TIDMJAGI

RNS Number : 9173J

JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income PLC

16 December 2022

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT

JPMORGAN ASIA GROWTH & INCOME PLC

FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

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 2022.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Performance

An usually large number of adverse influences conspired to undermine Asian financial market sentiment in the year ended 30th September 2022. Rising price pressures, which were compounded by the war in Ukraine, and global supply chain bottlenecks, compelled the US Federal Reserve and other western central banks to hike interest rates more aggressively than previously anticipated. Higher rates and mounting fears of recession weighed on equity markets, especially growth stocks whose long-term valuations were undermined by rising rates. Asian investors faced additional concerns, most particularly the wide, and possibly long-term ramifications of China's sharp, self-inflicted slowdown and rising geo-political tensions between China and the west, in particular, over China's ambitions in relation to Taiwan and Hong Kong. Although the inflation picture has been more mixed across Asia than in the west, the region's equity markets experienced the same downward pressures as their western counterparts. As elsewhere, growth stocks, such as those in the technology and media sectors, were worse hit, especially in China.

As a result, in the year to 30th September 2022, the MSCI All Countries Asia ex Japan Index, declined 13.9% (in sterling terms). The Company's performance lagged the benchmark, declining 16.2% in NAV terms and falling 17.2% in share price terms, reflecting a further widening of the discount at which the Company's shares trade relative to NAV. The reasons for this underperformance are discussed in full in the Investment Managers' Report that follows, which also reviews the market over the past year and considers the outlook for 2023.

While disappointing, this year's underperformance needs to be judged in the context of the Company's longer-term performance track record, which remains impressive. The Company has provided shareholders with significant positive returns, and decisively outperformed its benchmark, over the long term. Its annualised return over the ten years to end September 2022 was 8.5% on an NAV basis and 8.9% in share price terms, well above the benchmark's 6.9% return on the same basis.

Dividend Policy

In the absence of unforeseen developments, the Company's dividend policy aims to pay regular, quarterly dividends, each equivalent to 1% of the Company's NAV. Payments are set based on the NAV on the last business day of each financial quarter, being the end of December, March, June and September, and are funded from a combination of revenue and capital reserves. Shareholders are reminded that dividends are based on a percentage of net assets, so the dividend paid to shareholders will reflect the Company's net assets at each quarter end. They will therefore be subject to market and performance fluctuations.

For the year ended 30th September 2022, dividends paid totalled 16.5 pence (2021: 19.3 pence). This is the second lowest level of dividend paid by the Company since the introduction of its revised dividend policy, which took effect from the beginning of the Company's financial year ended 30th September 2017. Although this is clearly disappointing for shareholders, it reflects recent market conditions and the Company's performance. In the Board's view, resetting the dividend quantum each quarter is a prudent way of delivering an income that tracks performance and does not put the Company under any undue stress.

Premium/Discount and Share Capital Management

The discount at which the Company's shares trade has widened during the review period, and although it is broadly in line with the discounts of its immediate peers, the Board has deemed it necessary to utilise the Company's buy back powers over the year, buying in a total of 1,040,725 shares (representing 1.1% of share capital) and holding them in Treasury. The Board's view is that buy back activity can help to balance the demand and supply in the Company's shares, while maintaining underlying liquidity.

Gearing

The Company has in place a multi-currency loan facility with Scotiabank. The Investment Managers utilise drawdowns from this loan facility to gear the portfolio during periods when the market is expected to rise and gearing will thus enhance performance. Over the reporting year, and at the time of writing, the Company was not geared and hence gearing did not detract from returns in a falling market.

Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') Issues

As detailed in the ESG Report on pages 15 to 19 of the Company's Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2022 ('2022 Annual Report'), ESG considerations are integral to the Manager's investment process and are core to its stock selection decisions. Please refer to this Report for comprehensive information on this integration.

Board Succession

The Board plans for succession to ensure it retains an appropriate balance of skills, knowledge and diversity. To this end the Board recently announced the appointments of Diana Choyleva and Kathryn Matthews to the Board with effect from 1st March and 1st June 2023 respectively.

Diana is a leading expert on China's economy and politics and is Chief Economist at Enodo Economics, an independent macroeconomic and political forecasting company. Previously she worked at Lombard Street Research, most recently as their chief economist and head of research.

Kathryn brings to the Board many years of experience in the investment company sector, including directorships of a broad range of other Asia focused investment companies. Previously, Kathryn worked for Fidelity International where she was Chief Investment Officer, Asia Pacific (ex-Japan).

Having served as a Director since 2013 and as Chairman since 2017, I will retire from the Board at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and I will be succeeded by Sir Richard Stagg, who has served on the Board since July 2018. Dean Buckley, the Company's Audit Chairman and SID, joined the Board in 2014 and it is the current intention that he will be retiring from the Board at the Annual General Meeting in 2024.

The Manager and Costs

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.

