Annual Report • Mar 27, 2025
Annual Report
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Annual Financial Report, 31 December 2024 Allianz Technology Trust PLC Image generated by ChatGPT’s DALL-E 3 AI ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC Investment Objective Allianz Technology Trust PLC (‘the Company’) invests principally in the equity securities of quoted technology companies on a worldwide basis with the aim of achieving long-term capital growth in excess of the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) (the ‘benchmark’). Investment Policy fi portfolio of companies that use technology in an innovative way to gain competitive advantage. Particular emphasis is placed on companies that are addressing major growth trends with innovation that replaces existing technology or radically changes products and services or the way in which they are supplied to customers. What constitutes a technology stock Technology has become a vast and diverse sector. It encompasses those companies that sell technology solutions – from cloud storage to component manufacturers to software developers – but also those for whom technology is an intrinsic part of their business – for example, the car makers or ecommerce groups using technology to gain a competitive advantage. In short, technology stocks may sit across multiple sectors, including healthcare, industrials or fi As technology becomes ever more pervasive, the lines between fi blurred. Even where companies aren’t selling technology, technology may be intrinsic to their success as a company. More companies are becoming technology companies as disruptive innovation brings change and displaces incumbent market leaders. The challenge is to understand not only current technologies, but also future trends and ff Asset allocation Voya Investment Management Co LLC (the Investment Manager) fi invest in the most attractive technology shares on a global basis. The lead portfolio manager aims to identify the leading companies in emerging technology growth sub-sectors. The majority of the portfolio will comprise mid and large cap technology shares. Risk diversification The Company aims to diversify risk and no holding in the portfolio will comprise more than 15% of the Company’s assets at the time of acquisition. The Company aims to diversify the portfolio across a range of technology sub-sectors. Gearing In normal market conditions gearing will not exceed 10% of net assets but may increase to 20%. The Company’s Articles of Association limit borrowing to one quarter of its called up share capital and reserves. As at 31 December 2024 there was no borrowing facility in place. Liquidity In normal market conditions the liquidity of the portfolio, that is the proportion of the Company’s net assets held in cash or cash equivalents, will not exceed 15% of net assets but may be increased to a maximum of 30% of net assets. Derivatives The Company may use derivatives for investment purposes within guidelines set down by the Board. Foreign currency The Company’s current policy is not to hedge foreign currency. Benchmark One of the ways in which the Company measures its performance is in relation to its benchmark, which is an index made up of some of the world’s leading technology companies. The benchmark used is the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return). The Company’s strategy is to have a concentrated portfolio which is benchmark aware rather than benchmark driven. The fi allocation to high growth, mid cap companies which are considered to be the emerging leaders in the technology sector. The lead fi ff opportunity for outperformance over the long term. Key Information Overview IFC Key Information 2 Financial Highlights 3 Chairman’s Statement 6 Financial Summary Investment Manager’s Review 7 Portfolio Managers’ Report 10 Investment Portfolio Strategic Report 12 Strategic Report 17 Section 172 Report 20 Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Stewardship – the Company’s Report 22 Voya Investment Management’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy Director’s Review 24 Directors 26 Directors’ Report 32 Corporate Governance Statement 36 Report of the Management Engagement Committee 37 Report of the Nomination Committee 38 Report of the Remuneration Committee 39 Directors’ Remuneration Implementation Report 42 Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report 43 Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 44 Audit & Risk Committee Report Financial Statements 47 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Allianz Technology Trust PLC 52 Income Statement 53 Balance Sheet 54 Statement of Changes in Equity 55 Notes to the Financial Statements Investor Information 67 Glossary of Terms 68 Investor Information 72 Notice of Meeting Annual Financial Report Contents information on the technology sector to an online format. Readership of hard copy AFRs has declined and the large majority of shareholders and other interested parties only access AFRs online. We believe in making as much information as possible available in an electronic format – with the web-based Annual Financial Report containing enhanced content. Please do have a look at this year’s deeper dive into the technology sector at tinyurl.com/attafr24 or by using your tablet or smartphone camera to scan the QR code: 1 OVERVIEW Financial Highlights Net Asset Value (NAV) per Ordinary share +35.6 % 2024 458.6p 2023 338.2p NAV per Ordinary share (p) Shareholders’ funds (£m) Key for charts: Allianz Technology Trust – Net Asset Value – undiluted. Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return). Peer group of Morningstar Global Technology Sector Equity. Comparative figures for 2020 have been restated following the sub-division of 25p Ordinary shares into ten Ordinary shares of 2.5p each on 4 May 2021. 1 10 years to 31 December 2024. Rebased to 100 at 1 December 2014. Source: AllianzGI/Datastream. The Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) can be found on page 66. 2024 2024 458.6 1,747 Performance against sector average 1 850 50 Benchmark +35.8% 2024 3,688.0 2023 2,715.0 Performance against benchmark 1 Premium (discount) of Ordinary share price to NAV per share (%) Ordinary share price +38.1% 2024 419.0p 2023 303.5p Ordinary share price (p) 2024 419.0 2024 (8.6) 850 50 NAV versus benchmark (%) 2024 2023 338.2 2020 20222021 231.0 347.9 291.3 20232020 20222021 1,319 939 1,472 1,229 20232020 20222021 303.5 210.0 352.5 297.0 2023 (10.3) 20222021 1.3 (9.1) 2020 2.0 35.6 35.8 20232020 20222021 19.4 (33.6) 28.2 (26.4) 76.1 46.4 48.2 41.7 2 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC Chairman’s Statement Tim Scholefield Welcome Welcome to this report on Allianz fi year ending 31 December 2024. In recent times global macroeconomic and geopolitical shocks have seemed commonplace and so it was something of a relief that 2024 passed without major global upset. 2024 was, however, notable for the numerous elections across the globe. In the UK the general fi Labour government since 2010 and in the US, Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term. The macroeconomic environment was on the whole supportive, in particular central ff fl backdrop equity markets did manage to generate good returns with technology companies continuing to lead the pack. A detailed look at economies, rates ff Manager’s Report on page 7 and I recommend you read that for its detail and nuance. Backdrop That technology intertwines all our lives is indisputable and 2024 showed some incredible and sometimes disturbing examples of this. AI continues to dominate headlines – there is no doubt that this is an amazing technology with the potential to have a huge impact on society. However, we are in frontier territory and ultimate long-term winners in the AI race may not yet even exist. What is certain is that technology is most often the ‘edge’ and that means a consistency of demand for products, services and ongoing innovation. It is that which keeps the sector so dazzlingly alive, along with an ecosystem of incomprehensibly talented inventors, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs who work tirelessly towards the next generation of technology. This whilst most of us are simply trying to absorb the changes already in front of us! Performance Technology was once again a leader of stock market returns. Yes, global markets progressed strongly and would have netted investors around 20% for the year (source: FTSE World Index (total return)). However, the Company’s benchmark index would have brought you over 35% and of course, the dominance of the sector is such that a big part of the return from the global indices came from technology companies. So, what are some of the underlying drivers of performance? The fi Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia and Tesla) between them returned around 60% – a continued dominance at a headline level, although delving down there was a mix of extraordinary and more lacklustre returns. There were further strong returns seen from a wider range of technology companies this year and in terms of our own performance this meant that our Investment Manager was able to keep pace with our benchmark index without necessarily having to hold index weights in the largest companies. For details of the key stocks that either aided or held back our relative performance, please do read the details outlined in the Portfolio Manager’s Report on page 8. 3 OVERVIEW encouraging to see the discount narrow from 10.3% at the start of the year to 8.6% at year end, nevertheless the Board is very aware that the discount could be a source of frustration to shareholders. 