TIDMJAGI

RNS Number : 2762L

JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income PLC

11 January 2021

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT

JPMORGAN ASIA GROWTH & INCOME PLC

FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020

Legal Entity Identifier: 5493006R74BNJSJKCB17

Information disclosed in accordance with the DTR 4.1.3

The Directors of JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income plc announce the Company's results for the year ended 30th September 2020.

chairman's statement

Performance and the Company's Improved Rating

In the year to 30th September 2020 the Company's return to shareholders was +22.3% compared with a return of +12.3% in sterling terms for the Company's benchmark index, the MSCI All Countries Asia ex Japan Index. The net asset value ('NAV') return was +9.3% (all figures are on a total return basis). Such returns would have been hard to envisage at the Company's six month mark, when I reported a return to shareholders of -6.6% and a NAV return of -11.5% as the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of economies throughout the globe. This remarkable turnaround reflects the significant recovery of East Asian countries in the second half of the Company's financial year, which to date have generally weathered the COVID-19 pandemic better than most other regions in the world.

The considerable +22.3% return to shareholders is comprised of an increase in the Company's net assets, but more significantly a substantial narrowing of the Company's discount from 10.0% at the start of the period to a premium of 0.6%. Shareholders are reminded that the discount/premium to NAV at which the Company's shares trade reflects a number of factors, including the performance of, and demand for, the Company's shares. Demand for the Company's shares has increased both because of strong performance but also the introduction of the higher dividend yield paid to shareholders since the beginning of the Company's financial year ended 2017. Demand from retail investors has been particularly strong, with such investors now holding just over 40% of the Company's share capital; such investors representing circa. 26% of the register in September 2016. The Board is delighted with the Company's improved share price rating. Since the year end, the Company has continued to trade at a premium to NAV (with the exception of two days) and the Board has taken the opportunity to authorise the issue of 265,000 shares from Treasury. The Board does believe that expanding the trust has benefits to its existing shareholders in terms of increased liquidity and lower costs per share, although we do not intend aggressively to pursue growth for its own sake. Shareholders are reminded that shares will only be issued at a premium to NAV so not to dilute the price for existing shareholders.

The principal reason for the Company's NAV underperformance relative to its benchmark was attributable to the portfolio's stock selection, with a marginal shift in the bias of the portfolio towards 'value' stocks detracting from performance, as 'growth' investing continues to outperform, with the gap in returns between these investment styles now at its widest point in 25 years. Full detail of the Company's performance, together with a market review and outlook for 2021 can be found in the Investment Managers' Report below.

Dividend Policy

The Company's dividend policy aims to pay, in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, regular quarterly dividends funded from a combination of revenue and capital reserves equivalent to 1% of the Company's NAV on the last business day of each financial quarter, being the end of December, March, June and September. For the year ended 30th September 2020 dividends paid totalled 15.8 pence (2019: 15.7 pence). Despite an increase in the Company's net assets over the year of 5.1%, there was not a commensurate increase on the prior year total dividend payment owing to the reduced second quarter dividend, that was based upon the Company's net assets as at 31st March 2020, the date on which the Company's NAV fell to almost its lowest point during the COVID-19 sell-off.

Continuation Vote and Change of Company Name

At the Company's Annual General Meeting held in February 2020, shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the continuation of the Company for a further three year period. The Board thanks shareholders for their ongoing support.

Given the Company's enhanced distribution policy, as detailed above, the Company was moved into the AIC's Asia Pacific Income Sector. In light of this change and to better reflect the Company's investment and dividend policies, the Board authorised a change of the Company's name to 'JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income plc'. This change took effect from 14th February 2020 and was completed in conjunction with a change to the Company's TIDM, the 'ticker' or identification code used to identify it on the London Stock Exchange, from 'JAI' to 'JAGI'. Investors are reminded that the Company's key objective remains to maximise total returns.

Best Asia Pacific Equities Investment Trust Award

The Company was recently awarded the 'Best Asia Pacific Equities Investment Trust' at Money Observer's annual Investment Trust Awards 2020. In their commentary that accompanied the Award, Money Observer highlighted how the Company has utilised the investment trust structure to pay higher dividends to shareholders and 'outperformed its benchmark in each of the last five years, including particularly strong returns in 2017 and a resilient performance in the 2018 downturn'.

Gearing

The Company has in place a multi-currency loan facility with Scotiabank. The Investment Managers utilise draw downs from this loan facility to gear the portfolio. The Company deployed some limited gearing post the COVID-19 sell off in March 2020. At the time of writing the Company was not geared.

Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') Issues

As detailed in the Investment Managers' report, environmental, social and governance ('ESG') considerations are integral to the Manager's investment process and ESG considerations are core to how it selects stocks in companies in the Asian region. Please refer to the separate ESG Report within the Company's Annual Report & Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30th September 2020 ('2020 Annual Report') which provides much more comprehensive information on this integration.

Corporate Governance

The AIC Code of Corporate Governance for investment companies was revised and reissued in early 2019, in conjunction with the revision of the FRC UK Corporate Governance Code in 2018. The Board has procedures in place to ensure that the Company complies fully with the AIC Code on Corporate Governance, where applicable, and the relevant disclosures in this Annual Report & Financial Statements reflect the new disclosure requirements.

Board of Directors

The results of this year's Board evaluation process confirmed that all Directors possessed the experience and attributes to support a recommendation to shareholders that they retire and seek re-appointment at the Company's forthcoming Annual General Meeting. In line with the AIC Code of Corporate Governance, additional statements to support the re-appointment of each Director are included in the 2020 Annual Report.

