TIDMAAS
RNS Number : 9548T
Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus PLC
30 November 2021
Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus PLC
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 5493000FBZP1J92OQY70
Proposed Changes to the Company
30 November 2021
The Board of Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus PLC (the "Company" or
"AAS") has conducted a comprehensive review of the Company's
long-term strategy to ensure that the investment policy captures
the immense opportunities that exist in the Asian small cap market.
This applies to both South Asia but also North Asia with the
emergence of China as the world's second largest economy and fast
expanding stock markets to match.
As part of the review, the Board also addressed the issue of how
to make the Company more competitive whilst giving shareholders,
and in particular, retail investors a more meaningful participation
in the Company's ongoing success. The Board believes that the
measures proposed below will assist in the marketability of the
Company's shares, thus increasing the potential to narrow the
discount to net asset value.
During the course of the review, the Board has consulted with
abrdn, outside specialists in the Asian markets and the Company's
major shareholders.
As a result of this, the Board intends to propose the following
changes to the Company:
- Amend the investment policy to allow more flexibility to
invest in growing small companies across Asia;
- Strengthen the management team by adding Flavia Cheong,
abrdn's Head of Equities, Asia Pacific, as joint lead manager with
Hugh Young. The investment management team will be bolstered to
reflect the increasing importance of China;
- Increase the target dividend by 100% to 32.0 pence per
ordinary share for the financial year ending 31 July 2022, payable
quarterly and thereafter maintain the progressive dividend policy
of the last 25 years;
- Reduce the running costs of the Company. abrdn have agreed to
an amended, tiered management fee, still payable on market
capitalisation. The amended fee will be 0.85% per annum for the
first GBP250m, 0.6% per annum for the next GBP500m and 0.5% per
annum for market capitalisation of GBP750m and above. It is
currently set at 0.96% of market capitalisation;
- Increase the marketability of the Company's ordinary shares
for small investors by introducing a five for one ordinary share
split; and
- Introduce a performance-linked tender offer, which would be
triggered in the event of underperformance of the NAV per ordinary
share versus the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index over a
five-year period commencing 1 August 2021.
Changes to Investment Policy
The Company will continue to focus on offering investors
exposure to attractive small, quoted companies in Asia that have
excellent prospects for strong growth in shareholder value, good
balance sheets and skilled, experienced management. As has been
demonstrated over the last 26 years where GBP1,000 invested in 1995
is now worth approximately GBP22,500 (share price at close on 26
November 2021 with dividends reinvested) with the dividends
(including special dividends) to shareholders increasing from 1.2
pence per ordinary share in 1996 to 16.0 pence in 2021. The Board
and abrdn believe that this area of the market will continue to
deliver strong growth over the medium to long term.
Over the same period, the stock markets of the region have
developed from small emerging markets to some of the largest in the
world. Therefore, the Board believes it is necessary to make
changes to the Company's investment objective and policy to ensure
abrdn can continue to invest in companies that can deliver the best
returns for shareholders and not to be inhibited by the enormous
difference in the relative size of the Asian markets. The
definition of a small cap company varies from market to market with
China and India at one end of the scale and very small markets,
like Sri Lanka, at the opposite end.
The Company's current investment objective and policy limits
investment into companies that have a market capitalisation of up
to approximately US$1.5 billion. The Board strongly believes this
is limiting the portfolio managers from investing in the high
growth companies particularly in larger markets like China and
India. As a result, the Board proposes to remove this market
capitalisation limit from the investment policy while stressing
that this will remain as a small company portfolio. The investment
managers will continue to seek out small companies capable of
delivering strong capital growth.
Historically, the Company has had limited investments in
Australasia and the Board does not believe the outlook for this
region will offer the same growth prospects as other parts of Asia.
Therefore, the Board proposes amending the investment policy so no
new investments will be made in Australasia. The Company currently
has three holdings in Australasia and the investment manager does
not intend to dispose of these should shareholders approve the
change in investment policy.
The changes to the investment objective and policy are subject
to FCA and shareholder approval.
abrdn Investment Team
The Board is delighted to announce that Flavia Cheong, abrdn's
Head of Equities, Asia Pacific, will be joining the management team
of AAS, as joint lead manager alongside Hugh Young and Gabriel
Sacks. Neil Sun will also join the team directly responsible for
managing the potential increased weighting in North Asia.
abrdn continues to build out its investment presence in Shanghai
and Hong Kong, with a current team of 8 investment professionals,
expected to grow to 10 during 2022, focusing on researching Chinese
equities. The Company and the investment team will be able to draw
on the knowledge and expertise of these individuals, giving AAS
greater access to Chinese small cap companies. Over time, it is
envisaged that they will also take on greater individual
responsibility for AAS's Chinese holdings.
Flavia Cheong is the Head of Asia Pacific Equities at abrdn,
where, as well as sharing responsibility for company research, she
oversees regional portfolio construction. Before joining abrdn in
1996, she was an economist with the Investment Company of the
People's Republic of China, and earlier with the Development Bank
of Singapore. Flavia graduated with a BA in Economics and an MA
(Hons) in Economics from the University of Auckland. She is a CFA
charter holder.
Neil Sun is an Investment Manager within the Asian Equities Team
at abrdn. Neil joined the company in 2018. Previously, Neil worked
as a Research Analyst at Deutsche Bank covering the lithium battery
supply chain in Hong Kong. Prior to that, Neil worked for JPMorgan
Asset Management as a Research Analyst covering both China and
Taiwan equities. Neil graduated with a BBA in Finance from National
Taiwan University, and passed level II of the CFA Program.
Future Dividend Policy
The Company's policy remains to provide long-term capital growth
but the Board notes some investors are looking for a regular level
of income alongside capital growth, particularly in the current low
interest rate environment.
