20th Sep 2007 07:01
Alpha Pyrenees Trust Limited20 September 2007 20 September 2007 ALPHA PYRENEES TRUST LIMITED("ALPHA PYRENEES" OR THE "TRUST" OR THE "COMPANY") ALPHA PYRENEES POSTS INTERIM RESULTS INTERIM DIVIDEND UP 20 PER CENT TO 3p PER SHARE DIVIDEND EXPECTED TO RISE TO 7p IN 2008 NET ASSET VALUE UP 6.8 PER CENT TO 97.8 PENCE Alpha Pyrenees, the property company investing in commercial real estate inFrance and Spain, today posts its interim results covering the period from 1January 2007 to 30 June 2007. The Trust announced an adjusted profit after interest and tax of £3.2 millionand a dividend of 3.0p per share for the period. Highlights of the period to 30 June 2007 include: • Dividend of 3p for the six months to 30 June 2007 (up 20%) • Intention to increase dividend to 7p per share in respect of the year to 31 December 2008 • Dividends to be paid quarterly from quarter 3 2007 • Portfolio increased in value by £9.4m on a like for like basis in the period • NAV (adjusted) up 6.8% to 97.8p • Total investment in the portfolio now £225m, representing over 230,000 square metres • Portfolio yielding 7.2% at valuation • 81% of portfolio income comes from Grade A tenants • Leases are subject to annual indexation • £108m of debt fixed at weighted average interest rate of 5.14% p.a. to 2015 Dick Kingston, Chairman of Alpha Pyrenees, commented: "The Trust is approaching 60% of its target asset portfolio and is wellpositioned to grow earnings and dividends through the acquisition of additionalproperties on yields significantly above the Trust's finance costs. Against thebackground of the acquisitions made to date, the Board is declaring a dividendof 3p per share in respect of the period to 30 June 2007. Thereafter the Trustwill move to dividends being paid quarterly and the Board's current intention isto recommend a dividend of not less than 1.5p per share for each of the quartersending 30 September 2007 and 31 December 2007 making an expected total dividendof at least 6p for the year to 31 December 2007. The Trust continues to makeprogress on further acquisitions and accordingly it is the Board's currentintention to recommend a dividend of not less than 7p in respect of the year to31 December 2008." The Investment Manager to Alpha Pyrenees is Alpha Real Capital LLP. For further information please contact: Dick Kingston, Chairman, Alpha Pyrenees - 01481 715601 Phillip Rose, CEO, Alpha Real Capital - 020 7591 1609 / 07771 880 318 Paul Cable, Fund Manager, Alpha Real Capital - 020 7591 1635 / 07715 168 910 Ed Orlebar, M: Communications - 020 7153 1541 NOTES: FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements which are inherentlysubject to risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events andtherefore actual results may differ materially from those expressed or impliedby such forward-looking statements. The statements regarding dividends forfuture periods are the Board's current intentions and do not represent a profitforecast. ABOUT ALPHA PYRENEES TRUST The Company is a Guernsey registered closed-ended investment company investingin French and Spanish commercial real estate. Investment Strategy The Company's strategy is to invest in a diversified portfolio of properties inFrance and Spain, focusing on commercial property in the industrial, logistics,office and retail sectors. Alpha Real Capital believes that there will becapital growth opportunities in the portfolio through income growth, activeasset management and yield compression. For more information on Alpha Pyrenees please visit www.alphapyreneestrust.com ABOUT ALPHA REAL CAPITAL Alpha Real Capital is a value-adding international property fund managementgroup with operations in both the French and Spanish real estate markets. Alpha Real Capital was established by Phillip Rose and Sir John Beckwith. Alpha Real Capital is the Investment Manager to Alpha Pyrenees Trust. Alpha RealCapital's European Funds Director, Paul Cable, is Fund Manager, Alpha Pyrenees Trust. For more information on Alpha Real Capital please visit www.alpharealcapital.com Alpha Pyrenees Trust Limited Interim results For the period 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2007 These are not the Company's statutory financial statements. Trust Summary and Objective Objective Alpha Pyrenees Trust Limited ("the Trust" or "the Company" or "Alpha Pyrenees")invests in commercial property in France and Spain with inflation-indexed rentsthat will provide an income return to investors as well as the potential forcapital growth. Listing The Trust is a closed-ended Guernsey registered investment company. Its shares are listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority andtraded on the London Stock Exchange. Capital structure The Trust has issued share capital of 127.5 million ordinary shares. The group'sacquisitions are financed by this equity and bank debt. It is currentlyanticipated that the gearing level will be around 75% of the cost of theportfolio once fully invested. Management The Trust's Investment Manager is Alpha Real Capital LLP ("the InvestmentManager"). Control of the Trust rests with the non-executive Guernsey-basedBoard of Directors. ISA/PEP/SIPP status The Trust's shares are eligible for both Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs),Personal Equity Plans (PEPs) and Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Financial Highlights Period Period % Change 1 January 2007 1 July 2006 to to 30 June 2007 31 December 2006 Net asset value (adjusted)* (£'000) 124,680 116,750 +6.8%Net asset value per ordinary share (adjusted)* 97.8p 91.6p +6.8%Dividend per share (proposed and paid) 3.0p 2.5p +20%Earnings per share (adjusted - basic & diluted)** 2.5p 2.0p +25% * The net asset value and net asset value per ordinary share have been adjustedfor the unrealised fair value mark-to-market revaluation of the currency hedgeand interest rate swap derivatives and deferred tax provisions; please see note12 to the accounts for a full analysis. ** The earnings per share has been adjusted for the effect of the unrealisedfair value mark-to-market revaluation of the currency hedge and interest rateswap derivatives and deferred tax provisions; please see note 5 to the accountsfor a full analysis. Chairman's Statement The Trust invests in higher-yielding properties in France and Spain, focusing oncommercial property in the industrial, logistics, office and retail sectors.Alpha Real Capital LLP is the Investment Manager to the Trust. The Trust's objective is to invest in properties that can provide shareholderswith a regular, secure dividend stream whilst also having the potential forcapital growth from a combination of rent increases (all of our leases aretypically indexed to increase in line with inflation), yield compression andactive management. The Trust seeks to diversify risk by investing in a geographic spread ofproperties across different property sectors with a variety of tenants. Investment activity I am pleased to be able to report that the Trust's investment programme hascontinued to be successfully implemented and with recent acquisitions theportfolio has grown to over 230,000 square metres (approximately 2.5 millionsquare feet) as shown in the table below. Further details of these acquisitionsare provided in the Property Review and the individual property profiles. The total cost of the portfolio to date including the Mulhouse and Aubervilliersproperties is approximately €335 million including all acquisition costs and thevaluation of these assets is currently approximately €337 million. Thestabilised rent roll of €24.3 million per annum will provide the Trust with anaverage yield of 7.2% at current valuation. I am pleased to note that many of the tenants in the Trust's properties are wellknown companies belonging to groups with strong covenants such as CreditLyonnais, Alcatel-Lucent, Novartis, Carrefour, Aldi, GlaxoSmithKline, La Poste,MediaMarkt, Saint Gobain, BNP Paribas and Vinci Group. Prime tenants alsoinclude government or quasi-government bodies and together the rent from suchtenants accounts for 81% of the Trust's income. The Trust's pipeline of potential property acquisitions continues to be healthyand we currently have a number of properties undergoing active due diligence. Portfolio SummaryCountry Property Sqm Description Status Valuation •mFrance Villarceaux-Nozay 77,180 Business park Completed 136.0France Aubervilliers 8,750 Offices Contracted 26.3France St Cyr L'Ecole 6,340 Offices Completed 18.5France Champs sur Marne 5,930 Offices Completed 17.9France Athis Mons 23,280 Logistics with offices Completed 14.2France Aubergenville 27,700 Logistics Completed 13.7France Mulhouse 5,250 Offices Completed* 12.1France Evreux 14,130 Logistics with offices Completed 12.0France Gennevilliers 3,330 Offices with light industrial Completed 11.0France Nimes 3,100 Offices and retail Completed 8.7France Ivry-sur-Seine 7,420 Warehouse and offices Completed 8.0France Vitry-sur-Seine 5,180 Warehouse and offices Completed 6.6France Fresnes 6,540 Warehouse and offices Completed 6.6Spain Cordoba 16,880 Retail park Completed 23.4Spain Zaragoza 9,520 Warehouses Completed 8.1Spain Ecija 5,950 Shopping centre Completed 7.4Spain Alcala de Guadaira 5,700 Shopping centre Completed 6.2Total 232,180 336.7* Completed 5 July 2007 Results and dividend Results for the period show an adjusted profit after interest and tax of £3.2million or 2.5p per share. The adjusted net asset value per share is 97.8p, reflecting start up costs andproperty acquisition costs. Properties held at 30 June 2007 are shown in the balance sheet at an independentvaluation of £200.6 million. Against the background of the acquisitions made to date, the Board is declaringa dividend of 3p per share in respect of the period to 30 June 2007. Thisdividend will be payable to the shareholders on the register as of 26 September2007 and will be paid on 15 October 2007. Thereafter the Trust will move to dividends being paid quarterly and the Board'scurrent intention is to recommend a dividend of not less than 1.5p per share foreach of the quarters ending 30 September 2007 and 31 December 2007 making anexpected total dividend of at least 6p for the year to 31 December 2007. The Trust continues to make progress on further acquisitions and accordingly itis the Board's current intention to recommend a dividend of not less than 7p inrespect of the year to 31 December 2008. Finance The Trust has drawn down borrowings of €160.2 million as at 30 June 2007 underthe €364 million facility with Barclays Bank. Interest rates have been fixed ondrawn down loans to February 2015 at a weighted average rate of 5.14%. Currency hedge instruments are in place that significantly protects theconversion of the shareholders' original equity back to Sterling together withthe anticipated dividend on that equity. The hedges total €163 million and werefixed at an average rate of €1.49 to the pound. The Company has hedged its interest rate exposure on pipeline acquisitions byagreeing with Barclays Bank plc to fix the