Skip to main content

AI assistant

Sign in to chat with this filing

The assistant answers questions, extracts KPIs, and summarises risk factors directly from the filing text.

PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC Interim / Quarterly Report 2018

Jul 31, 2018

4682_ir_2018-07-31_c7c5e512-fc1d-4f0f-8b9e-eaaf7c72a855.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

Open in viewer

Opens in your device viewer

Half year Report & Accounts for the six months ended 31 July 2018

www.pacific-assets.co.uk

Contents The Company

Company Summary

Financial Highlights 1
Peer Group Performance 2
Chairman's Statement 3-4
Investment Manager's Review 5-7
Contribution by Investment 8
Portfolio 9-10
Portfolio Distribution 11
Financial Statements
Income Statement 12
Statement of Changes in Equity 12
Statement of Financial Position 13
Notes to the Accounts 14-15
Governance
Interim Management Report 16
Further Information
How to Invest 17
Information about the Company 18
Financial Calendar Back cover

Management

Pacific Assets Trust plc (the "Company") employs Stewart Investors as Investment Manager and Frostrow Capital LLP to provide company management, company secretarial and administrative services.

Capital Structure

The Company's capital structure is composed solely of ordinary shares. At 31 July 2018 there were 119,873,386 ordinary shares in issue (31 January 2018: 119,873,386).

Gearing

The Company has been entered by the FCA on the register of small registered UK AIFMs. For so long as the Company remains on the register it is precluded from incurring borrowings.

Keep up to date with Pacific Assets Trust plc For more information about Pacific Assets Trust plc visit the website at www.pacific-assets.co.uk

Please use the 'contact us' button to ask a question or to register for fact sheets, quarterly and annual reports, and webcasts.

The Company is an investment trust and its shares are listed on the premium segment of the Official List and traded on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Investment Objective

To achieve long-term capital growth through investment in selected companies in the Asia Pacific region and the Indian sub-continent, but excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand (the 'Asia Pacific Region'). Up to a maximum of 20% of the Company's total assets (at the time of investment) may be invested in companies incorporated and/or listed outside the Asia Pacific Region (as defined); at least 25% of their economic activities (at the time of investment) are within the Asia Pacific Region with this proportion being expected to grow significantly over the long term.

Investment Philosophy

Stewart Investors seek to invest only in good quality companies. They focus on the quality of management, franchise and financials. By analysing the sustainable development performance and positioning of companies they believe they can better measure less tangible elements of quality and identify less obvious risks.

Stewart Investors strives to make investment decisions with a minimum five-year time horizon. They have an absolute return mind-set and define risk as that of losing client money, rather than deviation from any benchmark index. They focus as much on the potential downside of investment decisions as on the anticipated upside. They believe that the identification of long-term sustainable development risks is an extremely important way of managing risk.

Their willingness to differ substantially from index weightings, both country and company, means they are not obliged to invest in any company or country if they have particular sustainability concerns.

Financial Highlights

Key Statistics

As at
31 July
2018
As at
31 January
2018
% change
Share price 271.0p 255.0p 6.3%
Net asset value per share 282.8p 267.6p 5.7%
(Discount) of share price to net asset value per share (4.2%) (4.7%)
Market capitalisation £324.9m £305.7m 6.3%
Shareholders' funds £339.0m £320.7m 5.7%
Six months to
31 July
2018
One year to
31 January
2018
Share price (total return)* 7.3% 12.8%
Net asset value per share (total return)* 6.8% 12.8%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (total return, sterling adjusted)* (3.2%) 27.0%
*Source: Morningstar
Dividends Year ended
31 January
2018
Year ended
31 January
2017
Final dividend per share+ 2.6p 2.6p

+The Company does not pay an interim dividend

Total Return and Benchmark Performance for the Six Months to 31 July 2018

MSCI Disclaimer

The MSCI information (relating to the Benchmark) may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or redisseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an "as is" basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the "MSCI Parties") expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation lost profits) or any other damages. (www.msci.com)