Continuation Vote

Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Association, the Board is required to put a triennial continuation vote to shareholders. Since the last time this requirement was enacted by the Company was in 2020, a continuation vote will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, 15th February 2023. Given the performance returns over the medium and long term, your Board has no hesitation in recommending to shareholders that they vote in favour of the Company continuing as an investment trust for a further three-year period.

Keeping in Touch

The Board and the Investment Managers are also keen to increase dialogue with the Company's existing shareholders. Investors holding their shares through online platforms will shortly receive a letter inviting them to sign up to receive email updates from the Company. These updates will deliver regular news and views, as well as the latest performance statistics. If shareholders wish to sign up to receive these communications, please visit https://tinyurl.com/d95jkrzx or scan the QR code that can be found on page 9 of the 2022 Annual Report.

Annual General Meeting

The Company's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15th February 2023 at 11.00 a.m. at 60 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0JP.

The Investment Managers will give a presentation to shareholders, reviewing the past year and commenting on the outlook for the current year. We look forward to seeing as many shareholders as possible at the AGM.

For shareholders wishing to follow the AGM proceedings but choosing not to attend, we will be able to welcome you through conferencing software. Details on how to register, together with access details, will be available on the Company's website: www.jpmasiagrowthandincome.co.uk, or by contacting the Company Secretary at invtrusts.cosec@jpmorgan.com

As is normal practice, all voting on the resolutions will be conducted by a poll. Shareholders viewing the meeting via conferencing software will not be able to vote on the poll and we therefore encourage all shareholders, and particularly those who cannot physically attend, to exercise their votes in advance of the meeting by completing and submitting their form of proxy.

If you have any detailed or technical questions, it would be helpful if you could raise them in advance with the Company Secretary at 60 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0JP or via the 'Ask a Question' link on the Company's website. Shareholders who are unable to attend the AGM are encouraged to use their proxy votes.

Outlook

It is difficult to recall a time when the uncertainties permeating global financial markets have been greater or more varied. Yet despite the near-term gloom, Asia's long-term growth prospects remain bright. JPMorgan Asia Growth and Income is a low-cost way for investors to gain diversified exposure to the region's best businesses, while also providing shareholders with a competitive income of approximately 4%. And with share price valuations now at historical lows in many regional markets, we share the Investment Managers' excitement about the many opportunities now available to purchase interesting, world-class companies in various sectors across Asia, at particularly attractive prices. Such acquisitions will leave the Company even better positioned to capitalise on Asia's long-term growth story, to the continued benefit of patient shareholders willing to tolerate bouts of market turbulence.

As this is my last Chairman's statement before retiring, I would like to conclude by thanking my fellow Directors and the team at JPMorgan for their support and contribution during my time on the Board and I would also like to extend my thanks to our shareholders for their ongoing support. I wish the Company's fortunes well for the future.

Bronwyn Curtis OBE

Chairman 15th December 2022

INVESTMENT MANAGERS' REPORT

Introduction

In this report we review the Company's investment performance for the 12 months to 30th September 2022. We examine the market backdrop over this period, and the factors that impacted performance. Finally, we consider the outlook for Asian equities over the coming six months and beyond.

The market environment

In the 12 months ended 30th September 2022, investor sentiment in Asian markets deteriorated significantly, causing a 13.9% decline in the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index in sterling terms. This sell-off was driven by a number of factors. Starting from a global perspective, the invasion of Ukraine drove up energy and commodity prices, while supply chain logjams, especially shortages of semi-conductors and other components for electronic products, worsened due to Chinese factory closures, as the country doggedly pursued its 'zero COVID' policy. These developments compounded the inflationary pressures that were already worrying investors. Markets were surprised by the willingness of central banks, led by the US Federal Reserve, to tighten monetary policy aggressively to combat these inflation pressures, and this in turn raised fears of recession. Global equity markets plunged, with the valuations of long-term growth stocks hit especially hard, while the US dollar hit multi-decade highs against other currencies.

Asian investors had additional worries, mainly related to China, where the outlook for growth has worsened over both the short and longer term. China's GDP in calendar year 2022 is forecasted to grow by only 3%, compared to 8% in 2021. The total containment of COVID-19 remains a key priority for the Communist Party leadership. In contrast to Western economies and other parts of Asia, the Chinese government seems determined to persist with this policy, even at the expense of economic growth, and it is unclear when restrictions will ease. China is also facing its first largescale residential property market correction. By some estimates this sector accounts for 25% of economic output, so any major setback will have significant implications for domestic growth. The correction was triggered by a government crackdown on borrowing within the sector, which caused a liquidity crisis among the country's largest and most geared developers, and reduced the supply of mortgages to homebuyers. New homes sales have fallen by nearly 30 % over the past year. Thirdly, US government sanctions against Chinese tech companies are disrupting the supply of components for Chinese high performance computers and products relying on cutting edge logic and memory capabilities. While these issues may prove relatively short-lived, China's longer-term growth prospects will be challenged by its worsening demographics.