interest on €65million of future loandraw-downs made under the current loan facility this year; this agreementprovides a fixed rate of 5.55% on loans drawn-down under this arrangement. Market outlook We continue to see attractive opportunities for investing, particularly in theFrench property market. Generally, property market conditions remain favourablewith improving tenant demand, declining vacancy rates and increasing signs ofrental growth. Summary The factors underlying the Trust's investment strategy continue to offer astrong investment case: • higher yields are available on properties targeted by the Trust relativeto many other markets • the Trust's portfolio will provide a yield of 7.2% on current valuation • finance is available at rates which are typically well below investmentyields on our target properties • the Trust's €160.2m borrowings are fixed at an average of 5.14% to 2015 • potential exists for capital growth from a combination of rental growth,active asset management and yield compression • on a like for like basis the Trust's portfolio increased in value by€14.0m (£9.4m) during the period • tenant leases are typically inflation indexed, providing the opportunityfor year-on-year income growth. Dick KingstonChairman19 September 2007 Property review Investment highlights The Trust has completed or agreed seventeen acquisitions to date in France andSpain involving a cost of approximately €335 million including acquisitioncosts. The valuation of this portfolio as at 30 June 2007 showed a total ofapproximately €337 million demonstrating that all acquisition costs have beenmore than absorbed through increases in value. The Trust's portfolio willproduce an average yield on cost of 7.2% on a stabilised rent roll ofapproximately €24.3 million per annum. The Trust now owns over 230,000 square metres (approximately 2.5 million squarefeet) of commercial real estate and has continued its investment policy ofidentifying properties that are well let, well located and offer good value. Theaverage cost of the portfolio to date including all acquisition costs is €1,444per square metre (equivalent to £90 per square foot) and the average rent is€105 per square metre per annum (equivalent to £6.50 per square foot) and thisis for a portfolio that has 68% exposure to the French office and business parksector. Of the total property portfolio, 86% is invested in France and 14% in Spain interms of capital value. The Trust has achieved diversification across thesectors with 68% in offices and business park property, 21% in warehouses and11% in retail. It has also continued to achieve a significant geographicaldiversification with assets in Paris (Ile-de-France), Normandy, Nimes, Mulhouse,Seville, Cordoba and Zaragoza. The portfolio benefits from strong credit tenants with over 80% of itsstabilised rent roll secured by leases to Grade A tenants (large international/national companies or public sector) The portfolio also enjoys high levels of occupancy with rental income comprising95% of the potential total income and income from rental guarantees in excess ofeighteen months' duration comprising 4% of the potential total income. Portfolio review As reported in the Annual Report for the period to 31 December 2006 the Trusthad completed the acquisition of thirteen properties for a combined cost ofapproximately €270 million. Since that date the Trust has acquired or agreed toacquire a further four properties for a combined cost of approximately €65million and has increased its exposure to offices in the Ile-de-France and inthe French provinces. On 26 June 2007 the Trust completed the purchase of a modern office propertywith ancillary retail accommodation in Nimes, Southern France approximately 50kilometres north west of Montpellier. The property is located in an establishedmixed use area comprising office, retail and residential complexes approximatelyone kilometre south of the city centre and close to transportation links. The acquisition price was approximately €8.5 million for the 3,100 square metreproperty. The offices represent 2,900 square metres and are let to a governmentbody, the Conseil General du Gard on a lease expiring in 2013 with no breaks andthis accounts for 98% of the income. The retail space of 200 square metres islet to France Telecom on a lease expiring in 2014. The investment provides aninitial yield of 7.5%. On 29 June 2007 the Trust completed the purchase of a logistics warehouseinvestment close to Aubergenville, Ile-de-France. The property is located in anestablished industrial zone bordering the A13 motorway which links Paris, some40 kilometres to the east, with Normandy. The acquisition price was approximately €14 million for the 27,700 square metrebuilding which is fully income producing and tenants include Alloin, VHLogistique and CEPL Fleury occupying on standard French institutional leases.The investment provides an initial yield of 7.4%. On 5 July 2007 the Trust completed the acquisition of a modern office buildingin Mulhouse, in the Alsace region of Eastern France. Mulhouse is close to theGerman and Swiss borders, approximately 115 kilometres to the south ofStrasbourg.The property is located within a development zone about half akilometre south east of the city centre and close to transportation links. Theacquisition price was approximately €12.1 million for the 5,250 square metrebuilding in two phases and tenants include BNP Paribas and Societe d'Equipementde la Region Mulhousienne (the local development agency) on leases expiring