Peer Group Performance

Net Asset Value per Share Total Return Peer Group Performance for the Six Months to 31 July 2018

Note: Total return for MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index for the six months was -3.2% Rebased to 100 as at 31 January 2018

Net Asset Value per Share Total Return Peer Group Performance for the Five Years to 31 July 2018

Source: Morningstar

Note: Total return MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, since 31 July 2013, was 69.5 Rebased to 100 as at 31 July 2013

Chairman's Statement

"In the six months to 31 July 2018 the Company's net asset value per share total return was +6.8%. The MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (measured on a total return, sterling adjusted basis) fell by 3.2% in the same period. Our Investment Manager continues to seek out companies that are equipped with the business model and management that will ensure their long-term sustainability."

Investment Return

In the six months to 31 July the Company's net asset value per share total return was +6.8%. The return over this relatively short period compares to the annualised return of +12.2% over the last five years, and of +12.4% over the eight-year period that Stewart Investors have been managing the Company's investments. A slight narrowing of the discount of the Company's share price to its net asset value per share meant that the share price total return was +7.3%.

As has been explained in previous reports to shareholders there is a considerable difference in the investment profile of the Company from the profile of the most commonly used Asian stock market indices. The Company's portfolio is based on the selection of businesses that meet our Investment Manager's exacting criteria, not on a policy of being modelled in relation to an index. The MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (measured on a total return, sterling adjusted basis) actually fell by 3.2%. Just as I cautioned shareholders not to read too much into the Company's underperformance against this index over 2016 and 2017, I would warn against any satisfaction with the outperformance during the more recent period. While not ascribing too much during a short period of time, this may indicate the more defensive nature of the portfolio during difficult times, characteristic of companies we own that demonstrate long-term sustainability.

The Background

We face a combination of challenging economic and political circumstances in 2018 and beyond.

The world has entered what will probably be a long period of adjustment from the quantitative easing which ensured that liquidity was widely available at what historically would have been at an absurdly low cost. This frequently has involved negative interest rates. While unhelpful for values of risk assets, the gentle reversal of this process is something that we need to go through to ensure future stability. Outside the United States, most stock markets have been in decline for much of the year, resulting in a tougher investment environment than has been seen for some time. Beneath the market indices, there have been more serious declines of some sectors and stocks.

We do not believe that lurid political headlines generally influence the direction of asset prices. However, the escalation of global trade tension from rhetoric to actions may risk undermining the global supply chains that have been such a contributor to non-inflationary economic growth over the last 30 years. Asia, as is well known, has had a major part to play in the integration of global economies. It is too early to say that the rules will need to be re-written, but the risk remains that some countries will face a time of adjustment should this bellicose mercantilist attitude prevail over calmer consideration.

Many of the investments that the Company owns are focussed on serving their large domestic audience. The theme of an emerging middle class in countries such as India means that providers of consumer products or financial services will continue to be well placed whatever bizarre geopolitics may unfold. Investments are selected by our Investment Manager that will be able to withstand turbulence while maintaining a business model that is well tried and coherent.

Chairman's Statement (continued)

Corporate Governance

Your Board continues to oversee the management arrangements of the Company, ensuring that the key service providers have suitable risk controls, and that they have the substance and the structure to withstand unexpected circumstances. Stewart Investors, as the Investment Manager, Frostrow as the Company's administrator and secretary, and JP Morgan as the custodian of the Company's assets are all subject to scrutiny by your Board involving detailed reports and face to face meetings.

Looking Forward

We have been through an extended period when annualised investment returns have been in the low to midteens. This is well ahead of the long-term average rate of return from equities. With a more challenging environment possibly for some time to come, it is important that investors lower their sights of expected returns from Asian investments.

We note that Asian 'emerging markets' have shown less vulnerability to a rising dollar and rising interest rates, than those elsewhere. This suggests that, compared with previous such episodes, there may be more inherent stability to be found in the countries in which the Company invests. Our Investment Manager continues to seek out companies that are equipped with the business model and management that will ensure their long-term sustainability.