Other Asian countries, most notably South Korea and Taiwan, are bracing for a decline in export demand, as higher interest rates slow global growth and tip some economies into recession. South Korea's exports recovered strongly in 2021, with gross exports growing nearly 11%, but the outlook for 2022 is for a more moderate 4.5% increase in exports. In Taiwan, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd ('TSMC'), one of the world's leading producers of semiconductors, and the Company's largest position as at the end of September 2022, continues to demonstrate a strong competitive advantage in leading-edge chip manufacturing. TSMC's Q3 results showed sales growth of 47% year over year, driven by demand for their industry-leading chips, which account for more than 50% of revenues during the period. From a geographic perspective, sales to North American clients remain by far the largest source of income, making up 70% of sales, followed by Asia Pacific at 10% and China at 8%. However, the company did highlight weakness on the horizon by cutting capital expenditures and forecasting lower utilisation rates for chips used in personal computers and smart phones. Elsewhere in the region, the majority of South East Asian markets performed well, led by Indonesia, where growth has been particularly strong in the resources and energy sectors, as well as banking, the latter of which has benefited from strong loan demand and strong execution in online and digital banking strategies.

Although inflation concerns have risen sharply in many developed countries, the inflation picture in Asia has been more mixed. In India and South Korea, price rises are testing ten-year highs, while in China and Indonesia, inflation pressures have been limited. However, despite this varied regional picture, Asian equity markets have still been dragged down by the sell-off in Western markets, with the valuations of high growth stocks in the tech and media sectors hit hardest, as in Western markets. This has weighed particularly heavily on markets such as China and Taiwan, whose indices have a high proportion of tech and other growth stocks.

Performance

Against this mixed and challenging backdrop, the Company underperformed its Index over the period, declining by 16.2% on a net asset value ('NAV') total return basis, and by 17.2% in share price terms. We are of course disappointed by this outcome, but given the extraordinary volatility of recent market conditions, and our long-term investment horizon, we believe it is more meaningful to judge performance over longer periods. On this basis, the Company has delivered significant positive returns for shareholders in absolute terms, and outperformed the benchmark, over five and ten years. Over the ten years to the end September 2022, the Company has generated an annualised return of 8.5% in NAV terms, and 8.9% on a share price basis, compared to a benchmark return of 6.9%, measured on the same basis.

Performance attribution

30th September 2022

 
                                                     %        % 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Contributions to total returns 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Benchmark return                                        -13.9% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Stock selection                                 -2.3% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Currency effect                                  0.1% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Gearing/(net cash)                               0.3% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Investment Manager contribution                          -1.9% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Dividends/residual                                        0.2% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Portfolio return                                        -15.6% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Management fee/Other expenses                   -0.7% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Share buy-back/issuance                          0.1% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Return on net assets(APM)                               -16.2% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Effect of movement in discount over the year             -1.0% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 Return to shareholders(APM)                             -17.2% 
----------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 

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    Alternative Performance Measure ('APM'). 

A glossary of terms and APMs is provided on pages 93 and 94 of the 2022 Annual Report.

Major Contributors and Detractors to Performance

One of the largest detractors from the Company's performance versus the Index over the financial year was the portfolio's underweight allocation to India, which outperformed the Asian market index by approximately 25% over the period. Our stock selection in China and Taiwan also hurt performance, due to our exposure to higher growth issuers which de-rated so sharply over this period, as discussed above. This sell-off impacted portfolio holdings across a number of sectors including healthcare (Pharmaron Beijing, WuXi Biologics), textile manufacturing (Shenzhou International), and internet conglomerates (Alibaba, Tencent).

On the positive side, the Company's large overweight allocation to financials contributed positively to returns, thanks to its holdings in bank names in Indonesia, China, and Singapore. Broadly, regional banks have performed well, driven by the economic recovery, which has been especially robust in Indonesia. In particular, Bank Central Asia has benefitted from a strong economy, higher interest rates and more company specific reasons, including its push into digital banking. This has led to a sharp decline in customer acquisition costs, with total cost to income ratios falling from previous levels of 40-45%, to 35-40%. As discussed in previous reports, we see the digitalisation of the Indonesian economy as a key driver for growth across a myriad of sectors. Within the broader financial sector, our structural underweight allocation to Chinese property was also a positive contributor, given the contraction in activity in this industry, discussed above. Despite the weak economic back drop in China, there are a selection of well-run businesses that have navigated the challenging environment extremely well. One such example is Yum China, a restaurant chain operator, which has performed well in the face of falling sales by continuing to innovate on the food delivery side and by improving in-store offerings, with the outcome that profit margins have recovered to pre-COVID levels while revenues are still 15% lower.

