THE BAUPOST FUND
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the
general information of the shareholders of The Baupost Fund. The report is not
authorized for distribution to prospective investors in The Baupost Fund unless
preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 30, 1999
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTENTS:
<S> <C>
Management's Discussion of Performance............................................. 1
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of April 30, 1999........................... 7
Statement of Operations for the period ended April 30, 1999........................ 8
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the periods ended April 30, 1999
and October 31, 1998........................................................... 9
Schedule of Investments as of April 30, 1999....................................... 10
Schedule of Forward Foreign Currency Contracts as of April 30, 1999................ 18
Schedule of Securities Sold Short as of April 30, 1999............................. 19
Notes to Financial Statements...................................................... 20
Financial Highlights............................................................... 26
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
44 BRATTLE STREET, 5TH FLOOR
P.O. BOX 381288
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02238
TEL. (617) 497-6680
FAX (617) 868-3529
June 24, 1999
Dear Fund Shareholder,
We are pleased to report a gain of 8.62% for the six months ended April 30,
1999. While less than the gains recorded by the broad market indices, the profit
for the latest six months meets our ongoing objective of positive returns
delivered with limited downside risk.
The broad market indices remain extremely expensive and have, despite a
brief retreat by some of the highest multiple stocks, charged ahead to repeated
record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, recently rose from
under 9,200 to over 11,100 in less than three months. The U.S. economy remains
robust (for now), and long term U.S. Treasury bond yields have climbed to over
6.0 % from 5.1% at the end of January. Most asset allocation models contrast
bond yields to stock price-earnings multiples. At 6.0% bond yields, the S&P 500
Index is calculated by these models to be more than 30% overvalued. It would be
far more overvalued were earnings to fall or interest rates to rise from current
levels.
Unprecedented gains in large capitalization growth stocks continue to
generate a mistaken faith among individual investors in the safety of owning
stocks, as well as an erroneous impression of the potential future returns from
equity ownership. Success begets additional success as investors project future
results from the rear view mirror. One particularly irksome development is that
fundamental research is today a significant impediment to good short-term
results, as the most overvalued securities have steadily been the best
performers and the most undervalued the worst. More and more, stocks are seen as
apart from the businesses underlying them, with capital gains a product of
investor money flows rather than corporate profit growth.
The Internet stock market bubble has been expanding at an accelerating
rate. The shares of Internet companies have been rising 10%, 20% or more in a
single day, splitting every month or two, and then quickly returning to their
pre-split share prices. Dozens of nascent Internet companies are prominent on
the IPO calendar and Internet stocks increasingly dominate cocktail party
conversations as well as the daily stock market roundup. The $200 billion market
capitalization of America Online recently exceeded that of IBM. Charles Schwab
was recently valued 50% more highly than Merrill Lynch. Priceline, the Internet
company that sells airline tickets, was valued more highly than the three
largest airlines, combined! eToys came public and immediately jumped to a
valuation well above that of the well established Toys "R" Us. The prevailing
casino atmosphere must certainly put a damper on trips to Las Vegas or Atlantic
City, where there are more losers than winners. In Internet-land, there have
been no real losers as of yet;
-1-
<PAGE>
the illusion of a positive-sum casino is an attractive lure for the gambler.
Recent exuberance notwithstanding, at today's valuations it is clear that Wall
Street is certain to continue issuing shares of new Internet companies until the
supply of shares overwhelms the resources of the buyers.
Simply put, we continue to face an unprecedented market environment with
extreme volatility. In the face of very high prices, affordable and appropriate
hedging is next to impossible. In our assessment, significant caution is called
for at this time, and this is how we are positioned. While everyone else on Wall
Street motors ahead at a frenetic pace, we are intentionally going slowly,
unafraid of missing out on speculative gains and intent on protecting capital.
This is an extremely challenging and dangerous environment, and we would rather
be overly cautious and forego some profit than overly optimistic and potentially
much poorer.
The Current Market Environment
- ------------------------------
A recent Wall Street Journal article was headlined: For Some Stocks, Price
Doesn't Matter. Within the article, the co-manager of the billion dollar Stein
Roe Young Investor Fund described how he had revised his investment strategy to
cope with today's environment: "To own a company like AOL (America Online), you
had to throw out traditional measures of valuing companies. We had to say we
have to own what we think is the dominant franchise in the Internet. It was a
space that as a money manager you simply have to be in." Another manager
similarly said, "It's almost like you have to own it." AOL recently sold for 388
times 1998 earnings and 238 times projected 1999 earnings.
This bubble is spilling over into the rest of the stock market, again at an
increasing rate. Internet valuations make those on real companies, however
overextended, seem reasonable, propelling those stocks even further into
uncharted valuation territory. We believe there has been an extraordinary (and
unknowing and probably temporary) increase in the risk tolerance of average
investors. Specifically, what may happen in the future is today valued with
unprecedented enthusiasm while what has already come into being (buildings,
stores, traditional businesses) trades at subdued, even depressed prices.
Many of today's leading technology and telecommunications companies trade
at 50 to 100 times earnings, or higher. While most of these companies are
growing rapidly and possess extraordinary technology, these businesses remain
highly competitive. Very low costs of capital and high returns attract enormous
competition, and companies have to innovate faster and faster to stay ahead of
the pack. Product life cycles are shorter and shorter, and unit prices continue
to decline. We understand that the technology content of these companies is
fabulous. Whether they are good businesses, deserving of astronomical multiples
of current earnings, is an entirely different matter.
Students of financial history can point to historic levels of valuation to
suggest that we are in a bubble. But students of psychology may be needed to
complete the picture. For one thing, the financial markets have been so strong
for so long that fear of market risk has mostly evaporated. People who used to
hold bank certificates of deposit now maintain a portfolio of growth stocks. It
is not really within human nature to comprehend that you may not know everything
you think you know, and, further, that what you believe in could change on a
dime. When your investments are backstopped by reasonably-priced tangible
assets, the prospect of a change in sentiment is not very costly. If a building
-2-
<PAGE>
is no longer needed as a furniture retailer, maybe it would make a good
warehouse. If you can't make money as a distributor, you can recover most of
your capital by reselling your inventory.