in2014. The investment will provide a yield of 7%. On 16 July 2007 Alpha Pyrenees agreed the acquisition of a modern officebuilding in Aubervilliers, Ile-de-France.The property is located in the "Seine-Saint-Denis" department which adjoins Paris and is situated to the southof Aubervilliers in an urban development zone comprising residential, offices,light industrial and retail space. Transportation links are good with roadaccess via the A86 motorway and the boulevard Peripherique linking Paris toAubervilliers. The acquisition price is approximately €26 million for the 8,750square metre building which is fully income producing and has good qualitytenants on leases expiring in 2013. The investment will provide an initial yieldof 7%. Asset management continues to be a key focus. On 15 February 2007 the Trust acquired IPGL's 23% interest in the Alcatel-LucentBusiness Park and the property is now wholly owned by Alpha Pyrenees. During the period, excellent progress has been made on the refurbishment and newdevelopment works being carried out by Alcatel-Lucent. Refurbishment of theCopernic and Newton buildings was completed on programme and the properties werehanded over to the tenant on 27 June. We continue to monitor closely the development of the Huygens office buildingand car park and the new restaurant facility which are currently in line withthe original programme and are due to be handed over to the tenant before theend of the year. The deferred consideration of €14 million will be paid oncompletion of the new buildings. The rent will rise from its current level of approximately €8.5 million perannum to €9.6 million per annum on the earlier of the completion of the newbuildings or 1 January 2008. The rent will be subject to annual indexation andthe property is currently producing a rental yield of approximately 7.3% oncost. The cost of completion of the construction works is covered by bankguarantees and the deferred payment. At Ivry-sur-Seine, approximately 760 square metres of vacant space, that wascovered by a guarantee on purchase, has been let to an existing tenant,Distripaq, for expansion of their operations. At Connecta Retail Park in Cordoba the 4,550 square metre MediaMarkt anchorstore is trading strongly and is a major influence on the number of visitors andthe sales performance of the park. As a result of this, during the period avacant unit of 1,030 square metres within the ground floor of the cinemabuilding has been let to a furniture and household goods retailer, Hogaria,which trades in a number of locations close to other MediaMarkt stores. Inaddition VisionLab, a multiple optician with over one hundred stores, has takena 200 square metre unit at an improved rent replacing a weak tenant on theremaining frontage of the cinema building. Both of these lettings have added tothe rental income from the centre and there are now only 535 square metresavailable on the park and discussions are ongoing with a number of interestedparties for this space. At the Las Torres Shopping Centre in Ecija, two retail units totalling 190square metres have been let to local tenants thereby boosting rental income inthe centre. Strong attention continues to be given to ensuring service charges are spenteffectively, the annual level of property costs is controlled and additionalsources of income are identified.. Market overview France Despite a slight decrease in the rate of growth in GDP in France in the firsthalf of 2007, survey measures such as the EC Economic Sentiment Indicatorsuggest that growth will re-accelerate in the coming months. Industrial surveyssuggest that output growth is likely to continue at recent modest levels so thekey driver for growth is likely to continue to be robust consumer spending.Consumer confidence remains high and French unemployment rates have fallenmarkedly in the past year or so. The economy is likely to benefit in the medium term from the pro-businessreforms to be implemented by recently elected President Nicholas Sarkozy.Furthermore, the President is proposing to implement a fiscal boost through taxcuts implying higher disposable incomes and stronger consumer spending growthover the next eighteen months. GDP growth is forecast to be around 2.3% for 2007(2.2% in 2006) but may increase to around 2.5% in 2008. Paris attracts a wide range of office occupiers and remains one of Europe's mostdynamic office markets. During 2006 office take-up in the Paris Ile-de-Franceregion reached record levels of 2.9 million square metres against the backdropof two years of falling supply. Demand has continued to be strong with 690,000square metres rented in Paris in the first quarter of 2007 and with low vacancyrates of around 5% and moderate forecasts for office space completions over thenext three years the office market appears to offer the prospect of sustainedrental growth through this period. The Paris warehouse market benefits from its strategic location, populationconcentration and balanced supply and is likely to demonstrate modest rentalgrowth over the next three years. In many French regional office markets, service sector growth and increaseddemand for office space has been ongoing for a number of years and is driven bynational and regional companies and by public and semi-public sectororganisations. Spain The Spanish economy has continued to grow and GDP increased at an annualisedrate of 3.8% in the first half of 2007. The housing market has continued todecelerate over recent months with prices rising at their slowest rate