Half-yearly Report
Fidelity Japanese Values PLC
Preliminary announcement of unaudited Half-Yearly results
for the six months ended 30 June 2012
Contents
Objective & Performance Summary
Summary of Results
Chairman's Statement
Manager's Half-Yearly Review
Directors' Responsibility Statement
Twenty Largest Investments
Financial Statements
Investor Information
Directory
Glossary of Terms
Objective & Performance Summary
The objective of the Company is to achieve long term capital growth
from an actively managed portfolio of securities primarily of small and medium
sized Japanese companies listed or traded on Japanese stockmarkets.
Performance (on a total return basis)
Six months to
30 June 2012 30 June 2012
Net asset value ("NAV") per share - undiluted 63.11p -1.7%
NAV per share - diluted 61.89p -1.4%
Ordinary share price 52.50p 0.0%
Russell Nomura Mid/Small Cap Index* (in
sterling terms) 1.80 -1.4%
* The Company's Benchmark Index
Standardised performance (on a total return basis) (%)
01/07/07 01/07/08 01/07/09 01/07/10 01/07/11
to to to to to
30/06/08 30/06/09 30/06/10 30/06/11 30/06/12
NAV per share - undiluted -17.4 -16.4 +16.0 +16.9 -9.9
Share price -19.0 -16.6 +11.6 +14.9 -9.5
Sources: Fidelity and Datastream
Past performance is not a guide to future returns
Summary of Results
30 June 31 December %
2012 2011 change
Assets
Total portfolio exposure1 £73.75m £77.02m -4.2
Shareholders' funds £61.35m £62.54m -1.9
Contracts for Difference ("CFDs") exposure £17.58m £18.22m -3.5
NAV per share - undiluted 63.11p 64.17p -1.7
NAV per share - diluted2 61.89p 62.79p -1.4
Stockmarket Data
Russell Nomura Mid/Small Cap Index (in
sterling terms) 1.8034 1.8288 -1.4
Yen/£ exchange rate 125.147 119.572 -4.5
Ordinary share price3 period end 52.50p 52.50p 0.0
high 55.50p 63.25p
low 49.25p 47.75p
Discount - undiluted3 period end 16.8% 18.2%
high 18.8% 18.7%
low 12.1% 3.4%
Discount - diluted period end 15.2% 16.4%
Subscription share price3 period end 2.63p 5.70p
high 6.38p 14.75p
low 2.25p 5.20p
Results for the six months to 30 June
(undiluted) - see pages 12 and 13 2012 2011
Revenue return per ordinary share -
undiluted 0.09p 0.04p
Capital (loss)/return per ordinary share -
undiluted (1.18p) 1.82p
Total (loss)/return per ordinary share -
undiluted (1.09p)4 1.86p
1 The total exposure of the investment portfolio, including
exposure to the investments underlying the long CFDs
2 The diluted NAV per ordinary share is included in this report
since the NAV per ordinary share is greater than the exercise price of the
subscription shares. Hence, if the subscription shares had been converted at
the period end, the NAV per ordinary share in issue would have been diluted
3 The high and low figures relate to the six months ended 30 June
2012 and the year ended 31 December 2011
4 The decrease in the undiluted NAV per ordinary share during the
period of 1.06 pence is less than the 1.09 pence undiluted total loss per
ordinary share because the former includes the full enhancement to the NAV per
share due to the net share repurchases during the period, whereas the latter
is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the
period
Sources: Fidelity and Datastream
Past performance is not a guide to future returns
Chairman's Statement
Results for the six months to 30 June 2012
NAV (undiluted): 63.11p (-1.06p; -1.7%)
Ordinary share price: 52.50p (no change)
Subscription share price: 2.63p (-3.07p; -53.9%)
Discount (undiluted): 16.8% (narrowed by 1.4%)
The global economy is slowing, but not uniformly. The US appears to be
benefiting from accommodative monetary policies and well contained inflation,
although its recovery is anaemic. Meanwhile, many other economies are
confronting late-cycle or recessionary dynamics exacerbated by fiscal
tightening. The impact of these policy measures are, to some extent, being
offset by aggressive monetary interventionism. However, of concern is the
possibility that, on a global basis, the efficacy of monetary policy is
diminishing in the face of bank deleveraging, sluggish global demand and
fiscal policy risks. As such, it appears that investors no longer expect the
macroeconomic backdrop to remain supportive of risk assets, and as a result
there is a greater focus on capital preservation in the near term.
