Statement re HVPE 2011 Annual Report and Audite...

26 May 2011 HARBOURVEST GLOBAL PRIVATE EQUITY GROWS ECONOMIC NET ASSET VALUE 18.4% OVER THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2011 * Economic NAV of $10.24 per share or $849.7 million at 31 January 2011 * Net positive cashflows of $10.6 million during the financial year * Pending sale of Nycomed, HVPE's largest underlying holding, expected to increase estimated Economic NAV by $0.16 per share HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited ("HVPE"), a closed-end investment company listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the Specialist Fund Market of the London Stock Exchange, today announces its audited results for the financial year ended 31 January 2011 and the publication of its Annual Report and Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, showing that its Economic net asset value ("Economic NAV") rose by 18.4% over the year. As at 31 January 2011, HVPE's Economic NAV was U.S.$849.7 million, or U.S.$10.24 per share. This represents an increase of U.S.$1.59 per share over the financial year from 31 January 2010 (U.S.$8.65) and a significant milestone for HVPE as Economic NAV per share exceeded its December 2007 IPO level of U.S.$10.00. Of the U.S.$1.59 increase in Economic NAV per share, U.S.$1.14 resulted from HarbourVest U.S. fund-of-funds, U.S.$0.40 from HarbourVest international fund- of-funds, U.S.$0.19 from HarbourVest direct funds, and U.S.$0.15 from the global secondary fund.  Unrealised foreign currency losses decreased NAV by U.S.$0.02 per share, and operating expenses (including U.S.$0.02 of expense related to the 2010 Liquidity Plan) reduced NAV by U.S.$0.27 per share. Portfolio highlights as at 31 January 2011 include: * HVPE's portfolio included commitments to 24 HarbourVest funds at various stages of development. * HVPE had 58% of NAV invested in primary partnerships, 23% of NAV in secondary investments, and 19% of NAV in direct investments. * HVPE's portfolio was invested 65% in the U.S., 28% in Europe, and 7% in Asia Pacific and the rest of the world. * The Company's portfolio was invested 61% in buyouts, 34% in venture, and 5% in other strategies. * Reflecting HVPE's portfolio diversification strategy, no single company represented more than 2% of NAV, and the top 25 companies represented approximately 19% of NAV. * During the financial year, HVPE invested £10.0 million in HarbourVest Senior Loans Europe (HSLE) and committed U.S.$50.0 million to HarbourVest Partners IX Programme, a U.S. fund-of-funds. * The HarbourVest funds in the portfolio committed U.S.$158.0 million to primary, secondary, and direct investments during the financial year. * The Company's top 50 venture-backed companies by investment value at 31 January 2011 included Facebook, Greendot, Groupon, HomeAway, and Twitter. * HVPE also had exposure to Skype Technologies, which announced its acquisition by Microsoft Corporation in May 2011 at a significant multiple over cost. * HVPE had exposure to a total of 385 IPOs or M&A events within its underlying portfolio of companies during the financial year.  More than half of the IPO and M&A totals by number represented liquidity events for companies in its venture portfolio. Commitments and balance sheet highlights as at 31 January 2011 include: * Distributions received from HarbourVest funds increased 165% from the prior financial year to U.S.$137.2 million. * Capital calls increased 72% from the prior financial year to U.S.$126.6 million. * Net positive cash flows of U.S.$10.6 million represented an improvement from prior financial year outflows of U.S.$22.0 million. * HVPE was 109% invested, which was unchanged from 31 January 2010. * Total outstanding unfunded commitments were U.S.$543.5 million at 31 January 2011, down U.S.$79.5 million from U.S.$623.0 million at 31 January 2010, despite U.S.$50.0 million of new commitments over the year. * Net debt of U.S.$77.0 million at 31 January 2011 represented a Net Leverage Ratio of 9.1%, largely unchanged since the prior year end. * As at 31 January 2011, HVPE had a maximum amount available to be drawn down from its U.S.$500 million credit facility of U.S.$409.0 million, compared to U.S.$389.0 million at 31 January 2010, based on the facility's most restrictive covenants. * HVPE's Commitment Coverage Ratio (coverage of total unfunded commitments) increased from 64% at 31 January 2010 to 78% at 31 January 2011; and its coverage of allocated commitments increased from 89% at 31 January 2010 to 110% at 31 January 2011. The Company's Annual Report and Audited Consolidated Financial Statements provide further detail on: * Diversification by NAV * Largest managers based on NAV * Largest underlying company investments * Publicly-listed holdings * Currency exposure * Post financial year end events Trading and Liquidity In May 2010, HVPE initiated a Liquidity Plan, which involved listing the Company on the Specialist Fund Market of the London Stock Exchange; a Secondary Placing of 4.8 million existing shares at U.S.$5.75 per share; and the issuance of 6.9 million Put Rights to purchasers of the shares in the Secondary Placing (and thereafter in the market).  Subsequent to implementing the Liquidity Plan, the Company has made significant progress in enhancing trading liquidity, with an annualised share turnover rate of over 10% for the period following the Secondary Placing through to 30 April 2011. During the period from 1 February 2010 to 31 January 2011, the Company's share price increased 20% to U.S.