Not so for dreams. With more and more of the market value of U.S. equities
represented by lofty (in some cases infinite) multiples of current results, a
change in sentiment could wipe out a large percentage of investor net worth.
Sentiment, existing only in the minds of investors, is subject to change quickly
and without notice. Perhaps today's dreams will become realities for some of the
current Internet and technology favorites; and perhaps not. For many, the dream
will be replaced by a nightmare. Then, the escalating bill for betting on dreams
rather than on realities will have to be paid up.
Real value, of bricks and mortar, finished goods inventories, accounts
receivable, operating factories and businesses, and even brand names, is hard,
although far from impossible, to destroy. If you don't overpay for it, your
downside is protected. If you purchase it at a discount, you have a real margin
of safety.
Our Current Positioning
- -----------------------
While the major stock market indices have never been so expensive, the
range of valuation in today's markets is also extraordinarily wide. As a result,
there are numerous undervalued small to medium capitalization stocks even as
there are dozens of astonishingly overvalued large capitalization companies.
Indeed, a vicious circle has been working against these smaller stocks (even as
a virtuous circle propels the high flyers) in that their recent period of
protracted underperformance causes disappointed holders to sell. This produces
illiquidity and further declines, resulting in even greater underperformance
which then triggers new waves of selling. Many small-cap value managers have
been facing investor redemptions, further fueling the selloff.
We prefer to invest with a catalyst present to facilitate the partial or
complete realization of underlying value. There is, however, significant
competition for these sorts of opportunities from other investors, rendering
many of them unattractive for investment; by contrast, uncatalyzed value
situations today attract few buyers. Seemingly, it would make sense to increase
our commitment to the deeply depressed uncatalyzed investments that are much
more undervalued and where there is considerably less competition. Our concern
is that we cannot know when the current love affair with large capitalization
growth stocks will end, and what sort of havoc this will wreak on smaller
stocks, however inexpensive. As we have explained before, the only logical way
to hedge against this risk is to protect an investment in these undervalued
smaller stocks with a put option on or short sale of more expensive stocks. We
have ruled out short selling for a number of reasons, including the unlimited
downside risk that short selling poses. With puts, at least, your cost is
limited to the up-front premium. Such a hedge, however, is historically quite
expensive and, as we learned last year, far from perfect.
Our resolution to this dilemma is to position the Fund's portfolio in three
parts. A major component is cash (held in U.S. Treasury bills and/or in a U.S.
Government securities money market fund), at around 42% of the Fund's portfolio
at April 30. This asset is available to take advantage of bargains, but
represents important dry powder until some of today's market extremes resolve
themselves.
-3-
<PAGE>
Another segment, about 25% of the Fund's portfolio, involves numerous
public and private investments with catalysts for the partial or complete
realization of underlying value. This includes corporate bankruptcies,
restructurings and workouts, liquidations, breakups, asset sales and the like.
These situations are generally purchased at expected annual returns of 15% to
20% or more. The success of these investments depends primarily on the outcome
of each situation rather than on the level of the stock market. There can,
however, be month by month fluctuations in the market prices of these positions.
At April 30, we held about 32% of the portfolio in deeply undervalued
securities with no strong catalyst for value realization. Values in this portion
of the portfolio are particularly compelling, with prices at discounts of 30% to
50% or more from our estimate of underlying asset values. A number of these
positions are former spinoffs, ignored and abandoned in a market not oriented
toward smaller companies. Most of these situations involve partial catalysts for
value realization such as ongoing share repurchase programs and/or insider
buying, but these limited catalysts offer only modest protection from the
short-term volatility of the financial markets. This category represents the
lion's share of our market exposure; this is generally the portion of the
portfolio that we attempt to hedge. Frequently, but unpredictably, investments
in this category develop a stronger catalyst and move to the previous category;
indeed, the undervaluation itself often attracts such a catalyst. Less often, an
investment from the previous category loses its catalyst and either moves into
this category or is sold.
The balance of about 1% of the portfolio was held in market hedges and
various other option exposures, which may or may not serve as hedges.
In recent weeks, we have been extremely active in a number of areas. The
market-driven shift of our public equity portfolio back to the U.S. continues;
we have taken advantage of several selling opportunities in Western European
equities, while buying into several depressed U.S. stocks. We are actively
researching dozens of others. We have also added to our position in the
undervalued bonds of Loewen Corporation, which recently filed for bankruptcy.
Table 1 below depicts the geographic or asset class breakdown of the Fund's
portfolio at April 30.
Table 1
-------
Baupost Fund
------------
Breakdown of Portfolio at 4/30/1999
-----------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents 42.1%
U.S. Equities 31.0%
Western European Equities 7.7%
Emerging Market Investments 8.0%
Liquidations 5.8%
Distressed Debt Investments 4.9%
Market Hedges 0.2%
Other 0.3%
--------
Total Portfolio 100.0%
-4-
<PAGE>
We are continuing to balance on the tightrope between investment
opportunity and risk aversion, taking advantage of the most compelling
opportunities while maintaining a very cautious posture in an environment where
most securities are priced for perfection and then some. The preservation of
your capital remains our foremost goal, and we are confident that our current
portfolio will both protect and reliably enhance Fund capital.
Please contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions you may have.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Seth A. Klarman
---------------------
Seth A. Klarman
President
-5-
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (1) 1 5 LIFE OF FUND
For Periods Ended 4/30/1999 Year Year (since 12/14/90)
---- ---- ----------------
THE BAUPOST FUND -18.28% 10.14% 13.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return is an historical measure of past performance and is not intended to
indicate future performance. Because investment return and principal value will
fluctuate, the Fund's shares may be worth more or less than their original cost
when redeemed. During some of the periods reported above, an expense cap was in
place which had the effect of lowering the Fund's management fee and therefore
enhanced the total return of the Fund.
