Factsheet February 2009

 

TIDMBRAL 
 
RNS Number : 3158P 
Bramdean Alternatives Limited 
24 March 2009 
 

RNS Announcement 
24 March 2009 
 
 
Factsheet February 2009 
 
 
Bramdean Alternatives Limited 
 
 
This Factsheet contains commentary and news for the calendar month ended 27 
February 2009, unless otherwise stated. 
 
 
February Estimated Net Asset Values 
 
 
Sterling shares: 96.36 pence 
U.S. Dollar shares: US$0.7969 
 
 
 
 
Overview 
Bramdean Alternatives Limited, (the "Company") is a Guernsey-based Investment 
Company listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Company invests in a 
diversified portfolio of Private Equity Funds, Hedge Funds and other Specialty 
Funds. 
 
 
 
 
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| KEY FACTS                              |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Market Capitalisation                  | GBP76.3 million                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Manager                                | Bramdean Asset Management LLP    | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Annual Management Fee                  | 1.5%                             | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Performance fee                        | 10% subject to an 8% return and  | 
|                                        | a high watermark                 | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Company Brokers                        | JPMorgan Cazenove                | 
|                                        | Cenkos Securities Plc            | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Sterling class share price on 27       |   42.25p                         | 
| February 2009                          |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Sterling class issue price (9 July     | 100.00p                          | 
| 2007)                                  |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Number of Sterling shares in issue     | 92,142,177                       | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| U.S. Dollar class share price on 27    | US$ 0.7000                       | 
| February 2009                          |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| U.S. Dollar class issue price (9 July  | US$ 1.00                         | 
| 2007)                                  |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Number of U.S. Dollar shares in issue  | 76,116,060                       | 
|                                        |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Minimum investment                     | N/A                              | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Dealing                                | Daily                            | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Valuation                              | Monthly                          | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| NAV publication                        | Monthly                          | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| February Sterling Estimated NAV per    | 96.36 pence                      | 
| share                                  |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| February U.S. Dollar Estimated NAV per | US$ 0.7969                       | 
| share                                  |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Total common net assets                | US$ 187,563,790                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Total Estimated Net Asset Value        | US$ 187,204,914                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Half-year end                          | 30 September 2009                | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Financial year end                     | 31 March 2009                    | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Company Secretary and Administrator    | RBC Offshore Fund Managers       | 
|                                        | Limited                          | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Registrar                              | Capita Registrars (Guernsey)     | 
|                                        | Limited                          | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Stock Exchange code (Sterling shares)  | BRAL                             | 
|                                        |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Stock Exchange code (US Dollar shares) | BRAU                             | 
|                                        |                                  | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Sedol code (Sterling shares)           | B1XCHB9                          | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| Sedol code (US Dollar shares)          | B1XCLF1                          | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| ISIN code (Sterling shares)            | GG00B1XCHB94                     | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
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| ISIN code (US Dollar shares)           | GG00B1XCLF11                     | 
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|                                        |                                  | 
+----------------------------------------+----------------------------------+ 
 
 
 
 
FEBRUARY MARKET COMMENTARY 
 
 
Credit markets achieved a modest degree of greater stability in February, but 
global stock markets collapsed still further. The S&P 500 index declined by 11%. 
The underlying problems affecting asset markets continued to be deep and 
pervasive, however, preventing any sustained rally in prices. The battered state 
of US and European financial institutions and the steep deterioration in the 
global economy have undermined investor confidence and forced up required risk 
premia. 
 
US markets were particularly badly hit by a perception that the Obama 
administration had not yet got to grips with the details of a bank rescue plan. 
US economic data in February confirmed that the recession was much deeper than 
expected, with negative GDP growth of 6.2% (annual rate) in the fourth quarter. 
Global stock markets were generally weak, though Asia - still with the motor of 
Chinese growth - and continental Europe performed in general better than the US. 
The Nikkei 225 fell by 5.3%, while the Shanghai Composite Index was up by 14% on 
the year to date. The MSCI World Index fell by 9.3% in February. In Europe, the 
Dow Jones STOXX 600 fell 9.6% in February, while the FTSE 100 declined by 7.7%. 
In Germany, the DAX fell by 4.3% and in France the CAC 40 fell by slightly less 
than 2%. 
 
In a time of economic turmoil, gold proved a safe haven, rising by 1.5%. 
Precious metals generally benefited from the investor flight to safety, with 
silver prices rising by 4.1% and platinum by 9.5%. The dollar - perhaps 
counterintuitively - was strong for the month, with the dollar index gaining 
2.2%. It is likely that US Treasuries, as the most liquid government securities 
market in the world, attracted investor interest for the same reason as precious 
metals - though the painful adjustment to recession coupled with an 
exceptionally easy monetary policy are not likely to provide fundamental 
support. 
 
