Half-Yearly Results

ABERDEEN ASIAN INCOME FUND LIMITED

Legal Entity Identifier: 549300U76MLZF5F8MN87

 

UNAUDITED HALF YEARLY REPORT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

 

Interim Board Report - Chairman's Statement

Background

Over the six-month period ended 30 June 2018, the Company's net asset value (NAV) total return fell by 3.3% in sterling terms, behind the MSCI All Countries Asia Pacific ex Japan Index which fell 1.7% and the MSCI All Countries Asia Pacific ex Japan High Dividend Yield Index which also fell 1.7%. The share price at the end of the period was 199.0p which represented a discount of 10.9% to the NAV per share. During the period there were two dividend payments totalling 4.5p per share distributed to shareholders representing an annualised dividend yield of 4.5%.

 

After a strong performance in 2017 when global asset prices were distorted by sustained liquidity resulting from years of easy money, 2018 has seen a pullback in equities. Asian markets retreated on concerns over growing trade tensions, geopolitical frictions and tightening monetary policy in the US. Rising interest rates have the potential to affect the dividend-paying ability of corporates. However, the Company's focus on holdings with robust balance sheets and cash flow generation will help ensure that your portfolio continues to deliver sustainable income even in turbulent market conditions.

 

Overview

After a bright start to the year, market sentiment quickly gave way to fears of faster interest-rate hikes, higher oil prices, and an escalation in trade tensions. After simmering for months, the trade dispute between the US and China boiled over with the world's two largest economies playing their opening hands and imposing the first round of tariffs. For now, the direct impact on Asian companies remains contained given their small exposure to revenues directly sourced from the US. Nevertheless, your Manager continues to monitor the situation and the potential impact the trade war could have on investment sentiment and share prices.

 

Meanwhile, monetary policy diverged across Asia after a hawkish US Federal Reserve raised interest rates, which pushed the US dollar and government bond yields higher. The resulting currency fluctuations in Asia prompted Hong Kong and Indonesia to follow in the Fed's footsteps to try and stem outflows. At the same time, regional central banks had to contend with inflationary pressures fuelled by rising oil prices. Elsewhere, Australia maintained the same rates it has had for close to two years, while the People's Bank of China injected more renminbi into the financial system to bolster sentiment.

 

Performance Review

Your Company's NAV total return fell by 3.3% in sterling terms over the interim period against the comparable indices which each slipped 1.7%. The weakest markets in the MSCI All Countries Asia Pacific ex Japan Index were Indonesia and the Philippines, which recorded double-digit declines on the back of currency depreciation amid rising oil prices. Your portfolio benefited from not holding any companies in these two countries. From the sector perspective, healthcare turned in the best performance in the MSCI All Countries Asia Pacific ex Japan Index, in large part due to the biotechnology area which was the only sector to report double-digit gains over the period. The companies within this sub-sector face heavy investment pipelines to support research and technology and are often not making profits, let alone paying dividends. Your Company does not hold any biotechnology stocks given the lack of dividend yield available, which has weighed on share price performance.

 

Another industry which is known for its lack of dividends is Chinese internet. These companies continue to deliver robust results but this dominance comes at a price and they face large capital investments into new technologies and platforms which restricts their ability to return capital to shareholders. The best performing software companies were Alibaba and Baidu, both of which have zero dividend yield and are therefore not held in this income generating Company.

 

Elsewhere in the hardware sub-sector, your Manager had been taking profits by trimming your Company's holding in Singapore-listed Venture Corporation following its strong performance in 2017 when its share price doubled. Venture remained the top single stock performer in the portfolio until April, when an anonymous report questioned its exposure to Philip Morris' smoke-free cigarette product IQOS and warned about weaker revenues, just days before Venture published quarterly results. Its shares corrected as a result of the negative report, but your Manager met with the management after the earnings release and was able to gain a good degree of confidence that the business remained on track, investing in new capabilities and building sticky relationships with customers. Its earnings also confirmed continued profit margin expansion, reflecting its investments into research and the higher value its engineers bring to the table. Your Manager believes this correction is overdone, and has been topping up your Company's holding towards the end of the period. 

 

Rising commodity prices benefited the Australian diversified miners held in the portfolio as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and South32 are well-positioned with strong balance sheets that are supportive of growing dividends. However, the Australian banks were weighed down by the overhang of the Royal Commission's regulatory review and the impact this could have on future compliance costs. All your Company's holdings have robust capital positions in excess of regulatory requirements, and dividend yields are attractive. ANZ, in particular, enjoyed a rebound in June after it announced it would double the scale of a share buyback programme, using proceeds from the sale of its life insurance business.