---------------------------------------------------
GROWTH OF AN ASSUMED $50,000 INVESTMENT (1)
IN THE BAUPOST FUND FROM 12/14/90 THROUGH 4/30/1999
---------------------------------------------------
[A LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE, THE PLOT POINTS FOR WHICH APPEAR BELOW]
FUND S&P
---- ---
12/14/90 $50,000.00 $50,000.00
04/30/91 $58,158.98 $58,161.73
04/30/92 $63,692.31 $66,325.82
04/30/93 $75,761.04 $72,448.88
04/30/94 $85,933.03 $76,302.11
04/30/95 $92,875.27 $89,627.93
04/30/96 $105,059.48 $116,707.47
04/30/97 $131,063.27 $146,040.47
04/30/98 $170,436.34 $206,014.84
04/30/99 $139,277.38 $250,971.95
(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends.
-6-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS:
Investments in securities - at value $ 120,470,730
(cost $127,964,532)
Cash 10,405,977
Foreign cash (cost $12,397) 12,394
Receivable for investments sold 1,241,237
Receivable for investments sold short 27,119
Interest and dividends receivable 353,214
Unrealized appreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts 202,593
Purchased interest 85,887
Other assets 50,202
-----------------
Total Assets 132,849,353
LIABILITIES:
Payable for investments purchased 2,210,314
Payable to The Baupost Group, L.L.C. 419,097
Other payables and accrued expenses 133,436
Payable for Fund shares redeemed 101,288
Payable for equity swap contracts 85,073
Payable for securities sold short 38,215
(proceeds $396,695)
-----------------
Total Liabilities 2,987,423
-----------------
NET ASSETS $ 129,861,930
=================
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS:
Paid in capital $ 135,486,509
Distributions in excess of net investment income (440,963)
Accumulated net realized gain on investments
and foreign currency transactions 1,895,624
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (7,079,240)
-----------------
NET ASSETS $ 129,861,930
=================
NET ASSET VALUE:
Offering and redemption price per share
($129,861,930/10,027,255) $ 12.95
=================
See notes to financial statements.
-7-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
INVESTMENT INCOME:
INCOME:
Interest $ 1,398,003
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $37,177) 471,029
--------------
Total Income 1,869,032
EXPENSES:
Investment management fee 664,738
Administrative fee 166,185
Custodian fees 49,224
Equity swap contract interest expense 48,338
Legal fees 39,652
Registration and filing fees 20,934
Investment expenses 20,559
Audit fees 19,980
Directors' fees 17,640
Transfer agent fees 14,580
Interest expense 8,957
Miscellaneous 11,590
--------------
Total Expenses 1,082,377
Waiver of investment management fee (7,417)
--------------
Total Expenses, Net 1,074,960
--------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME 794,072
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain/(loss) on:
Investments and equity swap contracts 5,357,900
Foreign currency transactions 1,574,330
Short sales (1,186,108)
--------------
5,746,122
Change in unrealized appreciation on:
Investments and equity swap contracts 3,863,763
Foreign currency transactions 99,971
Short sales 496,879
--------------
4,460,613
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
GAIN ON INVESTMENTS 10,206,735
--------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 11,000,807
==============
See notes to financial statements.
-8-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30, 1999 OCTOBER 31, 1998
------------------ -----------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income $ 794,072 $ 5,014,716
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign
currency transactions 5,746,122 (4,224,754)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on
investments and foreign currency transactions 4,460,613 (29,161,256)
------------------ -----------------
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS 11,000,807 (28,371,294)
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (2,901,043) (5,190,909)
From net realized gain on investments - (18,216,303)
------------------ -----------------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (2,901,043) (23,407,212)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Net proceeds from sales of shares 7,306,852 43,396,229
Reinvestment of dividends 2,801,020 23,195,673
Cost of shares redeemed (22,348,609) (33,768,809)
------------------ -----------------
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS (12,240,737) 32,823,093
------------------ -----------------
TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS (4,140,973) (18,955,413)
NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 134,002,903 152,958,316
------------------ -----------------
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD
(including distributions in excess of net)
investment income of ($440,963) and
undistributed net income of $1,666,008, respectively) $ 129,861,930 $ 134,002,903
================== =================
OTHER INFORMATION:
Shares sold 585,806 2,829,353
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 224,441 1,538,174
Shares redeemed (1,789,278) (2,310,138)
------------------ -----------------
Net increase/(decrease) (979,031) 2,057,389
================== =================
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
-9-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
COMMON STOCKS - 43.16%
UNITED STATES - 31.20%
<S> <C> <C>
WHOLESALE - FOOD - 9.44%
272,500 TLC BEATRICE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS $ 12,262,500 *
CHEMICAL PREPARATIONS - 4.38%
238,150 CHEMFIRST INC 5,685,831
CARBON & GRAPHITE PRODUCTS - 3.29%
186,100 UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC 4,268,669 *
APARTMENT BUILDING OPERATORS - 2.30%
152,300 LNR PROPERTY CORPORATION 2,988,887
COMPUTER & DATA PROCESSING SERVICES - 1.93%
96,100 GTECH HOLDINGS CORPORATION 2,504,606 *
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES - 1.36%
