Saba Capital Recommends New Board of Directors at Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust PLC, if Elected, Offer Shareholders a 100% Cash Exit at 99% of NAV
Outlines Saba’s Perspective on the Best Path Forward for EWI
Urges the New, Independent Directors to Deliver Full Liquidity to EWI Shareholders if Elected
“No amount of quibbling over benchmark selection can obscure the facts. Under Baillie Gifford’s stewardship, EWI has lost more than 40% over the past five years – despite being largely invested in technology stocks during one of the strongest tech markets in history.
Since 2021, 17 of EWI’s 20 largest holdings1 have each fallen more than 42 %.2 That level of underperformance among the portfolio’s largest investments is extraordinary. Shareholders deserve a Board that will pursue all available options to improve performance and maximise value.
While we reiterate that the new Board will be fully independent from Saba, we recognise that shareholders would like the choice not to continue with the Company. Therefore, we recommend that the new directors, if elected, offer all shareholders a 100% cash exit at 99% of the Company’s NAV. Regardless of any future changes the new directors may elect to make to EWI’s investment mandate or manager, this tender offer would guarantee every shareholder the option to sell their entire holding at 99% of NAV – providing a clear and certain path forward.
Although EWI currently trades at a slight premium, the unfortunate reality for shareholders is that we anticipate the discount will likely revert to near its prior levels once
As a reminder, Saba has proposed resolutions to be added to the notice of the Company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting to enable EWI shareholders to elect three new qualified, independent directors –
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
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1 List of EWI’s |
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2 Source: Bloomberg. Data runs from |
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ksylvester@longacresquare.com / bszechenyi@longacresquare.com
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