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
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