Interim Results

Progressive Euro Alt. Portfolio Ltd 20 May 2004 PROGRESSIVE EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVE PORTFOLIO LIMITED Announcement of Interim Results for the six months to 31 March 2004 KEY FEATURES Investment objectives The Company's objectives are to achieve: • positive annual returns in all market conditions; and • significantly higher returns than the composite European equity market* over the medium term, with less variability of returns. * as measured by the FTSE Eurotop 300 Index in Euros. The Company invests, directly or indirectly, in a portfolio of hedge funds predominantly focused on European Equity Securities. STATISTICS At 31 Mar 2004 At launch Net asset value ('NAV') per share 103.52p 97.21p* Share price 99.00p 100.00p * after share issue expenses PERFORMANCE Six months to 31 Since launch* March 2004 FTSE Eurotop 300 Index in Euros 14.90% 18.19% Progressive European Alternative Portfolio • NAV per share +4.25% +6.49% • Share price +0.51% -1.00% * NAV at launch was 97.21p after share issue expenses and share price was 100p. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT I am pleased to present my second interim report to the shareholders of Progressive European Alternative Portfolio Limited. This interim commentary covers the six month period to 31 March 2004. During the period the Company achieved its objective of producing absolute gains, irrespective of the direction of the underlying European stock markets, with less volatility of returns. The portfolio is currently invested in a selection of hedge funds focused predominately on European equity securities and remains well within all investment restrictions and criteria. Performance and Current Status The UK and Continental European markets were stable during the period and European hedge funds produced a good set of results, albeit behind the comparable equity markets. Performance relative to the markets improved as managers drew back from their previous cautious approach and gross and net exposures were consequently higher. The result for the period was pleasing, with good absolute performance and a very low level of volatility in the net asset value ('NAV') per share. The Company's NAV of GBP15.8 million at launch after share issue expenses had risen to GBP16.9 million at 31 March 2004. This represents an increase of 4.25% from the 99.30p NAV at the end of the 2003 financial year to 103.52p per share at the end of the period. Outlook Over the next few months the euro-zone will change beyond all recognition. Ten new member states have joined the European Union and the opportunities thrown up will be many, although the main benefits will of course be for those countries prepared to be proactive in seeking growth. The green shoots of growth are still weak, but, with Europe uniting peacefully, there is some hope for long-term prosperity in the area. The debate about supply side shocks will rage for some time, but it is inevitable that at the very least these changes will open new doors for investing in Europe. This fundamental rebalancing will create considerable opportunities as performance differentials between individual equities increase. The potential for value-enhancing corporate restructurings will also increase the wave of merger and acquisition activity across all sectors. Long-only funds can exploit only the winners, while hedge funds, through their ability to go both long and short of shares, can take advantage of the price movements and trends of all companies. PEAPL will continue to invest in well-managed hedge funds, which have strong risk control mechanisms in place. Given the current, more stable environment and the current higher overall gross exposure of the fund, the directors believe that the portfolio will produce good absolute returns in the coming months. Christopher Clark 20 May 2004 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN (incorporating the profit and loss account*) Six months Six months Six months 9 Jul 2002 9 Jul 2002 9 Jul 2002 to 31 Mar to 31 Mar to 31 Mar to 31 Mar to 31 Mar to 31 Mar 2004 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Gains on investments - 454 454 - 401 401 Capital gains / (losses) on currency movements - 450 450 - (310) (310) Net gains - 904 904 - 91 91 Income - bank interest 6 - 6 20 - 20 Investment management fee - (122) (122) - (56) (56) Other expenses (100) - (100) (58) - (58) Total return for period (94) 782 688 (38) 35 (3) Return per redeemable (0.58)p 4.80p 4.22p (0.23)p 0.21p (0.02)p preference share *The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company. All capital and revenue items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period. Return per redeemable preference share is based on 16,300,000 redeemable preference shares in issue throughout the period. SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEET At 31 March At 31 March At 30 Sept 2004 2003 2003 £'000 £'000 £'000 Fixed assets - Investments at market value 15,729 14,742 15,582 Current assets 1,435 1,215 709 Current liabilities (289) (115) (104) Net current assets 1,146 1,100 605 Total net assets 16,875 15,842 16,187 Share capital 163 163 163 Share premium 7,614 15,682 7,614 Share purchase reserve 8,069 - 8,069 Capital reserves 1,271 35 489 Revenue reserve (242) (38) (148) Equity shareholders' funds 16,875 15,842 16,187 Net asset value per redeemable preference 103.52p 97.19p 99.30p share Number of redeemable preference shares in 16,300,000 16,300,000 16,300,000 issue CASH FLOW STATEMENT Six months to 9 July 2002 31 March 2004 to 31 March 2003 £'000 £'000 Operating activities Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 258 (341) Financial investment Payments to acquire fixed asset investments (1,877) (15,190) Receipts on disposal of fixed asset investments 2,361 886 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 484 (14,304) Financing Issue of redeemable preference share capital - 16,300 Share issue expenses - (455) Net cash inflow from financing - 15,845 Increase in cash 742 1,200 NOTES The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated and resident in Guernsey. The Company's investments are in hedge funds which may be denominated in or exposed to either Euros or US dollars. The Company uses foreign exchange forward currency contracts to seek to ensure that its net exposure to currencies other than sterling does not at any time exceed 15 per cent. of the Company's net assets. This report has been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards and with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies' as it is considered best practice to do so, although the Company, as an overseas company, does not meet all the criteria set out in the SORP. The Company is not an investment trust. These financial statements are not the Company's statutory accounts. They are unaudited. The interim report will be sent to shareholders and copies will be made available to the public at the registered office of the Company and at the address of the UK Administration Agent. The Company was incorporated on 9 July 2002. Business operations commenced on 19 December 2002. SECRETARY, ADMINISTRATOR & REGISTERED OFFICE Legis Corporate Services Limited 1 Le Marchant Street St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4HP UK ADMINISTRATION AGENT Cavendish Administration Limited Crusader House 145-157 St John Street London EC1V 4RU This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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