 

Your Manager's focus on the growing consumer demand story in the emerging Asian markets, where GDP growth remained at high levels, reaped rewards during this uncertain period. Heineken Malaysia benefited from improved sentiment following the newly elected government's pledge to scrap the goods and services tax and stimulate consumption. Meanwhile, in China, SAIC Motor Corp reported positive sales growth and an improving product mix toward higher value brands which has raised its profitability. SAIC continues to sign deals with global luxury car brands such as Audi, boosting its domestic manufacturing and distribution portfolio. While operating in very different markets, both Heineken Malaysia and SAIC Motor provide attractive dividend yields that are above those of the comparable indices.

 

Portfolio Activity

Turning to portfolio activity, your Manager has made a number of refinements to its investment process that enables it to be more nimble in identifying stocks that are suitable for inclusion in the portfolio or which no longer qualify. Your Manager has used the indecisive markets over the period to buy stocks which are trading at attractive valuations whilst offering a sustainable or growing dividend income.  In order to make way for these new holdings, your Manager exited cement companies Lafarge Malaysia and Indocement, a Heidelberg subsidiary in Indonesia, on concerns that their balance sheets were becoming increasingly stressed at a time when domestic demand remained sluggish, placing their ability to pay future dividends at risk. Your Manager also exited Electricity Generating Company of Thailand as it had one of the lowest yields in the portfolio, as well as Hong Kong's fabric and dye trader Texwinca as it reduced dividends in the face of a more challenging trading environment.

 

The new investments cover a broad spectrum of geographies and businesses but they are all pleasing additions to the portfolio's income account. China Resources Land offers exposure to both investment properties and residential developments in China. Its portfolio of shopping centres benefits from the growing consumption aspirations of China's middle class and generates a stable revenue stream that helps fund future investments and dividends. Nearby in Korea, your Manager introduced LG Chem, whose robust specialty chemicals business serves as a solid base to grow its leading position in the electric vehicle (EV) battery market. LG Chem has already established a broad customer base in EV batteries and is reporting a growing backlog of orders from global car manufacturers.  Your Manager has invested in the preference shares which offer a more attractive dividend yield, and trade at a discount to the ordinary shares. While the current yield is 3%, the absolute dividend per share is growing by a double-digit percentage each year, supported by free cash flow from the business and the potential growth in EV batteries.

 

Another recent addition to the portfolio was Australian miner BHP Billiton. This investment complements other holdings within this sector as BHP has top tier assets, scale efficiency and a management that is focused on shareholder returns. Dividend yield is attractive at above 5%. Your Manager also initiated Hong Kong-listed Ping An Insurance, a financial conglomerate which operates one of the leading life insurance franchises in China. The dividend yield is just shy of 3% but absolute dividends per share have grown in excess of 20% per year. Ping An is looking to list its online finance platforms on the equity markets which will raise additional capital and further underline its ability to support future dividend growth for shareholders.

 

Dividend

On 11 July 2018, your Board declared a second quarterly interim dividend of 2.25p per Ordinary share in respect of the year ending 31 December 2017, which will be paid on 17 August 2018 to shareholders on the register on 20 July 2018.  The first two quarterly dividends, covering the six months to 30 June 2018 therefore total 4.5p (2017 - 4.5p). As indicated at the time of the earlier announcements, the Board has rebalanced the four interim dividends and, in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, it is the Board's intention to declare four interim dividends of 2.25p per Ordinary share totalling 9.0p (2017: 9.0p) in respect of the year to 31 December 2018.

 

Gearing and Share Repurchases

On 5 March 2018 the Company renewed its three year £10 million term facility with Scotiabank Europe PLC (the "New Facility"). The New Facility, which is due to expire on 2 March 2021, is in addition to the existing £40,000,000 multicurrency revolving facility with Scotiabank (Ireland) Limited, which is due to mature in April 2020.  The Company's total gearing at the period end amounted to the equivalent of £35.9 million or net gearing of 8.9% with £10m, HKD 213m and USD 7.2m drawn under the Company's facilities with Scotiabank. 

 

Over the first half of the year, the Ordinary shares have continued to trade at a discount to the NAV and the Company has been active in the market when the discount (excluding income) has exceeded 5% with a view to minimising volatility due to a widening discount. During the period under review, your Company bought in 2,116,151 shares for treasury resulting in a positive contribution to the NAV total return of 0.1%.  Subsequent to the period end a further 512,921 Ordinary shares have been acquired for treasury. 

 

Directorate

As part of the Board's on-going succession planning, Peter Arthur retired from the Board at the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held in May 2018 and I would like to reiterate the Board's sincere appreciation to him for his service and significant contribution to the Company since its launch in November 2005.  I am pleased to report that Nicky McCabe has been appointed as an independent non executive Director with effect from 16 May 2018.  Nicky was formerly head of product and investment trusts at Fidelity International with experience across the full spectrum of asset management in back office operations, the investment team, proprietary investment, distribution and product management.