James Williams Chairman 3 October 2018

Investment Manager's Review

"At Stewart Investors we do not view the composition of our clients' portfolios by index sectors or geography but by the quality of stewards to whom we allocate clients' savings."

Performance

The Company's net asset value total return was +6.8% during the half year. This compares to a fall in the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan index (measured on a total return, sterling adjusted basis) of 3.2%. The Company's share price total return was +7.3%.

While we are pleased to have achieved this outperformance, it should be noted that periods of both relative outperformance and underperformance are consistent with our investment philosophy and long-term approach.

Investment Strategy

Many of our clients ask more questions about companies in China and the Chinese economy than the high quality franchises, held in the Company's portfolio, in the Indian Subcontinent. The UK press, exhibits a similar preference. The Economist magazine, for example, has a dedicated section on China, normally two articles a week, yet confines sporadic articles on India to their section titled 'Asia'. According to Google, trend queries searches from the UK on 'the Chinese economy' outnumber searches on 'the Indian economy' by some margin. One possible explanation for this is a misperception that superior GDP growth1 delivers higher returns to shareholders. This idea has been disproved by academia and runs contrary to our investment experience.

At Stewart Investors, we invest in high quality companies that can prosper over the longer term for the benefit of future generations, rather than economic growth per se. In our last quarterly report we detailed some of the challenges that we encounter when investing in China. In this half-year report, we would like to focus on companies listed in the Indian Subcontinent which account for c. 34% of the Company's assets.

Why we invest in the Indian Subcontinent?

"Whither do we go and what shall be our endeavour? To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman."

Excerpt from the Independence Day speech of Jawaharlal Nehru (India's first Prime Minister) at the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947.

Pakistan became a sovereign nation the day before India, Sri Lanka followed shortly after, and Bangladesh a little later. While the Subcontinent has a rich history, its democratic political institutions are still evolving. Sri Lanka fought a multi-decadal civil war before wrestling itself out of the clutches of an autocratic leader. India's most recent political upheaval in 2014 came about not because of a vigorous opposition, but due to a judiciary and a government auditor who stood up to and exposed a corrupt regime. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's judiciary fearlessly brought to book many of the people responsible for the violence in the years following independence. And not for the first time, when the laws of the constitution were violated, a prime minister of Pakistan was forced to give up office.

This progression of events might read like simple chaos or repetitive sound bites of disorder, but for investors like us, they are important moments in history proving that the region has repeatedly moved towards democracy. With democracy comes the many institutional checks and balances which encourage investors to entrust their capital for the longer term.

Investment Manager's Review (continued)

Long-term Capital and Sustainability are Complementary

Another benefit of democratic evolution is that the responsibility of sustainable development falls as much on private institutions as it does on the government. While governments are long term, they often foster an unhealthy disregard for profits. Frequently, this results in poor quality institutions and misaligned cultures. Much of the private sector, on the other hand, places far too much emphasis on short-term profits which jeopardises their license to operate and hinders progress towards a more inclusive society.

While there are no easy answers to the pervasive poverty and inequality in the Subcontinent, long-term capital is likely to be an important part of the solution. Private owners with long-term horizons who are willing to promote sustainable development stand to benefit disproportionately. The Company's recent acquisition of Dr Lal Pathlabs is a case in point. Here, there is a sizeable business opportunity for the provision of affordable and high quality healthcare to the broader population. To realise this prospect, however, requires patience and a willingness to balance profits with the equitable provision of a necessary service. Should Dr Lal choose to preference short-term profitability over long-term durability, then the opportunity is liable to be squandered. At Stewart Investors we believe that the balance between profit and social development is best understood by family owned companies.

The Indian subcontinent is unique in that it is home to a large number of listed companies with family owners and professional stewards. Many of the families we admire have managed succession over multiple generations. This promotes cultural continuity and provides a deep well of experience, from which management can draw during difficult times. High quality stewards such as the Tatas and the Godrej family, have profitably invested in the region's development while retaining their moral compass and sense of purpose over many decades. Similarly, some foundations like the Bangladesh Relief Action Committee (BRAC) have similar characteristics to families and have proven to be excellent stewards.

