Final Results
FIDELITY SPECIAL VALUES PLC
Preliminary Announcement of Audited Results
For the year ended 31 August 2010
Chairman's Statement
NAV: +1.3%
SHARE PRICE: -2.1%
BENCHMARK: +10.6%
DIVIDEND: 10.5P
I have pleasure in presenting my first Annual Report as Chairman of Fidelity
Special Values PLC.
PERFORMANCE
At the beginning of our accounting year a stock market recovery was well under
way as it appeared that action by many world governments had probably averted
an economic depression and that parts of the global economy - especially Asia -
were still achieving strong GDP growth. A stream of data indicating that the
major economies, including the UK, were growing again helped the rally in UK
shares to continue until almost the end of 2009. In early 2010, concerns over
the level of State indebtedness, particularly in some of the eurozone
countries, caused renewed stock market turmoil worldwide and impacted sentiment
in many sectors especially banks. Speculation about a potential double dip
recession re-emerged, and at the end of our financial year there was a great
deal of uncertainty over how the economy would perform in the year ahead.
Against this backdrop, the net asset value per share of Fidelity Special Values
PLC rose by 1.3% on a total return basis. Although a positive rise in absolute
terms, this was less than the FTSE All-Share Index, which rose by 10.6%. The
share price fell by 2.1% during the year. The relative underperformance
occurred in the first half of our year, when the NAV fell by 1.4% against the
benchmark index return of 10.1%. During this period the portfolio was changing
from its earlier successful alignment to cyclical stocks, which did well in the
period when investors in general were focussed on economic recovery, towards
being positioned in companies which have strong fundamentals and which can
produce good earnings growth in the more difficult economic environment which
we now anticipate. In addition, the best performing stocks in the market during
the first half tended to be those with less strong fundamentals, which we had
largely avoided. These included stocks in the mining and chemicals sectors as
investors looked to companies supplying developing economies such as China.
In the second half of our financial year the Company outperformed the market
benchmark with the NAV rising by 2.7% on a total return basis against a
benchmark return of 0.5%. The flat market reflected evidence that governments
in the major economies were intent on tackling their respective deficits, which
in turn would create uncertainty over the macroeconomic outlook. In the UK, the
General Election resulted in a coalition government, whose first Budget in June
2010 and the subsequent Comprehensive Spending Review confirmed significant
reductions in public expenditure and the likelihood of a low growth economic
environment for at least the next year. As a consequence, the portfolio began
to benefit from its earlier repositioning.
DIVIDEND
The Board has decided to recommend a final dividend of 10.50 pence per share
for the year ended 31 August 2010 (2009: 9.00 pence). This dividend will be
payable on 21 December 2010 to shareholders on the register at close of
business on 19 November 2010 (ex-dividend date 17 November 2010).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the past twelve months we have had a number of changes to the Board of
Directors. Sir Richard Brooke retired following the 2009 Annual General Meeting
and the Chairman, Alex Hammond-Chambers, retired on 8 July 2010. Both had
served the Company since its launch in 1994 and their commitment and service to
the Company will be greatly missed.
I was appointed Chairman following Alex Hammond-Chambers' retirement and Ben
Thomson was appointed Senior Independent Director shortly thereafter.
During the year, after interviewing a strong list of candidates, we were
pleased to welcome Sharon Brown and Andy Irvine to the Board. As I was
appointed to the role of Chairman in July, it was necessary for me to
relinquish my role as Audit Committee Chairman and this was transferred to
Sharon Brown on 26 October 2010, after six months' introductory service on the
Board.
It is my belief that the Board has the relevant skills and experience to serve
the Company well in to the future. In common with our practice since 2004, all
Directors are subject to election or re-election on an annual basis and their
biographical details are included in the Annual Report to assist shareholders
when considering their votes.
GEARING
On 26 January 2010 the Company repaid its fixed rate unsecured loan from
Barclays Bank PLC of £27,000,000 which matured on that date. In view of the
high level of interest rates that were quoted on replacement loans at the time,
the Board concluded that the utilisation of Contracts For Difference for
gearing purposes provided more flexibility for the Company's needs at a much
lower cost than traditional bank debt. At the time of writing the gross level
of gearing is somewhat below the 115% to 120% range we would consider "normal"
owing to the uncertain outlook, discussed below.
CONTINUATION VOTE
In accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, an ordinary
resolution that the Company continue as an investment trust for a further three
years was passed at the 2007 Annual General Meeting. A further continuation
vote will take place at this year's Annual General Meeting.
The objective of the Company is to achieve long term capital growth from an
actively managed portfolio of special situation investments. We have always
stated to our shareholders that when assessing this objective, we consider a 5
year time span to be the most appropriate. The net asset value total return
performance for the last individual and annualised five years and also the
corresponding market benchmark returns are shown below, along with Sanjeev
Shah's performance since taking on the management of the portfolio on 1 January
2008 and the performance since launch in 1994. Sanjeev's performance is well
ahead of the market benchmark during his tenure over what has been a very
difficult period for the market. The 5 year record remains well in excess of
both the returns on cash and the market for this period.