 

Outlook

Asian markets are expected to remain volatile given political posturing, inflation and protectionism that are clouding the horizon. Against this backdrop, China's economy remains largely robust. Improving consumer sentiment in the second-largest economy in the world, as well as across the Asia region, provides some buffer for earnings growth, and therefore dividend payouts, against trade-related disruptions.

 

Tightening monetary policy in the US has compelled Asian central banks to respond to external pressures on local currencies and rising oil prices. Meanwhile, governments are taking the opportunity to engage in reforms that will strengthen their economies in the longer term, which should help calm volatility and make the region more tempting for foreign investors.

 

Following a tepid start to the year, valuations across Asia are below historic averages and at a discount to global markets, presenting attractive investment opportunities. Your Manager remains diligent about researching companies and focusing on balance sheets and cash flows which can support sustainable and growing dividends even if market valuations are unduly distorted by fund flows and momentum investing irrespective of quality. We expect in the fullness of time mean reversion will return and business fundamentals will establish themselves

 

I look forward to reporting to you again with the Annual Report for the year to 31 December 2018, which will be issued in April 2019. In the meantime, shareholders can find regular updates from your Manager, and copies of all Stock Exchange announcements on your Company's website asian-income.co.uk. Also on the website there are NAV and share price feeds which are updated on a daily basis.

 

Charles Clarke

Chairman

16 August 2018

 

 

Interim Board Report - Disclosures

Principal Risk Factors

The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Company are set out in detail on page 10 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 and have not changed.

 

The risks outlined below are those risks that the Directors considered at the date of this Half Yearly Report to be material but are not the only risks relating to the Company or its shares. If any of the adverse events described below actually occur, the Company's financial condition, performance and prospects and the price of its shares could be materially adversely affected and shareholders may lose all or part of their investment. Additional risks which were not known to the Directors at the date of this Half Yearly Report, or that the Directors considered at the date of this Report to be immaterial, may also have an effect on the Company's financial condition, performance and prospects and the price of the shares.

 

If shareholders are in any doubt as to the consequences of their acquiring, holding or disposing of shares in the Company or whether an investment in the Company is suitable for them, they should consult their stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Securities and Markets Act 2000 (as amended by the Financial Services Act 2012) or, in the case of prospective investors outside the United Kingdom, another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.

 

The risks can be summarised under the following headings:

 

-       Investment strategy and objectives;

-       Investment portfolio, investment management;

-       Financial obligations;

-       Financial and regulatory;

-       Operational; and,

-       Income and dividend risk.

 

An explanation of other risks relating to the Company's investment activities, specifically market price, liquidity and credit risk, and a note of how these risks are managed, are contained in note 17 on pages 62 to 69 of the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2017.

 

Going Concern

In accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting issued in September 2014, the Directors have undertaken a rigorous review and consider both that there are no material uncertainties and that the adoption of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. The Company's assets consist primarily of a diverse portfolio of listed securities which, in most circumstances, are realisable within a very short timescale. Therefore, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Half Yearly Report.

 

Directors' Responsibility Statement

The Directors are responsible for preparing this Half Yearly Financial Report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

 

-    the condensed set of interim financial statements contained within the Half Yearly Financial Report which have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company; and

-      the Half-Yearly Board Report includes a fair review of the information required by rule 4.2.7R of the Disclosure 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 financial year); and

-      the Half-Yearly Board Report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.8R (being related party transactions that have taken place during the first six months of the financial year and that have materially affected the financial position of the Company during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report that could do so).

 

For and on behalf of the Board of Aberdeen Asian Income Fund Limited

 

Charles Clarke

Chairman

16 August 2018

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

 

