Final Results

Pacific Assets Trust PLC 19 March 2008 PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2008 DATE: 19 March 2008 Financial Highlights • Net asset value per share increased by 23.6 per cent • Share price increased by 23.5 per cent • Final dividend of 1.12 pence per share Chairman's Statement Chairman David Nichol said: 'Despite a more volatile period for stockmarkets in the Asia Pacific region, it is pleasing to be able to report a fifth consecutive year of growth. The Company's net asset value per share was 128.52 pence as at 31 January 2008, representing an increase of 23.6 per cent for the year. It is also pleasing to report improved performance relative to the peer group. The net asset value total return for the year was 24.7 per cent ranking the Company third in its peer group of eight companies. For comparison purposes, the total return from the MSCI All Country Far East ex Japan Index was 18.1 per cent. For the three years to 31 January 2008, the Company's net asset value total return was 88.8 per cent, also ranking it third in the peer group. Over this period, the total return from the MSCI All Country Far East ex Japan Index was 78.8 per cent. For much of the year, stockmarkets in the region benefited from positive economic indicators, strong investor sentiment and an abundance of local liquidity. In August, markets fell sharply in response to concerns over the US sub-prime debt market, but recovered quickly and by the end of October had risen to levels which, with a backdrop of slowing global economic growth, were vulnerable to a correction. This followed in the final quarter of the financial year with a fall of nearly 20 per cent in the MSCI All Country Far East ex Japan Index. Slowing global growth, tightening credit markets and declining risk appetite led to the sell off in equity markets. Furthermore, within the Asia Pacific region, investors became concerned about the implications of monetary tightening in China following a year of significant GDP growth which had caused inflationary pressures to build up in the economy. The Company's portfolio has continued to favour investments which benefit from domestic reflation. There has been less emphasis on companies which are reliant on exports. This strategy has yielded positive returns over the year. Rising infrastructure expenditure across Asia and the Middle East has encouraged the Manager to invest in the industrials sector. This approach worked well throughout the year until the final quarter when indiscriminate profit taking diminished total annual returns. Given strong earnings visibility from large and growing order books the Company retains a positive bias towards these investment opportunities. The Manager's positive stance to soft commodities over the year assisted returns for the Company. This supported overweight positions in many of the ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines which are beneficiaries of price appreciation in commodities such as palm oil, sugar, rice, rubber, and coconuts. The Indian weighting was selectively added to over the year as a broader economic base supported the sustainability of corporate earnings growth. Shareholder Value The Company's share price increased by 23.5 per cent during the year to 115.5 pence per share. The share price discount to net asset value, which remained fairly stable throughout the year, was 10.1 per cent at 31 January 2008. During the year the Company bought back 500,000 shares for cancellation, equivalent to 0.4 per cent of the shares in issue at the previous year end. The shares were bought back at a discount of 11.7 per cent to the net asset value per share, providing a modest enhancement to the net asset value of 0.1 pence per share. The Board believes it is important to have a share buy back facility in place and will therefore seek to renew the authority at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Earnings and Dividends The Company's revenue earnings per share for the year were 1.24 pence, which compares to 1.29 pence for the previous year. The Board recommends a final dividend of 1.12 pence per share which is the same as last year. This will be paid on 20 June 2008 to shareholders on the register on 23 May 2008. Gearing In view of his cautious view of markets towards the end of the year, the Manager reduced the level of the Company's borrowings. Gearing, net of cash, as at 31 January 2008 was 5.9 per cent, which compares to 7.7 per cent at the end of the previous year and 11.2 per cent at the interim stage. The Company's borrowings comprise two flexible US dollar denominated facilities. VAT on Management Fees As the Company invests outwith the EU it is able to reclaim all of the VAT incurred on expenses paid. It is therefore not expecting to benefit from the recent rulings in favour of investment trusts, whereby investment management fees are now exempt from VAT. The Board has, however, taken the necessary steps to ensure that the Company's position is protected and will keep this matter under close review. Outlook It is likely that there will be continuing volatility in the region's stockmarkets in the months ahead as investors remain concerned over the implications of the credit crisis and the prospects for the US economy. However, over the longer term the Board believes the Company is well placed to benefit from continuing expansion within the Asia Pacific region.' PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC Unaudited Income Statement For the year ended 31 January 2008 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 30,025 30,025 Exchange