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Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC

Fund Information / Factsheet Sep 17, 2024

4740_rns_2024-09-17_3aebbe56-c055-423a-a16e-ce45c26b3202.pdf

Fund Information / Factsheet

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Investment Objective

To invest in the global healthcare sector with the objective of achieving a high level of capital growth. In order to achieve its investment objective, the Company invests worldwide in a diversified portfolio of shares in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and related securities in the healthcare sector. It uses gearing, and derivative transactions to enhance returns and mitigate risk. Performance is measured against the MSCI World Health Care Index (net total return, sterling adjusted).

Five Year Performance (%)

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed; an investor may receive back less than the original amount invested.

Share Price (total return) +38.1%

Benchmark: MSCI World Health Care Index (net total return; sterling adjusted) +65.4%

Source: Morningstar, Index - Bloomberg.

Ten Largest Holdings as at 31 August
2024
Name Region Sector Total
Eli Lilly North America Pharmaceuticals 9.0
Biotech M&A Target Swap North America Swap Baskets 7.5
Boston Scientific North America Health Care Equipment & Supplies 6.7
AstraZeneca Europe Pharmaceuticals 6.3
Novo Nordisk Europe Pharmaceuticals 6.1
Intuitive Surgical North America Health Care Equipment & Supplies 5.3
Merck North America Pharmaceuticals 4.2
Daiichi Sankyo Japan Pharmaceuticals 3.7
Biogen North America Biotechnology 3.5
Tenet Healthcare North America Health Care Providers & Services 3.4
Total 55.7

Portfolio Manager Trevor Polischuk

Portfolio Manager Sven H. Borho

Fast Facts As at 31 August 2024
AIC Sector Biotechnology & Healthcare
Launch Date & appointment
April 1995
of Portfolio Manager
Annual Management Fee (payable by the

Company): 0.65% of net assets plus 0.30% of market cap. up to £150m; in the range £150m to £500m 0.2%; in the range £500m to £1bn 0.15%; in the range £1bn to £1.5bn 0.125%; over £1.5bn 0.075% plus £57,500.

0.9%
2029 AGM and every
th AGM thereafter
5
31 March / 30
September
523,061,993 shares#

# excludes shares held in treasury

Trust Characteristics
56
Number of Holdings
Net Assets (£m) 2,137.5
Market Capitalisation (£m) 1,911.8
Dividends Provisional payment dates:
January & July
Indicative Yield 0.8%
Gearing 4.0%
Leverage** Gross 114.3%
Commitment 112.1%
Share Price (p) 365.50
NAV per share (p) (cum
income)
408.65
(Discount) / Premium (10.6%)
Portfolio Turnover p.a. 51.6%
Active Share*** 63.2%

Sector, Region** & Asset Class*** Breakdown at 31 August 2024* (%)

Pharmaceutical 31.9 North America 72.3 Listed Equities 86.9
Healthcare Equipment /
Supplies
20.8 Europe 15.3 Equity Swaps 8.2
Biotechnology 17.5 Japan 5.8 Unquoteds 4.9
Healthcare Providers /
Services
14.9 China / Hong Kong 5.8 Total 100.0
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
7.5 India 0.9
Swap Baskets 7.5 Total 100.0
Total 100.0

*Calculation based on economic exposure and expressed as a % of the total economic exposure. This includes all derivatives as an economically equivalent position in the underlying holding.

**Geographical analysis based on country of primary listing.

***Unquoted securities will not exceed 10% of the portfolio at the time of acquisition.

Source: All portfolio information sourced from Frostrow Capital LLP. Analysis excludes cash and cash equivalents, including liquidity funds.

Discrete Performance – Calendar Years (%)

Percentage Growth
12 Month Return
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 YTD
NAV 31.9 20.0 -0.4 -3.3 0.4 18.2
Share Price 32.3 19.9 -2.6 -9.8 -2.6 18.2
Index 18.4 10.3 20.8 5.8 -1.6 14.4

Standardised Discrete Performance (%)

Percentage Growth 12
Month Return
Aug 19-
Aug 20
Aug 20-
Aug 21
Aug 21-
Aug 22
Aug 22-
Aug 23
Aug 23-
Aug 24
NAV 24.5 10.5 -4.4 -4.3 21.2
Share Price 25.3 11.0 -13.3 -3.7 18.9
Index 11.3 20.1 5.3 1.1 16.3

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. An investor may receive back less than the original amount invested.

Source: NAV (total return; fully diluted) & share price (total return) – Morningstar. Benchmark - Bloomberg.

*Calculated at the financial year end, includes management fees and all other operating expenses, and excludes performance fees.

** The Board has set the maximum leverage limit for both the Gross and the Commitment basis at 140% of the Company's Net Asset Value.

*** Active Share is expressed as a percentage and shows the extent to which a fund's holdings and their weightings differ from those of the fund's benchmark index. A fund that closely tracks its index might have a low Active Share of less than 20% and be considered passive, while a fund with an Active Share of 60% or higher is generally considered to be actively managed.

Codes

Sedol BN455J5
ISIN GB00BN455J50
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)
5493003YBCY4W1IMJU04
Global Intermediary
Identification Number (GIIN)
FIZWRN.99999.SL.826
Bloomberg WWH LN
EPIC WWH

Investment Policy

The healthcare sector is global and accessing this market as a UK investor can be difficult. The Company offers an opportunity to gain exposure to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related companies in the healthcare sector on a global scale. The Company invests in large companies with market capitalisations of over U.S.\$10bn, smaller companies below that size, as well as unquoted companies. The portfolio ranges from large multinational pharmaceutical companies with multiple products to unquoted emerging biotechnology companies. The Company's investment policy allows gearing, through borrowing, of up to 20% of net assets and a net exposure to derivative investments (excluding swaps) of up to 5% of the portfolio. Equity swaps may also be used, counterparty exposure here is limited to 12% of the portfolio at the time of acquisition. Unquoted securities will not exceed 10% of the portfolio at the time of acquisition.