	Six months ended			Six months ended			Year ended
	30 June 2018			30 June 2017			31 December 2017
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(audited)
	Revenue	Capital	Total	Revenue	Capital	Total	Revenue	Capital	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Investment income
Dividend income	10,582	-	10,582	10,599	-	10,599	20,351	-	20,351
Interest income on investments held at fair value through profit or loss	642	-	642	873	-	873	1,407	-	1,407
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Total revenue	11,224	-	11,224	11,472	-	11,472	21,758	-	21,758
(Losses)/gains on investments held at fair value through profit or loss	-	(21,586)	(21,586)	-	31,371	31,371	-	43,697	43,697
Net currency (losses)/gains	-	(677)	(677)	-	1,397	1,397	-	2,355	2,355
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
	11,224	(22,263)	(11,039)	11,472	32,768	44,240	21,758	46,052	67,810
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Investment management fee (note 10)	(720)	(1,080)	(1,800)	(692)	(1,039)	(1,731)	(1,411)	(2,117)	(3,528)
Other operating expenses (note 5)	(518)	-	(518)	(541)	-	(541)	(1,069)	-	(1,069)
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Total operating expenses	(1,238)	(1,080)	(2,318)	(1,233)	(1,039)	(2,272)	(2,480)	(2,117)	(4,597)
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Profit/(loss) before finance costs and taxation	9,986	(23,343)	(13,357)	10,239	31,729	41,968	19,278	43,935	63,213
Finance costs	(158)	(235)	(393)	(142)	(212)	(354)	(284)	(426)	(710)
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Profit/(loss) before tax	9,828	(23,578)	(13,750)	10,097	31,517	41,614	18,994	43,509	62,503
Tax expense	(694)	(10)	(704)	(670)	-	(670)	(1,303)	-	(1,303)
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Profit/(loss) for the period	9,134	(23,588)	(14,454)	9,427	31,517	40,944	17,691	43,509	61,200
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
Earnings per Ordinary share (pence) (note 3)	5.01	(12.94)	(7.93)	5.08	16.97	22.05	9.58	23.56	33.14
	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______	______
The Company does not have any income or expense that is not included in profit/(loss) for the period, and therefore the "Profit/(loss) for the period" is also the "Total comprehensive income for the period".
The total columns of this statement represent the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, prepared in accordance with IFRS. The revenue and capital columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.
All of the (loss)/profit and total comprehensive income is attributable to the equity holders of Aberdeen Asian Income Fund Limited.  There are no non-controlling interests.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheet

 

		As at	As at	As at
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
	Notes	£'000	£'000	£'000
Non-current assets
Investments held at fair value through profit or loss		434,669	449,432	461,632
		______	______	______
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		5,621	7,986	4,872
Other receivables		2,824	1,759	1,342
		______	______	______
		8,445	9,745	6,214
		______	______	______
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Bank loans	8	(25,937)	(36,467)	(35,386)
Other payables		(2,459)	(846)	(591)
		______	______	______
		(28,396)	(37,313)	(35,977)
		______	______	______
Net current liabilities		(19,951)	(27,568)	(29,763)
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Bank loan	8	(9,997)	-	-
		______	______	______
Net assets		404,721	421,864	431,869
		______	______	______
Stated capital and reserves
Stated capital	9	194,933	194,933	194,933
Capital redemption reserve		1,560	1,560	1,560
Capital reserve		192,715	210,765	220,779
Revenue reserve		15,513	14,606	14,597
		______	______	______
Equity shareholders' funds		404,721	421,864	431,869
		______	______	______
Net asset value per Ordinary share (pence)	4	223.40	229.02	235.63

 

 

 

Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity

 

Six months ended 30 June 2018 (unaudited)
		Capital
	Stated	redemption	Capital	Revenue	Retained
	capital	reserve	reserve	reserve	earnings	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Opening balance	194,933	1,560	220,779	14,597	-	431,869
Buyback of Ordinary shares for holding in treasury	-	-	(4,476)	-	-	(4,476)
Loss for the period	-	-	-	-	(14,454)	(14,454)
Transferred to retained earnings from capital reserve{A}	-	-	(23,588)	-	23,588	-
Transferred from retained earnings to revenue reserve	-	-	-	9,134	(9,134)	-
Dividends paid (note 6)	-	-	-	(8,218)	-	(8,218)
	______	______	______	______	______	______
Balance at 30 June 2018	194,933	1,560	192,715	15,513	-	404,721
	______	______	______	______	______	______
Six months ended 30 June 2017 (unaudited)
		Capital
	Stated	redemption	Capital	Revenue	Retained
	capital	reserve	reserve	reserve	earnings	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Opening balance	194,933	1,560	185,050	14,485	-	396,028
Buyback of Ordinary shares for holding in treasury	-	-	(5,802)	-	-	(5,802)
Profit for the period	-	-	-	-	40,944	40,944
Transferred to retained earnings from capital reserve{A}	-	-	31,517	-	(31,517)	-
Transferred from retained earnings to revenue reserve	-	-	-	9,427	(9,427)	-
Dividends paid (note 6)	-	-	-	(9,306)	-	(9,306)
	______	______	______	______	______	______
Balance at 30 June 2017	194,933	1,560	210,765	14,606	-	421,864
	______	______	______	______	______	______
Year ended 31 December 2017 (audited)
		Capital
	Stated	redemption	Capital	Revenue	Retained
	capital	reserve	reserve	reserve	earnings	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Opening balance	194,933	1,560	185,050	14,485	-	396,028
Buyback of Ordinary shares for holding in treasury	-	-	(7,780)	-	-	(7,780)
Profit for the year	-	-	-	-	61,200	61,200
Transferred from retained earnings to capital reserve{A}	-	-	43,509	-	(43,509)	-
Transferred from retained earnings to revenue reserve	-	-	-	17,691	(17,691)	-
Dividends paid (note 6)	-	-	-	(17,579)	-	(17,579)
	______	______	______	______	______	______
Balance at 31 December 2017	194,933	1,560	220,779	14,597	-	431,869
	______	______	______	______	______	______
{A}            Represents the capital (loss)/profit attributable to equity shareholders per the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
The revenue reserve represents the amount of the Company's reserves distributable by way of dividend.
The stated capital in accordance with Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 Article 39A is £260,822,000 (30 June 2017 - £260,822,000; 31 December 2017 - £260,822,000). These amounts include proceeds arising from the issue of shares by the Company, but excludes the cost of shares purchased for cancellation or treasury by the Company.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements

 

Condensed Cash Flow Statement

 

	Six months ended	Six months ended	Year ended
	30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
	(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Dividend income received	9,207	9,081	18,976
Interest income received	353	958	1,284
Investment management fee paid	(1,806)	(2,544)	(4,334)
Other cash expenses	(473)	(631)	(1,152)
	______	______	______
Cash generated from operations	7,281	6,864	14,774
Interest paid	(333)	(371)	(716)
Overseas taxation paid	(694)	(670)	(1,303)
	______	______	______
Net cash inflows from operating activities	6,254	5,823	12,755
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of investments	(36,999)	(25,426)	(59,371)
Sales of investments	44,314	37,500	71,930
	______	______	______
Net cash inflow from investing activities	7,315	12,074	12,559
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchase of own shares for treasury	(4,476)	(5,809)	(7,945)
Dividends paid	(8,218)	(9,306)	(17,579)
	______	______	______
Net cash outflow from financing activities	(12,694)	(15,115)	(25,524)
	______	______	______
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	875	2,782	(210)
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period	4,872	5,314	5,314
Foreign exchange	(126)	(110)	(232)
	______	______	______
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	5,621	7,986	4,872
	______	______	______
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the period ended 30 June 2018

 

1.	Accounting policies - basis of preparation
	The Annual Report is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee of the IASB (IFRIC). The condensed Half Yearly Report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) 34 - 'Interim Financial Reporting'.
	The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's guidance on 'Going Concern and Liquidity Risk' the Directors have undertaken a review of the Company's assets and liabilities. The Company's assets primarily consist of a diverse portfolio of listed equity shares which, in most circumstances, are realisable within a very short timescale.
	During the period the following amendments to standards and new interpretations assessed to be relevant became effective:
	-	IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements - a consequential amendment arising from IFRS 9 under which interest income calculated using the effective interest method is required to be presented separately on the face of the income statement. Accordingly, the Company has renamed "Interest income" as "Interest income on investments held at fair value through profit or loss" within the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income.
	-	IFRS 9 Financial Instruments - replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, bringing together all three aspects of the accounting for financial instruments: classification and measurement; impairment; and hedge accounting. The Company has applied IFRS 9 retrospectively. The Company does not adopt hedge accounting. The changes to classification and measurement together with impairment are as follows:
	Classification and measurement
	Financial assets are classified according to their contractual cash flow characteristics and the business model under which they are held. Instruments are classified either at amortised cost, the fair value through other comprehensive income or fair value through profit of loss. The Company's portfolio includes equity investments which continue to be held at fair value through profit or loss. The Company's portfolio also includes a relatively small exposure to corporate bonds, which have contractual cash flows. The Company's investment objective is to provide investors with a total return. To achieve this investment objective, the Investment Manager manages and evaluates the performance of the Company on a fair value basis rather than based on contractual cash flows collected. Accordingly the corporate bonds also continue to be classified as fair value through the profit or loss.
	Impairment
	IFRS 9 requires the Company to measure and recognise impairment based on Expected Credit Losses (ECLs) replacing IAS 39's incurred loss model.
	For other receivables, the Company has applied the standard's simplified approach and has calculated ECLs based on lifetime expected credit losses. No impairment allowance has been accounted for as a result of the adoption of IFRS 9.
	-	IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration - clarifies the accounting treatment for transactions that include the receipt or payment of advance consideration in a foreign currency.
	The adoption of the above amendments to standards and new interpretations did not have a significant impact on this condensed set of interim financial statements.

 

2.

Segmental information

For management purposes, the Company is organised into one main operating segment, which invests in equity securities and debt instruments. All of the Company's activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent on the others. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one segment. The financial results from this segment are equivalent to the financial statements of the Company as a whole.