To ensure that the Company can continue to attract quality candidates to the Board, Directors fees have been increased from 1st October 2020 having last been increased in October 2017. For full details please refer to the Directors' Remuneration Report within the 2020 Annual Report.

The Manager and Other Third Party Service Providers

The Board is pleased to report that, since the on-set of the pandemic, the Manager and the Company's other service providers have been able to adjust their business models to accommodate the working from home requirements with limited disruption. The Board has received assurances that the Company's operations, to include the management of the portfolio and the maintenance of a strong controls environment, have continued as normal with no issues being identified.

Through the remit of the Management Engagement Committee ('MEC'), the Board has reviewed the Manager's performance and its fee arrangements with the Company. Based upon its performance record and taking all factors into account, including other services provided to the Company and its shareholders, the MEC and the Board are satisfied that JPMF should continue as the Company's Manager and that its ongoing appointment remains in the best interests of shareholders.

The Board continues to focus on costs incurred by the Company across all of its functions, with a view to enhancing shareholder value. The Board is pleased to note that the Company's 'Ongoing Charges' (representing the Company's management fee and all other operating expenses) are the lowest within its comparable peer group of actively managed open and closed-ended investment vehicles at 0.74%, ensuring that the Company remains on a competitive footing.

In an effort to improve the efficiency of the maintenance of the Company's share register, the Board seeks shareholder approval to adopt new Articles of Association (the 'New Articles') in order to update the Company's current Articles of Association (the 'Existing Articles') so that they reflect best practice in relation to untraced shareholders and, in particular, to clarify that the consideration, if any, received by the Company upon the sale of any shares pursuant to the untraced shareholder or share forfeiture provisions, will belong to the Company. For full details please refer details in the 2020 Annual Report and in the AGM Notice of Meeting.

Annual General Meeting

The Company's forthcoming Annual General Meeting will be held at 60 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0JP on Wednesday, 17th February 2021 at 12.00 noon. Despite the very encouraging news on the roll out of vaccinations in the UK, due to the COVID-19 restriction tiers in place at the time of writing and ongoing public health concerns which are not likely to abate until well into 2021, the Board has reluctantly decided to limit attendance at the Annual General Meeting in person to Directors, their proxies and representatives from JPMorgan. This will ensure a quorum is in place and that the formal business of the Company will be able to proceed. Anyone seeking to attend the meeting will be refused entry.

However, in advance of the meeting, we will be uploading to the Company's website a presentation from the Investment Managers, reviewing the past year and discussing the outlook for Asian markets. Shareholders are invited to address any questions they have for the Investment Managers or the Board by writing to the Company Secretary at the address within the 2020 Annual Report or via email to invtrusts.cosec@jpmorgan.com

As shareholders will not be able to attend the Annual General Meeting, the Board strongly encourages all shareholders to exercise their votes by completing and returning their proxy forms in accordance with the notes to the Notice of Meeting.

If there are any changes to the above Annual General Meeting arrangements, the Company will update shareholders through the Company's website and, as appropriate, through an announcement on the London Stock Exchange.

The Board would like to thank shareholders for their understanding and co-operation at this difficult time. We very much hope that you and your families are safe and well and look forward to meeting with you in 2022 when we hope normality has returned.

Outlook

The Investment Managers provide a detailed commentary on the outlook for Asian markets and the Company's portfolio over the coming 12 months and beyond below. Despite the challenging global backdrop highlighted by the investment team, the Board remains committed to the Company's investment proposition which, short term market movements aside, offers the prospect of rewarding investors over the longer term.

Bronwyn Curtis OBE

Chairman

11th January 2021

INVESTMENT MANAGERS' REPORT

Introduction

In this report, we consider the Company's investment performance for the year to 30th September 2020. We review the complex market backdrop for the period and examine the key stock and sector stories that impacted relative performance. Finally, we look at what could lie ahead for Asian equities over the coming year.

What has the market environment been like over the year?

What a difference a year can make; Asian equities ended 2019 on a strong note, supported by positive investor sentiment, backed by incremental central bank liquidity, supportive government policies and the unwinding of trade and geopolitical tensions. Notable developments included the emergence of a phase one trade deal between the United States and China, as well as the United Kingdom moving away from a disorderly exit from the European Union.

The constructive macro backdrop was rudely disrupted in the first quarter of 2020 by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic ('COVID-19'), with Asian equities dropping sharply along with other global markets. However, equally remarkable was the sharp rebound from late March, fuelled by an unprecedented level of monetary and fiscal stimulus offered by central banks and governments globally. Unlike in the previous market cycle, the driver for the market rebound was not cyclical stocks, but structural growth sectors such as Information Technology, e-commerce and Healthcare: businesses which proved less vulnerable to the pandemic, or where demand actually accelerated as a result of it.

Asian equities continued to edge up in the run-up to the end of the Company's fiscal year, with investor sentiment anchored by the expectation of continued policy support as well as the prospect of the global economy recovering; these expectations rose as countries gradually eased social distancing measures, shrugging off resurgent US-China tensions (especially over technology), US election uncertainties, and a 'second wave' of COVID-19 cases in many global territories. These concerns drove the valuation spread between companies with the potential to outperform over time ('growth stocks') and those appearing to be trading below what they are really worth ('value stocks') to a new high as investor appetite for areas such as healthcare, e-commerce and mobile gaming continued to grow.

How has the Company performed over the year under review?

Against this highly volatile macro and market backdrop, the Company's return on net assets for the year to 30th September 2020 was +9.3%, compared with a +12.3% return for the benchmark index, the MSCI AC Asia-ex Japan, in sterling terms. The value of the Company's shares rose by 22.3% over the year, largely because of the discount narrowing from 10% at the start of the period to a premium of 0.6% at the year-end.