$6.00 per share.  Subsequent to the financial year end, HVPE's share price has increased 17% to U.S.$7.00 at 25 May 2011. Recent Events Subsequent to Financial Year End Pending Sale of Nycomed On 19 May 2011, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company announced its intention to acquire Nycomed, HVPE's largest underlying company at 31 January 2011, for €9.6 billion.  HVPE holds Nycomed directly via an international direct fund and indirectly via primary and secondary partnership positions for a total of 1.95% of 31 January 2011 NAV.  The transaction, which is expected to close in September 2011, should result in an increase of U.S.$0.16 in HVPE's estimated Economic NAV per share from 30 April 2011 and in distributions of more than U.S.$30 million. Share Buyback Programme In March 2011, HVPE announced a Share Buyback Programme with the objective of decreasing the discount to NAV at which the Company's shares are currently trading.  At current discounts to NAV, the programme represents an attractive opportunity to invest in the existing HVPE portfolio in a manner that is immediately accretive to NAV per share.  Additionally, to the extent that pricing gaps exist between third party buyers and sellers, the buyback programme enables the Company to enhance liquidity by demonstrating pricing to the market. Participation in Public Tender for Absolute Private Equity, Ltd. Also, subsequent to the financial year end, in April 2011, HarbourVest announced that HarbourVest-managed secondary funds, together with HVPE, will, through an acquisition vehicle, make a public offer for all bearer shares of Absolute Private Equity, Ltd. ("Absolute").  Absolute, an investment company incorporated in Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, primarily invests across various sectors of the private equity market.  The tender offer is for U.S.$17.25 cash per Absolute share and is subject to a minimum acceptance level of 50.01% and other customary conditions.  At a 100% acceptance level, the transaction values Absolute at U.S.$752 million.  HVPE's direct commitment to the transaction is expected to be 10% of the purchase price, which would represent an investment of U.S.$38 million to U.S.$75 million, depending on the results of the tender offer.  Absolute's Board of Directors supports the offer and intends in its formal report to recommend that its shareholders accept the offer. Resignation of HVPE CFO On 11 May 2011, HVPE announced that CFO Steve Belgrad had resigned from the Investment Manager effective 31 May 2011, to take a senior position in the asset management sector.  The Investment Manager and the Board of Directors are evaluating suitable candidates to replace Mr. Belgrad. Conference Call Today HVPE will host a conference call and webcast reviewing the Company and these results for investors and analysts today, Thursday 26 May 2011, at the following time: 11.00 Boston / 16.00 London and Guernsey / 17.00 Amsterdam The webcast and accompanying presentation materials will be accessible through links on HVPE's web site. The webcast (with audio) will be accessible directly at http://www-waa- akam.thomson- webcast.net/us/dispatching/?event_id=934156f7a5915ad59e6e1af1fa0a8544&portal_id= 0c66e69ef9b989911a5afc8d53d3a249. The webcast (via telephone) will be accessible directly at http://www-waa- akam.thomson- webcast.net/us/dispatching/?event_id=934156f7a5915ad59e6e1af1fa0a8544&portal_id= 29d1fc34a82751bc4c865d18b040661f. The conference call will be accessible via the following numbers: 0808 234 7616 (U.K./Europe toll-free) +44 (0)20 7365 8426 (U.K. local) +1 617 213 8067 (International) 866 770 7129 (U.S. / Canada toll-free) The participant passcode is 61528147. The webcast will also be archived on the Shareholders section of HVPE's website. The Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 January 2011 will be available on HVPE's web site at: http://www.hvgpe.com/download/pdf/HVPE_2011_January_Annual_Report_FINAL.pdf. Enquiries: HarbourVest Laura Thaxter Tel: +1 (617) 348 3695 Fishburn Hedges Michelle James/Alastair Fairbrother Tel: +44 (0) 20 7839 4321 HVPE@fishburn-hedges.co.uk Notes to Editors: As previously disclosed, HVPE is now using Economic NAV as its primary reporting metric for its Monthly Updates and management analysis.  Economic NAV excludes the fair value of the liability arising as a result of the issue of the Put Rights as part of the Company's Liquidity Plan, and represents the most conservative outcome upon the maturity of the Put Rights.  The Company believes that this is the most appropriate measure of economic value to holders of the Shares.  The U.S. GAAP NAV reported in HVPE's Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at 31 January 2011 is U.S.$10.21 per share. About HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited: HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited ("HVPE") is a Guernsey-incorporated closed-end investment company which has a dual listing on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.  HVPE is registered as an investment institution with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets.  HVPE is designed to offer shareholders long-term capital appreciation by investing in a private equity portfolio diversified by geography, by stage of investment, by vintage year, and by industry.  