154,700 WALTER INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED 1,759,712 *
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST - 1.21%
349,150 VENTAS INC 1,571,175
LAB ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS - 1.19%
96,000 THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION 1,542,000 *
TRAVEL AGENCIES - 1.12%
208,572 NAVIGANT INTERNATIONAL INC 1,460,004 *
INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS - 0.84%
78,500 OCTEL CORPORATION 1,099,000 *
MANUFACTURING - OPHTHALMIC GOODS - 0.77%
67,450 SOLA INTERNATIONAL INC 1,003,319 *
</TABLE>
-10-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
REAL ESTATE INVESTING - 0.72%
1,367 SECURITY CAPITAL GROUP - CLASS A $ 820,200 *
2,500 SECURITY CAPITAL GROUP - CLASS B 37,813 *
8,700 SECURITY CAPITAL UNITED STATES REALTY 73,950 *
------------------
931,963
MISCELLANEOUS - 2.65%
259,430 AZTEC TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS 445,895 *
56,200 CALIFORNIA FEDERAL BANCORP - CONTINGENT LITIGATION 144,012 *
RECOVERY PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
49,800 CALIFORNIA FEDERAL BANK - SECONDARY CONTINGENT 74,700 *
LITIGATION RECOVERY PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
28,600 EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 228,800 *
110 FIDELITY BANKSHARES INC 1,952
326 FIRST FEDERAL BANKSHARES INC 3,056
119,100 GLOBAL-TECH APPLIANCES INC 498,731 *
297,100 GOLDEN STATE BANCORP LITIGATION WARRANTS 557,062 *
12.00 1/01/2010
67,350 MFC BANCORP 429,356
1,949 MID-CENTRAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION 46,776
43,500 NEUROGEN CORPORATION 467,625 *
16,400 OMEGA WORLDWIDE 79,950 *
938,000 REGENCY EQUITIES CORPORATION 23,450 *
64,600 STAGE STORES INC 415,862 *
1,600 THERMO INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS INCORPORATED 20,800 *
------------------
3,438,027
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - UNITED STATES $ 40,515,693
(Total Cost $38,024,175) ==================
UNITED KINGDOM - 4.09%
INSURANCE AGENTS, BROKERS & SERVICES - 2.60%
2,350,000 LAMBERT FENCHURCH GROUP PLC $ 3,385,728
HOLDING COMPANIES - 0.89%
2,018,000 TRANSTEC PLC 1,153,216
OIL & GAS - 0.36%
1,043,072 BURREN ENERGY PLC 469,382 *+
WHOLESALE - LUMBER & CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS - 0.24%
115,000 ADAM & HARVEY GROUP PLC 309,154
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - UNITED KINGDOM $ 5,317,480
(Total Cost $7,605,628) ==================
</TABLE>
-11-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
FRANCE - 2.66%
TEXTILES - 2.08%
48,565 CHARGEURS SA $ 2,693,591
HOLDING COMPANIES - 0.58%
1,503 SOCIETE EURAFRANCE SA 755,814
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - FRANCE $ 3,449,405
(Total Cost $2,853,346) ==================
THE NETHERLANDS - 1.10%
TOWING & TUGBOAT SERVICES - 1.10%
64,544 SMIT INTERNATIONALE NV $ 1,431,938
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - THE NETHERLANDS $ 1,431,938
(Total Cost $1,622,386) ==================
CZECH REPUBLIC - 1.07%
ELECTRIC UTILITIES - 1.07%
975,440 CEZ 1 CESKE ENERGETICKE ZAVOD AS $ 1,383,720 *
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - CZECH REPUBLIC $ 1,383,720
(Total Cost $2,332,133) ==================
RUSSIA - 0.94%
ELECTRIC UTILITIES - 0.51%
136,800 IRKUTSKENERGO SPONSORED ADR $ 307,800
1,606,200 KRASNOYARSKENERGO 8,834 *
91,400 PERMENERGO 13,710 *
358,110 SAMARAENERGO SPONSORED ADR 179,055
32,292 UNIFIED ENERGY SYSTEMS SPONSORED GDR 157,424
------------------
666,823
OIL & GAS - 0.37%
115,490 SURGUTNEFTEGAZ PREFERRED SPONSORED ADR 479,284
METAL & MINING SERVICES - 0.06%
28,300 NORILSK NICKEL 72,165 *
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - RUSSIA $ 1,218,272
(Total Cost $2,015,254) ==================
</TABLE>
-12-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
POLAND - 0.80%
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES - 0.80%
201,672 BUDIMEX SA $ 1,040,888 *
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - POLAND $ 1,040,888
(Total Cost $890,253) ==================
HONG KONG - 0.73%
ELECTRONIC & OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - 0.37%
12,379,576 SEMI-TECH GLOBAL LTD $ 479,154 *
23,760 SEMI-TECH GLOBAL LTD SPONSORED ADR 4,514 *
------------------
483,668
MANUFACTURING - TOYS & DOLLS - 0.32%
6,953,400 PLAYMATES TOYS HOLDINGS LTD 417,156
HOTELS & MOTELS - 0.04%
1,088,000 LAI SUN HOTELS INTERNATIONAL LTD 47,726
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - HONG KONG $ 948,550
(Total Cost $982,940) ==================
BRAZIL - 0.30%
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS - 0.30%
1,982,000 TELEMIG CELULAR SA PREFERENCE C $ 26,784
6,458,900 TELEPAR CELULAR SA COMMON 213,357
858,000 TELEPAR CELULAR SA PREFERENCE B 41,225
8,468,000 TELERJ CELULAR SA COMMON $ 106,804
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - BRAZIL $ 388,170
(Total Cost $749,010) ==================
DENMARK - 0.19%
REAL ESTATE INVESTING - 0.19%
5,300 EJENDOMSSELSKABET NORDEN $ 245,663
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - DENMARK $ 245,663
(Total Cost $251,303) ==================
</TABLE>
-13-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
FINLAND - 0.05%
OIL & GAS - 0.05%
11,000 FORTUM OYJ $ 58,686
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - FINLAND $ 58,686
(Total Cost $70,071) ==================
BAHAMAS - 0.03%
CRUDE PETROLEUM - 0.03%
170,430 BASIC PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL LTD UNIT TRUST $ 42,607 *
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - BAHAMAS $ 42,607
(Total Cost $175,032) ==================
CANADA - 0.00%
OIL & GAS - 0.00%
13,800 HURRICANE HYDROCARBONS LTD $ 9,919 *
------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS - CANADA $ 9,919
(Total Cost $67,685) ==================
Total Common Stocks $ 56,050,991
(Total Cost $57,639,216) ==================
Corporate Bonds - 4.95%
4,690,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC 7.20% 6/01/2003 $ 2,251,200