What have been the major contributors and detractors to performance?

China was one of the best performing markets, along with Taiwan, thanks to effective government interventions on COVID-19 and therefore a faster recovery in economic activity.

Our stock selection was mixed; Wuxi Biologics, a leading CRO (Contract Research Organisation), was one of the leading contributors as the pandemic significantly accelerated the Research & Development (R&D) outsourcing trend to China. Tencent was another clear winner from the pandemic. Shenzhou International, a leading textile manufacturer for clients such as Nike and Uniqlo, continued its strong run and benefitted from market consolidation. However, underweight positions in several e-commerce players such as Meituan Dianping and JD.com (a stock not held) detracted. Postal Savings Bank underperformed along with other state-owned large Chinese banks on concerns that policy makers were encouraging banks to conserve capital and support the broader economy. China Overseas Land Investment (COLI) fell, along with the Chinese property sector as a whole, as the government has been increasingly reticent to stimulate growth via the property sector and its current controlling measures are likely to remain in place.

In Taiwan, returns were boosted by the Company's holdings in Technology stocks. TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer (providing chips for everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles), was among the top contributors. TSMC continued to deliver strong results whilst forecasting bullish revenues going forward, which prompted significant earnings upgrades. The company also benefitted from the announcement by US-based Intel that it was having problems with its internal manufacturing processes, leading to speculation that TSMC might see demand increase further.

Other notable contributors include SEA Ltd., South-East Asia's leading e-commerce and gaming business. COVID-19 has driven online sales upwards and SEA gained market share from competitors that are short of capital to invest in their digital propositions. The company also reported strong growth in its Fintech platform. While competition remains fierce in e-commerce, we see multiple options in fintech businesses and a long runway for growth across this populous region.

In India, Financials continued to struggle as the macro outlook remained highly challenging. Our exposure to IndusInd Bank and HDFC Bank were among the worst detractors. Additionally, not owning Reliance Industries detracted as the stock continued to re-rate on the back of investments into its new ventures from leading global internet firms, such as Amazon buying a stake in its retail business.

In Hong Kong, months of anti-government protests were followed by the outbreak of the pandemic which hit the tourism industry hard. Diversified conglomerate Swire Pacific fell as several of its underlying businesses, which include Cathay Pacific Group, were among the worst impacted by the pandemic.

Our holdings in the Energy sector such as Thai Oil and S-Oil (Korea) detracted on oil price weakness; at its current level, the oil price is uneconomic for many oil producers.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the country, sector and stock holdings in the Company's portfolio?

The pandemic accelerated many of the structural trends we were already observing, such as digital transformation, the shift to the cloud and the adoption of online alternatives; all of which benefitted the Company's holdings in the video gaming, e-commerce, and hardware technology sectors. The crisis also forced consolidation across many sectors where firms with leveraged balance sheets were struggling, while favouring industry leaders with strong balance sheets and competitive positions. Consolidation in sectors such as restaurants, textiles and Chinese real-estate benefitted the best and largest players. The Company's exposure to Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary increased over the year, with the latter being our largest overweight sector; having previously been the allocation to Financials.

On the flipside, the pandemic hit the more macro-sensitive cyclical sectors, such as banking and energy, the hardest. Unlike 2008's global financial crisis, the financial sector is not at the epicentre of the current downturn, however banks have had to conserve capital, extend credit and cut shareholder benefits. This was most notable among large state-owned banks in China. Energy has been hit because of the sharp decline in travel and our holdings across the region were negatively impacted. We have reduced significantly the Company's exposure to Financials over the course of the year, however remain overweight compared to benchmark; this positioning has enabled us to consolidate our investments in high quality franchises with attractive valuations and positive earnings outlooks.

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTION

FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020

 
                                                 %      % 
----------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 Contributions to total returns 
 Benchmark return                                       12.3 
 Stock selection                                 -2.7 
 Currency effect                                 -0.1 
 Gearing/(net cash)                              0.5 
----------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 Investment Manager contribution                        -2.3 
 Portfolio return                                       10.0 
 Management fee/Other expenses                   -0.7 
 Return on net assets(APM)                              9.3 
 Effect of movement in discount over the year           13.0 
 Return to shareholders(APM)                            22.3 
----------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

Source: FactSet, JPMAM and Morningstar. All figures are on a total return basis.

Performance attribution analyses how the Company achieved its recorded performance relative to its benchmark index.

   (APM)   Alterative Performance Measure ('APM'). 

A glossary of terms and APMs is provided within the 2020 Annual Report.

Are there any common themes in portfolio holdings?

Asia boasts some of the global leaders in Technology Hardware. The aforementioned TSMC is now an undisputed global leader in cutting edge semiconductor production technology, while Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in Korea are the two dominant players in the memory storage market which has undergone significant industry consolidation over the past decade.

Another area of increasing focus for us is on Environmental. Social & Governance (ESG) leaders in sub-industries such as Textiles, where ESG considerations are becoming ever more critical and could bring significant financial consequences. Here, we have identified Shenzhou International (see below) and Crystal International as clear sub-industry leaders.

Finally, shifting consumer preferences for premium brands remain a structural growth driver in Asia and we have taken advantage of this by investing in high quality consumer franchises such as Yum China which operates KFC and Pizza Hut, and Budweiser which is growing fast due to its dominance in China's premium beer market as well as in South Korea. Yum China held its own during lockdown and has benefitted hugely from its engaged digital audience and a material increase in online orders and delivery during 2020.

From an ESG perspective are there examples where you have engaged with an investee company and instigated change or chosen to disinvest because a company refused to acknowledge your concerns?

