Final Results

Schroder AsiaPacific Fund PLC 8 December 2000 SCHRODER ASIAPACIFIC FUND PLC UNAUDITED PRELIMINARY RESULTS The Directors of Schroder AsiaPacific Fund plc announce the unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2000. For the year ended For the year ended 30 September 2000 30 September 1999 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Restated* Restated* £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised gains/(losses) on sales - 14,799 14,799 - (990) (990) Unrealised gains on investments - 2,369 2,369 - 52,310 52,310 Currency (losses)/gains - (1,258)(1,258) - 406 406 Unrealised loss on forward foreign exchange transaction - - - - (405) (405) Dividend income from listed overseas investments 1,695 - 1,695 1,855 - 1,855 Bank deposit income 358 - 358 223 - 223 Other income 2 - 2 24 - 24 Administrative expenses (359) - (359) (259) - (259) Investment management fee (1,372) - (1,372) (957) - (957) Return before finance costs and taxation 324 15,910 16,234 886 51,321 52,207 Interest payable (850) - (850) (136) - (136) (Deficit)/return on ordinary activities before taxation (526) 15,910 15,384 750 51,321 52,071 Tax on ordinary activities 68 - 68 (264) (32) (296) (Deficit)/return attributable to equity shareholders (458) 15,910 15,452 486 51,289 51,775 Dividend - - - (700) - (700) Transfer (from)/to reserves (458) 15,910 15,452 (214) 51,289 51,075 (Deficit)/return per ordinary share (0.33)p 11.36p 11.03p 0.35p 36.63p 36.98p Dividend per share - - - 0.50p - 0.50p * Restated to comply with FRS 16 'Current Taxation' At At 30 September 30 September 2000 1999 Assets £'000 £'000 Listed investments at market value 122,902 110,415 Net current assets/(liabilities) 1,497 (1,397) Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year - (76) Net Assets 124,399 108,942 Net asset value per ordinary share (undiluted) 88.85p 77.82p Cash Flow Statement Year ended Year ended 30 September 2000 30 September 1999 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 356 690 Cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (724) (86) Tax paid (222) (96) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financial investment 4,276 (7,391) Equity dividends paid (700) (700) Net cash inflow from financing 6,171 6,037 Net cash inflow/(outflow) 9,157 (1,546) Reconciliation of return before finance costs and taxation to net cash inflow from operating activities Year ended Year ended 30 September 2000 30 September 1999 £'000 £'000 Return before finance costs and taxation 324 886 Movements in accrued income 92 (143) Movements in debtors 2 (13) Movements in creditors (62) (40) Net cash inflow from operating activities 356 690 Reconciliation of net cash inflow to movement in net funds/(debt) Year ended Year ended 30 September 2000 30 September 1999 £'000 £'000 Net cash inflow/(outflow) during the year 9,157 (1,546) Movement in loan facility to finance investments (6,166) (6,072) Exchange (losses)/gains on currency (1,258) 406 Change in net funds 1,733 (7,212) Net (debt)/funds at the beginning of the year (446) 6,766 Net funds/(debt) at 30 September 1,287 (446) The financial information set out in the announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2000. The financial information for the year ended 30 September 1999 is derived from the statutory accounts for the year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2000 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented by the Directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. This announcement is prepared on the basis of the accounting policies as set out in the most recently published set of annual financial statements, as amended following the introduction of FRS16 'Current Taxation', which became effective for accounting periods ending on or after 23 March 2000. The introduction of FRS16 has not had an effect on either revenue return on ordinary activities after taxation or shareholders' funds. This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 7 December 2000. STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN, THE HON RUPERT CARINGTON: Performance During the year to 30 September 2000, the Company's undiluted net asset value per share rose from 77.82p to 88.85p. This rise of 14.17 per cent compares with a negative total return of 0.43 per cent in sterling terms in the Morgan Stanley Far East Free (ex Japan) Index over the same period, and an average total return of 13.8 per cent* produced by the peer group. This return was principally achieved in the first quarter of the fiscal year with technology and telecommunication holdings contributing most of the relative strength. For the year as a whole stock selection particularly in Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore contributed strongly to performance, together with a positive contribution from country allocation. *Source: AITC. Appointment of a New Director On 17th February 2000 the Board announced the appointment of Mr Robert Binyon as an independent director of the Company and as such he has agreed to serve on both the Audit and Management Engagement Committees. Mr Binyon is Managing Director of CDC Capital Partners, and is currently based in Thailand with responsibility for investments in Asia Pacific. With his enormous experience of Asia over the years he will make a valuable contribution to the Company. A brief summary of his present occupation and previous experience is provided in the Director's Report, and in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, he offers himself for election at the Annual General Meeting. Gearing In November 1999 the Board agreed to increase the borrowings under its facility from US$10 million to US$20 million. This decision is in line with the Board's continuing belief that strategic gearing can augment shareholder returns when market conditions are favourable. On October 30th 2000 the borrowing was reduced to US$12 million to reflect the more volatile market conditions and has remained at that level since that time. Authority to Repurchase the Company's Shares At last year's Annual General Meeting shareholders gave the Directors authority to repurchase shares for cancellation. No such repurchases took place during the year, due to the strong underlying performance and the volatility but overall narrowing of the discount. The Directors regularly review this matter and continue to believe that circumstances could arise in which the mechanism could be of benefit to shareholders and are therefore proposing that the authority be renewed for a further period. Marketing The Board considers marketing issues on a regular basis and will continue to investigate and implement, where appropriate, measures designed to promote the Company, to keep any discount as low as possible and to improve communications with shareholders. Last year the Board explained that it had decided to support the 'its' campaign of the Association of Investment Trust Companies, which is aimed at promoting investment trusts to the general public. The Board has also agreed to contribute towards the cost of the second year of the campaign. The campaign includes advertising, seminars for private investors and independent financial advisers, a web site and other activities. The campaign has provoked discussion within the industry as to the steps that need to be taken to attract new investors into investment trusts and possible means of improving communication with existing investors. Outlook The Board believes that despite short term concerns regarding the economic and financial environment in Asia the longer term outlook is supportive of equity prices given the Board's view that US interest rates will decline in 2001. This, together with a weakening of the oil price, should lead to a more positive outlook for world growth, and stronger regional stockmarkets. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.30am on Thursday 25th January 2001 at 31, Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QA. Before the formal business. Matthew Dobbs, on behalf of the Investment Manager, will give a presentation on the prospects for Asia and the Company's investment strategy. The Hon Rupert Carington Chairman The Company's Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.30 a.m on Thursday, 25 January 2001 at 31 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QA. The Annual General Meeting will include a presentation by the investment manager. The Annual Report and Accounts will be mailed to shareholders at their registered addresses in December 2000 and from the date of release copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be available to the public at the Company's registered office: 31 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QA. Enquiries: Schroder Investment Management Limited John Spedding (0207 658 3206) 8 December 2000
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