2,635,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC 7.50% 4/15/2001 1,304,325
40,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC 7.60% 6/01/2008 19,200
1,030,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC 7.75% 10/15/2001 509,850
165,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC 8.25% 4/15/2003 80,850
3,245,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC 8.25% 10/15/2003 1,590,050
480,000 LOEWEN GROUP INTL INC PATS 6.70% 10/01/1999 247,200
11,000 PIEDMONT MANAGEMENT CONTINGENT INTEREST NOTES 8.00% 6/30/2006 7,780 +
19,223,313 STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORP 1996-CFL CLASS X2 FRN 2/25/2028 420,510
------------------
Total Corporate Bonds $ 6,430,965
(Total Cost $8,092,186) ==================
</TABLE>
-14-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
COMPANIES IN LIQUIDATION - 4.63%
3,150 EHLCO LIQUIDATING TRUST $ 394 *+
DEM 15,000,000 MAXWELL COMM. CORP. PLC 6.0% 6/15/1993 770,645 *
CHF 5,500,000 MAXWELL COMM. CORP. PLC 5.0% 6/16/1995 342,848 *
836,059 MBO PROPERTIES INC 1,003,271 *^
596,881 TRUSTOR AB - B SHARES 3,891,564 *
------------------
TOTAL COMPANIES IN LIQUIDATION $ 6,008,722
(Total Cost $3,798,043) ==================
CLOSED - END MUTUAL FUNDS - 2.91%
12,000 FIVE ARROWS CHILE INVESTMENT TRUST WARRANTS 16.30 5/31/1999 $ 180
282,000 KAZAKHSTAN FUND LIMITED 881,250 *
17,200 KOMERCNI BANK IF 320,482 *
212,171 NIF I 222,773 *
45,782 NIF II 42,857 *
183,687 NIF III 183,571 *
27,725 NIF IV 37,177 *
171,497 NIF VI 299,388 *
45,782 NIF VII 42,857 *
237,192 NIF VIII 339,060 *
45,034 NIF IX 72,351 *
45,443 NIF X 50,588 *
18,282 NIF XI 18,502 *
45,782 NIF XII 43,436 *
296,557 NIF XIII 378,903 *
122,099 NIF XIV 169,904 *
700 RESTITUCNI INVESTICNI FOND CESKE $ 22,973
44,900 ZIVNOBANKA INVESTICNI FOND 653,236
------------------
TOTAL CLOSED - END MUTUAL FUNDS $ 3,779,488
(Total Cost $6,347,047) ==================
PURCHASED BANK DEBT & TRADE CLAIMS - 1.18%
2,453,801 MAXWELL COMM. BANK DEBT - BAKER NYE $ 210,327 *+
5,000,000 MAXWELL COMM. BERLITZ OBLIGATIONS 425,000 *+
167,868 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - FIRST CHICAGO 14,610 *+
943,496 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - HALCYON 82,386 *+
396,015 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - HALCYON II 34,466 *+
875,543 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - LAZARD FRERES 76,148 *+
264,059 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - MERRILL LYNCH 22,981 *+
823,981 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - SAN PAOLO 71,921 *+
</TABLE>
-15-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
1,015,000 MAXWELL COMM. REVOLVING BANK DEBT - TCC ASSOCIATES $ 88,559 *+
579,133 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - FIRST CHICAGO 49,226 *+
1,678,704 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - HALCYON 142,690 *+
702,221 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - HALCYON II 59,689 *+
426,846 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - LAZARD FRERES 36,282 *+
468,269 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - MERRILL LYNCH 39,802 *+
325,093 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - SAN PAOLO 27,633 *+
1,806,952 MAXWELL COMM. TERM BANK DEBT - TCC ASSOCIATES 153,591 *+
------------------
TOTAL PURCHASED BANK DEBT & TRADE CLAIMS $ 1,535,311
(Total Cost $0) ==================
PARTNERSHIPS - 0.85%
EMERGING EUROPE FUND FOR SUSTAINABLE DEV LP $ 160,149 +
NCH INVESTORS FUND LP 62,475 +
NEW CENTURY CAPITAL PARTNERS II LP 351,233 +
SIGMA/UKRAINE LP 175,946 +
SIGMA/UKRAINE CLASS C LP 101,166 +
TEMPLETON EMERGING EUROPE FUND II LP 99,229 +
UKRAINIAN GROWTH FUND II LP 153,000 +
------------------
TOTAL PARTNERSHIPS $ 1,103,198
(Total Cost $4,474,737) ==================
OPTIONS - 0.55%
255 CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION 80.00 PUT 6/19/1999 $ 44,625
12 FRANCE OAT 5.25% 4/25/2008 PUTS 11/08/1999 123
12 FRANCE OAT 5.25% 4/25/2008 PUTS 11/09/1999 0
12 FRANCE OAT 5.25% 4/25/2008 PUTS 11/09/1999 0
569 GOLD 550 CALLS 4/05/2001 27,288
569 GOLD 550 CALLS 4/09/2001 28,425
500 GOLD 550 CALLS 4/19/2001 31,000
563 GOLD 550 CALLS 7/19/2001 28,150
4,080,000,000 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND 203 98.00 PUTS 6/30/1999 37,601
989,000,000 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND 203 95.00 PUTS 9/13/1999 18,229
2,967,000,000 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND 203 97.50 PUTS 9/13/1999 69,601
2,405,000,000 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND 203 97.50 PUTS 9/16/1999 60,447
1,683,500,000 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND 203 97.50 PUTS 3/14/2000 133,992
816,000,000 JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND 203 96.00 PUTS 5/02/2000 77,936
150 JAPANESE YEN 136 96.00 PUTS 1/26/2000 14,023
32,700 MICROSOFT CORPORATION 68.9031 PUTS 5/22/1999 10,137
56,450 RJR STUB CALLS 5.22 5/01/2000 40,085
64 S&P 500 INDEX 1076.70 PUTS 5/11/1999 310
62 S&P 500 INDEX 1019.36 PUTS 6/01/1999 1,401
67 S&P 500 INDEX 1028.25 PUTS 6/21/1999 7,725
</TABLE>
-16-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES, UNITS OR
FACE VALUE MARKET VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
96 S&P 500 INDEX 1017.80 PUTS 6/22/1999 $ 10,176
64 S&P 500 INDEX 1078.013 PUTS 7/12/1999 29,491
270 S&P 500 INDEX 904.99 PUTS 7/30/1999 44,982
------------------
TOTAL OPTIONS $ 715,747
(Total Cost $2,759,969) ==================
TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 34.54%
15,000,000 US TREASURY BILLS 5/06/1999 $ 14,989,225
10,000,000 US TREASURY BILLS 7/01/1999 9,923,533
20,000,000 US TREASURY BILLS 5/27/1999 19,933,550
------------------
TOTAL TREASURY OBLIGATIONS $ 44,846,308
(Total Cost $44,853,334) ==================
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 92.77% $ 120,470,730
==================
(Total Cost $127,964,532)
* Non-income producing security.