Against this global backdrop, the market rally that took off in
Japan at the start of the year started to lose momentum in late March as fears
of a global slowdown took hold. Weak economic data in China and the US,
coupled with the growing threat from the Eurozone debt crisis precipitated a
correction in share prices that accelerated in April and May. Increased risk
aversion fuelled demand for the yen as a safe haven currency, exerting further
pressure on Japanese stocks. Share prices subsequently rallied, however, as
statements from monetary authorities raised expectations of coordinated easing
and fears of a Greek exit from the Eurozone receded. During the first half of
2012, cyclical stocks in the energy, materials and technology sectors suffered
the steepest declines. Defensive industries such as telecommunications and
consumer staples held up well in comparison.
Over the review period, your Company's net asset value declined by
1.06p per share (-1.7%) to 63.11p per share. The discount to NAV, although
large, narrowed slightly. The impact of gearing was almost neutral (+0.19p,
calculated on a pre-exchange rate basis) while a weakening of the yen against
sterling detracted by 2.98p. Index performance and Index income added 2.82p,
but the Manager's stock selection detracted marginally from performance by
0.83p.
Six months
to
30 June 2012
Attribution Analysis (pence)
NAV at 31 December 2011 (undiluted) 64.17
Impact of the Index (in yen terms) +2.06
Impact of Index Income (in yen terms) +0.76
Impact of Stock Selection -0.83
Impact of Gearing +0.19
Impact of Exchange Rate -2.98
Impact of Charges -0.64
Share Issues/Repurchases +0.05
Cash/Residual +0.33
NAV at 30 June 2012 (undiluted) 63.11
Chairman's Statement
Performance for the six months to 30 June 2012
Rebased to 100 at 31 December 2011
Sources: Fidelity and Datastream
GEARING
The Company continues to gear through the use of Contracts For
Difference ("CFDs"). Total exposure was £73.75m as at 30 June 2012, equating
to gearing of 120.2%.
THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
Following the retirement of William Thomson from the Board at the
conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2012, I was appointed as
Chairman of the Board. Nicholas Barber will step down as a Director on 31
December 2012 and at this point the period of transition in the Board's
composition will cease and the Board will comprise five Directors.
SHARE REPURCHASES
During the six months to 30 June 2012, 250,000 ordinary shares were
repurchased for cancellation. Following the end of the reporting period, a
further 128,000 ordinary shares were repurchased for cancellation.
SUBSCRIPTION SHARES
The rights attaching to a total of 7,902 subscription shares were
exercised during the six months to 30 June 2012, at which point the total
number of subscription shares remaining in issue was 17,236,957. The final
date for exercising the rights attached to the subscription shares is 28
February 2013. The exercise price of the rights attaching to the subscription
shares is 55 pence per subscription share.
After 28 February 2013, the Company will appoint a trustee to
determine the net proceeds from the sale of ordinary shares arising on the
exercise of the rights attaching to the subscription shares that have not been
exercised after deduction of costs, expenses and fees. If these net proceeds
are lower than the cost of exercising the rights attached to the said
subscription shares, then the subscription share rights will lapse. If the net
proceeds are higher than the cost of exercising the rights attached to the
subscription shares then, within fourteen days of 28 February 2013, the
Company will either:
(i) exercise all the rights attached to the outstanding
subscription shares and sell in the market place the ordinary shares resulting
from the exercise of such rights; or
(ii) accept any offer available for the purchase of the outstanding
subscription shares in excess of the exercise price together with the relevant
costs, expenses and fees and the resulting net proceeds in excess of the
exercise price will be paid to the holders of the outstanding subscription
shares unless the amount arising to a subscription shareholder is less than
£5.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Board, with the assistance of the Manager, has developed a risk
matrix which, as part of the internal controls process, identifies the key
risks that the Company faces. The top risks are considered to be poor
management of assets or underperformance for several years in succession; loss
of reputation in the market place; mismanagement of shareholder relationships;
security of the Company's assets; and regulatory change. Further key risks
identified within this matrix continue to be market risk, investment
management risk, share price risk, currency risk, counterparty risk,
governance/regulatory risk, financial and operational/administration risk and
financial instrument risks. Information on each of these is given in the
Business Review section of the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December
2011.
