14,625 7,787 22,412 14,446 107,395 121,841 14,390 59,367 73,757
before
finance
costs and
taxation
Finance (107) - (107) (279) - (279) (140) - (140)
costs
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net return 14,518 7,787 22,305 14,167 107,395 121,562 14,250 59,367 73,617
on ordinary
activities
before
taxation
Taxation on 3 (1,134) - (1,134) (1,505) - (1,505) (1,097) - (1,097)
return on
ordinary
activities
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net return 13,384 7,787 21,171 12,662 107,395 120,057 13,153 59,367 72,520
on ordinary
activities
after
taxation
for the
period
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Return per 4 3.19p 1.86p 5.05p 2.98p 25.29p 28.27p 3.08p 13.90p 16.98p
ordinary
share1
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
1 Prior period figures have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one ordinary
share sub-division which took place on 2 June 2014
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 period.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the
Association of Investment Companies Statement of Recommended Practice issued in
January 2009.
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds
Notes share share capital capital revenue total
capital premium redemption reserve reserve equity
£'000 account reserve £'000 £'000 £'000
£'000 £'000
Opening 10,781 58,615 5,044 523,187 18,647 616,274
shareholders'
funds at 1
January 2013
Repurchase of 6 (207) - 207 (11,641) - (11,641)
ordinary
shares
Net return on - - - 59,367 13,153 72,520
ordinary
activities
after
taxation for
the period
Dividend paid 5 - - - - (11,921) (11,921)
to
shareholders
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Closing 10,574 58,615 5,251 570,913 19,879 665,232
shareholders'
funds at 30
June 2013
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Opening 10,781 58,615 5,044 523,187 18,647 616,274
shareholders'
funds at 1
January 2013
Repurchase of 6 (234) - 234 (13,239) - (13,239)
ordinary
shares
Net return on - - - 107,395 12,662 120,057
ordinary
activities
after
taxation for
the year
Dividend paid 5 - - - - (11,901) (11,901)
to
shareholders
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Closing 10,547 58,615 5,278 617,343 19,408 711,191
shareholders'
funds at 31
December 2013
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Opening 10,547 58,615 5,278 617,343 19,408 711,191
shareholders'
funds at 1
January 2014
Repurchase of 6 (111) - 111 (6,821) - (6,821)
ordinary
shares
Net return on - - - 7,787 13,384 21,171
ordinary
activities
after
taxation for
the period
Dividend paid 5 - - - - (12,535) (12,535)
to
shareholders
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Closing 10,436 58,615 5,389 618,309 20,257 713,006
shareholders'
funds at 30
June 2014
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Balance Sheet
Company No. 2638812
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments designated at fair 696,504 669,216 608,057
value through profit or loss
---------- ---------- ----------
Current assets
Derivative assets held at fair 2,603 19,980 21,484
value through profit or loss
Debtors 3,432 2,463 2,409
Fidelity Institutional 8,025 31 32
Liquidity Fund plc
Cash at bank 4,206 21,326 35,346
---------- ---------- ----------
18,266 43,800 59,271
---------- ---------- ----------
Creditors
Other creditors (1,764) (1,825) (2,096)
---------- ---------- ----------
(1,764) (1,825) (2,096)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net current assets 16,502 41,975 57,175
---------- ---------- ----------
Total net assets 713,006 711,191 665,232
========== ========== ==========
Capital and reserves
Share capital 6 10,436 10,547 10,574
Share premium account 58,615 58,615 58,615
Capital redemption reserve 5,389 5,278 5,251
Capital reserve 618,309 617,343 570,913
Revenue reserve 20,257 19,408 19,879
---------- ---------- ----------
Total equity shareholders' 713,006 711,191 665,232
funds
========== ========== ==========
Net asset value per ordinary 7 170.80p 168.58p 157.28p
share1
========== ========== ==========
1 Prior period figures have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one ordinary
share sub-division which took place on 2 June 2014
Cash Flow Statement
six year six
months months
ended ended ended
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 14,101 14,631 12,037
Income received on long CFDs 1,287 3,009 2,835
Deposit interest received 17 44 19
Investment management fee paid (2,995) (5,619) (2,736)
Performance fee paid - (2,243) (2,243)
Directors' fees paid (66) (104) (72)
Other cash payments (341) (660) (335)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash inflow from operating 12,003 9,058 9,505
activities
---------- ---------- ----------
Finance costs
Interest paid on long CFDs (106) (281) (141)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash outflow from finance costs (106) (281) (141)
---------- ---------- ----------
Taxation recovered 130 651 550
---------- ---------- ----------
Financial investments
Purchase of investments (135,153) (156,750) (60,500)
Disposal of investments 114,534 167,459 94,015
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from (20,619) 10,709 33,515
financial investments
---------- ---------- ----------
Derivative activities
Net proceeds/(payments) from long 18,914 5,765 (4,870)
CFD positions closed
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from 18,914 5,765 (4,870)
derivative activities
---------- ---------- ----------
Dividends paid to shareholders (12,535) (11,901) (11,921)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before use (2,213) 14,001 26,638
of liquid resources and financing
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash flow from management of liquid
resources
Fidelity Institutional Liquidity (7,994) (1) -
Fund plc
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash outflow from management of (7,994) (1) -
liquid resources
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before (10,207) 14,000 26,638
financing
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing
Repurchase of ordinary shares (6,829) (13,232) (11,642)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash outflow from financing (6,829) (13,232) (11,642)
---------- ---------- ----------
(Decrease)/increase in cash (17,036) 768 14,996
---------- ---------- ----------
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The half-yearly financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the
accounting policies set out in the Company's Annual Report and financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2013.