The Board continues to be confident in the Manager's approach to achieving the
Company's objective and we hope that you will agree that the medium and long
term performance continues to justify this conclusion. Therefore your Board
recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the continuation vote. A further
continuation vote will take place at the Annual General Meeting in 2013.
NAV and share price performance % NAV Share Price Index
(total return basis)
Year to 31 August 2006 +19.4 +16.0 +16.8
Year to 31 August 2007 +15.9 +14.3 +11.8
Year to 31 August 2008 -9.8 -17.6 -8.7
Year to 31 August 2009 +9.0 +19.4 -8.2
Year to 31 August 2010 +1.3 -2.1 +10.6
Sanjeev Shah's tenure 1 January +2.5 +2.6 -8.7
2008 to 31 August 2010
Five years to 31 August 2010 +38.0 +27.7 +21.0
Launch to 31 August 2010 +622.5 +563.9 +186.2
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As detailed in the Corporate Governance Statement in the Annual Report, the
Board follows the approach recommended by the Association of Investment
Companies in its Code of Corporate Governance. The Board has always taken
corporate governance seriously and welcomes feedback from shareholders.
Corporate governance guidelines are changed and updated continually and,
although these are reviewed and adopted by the Board as appropriate, the Board
aims to ensure its governance is of benefit to the Company and is aimed at
enhancing shareholder value rather than being adopted purely to satisfy the
requirements of corporate governance "box-tickers".
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2010 AT 11.30AM
The Annual General Meeting will be held at Fidelity's offices at 25 Cannon
Street (St Paul's or Mansion House tube stations) on Wednesday 15 December 2010
at 11.30am.
It is the most important meeting that we, the Directors of your Company, have
each year and we do urge as many of you as possible to come and join us for the
occasion. Sanjeev Shah will be making his annual presentation to shareholders,
highlighting the achievements and challenges of the year past and the prospects
for the year to come.
OUTLOOK: STILL UNCERTAIN
The past year was characterised by market optimism during the first half,
followed by a return to uncertainty in the second half. The main reasons for
that uncertainty will probably remain with us for some while, and include the
level of government debt and whether governments will trigger inflation by
printing money to reduce the monetary burden of this debt; the impact of cuts
in public spending; rises in taxation; and weak economic growth. The market
volatility over the past year and the change from investor optimism to
uncertainty have produced an environment in which there are many interesting
investment opportunities. We expect the uncertain environment to favour stocks
with strong balance sheets, good cash generation, fair valuations and prospects
of good long term earnings growth even in a tough economy. The portfolio is
positioned in line with this outlook, emphasising careful stock selection and
continuing to seek opportunities across large, medium and small sized
companies.
Lynn Ruddick
Chairman
5 November 2010
Enquiries:
Chris Davies - Head of Investment Trusts, FIL Investments International - 01737
837 723
Anne Read - Corporate Communications, FIL Investments International - 0207 961
4409
Rebecca Burtonwood - Company Secretary, FIL Investment International, - 01737
836 869
FIDELITY SPECIAL VALUES PLC
Income Statement for the
year ended31 August 2010
2010 2009
revenue capital total revenue capital total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investments - 3,613 3,613 - 8,423 8,423
designated at fair value
through profit or loss
(Losses)/gains on - (5,219) (5,219) - 10,756 10,756
derivative instruments held
at fair value through
profit or loss
Franked investment income 3,671 - 3,671 2,477 - 2,477
UK scrip dividends 5,531 - 5,531 5,340 - 5,340
Overseas dividends 764 - 764 628 - 628
Overseas scrip dividends 320 - 320 736 - 736
Income from REIT 273 - 273 574 - 574
investments
Deposit interest 18 - 18 134 - 134
Income from Fidelity - - - 28 - 28
Institutional Liquidity
Fund plc
Interest on VAT recovered - - - 407 - 407
on investment management
fees
Underwriting commission 28 - 28 97 - 97
Net derivative income/ 261 - 261 (375) - (375)
(expenses)
Investment management fee (3,515) - (3,515) (2,862) - (2,862)
VAT recovered on investment - - - 6 - 6
management fees
Other expenses (587) - (587) (513) - (513)
Exchange (losses)/gains on (4) (117) (121) - 123 123
other net assets
Net return/(loss) before 6,760 (1,723) 5,037 6,677 19,302 25,979
finance costs and taxation
Interest paid on loans (591) - (591) (1,637) - (1,637)
Net return/(loss) on 6,169 (1,723) 4,446 5,040 19,302 24,342
ordinary activities before
taxation
Taxation on return/(loss) (56) - (56) (57) - (57)
on ordinary activities(¹)
Net return/(loss) on 6,113 (1,723) 4,390 4,983 19,302 24,285
ordinary activities after
taxation for the year
Return/(loss) per ordinary 10.74p (3.03p) 7.71p 8.76p 33.92p 42.68p
share
(¹) This relates to overseas taxation only.