CONFIRMATION OF GOING CONCERN
The Board receives regular reports from the Manager and the
Directors are satisfied 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 2011. The next
continuation vote will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in
2013.
GLOSSARY
To assist shareholders, a glossary of main terms has been provided
on pages 26 to 28. This will be included in future annual reports.
OUTLOOK
The past financial year has been difficult for corporate Japan,
however Japanese companies have again demonstrated their resilience and profit
forecasts are looking strong. The Board has confidence that the Company's
portfolio can make progress against the strong global headwinds currently
being faced.
David Robins
Chairman
26 July 2012
Manager's Half-Yearly Review
MANAGER'S PORTFOLIO REVIEW
The Company's NAV underperformed the Russell/ Nomura Mid Small Cap
Index, which fell 1.4% during the review period. Stock selection was
marginally negative, as stockmarkets were driven by "risk-on/risk-off"
sentiment rather than corporate fundamentals.
A large part of the underperformance was sustained during the first
half of the review period when a number of holdings that formed the basis of
the Company's strong performance in 2011 fell out of favour. In particular,
the portfolio's emphasis on internet-related names proved disadvantageous.
Having posted strong returns in 2011, the portfolio's top positions, including
Bit-Isle and CyberAgent, fell on profit taking. Meanwhile, concerns about
regulatory risks hurt on-line gaming company Gree's share price. Given the
strong conviction in the growth potential of internet service providers, the
overweight positions in Bit-Isle, CyberAgent, Kakaku.com, Rakuten and GMO
Payment Gateway have been maintained. However, the positions in on-line gaming
companies Gree and DeNa have been sold as it was believed that newly
introduced regulations had changed their growth scenario.
The performance of cyclical exporters in the portfolio was mixed.
Semiconductor production equipment maker Nuflare Technology enjoyed a strong
rally on the back of Asian semiconductor makers' robust capital investment
plans. However, electronic component producer Maruwa and titanium smelter
Osaka Titanium Technologies succumbed to profit taking triggered by a
reacceleration of the yen's appreciation during the second half of the review
period. Holdings in lithium-ion battery-related names, including Toda Kogyo
and GS Yuasa, also hurt performance. However, as long term growth prospects
for electric vehicles, for which lithium-ion batteries are used, remain
intact, the overweight positions in Toda Kogyo and GS Yuasa were maintained.
On a positive note, holdings in retailers contributed to relative
performance, as the market rotated in favour of domestic retailers which are
insulated from the negative impact of the Eurozone crisis and the yen's
appreciation. Major contributors included the on-line retailer of machine
tools and industrial parts MonotaRO and clothing retailer Honeys. MonotaRO is
aggressively gaining new customers and its monthly sales are growing rapidly.
Honeys is also enjoying solid sales growth driven by new store openings and
successful product planning in China. Elsewhere, holdings in defensive
healthcare-related names such as M3 (on-line medical information services for
doctors) and 3-D Matrix (medical equipment) added value.
In terms of portfolio positioning, a balance has been maintained
between domestic growth names in internet services and pro-cyclical exporters
which appear to be significantly undervalued relative to their mid-term growth
potential. During the market correction in the latter half of the review
period, positions in electronic component makers, whose share price fell
sharply amid indiscriminate sell-offs, were increased. Meanwhile, low growth
defensive stocks in foods, utilities, pharmaceuticals and railways remained
underweight.
THE MARKET & OUTLOOK
Recent global economic data has come in below expectations and
continued political uncertainty in the Eurozone suggests that equities
globally are likely to remain volatile. Despite the accumulation of external
risks, however, the Japanese economy is set to follow a moderate recovery path
through 2012, supported by post-quake reconstruction demand and private
consumption.
Manager's Half-Yearly Review
After ending flat in the fourth quarter, the Japanese economy
rebounded in the January to March period with real GDP rising at an annualised
rate of 4.7%. Public investment centered on post-quake reconstruction and
stronger than expected private consumption, supported by eco-friendly car
subsidies, were the key drivers of economic growth. In its Outlook for
Economic Activity & Prices report, the Bank of Japan ("BoJ") forecast GDP
growth of 2.3% in fiscal 2012 and 1.7% in fiscal 2013. The figures represented
modest upgrades from earlier projections.
