Business & Finance
Business and Finance
Business and Finance
Thu, July 15, 2010 The Korea Fund, Inc. Announces Interim Results of Share Repurchase Program
NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Korea Fund, Inc. (the aFunda) (NYSE: KF) has announced interim results of the Funda™s share repurchase program. The program allows the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of February 22, 2010. Fund shares are repurchased at a discount to net asset value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors and its Discount Management Committee. The share repurchase program has no time limit.
As of Friday, July 9, 2010, approximately 240,464 shares have been repurchased by the Fund and the number of outstanding shares as of that date is 10,205,577. Based on 10,446,041 shares outstanding on February 22, 2010, the program will continue until approximately 522,302 shares are repurchased or the Discount Management Committee elects to modify, terminate or suspend the program.
The share repurchase program is intended to enhance shareholder value, as repurchases made at a discount have the effect of increasing the net asset value per share of the Funda™s remaining shares. As of July 9, 2010, net asset value per share has increased $0.098 as a result of share repurchases by the Fund (i.e. the sum of the effect on NAV measured each day shares were repurchased). Had theportion ofFund assets used to makeshare repurchases been fully invested, such investments may have resulted in capital appreciation/depreciation or gain/loss for the Fund.
As stated within a press release dated March 1, 2010, subject to the procedures approved by the Board and its Discount Management Committee, the timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by the Chairman of the Discount Management Committee and RCM Capital Management LLC, the Fund's investment manager, based on their evaluation of market conditions and other factors. There is no assurance that the Fund will purchase shares at any particular discount levels or in any particular amounts. Under certain conditions, regulatory requirements and other legal considerations may limit the Funda™s ability to repurchase shares. There is no assurance that the market price of the Funda™s shares, either absolutely or relative to net asset value, will increase as a result of any share repurchases. These repurchases may be commenced or suspended at any time or from time to time without prior notice. The Funda™s repurchase activity will be disclosed in its shareholder reports for the relevant fiscal periods.
The Korea Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing primarily in equity securities trading on the Korean stock exchanges. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol aKF.a
RCM Capital Management LLC and RCM Asia Pacific Limited are the Funda™s investment manager and sub-adviser, respectively. Investment in closed-end funds involves risks. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuation, government regulations, economic changes and differences in liquidity, which may increase the volatility of your investment. Foreign security markets generally exhibit greater price volatility and are less liquid than the U.S. market. Additionally, this Fund focuses its investments in certain geographical regions, thereby increasing its vulnerability to developments in that region. All of these factors potentially subject the Funda™s shares to greater price volatility. The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. Closed-end funds trade on their market value, not net asset value, and closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value.
The Funda™s daily New York Stock Exchange closing price and net asset value per share, as well as other information, including updated portfolio statistics and performance are available at [ www.thekoreafund.com ] or by calling the Funda™s shareholder servicing agent at (800) 254-5197.
Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties and are forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Funda™s performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability to attract or retain key employees, inability to implement its operating strategy and/or acquisition strategy, and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations.
This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares of the Fund or a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of Fund shares.
Fund shares are not FDIC-insured and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any bank. Fund shares involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal.