since1998. However, unemployment continues to decrease and the Spanish economy isforecast to show GDP growth of 3.5% in 2007 (3.9% in 2006) still well above theEuro-zone forecast of 2.4%. Retailers are still benefiting from strong consumer confidence and as a resultoperator demand for units remains strong especially in the retail warehousesector. Rents in the industrial market continue to display the gentle upward trend ofrecent years. Outlook The Trust is seeing a continuing flow of investments including attractiveindividual asset acquisition opportunities, larger single lot investments andportfolio transactions. We are continuing to make progress on the investment programme and we lookforward to reporting on further acquisitions over the forthcoming months. Paul CableFor and on behalf of the Investment Manager 19 September 2007 Independent Review Report to Alpha Pyrenees Trust Limited Introduction We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financialstatements in the interim financial report for the period ended 30 June 2007which comprises the condensed balance sheet and the related condensed statementsof income, changes in equity and cash flows. We have read the other informationcontained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains anyapparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in thecondensed set of financial statements. Directors' Responsibilities The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by,the directors. As disclosed in note 2, the annual financial statements of thegroup are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.The condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financialreport has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union. Our Responsibility Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensedset of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review. Scope of Review We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on ReviewEngagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial InformationPerformed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the AuditingPractices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financialinformation consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible forfinancial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other reviewprocedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted inaccordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) andconsequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become awareof all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, wedo not express an audit opinion. Conclusion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believethat the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial reportfor the period 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2007 is not prepared, in all materialrespects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted bythe European Union. BDO Novus LimitedChartered Accountants PO Box 180 Elizabeth House Ruette BrayeSt Peter PortGuernsey GY1 3LL 19 September 2007 Condensed Consolidated Income Statement For the period 1 January 2007 For the period 15 November to 30 June 2007 2005 to 30 June 2006 Notes Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 RevenueGross rental income 6,138 - 6,138 327 - 327Other income 511 - 511 25 - 25Interest receivable 1,105 - 1,105 3,031 - 3,031Total income 7,754 - 7,754 3,383 - 3,383 ExpensesProperty costs (741) - (741) (90) - (90)Professional fees (240) - (240) (251) - (251)Investment Manager's fee (808) (346) (1,154) (690) (19) (709)Non executive directors' fees (55) - (55) (67) - (67)Other costs (146) - (146) (153) - (153)Total expenses (1,990) (346) (2,336) (1,251) (19) (1,270) Losses on foreign currency exchange (181) - (181) (4) - (4)Finance costs (2,366) - (2,366) (3) - (3)Unrealised loss on revaluation of currency hedge - (1,813) (1,813) - - -Unrealised profit on revaluation of investment - 8,313 8,313 - - -propertiesUnrealised profit on revaluation of interest rate - 2,756 2,756 - - -swaps Net profit (loss) before taxation 3,217 8,910 12,127 2,125 (19) 2,106 Taxation 3 - (2,640) (2,640) - - - Profit (loss) for the period 3,217 6,270 9,487 2,125 (19) 2,106 Earnings per share - basic & diluted 5 7.4 1.7 The total column of this statement represents the Group's income statement,prepared in accordance with IFRS. The revenue and capital columns are suppliedas supplementary information permitted under IFRS. All items in the abovestatement derive from continuing operations. The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Notes 30 June 31 December 2007 2006 £'000 £'000 Non-current assetsInvestment properties 6 200,595 176,509Finance lease receivable 350 368Property, plant and equipment 19 21Interest rate swaps 2,756 - 203,720 176,898 Current assetsTrade and other receivables 7 24,210 27,084Cash and cash equivalents 21,762 18,575 45,972 45,659 Total assets 249,692 222,557 Current liabilitiesTrade and other payables 8 (15,283) (17,922) Non-current liabilitiesInterest bearing bank loans 9 (105,573) (81,808)Rent deposits (1,400) (1,285)Unrealised loss on currency hedge (3,496) (1,668)Deferred taxation liabilities (2,640) - (113,109) (84,761) Total liabilities (128,392) (102,683) Net assets 121,300 119,874 EquityShare capital 10 - -Share premium account 2,500 2,500Special reserve 119,362 119,362Warrant reserve 130 130Translation reserve (1,695) (1,614)Capital reserve (337) (6,607)Revenue reserve 1,340 1,311 Equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent 121,300 115,082 Minority Interest - 4,792 Total equity 121,300 119,874 The Financial Statements were approved by the board of directors and authorisedfor issue on 19 September 2007. They were signed on its behalf by David Jeffreysand Serena Tremlett. The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Notes Period Period 1 January 2007 15 November 2005 to 30 June 2007 to 30 June 2006 £'000 £'000Cash flows from operating activities Profit before taxation 12,127 2,106 Adjustments for: Increase in operating trade and other receivables (2,634) (4,411) Increase in operating trade and other payables 2,669 875 Unrealised loss on revaluation of the currency hedge 1,813 - Unrealised gain on the revaluation of investment properties (8,313) -Unrealised gain on revaluation of interest rate swaps (2,756) - Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 2,906 (1,430) Cash flows from investing activities Payments to acquire investment properties (16,868) (29,512) Net cash outflow from investing activities (16,868) (29,512) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital - 125,000 Issue costs - (5,127) New bank loans raised 23,374 -Currency hedge collateral paid (3,021) - Dividends paid (3,188) - Net cash inflow from financing activities 17,165 119,873 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 3,203 88,931 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 18,575 - Effect of foreign exchange translation (16) - Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 21,762 88,931 The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Share Share Special Warrant Translation Capital Revenue Minority Total capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve interest reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Changes in equity for theperiod At 1 January 2007 - 2,500 119,362 130 (1,614) (6,607) 1,311 4,792 119,874 Foreign exchange losses on - - - - (81) - - - (81)translation of foreignoperationsProfit for the period - - - - - 6,270 3,217 - 9,487 Total recognised income and - - - - (81) 6,270 3,217 - 9,406expense for the period Purchase of minority interest - - - - - - - (4,792) (4,792)Dividends - - - - - - (3,188) - (3,188) At 30 June 2007 - 2,500 119,362 130 (1,695) (337) 1,340 - 121,300 Share Share Special Warrant Translation Capital Revenue Minority Total capital premium reserve reserve reserve reserve reserve interest reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000Changes in equity for theperiod At 15 November 2005 - - - - - - - - - (Loss)/profit for the period - - - - - (19) 2,125 - 2,106 Total recognised income and - - - - - (19) 2,125 - 2,106expense for the period Issue of share capital - 125,000 - - - - - - 125,000Share issue costs - (5,393) - - - - - - (5,393)Transfer to special reserve - (119,607) 119,607 - - - - - -Share based payments - - 133 - - - - 133 At 30 June 2006 - - 119,607 133 - (19) 2,125 - 121,846 The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. Notes to the Interim Condensed Financial Statements 1. General information The Company is a limited liability, closed-ended investment company incorporatedin Guernsey. The Group comprises the Company and it's subsidiaries. The Groupinvests in commercial property in France and Spain with inflation-indexed rentsthat will provide an income return to investors as well as the potential forcapital growth. These financial statements are presented in pounds Sterling asthis is the currency in which the funds were raised and in which investors areseeking a return. The Company's functional currency is Sterling and thesubsidiaries' functional currency is Euros. The presentation currency of theCompany and the Group is Sterling. 2. Significant accounting policies The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of the Company have beenprepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, 'InterimFinancial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union. The condensed interim financial statements are made up from 1 January 2007 to 30June 2007, and have been prepared under the historical cost convention asmodified by the revaluation of investment properties and the mark to market ofdebt and derivative instruments. The preparation of the interim condensed financial statements requires theDirectors to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts ofrevenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingentliabilities at the date of the condensed interim financial statements. If in thefuture such estimates and assumptions, which are based on the Directors' bestjudgement at the date of the interim condensed financial statements, deviatefrom actual circumstances, the original estimates and assumptions will bemodified as appropriate in the period in the which the circumstances change. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation arefollowed in these condensed financial statements as were applied in thepreparation of the Group's financial statements for the period ended 31 December2006, except for the adoption of IFRS 7, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure'.IFRS 7 will require additional disclosure on capital and financial instrumentswithin the annual financial statements to 31 December 2007. 