Final Results

Fidelity Asian Values PLC Preliminary Announcement of Audited Results For the year ended 31 July 2011 Chairman's Statement PERFORMANCE In the year to 31 July 2011, the Net Asset Value (NAV) per share of the Company increased by 19.3% whereas its benchmark, the MSCI All Countries (Combined) Far East ex Japan Index (Benchmark Index), rose by 16.3% (All figures in UK sterling terms and on a total return basis). Although the ordinary share price increased by 15.3% over the year, the discount widened from 8.6% to 11.6%. MARKETS Asia Pacific equities advanced over the year under review, although markets turned increasingly volatile in 2011. Consumer discretionary stocks led the advance across the region as rising income levels boosted corporate earnings and raised growth expectations. Consumer staples stocks also advanced, particularly benefiting from rising risk aversion during the last quarter of the year. South Korean automobile manufacturers and Chinese retailers were among the best performers. Materials and energy stocks advanced in line with rising international prices. Both these sectors gave up some of their gains during the last quarter of the review period as Chinese policymakers intensified efforts to contain the rise in inflation and asset prices. In contrast, information technology, utilities, and telecommunications stocks underperformed the Benchmark Index. The latter half of the period was characterised by increased volatility as the sovereign debt crisis in the European Union, political unrest in the Middle-East and North Africa, the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and rising concerns about global economic growth dampened investor sentiment. Furthermore, weakening economic data in the US, the end of the second round of quantitative easing and an increasingly polarised debate about the US sovereign debt limit towards the end of the period contributed to risk aversion. Meanwhile, the rise in inflationary pressures across Asia resulted in a number of Central Banks raising interest rates, which adversely impacted share prices. Nevertheless, optimism driven by the changing composition of growth in Asia - from export led to domestic demand driven - together with healthy corporate earnings growth, contributed to positive stock market performance. OUTLOOK Asian markets have dropped sharply in response to recent developments in the US and in the European Union, as they remain correlated to the West, but the region's economy is significantly less reliant on the West than in the past. Relative to the rest of the world, Asia has better potential for sustainable earnings growth, making it a favoured market for investors. Most Asian central banks have been tightening their monetary policies in the last few quarters. They will have the flexibility to relax interest rates and credit policy to offset a potential marginal downward revision in OECD growth. The Board continues to believe that Asia's healthy financial system, robust domestic demand, low debt levels and high savings rates will continue to support a multiyear growth cycle. SUBSCRIPTION SHARES On 4 March 2010 the Company allotted a total of 12,188,212 subscriptions shares to qualifying shareholders and dealings in these shares commenced on 8 March 2010 with an exercise price of 191.00 pence per share. Details of the subscription shares exercised during the year are outlined in Note 13 on page 43. GEARING On 3 February 2011 the Company renewed its one year revolving credit facility for US$15 million with ING Bank N.V. The facility is fully drawn down at present and the Board continues to review the gearing position on a regular basis. Up to 31 July 2011, the Company issued a total of 686,469 ordinary shares on the exercise of the rights attaching to subscription shares leaving 11,501,743 subscription shares remaining to be exercised before 31 May 2013. DIVIDEND Subject to shareholders' approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, the Directors recommend a final dividend of one penny per ordinary share (2010: nil). This dividend will be payable on 8 December 2011 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 7 October 2011 (ex-dividend date 5 October 2011). As the Company's objective is long term capital growth, any revenue surplus is a function of a particular year's business and it should not be assumed that dividends will continue to be paid in future. 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 two years was passed at the 2009 Annual General Meeting. A further continuation vote will take place at this year's Annual General Meeting. The Company's performance record has been excellent since launch with a NAV increase of 145.2% compared to an increase in the Benchmark Index of 69.4%. During the past 12 months the Company's NAV has outperformed the Benchmark Index by 3.0% and is also ahead of the Benchmark Index over 3, 5 and 10 years. 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. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 2011 Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 at Fidelity's Cannon Street office commencing at 11.00 am. All shareholders and Fidelity Saving Plan and ISA Scheme investors are invited to attend. The Portfolio Manager will be making a presentation on the year under review and the immediate prospects for the Company. Mr Hugh Bolland Chairman 26 September 2011 Enquiries: Chris Davies - Head of Investment Trusts, FIL Investments International - 01737 837 723 Anne Read - Corporate Communications, FIL Investments International - 0207 961 4409 Christopher Pirnie - Company Secretary, FIL Investment International, - 01737 837 929 Income Statement for the year ended 31 July 2011 2011 2010 revenue capital total revenue capital total Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on 9 - 22,068 22,068 - 25,432 25,432 investments designated at fair value through profit or loss Income 2 3,070 - 3,070 2,446 - 2,446 Investment 3 (1,509) - (1,509) (1,161) - (1,161) management fee Other expenses 4 (522) - (522) (799) - (799) Exchange gains/ 7 (54) (47) 9 181 190 (losses) on other net assets Exchange gains/ - 287 287 - (178) (178) (losses) on loans Net return before 1,046 22,301 23,347 495 25,435 25,930 finance costs and taxation Finance costs 5 (214) - (214) (131) - (131) Net return on 832 22,301 23,133 364 25,435 25,799 ordinary activities before taxation Taxation on return 6 (312) - (312) (200) - (200) on ordinary activities Net return on 520 22,301 22,821 164 25,435 25,599 ordinary activities after taxation for the year Return per ordinary share Undiluted 7 0.85p 36.35p 37.20p 0.27p 41.73p 42.00p Diluted 7 0.84p 36.10p 36.94p n/a n/a n/a A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as there are no gains and losses other than those reported in this Income Statement. The total column of the Income Statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds for the year ended 31 July 2011 share capital other non- share premium redemption distributable other capital revenue total capital account reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve equity Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Opening shareholders' funds: 1 August 2009 15,235 - 1,785 7,367 19,239 47,523 985 92,134 Bonus issue 1 - - - (1) - - - of subscription shares* Exercise of - - - - - - - - rights attached to subscription shares and conversion into ordinary shares* Issue of 9 60 - - - - - 69 ordinary shares on exercise of rights attached to subscription shares Net return on ordinary activities after - - - - - 25,435 164 25,599 taxation for the year Dividend paid 8 - - - - - - (609) (609) to shareholders Closing shareholders' funds: 31 July 2010 15,245 60 1,785 7,367 19,238 72,958 540 117,193 Exercise of 13 - - - - - - - - rights attached to subscription shares and conversion into ordinary shares Issue of 13 163 1,080 - - - - - 1,243 ordinary shares on exercise of rights attached to subscription shares Net return on - - - - - 22,301 520 22,821 ordinary activities after taxation for the year Closing 15,408 1,140 1,785 7,367 19,238 95,259 1,060 141,257 shareholders' funds: 31 July 2011 * Restated from 5 pence last year to reflect that the nominal value of the subscription shares is 0.01 pence. Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2011 2011 2010 Notes £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments designated at fair value 9 146,156 121,786 through profit or loss Current assets Debtors 10 738 1,187 Cash at bank 4,423 1,272 5,161 2,459 Creditors Bank loans 11 (9,116) (5,729) Other creditors 12 (944) (1,323) (10,060) (7,052) Net current liabilities (4,899) (4,593) Total net assets 141,257 117,193 Capital and reserves Share capital 13 15,408 15,245 Share premium account 1,140 60 Capital redemption reserve 1,785 1,785 Other non-distributable reserve 7,367 7,367 Other reserve 19,238 19,238 Capital reserve 95,259 72,958 Revenue reserve 1,060 540 Total equity shareholders' funds 141,257 117,193 Net asset value per ordinary share Undiluted 14 229.21p 192.19p Diluted 14 223.20p 191.99p Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 July 2011 2011 2010 Notes £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 2,410 2,257 Investment management fee paid (1,105) (1,145) Directors' fees paid (78) (93) Other cash payments (322) (720) Net cash inflow from operating activities 15 905 299 Servicing of finance Interest paid on bank loans (215) (215) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (215) (215) Financial investment Purchase of investments (142,254) (91,819) Disposal of investments 139,813 94,199 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financial (2,441) 2,380 investment Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - (609) Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing (1,751) 1,855 Financing Exercise of rights attached to subscription 1,244 52 shares Unsecured loan drawn down 22,028 5,857 Unsecured loan repaid (18,354) (6,890) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing 4,918 (981) Increase in cash 16 3,167 874 The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies as set out in the annual financial statements to 31 July 2011. This preliminary statement, which has been agreed with the Auditor, was approved by the Board on 26 September 2011. It is not the Company's statutory financial statements. The statutory financial statements for the financial year ended 31 July 2010 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The statutory financial statements for the financial year ended 31 July 2011 have been approved and audited but have not yet been filed. The statutory financial statements for the financial years ended 31 July 2010 and 31 July 2011 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 24 October 2011.
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