 
 
 
 
PORTFOLIO NEWS 
 
 
General 
 
 
The underlying unaudited performance in February was 0.23% for the Sterling 
Share class and -0.80% for the US Dollar Share class. This compares with -0.32% 
and -0.88% returned by the HFRI Fund of Funds Composite Index and Credit 
Suisse/Tremont Hedge Fund Index respectively. 
 
 
The discrepancy in performance between the two Share classes relates to 
currency. The Company hedges at the Share class level and the tactical default 
hedging ratio is currently zero with discretion to operate tactically within a 
range -30% to +30%. During February, the Company's currency manager, Mesirow 
Financial Currency Management, hedged the Company's Euro, US Dollar and 
Sterling exposure within both Share classes. 
 
 
There were 30 holdings in the Company's overall Portfolio as  at 27 February 
2009. 
During the month, proceeds were received in relation to a partial 
redemption from Kaiser 
 Trading Group Pty. 2XL. A subscription for Roy G 
Niederhoffer Negative Correlation Fund 
 was also placed in February to be 
effective 1 March. 
 
 
 
As reported in the recently published Interim Management Statement, Deephaven 
Capital Management LLC has made proposals to investors which relate to the 
Company's holding in Deephaven Global Multi-Strategy Fund Ltd. to which RMF 
Investment Management is responding. The Company also submitted a redemption 
notice in November 2008 to Aarkad plc, proceeds from which are not due until May 
2009, although the manager has suspended redemptions until further notice. 
Aarkad is currently holding its NAV at the December 2008 valuation as a result 
of its redemption suspension. It has indicated, however, that February's 
performance was positive. 
 
 
The Company continues its programme of tactically reducing its allocation to 
hedge funds, a strategy that the investment manager started to implement in 
December 2007. As a result, there have been partial redemptions during February 
from certain holdings in the Strategic Hedge Funds portfolio, which have also 
been made in order to maintain weightings within the overall allocation range 
for that portfolio. Further partial redemptions will be made over the coming 
months. 
 
 
In December 2007, the Company's hedge fund holdings represented 86.3% of the 
Company's overall Portfolio. As at the end of February 2009, they represented 
31.9% of the overall Portfolio. As a result of the repositioning of the 
Portfolio during the course of 2008, the Company holds 33.2% of its net assets 
in cash as at the end of February. The investment manager intends to maintain 
cash reserves in order to fund draw-downs from the Private Equity and Specialty 
Funds and also to protect the NAV in these continuing volatile markets. The 
investment manager also maintains a close dialogue with Mesirow regarding the 
tactical use of currency hedging. 
 
 
The stand-out performers during February were Alydar Fund Limited and King 
Street Capital Ltd., with positive returns also reported by Kaiser Trading Fund 
and Kaiser Trading 
  Diversified 2X Segregated Portfolio. During February, 
the sidepocket within 
 Atticus European Fund Ltd., Deephaven Global 
Multi-Strategy Fund Ltd., DE Shaw Oculus 
 Members Interest, Evergreen MAC 
Ltd., Kei Ltd., Lansdowne UK Equity Fund, and Paulson 
 Advantage Plus 
Ltd. reported negative returns. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private Equity and Specialty Funds 
 
 
The Company has now made commitments to 18 underlying Private Equity Funds 
and 
  underlying Specialty Funds amounting to approximately US$221.2 million, 
taking into 
 account the U.S. Dollar's appreciation over the month. No new 
commitments have 
 been made during February. 
 
 
The total amount that has been drawn-down on the commitments made is 
approximately US$90.5 million, with approximately US$0.2 million of capital 
having been drawn-down 
  in February. The Company has now received total 
distributions of US$3.8 million 
 since inception, though no distributions 
were received in February. 
 
 
Four capital calls were received from underlying Funds in February, though one 
of these was purely for regulatory capital purposes and was refunded the same 
day. Revaluations were received from two managers of the Company's Private 
Equity and Specialty Funds and these have been incorporated into the February 
NAV calculations. Both revaluations were downwards revaluations, reflecting 
falls in the values of market comparables and adverse currency movements. As 
stated in previous communications, downward valuations are to be expected given 
the exceptional market environment and it is likely that the Company 
will receive further fair market valuation write-downs, including valuations as 
at 31 December 2008, from some of its managers. As at February, six of the 18 
private equity and specialty managers have reported their December 2008 year-end 
valuations; these have been reflected in the NAV of BAL. One other manager's 
portfolio is revalued every month. 
 
