**Summary of Aberdeen Asia Focus PLCs Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended 31 July 2025**
**Overview**
Aberdeen Asia Focus PLC (formerly abrdn Asia Focus plc) reported strong full-year results for the period ended 31 July 2025, marking its 30th anniversary and entry into the FTSE 250 Index in June 2025. The company, which invests in a diversified portfolio of smaller Asian companies with strong growth prospects, delivered robust performance despite market volatility.
**Key Financial Highlights**
**Net Assets**Increased to £558.6 million from £502.3 million in 2024.
**NAV Total Return**+20.3% (vs. +7.9% in 2024).
**Share Price Total Return**+26.6% (vs. +8.8% in 2024).
**Benchmark Performance**MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index returned +7.6%.
**Dividends**Four interim dividends declared, totaling 6.43p per share (yield of 1.8% based on a share price of 363p).
**FTSE 250 Entry**Joined the FTSE 250 in June 2025.
**Portfolio Performance**
The companys outperformance was driven by strong stock selection, particularly in holdings like
**Precision Tsugami China**Benefited from earnings improvements and robotics/AI orders.
**Choma ATE and Taiwan Union Technology**: Share prices rose 90.8% and 56.5%, respectively, in the technology sector.
**Bharti Hexacom (India)**Demonstrated strong earnings defensiveness and revenue growth.
**Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hyundai Marine Solution (South Korea)**: Performed well due to a robust sector outlook.
**Strategic Initiatives**
**Gearing**Net gearing stood at 10.2% (vs. 10.4% in 2024) after refinancing activities.
**Share Buybacks**Bought back 17.9 million shares (11.6% of issued capital) to enhance liquidity and limit share price volatility, reducing the discount to NAV to 10.1% from 14.3%.
**Cost Management**Ongoing charges ratio remained low at 0.91% (vs. 0.89% in 2024).
**Long-Term Performance**
Since inception in 1995, the company has delivered a NAV total return of +2995.6%, equivalent to an annualised return of 12.2%, significantly outpacing the benchmarks 5.1% annualised return.
**Chairs Statement**
Krishna Shanmuganathan highlighted the companys unique approach to portfolio composition, focusing on under-researched smaller Asian companies with strong structural growth drivers. The companys long-term outperformance reflects its ability to identify "hidden gems" in a region with resilient growth drivers like urbanisation, digitalisation, and the green transition.
**Investment Managers Review**
The manager emphasized the portfolios resilience in a volatile environment, driven by exposure to Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. Key holdings like Precision Tsugami China, NetEase Cloud Music, and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering contributed significantly to performance. The manager also highlighted new investments in companies like Classys (South Korea) and Capitaland India Trust, aligning with secular growth trends.
**Outlook**
The company remains confident in the long-term prospects of Asian smaller companies, which are less correlated to global indexes and more aligned with domestic consumption and innovation. The managers on-the-ground presence and focus on quality businesses position the company well to continue delivering sustainable returns.
**Corporate Governance and Sustainability**
The company maintained high standards of corporate governance, with a diverse board (50% female directors) and compliance with the UK Stewardship Code. It also continued to integrate ESG considerations into its investment process.
**Conclusion**
Aberdeen Asia Focus PLC demonstrated strong financial and operational performance in FY 2025, underpinned by its strategic focus on smaller Asian companies and disciplined investment approach. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on Asias long-term growth drivers, offering investors a differentiated and compelling investment proposition.