We held a meeting with Shenzhou International to review their ESG practices. In our view, Shenzhou continues to maintain high standards in water treatment and recycling, air and chemical emission management, labour management and worker safety. However, we believe it can improve its disclosure on carbon emissions and long-term targets as well as introducing employee incentive schemes. We provided feedback and suggestions such as introducing 'natural carbon offset' as a path to meet the zero net emission goal until an improved infrastructure is made available in places such as Vietnam. We also suggested introducing incentive schemes to motivate employees, especially middle management, and to attract talented individuals. The company has acknowledged our suggestions, and we will continue to engage and monitor further developments.

What common misconceptions have you come across recently when speaking to investors?

Many investors believe that China is a risky place to invest, however we believe it is quite the opposite; a belief that is reflected in the fact that just under 55% of the portfolio is now invested in China and Hong Kong. Firstly, the economy is still growing at a healthy pace compared to its global peers, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and will be one of the few economies to post positive growth in calendar year 2020 (China +1.9%, US -4.3%, Japan -5.3%, Eurozone -8.3%). China is likely to continue to deliver superior nominal economic growth relative to other markets over the next decade, and as a result, we believe China's share of global GDP will continue to rise accordingly - as will China's share of global equity market indices. The investment universe in China continues to expand, increasingly driven by innovative businesses in areas such as Technology, Healthcare and e-commerce. Last but not least, China is also home to some of the top technology companies in the world, including Alibaba and Tencent.

How concerned should investors be about geopolitical pressures in the region, in particular US/China relations?

Although the trade wrangles between the US and China remain a source of uncertainty, the Chinese government continues to open up selected areas of its economy to foreign investors. Areas such as insurance, banking, asset management and automotive production are gradually being liberalised and becoming more accessible, with strong interest from foreign investors.

Increasing geopolitical pressures have also meant that Chinese companies in particular are increasingly raising capital in local markets instead of the US, with many existing US-listed firms issuing new capital in Hong Kong and China.

From a bottom-up stock selection perspective, there are many businesses which are driven by domestic demand, irrespective of geopolitical tensions. Rising incomes in such an enormous country that is undergoing economic transformation is leading the shift to a consumer-led economy resulting in many attractive stock opportunities.

What should investors expect for the next 12 months?

After such a landmark year dominated by human and economic shock and its aftermath, predicting the outlook for the coming year is rather challenging. The continued spread of COVID-19 in some parts of the world whilst other territories see a gradual normalisation in household mobility and spending epitomises our conundrum in forecasting what lies ahead. However, it is clear that investors are already considering the potential for recovery. At the time of writing, valuations have risen to the higher end of their 10-year historical range, while earnings expectations continue their own recovery, with positive revisions apparent in more sectors and countries.

As the world attempts to adjust to some sort of 'normal order', we believe that the pre-existing structural trends in Asian equities will reassert themselves. The fundamental backdrop remains favourable, as the secular growth trends that we have witnessed in this region have either remained intact this year or even accelerated as a direct result of COVID-19. Examples include the growth in e-commerce and online gaming, increasing adoption of industrial automation, and surging demand for semiconductors. Furthermore, governments and central banks in Asia are committed to maintaining their accommodative policy stances which should cushion their respective economies in what remains of this economic downturn.

Whilst we remain broadly optimistic on the long-term outlook for Asian equities, the current environment renders it crucial that we exercise caution. The road to recovery from the pandemic remains uncertain whilst the gradual withdrawal of stimulus programmes (such as unemployment benefits and fiscal aid) may create a roadblock along the way. It is also important to highlight that valuations are above-trend and that it may become more challenging to beat market expectations given that the low hanging fruit on consensus upgrades have already been factored into prices. As a team, we adopt a patient approach and having a valuation framework is vital in that respect, allowing us to look beyond short-term trends in order to identify attractive long-term growth opportunities.

The quality of growth from companies trading at rich multiples will become more important as those corporates that fail to meet market expectations may see their heady valuations come under pressure. We mentioned earlier that the spread between growth and value stocks is at an all-time high. The key, in our view, is to identify higher quality cyclical candidates, by focusing on the fundamental qualities of specific stocks.

As a team, we continue unhindered in our search for Asia's very best growth ideas. Despite the challenging global situation, we remain confident that our long experience and local presence provides us with optimum access to Asia's fast-growing markets. Against the macro backdrop we have highlighted in our report, we remain broadly optimistic on the outlook for Asian equities and confident that the Company's investment strategy will continue to reward patient investors over the long-term.

Ayaz Ebrahim

Robert Lloyd

Richard Titherington

Investment Managers

11th January 2021

PRINCIPAL AND EMERGING RISKS

The Directors confirm that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. With the assistance of JPMF, the Audit Committee has drawn up a risk matrix, which identifies the key risks to the Company. The risks identified and the broad categories in which they fall, and the ways in which they are managed or mitigated are summarised below. The AIC Code of Corporate Governance requires the Audit Committee, for the first time this year, to put in place procedures to identify emerging risks. The key emerging risks identified are also summarised below. The Board believes the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Brexit to be existing risks, rather than emerging risks. Their impact is considered within the relevant sections below.