Portfolio activity and positioning over the past six months

While recent market volatility has been challenging for investors, it has created opportunities for us to purchase interesting businesses at compelling valuation levels. For example, the Company initiated a new position in Largan Precision, a Taiwanese manufacturer of lenses for use in smart phones and automobiles. At the time of purchase, this company's valuation was extremely attractive, and half of its market capitalisation was in net cash. Looking ahead, we believe that phone cameras will rely more heavily on the kind of high-end lenses Largan produces, so we are positive about the company's longer-term growth prospects. The Company also added to its position in Sany Heavy Industry ('Sany'), a cyclical Chinese business which is a leading manufacturer of construction machinery such as excavators, cranes and road building equipment. The company is facing weak demand conditions, but there are signs of a bottoming in year-on-year excavator sales declines, which were down 20% in the year to July 2022, compared to a decline of 60% in the previous year. Sany's valuation is also attractive.

Key outright sales used to fund these and other acquisitions included the disposal of Kakao Corp, a South Korean internet content company which offers services under several brand names. We sold the holding due to rising concerns about the management's capital allocation decisions and the risk of a widening conglomerate discount. We also secured profits by exiting several names which had performed relatively strongly versus the index. Such disposals included Meituan, a Chinese internet retailer, Delta Electronics, a Taiwanese electronics components producer, and Airports of Thailand, which benefitted from resumption of international travel.

We have not made any major changes to the portfolio at the sector level over the review period. The Company's largest overweight allocations are to financials (+4.9%), and consumer discretionary (+4.7%) and it has more modest overweight allocations to industrials (+2.8%) and information technology (+1.8%). We have also maintained underweight allocations to consumer staples (-3.0%) and materials (-2.9%), motivated by the fact that these sectors are either overvalued or profits are running well ahead of trend levels. The portfolio is also underweight energy (-2.0%), mainly due to the underweight in the Indian conglomerate Reliance and Chinese government owned energy firms, and real estate (-1.9%), reflecting our concerns around the Chinese property sector where most developers are heavily indebted and the outlook for demand in the long-term continues to deteriorate.

China's extremely poor short-term growth prospects, combined with mounting geo-political tensions related to Taiwan and Hong Kong, led us to eliminate our overweight allocation to China and Hong Kong on a combined basis. The portfolio is now neutral on these markets, and almost neutral in relation to Taiwan, as we believe valuations reflect the poor short-term outlook for these respective markets. The portfolio continues to have an underweight allocation to India given the view that this market is expensive relative to historical levels and compared to other regional markets - for instance the MSCI India index trades at 3.5x price to book (as of writing) while the average valuation for the regional index is 1.25x. As we observed in our half-yearly report, India is also especially vulnerable to higher commodity prices due to its heavy reliance on imported resources.

The portfolio's largest overweight allocations at the country level are to South Korea and Indonesia. The 3.5% overweight allocation to South Korea is motivated by several factors. Firstly, we are attracted by the fact that this market includes some of the world's most competitively positioned hardware technology companies, such as consumer electronics giant Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, a semiconductor producer, as well as manufacturers in the electric vehicle battery supply chain, such as SK IE Technology. In addition, the valuations of these issuers are presently attractive in both absolute and relative terms, so the portfolio holds all these names. Our 3.0% Indonesian overweight allocation is driven by more top-down, macroeconomic considerations - the country's fiscal situation is improving as rising energy prices bolster government revenues. We also like the fact that the country has several well-run banks that have consistently generated high growth and solid returns.

Outlook: Low valuations provide great opportunities to invest at compelling prices

In our view, the past year's sharp share price declines mean markets across the region now mostly reflect the deterioration in the economic environment and the many uncertainties and risks ahead. This view is supported by current valuations. The MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index is trading at a price to book ratio of 1.25x, close to the previous historical lows seen in 2008 and 2016, and looking more deeply into the Index's geographical constituents, valuations in South Korea, Hong Kong and China are also either close to or below their historical lows in price to book terms. India remains the sole market trading above its ten-year historical average valuation levels.

Despite the myriad of near-term uncertainties underpinning current low valuations in many markets, we stand by our conviction that Asian equities continue to provide attractive long-term investment opportunities. From a top-down perspective, Asian countries have large and growing economies, accounting for roughly 40% of the world's GDP. Major structural and social changes will ensure the region continues to grow rapidly, with domestic demand supported by the increasing prosperity of Asia's burgeoning middle class. Furthermore, the region is also home to many innovative and dynamic companies that are leading the world in a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, next generation automotive production and financials.

While we have already taken the chance provided by current low valuations to add new names to the portfolio at good prices, and top up existing holdings, as discussed above, there are many other exciting opportunities still available to invest in companies well-placed to benefit from Asia's positive long term growth outlook. We remain confident that our long experience, our presence on the ground in local markets and our focus on the fundamental analysis of specific stocks, will allow us to keep identifying the best investment opportunities on offer across the region, ensuring the Company's portfolio continues to provide our investors with attractive returns and outperformance over the long-term.