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
continued operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the
year.
FIDELITY SPECIAL VALUES PLC
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2010
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments designated at fair value through 323,663 355,379
profit or loss
Current assets
Derivative assets held at fair value through 1,995 4,186
profit or loss
Debtors 2,451 9,135
Amounts held at futures clearing houses and 2,470 843
brokers
Cash at bank 11,165 8,087
18,081 22,251
Creditors - amounts falling due within one
year
Derivative liabilities held at fair value (4,180) (1,238)
through profit or loss
Fixed rate unsecured loan - (27,000)
Other creditors (3,781) (14,874)
(7,961) (43,112)
Net current assets/(liabilities) 10,120 (20,861)
Total net assets 333,783 334,518
Capital and reserves
Share capital 14,234 14,234
Share premium account 95,767 95,767
Capital redemption reserve 2,554 2,554
Other non-distributable reserve 5,152 5,152
Capital reserve 208,765 210,488
Revenue reserve 7,311 6,323
Total equity shareholders' funds 333,783 334,518
Net asset value per ordinary share 586.21p 587.50p
FIDELITY SPECIAL VALUES PLC
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds for the year ended 31 August
2010
share share capital other capital revenue total
capital premium redemption non-distributable reserve reserve equity
account reserve reserve
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Opening 14,198 95,058 2,545 5,152 191,309 10,995 319,257
shareholders'
funds: 1
September 2008
Net recognised - - - - 19,302 - 19,302
capital losses
for the year
Issue of 45 709 - - - - 754
ordinary shares
Repurchase of (9) - 9 - (123) - (123)
ordinary shares
Net revenue - - - - - 4,983 4,983
return after
taxation for the
year
Dividend paid to - - - - - (9,655) (9,655)
shareholders
Closing 14,234 95,767 2,554 5,152 210,488 6,323 334,518
shareholders'
funds: 31 August
2009
Net recognised - - - - (1,723) - (1,723)
losses for the
year
Net revenue - - - - - 6,113 6,113
return after
taxation for the
year
Dividend paid to - - - - - (5,125) (5,125)
shareholders
Closing 14,234 95,767 2,554 5,152 208,765 7,311 333,783
shareholders'
funds: 31 August
2010
FIDELITY SPECIAL VALUES PLC
Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 August 2010
2010 2009
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income received 4,823 4,232
Net derivative income/(expenses) 236 (377)
Underwriting commission received 28 97
Deposit interest received 17 216
Investment management fee paid (3,518) (2,797)
VAT recovered on investment management fees paid - 2,300
Directors' fees paid (122) (112)
Other cash receipts/(payments) 52 (684)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,516 2,875
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest paid (736) (1,692)
Net cash outflow from returns on investments and (736) (1,692)
servicing of finance
Taxation
Overseas taxation recovered 25 38
Taxation recovered 25 38
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (187,551) (263,308)
Disposal of investments 223,444 254,390
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment 35,893 (8,918)
Derivative activities
Premium received on options 1,111 3,441
Premium paid on options (1,390) (1,365)
Proceeds of derivative instruments 406 5,923
Movements on amounts held at futures clearing houses (1,627) (843)
and brokers
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from derivative activities (1,500) 7,156
Dividend paid to shareholders (5,125) (9,655)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before use of liquid 30,073 (10,196)
resources and financing
Net cash inflow from management of liquid resources - 9,091
Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing 30,073 (1,105)
Financing
Issue of ordinary shares - 754
Repurchase of ordinary shares - (124)
5.435% fixed rate unsecured loan repaid (27,000) -
5.655% fixed rate unsecured loan repaid - (8,000)
Net cash outflow from financing (27,000) (7,370)
Increase/(decrease) in cash 3,073 (8,475)
The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies
as set out in the annual financial statements to 31 August 2010. This
preliminary statement, which has been agreed with the Auditor, was approved by
the Board on 5 November 2010. It is not the Company's statutory financial
statements. The statutory financial statements for the financial year ended 31
August 2009 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The statutory
financial statements for the financial year ended 31 August 2010 have been
approved and audited but have not yet been filed. The statutory financial
statements for the financial years ended 31 August 2009 and 31 August 2010
received unqualified audit reports, did not include a reference to any matters
to which the Auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the
report and did not contain statements under section 498(2) and (3) of the
Companies Act 2006. The annual report and financial statements will be posted
to shareholders as soon as is practicable and in any event no later than 15
November 2010.