Interim Management Statement

Queen's Walk Investment Limited 11 February 2008 11 February 2008 Queen's Walk Investment Limited (the 'Company') Interim Management Statement This interim management statement relates to the period from 1 October 2007 to 11 February 2008 and has been prepared solely in order to comply with the requirement (pursuant to the EU Transparency Directive as implemented by the Disclosure and Transparency Directive) for an interim management statement to be made by the Company no earlier than 10 October 2007 and no later than 18 February 2008. The Company is currently in the process of preparing its quarterly report for the period ended 31 December 2007 and this is expected to be released in early March 2008. The Company wishes to make clear that unless otherwise noted, the financial information provided in this interim management statement (and the asset valuations underlying that financial information) are as at 30 September 2007 and that such financial information (and underlying valuations) will be stated as at a more recent date in the Company's forthcoming quarterly report. Performance Summary The current credit crisis, which began with the US sub-prime mortgage market, has been continuing for more than seven months now. As at 31 December 2007, the credit crisis has not had a material impact on the cash flow performance of the Company's assets. Cash flows from the Company's investment portfolio exceeded €20 million per quarter for the three quarters ending 31 December 2007. As at 30 September 2007, the company's NAV was €6.90 per share down from a NAV of €7.24 per share as at 31 March 2007. This reduction in NAV has predominantly been a result of write downs to the Company's US related investments. As at 30 September 2007, the direct and indirect exposure to the US sub-prime mortgage sector was 2.3% of the Company's gross asset value. On 16 July 2007, the Company replaced its short term financing with a 4 year €135 million term financing facility. The financing facility has provided the Company with a stable financing solution as it eliminates the liquidity risk of short-term borrowings. The net leverage ratio as at 30 September 2007 was 8.6% (after taking into account cash balances allocated to settle the tender offer and the Company's dividend). Since 18 July 2007, the Company has returned in excess of €40 million of capital to shareholders using a combination of share buyback and tender offers. The Company's first tender offer for €20 million of the outstanding Ordinary Shares was approved by shareholders on 8 October 2007. The Company's most recent tender offer, which was approved by shareholders on 8 January 2008, purchased €15 million of shares at a strike price of €5.40 per share. The Company has also an active programme of share buy backs underway and has purchased in excess of €6.5 million of Ordinary Shares. At present, the discount in the share price to the 30 September 2007 NAV, is an opportunity for the Company to buy back shares and add value for existing shareholders. Investment Portfolio The tables below summarise the Company's investment portfolio as at 30 September 2007. Portfolio Composition by Jurisdiction as at 30 September 2007* Germany 13.7% Italy 9.3% Portugal 27.6% UK 39.7% US 1.1% Holland 5.3% CDO 3.3% * By reference to underlying asset jurisdiction. Figures stated as a percentage of the fair value of the Company's residual investments including accrued interest. Portfolio Composition by Asset Type as at 30 September 2007* SME 18.9% Prime 38.8% NearPrime 19.7% SubPrime 19.2% CDO 3.3% * By reference to underlying asset collateral. Figures stated as a percentage of the fair value of the Company's residual investments including accrued interest. As at 13 February 2008, the securitisations to which the Company has exposure through its investment portfolio were: Issuer Description of Underlying Assets Alba 2005-1 plc UK non-conforming and buy-to-let residential mortgages Alba 2006-1 plc UK non-conforming residential mortgages, primarily first-ranking Amstel Corporate Loan Offering BV Middle market corporate loans 2006-1 Cheyne ABS Investments I plc Investment grade ABS CDOs and total return swaps referencing ABS CDOs with exposure to the US sub-prime mortgage market Cheyne CLO Investments I Limited Investment grade CLOs Cheyne High Grade ABS CDO, Ltd Investment grade ABS CDOs with exposure to the US sub-prime mortgage market Earls Eight Limited (Tranche 312B) SME loans Eirles Three Limited (Tranche SME loans 227B) Eirles Three Limited (Tranche SME loans 236B) Eurosail 2006-1 plc UK non-conforming and buy-to-let residential mortgages Lusitano Mortgages No. 1 plc First-ranking, fully amortising Portuguese residential mortgages Lusitano Mortgages No. 2 plc First-ranking, fully amortising Portuguese residential mortgages Lusitano Mortgages No. 3 plc First-ranking, fully amortising Portuguese residential mortgages Magellan Mortgages No. 1 plc First ranking, fully amortising Portuguese residential mortgages Magellan Mortgages No. 2 plc First ranking mortgage rights (or second-ranking where first-ranking is also transferred) Portuguese residential mortgages Newgate Funding plc UK non-conforming residential mortgages, primarily first-ranking RASC Series 2006-KS2 Trust US Sub-prime residential mortgages, primarily first-ranking RMAC 2004-NSP4 plc UK non-conforming residential mortgages, primarily first-ranking RMAC 2005 NS3 plc UK non-conforming residential mortgages, primarily first-ranking RMAC 2005 NS4 plc UK non-conforming residential mortgages, primarily first-ranking Sestante Finance S.R.L. First-ranking prime Italian residential mortgages The Company has not bought or sold any assets in its Investment Portfolio in the period from 1 October 2007 to 11 February 2008. In October 2007, the Company purchased €28 million notional of two year put options struck against 90% of the September 2007 value of the Halifax UK house price index. The hedge is currently in the money as UK house prices have fallen in the last four months. This hedge is intended to minimise portfolio losses in the event that house prices give up the gains that have occurred since early 2006. Market Outlook The credit dislocation which began in the US sub-prime mortgage market in early 2007, now affects large parts of the credit markets in the US and Europe. In the UK, the non-conforming mortgage securitisation markets have stalled as investors remain concerned over weakness in the UK housing market, the appropriateness of rating agency models and the potential volatility in the prices of RMBS bonds over the coming months. Compounded with a reduction in the availability of mortgage credit from commercial banks, UK house prices have begun to soften and growth is likely to weaken further in 2008 and 2009. The Company has hedged itself against a significant downturn in house prices. With respect to the European mortgages, pre-payment rates have increased as expected as national governments try to promote more liquid mortgage markets. To date, the credit crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage market has not affected the prepayment or default rates though there are broader signals that European banks have also reduced the availability of mortgage credit in the past few months. The Company remains sanguine about the outlook over the coming months. Credit markets are unlikely to return to normality within the short term as the financial system continues to de-lever. There remains the potential of a material slowdown in economic growth in the UK and Europe. These risks should be mitigated by interest rate cuts that should provide stimulus to consumer spending and the housing markets. For further information please contact: Investor Relations: Caroline Villiers +44 (0) 20 7153 1521 About the Company: Queen's Walk Investment Limited is a Guernsey-incorporated investment company listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Company invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of subordinated tranches of asset backed securities, including the unrated 'equity' or 'first loss' residual income positions typically retained by the banks or other financial institutions which have originated the loan assets that collateralise a securitisation transaction. The Company makes such investments where its investment manager, Cheyne Capital Management (UK) LLP, considers the coupon or cash flows from the investment to be attractive relative to the credit exposure of the underlying asset collateral. The Company believes that its investment focus provides equity investors with exposure to a relatively new investment opportunity in this asset class. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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