Ayaz Ebrahim

Robert Lloyd

Investment Managers 15th December 2022

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 to put in place procedures to identify emerging risks. The key emerging risks identified are also summarised 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 are 
                           as to thematic exposure,         monitored and reported on by the Manager. 
                           sector allocation,               The Manager provides the Directors with 
                           stock selection,                 timely and accurate management information, 
                           undue concentration              including performance data and attribution 
                           of holdings, factor              analyses, revenue estimates, liquidity 
                           risk exposure or                 reports and shareholder analyses. The 
                           the degree of total              Board monitors the implementation and 
                           portfolio risk, may              results of the investment process with 
                           lead to underperformance         the Investment Managers, at least one 
                           against the Company's            of whom attends all Board meetings, and 
                           benchmark index and              reviews data which show measures of the 
                           peer companies.                  Company's risk profile. The Investment 
                                                            Managers employ the Company's gearing 
                                                            tactically, within a strategic range set 
                                                            by the Board. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Discount Control         Investment trust                 The Board monitors the level of both the 
  Risk                     shares often trade               absolute and sector relative premium/discount 
                           at discounts to their            at which the shares trade. The Board reviews 
                           underlying NAVs,                 both sales and marketing activity and 
                           although they can                sector relative performance, which it 
                           also trade at a premium.         believes are the primary drivers of the 
                           Discounts and premiums           relative discount level. In addition, 
                           can fluctuate considerably       the Company has authority, when it deems 
                           leading to volatile              appropriate, to buy back its existing 
                           returns for shareholders.        shares to enhance the NAV per share for 
                                                            remaining shareholders and to reduce the 
                                                            absolute level of discount and discount 
                                                            volatility. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Market and Economic      Market risk arises               This risk is managed to some extent by 
  Risk                     from uncertainty                 diversification of investments and by 
                           about the future                 regular communication with the Manager 
                           prices of the Company's          on matters of investment strategy and 
                           investments, which               portfolio construction which will directly 
                           may reflect underlying           or indirectly include an assessment of 
                           uncertainties arising            these risks. The Board receives regular 
                           from economic, social,           reports from the Manager regarding market 
                           fiscal, climate and              outlook and gives the Investment Mangers 
                           regulatory changes.              discretion regarding acceptable levels 
                           In the past few years            of gearing and/or cash. Currently the 
                           Brexit and the ongoing           Company's gearing policy is to operate 
                           COVID-19 pandemic                within a range of 10% net cash to 20% 
                           have been major sources          geared. 
                           of uncertainty and               The Board considers thematic and factor 
                           have contributed                 risks, stock selection and levels of gearing 
                           to elevated levels               on a regular basis and has set investment 
                           of market volatility.            restrictions and guidelines which are 
                           In particular China's            monitored and reported on by the Manager. 
                           zero-Covid policy                The Board can, with shareholder approval, 
                           is impacting economic            look to amend the investment policy and 
                           activity and squeezing           objectives of the Company to gain exposure 
                           supply chains, which             to or mitigate the risks arising from 
                           is significantly                 geopolitical instability. 
                           slowing economic 
                           growth in China. 
                           Geopolitical risks 
                           have risen markedly 
                           this year with the 
                           Russian invasion 
                           of Ukraine. While 
                           direct linkages to 
                           the UK from Russia 
                           tend to be small, 
                           the impact of sanctions 
                           is significant and 
                           the rise in commodity 
                           prices has caused 
                           further disruption 
                           to supply chains 
                           which in turn is 
                           exacerbating inflationary 
                           pressure. 
                           These risks represent 
                           the potential loss 
                           the Company might 
                           suffer through holding 
                           investments in the 
                           face of negative 
                           market movements. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Investment Management 
  and Performance 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Loss of investment       A sudden departure               The Board seeks assurance that the Manager 
  team or portfolio        of a Portfolio Manager           takes steps to reduce the risk arising 
  manager                  or several members               from such an event by ensuring appropriate 
                           of the investment                succession planning and the adoption of 
                           management team could            a team based approach, as well as special 
                           result in a short                efforts to retain key personnel. The Board 
                           term deterioration               engages with the senior management of 
                           in investment performance.       the Manager in order to mitigate this 
                                                            risk. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Operational 
  Risks 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Cyber Crime              The threat of cyber              The Company benefits directly and/or indirectly 
                           attack is regarded               from all elements of JPMorgan's Cyber 
                           as at least as important         Security programme. The information technology 
                           as more traditional              controls around physical security of JPMorgan's 
                           physical threats                 data centres, security of its networks 
                           to business continuity           and security of its trading applications, 
                           and security.                    are tested by independent auditors and 
                           In addition to threatening       reported every six months against the 
                           the Company's operations,        AAF Standard. 