Furthermore, the BoJ is widely expected to ease monetary policy in
the second half of the year, as it moves to counter the downside risks posed
by the European debt crisis, the threat of renewed yen appreciation and
mounting political pressure domestically.
Despite the difficulties experienced over the past year, earnings
recovery remains on track. Supply chain disruptions stemming from the Great
East Japan Earthquake and the floods in Thailand, unprecedented yen strength
and high fuel costs represented significant hurdles. However, Japanese
companies are forecasting a recovery in fiscal 2012, with top-line growth of
around 6% and a 20% increase in pre-tax profits. Key contributing factors
include normalised production, the ongoing recovery in the US and the
emergence of full scale reconstruction demand. Furthermore, the effects of
supply restrictions, inventory adjustments and yen appreciation will fade as
the year progresses. Earnings forecasts are likely to be revised upwards when
external economic conditions and currency markets stabilise as Japanese
companies continue to control costs tightly and maintain high operational
leverage.
In the stockmarket, Japanese equities are once again touching
historical lows even though corporate earnings are on a clear recovery trend
and shareholder returns are improving. Around 20% of companies expect to
increase dividends in fiscal 2012, the highest ratio (based on initial
guidance) since 2000. Furthermore, valuation metrics for TOPIX-listed
companies are at trough levels. The market price-to-book ratio of 0.84x is
only marginally above the post-Lehman low of 0.83x, and a TOPIX dividend yield
of around 2.7% is substantially higher than the ten year Japanese government
bond yield of 0.77%. The upswing in profits is yet to be reflected in share
prices and the market is unlikely to continue trading below book value.
Currently stocks appear oversold, but risk aversion is pervasive,
spurred on by the crisis in Europe, and is likely to persist. Global markets
are extremely sentiment driven and irrational investor behaviour often creates
opportunistic mispricing. We believe that the current situation represents an
excellent entry point for an investment in good quality Japanese companies
with solid balance sheets and sustainable growth potential.
FIL Investments International
26 July 2012
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';
b) the Chairman's Statement and the Manager's Half-Yearly Review on
pages 3 to 7 (constituting the interim management report) include a fair
review of the information required by Rule 4.2.7R of the FSA's Disclosure and
Transparency Rules and their impact on the condensed set of financial
statements and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties and an
assessment of the Company's status as a going concern for the remaining six
months of the financial year; and
c) in accordance with Disclosure and Transparency Rule 4.2.8R there
have been no transactions involving related parties during the six months to
30 June 2012 and therefore nothing to report with any material effect as a
consequence of such a transaction on the financial position or the performance
of the Company during that period; and there have been no changes in this
position since the last Annual Report that could have a material effect on the
financial position or performance of the Company in the first six months of
the current financial year.
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 26
July 2012 and the above responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by
David Robins, Chairman.
Twenty Largest Investments (including derivatives) as at 30 June 2012
Fair Total
Exposure Value1 Exposure
£'000 £'000 %2
Sekisui Chemical*
Engages in housing construction; produces housing
materials,
high-performance plastic segments and flat panel
displays 2,853 771 3.9
M3*
Provides medical related internet services 2,650 752 3.6
Takata*
Develops and manufactures safety products for
automobiles 2,558 (464) 3.5
Kakaku.com*
Provides price comparison services and product
information 2,470 409 3.3
Maruwa
Manufactures ceramic electronic components 2,123 2,123 2.9
GMO Payment Gateway
Engages in the provision of payment processing
services 1,959 1,959 2.7
CyberAgent
Engages in internet media services 1,782 1,782 2.4
Bit-Isle
Provides information technology services 1,695 1,695 2.3
LIXIL Group
Produces building materials and related equipment 1,679 1,679 2.3
Hitachi High Technologies
Manufactures high-tech devices 1,616 1,616 2.2
Sumitomo Rubber*
Produces a wide range of rubber based products 1,445 172 2.0