 
 
 
Transitional portfolio 
 
 
The portfolio held two Funds at the end of February 2009; these two Fund 
investments in the Transitional portfolio represent 7.3% of the 
Company's overall Portfolio as at 27 February 2009. 
 
 
The Transitional portfolio returned 0.04%, including cash, but excluding 
currency movements, during February. Kaiser Trading Fund reported a 
positive return, while Aarkad's 
 return was held at the December 2008 
valuation as a result of its redemption 
 suspension. The manager for Aarkad 
has indicated, however, that the portfolio's 
 performance is positive. 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Hedge Funds portfolio 
 
 
The portfolio posted a small loss of -0.47% in a month when global equity 
markets registered heavy falls. All styles were slightly negative with the 
largest losses coming from equity hedged. YTD the portfolio has returned 1.91%. 
 
 
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS 
 
 
Equity Hedged - Despite a -9% loss from the MSCI World Stock Index, the style 
did a good job in preserving capital, losing less than 1%. The portfolio's US 
manager was moderately positive thanks to strong stock picking and good use of 
technicals to avoid areas of weakness. The style's loss was due to a UK manager, 
who suffered from selling in European financial stocks, where the manager has 
begun to establish long-term positions on the back of what it feels are 
compelling valuations. 
 
 
Event Driven - The style was slightly down as small losses from a special 
situations manager pared gains from a distressed manager. The performance of the 
special situations 
 manager was impaired by spread widening in the strategic 
deals to which it 
 was exposed. The portfolio's distressed manager continues 
to perform strongly, posting a 
 positive return thanks to its net short 
credit positioning. 
 
 
Global Macro - The global trader posted a small loss. The manager's directional 
futures strategies incurred losses in a month characterised by market choppiness 
and reversals, while additional losses arose from a fundamental bearish view on 
the US dollar. Despite poor US economic data and ballooning fiscal deficits, the 
greenback continued to rally amid ongoing concerns over the health of European, 
Asian and Emerging Market economies. 
 
 
Managed Futures - After six consecutive positive months, the style posted a 
slight loss. The primary reason for the underperformance was losses from a 
medium-term trend-following manager, who struggled amid the market reversals. 
The most costly trade was a long bias to the Japanese yen, which reversed lower 
following the emergence of a trade deficit due to huge declines in export 
volumes. One short-term trader did manage to profit during the month, benefiting 
from long exposure to interest rate markets, which generally rallied. 
 
 
Relative Value - The portfolio's multi-strategy manager posted a small loss. 
Credit oriented strategies continued to prove damaging as liquidity remained 
confined to larger, more widely held instruments. Some of the esoteric trades 
which the manager holds such as CDS basis continued to hinder performance. 
 
 
Outlook - Despite the strong market rally in March, little has changed to alter 
the view that shorting and volatility will be key return drivers in the month 
ahead.  More long volatility exposure has been included in the portfolio, with 
the addition of another short-term trader, and the portfolio will continue to be 
managed with an emphasis on managers who can deliver uncorrelated returns. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portfolio Highlights 
 
 
Geographical Allocation 
 
 
+--------------------------------+ 
| North America   61.5%          | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Europe17.6%                    | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Global                         | 
| 16.7%                          | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Asia & Other  4.2%             | 
+--------------------------------+ 
 
 
Portfolio Holdings Asset Allocation 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Cash                           | 
| 33.2%                          | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Strategic Hedge Funds   24.6%  | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Private Equity                 | 
| 23.1%                          | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Specialty                      | 
| 11.8%                          | 
+--------------------------------+ 
| Transitional    7.3%           | 
+--------------------------------+ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS (INVESTED CAPITAL) ON 27 February 2009 
 