 
 Principal Risk                  Description                        Mitigating Activities 
 Investment Management 
  and Performance 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Underperformance                Poor implementation                The Board manages these risks by diversification 
                                  of the investment                  of investments and through its investment 
                                  strategy, for example              restrictions and guidelines, which 
                                  as to thematic exposure,           are monitored and reported on by the 
                                  sector allocation,                 Manager. The Manager provides the 
                                  stock selection,                   Directors with timely and accurate 
                                  undue concentration                management information, including 
                                  of holdings, factor                performance data and attribution analyses, 
                                  risk exposure or                   revenue estimates, liquidity reports 
                                  the degree of total                and shareholder analyses. The Board 
                                  portfolio risk,                    monitors the implementation and results 
                                  may lead to underperformance       of the investment process with the 
                                  against the Company's              Investment Managers, at least one 
                                  benchmark index                    of whom usually attends all Board 
                                  and peer companies.                meetings, and reviews data which show 
                                                                     measures of the Company's risk profile. 
                                                                     The Investment Managers employ the 
                                                                     Company's gearing tactically, within 
                                                                     a strategic range set by the Board. 
                                                                     The Board holds a separate meeting 
                                                                     devoted to strategy each year. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Widening Discount               A disproportionate                 The Board monitors the level of premium/discount 
                                  widening of the                    at which the shares trade and the 
                                  discount relative                  Company has authority to buy back 
                                  to the Company's                   its existing shares to enhance the 
                                  peers could result                 NAV per share for remaining shareholders 
                                  in loss of value                   when deemed appropriate. 
                                  for shareholders. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Market and Economic             Market risk arises                 The Board believes that shareholders 
  Risk                            from uncertainty                   expect that the Company will and should 
                                  about the future                   be fairly fully invested in Asian 
                                  prices of the Company's            equities at all times. The Board therefore 
                                  investments, which                 would normally only seek to mitigate 
                                  might result from                  market risk through guidelines on 
                                  economic, fiscal,                  gearing given to the Manager. The 
                                  climate, regulatory,               Board receives regular reports from 
                                  etc change. It represents          the Manager's strategists and Investment 
                                  the potential loss                 Managers regarding market outlook 
                                  the Company might                  and gives the Investment Mangers discretion 
                                  suffer through holding             regarding acceptable levels of gearing 
                                  investments in the                 and/or cash, currently the Company's 
                                  face of negative                   gearing policy is to operate within 
                                  market movements.                  a range of 10% net cash to 20% geared. 
                                  The Board considers                In particular also the Board receives 
                                  thematic and factor                ESG reports from the Manager on the 
                                  risks, stock selection             portfolio and the way ESG considerations 
                                  and levels of gearing              are integrated into the investment 
                                  on a regular basis                 decision-making. 
                                  and has set investment 
                                  restrictions and 
                                  guidelines which 
                                  are monitored and 
                                  reported on by the 
                                  Manager. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Change of Corporate             Change of corporate                The Board holds regular meetings with 
  Control of the Manager          control of Manager                 senior representatives of the Manager 
                                  or similar event                   in order to obtain assurance that 
                                  that changes focus                 the Manager continues to demonstrate 
                                  of JPMAM.                          a high degree of commitment to its 
                                                                     asset management and investment trust 
                                                                     business. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Loss of Investment              A sudden departure                 The Board seeks assurance that the 
  Team or Portfolio               of a Portfolio Manager             Manager takes steps to reduce the 
  Manager                         or several members                 risk arising from such an event by 
                                  of the investment                  ensuring appropriate succession planning 
                                  management team                    and the adoption of a team based approach, 
                                  could result in                    as well as special efforts to retain 
                                  a short term deterioration         key personnel. The Board engages with 
                                  in investment performance.         the senior management of the Manager 
                                                                     in order to mitigate this risk. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Operational Risks 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Outsourcing                     Disruption to, or                  Details of how the Board monitors 
                                  failure of, the                    the services provided by JPM and its 
                                  Manager's accounting,              associates and the key elements designed 
                                  dealing or payments                to provide effective risk management 
                                  systems or the Depositary          and internal control are included 
                                  or Custodian's records             within the Risk Management and Internal 
                                  may prevent accurate               Controls section of the Corporate 
                                  reporting and monitoring           Governance Statement within the 2020 
                                  of the Company's                   Annual Report. 
                                  financial position                 The Manager has a comprehensive business 
                                  or a misappropriation              continuity plan which facilitates 
                                  of assets.                         continued operation of the business 
                                                                     in the event of a service disruption 
                                                                     (including and disruption resulting 
                                                                     from the COVID-19 pathogen. Since 
                                                                     the introduction of the COVID-19 restrictions, 
                                                                     Directors have received assurances 
                                                                     that the Manager and its key third 
                                                                     party service providers have all been 
                                                                     able to maintain service levels. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Cyber Crime                     The threat of cyber                The Company benefits directly and/or 
                                  attack, in all guises,             indirectly from all elements of JPMorgan's 
                                  is regarded as at                  Cyber Security programme. The information 
                                  least as important                 technology controls around physical 
                                  as more traditional                security of JPMorgan's data centres, 
                                  physical threats                   security of its networks and security 
                                  to business continuity             of its trading applications, are tested 
                                  and security.                      by independent auditors and reported 
                                                                     every six months against the AAF Standard. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Corporate Governance 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Loss of Investment              In order to qualify                The Section 1158 qualification criteria 
  Trust Status                    as an investment                   are continually monitored by the Manager 
                                  trust, the Company                 and the results reported to the Board 
                                  must comply with                   each month. 
                                  Section 1158 of 
                                  the Corporation 
                                  Tax Act 2010 ('Section 
                                  1158'). 
                                  Were the Company 
                                  to breach Section 
                                  1158, it may lose 
