NEW YORK, January 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saba Capital Management, L.P. (together with certain of its affiliates, "Saba" or "we") today issued the following statement regarding the announced outcome of Herald Investment Trust PLC’s (HRI:LSE) (the "Trust") Requisitioned General Meeting on 22 January 2025.
"We appreciate the thoughtful engagement from fellow HRI shareholders in recent weeks, which only reinforces the dire state of the U.K. investment trust industry and need for Saba’s presence in the market. Over a brief period, our campaign has already enhanced value for shareholders and incited positive change at HRI – and elsewhere in the U.K. market – as evidenced by discounts to net asset value narrowing and numerous trusts announcing shareholder-friendly actions.
While these developments are encouraging, more change is required. As told in countless U.K. financial press articles over the past three years, the industry's failure to protect shareholders from losses due to poor performance and widening discounts cannot remain unaddressed. At HRI, we will continue to pursue the changes that we believe are necessary to improve the Trust after three years of poor returns and two decades of abysmal discount management by Katie Potts.
Saba remains committed to putting shareholders’ interests first, delivering returns for U.K. trust investors and ultimately rehabilitating this broken sector. We urge shareholders of the six other trusts at which we have requisitioned General Meetings to support Saba’s resolutions in order to set these trusts on the path to meaningful value creation."
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As a reminder, Saba has requisitioned General Meetings of six other trusts (the "Trusts") to provide shareholders the opportunity to vote on resolutions to remove the Trusts’ existing directors and appoint highly qualified directors to replace them.1 Saba is convening the General Meetings because we believe the current boards and investment managers have failed to perform versus their benchmarks, resulting in deep trading discounts to net asset value, which we believe have only recently narrowed as a result of Saba’s investment.
These Trusts have scheduled their Requisitioned General Meetings for:
USA: 3 February 2025 at 12p.m. GMT
KPC: 3 February 2025 at 12p.m. GMT
CYN: 4 February 2025 at 11a.m. GMT
HOT: 4 February 2025 at 10a.m. GMT
ESCT: 5 February 2025 at 12:30p.m. GMT
EWI: 14 February 2025 at 11:45a.m. GMT
Note: The voting deadlines for each Trust will be earlier than the dates of the General Meetings.
To learn how to vote FOR Saba’s resolutions at each Trust visit, https://www.mindthegap-uktrusts.com/meeting-information
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About Saba
Saba Capital Management, L.P. is a global alternative asset management firm that seeks to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns for a diverse group of clients. Founded in 2009 by Boaz Weinstein, Saba is a pioneer of credit relative value strategies and capital structure arbitrage. Saba has offices in New York City and London. Learn more at www.sabacapital.com.
DISCLAIMER
Saba Capital Management, L.P. ("Saba") is publishing this announcement solely for the information of other shareholders in each of Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust PLC (USA:LSE), CQS Natural Resources Growth & Income PLC (CYN:LSE), Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust PLC (EWI:LSE), European Smaller Companies Trust PLC (ESCT:LSE), Henderson Opportunities Trust PLC (HOT:LSE), Herald Investment Trust PLC (HRI:LSE) and Keystone Positive Change Investment Trust PLC (KPC:LSE) (the "Trusts"). 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 United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). No information in this announcement should be construed as recommending or suggesting an investment strategy. Nothing in this announcement or in any related materials is a statement of or indicates or implies any specific or probable value outcome in any particular circumstance. This announcement is provided merely for general informational purposes and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as (1) investment, financial, tax or legal advice, or (2) a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security or other investment, or to pursue any investment style or strategy. Neither the information nor any opinion contained in this announcement constitutes an inducement or offer to purchase or sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell any securities or other investments in the Trusts or any other trust by Saba or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction. This announcement does not consider the investment objective, financial situation, suitability or the particular need or circumstances of any specific individual who may access or review this announcement and may not be taken as advice on the merits of any investment decision. This announcement is not intended to provide the sole basis for evaluation of, and does not purport to contain all information that may be required with respect to, any potential investment in the Trusts. Any person who is in any doubt about the matters to which this announcement relates should consult an authorised financial adviser or other person authorised under the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. To the best of Saba’s ability and belief, all information contained herein is accurate and reliable, and has been obtained from public sources that Saba believes to be accurate and reliable. However, such information is presented "as is", without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, and Saba has not independently verified the data contained therein. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice, and Saba does not undertake to update or supplement any of the information, analysis and opinion contained herein.
Saba may continue transacting in the shares and securities of the Trusts, 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 Trusts or any other trust 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.
PERMITTED RECIPIENTS
In relation to the United Kingdom, this announcement is being issued only to, and is directed only at, (i) investment professionals specified in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and (iii) persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities of the Trusts or any member of their respective groups may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Permitted Recipients"). Persons who are not Permitted Recipients must not act or rely on the information contained in this announcement.
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 The Trusts are the Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust PLC (USA:LSE), CQS Natural Resources Growth & Income PLC (CYN:LSE), Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust PLC (EWI:LSE), European Smaller Companies Trust PLC (ESCT:LSE), Henderson Opportunities Trust PLC (HOT:LSE) and Keystone Positive Change Investment Trust PLC (KPC:LSE). For USA, there will be a third resolution to reduce the minimum permitted board size from three to two directors.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250122761447/en/
Contacts
Investor Contact
Alliance Advisors
Timothy Marshall / Adam Riches, 0800-102-6570
saba@allianceadvisors.com
Media Contact
Longacre Square Partners
Charlotte Kiaie / Kate Sylvester, +1-646-386-0091
ckiaie@longacresquare.com / ksylvester@longacresquare.com