2024 marks a third successive year in which ATT has been at a discount, in contrast to the prior three years in which we typically traded at a premium to NAV. I have previously commented that the Board’s view is that the discount in recent times is the result of broad macroeconomic and structural fi concerns; this remains our view. We have reached this conclusion by examining the pattern of discounts across the whole investment trust sector as well as those of our competitors. fi discounts seen in the past three years has its roots in the tighter monetary conditions which followed the global fl also worth keeping in mind that the UK equity market has for some time now remained ‘cheap’ by global standards. All that said, what is the Board’s response to the persistent discount? Our focus is on three areas. First, we continue to use the powers available to us to buy back shares. Our policy in respect of buying back shares remains unchanged. We would consider buying back shares where the discount is consistently over 7% and we judge it appropriate to do so given the prevailing market backdrop. fi an aggregate 9,015,787 shares at an average discount of 11.3% and total cost fi year, up to 12 March 2025 we have repurchased a further 2,729,344 shares at an average discount of 10.3% and total cost of £11.5m. At the forthcoming AGM, the Board will once again seek authority to buy back up to 14.99% of the shares in issue. Any buy back of shares will only take place where we believe it fi I am pleased to report that shareholders saw a second successive year of strong returns. The Company’s Net Asset Value (NAV) total return was 35.6%, while a narrowing in the discount to NAV resulted in a higher share price total return of 38.1%. The NAV return was marginally behind the 35.8% return of our benchmark, the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return). Keeping pace with the benchmark without resorting to holding index weights in the largest companies is a ‘win’ in our view as it means we have broadly matched that performance without exposing shareholders to excessive concentration risk. We will not lose sight of the important part that risk management plays in the active portfolio management ‘equation’ and our focus on extracting value for shareholders from a wider, more fi of companies than simply the mega- capitalisation stocks remains key for ATT. An example of this came in late January fl relating to the AI application DeepSeek sent the price of many AI related stocks markedly lower on 27th – in particular Nvidia lost almost half-a-trillion USD market capitalisation and went from the world’s most valuable company to third on that day alone with a near 20% fall. Being active means that we did not hold an index weight in the stock (roughly 3.5% below). In the following days the stock recovered the majority of the fall as investors digested the situation. As in previous years we have not proposed a dividend for the year ended 31 December 2024. It is common for technology companies not to pay a dividend, moreover the yields of those that do are typically small by comparison with non-technology companies. Discount The Company traded at an average discount of 10.4% over the period (low of 3.8% and high of 14.8%). It was ff process was unchanged. We remain fi the knitting’ and executing our long established and successful investment approach provides a compelling basis for achieving long-term capital growth for shareholders. Third, we continued with our activities to promote the Company and the attractive investment opportunity provided by the technology sector. Long-term demand generation is our favoured strategy in the face of a reticent market. Our promotional activities will ff we will continue to make creative use ff shareholder base. ATT has an enviable track record which has been recognised fi ff twelve months will help grow demand for our shares. Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI continues to be a headline theme within our portfolio. There is no doubt of the transformative power of this technology and the tremendous opportunities for those companies that are successful in developing or implementing AI. That said, AI’s frenetic development brings its own risks. Picking the winners in the AI race is challenging. We are becoming more and more aware of AI’s potential ‘dark side’, its scope to be misused whether it be in creating ‘deep fakes’, plagiarism or cyber-attacks. Moreover, the AI race is global in nature ff transnational regulatory standards are close at hand. In this context ATT’s focus is on balancing the opportunities and the risks. For the Investment Manager this translates into a strong focus on companies that are making money from the technology now (many aren’t), as well as those most likely to mature into that position. Our investment team carefully assesses ff 4 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 risk on a stock-by-stock, ‘bottom-up’ basis when considering new additions to the portfolio and in their monitoring of existing holdings. For the Board, fl on governance. Consequentially we have met with external subject matter ff to strengthen regulation surrounding the use of AI. In my view, our focus on governance, risk management