BRAC started as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the 1970s and quickly realised that to create large scale impact they would need to incubate private businesses. Through their listed businesses, BRAC Bank and Delta BRAC Housing Finance, the foundation is leading efforts to raise financial inclusion and provide affordable housing for millions of Bangladeshis. BRAC is the parent of many enterprises and the dividends from these companies fund their many social and developmental commitments, much like the successful Tata Trusts in India.

In addition to families and foundations, many Subcontinent listed multinational subsidiaries have proven to be good stewards. One of the primary reasons Hindustan Unilever has been so successful is because of their belief that serving the bottom of the pyramid2 is essential for socio-economic development. From this understanding flows sustainable and profitable growth. Selling a bar of affordable soap to people who live on a few dollars a day requires a culture of product innovation and a long-term commitment to expensive distribution networks. In contrast, the Indian subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble has never exhibited the vision nor the time horizon to follow this path. Consequently, their revenues and market capitalisation3 are a small fraction of those achieved by Hindustan Unilever. These examples highlight a preference for future growth over short-term maximisation which is determined by the presence of quality stewards.

2 Bottom of the pyramid refers to the poorest sections of society.

3 Market capitalisation is the value of a company on the stock market.

Investment Manager's Review (continued)

Stewards not Sectors

At Stewart Investors we do not view the composition of our clients' portfolios by index sectors or geography but by the quality of stewards to whom we allocate clients' savings. We often find the closer owners are to a company's foundations the stronger the sense of purpose and culture. Owners with long histories are also more likely to navigate successfully the many difficult periods that will undoubtedly unfold. It is these properties which align with the core of our investment philosophy – the principle of absolute return. To us, risk is the permanent loss of our clients' savings. It is not a deviation from an arbitrary benchmark. As a result, we believe there is no price worth paying for a company that has poor long-term sustainability positioning. We assess sustainability through frequent engagement with management. It is important to note that engagement is not a separate function or input. Instead it is an integral part of our process and involves each member of our investment team.

When we identify a material issue that could harm an investment case, we try to engage with the company to explore what can be done to improve the situation. Often it is management's reaction to such issues that is revealing. The sale of China Mengniu Dairy, during this period, serves as an example. Here, we repeatedly highlighted the risk of grazing thirsty cows in areas recording low water tables. That management consistently ignored the importance of this challenge highlighted poor risk assessment and low quality stewardship. Conversely, we enjoyed very positive engagement from Ayala Corporation on their coal-fired power stations and with our Indian consumer companies on the issue of plastic packaging disposal. Unlike the example of China Mengniu Dairy, the stewards were extremely open to discussion and established plans to overcome their challenges. It is engagements such as these that instil confidence that the franchises are insulated from long term risk and that the stewards are worthy recipients of our clients' savings.

Investing for the Long Term

The Indian Subcontinent has a long way to go before it reaches the standards of living experienced by people in cities like Vancouver or Zurich. The opportunity and challenge for these societies, and for long-term investors, is to improve living standards without exhausting the environment and stretching social inequality beyond the point of breaking.

In this way, the Company's returns have not resulted from attempting to foretell the policies of Prime Ministers, the short-term direction of stock markets, or the movements of interest rates and currencies. Instead, they have been obtained by allocating capital to high quality family-owned companies with the patience to build long term, responsible and sustainable businesses across the Subcontinent. As India and its neighbours continue along the path described by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947, we would expect the companies owned by the Company to continue to flourish.