 

		Six months ended	Six months ended	Year ended
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
3.	Earnings per Ordinary share	p	p	p
	Revenue return	5.01	5.08	9.58
	Capital return	(12.94)	16.97	23.56
		______	______	______
	Total return	(7.93)	22.05	33.14
		______	______	______
	The figures above are based on the following:
		Six months ended	Six months ended	Year ended
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
		£'000	£'000	£'000
	Revenue return	9,134	9,427	17,691
	Capital return	(23,588)	31,517	43,509
		______	______	______
	Total return	(14,454)	40,944	61,200
		______	______	______
	Weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue	182,341,451	185,721,295	184,685,211
		__________	__________	__________

 

4.	Net asset value per share
	Ordinary shares
	The basic net asset value per Ordinary share and the net asset values attributable to Ordinary shareholders at the period end calculated in accordance with the Articles of Association were as follows:
		As at	As at	As at
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
	Attributable net assets (£'000)	404,721	421,864	431,869
	Number of Ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares in issue held in treasury)	181,166,070	184,200,389	183,282,221
	Net asset value per Ordinary share (p)	223.40	229.02	235.63

 

		Six months ended	Six months ended	Year ended
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
5.	Other operating expenses (revenue)	£'000	£'000	£'000
	Directors' fees	79	85	171
	Secretarial and administration fees	67	67	134
	Promotional activities	114	125	250
	Auditor's remuneration:
	statutory audit	17	17	33
	interim accounts review	7	6	6
	tax services	(6)	3	5
	Custodian charges	79	89	163
	Other	161	149	307
		______	______	______
		518	541	1,069
		______	______	______

 

		Six months ended	Six months ended	Year ended
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
6.	Dividends on equity shares	£'000	£'000	£'000
	Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:
	Second interim dividend for 2017 - 2.25p	-	-	4,139
	Third interim dividend for 2017 - 2.25p	-	-	4,134
	Fourth interim dividend for 2017 - 2.25p (2016 - 2.75p)	4,119	5,136	5,136
	First interim dividend for 2018 - 2.25p (2017 - 2.25p)	4,099	4,170	4,170
		______	______	______
		8,218	9,306	17,579
		______	______	______
	A second interim dividend of 2.25p for the year to 31 December 2018 will be paid on 17 August 2018 to shareholders on the register on 20 July 2018. The ex-dividend date was 19 July 2018.

 

7.	Transaction costs
	During the period expenses were incurred in acquiring or disposing of investments classified as fair value through profit or loss. These have been expensed through capital and are included within (losses)/gains on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss in the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income. The total costs were as follows:
		Six months ended	Six months ended	Year ended
		30 June 2018	30 June 2017	31 December 2017
		(unaudited)	(unaudited)	(audited)
		£'000	£'000	£'000
	Purchases	55	35	71
	Sales	39	37	72
		______	______	______
		94	72	143
		______	______	______

 

8.	Bank loans
	In April 2017, the Company entered into a new unsecured three year £40 million multi-currency facility agreement with Scotiabank (Ireland) Limited which replaced a £30 million secured facility. At the period end approximately USD 7.2 million and HKD 213 million, equivalent to £25.9 million was drawn down from the £40 million facility. The interest rates attributed to the USD and HKD loans at the period end were 3.036% and 2.398% respectively.
	In March 2018, the Company entered into a new fixed three year £10 million credit facility with Scotiabank Europe PLC at an all-in interest rate of 2.179% which will mature on 2 March 2021.
	The loan is shown on the balance sheet net of expenses which are being amortised over the life of the liability.
	At the period end, bank loans totalled £35,934,000 (30 June 2017 - £36,467,000; 31 December 2017 - £35,386,000).

 

		30 June 2018		30 June 2017		31 December 2017
9.	Stated capital	Number	£'000	Number	£'000	Number	£'000
	Ordinary shares of no par value
	Authorised	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
	Issued and fully paid	194,933,389	194,933	194,933,389	194,933	194,933,389	194,933
	No Ordinary shares were issued or bought back for cancellation during the period (six months ended 30 June 2017 and year ended 31 December 2017 - same).
	During the period 2,116,000 Ordinary shares were bought back by the Company for holding in treasury at a cost of £4,476,000 (30 June 2017 - 2,768,000 shares were bought back at a cost of £5,802,000; 31 December 2017 - 3,686,000 shares were bought back for holding in treasury at a cost of £7,780,000). As at 30 June 2018 13,767,000 (30 June 2017 - 10,733,000; 31 December 2017 - 11,651,000) Ordinary shares were held in treasury.
	The Ordinary shares give shareholders the entitlement to all of the capital growth in the Company's assets and to all the income from the Company that is resolved to be distributed.