It invests in and alongside HarbourVest-managed funds which focus on primary partnership commitments, secondary investments, and direct investments in operating companies.  HVPE is advised by HarbourVest Advisers L.P., an affiliate of HarbourVest Partners, LLC. About HarbourVest Partners, LLC: HarbourVest is an independent global private equity investment firm and an SEC registered investment advisor, providing vehicles for institutional investors to invest in the venture capital and buyout markets in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere through primary partnerships, secondary purchases, and direct investments. It was formed in 1982 and has committed more than U.S.$30 billion to investments over its 29-year history. It currently has 236 employees in its Boston office and London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo subsidiaries. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in any jurisdiction and should not be relied upon in connection with any decision to subscribe for or acquire any Shares.  In particular, this announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States or to US Persons (as defined in Regulations under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("US Persons")).  Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken, released, published or distributed, directly or indirectly to US Persons or in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions), Canada, Australia or Japan, or any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Accordingly, recipients represent that they are able to receive this announcement without contravention of any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions in the jurisdiction in which they reside or conduct business. No recipient may distribute, or make available, this announcement (directly or indirectly) to any other person. Recipients of this announcement should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal requirements in their jurisdictions. The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and, accordingly, may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to US Persons.  In addition, the Company is not registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and shareholders of the Company will not have the protections of that act.  There will be no public offer of the Shares in the United States or to US Persons. This announcement has been prepared by the Company and its investment manager, HarbourVest Advisers L.P. (the "Investment Manager"). No liability whatsoever (whether in negligence or otherwise) arising directly or indirectly from the use of this announcement is accepted and no representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is or will be made by the Company, the Investment Manager or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, representatives or other agents ("Agents") for any information or any of the opinions contained herein or for any errors, omissions or misstatements. None of the Investment Manager nor any of their respective Agents makes or has been authorised to make any representation or warranties (express or implied) in relation to the Company or as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of this announcement, or any other written or oral statement provided. In particular, no representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this announcement and nothing in this announcement is or should be relied on as a promise or representation as to the future. Other than as required by applicable laws, the Company gives no undertaking to update this announcement or any additional information, or to correct any inaccuracies in it which may become apparent and the distribution of this announcement. The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication and is subject to updating, revision and amendment. The contents of this announcement have not been approved by any competent regulatory or supervisory authority. This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward looking statements".  These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "projects", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "goal", "target", "aim", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should" or "continue" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the Company.  By their nature, forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may be beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.   More detailed information on the potential factors which could affect the financial results of the Company is contained in the Company's public filings and reports. HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited is registered with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets as a collective investment scheme which may offer participations in The Netherlands pursuant to article 2:66 of the Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht). All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in the past are no guarantee of future results. This announcement is issued by the Company, which is registered with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and whose registered address is at Anson Place, Mill Court, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1EJ. © 2011 HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited. All rights reserved. This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1519016]
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