Honeys
Manufactures and retails clothing 1,416 1,416 1.9
Hitachi Chemical
Manufactures chemicals 1,308 1,308 1.8
Nifco
Manufactures industrial plastic parts and
components 1,301 1,301 1.8
JSP
Manufactures a wide range of foamed plastic
products 1,219 1,219 1.6
1st Holdings
Provides software services 1,207 1,207 1.6
Disco
Manufactures precision machinery and diamond
products 1,204 1,204 1.6
Hitachi Metals
Manufactures and markets high-grade metal
products and materials 1,130 1,130 1.5
GS Yuasa
Produces power sports batteries 1,125 1,125 1.5
Sumitomo Electric Industries
Manufactures electric wire and optical fibre
cables 1,110 1,110 1.5
Twenty largest investments 33,850 23,514 45.9
Other investments 39,902 33,779 54.1
Total Portfolio (including derivatives) 73,752 57,293 100.0
* Holding by way of CFD
1 Fair value represents the carrying value in the Balance Sheet on
page 16
2 % of the total exposure of the investment portfolio, including
exposure to the investments underlying the long CFDs
Income Statement
for the six months ended for the year ended for the six months ended
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
unaudited audited unaudited
revenue capital total revenue capital total revenue capital total
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
(Losses)/gains on investments
designated at fair value through
profit or loss - (2,671) (2,671) - (4,114) (4,114) - 315 315
Gains/(losses) on derivative
instruments held at fair value
through profit or loss - 1,720 1,720 - (312) (312) - 1,417 1,417
Income 2 728 - 728 1,445 - 1,445 767 - 767
Investment management fee (389) - (389) (830) - (830) (415) - (415)
Other expenses (196) - (196) (441) - (441) (241) - (241)
Exchange gains/(losses) on other
net assets 20 (199) (179) 4 483 487 5 36 41
Net return/(loss) before finance
costs and taxation 163 (1,150) (987) 178 (3,943) (3,765) 116 1,768 1,884
Finance costs (40) - (40) (83) - (83) (39) - (39)
Net return/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 123 (1,150) (1,027) 95 (3,943) (3,848) 77 1,768 1,845
Taxation on return/(loss) on
ordinary activities 3 (38) - (38) (75) - (75) (41) - (41)
Net return/(loss) on ordinary
activities after taxation 85 (1,150) (1,065) 20 (3,943) (3,923) 36 1,768 1,804
Return/(loss) per ordinary share
Undiluted 4 0.09p (1.18p) (1.09p) 0.02p (4.06p) (4.04p) 0.04p 1.82p 1.86p
Diluted 4 n/a n/a n/a 0.02p (4.04p) (4.02p) 0.04p 1.81p 1.85p
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
share capital
share premium redemption other capital revenue total
capital account reserve reserve reserve reserve equity
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening shareholders'
funds: 1 January 2011 24,872 81 2,437 57,955 (6,421) (13,436) 65,488
Issue of ordinary shares
on the exercise of
rights attached to
subscription shares 6 418 501 - - - - 919
Exercise of rights
attached to subscription
shares and conversion
into ordinary shares 6 (84) 84 - - - - -
Net return on ordinary
activities after
taxation for the period - - - - 1,768 36 1,804
Closing shareholders'
funds: 30 June 2011 25,206 666 2,437 57,955 (4,653) (13,400) 68,211
Opening shareholders'
funds: 1 January 2011 24,872 81 2,437 57,955 (6,421) (13,436) 65,488
Issue of ordinary shares
on the exercise of
rights attached to
subscription shares 6 441 529 - - - - 970
Exercise of rights
attached to subscription
shares and conversion
into ordinary shares 6 (88) 88 - - - - -
Net (loss)/return on
ordinary activities
after taxation for the
year - - - - (3,943) 20 (3,923)
Closing shareholders'
funds: 31 December 2011 25,225 698 2,437 57,955 (10,364) (13,416) 62,535
Issue of ordinary shares
on the exercise of
rights attached to
subscription shares 6 2 2 - - - - 4
Exercise of rights
attached to subscription
shares and conversion
into ordinary shares 6 (1) 1 - - - - -
Repurchase of ordinary
shares 6 (63) - 63 (129) - - (129)
Net (loss)/return on
ordinary activities
after taxation for the
period - - - - (1,150) 85 (1,065)
Closing shareholders'
funds: 30 June 2012 25,163 701 2,500 57,826 (11,514) (13,331) 61,345
Balance Sheet
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
unaudited audited unaudited
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments designated at fair
value through profit
or loss 56,168 58,807 63,925
Current assets
Derivative assets held at fair
value through profit
or loss 5 2,435 2,202 2,973
Debtors 815 797 306
Cash at bank 3,898 4,056 3,042
7,148 7,055 6,321
Creditors
Derivative liabilities held at
fair value through profit or loss 5 (1,310) (2,211) (739)