 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Manager                                    | Type             | Portfolio | 
|                                            |                  | Weighting | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Cash                                       | Cash             |  33.2%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Greenpark International Investors III LP   | Private Equity   |   6.3%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| D.E. Shaw Oculus International Members     | Strategic Hedge  |   5.5%    | 
| Interest                                   | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Oaktree OCM Opportunities Fund VIIb LP     | Specialty        |   5.1%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Paulson Advantage Plus Ltd.                | Strategic Hedge  |   4.6%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Aarkad Plc                                 | Transitional     |   4.5%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Thomas H Lee Fund VI LP                    | Private Equity   |   4.2%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Lansdowne UK Equity Fund                   | Strategic Hedge  |   4.2%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| King Street Capital Ltd.                   | Strategic Hedge  |   3.2%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Coller International Partners V LP         | Private Equity   |   3.0%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Deephaven Global Multi-Strategy Fund       | Strategic Hedge  |   2.9%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities       | Specialty        |   2.9%    | 
| Partners III LP                            |                  |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Kaiser Trading Fund SPC                    | Transitional     |   2.8%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Goldman Sachs Capital Partners VI LP       | Private Equity   |   1.9%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Alydar Fund Limited                        | Strategic Hedge  |   1.8%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| DFJ Athena LP                              | Private Equity   |   1.8%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Lehman Brothers Venture Partners V LP      | Private Equity   |   1.5%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| SVG Strategic Recovery Fund II LP          | Specialty        |   1.2%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Terra Firma Capital Partners III LP        | Private Equity   |   1.2%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Pine Brook Capital Partners LP             | Specialty        |   0.9%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| AIG Brazil Special Situations II LP        | Private Equity   |   0.9%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Kaiser Trading Group Pty. 2XL              | Strategic Hedge  |   0.9%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Silver Lake Partners III LP                | Private Equity   |   0.9%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Evergreen MAC                              | Strategic Hedge  |   0.8%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| HIG Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II LP          | Specialty        |   0.7%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Rho Ventures VI LP                         | Private Equity   |   0.7%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Resonant Music L.P.                        | Specialty        |   0.7%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Thoma Bravo Fund IX LP                     | Private Equity   |   0.7%    | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Quantitative Investment Mgmt/Kei Ltd.      | Strategic Hedge  |   0.6%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Limetree Emerging Beachfront Land          | Specialty        |   0.1%    | 
| Investment Fund II, L.P.                   |                  |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
| Atticus European Fund Ltd.                 | Strategic Hedge  |   0.1%    | 
|                                            | Funds            |           | 
+--------------------------------------------+------------------+-----------+ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DISCLAIMER 
 
 
This Factsheet update has been produced by Bramdean Asset Management LLP, which 
is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority ("FSA"). 
Bramdean Alternatives Limited (the "Company") has appointed Bramdean Asset 
Management LLP as the Investment manager of the Company. 
This material constitutes a financial promotion for the purposes of the 
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "Act") and the handbook of rules 
and guidance issued from time to time by the FSA (the "FSA Rules"). 
This material is provided for information purposes, is intended for your use 
only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to subscribe for or purchase 
any of the products or services mentioned. This material has been provided 
specifically for the use of the recipient only and must be treated as 
proprietary and confidential information. It may not be passed on, nor 
reproduced in whole or in part under any circumstances without express written 
consent from Bramdean Asset Management LLP. The material provided is not 
intended to provide a sufficient basis on which to make an investment decision. 
Information and opinions presented in this material have been obtained or 
derived from sources believed by Bramdean Asset Management LLP and its 
affiliates ("Bramdean") to be reliable, but Bramdean makes no representation as 
to their accuracy or completeness. Bramdean accepts no liability for loss 
arising from the use of this material. Bramdean gives no representations or 
warranty that any indicative performance or return will be achieved in the 
future or that the investment objectives and policies from time to time of 
Bramdean Alternatives Limited (the "Company") will be achieved. 
You should note that, if you choose to invest in the Company, your capital will 
be at risk and you may therefore lose some or all of any amount that you choose 
to invest. This material is not intended to constitute, and should not be 
construed as, investment advice. 
Potential investors in the Company should seek their own independent financial 
advice. Bramdean neither provides investment advice to, nor receives and 
transmits orders from, investors in the Company nor does it carry on any other 
activities with or for such investors that constitute "MiFID or equivalent third 
country business" for the purposes of this FSA Rule. 
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT A RELIABLE INDICATOR OF FUTURE RESULTS. 
Please note that up-to-date information on the Company, including its monthly 
NAV and share prices, factsheets, Annual Report and Financial Statements, 
Prospectus and portfolio information can be found at 
www.bramdeanalternatives.com or via a link from www.bramdean.com. 
Capita Registrar's helpline is 0871 664 0300 (Calls cost 10 pence per minute 
plus network extras). For callers outside the UK, please dial: [phone] 
3399. 
 
 
Registered Office: Canada Court, Upland Road, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3QE, 
Channel Islands. 
 
 
CONTACT DETAILS 
 
 
Loretta Murphy, or [e-mail] 
Bramdean Asset Management LLP, 35 Park Lane, London W1K 1RB, United Kingdom 
 
 
T: [phone]  F: [phone]  W: www.bramdean.com 
 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
   END 
 
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