Stewart Investors 3 October 2018

Contribution by Investment

Six months ended 31 July 2018 Principal contributors to and detractors from absolute performance Top 10 contributors to absolute performance

Contribution to
Company Returns %
Vitasoy International Holdings 2.96
Tech Mahindra 0.83
Unicharm 0.63
Marico 0.60
Mahindra & Mahindra 0.58
Tata Consultancy Services 0.49
Kotak Mahindra Bank 0.43
Nippon Paint 0.42
Dabur India 0.38
E.SUN Financial Holdings 0.33

Top 10 detractors from absolute performance

Contribution to
Returns %
(0.55)
(0.35)
(0.35)
(0.21)
(0.21)
(0.16)
(0.15)
(0.13)
(0.13)
(0.12)

* Not held in the portfolio as at 31 July 2018

Portfolio as at 31 July 2018

Company MSCI sector Country Market
valuation
£'000
% of total
assets less
current
liabilities
Vitasoy International Holdings Consumer Staples Hong Kong 24,465 7.2
Tech Mahindra Information Technology India 20,454 6.0
Marico Consumer Staples India 11,688 3.4
Unicharm* Consumer Staples Japan 10,144 3.0
Housing Development Finance Financials India 9,455 2.8
Chroma ATE Information Technology Taiwan 9,403 2.8
Mahindra & Mahindra Consumer Discretionary India 9,004 2.7
Kotak Mahindra Bank Financials India 8,747 2.6
Manila Water Utilities Philippines 8,464 2.5
Standard Foods Consumer Staples Taiwan 8,248 2.4
Ten largest investments 120,072 35.4
Dabur India Consumer Staples India 7,002 2.1
Delta Electronics Information Technology Taiwan 6,818 2.0
Tata Consultancy Services Information Technology India 6,604 2.0
Cyient Information Technology India 6,513 1.9
Ayala Corporation Financials Philippines 6,489 1.9
Bank OCBC NISP Financials Indonesia 6,465 1.9
Cipla Health Care India 6,370 1.9
United Plantations Consumer Staples Malaysia 6,367 1.9
Delta Electronics (Thailand) Information Technology Thailand 6,209 1.8
Uni-President Enterprises Consumer Staples Taiwan 6,105 1.8
Twenty largest investments 185,014 54.6
Delta Brac Housing Finance Financials Bangladesh 5,899 1.8
Kalbe Farma Health Care Indonesia 5,848 1.7
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Health Care India 5,810 1.7
Kasikornbank Financials Thailand 5,507 1.6
Nippon Paint* Materials Japan 5,456 1.6
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Information Technology Taiwan 5,270 1.6
Public Bank Financials Malaysia 5,189 1.5
President Chain Store Consumer Staples Taiwan 4,645 1.4
Bank of the Philippine Islands Financials Philippines 4,553 1.3
Selamat Sempurna Consumer Discretionary Indonesia 4,456 1.3
Thirty largest investments 237,647 70.1
Infosys Information Technology India 4,226 1.2
Expeditors International of Washington* Industrials United States 4,111 1.2
Oversea-Chinese Banking Financials Singapore 3,790 1.1
Tube Investments of India Consumer Discretionary India 3,675 1.1
BRAC Bank Financials Bangladesh 3,658 1.1
Square Pharmaceuticals Health Care Bangladesh 3,594 1.1
E.Sun Financial Holdings Financials Taiwan 3,459 1.0
Commercial Bank of Ceylon Financials Sri Lanka 3,456 1.0
Robinsons Retail Holdings Consumer Staples Philippines 3,387 1.0
Philippine Seven Consumer Staples Philippines 3,254 1.0
Forty largest investments 274,257 80.9

* At least 25% of the company's economic activities are derived from the Asia Pacific Region (in accordance with the Company's investment objective).

Portfolio (continued)

as at 31 July 2018

Company MSCI sector Country Market
valuation
£'000
% of total
assets less
current
liabilities
Hemas Holdings Industrials Sri Lanka 3,244 1.0
Elgi Equipments Industrials India 3,148 0.9
Koh Young Technology Information Technology South Korea 2,891 0.9
Dr. Lal PathLabs Health Care India 2,736 0.8
Marico Bangladesh Consumer Staples Bangladesh 2,442 0.7
Mahindra Lifespace Developers Real Estate India 2,195 0.6
Godrej Consumer Products Consumer Staples India 1,996 0.6
China Resources Phoenix Healthcare Health Care China 1,944 0.6
Mahindra Logistics Industrials India 1,925 0.6
Pigeon* Consumer Staples Japan 1,789 0.5
Fifty largest investments 298,567 88.1
CT Holdings Consumer Staples Sri Lanka 1,691 0.5
Sundaram Finance Financials India 1,644 0.5
Shanthi Gears Industrials India 1,544 0.5
Advantech Information Technology Taiwan 1,519 0.4
Hero Supermarket Consumer Staples Indonesia 1,430 0.4
Advanced Enzyme Technologies Materials India 1,399 0.4
Total portfolio 307,794 90.8
Net current assets 31,157 9.2
Total assets less current liabilities 338,951 100.0