Other creditors (661) (1,116) (1,296)
(1,971) (3,327) (2,035)
Net current assets 5,177 3,728 4,286
Total net assets 61,345 62,535 68,211
Capital and reserves
Share capital 6 25,163 25,225 25,206
Share premium account 701 698 666
Capital redemption reserve 2,500 2,437 2,437
Other reserve 57,826 57,955 57,955
Capital reserve (11,514) (10,364) (4,653)
Revenue reserve (13,331) (13,416) (13,400)
Total equity shareholders' funds 61,345 62,535 68,211
Net asset value per ordinary
share
Undiluted 7 63.11p 64.17p 70.06p
Diluted 7 61.89p 62.79p 67.79p
Cash Flow Statement
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 388 1,017 540
CFD dividends received 120 332 166
Investment management fee paid (412) (870) (423)
Directors' fees paid (115) (137) (71)
Other cash payments (226) (227) (106)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow
from operating activities (245) 115 106
Finance costs
Interest paid on long CFDs (40) (85) (40)
Net cash outflow from finance costs (40) (85) (40)
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (18,319) (58,309) (35,134)
Disposal of investments 18,242 58,235 34,757
Net cash outflow from financial investment (77) (74) (377)
Derivative activities
Proceeds from long CFD positions closed 586 1,673 1,159
Net cash inflow from
derivative activities 586 1,673 1,159
Net cash inflow before financing 224 1,629 848
Financing
Exercise of rights attached to
subscription shares 4 971 916
Repurchase of ordinary shares (129) - -
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (125) 971 916
Increase in cash 99 2,600 1,764
Reconciliation of net cash
movements to movements in net funds
Net funds at the beginning of the period 4,056 1,237 1,237
Net cash 99 2,600 1,764
Exchange movements (257) 219 41
Change in net funds (158) 2,819 1,805
Net funds at the end of the period 3,898 4,056 3,042
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 2011.
2 INCOME
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Income from investments designated at fair value through profit or loss
Overseas dividends 541 1,099 579
Income from derivatives held at fair value through profit or loss
Dividends on long CFDs 187 346 188
Total income 728 1,445 767
3 TAXATION ON RETURN ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Overseas taxation suffered 38 75 41
4 RETURN/(LOSS) PER ORDINARY SHARE
30.06.12
unaudited
revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Undiluted 0.09p (1.18p) (1.09p)
Diluted n/a n/a n/a
The return/(loss) per ordinary share is based on the return/(loss)
on ordinary activities after taxation for the period and the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation - undiluted 85 (1,150) (1,065)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period
Undiluted 97,412,746 97,412,746 97,412,746
Diluted n/a n/a n/a
There was no diluted return/(loss) per ordinary share for the six
months to 30 June 2012 because the average ordinary share price for the period
was below the exercise price of the rights attaching to the subscription
shares.
The total undiluted total loss per ordinary share for the six months ended 30
June 2012 of 1.09 pence is greater than the decrease in the undiluted NAV per
ordinary share during the period of 1.06 pence
(see page 2) because the former is based on the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period, whereas the latter includes the
full enhancement to the NAV per share due to the net share repurchases during
the period.
31.12.11
audited
revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Undiluted 0.02p (4.06p) (4.04p)
Diluted 0.02p (4.04p) (4.02p)
The return/(loss) per ordinary share is based on the return/(loss)
on ordinary activities after taxation for the period and the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation - undiluted and diluted 20 (3,943) (3,923)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year
Undiluted 97,224,897 97,224,897 97,224,897
Diluted 97,532,957 97,532,957 97,532,957
30.06.11
unaudited
revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Undiluted 0.04p 1.82p 1.86p
Diluted 0.04p 1.81p 1.85p
The return per ordinary share is based on the return on ordinary
activities after taxation for the period and the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period.
Net return on ordinary activities after taxation - undiluted and diluted 36 1,768 1,804
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period
Undiluted 97,024,603 97,024,603 97,024,603
Diluted 97,511,524 97,511,524 97,511,524
5 DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
At the period end the Company held the following CFDs.