                           such an attack is 
                           likely to raise reputational 
                           issues which may 
                           damage the Company's 
                           share price and reduce 
                           demand for its shares. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Regulatory Risk 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Regulatory Risk          The Company's business           The Board receives regular reports from 
                           model could become               its broker, depositary, registrar and 
                           non-viable as a result           Manager as well as its legal advisers 
                           of new or revised                and the Association of Investment Companies 
                           rules or regulations             on changes to regulations which could 
                           arising from, for                impact the Company and its industry. The 
                           example, policy change           Company monitors events and relies on 
                           or financial monitoring          the Manager and its other key third party 
                           pressure.                        providers to manage this risk by preparing 
                           Regulatory risk arising          for any changes. 
                           from investing in                The Company holds a diversified portfolio 
                           China has increased              of stocks across a number of sectors of 
                           significantly over               strategic importance to China and the 
                           the last few years.              Investment Managers are supported by an 
                           As witnessed in the              extensive network of Asian market specialists 
                           education-for-profit             around the world which has the ability 
                           sector, the ability              to understand events in China and assess 
                           of China's centralised           the implications on sectors and companies 
                           government system                to try and mitigate stock specific risk. 
                           to enact regulation 
                           rapidly that can 
                           quickly and adversely 
                           affect sectors or 
                           individual companies 
                           and therefore their 
                           stock market prices 
                           negatively. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Economic and 
  Geopolitical 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Global Geopolitical      Geopolitical Risk                There is little direct control of risk 
  Risk                     is the potential                 possible. The Company addresses these 
                           for political, socio-economic    global developments in regular questioning 
                           and cultural events              of the Manager and will continue to monitor 
                           and developments                 these issues, should they develop. 
                           to have an adverse               The Board has the ability, with shareholder 
                           effect on the value              approval, to amend the policy and objectives 
                           of the Company's                 of the Company to mitigate the risks arising 
                           assets.                          from geopolitical concerns. 
                           The Company and its 
                           assets may be impacted 
                           by geopolitical instability, 
                           in particular concerns 
                           over global economic 
                           growth. The crisis 
                           in Ukraine has already 
                           affected energy and 
                           commodity markets 
                           and may cause further 
                           damage to the global 
                           economy. 
                           The ongoing conflict 
                           between Russia and 
                           Ukraine has heightened 
                           the possibility that 
                           tensions will spill 
                           over and intensify 
                           geo-political unrest 
                           between other countries 
                           sharing a common 
                           border. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Emerging Risk 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Environmental 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Policy and regulatory    Climate change, which            Financial returns for long-term diversified 
  risk arising             barely registered                investors should not be jeopardised given 
  from climate             with investors a                 the investment opportunities created by 
  change                   decade ago, has today            the world's transition to a low-carbon 
                           become one of the                economy. The Board is also considering 
                           most critical issues             the threat posed by the direct impact 
                           confronting asset                on climate change on the operations of 
                           managers and their               the Manager and other major service providers. 
                           investors. Investors             As extreme weather events become more 
                           can no longer ignore             common, the resiliency, business continuity 
                           the impact that the              planning and the location strategies of 
                           world's changing                 the Company's services providers will 
                           climate will have                come under greater scrutiny. In particular 
                           on their portfolios,             also the Board receives ESG reports from 
                           with the impact of               the Manager on the portfolio and the way 
                           climate change on                ESG considerations are integrated into 
                           returns now inevitable.          the investment decision-making. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Global 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Social dislocation       Social dislocation/civil         The Manager's market strategists are available 
  & conflict               unrest may threaten              for the Board and can discuss market trends. 
                           global economic growth           External consultants and experts can be 
                           and, consequently,               accessed by the Board. The Board can, 
                           companies in the                 with shareholder approval, look to amend 
                           portfolio.                       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. 
-----------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Rising competition       China is emerging                The Board has access to a range of expert 
  between China            as a challenger to               resources and strategists in the UK and 
  and western economies    the western hegemony             in the Asian region to provide long term 
                           of recent decades.               insight and guidance on geopolitical developments. 
                           This brings with                 The Managers investment process incorporates 
                           it increased competition         non-financial measures and risks in the 
                           in political and                 assessment of investee companies to allow 
                           military affairs                 the portfolio to adapt to changing competitive 
                           alongside the development        and political landscapes. 
                           of a major trading 
                           bloc operating to 
                           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 39 of the 2022 Annual Report. The management fee payable to the Manager for the year was GBP2,155,000 (2021: GBP2,727,000) of which GBPnil (2021: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