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
2 INCOME
Income from investments designated
at
fair value through profit or loss
Overseas dividends 15,843 16,599 13,834
Overseas scrip dividends 332 728 561
UK dividends 578 686 371
---------- ---------- ----------
16,753 18,013 14,766
Income from derivatives held at
fair value through profit or loss
Dividends on long CFDs 1,287 3,009 2,835
---------- ---------- ----------
18,040 21,022 17,601
Other income
Deposit interest 15 44 21
---------- ---------- ----------
Total income 18,055 21,066 17,622
========== ========== ==========
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
3 TAXATION ON RETURN ON ORDINARY
ACTIVITIES
Overseas taxation suffered 2,081 2,558 2,039
Overseas taxation recovered (947) (1,053) (942)
---------- ---------- ----------
Current taxation charge 1,134 1,505 1,097
========== ========== ==========
4 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The return per ordinary share is based on the net return on ordinary activities
after taxation for the period divided by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period.
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Net revenue return on ordinary 13,384 12,662 13,153
activities after taxation for the
period
Net capital return on ordinary 7,787 107,395 59,367
activities after taxation for the
period
---------- ---------- ----------
Net total return on ordinary 21,171 120,057 72,520
activities after taxation for the
period
========== ========== ==========
Weighted average number of ordinary 419,592,982 424,578,870 426,955,590
shares in issue during the period
========== ========== ==========
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
pence pence pence
Revenue return per ordinary share 3.19 2.98 3.08
Capital return per ordinary share 1.86 25.29 13.90
---------- ---------- ----------
Total return per ordinary share 5.05 28.27 16.98
========== ========== ==========
The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 2013 and
30 June 2013 have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one ordinary share
sub-division which took place on 2 June 2014, as disclosed in Note 6 below. On
the original basis, as stated in the prior period financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 2013, the net returns per ordinary share were: revenue
return 29.82 pence, capital return 252.94 pence and total return 282.76 pence,
and for the six months ended 30 June 2013: revenue return 30.81 pence, capital
return 139.05 pence and total return 169.86 pence (based on the weighted
average number of Existing Ordinary Shares in issue for the year ended 31
December 2013: 42,457,887 and for the six months ended 30 June 2013:
42,695,559).
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
5 DIVIDENDS PAID
Dividend of 29.75 pence per 12,535 - -
ordinary share paid for the year
ended 31 December 2013
Dividend of 27.75 pence per - 11,901 11,901
ordinary share paid for the year
ended 31 December 2012
---------- ---------- ----------
12,535 11,901 11,901
========== ========== ==========
No dividend has been declared in respect of the six months to 30 June 2014.
If the pence per ordinary share dividend rates actually paid, as shown above,
are adjusted to reflect the ten for one ordinary share sub-division which took
place on 2 June 2014, as disclosed in Note 6 below, the adjusted dividend rates
would be: dividend of 2.975 pence per ordinary share paid for the year ended 31
December 2013 and dividend of 2.775 pence per ordinary share paid for the year
ended 31 December 2012.