The Board is therefore proposing to increase the level of target
dividends paid by the Company through distribution from capital
reserves as well as income. Under this new policy, the Board aims
to set a target dividend of 32.0 pence per ordinary share for the
financial year ending 31 July 2022 and progressively grow it
thereafter [1] . This would represent a 100% increase in the
dividend based on the 16.0 pence per ordinary share recommended in
the financial year ending 31 July 2021. This target dividend will
be paid in equal quarterly instalments.
Assuming that the changes are approved at the General Meeting on
27 January 2022, the Company intends to declare in February 2022 an
initial target dividend of 16.0 pence per ordinary share relating
to the 6 month period from 1 August 2021 to 31 January 2022 and
thereafter 8.0 pence per ordinary share per quarter. In the current
year, we estimate that this level of dividend would require a 5.0
pence per ordinary share (GBP1.6 million) distribution from capital
reserves.
The Company's dividend record is very strong with the ordinary
dividend having been maintained or increased in 24 out of 25 years.
This one time step change will mean that in future it is unlikely
the Company will be paying special dividends but, absent a market
collapse, the Board will aim to maintain its progressive approach
albeit off a higher base.
The Board has no desire to change how the portfolio managers
select stocks for the portfolio.
Management Fee
The Company currently pays a management fee at the rate of 0.96%
per annum of the Company's market capitalisation. Following
discussions with abrdn, the Board is pleased to announce a new,
tiered management fee, still based on market capitalisation. The
amended fee will be 0.85% per annum for the first GBP250m, 0.6% per
annum for the next GBP500m and 0.5% per annum for market
capitalisation of GBP750m and above. This represents a fee of 0.74%
based on the Company's last closing share price of 1,465.0 pence
and is a reduction of 23% in the management fee.
The change in management fees will be conditional on shareholder
approval of the proposals outlined in this announcement and will be
back dated as if it had been effective from 1 August 2021.
Share Split
The Board is proposing to implement a sub-division of the
Company's share capital. This is intended to improve the liquidity
of the Company's shares and enhance the ability of investors to
make more efficient regular monthly investments.
The Directors are recommending a five for one share split which
will increase the number of ordinary shares in issue by a factor of
five.
The Conversion Price of the 2.25 per cent convertible unsecured
loan stock 2025 will be automatically and pro rata adjusted should
shareholders approve the share split.
Introduction of a Performance-Linked Tender Offer
The Board is proposing the introduction of a performance-linked
tender offer. If the Company's NAV total return is less than that
of the MSCI AC Asia ex-Japan Small Cap Index over a five-year
assessment period (commencing 1 August 2021), shareholders should
be offered the opportunity to realise a proportion of their holding
for cash at a level close to NAV less costs of the tender offer.
The tender offer would be capped at a maximum of 25% of the issued
share capital of the Company at that time.
Shareholder Approvals and Timing
The changes are conditional on the necessary shareholder
approvals and the appropriate regulatory approvals.
It is currently envisaged that a shareholder circular and notice
of general meeting setting out further details of the proposed
changes will be sent to shareholders in December 2021 along with
notice of the Annual General Meeting. The General Meeting to
approve the proposals is expected to be convened on 27 January
2022, following the Annual General Meeting.
The Company will hold an interactive Online Shareholder
Presentation which will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday 19
January 2022. At the presentation, the Chairman and Manager will
provide further details on the proposals and there will be the
opportunity for an interactive question and answer session. Full
details on how to how to register for the Online Shareholder
Presentation can be found at
https://www.workcast.com/register?cpak=5119566346944925 .
Nigel Cayzer, Chairman commented:
"This Company has achieved an outstanding result for
shareholders delivering some of the best returns available from
funds quoted on the London Stock Exchange with GBP1,000 invested in
1995 now worth approximately GBP22,500. This is in large part
thanks to the work of Hugh Young, and his team in Singapore.
I am confident that the Board instigated review will best
position the Company to continue the strong performance of the last
quarter century.
The changes we announce today will significantly reduce the
running costs of the Company through the reduction in the
management fee, increase the annual participation in the success of
the Company through the dividend increase , and introduce a
possible tender offer in 5 years.
We also welcome the broadening of the investment management team
which will strengthen our access to the North Asian markets
including China, where huge opportunities exist in small cap
stocks. "
Hugh Young, abrdn commented:
"I am delighted to welcome Flavia Cheong as my co-manager. She
will assist Gabriel Sacks and the teams in both North and South
Asia in taking advantage of the opportunities that continue to
present themselves across the Asian markets. The maturing of the
stock markets in China over the last ten years opens up another
fertile field for us to look for companies capable of delivering
exceptional returns, particularly when combined with the rigorous
abrdn investment process that has served so well in the past. I
remain as excited by the opportunities in Asia as I did when I
first arrived in Singapore 30 years ago. I believe the changes
announced today will strengthen both the investment proposition and
underpin the future prospects of the Company."
Flavia Cheong, abrdn, commented
"I am delighted to be joining the team at AAS. We are all very
excited by the future of small companies across Asia. The
successful implementation of the changes to the aims and policy of
the Company has my full and enthusiastic support and we all look
forward to continuing the journey so ably started by Hugh in
1995."
For further information
abrdn
William Hemmings +44 (0)20 7463 6223
Stephanie Hocking +44 (0)20 7463 6403
Panmure Gordon
Sapna Shah +44 (0)20 7886 2783
Alex Collins +44 (0)20 7886 2767
Brunswick
Nick Cosgrove +44 (0)207 404 5959
Robin Wrench +44 (0)207 404 5959
[1] Should the share split be approved by shareholders this
dividend will be rebased to 6.40 pence per ordinary share. This is
a target dividend and not a profit forecast and should not be taken
as an indication of the Company's expected or actual future
results.
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END
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