* At least 25% of the company's economic activities are derived from the Asia Pacific Region (in accordance with the Company's investment objective).

Portfolio Distribution

as at 31 July 2018

Sector Analysis

Geographical Analysis

Income Statement

for the six months ended 31 July 2018

(Unaudited)
Six months ended
31 July 2018
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
31 July 2017
Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
£'000 Total Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
Total
£'000
Gains on investments
Exchange differences on currency
19,437 19,437 20,007 20,007
balances
Investment Income
Investment management and

3,742
400
400
3,742

2,957
(201)
(201)
2,957
management fees (note 2)
Other expenses
(412)
(332)
(1,236)
(1,648)
(332)
(397)
(314)
(1,190)
(1,587)
(314)
Return before taxation
Taxation
2,998
(262)
18,601
21,599
(262)
2,246
(192)
18,616
(23)
20,862
(215)
Return after taxation 2,736 18,601 21,337 2,054 18,593 20,647
Return per ordinary
share (p) (note 3)
2.3p 15.6p 17.9p 1.7p 15.6p 17.3p

The Total column of this statement represents the Company's Income Statement.

The Revenue and Capital columns are supplementary to this and are both prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC).

All revenue and capital items in the Income Statement derive from continuing operations.

The Company had no recognised gains or losses other than those declared in the Income Statement.

All of the profit/(loss) and total comprehensive income for the period is attributable to the owners of the Company.

Statement of Changes in Equity

for the six months ended 31 July 2018

(Unaudited)
Six months
ended
31 July 2018
£'000
(Unaudited)
Six months
ended
31 July 2017
£'000
Opening shareholders' funds
Shares issued in period
Return for the period
Dividends paid
320,731

21,337
(3,117)
287,202
383
20,647
(3,112)
Closing shareholders' funds 338,951 305,120

Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 July 2018

(Unaudited)
As at
31 July
2018
£'000
(Audited)
As at
31 January
2018
£'000
Fixed assets
Investments
307,794 300,947
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank
1,642
30,564
307
22,824
32,206 23,131
Creditors (amounts falling due within one year) (1,049) (3,347)
Net current assets 31,157 19,784
Net assets 338,951 320,731
Capital and reserves
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Special reserve
Capital reserve
Revenue reserve
14,984
5,737
1,648
14,572
296,518
5,492
14,984
5,737
1,648
14,572
277,917
5,873
Equity shareholders' funds 338,951 320,731
Net asset value per ordinary share (p) (note 4) 282.8p 267.6p

Notes to the Accounts

1. Basis of preparation

The condensed Financial Statements for the six months to 31 July 2018 comprise the statements set out on pages 12 to 15 including the related notes below. They have been prepared in accordance with FRS 104 'Interim Financial Reporting', the principles of the AIC's Statement of Recommended Practice issued in November 2014 and using the same accounting policies as set out in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements as at 31 January 2018.

Fair value

Under FRS 102 and FRS 104 investments have been classified using the following fair value hierarchy:

  • Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets
  • Level 2 Prices of a recent transaction for identical instruments
  • Level 3 Valuation techniques that use:

(i) observable market data; or

(ii) non-observable data

All of the Company's investments fall into Level 1 for the periods reported.