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
Number £'000 Number £'000 Number £'000
of shares of shares of shares
6 SHARE
CAPITAL
Existing
Ordinary
Shares of
25 pence
each
Issued,
allotted
and fully
paid
Beginning of 42,187,693 10,547 43,127,073 10,781 43,127,073 10,781
the period
Repurchase (395,520) (99) (939,380) (234) (830,679) (207)
of ordinary
shares
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
41,792,173 10,448 42,187,693 10,547 42,296,394 10,574
Ordinary (41,792,173) (10,448) - - - -
shares
cancelled on
the
sub-division
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
End of the - - 42,187,693 10,547 42,296,394 10,574
period
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
New Ordinary
Shares of
2.5 pence
each
Issued,
allotted
and fully
paid
Beginning of - - - - - -
the period
Ordinary 417,921,730 10,448 - - - -
shares
issued on
the
sub-division
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
417,921,730 10,448 - - - -
Repurchase (481,232) (12) - - - -
of ordinary
shares
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
End of the 417,440,498 10,436 - - - -
period
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
On 2 June 2014, the Existing Ordinary Shares of 25 pence each were sub-divided.
Ten New Ordinary Shares of 2.5 pence each were issued for each existing share.
The new shares rank pari passu with each other and are subject to the same
rights and restrictions as the shares they replaced. A holding of New Ordinary
Shares following the sub-division represents the same proportion of the issued
share capital of the Company as the corresponding holding in the Existing
Ordinary Shares.
7 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE
The net asset value per ordinary share is based on net assets of £713,006,000
(31 December 2013: £711,191,000 and 30 June 2013: £665,232,000) and on
417,440,498 (31 December 2013: 421,876,930 and 30 June 2013: 422,963,940) New
Ordinary Shares, being the number of ordinary shares in issue at the period
end.
The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 2013 and 30 June 2013
have been adjusted to reflect the ten for one ordinary share sub-division which
took place on 2 June 2014, as disclosed in Note 6 above. On the original basis,
as stated in the prior period financial statements, the net asset value per
ordinary share was 1,685.78 pence per share at 31 December 2013 and 1,572.79
pence per share at 30 June 2013 (based on the number of Existing Ordinary
Shares in issue at 31 December 2013: 42,187,693 and 30 June 2013: 42,296,394).
8 INVESTMENT TRANSACTION COSTS
Transaction costs are incurred on the acquisition and disposal of investments.
These are included in the gains on investments designated at fair value through
profit or loss in the capital column of the Income Statement and are summarised
below:
30.06.14 31.12.13 30.06.13
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Purchases 205 247 71
Sales 137 188 109
---------- ---------- ----------
342 435 180
========== ========== ==========
9 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The results for the six months ended 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2013, which are
unaudited, constitute non-statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435
of the Companies Act 2006. The figures and financial information for the year
ended 31 December 2013 are extracted from the latest published financial
statements. These financial statements, on which the Independent Auditor gave
an unqualified report, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
Shareholder Information
CONTACT INFORMATION
Private investors: call free on 0800 41 41 10 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Financial advisers: call free on 0800 41 41 81 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
www.fidelity.co.uk/its
Existing shareholders who have a specific query regarding their holding or need
to provide updated information, for example a change of address, should contact
the appropriate administrator.
Holders of ordinary shares
Capita Asset Services, Registrars to Fidelity European Values PLC, The
Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU. Telephone: 020 8639 3399
(lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday). email:
shareholderenquiries@capita.co.uk
Details of individual shareholdings and other information can also be obtained
from the Registrars' website: www.capitaassetservices.com
Fidelity Share Plan investors
Fidelity Investment Trust Share Plan, PO Box 12062, Mellon House, Ingrave Road,
Brentwood, Essex CM14 9LX. Telephone: 0845 358 1107 (calls to this number are
charged at 3.95p per minute from a BT landline dependent on the tariff. Other
telephone service providers' costs may vary).
Fidelity ISA investors
Fidelity, using the freephone numbers given above, or by writing to: UK
Customer Service, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, Oakhill House, 130 Tonbridge
Road, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9DZ.
General enquiries
General enquiries should be made to the Secretary, FIL Investments
International, at the Company's registered office: FIL Investments
International Investment Trusts, Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood,
Tadworth, Surrey KT20 6RP. Telephone: 01732 36 11 44 Fax: 01737 836 892
www.fidelity.co.uk/its
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
This is a convenient way to build up your shareholding by using your cash
dividends to buy more shares in the Company. If you prefer to receive shares
for your next dividend instead of cash please complete an application form
online at www.capitashareportal.com or call Capita IRG Trustees on 0871 664
0300 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) from the UK or +44 20 8639
3399 from overseas.