 

10.	Related party disclosures and transactions with the Manager
	Transactions with the Manager
	Mr Young is a director of Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited ("AAM Asia") which is a subsidiary of Standard Life Aberdeen plc ("SLA"). Aberdeen Private Wealth Management Limited ('APWM') is also a subsidiary of SLA and it has an agreement to provide management services to the Company, which it has sub-delegated to AAM Asia. APWM has an agreement to provide company secretarial and administration and promotional activity services to the Company.  As of 31 March 2018 Mr Young no longer receives Director's fees for services provided to the Company.
	The management fee is payable quarterly in arrears, based on an annual amount of 0.85% of the net asset value of the Company valued monthly and on the average of the previous five monthly valuation points. During the period £1,800,000 (30 June 2017 - £1,731,000; 31 December 2017 - £3,528,000) of management fees were paid and payable, with a balance of £296,000 (one month's fee) (30 June 2017 - £295,000 (one month's fee); 31 December 2017 - £302,000 (one month's fee)) being payable to AAM Asia at the period end.
	The annual company secretarial and administration fee is £134,000 (30 June 2017 - £134,000; 31 December 2017 - £134,000), payable quarterly in arrears. During the period £67,000 (30 June 2017 - £67,000; 31 December 2017 - £134,000) of fees were paid and payable, with a balance of £33,000 (30 June 2017 - £33,000; 31 December 2017 - £34,000) being payable to APWM at the period end.
	The promotional activities fee is based on a current annual amount of £206,000 with effect from 1 April, 2018; prior to this point the annual amount was £250,000 (30 June 2017 - £250,000; 31 December 2017 - £250,000), payable quarterly in arrears. During the period £114,000 (30 June 2017 - £125,000; 31 December 2017 - £250,000) of fees were payable, with a balance of £114,000 (30 June 2017 - £63,000; 31 December 2017 - £63,000) being payable to APWML at the period end.

 

11.	Fair value hierarchy
	IFRS 13 'Fair Value Measurement' requires an entity to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making measurements. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:
	Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and
	Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
	The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the Condensed Balance Sheet are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:
			Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	At 30 June 2018 (unaudited)	Note	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
	Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
	Quoted equities	a)	421,467	-	-	421,467
	Quoted bonds	b)	-	13,202	-	13,202
			______	______	______	______
	Total assets		421,467	13,202	-	434,669
			______	______	______	______
			Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	At 30 June 2017 (unaudited)	Note	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
	Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
	Quoted equities	a)	436,146	-	-	436,146
	Quoted bonds	b)	-	13,286	-	13,286
			______	______	______	______
	Total assets		436,146	13,286	-	449,432
			______	______	______	______
			Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
	At 31 December 2017 (audited)	Note	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
	Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
	Quoted equities	a)	448,264	-	-	448,264
	Quoted bonds	b)	-	13,368	-	13,368
			______	______	______	______
	Total assets		448,264	13,368	-	461,632
			______	______	______	______
	a)            Quoted equities
	The fair value of the Company's investments in quoted equities has been determined by reference to their quoted bid prices at the reporting date. Quoted equities included in Fair Value Level 1 are actively traded on recognised stock exchanges.
	b)            Quoted bonds
	The fair value of the Company's investments in quoted bonds has been determined by reference to their quoted bid prices at the reporting date. Investments in quoted bonds are not considered to trade in active markets and accordingly the Company's holding in quoted bonds as at 30 June 2016 has been reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2.
	Fair values of financial liabilities
	The fair value of borrowings as at 30 June 2018 has been estimated at £35,934,000 (30 June 2017 - £36,467,000; 31 December 2017 - £35,386,000). Carrying values are a reasonable approximation to fair values. The fair value of the long-term loan is determined by aggregating the expected future cash flows for that loan discounted at a rate comprising the borrower's margin plus an average of market rates applicable to loans of a similar period of time and currency. The fair value of bank loans repayable within one year is considered to approximate to carrying value due to their short-term nature. Under the fair value hierarchy in accordance with IFRS 13, these borrowings are classified as Level 2.

 

12.	Events after the reporting period
	A further 512,921 Ordinary shares have been bought back by the Company for holding in treasury, subsequent to the reporting period end, at a cost of £1,043,000. Following the share buybacks there were 180,653,149 Ordinary shares in issue excluding those held in treasury.

 

13.	Half Yearly Financial Report
	The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 has not been audited.

 

14.	Approval
	This Half Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board on 16 August 2018.

 

The Half Year Report will be posted to shareholders in late August 2018 and copies will be available on the Company's website (asian-income.co.uk*) or in hard copy format from the Company's registered office, Sir Walter Raleigh House, 48 - 50 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3QB.