2. Investment Management and Management fees

(Unaudited)
Six months ended
31 July 2018
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
31 July 2017
Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
£'000 Total Revenue
£'000
Capital
£'000
Total
£'000
Investment management fee –
Stewart Investors
Management fee – Frostrow
367
45
1,101
135
1,468
180
342
55
1,025
165
1,367
220
412 1,236 1,648 397 1,190 1,587

3. Return per ordinary share

The total return per ordinary share price is based on the return attributable to shareholders of £21,337,000 (six months ended 31 July 2017: return of £20,647,000) and on 119,873,386 shares (six months ended 31 July 2017: 119,605,568), being the weighted average number of shares in issue.

The revenue return per ordinary share price is calculated by dividing the net revenue return attributable to shareholders of £2,736,000 (six months ended 31 July 2017: £2,054,000) by the weighted average number of shares in issue as above.

The capital return per ordinary share price is calculated by dividing the net capital return attributable to shareholders of £18,601,000 (six months ended 31 July 2017: return of £18,593,000) by the weighted average number of shares in issue as above.

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

4. Net asset value per ordinary share

The net asset value per ordinary share is based on the net assets attributable to shareholders of £338,951,000 (31 January 2018: £320,731,000) and on 119,873,386 shares in issue (31 January 2018: 119,873,386).

5. 2018 accounts

These are not statutory accounts in terms of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and are unaudited. Statutory accounts for the year to 31 January 2018, which received an unqualified audit report, have been lodged with the Registrar of Companies. No statutory accounts in respect of any period after 31 January 2018 have been reported on by the Company's auditor or delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Earnings for the first six months should not be taken as a guide to the results for the full year.

Interim Management Report

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Company's principal area of risk relates to its investment activity and strategy, including currency risk in respect of the markets in which it invests. Other risks faced by the Company include financial, shareholder relations and operational (including cyber crime, corporate governance, accounting, legal, regulatory and political). These risks, and the way in which they are managed, are described in more detail under the heading Risk Management within the Strategic Report in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 January 2018. The Company's principal risks and uncertainties have not changed materially since the date of that report and are not expected to change materially for the remaining six months of the Company's financial year.

The Board is aware that the UK's vote to leave the EU has introduced elements of political and economic uncertainty which may have practical consequences for the Company and its Investment Manager. Developments continue to be closely monitored by the Board. Geopolitical risk to the Company is also considered regularly by the Board.

Related Party Transactions

During the first six months of the current financial year no material transactions with related parties have taken place which have affected the financial position or the performance of the Company during the period.

Going Concern

The Directors believe, having considered the Company's investment objectives, risk management policies, capital management policies and procedures, and the nature of the portfolio and its expenditure projections, that the Company has adequate resources, an appropriate financial structure and suitable management arrangements in place to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they consider there is reasonable evidence to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

Directors' Responsibilities

The Board of Directors confirms that, to the best of its knowledge:

  • (i) the condensed set of financial statements contained within the Half Year Report has been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 104 (Interim Financial Reporting); and
  • (ii) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:
  • (a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules , being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
  • (b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules , being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

The Half Year Report has not been reviewed or audited by the Company's auditor.

For and on behalf of the Board

James Williams Chairman 3 October 2018

How to Invest

Retail Investors advised by IFAs

The Company currently conducts its affairs so that its shares can be recommended by Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) in the UK to ordinary retail investors in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules in relation to non-mainstream investment products and intends to continue to do so. The shares are excluded from the FCA's restrictions which apply to non-mainstream investment products because they are shares in an investment trust.

Investment Platforms

The Company's shares are traded openly on the London Stock Exchange and can be purchased through a stock broker or other financial intermediary. The shares are available through savings plans (including Investment Dealing Accounts, ISAs, Junior ISAs and SIPPs) which facilitate both regular monthly investments and lump sum investments in the Company's shares. There are a number of investment platforms that offer these facilities. A list of some of them, that is not comprehensive nor constitutes any form of recommendation, can be found below:

http://www.alliancetrustsavings.co.uk/
https://www.smartinvestor.barclays.co.uk/
https://www.charles-stanley-direct.co.uk/
http://www.fundsdirect.co.uk/Default.asp
http://www.halifax.co.uk/Sharedealing/
http://www.iweb-sharedealing.co.uk/share-dealing-home.asp

Equiniti – Share Dealing Service

An internet and telephone dealing service is available through the Company's registrar, Equiniti. This provides a way for UK shareholders of Pacific Assets Trust plc to buy or sell the Company's shares. For full details and terms and conditions simply log onto www.shareview.co.uk/dealing or call 03456 037037 between 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. This service is only available to shareholders of Pacific Assets Trust plc who hold shares in their own name, with a UK registered address and who are aged 18 and over.