differences - 153 153 Income 3,306 - 3,306 Investment management fee (389) (1,166) (1,555) Other expenses (569) - (569) Net return before finance costs and taxation 2,348 29,012 31,360 Interest payable (243) (730) (973) Return on ordinary activities before tax 2,105 28,282 30,387 Tax on ordinary activities (642) 559 (83) Return attributable to equity shareholders 1,463 28,841 30,304 Return per Ordinary Share (p): 1.24 24.35 25.59 The total column of this statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. A statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been prepared as all gains and losses are recognised in the Income Statement. All revenue and capital items in the Income Statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. The accompanying notes are an integral part of the above statement. PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC Income Statement For the year ended 31 January 2007 Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Gains on investments - 13,727 13,727 Exchange differences - 236 236 Income 3,193 - 3,193 Investment management fee (275) (826) (1,101) Other expenses (565) - (565) Net return before finance costs and taxation 2,353 13,137 15,490 Interest payable (135) (405) (540) Return on ordinary activities before tax 2,218 12,732 14,950 Tax on ordinary activities (659) 556 (103) Return attributable to equity shareholders 1,559 13,288 14,847 Return per Ordinary Share (p): 1.29 10.97 12.26 PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC Unaudited Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds For the year ended 31 January 2008 2007 £'000 £'000 Opening shareholders' funds 123,616 113,049 Return for the year 30,304 14,847 Dividends paid (1,326) (1,282) Share buy backs (489) (2,998) Closing shareholders' funds 152,105 123,616 PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC Unaudited Balance sheet As at 31 January 2008 2007 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets Investments 161,098 133,126 Current assets Debtors 3,627 1,271 Cash at bank and on deposit - 536 3,627 1,807 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (12,620) (11,317) Net current liabilities (8,993) (9,510) Net assets 152,105 123,616 Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 14,794 14,856 Share premium account 4 4 Capital redemption reserve 1,460 1,398 Special reserve 16,222 16,711 Other reserves - Capital reserve - realised 116,550 60,589 Capital reserve - unrealised (476) 26,644 Revenue reserve 3,551 3,414 Equity shareholders' funds 152,105 123,616 Net asset value per Ordinary Share (p): 128.52 104.01 PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC Unaudited Cash Flow Statement For the year ended 31 January 2008 2007 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Investment income received 3,234 2,930 Deposit interest received 24 140 Investment management fee paid (1,668) (1,114) Other cash payments (524) (568) Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,066 1,388 Servicing of finance Interest paid on bank loans and overdrafts (994) (528) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (994) (528) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of investments (88,739) (92,044) Disposal of investments 89,940 81,746 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 1,201 (10,298) Equity dividends paid (1,326) (1,282) Net cash outflow before financing (53) (10,720) Financing Loans drawn down 10,033 5,432 Loans repaid (10,162) (4,020) Own shares acquired (489) (2,998) Net cash outflow from financing (618) (1,586) Decrease in cash (671) (12,306) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net (debt)/funds Decrease in cash in the year (671) (12,306) Loans drawn down (10,033) (5,432) Loans repaid 10,162 4,020 Change in net funds resulting from cash flows (542) (13,718) Currency gains 153 236 Movement in net debt (389) (13,482) Net (debt)/funds at 1 February (9,682) 3,800 Net debt at 31 January (10,071) (9,682) Notes: 1. The results, which were approved by the Board on 19 March 2008, have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the AIC's Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies' issued in December 2005. The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the annual report and financial statements are consistent with those followed in the previous year. 2. Return per share is stated on a weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the year of 118,423,728 (2007 - 121,118,139). 3. The Board has proposed a final dividend of 1.12p (2007 - 1.12p) per Ordinary Share payable on 20 June 2008 to shareholders on the Register on 23 May 2008. 4. There were 118,348,386 Ordinary Shares in issue at 31 January 2008 (2007 - 118,848,386). 5. These are not statutory accounts in terms of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year to 31 January 2007, which were unqualified, have been lodged with the Registrar of Companies. The statutory accounts for the year to 31 January 2008 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting which will be held at the offices of F&C Asset Management plc, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY, on Monday 9 June 2008 at 12 noon. 6. The report and accounts for the year will be sent to shareholders and will be available for inspection at the Company's registered office, 80 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3BU. For further information contact: Peter Dalgliesh ) F&C Investment Business Limited 0207 628 8000 Gordon Hay Smith ) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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