Saba Capital Comments on Shareholders’ Rejection of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust PLC’s Proposed Tender Offer
Welcomes Shareholders’ Decision to Reject the Board’s Flawed Proposal
Reiterates Recommendation for New Independent Directors, If Elected, to Offer Enhanced Liquidity Proposal
“We thank our fellow shareholders for their support in rejecting the EWI Board’s deeply flawed tender proposal, which would have forced shareholders into untradeable
Over the past five years, EWI’s performance has been unacceptable by any objective measure – ranking 66th out of 66 equity trusts with more than £500 million in assets.1 Yet instead of taking responsibility for the Company’s last-place performance, the Board continues to pursue actions that maintain the status quo and prioritise the incumbent directors’ self-interests at the expense of shareholders’ financial interests.”
Given that Friday’s vote outcome highlights shareholders’ loss of confidence in the Board’s ability to determine the best path forward for the Company, we want to be clear on our view:
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Saba remains confident that its previously announced
Enhanced Liquidity Proposal
is the best outcome for shareholders. The new directors put forth by Saba for election at the upcoming AGM possess the investment management and board experience necessary to administer this proposal, which would offer shareholders greater optionality, more effective management of any tax consequences and the ability to see the
SpaceX position through to IPO. -
Saba will not support any further proposals from the Board in the final days ahead of the 30 April AGM.It would be irresponsible for the Board to waste shareholders’ time and money pursuing another tender offer before the AGM. The incumbent directors have a track record of poor judgement, flawed governance and weak oversight of Baillie Gifford’s management of the
SpaceX position, which included the inexplicable decision to sell 35.4% of the investment inOctober 2025 2 at an obviously low valuation. This tragic decision cost EWI shareholders an estimated £86 million, or approximately 10.8% of current NAV, based on the reported$1.75 trillion valuation3SpaceX is targeting for its forthcoming IPO. Saba therefore has no confidence in the current Board’s ability to oversee Saba’s Enhanced Liquidity Proposal.
Saba encourages all EWI shareholders to vote FOR Saba’s three independent nominees –
About Saba
Disclaimer
This announcement is not intended to be and does not constitute or contain any investment recommendation as defined by Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (as it forms part of the domestic law in the
Saba may continue transacting in the shares and securities of the Company, and/or derivatives referenced to them (which may include those providing long and short economic exposure) for an indefinite period following the date of this announcement and may increase or decrease its interests in such shares, securities and/or derivatives at any time.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements and information that are based on Saba’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, Saba. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about strategies, plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, expenditures and assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. When used herein, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and “project” and similar expressions (or their negative) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect Saba’s current views with respect to future events, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially and adversely from those described herein. There is no assurance or guarantee with respect to the prices at which any securities of the Company or any other company will trade, and such securities may not trade at prices that may be implied herein. Any estimates, projections or potential impact of the opportunities identified by Saba herein are based on assumptions that Saba believes to be reasonable as of the date hereof, but there can be no assurance or guarantee that actual results or performance will not differ, and such differences may be material and adverse. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by Saba or any of its officers, employees or agents as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on, any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects or returns contained herein. Neither Saba nor any of its directors, officers, employees, advisers or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (for negligence or misrepresentation or in tort or under contract or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of information presented in this announcement or otherwise arising in connection with this announcement. Any historical financial information, projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects or returns contained herein are not necessarily a reliable indicator of future performance. Nothing in this announcement should be relied upon as a promise or representation as to the future. Nothing in this announcement should be considered as a profit forecast.
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Distribution
Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of that jurisdiction. The distribution of this announcement in certain countries may be restricted by law and persons who access it are required to inform themselves and to comply with any such restrictions. Saba disclaims all responsibility where persons access this announcement in breach of any law or regulation in the country of which that person is a citizen or in which that person is residing or is domiciled.
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1 Source: Bloomberg. Data for the last five years as of |
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2 Based on EWI’s |
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3
Bloomberg article dated |
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260412889418/en/
ksylvester@longacresquare.com / hvanderman@longacresquare.com
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