Shareview Dealing is provided by Equiniti Financial Services Limited which has issued and approved the preceding paragraph. Equiniti Financial Services Limited, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA is registered in England and Wales with number 6208699. Equiniti Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Risk warnings

Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. The value of your investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount invested. This is because the share price is determined by the changing conditions in the relevant stock markets in which the Company invests and by the supply and demand for the Company's shares. As the shares in an investment trust are traded on a stock market, the share price will fluctuate in accordance with the supply and demand and may not reflect the underlying net asset value of the shares; where the share price is less than the underlying value of the assets, the difference is known as the 'discount'. For these reasons investors may not get back the original amount invested. Although the Company's shares are denominated in sterling, it may invest in stocks and shares which are denominated in currencies other than sterling and to the extent they do so, they may be affected by movements in exchange rates. As a result the value of your investment may rise or fall with movements in exchange rates. Investors should note that tax rates and reliefs may change at any time in the future. The value of ISA tax advantages will depend on personal circumstances. The favourable tax treatments of ISAs may not be maintained.

Information about the Company

Directors

J P Williams (Chairman)* M C Ginman, FCA** S E Hansen T F Mahony R E Talbut

*Chairman of the Engagement and Remuneration and Nomination Committees

**Chair of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director

Registered Office

16 Charlotte Square Edinburgh EH2 4DF

Company Registration Number

SC091052 (Registered in Scotland)

The Company is an investment company as defined under Section 833 of the Companies Act 2006

Website

www.pacific-assets.co.uk

Investment Manager

Stewart Investors* Level 1, 23 St. Andrew Square Edinburgh EH2 1BB Telephone: 0131 473 2200 Website: www.firststate.co.uk

*Trading name of First State Investment Management (UK) Limited. First State Investment Management (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Manager, Company Secretary and Administrator

Frostrow Capital LLP 25 Southampton Buildings London WC2A 1AL Telephone: 0203 008 4910 Email: [email protected] Website: www.frostrow.com Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

If you have an enquiry about the Company or if you would like to receive a copy of the Company's monthly fact sheet by email, please contact Frostrow Capital using the above email address.

Brokers

Canaccord Genuity Limited 88 Wood Street London EC2V 7QR

Registrars

Equiniti Limited Aspect House Spencer Road Lancing West Sussex BN99 6DA Shareholder Helpline: 0371 384 2466* Broker Helpline: 0371 384 2779* Website: www.equiniti.com

*Lines are open 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Notifications of changes of address and enquiries regarding share certificates or dividend cheques should be made in writing to the Registrars quoting your shareholder reference number. Registered shareholders can obtain further details of their holdings on the internet by visiting www.shareview.co.uk

Custodian Bankers

JPMorgan Chase Bank 125 London Wall London EC2Y 5AJ

Independent Auditor

KPMG LLP 15 Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5GL

Solicitors

Dickson Minto WS 16 Charlotte Square Edinburgh EH2 4DF

Identification Codes

SEDOL: 0667438 ISIN: GB0006674385 Bloomberg: PAC LN EPIC: PAC

Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN): MAEPFZ.99999.SL.826

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) 2138008U8QPGAESFYA48

Financial Calendar

Financial Year End 31 January
Final Results Announced March
Half Year End 31 July
Half Year Results Announced October
Dividend Payable June
Annual General Meeting June

A member of the Association of Investment Companies

Pacific Assets Trust plc Address for correspondence – 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL www.pacific-assets.co.uk