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
30 June 2014 - Half-Yearly period end
July 2014 - Announcement of Half-Yearly results
August 2014 - Publication of Half-Yearly Report
31 December 2014 - Financial year end
March 2015 - Publication of Annual Report
May 2015 - Annual General Meeting
Shareholder Information
Board, Manager and Advisors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Humphrey van der Klugt (Chairman)
James Robinson (Chairman of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent
Director)
Simon Fraser
Robin Niblett
Marion Sears
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGER (AIFM)
FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited
Oakhill House
130 Tonbridge Road
Hildenborough
Tonbridge
Kent TN11 9DZ
PORTFOLIO MANAGER, SECRETARY AND REGISTERED OFFICE
FIL Investments International
Beech Gate
Millfield Lane
Lower Kingswood
Tadworth
Surrey KT20 6RP
FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND STOCKBROKERS
Winterflood Investment Trusts
The Atrium Building
Cannon Bridge
25 Dowgate Hill
London EC4R 2GA
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor
30 Finsbury Square
London EC2P 2YU
BANKERS AND CUSTODIAN
JP Morgan Chase Bank (London Branch)
125 London Wall
London EC2Y 5AJ
DEPOSITARY
J.P. Morgan Europe Limited
25 Bank Street
London E14 5JP
REGISTRARS
Capita Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU
LAWYERS
Slaughter and May
One Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YY
Speechly Bircham LLP
6 New Street Square
London EC4A 3LX
Glossary of Terms
AIF
Alternative Investment Fund. The Company is an AIF.
AIFM
Alternative Investment Fund Manager. The Board has appointed FIL Investment
Services (UK) Limited to act as the Company's AIFM.
AIFMD
The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive is a European Union
Directive and came into force on 22 July 2013. The implementation date was 22
July 2014.
BENCHMARK INDEX
FTSE World Europe (ex UK) Index against which the performance of the Company is
measured.
CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE (CFD)
A Contract For Difference is a derivative. It is a contract between the Company
and an investment bank at the end of which the parties exchange the difference
between the opening price and the closing price of the underlying asset of the
specified financial instrument. It does not involve the Company buying or
selling the underlying asset, only agreeing to receive or pay the movement in
its share price. A Contract For Difference allows the Company to gain access to
the movement in the share price by depositing a small amount of cash known as
margin. The Company may reason that the asset price will rise, by buying
("long" position) or fall, by selling ("short" position). If the Company holds
long positions, dividends are received and interest is paid. If the Company
holds short positions, dividends are paid and interest is received. The Company
only uses long Contracts For Difference.
DERIVATIVES
Financial instruments whose value is derived from the value of an underlying
asset. The main categories of derivatives are Contracts For Difference, futures
and options.
DISCOUNT
If the share price of the Company is lower than the net asset value per share,
the Company's shares are said to be trading at a discount. The discount is
shown as a percentage of the net asset value. The opposite of a discount is a
premium. It is more common for an investment trust's shares to trade at a
discount than a premium.
FAIR VALUE
The fair value is the best estimate of the value of the investments, including
derivatives, at a point in time and this is measured as:
• Listed investments valued at bid prices, or last market prices, where
available, otherwise at published price quotations;
• Unlisted investments valued using an appropriate valuation technique in the
absence of an active market; and
• Contracts For Difference valued as the difference between the settlement
price of the contract and the value of the underlying shares in the contract
(unrealised gains or losses).
GEARING
Gearing describes the level of a Company's exposure and is expressed as a
percentage of shareholders' funds. It reflects the amount of exposure the
Company uses to invest in the market. It can be through the use of bank loans,
bank overdrafts or derivatives in order to increase a Company's exposure to
investments. If assets rise in value, gearing magnifies the return to ordinary
shareholders. Correspondingly, if the assets fall in value, gearing magnifies
the fall. The Company uses long Contracts For Difference to gain exposure to
the price movements of certain shares without buying the underlying shares
directly.
GEARING PERCENTAGE
In a simple example, if a company has £100 million of net assets and a total
portfolio of £108 million, with £8 million of borrowings (either via bank loans
or long derivatives) then the shareholders' funds are 8% geared. Normally, the
higher the gearing percentage, the more sensitive the Company's shares will be
to movements up and down in the value of the investment portfolio.
HEDGING
A strategy aimed at minimising or eliminating the risk or loss through adverse
movements, normally involving positions in two different markets, with one
offsetting the other. The Company uses derivatives for gearing and investment
rather than hedging purposes.