                                  investment trust 
                                  status and, as a 
                                  consequence, gains 
                                  within the Company's 
                                  portfolio would 
                                  be subject to Capital 
                                  Gains Tax. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Corporate Governance 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Statutory and Regulatory        The risk of not                    The Board relies on the services of 
  Compliance                      meeting and being                  its Company Secretary, the Manager 
                                  in compliance with                 and its professional advisers to ensure 
                                  legal and regulatory               compliance with the Companies Act 
                                  responsibilities.                  2006, the UKLA Listing Rules, DTRs, 
                                                                     MAR and AIFMD. Details of the Company's 
                                                                     compliance with Corporate Governance 
                                                                     best practice, are set out in the 
                                                                     Corporate Governance Statement 2020 
                                                                     Annual Report. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Environmental 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Climate Change                  Climate change,                    Financial returns for long-term diversified 
                                  which barely registered            investors should not be jeopardised 
                                  with investors a                   given the investment opportunities 
                                  decade ago, has                    created by the world's transition 
                                  today become one                   to a low-carbon economy. The Board 
                                  of the most critical               is also considering the threat posed 
                                  issues confronting                 by the direct impact on climate change 
                                  asset managers and                 on the operations of the Manager and 
                                  their investors.                   other major service providers. As 
                                  Investors can no                   extreme weather events become more 
                                  longer ignore the                  common, the resiliency, business continuity 
                                  impact that the                    planning and the location strategies 
                                  world's changing                   of the Company's services providers 
                                  climate will have                  will come under greater scrutiny. 
                                  on their portfolios,               In particular also the Board receives 
                                  with the impact                    ESG reports from the Manager on the 
                                  of climate change                  portfolio and the way ESG considerations 
                                  on returns now inevitable.         are integrated into the investment 
                                                                     decision-making. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Economic and Geopolitical 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Global Geopolitical             There is significant               The Board regularly discusses the 
  Risk                            exposure to the                    global geo-political issues and general 
                                  economic cycles                    economic conditions and developments 
                                  and political movements            with the Investment Managers. Political 
                                  of the markets in                  tensions between and changes within 
                                  which the underlying               the US, China, Europe and UK continue 
                                  investments are                    the uncertainty and volatility in 
                                  listed.                            financial markets. The medium and 
                                  Political and economic             longer term impacts of COVID-19 on 
                                  risk, political                    this risk, for example the unprecedented 
                                  change or protectionism            levels of fiscal stimulus and travel 
                                  may have an adverse                restrictions will continue to be assessed 
                                  effect on underlying               in light of how they may affect the 
                                  valuations, such                   Company's portfolio and the economic 
                                  as a US-led trade                  and geopolitical environment in which 
                                  war, North Korean                  the Company operates within overall. 
                                  conflict, and other                The potential consequences of Brexit 
                                  political tensions                 continue to be monitored through existing 
                                  both in Asia and                   control systems. Since the portfolio 
                                  closer to home to                  has no investments in the UK or Europe 
                                  include tensions                   the Board does not believe that there 
                                  in the Eurozone                    is likely to be any significant or 
                                  and Brexit risks.                  direct impact on the operation of 
                                                                     the Company or the structure of the 
                                                                     portfolio. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Emerging Risk                   Description                        Mitigating Activities 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Global 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Social Dislocation              Social dislocation/civil           The Manager's market strategists are 
  & Conflict                      unrest may threaten                available for the Board and can discuss 
                                  global economic                    market trends. External consultants 
                                  growth and, consequently,          and experts can be accessed by the 
                                  companies in the                   Board. The Board can, with shareholder 
                                  portfolio.                         approval, look to amend the investment 
                                                                     policy and objectives of the Company 
                                                                     to gain exposure to or mitigate the 
                                                                     risks arising from geopolitical instability 
                                                                     although this is limited if it is 
                                                                     truly global. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Inappropriate Monetary/Fiscal   Inappropriate Government/Central   The Manager's market strategists are 
  Policies                        banks fiscal or                    available for the Board and can discuss 
                                  monetary responses                 market trends. External consultants 
                                  to the Covid-19                    and experts can be accessed by the 
                                  pandemic result                    Board. 
                                  in excessively loose               The Board can, with shareholder approval 
                                  economic conditions                look to amend the investment policy 
                                  resulting in the                   and objectives of the Company, if 
                                  medium term risk                   required, to enable investment in 
                                  of significant levels              companies or assets which offer more 
                                  of inflation or,                   appealing risk/return characteristics 
                                  alternatively, are                 in prevailing economic conditions. 
                                  ineffective in stimulating 
                                  a recovery resulting 
                                  in deflation and 
                                  depression. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 Rising Competition              China is emerging                  The Board has access to a range of 
  between China and               as a challenger                    expert resources and strategists in 
  Western Economies               to the western hegemony            the UK and in the Asian region to 
                                  of recent decades.                 provide long term insight and guidance 
                                  This brings with                   on geopolitical developments. 
                                  it increased competition           The Managers investment process incorporates 
                                  in political and                   non-financial measures and risks in 
                                  military affairs                   the assessment of investee companies 
                                  alongside the development          to allow the portfolio to adapt to 
                                  of a major trading                 changing competitive and political 
                                  bloc operating to                  landscapes. 
                                  different cultural, 
                                  legal political 
                                  and technological 
                                  norms and standards. 
                                  These areas of conflict 
                                  may give rise to 
                                  geopolitical crises 
                                  that threaten the 
                                  markets in which 
                                  investee companies 
                                  operate and fragment 
                                  previously global 
                                  markets into more 
                                  isolated trading 
                                  blocs which may 
                                  limit the opportunity 
                                  of investee companies 
                                  to grow and thrive. 
                                ---------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
 

TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER AND RELATED PARTIES

Details of the management contract are set out in the Directors' Report on page xx. The management fee payable to the Manager for the year was GBP2,084,000 (2019: GBP1,922,000) of which GBPnil (2019: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

During the year GBPnil (2019: GBP48,000), was payable to the Manager for the administration of savings scheme products, of which GBPnil (2019: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Safe custody fees amounting to GBP149,000 (2019: GBP161,000) were payable to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. during the year of which GBP25,000 (2019: GBP28,000) was outstanding at the year end.

The Manager may carry out some of its dealing transactions through group subsidiaries. These transactions are carried out at arm's length. The commission payable to JPMorgan Securities Limited for the year was GBP1,000 (2019: GBP5,000) of which GBPnil (2019: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Handling charges on dealing transactions amounting to GBP22,000 (2019: GBP32,000) were payable to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. during the year of which GBP5,000 (2019: GBP7,000) was outstanding at the year end.

During the year the Company held cash in the JPMorgan US Dollar Liquidity Fund, which is managed by JPMorgan. At the year end this was valued at GBP1,160,000 (2019: 2,191,000). Interest amounting to GBP6,000 (2019: GBP25,000) was receivable during the year of which GBPnil (2019: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Stock lending income amounting to GBP17,000 (2019: GBP21,000) were receivable by the Company during the year.

JPMAM commissions in respect of such transactions amounted to GBP2,000 (2019: GBP3,000).

At the year end, total cash of GBP2,806,000 (2019: GBP2,213,000) was held with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. A net amount of interest of GBP3,000 (2019: GBP3,000) was receivable by the Company during the year of which GBPnil (2019 GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Full details of Directors' remuneration and shareholdings can be found 2020 Annual Report.

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law). Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:

   --      select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

-- state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102, have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

   --      make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and 

-- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business, and the Directors confirm that they have done so.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors' Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Under applicable law and regulations the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, a Directors' Report and Directors' Remuneration Report that comply with the law and those regulations.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in Directors' Report confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

-- the Company's financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', and applicable law), give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company; and

-- the Directors' Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

The Directors consider that the Annual Report & Financial Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy.

For and on behalf of the Board

Bronwyn Curtis OBE

Chairman

11th January 2021

statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 30th September 2020

 
                                                2020                       2019 
                                     Revenue   Capital      Total    Revenue   Capital      Total 
                                     GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Gains on investments held 
  at fair value 
 through profit or loss                    -    29,604     29,604          -    22,940     22,940 
 Net foreign currency gains                -       116        116          -       196        196 
 Income from investments               7,906         -      7,906      8,081         -      8,081 
 Interest receivable and similar 
  income                                  26         -         26         49         -         49 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Gross return                          7,932    29,720     37,652      8,130    23,136     31,266 
 Management fee                      (2,084)         -    (2,084)    (1,922)         -    (1,922) 
 Other administrative expenses         (666)         -      (666)      (753)         -      (753) 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Net return before finance 
  costs and 
 taxation                              5,182    29,720     34,902      5,455    23,136     28,591 
 Finance costs                         (111)         -      (111)       (45)         -       (45) 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Net return before taxation            5,071    29,720     34,791      5,410    23,136     28,546 
 Taxation                              (710)      (90)      (800)      (717)     (133)      (850) 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Net return after taxation             4,361    29,630     33,991      4,693    23,003     27,696 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ---------  ---------  --------  --------- 
 Return per share (note 2)             4.64p    31.49p     36.13p      4.99p    24.45p     29.44p 
 
 

A fourth quarterly dividend of 4.2p (2018: 4.9p) per share has been declared in respect of the year ended 30th September 2020, totalling GBP3,951,000 (2019: GBP3,763,000). Further details are given in note 10 on page 58 of the 2020 Annual Report.

All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.

The 'Total' column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company and the 'Revenue' and 'Capital' columns represent supplementary information prepared under guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies.

The net return after taxation represents the profit for the year and also the total comprehensive income.

statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 30th September 2020

 
                          Called             Exercised      Capital 
                              up 
                           share     Share     warrant   redemption     Capital    Revenue 
                         capital   premium     reserve      reserve    reserves    reserve       Total 
                                                                            (1)        (1) 
                         GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000 
----------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 30th September 
  2018                    23,762    31,646         977       25,121     282,800          -     364,306 
 Net return                    -         -           -            -      23,003      4,693      27,696 
 Dividend paid in the 
  year (note 3)                -         -           -            -     (9,983)    (4,693)    (14,676) 
----------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 30th September 
  2019                    23,762    31,646         977       25,121     295,820          -     377,326 
 Net return                    -         -           -            -      29,630      4,361      33,991 
 Dividend paid in the 
  year (note 3)                -         -           -            -    (10,316)    (4,361)    (14,677) 
----------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 30th September 
  2020                    23,762    31,646         977       25,121     315,134          -     396,640 
----------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 

(1) These reserves form the distributable reserves of the Company and may be used to fund distribution of profits to investors via dividend payments.

statement of financial position

as at 30th September 2020

 
                                                              2020       2019 
                                                           GBP'000    GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Fixed assets 
 Investments held at fair value through profit or loss     394,141    373,976 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Current assets 
 Derivative financial assets                                     5          - 
 Debtors                                                     1,032        922 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                   3,966      4,404 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
                                                             5,003      5,326 
 Current liabilities 
 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year            (2,504)    (1,976) 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Net current assets                                          2,499      3,350 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total assets less current liabilities                     396,640    377,326 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Net assets                                                396,640    377,326 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Capital and reserves 
 Called up share capital                                    23,762     23,762 
 Share premium                                              31,646     31,646 
 Exercised warrant reserve                                     977        977 
 Capital redemption reserve                                 25,121     25,121 
 Capital reserves                                          315,134    295,820 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total shareholders' funds                                 396,640    377,326 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Net asset value per share                                  421.6p     401.1p 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the year ended 30th September 2020

