Interim Results

SchroderJapan Growth Fund PLC 11 March 2003 Press Release 11 March 2003 Interim Results The Directors of Schroder Japan Growth Fund plc announce the unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2003. Financial Highlights 31 January 2003 31 July 2002 Change % Total assets (£'000)+ 97,909 114,112 (14.20) Total borrowing (£'000) (20,290) (21,381) -5.10 Shareholders' funds (£'000) 77,619 92,731 (16.30) Shares in issue ('000) 125,004 125,004 - Undiluted net asset value per share - pence 62.09p 74.18p (16.30) TSE First Section Total Return (in sterling terms) Index 4.66 5.74 (18.82) Share price - pence 54.75p 69.25p (20.94) Share price discount 11.82% 6.65% N/A Market capitalisation (£'000) 68,440 86,565 (20.94) + Calculated in accordance with Association of Investment Trust Companies' (AITC) guidance and comprises shareholders' funds plus gearing used for investment purposes. Six months ended Six months ended 31 January 2003 31 January 2002 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Realised losses on investments - (1,871) (1,871) - (521) (521) Unrealised losses on investments - (13,854) (13,854) - (21,386) (21,386) Realised exchange rate losses - (152) (152) - (435) (435) Unrealised exchange rate gain on - 1,091 1,091 - 1,318 1,318 the loan facility Investment Income 531 - 531 551 - 551 Bank deposit interest 8 - 8 8 - 8 Investment management fee and (642) - (642) (758) - (758) administration expenses Deficit before finance costs and (103) (14,786) (14,889) (199) (21,024) (21,223) taxation Interest payable (144) - (144) (156) - (156) Deficit on ordinary activities (247) (14,786) (15,033) (355) (21,024) (21,379) before taxation Tax on ordinary activities (79) - (79) (83) - (83) Deficit attributable to equity (326) (14,786) (15,112) (438) (21,024) (21,462) shareholders Deficit per ordinary share (0.26)p (11.83)p (12.09)p (0.35)p (16.82)p (17.17)p Six months ended 31 Six months ended 31 January 2003 January 2002 Abridged Cash Flow Statement £'000 £'000 Net cash outflow from operating activities (147) (199) Net cash outflow from servicing of finance (152) (164) Tax paid (76) (83) Net cash (outflow) /(inflow)from financial investment (2,103) 2,723 Net cash outflow from financing (151) (435) Net cash (outflow)/inflow (2,629) 1,842 As at 31 January 2003 As at 31 July 2002 Assets £'000 £'000 Listed investments at market value 95,725 109,255 Other current assets 2,184 4,857 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (20,290) (21,381) Net Assets 77,619 92,731 Net asset value per share - undiluted 62.09p 74.18p Net asset value per share - diluted - - Notes 1. The above financial information is unaudited and does not amount to statutory accounts under Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended). The information given as comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 July 2002 does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. Statutory accounts for the financial year ended 31 July 2002 have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. This announcement is prepared on the basis of the accounting policies as set out in the most recent published set of annual financial statements. The calculation of the returns per share is based upon the net return attributable to shareholders and the issued share capital of each class. 2. Calculation of the undiluted net asset value per share is based on 125,003,500 ordinary shares in issue (31 January 2002 and 31 July 2002 : the same). A diluted net asset value is not shown for any period. The diluted net asset value is calculated in accordance with the SORP. It is based on the assumption that the 24,996,500 warrants in issue at 31 January 2003, (31 January 2002 and 31 July 2002: the same) are converted into ordinary shares. Dilution occurs if the undiluted net asset value is greater than the warrant exercise price of £1.00. The following is the text of the Investment Manager's Review for the six months ended 31 January 2003 Performance The Company's undiluted net asset value fell 16.30% over the six months to 31 January 2003. This compares to a decline in sterling terms of 18.82% in the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section Total Return Index. Performance relative to the benchmark was helped by the zero exposure to banks and an emphasis on companies with strong balance sheets. This was, however, partially offset by the gearing of the Company in a falling market. Investment Review The past six months have been frustrating because, in general, Japanese companies have been delivering good profit figures through restructuring efforts and improving their balance sheets thanks to substantial free cashflow. This has occurred despite a continued subdued economic background. Nevertheless, contrary to our expectations, the market has continued to decline. In part this has matched the global trend of falling valuation levels. It also has been driven by the continued selling of cross shareholdings, particularly by Japanese banks. Finally it may reflect a lack of confidence in the ability of the Japanese government either to tackle persistent problems of deflation, or the weakness in the banking system. Future Policy / Outlook We are anticipating a similar economic and profit environment to 2002. Growth is expected to remain around zero as restructuring weighs on domestic demand both through consumption and on companies' investment spending. Nevertheless we expect profits and balance sheets to continue to improve through restructuring efforts. We are, however, anticipating a better market environment than last year. This is partly because as valuations have already declined (we estimate a PER of 18x 2003 earnings) we think a further derating is less likely. It also reflects a more favourable outlook for supply and demand in the equity market. We anticipate further growth in share buy-backs as many companies have already finished reducing debt to target levels. In addition we believe the peak of cross shareholding sales may pass this fiscal year. Accordingly, we are continuing to use the Company's gearing facility. Whilst turnover of the portfolio remained low the transactions reinforced the quality focus. For example within the electronics sector we sold the holding in Hitachi reflecting continued balance sheet deterioration and a lack of convincing restructuring plans. The proceeds were used to add to existing holdings in Rohm and Ricoh. Both companies are cash-generative, have strong global market shares and good profitability. The bias of the fund towards companies with strong balance sheets and free cashflow has remained unchanged, as has the high exposure to smaller companies because of exceptionally low valuations in selected stocks. Schroder Investment Management (UK) Limited 7 March 2003 Interim Report The Interim Report will be sent by mail to shareholders and warrantholders at their registered addresses in March 2003 and from the date of release, copies of the Interim Report will be made available to the public at the Company's registered office: 31 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QA. Enquiries: Schroder Investment Management Limited Neil Olofsson Tel : 0207 658 3496 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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