+ Restricted securities - See Note C.
^ Affiliated company.
Foreign Currency Abbreviations
CHF Swiss Franc
DEM German Deutschemark
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of that
category expressed as a percentage of total net assets of the Fund.
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
-17-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARKET UNREALIZED
VALUE GAIN/(LOSS)
--------------- -------------
CONTRACTS TO SELL
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BPS 2,567,718 British Pound Sterling due 7/30/1999 $ 4,127,992 $ 8,602
(Receivable amount $4,136,594)
CSK 44,771,000 Czech Koruna due 6/01/1999 1,256,166 38,355
(Receivable amount $1,294,521)
CSK 24,202,500 Czech Koruna due 6/22/1999 678,522 18,474
(Receivable amount $696,996)
CSK 9,747,000 Czech Koruna due 7/12/1999 272,903 48,092
(Receivable amount $320,995)
CSK 24,202,500 Czech Koruna due 12/22/1999 673,673 (5,465)
(Receivable amount $668,208)
DKK 1,000,500 Danish Krone due 7/16/1999 142,958 2,809
(Receivable amount $145,767)
EUR 5,802,087 Euro Dollar due 7/27/1999 6,180,383 22,570
(Receivable amount $6,202,953)
NOK 6,026,100 Norwegian Krone due 6/28/1999 771,291 24,562
(Receivable amount $795,853)
PLN 7,938,610 Polish Zloty due 6/08/1999 1,992,573 (16,971)
(Receivable amount $1,975,602)
SEK 32,530,015 Swedish Krona due 5/10/1999 3,870,478 63,018
(Receivable amount $3,933,496)
------------------ ----------------
TOTAL CONTRACTS TO SELL $ 19,966,939 204,046
(Receivable amount $20,170,985) ================== ----------------
CONTRACTS TO BUY
CSK 24,202,500 Czech Koruna due 6/22/1999 $ 678,523 3,418
(Payable amount $675,105)
NOK 6,026,100 Norwegian Krone due 6/28/1999 771,291 (4,871)
(Payable amount $776,162)
------------------ ----------------
TOTAL CONTRACTS TO BUY $ 1,449,814 (1,453)
(Payable amount $1,451,267) ================== ----------------
$ 202,593
================
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
-18-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES MARKET VALUE
--------------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT - 0.03%
COMMON STOCK - 0.02%
1,600 Thermo Instrument Systems Inc. $ 20,800
--------------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCK 20,800
(Total Proceeds $27,119)
OPTIONS - 0.01%
270 S&P 500 Index 791.870 Puts expiring 7/30/1999 17,415
--------------------
TOTAL OPTIONS 17,415
(Total Proceeds $369,576) --------------------
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT $ 38,215
(Total Proceeds $396,695) ====================
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of that
category expressed as a percentage of total net assets of the Fund.
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
-19-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Baupost Fund (the "Fund") was established as a Massachusetts business trust
under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 29, 1990, and is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a no-load,
non-diversified, open-end management investment company.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
SECURITY VALUATION: Portfolio securities (other than certain foreign
securities), options and futures contracts for which market quotations are
available and which are traded on an exchange or on NASDAQ are valued at the
last quoted sale price or, if there is no such reported sale that day, at the
closing bid price. Securities, options and forward contracts traded in the
over-the-counter market (other than those traded on NASDAQ) and other unlisted
securities are valued at the most recent bid price as obtained from one or more
dealers that make markets in the securities. Portfolio securities which are
traded both in the over-the-counter market and on one or more stock exchanges
are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. To the
extent the Fund engages in "naked" short sales (i.e., it does not own the
underlying security or a security convertible into the underlying security
without the payment of any further consideration), the Fund will value such
short position as described above, except that the valuation, where necessary,
will be based on the ask price instead of the bid price. Securities traded in
foreign markets are valued at their current market value, which, depending on
local custom, may or may not be the last quoted sale price (or the closing bid
price).
Assets for which no quotations are readily available are valued at fair value as
determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees
of the Fund. Determination of fair value is based upon such factors as are
deemed relevant under the circumstances, including the financial condition and
operating results of the issuer, recent third-party transactions (actual or
proposed) relating to such securities and, in some cases, the liquidation value
of the issuer.
Certain investments held by the Fund are restricted as to public sale in
accordance with the Securities Act of 1933. Whenever possible, such assets are
valued based on bid prices obtained from reputable brokers or market makers as
of the valuation date. For assets not priced by brokers or market makers, fair
value is determined by The Baupost Group, L.L.C. ("Baupost") in accordance with
procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION: The value of foreign securities is translated into
U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange on the valuation date. Purchases and sales
of foreign securities, as well as income and expenses relating to such
securities, are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the dates
of the transactions. For financial statement purposes, gains and losses
attributable to foreign currency exchange rates on sales of securities are
recorded as net realized gains and losses, and gains and losses attributable to
foreign exchange rate movements on income and expenses are recorded as foreign
currency transaction gains and losses. The portion of both realized and
unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in
foreign exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
-20-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities transactions are
recorded on the trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined
using the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date, except income on certain foreign dividends, where the ex-
dividend date may have passed, is recorded as soon as the Fund becomes aware of
the dividends. Interest income, including original issue discount, where
applicable, is recorded on an accrual basis, except for bonds in default for
which there is some concern as to whether interest will be received, in which
case interest is recorded when received.
