Final Results - Year Ended 31 December 1999

Fidelity European Values PLC 29 February 2000 Preliminary Announcement of unaudited results for the year ended 31 December 1999 Comment from the Chairman The Company's NAV per share rose by 36.3% whereas the share price rose by 34.7%. In comparison the FT/S&P Actuaries Europe (ex UK) Index returned 19.5%. (All performance figures are on a total return basis and expressed in sterling). The strong performance of the Company stemmed in part from the investments in the telecommunications and media sectors, which were among the best performing sectors of the market. This performance is particularly satisfying after last year when the Manager's investment style was not in favour and the Company's return did not match that of the benchmark index. At the time, I noted in our annual report that the Manager's long-term track record gave us confidence that patience would be rewarded and this has been borne out this year. Outlook - The economic growth prospects for continental Europe appear very good. Investors should also be encouraged that growth is broadening and encompasses the export sector as well as consumer spending and the service industries. This background should provide a good stock picking environment and suit the investment style adopted in managing your Company's assets. The strong performance of equity markets in the last year has led to share valuations, particularly for some companies in the telecommunications and technology sectors, looking expensive. The Company has a relatively large weighting in the telecommunications sector. This is not without an element of risk but the Board regularly reviews this and supports the Manager's sector weighting. It will be important for telecommunications and technology companies to meet investor expectations for profits growth. In addition, larger than expected increases in interest rates or a continued rise in bond yields could cause share prices to be vulnerable. As always, the direction of the US market will influence European equity markets, at least in the short term. There are several factors at work which are forcing corporate managers to reposition their businesses so as to compete in a single European market as well as a global market place. It is these changes which are presenting attractive investment opportunities. We are confident that Fidelity, with over 50 European analysts covering close to 2000 companies, as well as another 194 analysts covering US and Asian companies, is well placed to identify winners and losers. Purchase of Shares and Warrants - The Company has purchased and cancelled 1,350,000 warrants in the 12 months to 31 December 1999. During the year, the Company also purchased and cancelled 148,000 ordinary shares at a discount to net asset value of 13.2%. Purchases are made by the Manager within guidelines laid down by the Board and are only made if they will result in an uplift in the fully-diluted net asset value. Dividend - Yours Board is recommending the payment of an ordinary dividend of 0.60p per share (1998 : 0.60p per share) payable on 25 May 2000 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 31 March 2000 (ex dividend date 27 March 2000). AITC 'its' Campaign - The Association of Investment Trust Company has launched a number of initiative s to raise the profile of investment trusts. These include a generic advertising campaign entitled 'its', which started in October 1999. Your Company has agreed to support this campaign and we believe that it will benefit shareholders by improving demand for investment trust shares. Our Manager is taking advantage of this heightened profile by promoting the Fidelity Investment Trust Share Plan and the Fidelity Individual Savings Account which incorporate your Company's shares. We believe that the plans will be beneficial to shareholders by stimulating demand for shares in the Company and as a result reducing the discount. Gearing - The Company is currently geared at a level of 18% via the Equity Index-Linked Unsecured Loan Stock. The Board reviews the level of gearing on a regular basis and has concluded that the current level of gearing is appropriate. We continue to believe that, in the long term, gearing will enhance returns to shareholders. Annual General Meeting - The Annual General Meeting of the Company is due to take place on 23 May 2000 at midday and all shareholders, ISA, Share Plan and PEP investors are invited to attend. Sir Charles Fraser 29 February 2000 Enquiries:Barbara Powley -Fidelity Investments International 01737 836882 FIDELITY EUROPEAN VALUES PLC STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (unaudited) (incorporating the revenue account*) of the Company for the year ended 31 December 1999 1998 revenue capital total revenue capital total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 90,549 90,549 - 48,884 48,884 Income 6,030 - 6,030 5,456 - 5,456 Investment management fee (3,358) - (3,358) (2,893) - (2,893) Other expenses (695) - (695) (451) - (451) Exchange (losses)/gains - (821) (821) - 385 385 Purchase of warrants for cancellation - (2,692) (2,692) - (4,004) (4,004) Net return before finance costs and taxation 1,977 87,036 89,013 2,112 45,265 47,377 Interest payable (895) - (895) (731) - (731) Revaluation of Loan Stock(Note 1) - (9,009) (9,009) - (11,451) (11,451) Return on ordinary activities before tax 1,082 78,027 79,109 1,381 33,814 35,195 Tax on ordinary activities (500) - (500) (647) - (647) Return on ordinary activities after tax for the year attributable to equity shareholders 582 78,027 78,609 734 33,814 34,548 Dividends (347) - (347) (347) - (347) Transfer to reserves 235 78,027 78,262 387 33,814 34,201 Return per ordinary share Basic 1.01p 134.79p 135.80p 1.27p 58.56p 59.83p Fully-diluted** 0.94p 125.84p 126.78p 1.16p 53.58p 54.74p * the revenue column on this statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company ** According to the provisions of FRS14, the fully-diluted returns have been calculated on the assumptions that the warrants in issue were converted on the first day of the financial period on a weighted average basis for the period over which they were outstanding, and that the proceeds from conversion have been used by the Company to purchase its own shares at a fair market price. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year Note 1. Although the Company has adopted a policy of charging all finance costs and expenses to the revenue account in the Statement of Total Return, the Board considers that the revaluation element of the Loan Stock, which is an element of the overall finance cost, should be taken to capital reserves. By adopting this treatment the revaluation of the Loan Stock is matched against the capital appreciation or depreciation of the investment portfolio, in which the original proceeds of the Loan Stock were invested. BALANCE SHEET as at 31 December (unaudited) 1999 1998 £'000 £'000 Investments 349,302 263,404 Debtors 2,914 1,623 Cash at bank 2,386 2,561 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year (2,538) (1,876) Net current assets 2,762 2,308 Total assets less current liabilities 352,064 265,712 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Equity Index-Linked Unsecured Loan Stock (59,495) (50,486) Total net assets 292,569 215,226 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 14,463 14,473 Share premium account 50,929 50,803 Capital redemption reserve 37 - Other reserves Warrant reserve 2,162 2,757 Capital reserve - realised 169,466 131,868 Capital reserve - unrealised 53,807 13,855 Revenue reserve 1,705 1,470 Total equity shareholders' funds 292,569 215,226 Net asset value per ordinary share Basic 505.73p 371.78p Fully-diluted* 471.71p 343.39p * The fully-diluted net asset value per ordinary share has been calculated on the assumption that the outstanding warrants of 5,294,128 at 31 December 1999 (1998 : 6,752,782) were exercised on that date. This basis of calculation is considered to be more appropriate than the basis given in FRS14 as it is consistent with the calculation of fully-diluted net asset value which is prepared in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Association of Investment Trust Companies and is provided to the London Stock Exchange on an ongoing basis. CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31 December (unaudited) 1999 1998 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,450 946 Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (895) (563) Tax recovered 614 398 Net cash inflow from financial investment 2,671 3,909 Equity dividend paid (347) (345) Net cash outflow from financing (3,611) (4,407) Decrease in cash (118) (62) The above statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the most recently published set of annual financial statements. The figures for the year to 31.12.98 have been extracted from the accounts for the year ended 31.12.98 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the Auditors gave an unqualified report. The annual report and accounts will be posted to shareholders as soon as is practicable.
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