During the year GBP2,000 (2021: GBPnil), was payable to the Manager for the administration of savings scheme products, of which GBPnil (2021: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Safe custody fees amounting to GBP169,000 (2021: GBP181,000) were payable to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. during the year of which GBP42,000 (2021: GBP93,000) 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 GBP7,000 (2021: GBP1,000) of which GBPnil (2021: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Handling charges on dealing transactions amounting to GBP28,000 (2021: GBP24,000) were payable to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. during the year of which GBP7,000 (2021: GBP9,000) 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 GBP9,000 (2021: GBP964,000). Interest amounting to GBP10,000 (2021: GBP3,000) was receivable during the year of which GBPnil (2021: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Stock lending income amounting to GBP92,000 (2021: GBP48,000) were receivable by the Company during the year.

JPMAM commissions in respect of such transactions amounted to GBP10,000 (2021: GBP5,000).

At the year end, total cash of GBP445,000 (2021: GBP532,000) was held with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. A net amount of interest of GBPnil (2021: GBPnil) was receivable by the Company during the year of which GBPnil (2021: GBPnil) was outstanding at the year end.

Full details of Directors' remuneration and shareholdings can be found on pages 50 and 52 and in note 6 on page 70 of the 2022 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

15th December 2022

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

 
                                                      2022                             2021 
                                         Revenue     Capital       Total    Revenue   Capital        Total 
                                         GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000 
-------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 (Losses)/gains on investments 
  held at fair value 
 through profit or loss                        -    (75,909)    (75,909)          -    50,965       50,965 
 Net foreign currency gains/(losses)           -         220         220          -     (151)        (151) 
 Income from investments                   7,882           -       7,882      6,799         -        6,799 
 Interest receivable and similar 
  income                                     102           -         102         51         -           51 
-------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 Gross return/(loss)                       7,984    (75,689)    (67,705)      6,850    50,814       57,664 
 Management fee                          (2,155)           -     (2,155)    (2,727)         -      (2,727) 
 Other administrative expenses             (698)           -       (698)      (697)      (90)        (787) 
-------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 Net return/(loss) before finance 
  costs and taxation                       5,131    (75,689)    (70,558)      3,426    50,724       54,150 
 Finance costs                              (43)           -        (43)       (41)         -         (41) 
-------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 Net return/(loss) before taxation         5,088    (75,689)    (70,601)      3,385    50,724       54,109 
 Taxation                                  (125)       (389)       (514)      (670)     (171)        (841) 
-------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 Net return/(loss) after taxation          4,963    (76,078)    (71,115)      2,715    50,553       53,268 
-------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 Return/(loss) per share (note 
  2)                                       5.09p    (77.95)p    (72.86)p      2.84p    52.81p       55.65p 
 
 

A fourth quarterly dividend of 3.7p (2021: 4.6p) per share has been declared in respect of the year ended 30th September 2022, totalling GBP3,569,000 (2021: GBP 4,494,000). Further details are given in note 10 on page 72 of the 2022 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/(loss) after taxation represents the profit/(loss) for the year and also the total comprehensive income.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

 
                              Called             Exercised      Capital 
                                  up 
                               share     Share     warrant   redemption       Capital      Revenue 
                             capital   premium     reserve      reserve   reserves(1)   reserve(1)       Total 
                             GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000     GBP'000 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ---------- 
 At 30th September 2020       23,762    31,646         977       25,121       315,134            -     396,640 
 Issue of Ordinary shares        687    12,980           -            -             -            -      13,667 
 Issue of shares from 
  Treasury                         -     2,079           -            -         2,892            -       4,971 
 Repurchase of shares 
  into Treasury                    -         -           -            -         (299)            -       (299) 
 Net return                        -         -           -            -        50,553        2,715      53,268 
 Dividends paid in the 
  year (note 3)                    -         -           -            -      (15,332)      (2,715)    (18,047) 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ---------- 
 At 30th September 2021       24,449    46,705         977       25,121       352,948            -     450,200 
 Repurchase of shares 
  into Treasury                    -         -           -            -       (3,534)            -     (3,534) 
 Net (loss)/return                 -         -           -            -      (76,078)        4,963    (71,115) 
 Dividends paid in the 
  year (note 3)                    -         -           -            -      (12,028)      (4,963)    (16,991) 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ---------- 
 At 30th September 2022       24,449    46,705         977       25,121       261,308            -     358,560 
--------------------------  --------  --------  ----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  ---------- 
 

1 These reserves form the distributable reserves of the Company and may be used to fund distributions to investors.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

 
                                                              2022      2021 
                                                           GBP'000   GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Fixed assets 
 Investments held at fair value through profit or loss     358,303   448,721 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Current assets 
 Derivative financial assets                                     2         - 
 Debtors                                                       587       507 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                     454     1,496 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
                                                             1,043     2,003 
 Current liabilities 
 Creditors : amounts falling due within one year             (786)     (524) 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Net current assets                                            257     1,479 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Total assets less current liabilities                     358,560   450,200 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Net assets                                                358,560   450,200 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Capital and reserves 
 Called up share capital                                    24,449    24,449 
 Share premium                                              46,705    46,705 
 Exercised warrant reserve                                     977       977 
 Capital redemption reserve                                 25,121    25,121 
 Capital reserves                                          261,308   352,948 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Total equity shareholders' funds                          358,560   450,200 
-------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 Net asset value per share                                  370.6p    460.7p 
 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