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT: The Fund engages in short-selling which obligates the
Fund to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the then
current market value. The Fund would incur a loss if the price of the security
increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund
replaces the borrowed security. The Fund would realize a gain if the price of
the security declines between those dates. Until the Fund replaces the borrowed
security, the Fund maintains daily, in a segregated account with its custodian,
cash or securities sufficient to cover its short exposure.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into forward foreign
currency contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a
fixed price on a future date. Losses may arise from changes in the value of a
foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or from the potential inability of
the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The Fund uses forward
foreign currency contracts to hedge the risks associated with holding securities
denominated in foreign currencies. The forward foreign currency exchange
contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency,
and any gains or losses are recorded as unrealized until the contract settlement
date. On contract settlement date, the gains or losses are recorded as realized
gains or losses on foreign currency transactions.
FUTURES CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into index futures contracts for
non-hedging purposes and in order to hedge against the effects of fluctuations
in market conditions. The potential risk to the Fund is that the change in value
of the futures contracts may not correspond to the change in value of the
securities held by the Fund in those markets. In addition, for non-listed
futures contracts, losses may arise if there is an illiquid secondary market for
the contracts or if the counterparty to the contracts is unable to perform. At
the time the Fund enters into a futures contract, it is required to deposit with
its broker cash or U.S. government securities as collateral, calculated on a per
contract basis. Subsequent payments to and from the broker are made on a daily
basis as the market price of the futures contract fluctuates. Daily adjustments
arising from this "mark to market" are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains
or losses. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a gain or loss. At
April 30, 1999, the Fund had no open positions in futures contracts.
EQUITY SWAP CONTRACTS: The Fund has entered into equity swap contracts to gain
exposure to specific foreign equities. A swap is an agreement that obligates two
parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or
calculated by reference to changes in specified security prices or interest
rates. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the
difference being paid by one party to the other. At the time the Fund enters
into an equity swap contract, it may be required to deposit collateral, cash or
Treasury bills with its broker.
-21-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of another party to the swap contract
to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure
of a counterparty is generally limited to the net payment to be received by the
Fund and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. The loss incurred
by the failure of a counterparty could include the collateral, in certain
circumstances, if there is no required segregation of cash collateral from other
assets. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty
to a swap contract in evaluating potential credit risk. Additionally, risks may
arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the
underlying equities.
The Fund records a net receivable or payable for the amount expected to be
received or paid under the contract. The interest component of the equity swap
contract is recorded as swap interest income or expense. The fluctuation in the
market value of the underlying security is recorded as unrealized appreciation
or depreciation on investments. When the contracts are closed, the Fund
recognizes a gain or loss. Premium payments made to enter into a swap contract,
if any, are capitalized and amortized over the life of the swap contract.
At April 30, 1999, the Fund had one outstanding equity swap contract with the
following terms:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SWAP NOTIONAL AMT. TERMINATION UNDERLYING
COUNTERPARTY LONG/(SHORT) DATE SHARES UNDERLYING EQUITY RECEIPTS TO THE FUND
- ------------ ------------ ---- ------ ----------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CS First Boston ($372,618) 01/18/2000 11,424 Assicurazioni Generali Three Month ITL LIBOR
Less 1.95% on Notional
</TABLE>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
institutions that Baupost has determined are creditworthy. Each repurchase
agreement is recorded at cost. The Fund requires that the securities purchased
in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner
sufficient to enable the Fund to obtain those securities in the event of a
default under the repurchase agreement. The Fund monitors, on a daily basis, the
value of the collateral to ensure that its value, including accrued interest, is
greater than the amounts owed to the Fund under each such repurchase agreement.
OPTIONS: The Fund may either write or purchase call and put options for both
hedging and non-hedging activities. The risk associated with purchasing an
option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised.
Also, for non-listed options, the Fund bears the risk of loss of premium and
market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. The Fund's
exposure to market risk relating to the securities is affected by a number of
factors including the size and composition of the options held, the time period
during which the options may be exercised, the volatility of the underlying
security or index and the relationship between the current market price of the
underlying security or index and the strike or exercise price of the option.
-22-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS: The Fund is a regulated investment
company, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code).
By complying with Code provisions, the Fund is not subject to federal income tax
provided that substantially all of its taxable income is distributed to
shareholders. Therefore, no provision has been made for federal income taxes.
The Fund's income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles. These differences are primarily due to different treatment for
certain of the Fund's foreign securities. Differences in the recognition or
classification of income between the financial statements and tax earnings and
profits, which result in temporary overdistributions for financial statement
purposes, are classified as distributions in excess of net investment income or
accumulated net realized gains. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund had a
capital loss carryforward of $3,846,000 from tax year 1998. The carryforward may
be applied against any net taxable realized gains of the current year and
succeeding years until the earlier of its utilization or expiration on October
31, 2006. The Fund utilizes earnings and profits distributed to shareholders
upon redemption of shares as a part of the dividends paid deduction for income
tax purposes.
NOTE B - INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments)
for the period ended April 30, 1999 aggregated $45,331,000 and $58,470,000,
respectively.