 

*Neither the Company's website nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on that website (or any other website) is (or is deemed to be) incorporated into, or forms (or is deemed to form) part of this announcement

 

Aberdeen Private Wealth Management Limited

Company Secretary

16 August 2018

 

Independent Review Report to Aberdeen Asian Income Fund Limited

 

Introduction

We have been engaged by Aberdeen Asian Income Fund Limited ("the Company") to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2018 which comprises the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Condensed Balance Sheet, the Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity, the Condensed Cash Flow Statement and the related explanatory notes 1 to 14. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

 

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK and Ireland) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

 

Directors' Responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

 

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".

 

Our Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

 

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2018 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

 

 

Ernst & Young LLP

Jersey, Channel Islands

16 August 2018

 

The maintenance and integrity of the Aberdeen Asian Income Fund Limited website is the responsibility of the Directors; the work carried out by the Auditor does not include consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the Auditor accepts no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial information since it was initially presented on the website.

 

Legislation in Jersey governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

 

 

Investment Portfolio

As at 30 June 2018

 

		Valuation	Total assets
Company	Country of activity	£'000	%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing	Taiwan	19,359	4.4
Samsung Electronics	South Korea	18,577	4.2
Venture Corporation	Singapore	17,643	4.0
HSBC Holdings	Hong Kong	16,693	3.8
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation	Singapore	14,447	3.3
Heineken Malaysia	Malaysia	14,215	3.2
Tesco Lotus Retail Growth	Thailand	12,099	2.7
Taiwan Mobile	Taiwan	11,940	2.7
SAIC Motor 'A'	China	11,276	2.6
DBS Group	Singapore	10,827	2.5
Top ten investments		147,076	33.4
Spark New Zealand	New Zealand	10,729	2.4
Singapore Telecommunications	Singapore	10,523	2.4
Viva Energy REIT	Australia	10,071	2.3
China Mobile	China	10,019	2.3
Jardine Cycle & Carriage	Singapore	9,837	2.2
Ausnet Services	Australia	9,485	2.2
Westpac Banking Corporation	Australia	9,348	2.1
Australia & New Zealand Bank Group	Australia	9,210	2.1
Swire Pacific (Class A and Class B shares)	Hong Kong	9,067	2.0
Rio Tinto{C}	Australia	8,822	2.0
Top twenty investments		244,187	55.4
Hana Microelectronics	Thailand	8,166	1.9
CDL Hospitality Trust	Singapore	7,981	1.8
Yum China Holdings	China	7,867	1.8
Giordano International	Hong Kong	7,448	1.7
Shopping Centres Australasia	Australia	7,378	1.7
Commonwealth Bank of Australia	Australia	7,032	1.6
Hang Lung Properties	Hong Kong	6,819	1.5
Amada Holdings	Japan	6,664	1.5
United Overseas Bank	Singapore	6,604	1.5
Keppel REIT	Singapore	6,482	1.5
Top thirty investments		316,628	71.9
Okinawa Cellular Telephone	Japan	6,264	1.4
Singapore Technologies Engineering	Singapore	6,218	1.4
South32{C}	Australia	6,212	1.4
Scentre Group	Australia	6,055	1.4
LG Chemical	South Korea	5,874	1.3
Siam Cement{B}	Thailand	5,735	1.3
China Resources Land	China	5,628	1.3
SP Setia	Malaysia	5,573	1.3
Standard Chartered	United Kingdom	5,491	1.2
Far East Hospitality Trust	Singapore	5,398	1.2
Top forty investments		375,076	85.1
Japan Tobacco	Japan	5,381	1.2
ASX	Australia	5,240	1.2
Comfortdelgro Corporation	Singapore	4,954	1.1
G3 Exploration{A}	China	4,534	1.0
Hong Leong Finance	Singapore	4,502	1.0
BHP Billiton	United Kingdom	4,436	1.0
AEON Credit Service	Malaysia	4,386	1.0
ICICI Bank{A}	India	3,975	0.9
Kingmaker Footwear	Hong Kong	3,785	0.9
DFCC Bank{A}	Sri Lanka	3,766	0.9
Top fifty investments		420,035	95.3
British American Tobacco Malaysia	Malaysia	3,321	0.8
Convenience Retail	Hong Kong	3,030	0.7
Unibail	Australia	2,555	0.6
NZX	New Zealand	2,347	0.5
Ping An Insurance	China	2,170	0.4
AEON Credit Service{A}	Malaysia	927	0.2
City Developments	Singapore	284	0.1
Total investments		434,669	98.6
Other net current assets{D}		5,986	1.4
Total assets		440,655	100.0
{A} Corporate bonds.
{B} Holding includes investment in common and non-voting depositary receipt lines.
{C} Incorporated in and listing held in United Kingdom.
{D} Excludes bank loans of £25,937,000.