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)
Net asset value is sometimes also described as "shareholders' funds", and
represents the total value of the Company's assets less the total value of its
liabilities. For valuation purposes it is common to express the net asset value
on a per share basis.
NAV PER SHARE (CUM-INCOME)
The net asset value per share including the net revenue on ordinary activities
after taxation for the period, as shown in the revenue column of the Income
Statement.
NAV PER SHARE (EX-INCOME)
The net asset value per share excluding the net revenue on ordinary activities
after taxation for the period.
PREMIUM
If the share price of the Company is higher than the net asset value per share,
the Company's shares are said to be trading at a premium. The premium is shown
as a percentage of the net asset value. The opposite of a premium is a
discount.
RETURN
The return generated in the period from the investments:
• Revenue Return reflects the dividends and interest from investments and other
income net of revenue expenses, finance costs and taxation;
• Capital Return reflects the return on capital, excluding any revenue returns;
• Total Return reflects the aggregate of capital and revenue returns in the
period.
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
Shareholders' funds are also described as "net asset value" and represent the
total value of the Company's assets less the total value of its liabilities.
TOTAL PORTFOLIO EXPOSURE
The total of fixed asset investments at fair value plus the fair value of the
underlying securities within the Contracts For Difference.
TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE
The return on the share price or net asset value per share taking into account
the rise and fall of share prices and the dividends paid to shareholders. Any
dividends received by the shareholder are assumed to have been reinvested in
additional shares (for share price total return) or the Company's assets (for
net asset value total return).
Investing in Fidelity European Values PLC
Further Information
For application forms or more information about any of the investment options
described here, please call the Fidelity Investment Trust Line on 0800 41 41 10
and talk to a Fidelity customer representative (9am to 6pm).
Alternatively, you may like to visit the Fidelity London Investor Centre at 25
Cannon Street, next to St Paul's Cathedral.
You can also find out more by visiting fidelity.co.uk/its or contacting your
Financial Adviser.
The Fidelity Individual Savings Account ("ISA") and Junior ISA are offered and
managed by Financial Administration Services Limited. The Fidelity Investment
Trust Share Plan is managed by FIL Investments International. Both companies
are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The value of savings and eligibility to invest in an ISA will depend on
individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. With
effect from 22 July 2014, Fidelity's investment trusts are managed by FIL
Investment Services (UK) Limited, the Alternative Investment Fund Manager. They
were previously managed by FIL Investments International. Fidelity only gives
information about its own products and services and does not provide investment
advice based on individual circumstances. Should you wish to seek advice,
please contact a Financial Adviser.
Please note that the value of investments and the income from them may fall as
well as rise and the investor may not get back the amount originally invested.
Past performance is not a guide to future returns. For funds that invest in
overseas markets, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of
your investment. Investing in small and emerging markets can be more volatile
than older developed markets. Reference in this document to specific securities
should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell these securities,
but is included for the purposes of illustration only. Investors should also
note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already
been acted upon by Fidelity.
Fidelity, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, the Fidelity Worldwide Investment logo
and symbol are trademarks of FIL Limited.
The content of websites referenced in this document does not form part of this
document.
Warning to Shareholders
SHARE FRAUD WARNING
Share fraud includes scams where investors are called out of the blue and
offered shares that often turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or an
inflated price for shares they own. These calls come from fraudsters operating
in `boiler rooms' that are mostly based abroad.
While high profits are promised, those who buy or sell shares in this way
usually lose their money.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found most share fraud victims are
experienced investors who lose an average of £20,000, with around £200m lost in
the UK each year.
PROTECT YOURSELF
If you are offered unsolicited investment advice, discounted shares, a premium
price for shares you own, or free company or research reports, you should take
these steps before handing over any money:
1. Get the name of the person and organisation contacting you.
2. Check the FCA Register at www.fca.org.uk/register to ensure they are
authorised.
3. Use the details on the FCA Register to contact the firm.
4. Call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 if there are no contact
details on the Register or you are told they are out of date.
5. Search the FCA list of unauthorised firms and individuals to avoid doing
business with.
6. REMEMBER: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
If you use an unauthorised firm to buy or sell shares or other investments, you
will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services
Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.
REPORT A SCAM
If you are approached about a share scam you should tell the FCA using the
share fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you can find out
about the latest investment scams. You can also call the Consumer Helpline on
0800 111 6768.
If you have already paid money to share fraudsters you should contact Action
Fraud on
0300 123 2040
Fidelity, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, the Fidelity Worldwide Investment logo
and symbol are trademarks of FIL Limited
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