3. Taxation The Company is exempt from Guernsey taxation on income derived outside ofGuernsey and bank interest earned in Guernsey under the Income Tax (ExemptBodies) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1989. A fixed annual fee of £600 is payable to theStates of Guernsey in respect of this exemption. No charge to Guernsey taxationarises on capital gains. Deferred taxation has been provided in accordance with IFRS. The Group iscurrently liable to French income tax at 33.33% and Spanish income tax at 32.5%arising on activities of the Group's operations in France and Spain. 4. Dividends Period Period 1 January 2007 15 November 2005 to 30 June 2007 to 30 June 2006 £'000 £'000 Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period:Dividend for the six months to 31 December 2006 of 2.5p per share 3,188 - 5. Earnings per share The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on thefollowing data: Period Period Period Period Period Period 1 January 1 January 1 January 15 November 15 November 15 November 2007 2007 2007 2005 2005 2005 to 30 June to 30 June to 30 June to 30 June to 30 June to 30 June 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Earnings (£'000)Earnings for the purposes of basic 3,217 6,270 9,487 2,125 (19) 2,106and diluted earnings per sharebeing net profit/(loss) attributable toequity holders of the parent.Number of shares (000's)Weighted average number of 127,500 127,500 127,500 125,000 125,000 125,000ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share Basic earnings per share 2.5 4.9 7.4 1.7 - 1.7 As the average price of the shares over the period was lower than the exerciseprice of the warrants and as the performance criteria of the options has notbeen met there is no dilution of earnings per share attributable to the warrantsand options issued. 6. Investment properties 30 June 2007 31 December 2006 £'000 £'000 Market value of investment properties 176,509 -1 January 2007 / 15 November 2005Acquisitions during the period at cost 16,129 181,699Fair value adjustment in the period 8,313 (5,250)Effect of foreign exchange (356) 60 Market value of investment properties 200,595 176,509at 30 June 2007 / 31 December 2006 The fair value of the Group's investment properties at 31 December 2006 and 30June 2007 has been arrived at on the basis of valuations carried out at thosedates by Knight Frank LLP, independent valuers not connected to the Group. Thevaluation basis is market value as defined by the RICS Red Book. The approvedRICS definition of market value is the "estimated amount for which a propertyshould exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willingseller in an arms length transaction after proper marketing wherein the partieshad each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion." The Group has pledged a number of its investment properties to secure bankingfacilities granted to the Group. 7. Trade and other receivables 30 June 2007 31 December 2006 £'000 £'000 Trade debtors 3,564 612VAT recoverable 3,758 8,448Bank interest receivable 1,241 185Other debtors 15,647 17,839Total 24,210 27,084 Other debtors include collateral held in relation to the currency hedge (£5m)and the deferred acquisition cost of the Villarceaux-Nozay property which isheld in escrow (£9.6m). 8. Trade and other payables 30 June 2007 31 December 2006 £'000 £'000 Trade creditors 2,319 86Deferred property acquisition costs 9,591 9,373Investment Manager's fee payable 634 520Interest accrued 1,569 123Other creditors and accruals 1,170 7,820 Total 15,283 17,922 9. Interest bearing bank loans On 21 December 2006, the Group entered into a loan facility with Barclays BankPlc totalling €364 million and a VAT facility totalling €40 million. The loanfacility is to be repaid on 10 February 2015. Loans drawn down on the facility are secured over the shares in the Company'soperating subsidiaries and mortgages over properties with a total value of€243m. The gross loans drawn down at 30 June 2007 total €160.2m producing anaverage loan to value of 66%. The interest rates are fixed for the entire loan period at the time of drawingdown. The weighted average interest rate payable on the loans at 30 June 2007 is5.14%. All of the Group's borrowings have a maturity of over five years. 10. Share capital 30 June 2007 £'000 Authorised share capital is not limited - Issued share capital127.5 million ordinary shares of no par value - The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. - 11. Related party transactions Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control theother party or exercise significant influence over the other party in makingfinancial or operational decisions. Alpha Real Capital LLP is the InvestmentManager to the Company under the terms of the Investment Manager Agreement andis thus considered a related party of the Company. Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are relatedparties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in thisnote. The Investment Manager is entitled to receive a fee from the Group at an annualrate of 1 per cent of the gross assets of the Group, payable quarterly inarrears. The Investment Manager is also entitled to receive an annualperformance fee calculated with reference to total shareholder return ("TSR"),whereby the fee is 20 per cent of any excess over an annualised TSR of 12 percent and then a further 15 per cent of any excess over 20 per cent. Details ofthe investment management fees for the current accounting period are given inthe condensed income statement and the balance payable at the balance sheetdates is shown in note 8. The Investment Manager has also been issued warrants and granted options overthe Company's ordinary share capital, further details of which are provided innote 14. The Directors of the Company receive fees for their services. The total chargeto the income statement during the period was £55,000. 