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
fair fair fair
value exposure value exposure value exposure
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Long CFDs - assets 2,435 11,393 2,202 10,591 2,973 14,025
Long CFDs - liabilities (1,310) 6,191 (2,211) 7,625 (739) 6,333
1,125 17,584 (9) 18,216 2,234 20,358
6 SHARE CAPITAL
30.06.12
unaudited
Shares £'000
Issued, allotted and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of 25 pence each
Beginning of the period 97,447,975 24,362
Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares 7,902 2
Repurchase of ordinary shares (250,000) (63)
End of the period 97,205,877 24,301
Issued, allotted and fully paid:
Subscription shares of 5 pence each*
Beginning of the period 17,244,859 863
Exercise of rights attached to subscription shares and conversion into ordinary shares (7,902) (1)
End of the period 17,236,957 862
Total share capital 25,163
31.12.11
audited
Shares £'000
Issued, allotted and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of 25 pence each
Beginning of the year 95,684,520 23,921
Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares 1,763,455 441
End of the year 97,447,975 24,362
Issued, allotted and fully paid:
Subscription shares of 5 pence each*
Beginning of the year 19,008,314 951
Exercise of rights attached to subscription shares and conversion into ordinary shares (1,763,455) (88)
End of the year 17,244,859 863
Total share capital 25,225
30.06.11
unaudited
Shares £'000
Issued, allotted and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of 25 pence each
Beginning of the period 95,684,520 23,921
Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights
attached to
subscription shares 1,670,697 418
End of the period 97,355,217 24,339
Issued, allotted and fully paid:
Subscription shares of 5 pence each*
Beginning of the period 19,008,314 951
Exercise of rights attached to subscription shares and
conversion into
ordinary shares (1,670,697) (84)
End of the period 17,337,617 867
Total share capital 25,206
* The subscription shares were issued as a bonus issue to ordinary
shareholders on 11 November 2009 on the basis of one subscription share for
every five ordinary shares held. Each subscription share gives the holder the
right, but not the obligation, to subscribe for one ordinary share upon
payment of the subscription price of 55 pence per subscription share, on the
last business day of each month, commenced in February 2010 and finishing on
the last business day of February 2013. Full details of the procedure relating
to the exercise of the rights attaching to any remaining subscription shares
in issue after 28 February 2013 are given in the Chairman's Statement on page
4.
7 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE
The undiluted net asset value per ordinary share is based on net
assets of £61,345,000 (31.12.11: £62,535,000; 30.06.11: £68,211,000) and on
97,205,877 (31.12.11: 97,447,975; 30.06.11: 97,355,217) ordinary shares, being
the number of ordinary shares in issue at the period end.
The diluted net asset value per ordinary share has been calculated
on the basis of what the financial position would have been if all the rights
attaching to the outstanding subscription shares of 17,236,957 (31.12.11:
17,244,859; 30.06.11: 17,337,617) had been exercised on that date. This basis
of calculation is in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Association
of Investment Companies. Undiluted and diluted net asset values per ordinary
share are provided to the London Stock Exchange on a daily basis.
8 INVESTMENT TRANSACTION COSTS
Transaction costs are incurred in 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:
30.06.12 31.12.11 30.06.11
unaudited audited unaudited
£'000 £'000 £'000
Purchases 24 60 37
Sales 23 64 36
47 124 73
9 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The results for the six months to 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011,
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 2011 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.
Investor Information
CONTACT INFORMATION
Private investors: call free on 0800 41 41 10 9am to 6pm, Monday to
Saturday.
Financial advisers: can 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 Registrars, Registrars to Fidelity Japanese Values PLC, The
Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU.
Telephone: 0871 664 0300 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network
extras. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday).
Email: ssd@capitaregistrars.com
Details of individual shareholdings and other information can also
be obtained from the Registrar's website: www.capitaregistrars.com
Fidelity Share Plan investors
Fidelity Investment Trust Share Plan, PO Box 24035, 12 Blenheim
Place, Edinburgh EH7 9DD. Telephone: 0845 358 1107 (calls to this number are
charged at 3.95p per minute from a BT landline. Other telephone service
providers' costs may vary).