 
                                                                2022         2021 
                                                             GBP'000      GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash outflow from operations before dividends and 
  interest                                                   (2,761)      (3,346) 
 Dividends received                                            7,007        6,327 
 Interest received                                                10            3 
 Overseas taxation recovered                                     272           23 
 Interest paid                                                  (43)         (40) 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow from operating activities                     4,485        2,967 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Purchases of investments                                  (196,879)    (166,687) 
 Sales of investments                                        211,835      160,862 
 Settlement of foreign currency trades                           (4)        (111) 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities          14,952      (5,936) 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Dividends paid                                             (16,991)     (18,047) 
 Ordinary Shares issued (including from Treasury)                  -       18,638 
 Repurchase of shares into Treasury                          (3,679)            - 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities        (20,670)          591 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                       (1,233)      (2,378) 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at start of year                    1,496        3,966 
 Unrealised return/(loss) on foreign currency cash and 
  cash equivalents                                               191         (92) 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                        454        1,496 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 (Cash and cash equivalents consist of: 
 Cash and short term deposits                                    445          532 
 Cash held in JPMorgan US Dollar Liquidity Fund                    9          964 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Total                                                           454        1,496 
-------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 

Reconciliation of net debt

 
                                       As at                   Other            As at 
                              30th September                non-cash   30th September 
                                        2021   Cash flows    charges             2022 
                                     GBP'000      GBP'000    GBP'000          GBP'000 
---------------------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------  --------------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
 Cash                                    532        (299)        212              445 
 Cash equivalents                        964        (934)       (21)                9 
---------------------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------  --------------- 
 Total                                 1,496      (1,233)        191              454 
---------------------------  ---------------  -----------  ---------  --------------- 
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

   1.       Accounting policies 
   (a)     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 April 2021.

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 (although it is noted that any negative impact is now much reduced), the direct and indirect consequences arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the geopolitical uncertainty in China on the going concern and viability of the Company. The Directors have also reviewed the compliance with debt covenants in assessing the going concern and viability of the Company. The Directors have also reviewed income and expense projections and the liquidity of the investment portfolio in making their assessment. Finally, the Board has also taken into account the fact that the Company has a continuation vote to be considered by shareholders at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting and the likelihood of shareholders voting in favour of continuation. Having consulted the Company's major shareholders through the remit of its advisers, the Directors have a reasonable belief that the continuation vote will be supported by the majority of shareholders. The disclosures on going concern on page 47 of the Directors' Report in the 2022 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.       (Loss) return per share 
 
                                                             2022         2021 
                                                          GBP'000      GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Revenue return                                             4,963        2,715 
 Capital (loss)/return                                   (76,078)       50,553 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Total (loss)/return                                     (71,115)       53,268 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Weighted average number of shares in issue during 
  the year                                             97,596,359   95,724,531 
 Revenue return per share                                   5.09p        2.84p 
 Capital (loss)/return per share                         (77.95)p       52.81p 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Total (loss)/return per share                           (72.86)p       55.65p 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
   3.       Dividends 
   (a)     Dividends paid and declared 
 
                                                           2022      2021 
                                                        GBP'000   GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Dividends paid 
 2021 fourth quarterly dividend of 4.6p (2020: 4.2p)      4,494     3,951 
 First quarterly dividend of 4.5p (2021: 4.8p)            4,396     4,537 
 Second quarterly dividend of 4.2p (2021: 4.9p)           4,103     4,690 
 Third quarterly dividend of 4.1p (2021: 5.0p)            3,998     4,869 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total dividends paid in the period                      16,991    18,047 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Dividend declared 
 Fourth quarterly dividend declared of 3.7p (2021: 
  4.6p) per share                                         3,569     4,494 
-----------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

A fourth quarterly dividend of 3.7p has been declared and was paid on 23rd November 2022 for the financial year ended 30th September 2022. The fourth quarterly dividend has not been included as a liability in the financial statements.

In accordance with the accounting policy of the Company, this dividend will be reflected in the financial statements for the year ending 30th September 2023.

   (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 GBP252,678,000 (2021: GBP237,228,000).

 
                                                               2022      2021 
                                                            GBP'000   GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 First quarterly dividend of 4.5p (2021: 4.8p)                4,396     4,537 
 Second quarterly dividend of 4.2p (2021: 4.9p)               4,103     4,690 
 Third quarterly dividend of 4.1p (2021: 5.0p)                3,998     4,869 
 Fourth quarterly dividend declared of 3.7p (2021: 4.6p)      3,569     4,494 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total dividends for Section 1158 purposes                   16,066    18,590 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

The aggregate of the distributable reserves after the payment of the final dividend will amount to GBP249,110,000 (2021: GBP232,733,000).

   4.       Net asset value per share 
 
                                     2022         2021 
---------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Net assets (GBP'000)             358,560      450,200 
 Number of shares in issue     96,756,268   97,725,197 
---------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 Net asset value per share         370.6p       460.7p 
---------------------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
   5.       Status of results announcement 

2022 Financial Information

The figures and financial information for 2022 are extracted from the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2022 and do not constitute the statutory accounts for the year. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2021 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 Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2022 will be delivered to the Register of Companies in due course.

2021 Financial Information

The figures and financial information for 2021 are extracted from the published Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2021 and do not constitute the statutory accounts for that year. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2021 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.

15th December 2022

For further information:

Alison Vincent

JPMorgan Funds Limited

020 7742 4000

ENDS

A copy of the 2021 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 2021 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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