 
                                                                   2020         2019 
                                                                GBP'000      GBP'000 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash outflow from operations before dividends and 
  interest(1)                                                   (2,816)      (2,544) 
 Dividends received                                               6,878        7,009 
 Interest received                                                    9           30 
 Interest paid                                                    (110)         (45) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow from operating activities                        3,961        4,450 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Purchases of investments                                     (161,482)    (153,146) 
 Sales of investments                                           171,566      166,390 
 Settlement of forward currency contracts                            72           38 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow from investing activities                       10,156       13,282 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Dividends paid                                                (14,677)     (14,676) 
 Repayment of bank loans                                        (8,848)            - 
 Drawdown of bank loans                                           9,114            - 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash outflow from financing activities                    (14,411)     (14,676) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 (Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                 (294)        3,056 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at start of year                       4,404        1,337 
 Unrealised (loss)/gain on foreign currency cash and cash 
  equivalents(1)                                                  (144)           11 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                         3,966        4,404 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 (Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                 (294)        3,056 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents consist of: 
 Cash and short term deposits                                     2,806        2,213 
 Cash held in JPMorgan US Dollar Liquidity Fund                   1,160        2,191 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Total                                                            3,966        4,404 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

(1) The unrealised exchange gain on the JPMorgan US Dollar Liquidity Fund in the comparative column has been moved from the initial 'Net cash outflow from operations' total to be disclosed separately as the 'unrealised (loss)/gain on foreign currency cash and cash equivalents'.

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 30th September 2020

   1.     Accounting policies 

Basis of accounting

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include fixed asset investments at fair value, and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ('UK GAAP'), including FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts' (the 'SORP') issued by the Association of Investment Companies in October 2019.

All of the Company's operations are of a continuing nature.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In forming this opinion, the directors have considered any potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the going concern and viability of the Company. They have considered the potential impact of COVID-19 and the mitigation measures which key service providers, including the Manager, have in place to maintain operational resilience particularly in light of COVID-19. The Directors have reviewed the compliance with debt covenants in assessing the going concern and viability of the Company. The Directors have reviewed income and expense projections and the liquidity of the investment portfolio in making their assessment. The disclosures on going concern within the 2020 Annual Report form part of these financial statements.

The policies applied in these financial statements are consistent with those applied in the preceding year.

   2.   Return per share 
 
                                                             2020          2019 
                                                          GBP'000       GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Revenue return                                             4,361         4,693 
 Capital return                                            29,630        23,003 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total return                                              33,391        27,696 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Weighted average number of shares in issue during 
  the year                                             94,081,493    94,081,493 
 Revenue return per share                                   4.64p         4.99p 
 Capital return per share                                  31.49p        24.45p 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Total return per share                                    36.13p        29.44p 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   3.   Dividends 

(a) Dividends paid and declared

 
                                                           2020      2019 
                                                        GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Dividends paid 
 2019 fourth quarterly dividend of 4.0p (2018: 3.9p)      3,763     3,669 
 First quarterly dividend of 4.1p (2019: 3.7p)            3,858     3,481 
 Second quarterly dividend of 3.5p (2019: 4.0p)           3,293     3,763 
 Third quarterly dividend of 4.0p (2019: 4.0p)            3,763     3,763 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total dividends paid in the period                      14,677    14,676 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Dividend declared 
 Fourth quarterly dividend declared of 4.2p (2019: 
  4.0p) per share                                         3,951     3,763 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

A fourth quarterly dividend of 4.2p has been declared and was paid on 12th November 2020 for the financial year ended 30th September 2020. In accordance with the accounting policy of the Company, this dividend will be reflected in the financial statements for the year ending 30th September 2021.

(b) Dividend for the purposes of Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 ('Section 1158')

The requirements of Section 1158 are considered on the basis of the dividend proposed in respect of the financial year, shown below. The aggregate of the distributable reserves is GBP225,349,000 (2019: GBP221,283,000).

 
                                                         2020      2019 
                                                      GBP'000   GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 First quarterly dividend of 4.1p (2019: 3.7p)          3,858     3,481 
 Second quarterly dividend of 3.5p (2019: 4.0p)         3,293     3,763 
 Third quarterly dividend of 4.0p (2019: 4.0p)          3,763     3,763 
 Fourth quarterly dividend declared of 4.2p (2019: 
  4.0p)                                                 3,951     3,763 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total dividends for Section 1158 purposes             14,865    14,770 
---------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

The aggregate of the distributable reserves after the payment of the final dividend will amount to GBP221,398,000 (2019: GBP217,520,000).

   4.   Net asset value per share 
 
                                     2020          2019 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net assets (GBP'000)             396,640       377,326 
 Number of shares in issue     94,081,493    94,081,493 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net asset value per share         421.6p        401.1p 
---------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

5. Status of results announcement

2019 Financial Information

The figures and financial information for 2019 are extracted from the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th September 2019 and do not constitute the statutory accounts for the year. The Annual Report and Accounts include the Report of the Independent Auditors which is unqualified and does not contain a statement under either section 498(2) or section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The Annual Report and Accounts will be delivered to the Register of Companies in due course.

2020 Financial Information

The figures and financial information for 2020 are extracted from the published Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th September 2020 and do not constitute the statutory accounts for that year. The Annual Report and Accounts has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the Report of the Independent Auditors which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 498(2) or section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

11th January 2021

For further information:

Alison Vincent

JPMorgan Funds Limited

020 7742 4000

ENDS

A copy of the 2020 Annual Report will shortly be submitted to the FCA's National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

The 2020 Annual Report will shortly be available on the Company's website at www.jpmasiagrowthandincome.co.uk where up-to-date information on the Company, including daily NAV and share prices, factsheets and portfolio information can also be found.

JPMORGAN FUNDS LIMITED

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