Fidelity ISA investors
Fidelity, using the freephone numbers given opposite, or by writing
to: UK Customer Service, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, Oakhill House, 130
Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9DZ.
www.fidelity.co.uk/its
General enquiries should be made to Fidelity, the Investment
Manager and Secretary, 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 83 68 92
www.fidelity.co.uk/its
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
30 June 2012 - Half-Yearly period end
26 July 2012 - Announcement of Half-Yearly results
Mid August 2012 - Publication of Half-Yearly report
31 December 2012 - Financial year end
March /April 2013 - Publication of Annual Report
May 2013 - Annual General Meeting
Directory
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Robins (Chairman)
Sir Laurie Magnus (Audit Committee Chairman)
Nicholas Barber, CBE (Senior Independent Director)
Simon Fraser
Philip Kay
David Miller, OBE
MANAGER, SECRETARY AND REGISTERED OFFICE
FIL Investments International
Beech Gate
Millfield Lane
Lower Kingswood
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 6RP
FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND STOCKBROKERS
Canaccord Genuity
88 Wood Street
London
EC2V 7QR
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor
30 Finsbury Square
London
EC2P 2YU
BANKERS AND CUSTODIAN
JPMorgan Chase Bank (London Branch)
125 London Wall
London
EC2Y 5AJ
REGISTRARS
Capita Registrars
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
BENCHMARK
Russell Nomura Mid/Small Cap 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 a third party at the end of which the parties exchange the
difference between the opening price and the closing price of an underlying
asset (which, for the Company's CFDs are equity shares, which the Company
might otherwise purchase directly). 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 only uses "long" Contracts for Difference. On "long"
Contracts for Difference, dividends are received and interest is paid.
DERIVATIVES
Financial instruments (such as futures, options and Contracts For
Difference) whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset.
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 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 prices, where
available, otherwise at published price quotations;
- Unlisted investments valued using an appropriate valuation
technique in the absence of an active market;
- Contracts For Difference are 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 OR GEARING EXPOSURE
Gearing or gearing exposure describes the level of a Company's
leverage and is usually expressed as a percentage. It can be obtained through
the use of bank loans, bank overdrafts or Contracts For Difference in order to
increase a Company's exposure to stocks. Gearing is permitted in order to buy
or gain exposure to further 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 gearing percentage reflects the
amount of leverage the Company uses to invest in the market. Contracts For
Difference are used as a way of gaining exposure to the price movements of
shares without buying the underlying shares directly.
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.
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:
- Income Return reflects the dividends and interest from
investments and other income net of expenses, finance costs and taxation;
- Capital Return reflects the return on capital, excluding any
income returns;
- Total Return reflects the aggregate of capital and income returns
in the period.
SHARE REPURCHASES
An increasingly popular way for investment trust companies to
return cash to their shareholders is through offering to repurchase a
proportion of shares currently held. Companies seek the permission of
shareholders to do so at their annual general meetings allowing them to
repurchase a proportion of their total shares (up to 14.99%) in the market at
prices below the prevailing net asset value per share. This process is also
used to enhance the net asset value per share and to reduce the discount to
net asset value.
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).
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 Services Authority (FSA) 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 FSA Register at www.fsa.gov.uk/fsaregister to ensure
they are authorised.
3. Use the details on the FSA Register to contact the firm.
4. Call the FSA Consumer Helpline on 0845 606 1234 if there are no
contact details on the Register or you are told they are out of date.
5. Search our 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 FSA
using the share fraud reporting form at www.fsa.gov.uk/scams, where you can
find out about the latest investment scams. You can also call the Consumer
Helpline on 0845 606 1234.
If you have already paid money to share fraudsters you should
contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Fidelity Individual Savings Account ("ISA") is offered and
managed by Financial Administration Services Limited. The Fidelity Investment
Trust Share Plan is managed by FIL Investments International. Both companies
are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The Fidelity
Investment Trust Share Plan is administered by The Bank of New York Mellon and
shares will be held in the name of The Bank of New York Nominees Limited.
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.
Fidelity investment trusts are 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.
Issued by Fidelity Japanese Values PLC.
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 other more 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. Investees 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 referred to in this document do not form
part of this Half-Yearly Report.
Fidelity, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, the Fidelity Worldwide
Investment logo and symbol are trademarks of FIL Limited
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