12. Net asset value per share 30 June 2007 31 December 2006 30 June 2006 Net asset value (£'000) 121,300 115,082 121,846Number of ordinary shares at (000's) 127,500 127,500 125,000 Net asset value per share 95.1p 90.3p 97.5p Net asset value (£'000) 121,300 115,082 121,846Mark to market of currency hedge 3,496 1,668 -Mark to market of interest rate swaps (2,756) - -Deferred taxation 2,640 - -Adjusted net asset value 124,680 116,750 121,846Number of ordinary shares at (000's) 127,500 127,500 125,000 Net asset value per share (adjusted) 97.8p 91.6p 97.5p 13. Events after the balance sheet date On 5 July 2007, the Company acquired an office property in Mulhouse (€12.1m). Inthe same month the Company also agreed to acquire an office property inAubervilliers (€26m) which will complete in the near future. On 3 August 2007, the Company entered into a pre-hedge agreement with BarclaysBank plc in which it hedged the interest rate on €65m of potential draw-downsunder the current facility. As a requirement of this agreement the Company paidcollateral of €3.9m to Barclays to be repaid to the Company on the draw-downsagainst the loan facility over the period to the end of the year. 14. Share based payments Warrants The Company has issued warrants to the Investment Manager pursuant to which ithas been granted the right to subscribe for 6,375,000 ordinary shares in thecompany at an exercise price of £1 per share. Such warrants can be exercised atany time up to and including 29 November 2010. The warrant instrument providesthat the holder of the warrant may from time to time transfer all or some of itswarrants to third parties. The fair value of the warrants at grant date was measured as £130,043 using anappropriate option pricing model. Incentive options In order to incentivise the Investment Manager, the Company has granted optionsto it to acquire up to 3,825,000 ordinary shares. The options vest in threetranches of equal amounts over a three year period ending on the third, fourthand fifth anniversaries of admission of the shares to the Official List of theUKLA subject to a cumulative shareholder return performance criteria of 10% perannum (50% vesting) and 12% per annum (100% vesting) having been met over aperiod of the preceding three years for each tranche respectively. Once vested the options are exercisable during the subsequent seven year period. Number of options Expiry Price 1,275,000 29 November 2015 100p1,275,000 29 November 2016 100p1,275,000 29 November 2017 Average share price on the 20 trading days prior to 29 November 2007 The directors have assessed the fair value of the options granted and considerit to be immaterial in relation to the activities of the Group. Directors and Trust Information Directors: Independent Valuers: Bankers in Guernsey: Dick Kingston (Chairman) Knight Frank LLP Royal Bank of Scotland InternationalChristopher Bennett 20 Hanover Square LimitedDavid Jeffreys London W1S 1HZ Royal Bank PlacePhillip Rose 1 Glategny EsplanadeSerena Tremlett Corporate Advisors: St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4BQRegistered Office: Kinmont Limited 6 Arlington Street Bankers in London:First Floor London SW1A 1REDorey Court Barclays CapitalAdmiral Park Auditors: 5 The North ColonnadeSt Peter Port Canary WharfGuernsey BDO Novus Limited London E14 4BB PO Box 180Investment Manager: Elizabeth House Registrar: Ruette BrayeAlpha Real Capital LLP St Peter Port Computershare Investor Services124 Sloane Street Guernsey GY1 3LL (Channel Islands) LimitedLondon SW1X 9BW Ordnance House Tax Advisors: 31 Pier RoadAdministrator and Secretary: St Helier Deloitte & Touche LLP Jersey JE4 8PWMourant Guernsey Limited Hill HouseFirst Floor 1 Little New StreetDorey Court London EC4A 3TRAdmiral ParkSt Peter Port BDO Stoy Hayward LLPGuernsey GY1 6HJ 8 Baker Street London W1U 3LLBrokers: Legal Advisors in Guernsey:Cenkos Securities Limited6.7.8. Tokenhouse Yard Carey OlsenLondon EC2R 7AS 7 New Street St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4BZ KBC Peel Hunt Limited Legal Advisors in the UK: 111 Old Broad Street Norton Rose Kempson HouseLondon EC2U 1PH Camomile Street London EC3A 7AN Shareholder Information Dividends The financial calendar is recorded below. Shareholders who wish to havedividends paid directly into a bank account rather than by cheque to theirregistered address can complete a mandate form for the purpose. Mandates may beobtained from the Group's Registrar. Where dividends are paid directly toshareholders' bank accounts, dividend tax vouchers are sent directly toshareholders' registered addresses. Share price The Trust's Ordinary Shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Change of address Communications with shareholders are mailed to the address held on the shareregister. In the event of a change of address or other amendment, please notifythe Trust's Registrar under the signature of the registered holder. Financial Calendar Financial reporting Dividend period Ex-dividend date Record date Payment date Interim report announcement Six months 20 September 2007 to 30 June 2007 26 September 2007 28 September 2007 15 October 2007 Trading update Three months 31 October 2007 1 July- 30 September 2007 12 December 2007 14 December 2007 14 January 2008 Preliminary announcement Three months 18 March 2008 1 October - 31 December 2007 26 March 2008 28 March 2008 21 April 2008 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Alpha Group International