For federal income tax purposes, the identified cost of investments at April 30,
1999 was $128,267,314. Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation), on a federal
income tax basis, for all securities was as follows:
Six Months Ended
April 30, 1999
--------------
Gross unrealized appreciation $11,510,380
Gross unrealized depreciation (19,306,964)
-------------
Net unrealized depreciation ($ 7,796,584)
=============
NOTE C - RESTRICTED SECURITIES
At April 30, 1999, the Fund held the following securities which are restricted
as to public sale in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value at Earliest
Cost April 30, 1999 Acquisition Date
---- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Purchased Bank Debt & Trade Claims:
- -----------------------------------
Maxwell Communications Debt $ 0 $1,535,311 11/22/1993
Corporate Bonds:
- ----------------
Piedmont Management Contingent Interest Notes 8.00% due 6/30/2006 7,780 7,780 12/21/1995
</TABLE>
-23-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOTE C - RESTRICTED SECURITIES - CONTINUED
Value at Earliest
Cost April 30, 1999 Acquisition Date
---- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Partnerships:
- -------------
Emerging Europe Fund for Sustainable Development, L.P. $ 119,845 $ 160,149 02/25/1997
NCH Investors Fund, L.P. 1,589,033 62,475 12/18/1995
New Century Capital Partners II, L.P. 990,178 351,233 11/30/1995
Sigma / Ukraine, L.P. 661,184 175,946 05/14/1996
Sigma / Ukraine Class C, L.P. 404,663 101,166 11/27/1996
Templeton Emerging Europe Fund II, L.P. 113,758 99,229 12/08/1997
Ukrainian Growth Fund II, L.P. 596,076 153,000 03/31/1997
Common Stock:
- -------------
Burren Energy PLC 858,852 469,382 04/14/1998
Companies in Liquidation:
- -------------------------
Ehlco Liquidating Trust 12 394 01/30/1989
------------- --------------
TOTAL RESTRICTED SECURITIES (2.40% of Net Assets) $ 5,341,381 $3,116,065
============= ==============
</TABLE>
The Fund does not have the right to demand that such securities be registered.
The Fund does not anticipate any significant costs associated with the
disposition of these securities.
NOTE D - INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Fund retains Baupost as its investment adviser and administrator. Certain
individuals who are officers and trustees of the Fund are also officers,
directors and members of Baupost.
The Fund pays Baupost a quarterly management fee at an annual rate of 1.0% of
average net assets of the Fund, and an administrative fee at an annual rate of
0.25% of average net assets of the Fund to serve as investment adviser and
administrator. Baupost has agreed with the Fund to reduce its management fee by
up to 0.75% of the Fund's average net assets until further notice to the extent
that the Fund's total annual expenses (including the management fee,
administrative fee and certain other expenses, but excluding brokerage
commissions, transfer taxes, interest and expenses relating to preserving the
value of the Fund's investments) would otherwise exceed 1.5% of the Fund's
average net assets. For the purpose of determining the applicable management and
administrative fees, average net assets is determined by taking an average of
the determination of such net asset values during each quarter at the close of
business on the last business day of each month during such quarter before any
month-end share purchases or redemptions.
-24-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE E - YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
Management has assessed all computer systems used by the Fund, including the
computer systems of its major service providers, in anticipation of issues that
may arise on or after January 1, 2000. Like other investment companies and
business organizations around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if
these computer systems cannot properly process and calculate date-related
information and data from and after January 1, 2000.
Management is taking steps that it believes are reasonable to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to its internal computer systems and is obtaining
satisfactory assurances that comparable steps are being taken by its brokers and
other major service providers. At this time, however, there can be no assurance
that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any material adverse effect on the
Fund's operations. Management will continue to monitor the status of and its
exposure to this issue. As of April 30, 1999, the Fund has not incurred
significant Year 2000 related epenses, nor does it expect to do so in the
future. Management is in the process of establishing a comprehensive contingency
plan to address recovery from unavoided or unavoidable Year 2000 problems, if
any.
-25-
<PAGE>
THE BAUPOST FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
April 30, Year Ended October 31
------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Per Share Data
Net Asset Value, beginning of period $12.18 $17.09 $15.38 $13.47 $14.33 $14.77
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income/(loss) from investment operations
Net investment income 0.09 0.55 0.30 0.41 0.25 0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) 0.95 (2.83) 3.47 2.43 0.71 1.23
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total from investment operations 1.04 (2.28) 3.77 2.84 0.96 1.45
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Less distributions
From net investment income 0.27 0.58 0.40 0.28 0.25 0.46
In excess of net investment income - - - - 0.08 -
From net realized gain - 2.05 1.66 0.65 1.49 1.43
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total distributions 0.27 2.63 2.06 0.93 1.82 1.89
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Asset Value, end of period $12.95 $12.18 $17.09 $15.38 $13.47 $14.33
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Total Return 8.62% (16.30%) 27.04% 22.51% 7.91% 11.06%
Ratios and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $129,862 $134,003 $152,958 $108,788 $89,439 $81,787
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.62% (a) 2.12% 2.14% 1.50% 1.54% 1.53%
Ratio of total expenses excluding waiver of
management fee to average net assets 1.63% (a) 2.19% 2.14% 1.50% 1.54% 1.55%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets 1.19% (a) 2.98% 1.45% 2.27% 1.60% 1.32%
Ratio of net investment income excluding
waiver of management fee to average net
assets 1.18% (a) 2.91% 1.45% 2.27% 1.60% 1.30%
Portfolio turnover rate 111% (a) 129% 140% 120% 106% 161%
(a) Annualized
</TABLE>
-26-
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contaons summary financial information extracted from the Baupost
Fund's financial statements at 04/30/99 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 127,964,532
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 120,470,730
<RECEIVABLES> 1,621,570
<ASSETS-OTHER> 10,757,053
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 132,849,353
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 2,210,314
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 777,109
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,987,423
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 135,486,509
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 10,027,255
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 11,006,286
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 440,963
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 1,895,624
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7,079,240)
<NET-ASSETS> 129,861,930
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 471,029
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1,398,003
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,074,960
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 794,072
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 5,746,122
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 4,460,613
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 11,000,807
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 2,901,043
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 585,806
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,789,278
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 224,441
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (4,140,973)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,666,008
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (3,850,498)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 664,738
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 57,295
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,082,377
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 167,657,325
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.18
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.09
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.95
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.27
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.27
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.95
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
</TABLE>
