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Schroder AsiaPacific Fund PLC on Thursday reported a ‘strong performance’ for its latest 12 months, and announced that Nicky Richards will become its chair following the annual general meeting. The Asia-focused investment fund reported a plus 15.7% net asset value total return for the year ended September 30, behind the 16.5% return it delivered for the previous year. Additionally, the firm in financial 2025 underperformed against its benchmark, the MSCI All Countries Asia ex Japan Index, which reported a positive 16.8% total return against the prior year’s 17.3%. Schroder AsiaPacific said its NAV per share as of September 30 was 711.01 pence, up 13% from 627.02p one year prior. Shares in Schroder AsiaPacific were 0.1% lower at 656.23p each on Thursday in London. The firm also noted its annualised plus 11.5% total return over the last ten years, which did surpass the benchmark’s return of plus 9.8%. Additionally, Schroder AsiaPacific declared a 13.00p per share final dividend for the year, up 4.0% on-year from 12.50p for the year before. ‘It is worth noting from a macro perspective that, unlike western nations, most Asian nations have healthy sovereign balance sheets and sustainable and responsible fiscal policies,’ commented Chair James Williams. ‘This is a strong and encouraging background position.’ However, he noted: ‘Asian markets experienced a volatile period of performance over the year. This reflected ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainty and differences in monetary policy across the region. The strongest returns for the year came from Singapore, China, Taiwan and Korea.’ Williams, who is stepping down following the AGM on January 29 after serving his agreed-upon five years in the role, also announced that Nicky Richards will become Schroder AsiaPacific’s new chair on the same date. Richards is currently a non-executive director, having joined Schroder AsiaPacific back in January. She is also an independent non-executive at mutual life, pensions and investment company Royal London. Going forward, Williams said that Asian markets ‘have shown resilience despite heightened US trade tensions and increased tariffs,’ and that various factors like increasing incomes ‘should create enduring opportunities for patient, long-term investors’. ‘We continue to believe that the Company is well-placed to participate in the exciting prospects for returns produced by Asia and its dynamic companies over the long term,’ he added. Moreover, Schroder AsiaPacific announced plans to introduce a conditional tender offer, if its total return fails to outperform the benchmark over the next five financial years. The tender offer would enable shareholders to tender up to 25% of its NAV at the same price as the NAV, excluding costs. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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