Return vs Volatility (Annualised since Launch Date & appointment of Portfolio Manager) – Chart (%)

Commentary

In August, the NAV per share total return was +4.5%, the share price total return was -0.1% and the MSCI World Health Care Index was +3.2%, on a net total return, sterling adjusted basis.

August 2024 was unusually turbulent for global equity markets. A weaker-thanexpected jobs report in the U.S. and a surprise interest rate hike in Japan caused the VIX to spike and share prices to plummet in the first five trading days of the month. However, equity markets were ultimately resilient in August and clawed their way back to post gains in the period, including S&P 500, FTSE 100, and MSCI World. Overall, healthcare stocks outperformed, seemingly given the mixed sentiment of a putative recession, giving a bid to defensive stocks and pressuring "risk-on" assets. These factors influence the Trust's performance in August.

The largest contribution came from large cap pharmaceuticals, in particular Eli Lilly. After a macro-influenced sell-off in late July, the share price rebounded after the company reported a "blow-out" quarter with revenues and earnings well ahead of investor expectations on the blockbuster sales of their "diabesity" products, Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide). The company again raised full-year revenue guidance. Important gains were also seen from AstraZeneca after posting better-than-expected quarterly results. Additional contribution of import came from medical devices after both Boston Scientific and Intuitive Surgical printed solid quarterly reports. Finally, material contribution came from healthcare services from Tenet Healthcare (positive quarter) and from Evolent Health (takeout rumor).

The only material detractor from performance in August was the biotechnology sector which was weak due to aforementioned macro factors. Biogen was the only detractor >25 basis points. The stock sold off after an uninspiring quarterly report in which investors began to doubt a return to growth for the company.

Overall, the quarterly reporting season was unexpectedly volatile, particularly to end July but net was positive for the Trust in August. Looking ahead, the interest rate debate and U.S. election headlines may continue to influence healthcare equities, but we also look forward to a series of clinical catalysts and medical meetings in the autumn season to also impact healthcare.

DISCOUNT/PREMIUM CONTROL

It is the Board's policy to buy back the Company's shares if the share price discount to the net asset value per share exceeds 6% on an ongoing basis. Shares repurchased are held as treasury shares. Treasury shares can be sold back to the market at a later date at a premium to the cum income net asset value per share. Shareholders should note, however, that it remains very possible for the discount to be greater than 6% for extended periods of time particularly when sentiment towards the Company, the sector and to investment trusts generally remains poor.

While buy backs may prove unable to prevent the discount from widening, they also enhance the net asset value per share for remaining shareholders and go some way to dampening discount volatility which can adversely affect investors' risk adjusted returns.

At times when there are unsatisfied buying orders for the Company's shares in the market, the Company has the ability to issue new shares or to re-issue treasury shares at a small premium to the cum income net asset value per share. This acts as an effective share price premium management tool.

How to Contact Us

Frostrow Capital LLP 25 Southampton Buildings London, WC2A 1AL

Tel.: 0203 008 4910 Fax: 0203 043 8889

Website: www.frostrow.com Email: [email protected]

Risk Warnings

This document is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase shares in the Company and has not been prepared in connection with any such offer or invitation. Before investing in the Company, or any other investment product, you should satisfy yourself as to its suitability and the risks involved, and you may wish to consult a financial adviser.

Any return you receive depends on future market performance and is uncertain. The Company does not seek any protection from future market performance so you could lose some or all of your investment. For information on the principal risks the Company is exposed to please refer to the Company's Annual Report or Investor Disclosure Document available at www.worldwidewh.com.

Shares in the Company are bought and sold on the London Stock Exchange. The price you pay or receive, like other listed shares, is determined by supply and demand and may be at a discount or premium to the underlying net asset value of the Company. Usually, at any given time, the price you pay for a share will be higher than the price you could sell it.

The Company has increased its exposure to investments via the use of an overdraft facility and derivatives, and this could potentially magnify any losses or gains made by the Company. The Annual Report and Investor Disclosure Document, available on the Company's website, include further details on the use of, and exposure to, derivatives.

Target Market

The Company is suitable for investors seeking an investment that aims to deliver total returns over the longer term (at least five years), is compatible with the needs for retail clients, professional clients and eligible counterparties, and is eligible for all distribution channels.

The Company may not be suitable for investors who are concerned about short-term volatility and performance, have low or no risk tolerance or are looking for capital protection, who are seeking a guaranteed or regular income, or a predictable return profile. The Company does not offer capital protection.

Value Assessment

Frostrow Capital LLP has conducted an annual Value Assessment on the Company in line with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules set out in the Consumer Duty regulation. The Assessment focuses on the nature of the product, including benefits received and its quality, limitations that are part of the product, expected total costs to clients and target market considerations.

Within this, the assessment considers quality of services, performance of the Company (against both benchmark and peers), total fees (including management fees and entry and exit fees as applicable to the Company), and also considers whether vulnerable consumers are able to receive fair value from the product.

Frostrow Capital LLP concluded that the Company is providing value based on the above assessment.

Important Information

Worldwide Healthcare Company PLC (the Company) is a public limited company whose shares are premium listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and is registered with HMRC as an investment Company. The Company has an indeterminate life, although shareholders consider and vote on the continuation of the Company every five years (the next such vote will be held in 2024). This financial promotion is issued by Frostrow Capital LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA").

The MSCI information (relating to the Benchmark) may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or redisseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an "as is" basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the "MSCI Parties") expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation lost profits) or any other damages. (www.msci.com).

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