and the ff previously discussed are distinctive features of our actively-managed investment trust structure. The costs of running your Company Your Board has maintained its close attention to the costs of running the Company. The Company’s Ongoing Charges Figure (OCF), which is calculated by dividing ongoing operating expenses by the average NAV, has fallen to 0.64% (2023: 0.70%). I am pleased to report that the Company has the lowest OCF within its AIC peer group (Technology & Technology Innovation). The OCF excludes any performance fee due to the Investment Manager. The performance fee is subject to various performance conditions which were not met in 2024 and as a consequence no performance fee was earned. The various performance conditions are set out in detail in the Directors’ Report on page 26. Board matters In 2024 the Board visited our Investment Manager in California. This is a key part of our governance programme which we aim to undertake once every two years. We completed a deep-dive analysis of the investment process, portfolio and the investment team as part of our regular due diligence. We also met with a sample of our portfolio companies which are located in the area and these meetings certainly reinforced the Board’s view that the technology sector has tremendous potential for long term growth. As previously reported, at the conclusion of the 2025 AGM Elisabeth Scott will step down from the Board, having served since 2015. We thank Elisabeth for her fi development over the past ten years and her part in its considerable growth over that time. Although outside of the reporting period, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Lucy Costa Duarte as a non-executive Director on 1 January 2025. Lucy also joined the Audit and Risk, Management Engagement, Remuneration and Nomination Committees. Lucy brings a wealth of marketing and investor relations experience, and we are therefore delighted that she has joined the Board. Annual General Meeting (AGM) arrangements This year’s AGM will be held on 23 April 2025 at 2.30pm. The full Notice of Meeting can be found on page 72. Full details of the special business to be considered at the AGM can be found on pages 30 to 31. As with 2024, the AGM will be a hybrid meeting, meaning shareholders can either attend physically or online. We strongly encourage all shareholders to submit their votes by the deadline of 17 April 2025 as detailed in the Notice of Meeting on page 72. Those shareholders attending virtually will be able to view the AGM and submit questions electronically. If you are an ATT shareholder through ff to vote, then we encourage you to take advantage of those arrangements to cast your votes and thus have your say in the running of your Company. It is also possible for you to attend the AGM: all you need to do is to request a ‘Letter of Representation’ or click ‘Attend meeting’ on the voting options page. We also commend and support the Association ff further improve the enfranchisement of retail shareholders who hold their shares through an investment platform or other nominee service, with their newly launched “My share, my vote” campaign, targeting a change in company law. You can view details of this campaign at www.theaic.co.uk/my-share-my-vote and follow instructions on how to cast your vote via platforms at www.theaic.co.uk/ how-to-vote-your-shares. The Board encourages shareholders to attend the AGM if possible. A presentation by the lead portfolio manager will be made at the start of the meeting. For those unable to attend either physically or virtually, a recording of the AGM will be posted to the Company’s website as soon as practicable after the event. The Board looks forward to welcoming shareholders to this year’s event. Outlook ffi the macroeconomic direction of travel for the year ahead. What is probably not in doubt is that shocks to the system and associated volatility continue to be fi the early weeks of the new Trump ff wars are causing unease. That said there is no doubt that change within the technology sector will continue at pace. Our job is more nuanced though – decoding how this will translate into business growth and fi ultimately into their share prices. The technology sector can be prone to the wildest swings in sentiment based on fl companies at the forefront of growth undoubtedly deserve to trade on higher multiples, we are seeing more instances in which valuations have become overextended. Against this background a sense of balance is needed. We truly believe in the long-term potential of the sector, however in the short term it feels there could be an increasing risk of market corrections and setbacks along the way. At ATT we remain focused on the task at hand: creating a portfolio which we believe has the strongest potential for growth over the long term, for those shareholders who entrust us with their money. Tim Scholefield Chairman 12 March 2025 5 OVERVIEW Financial Summary As at 31 December 2024 As at 31 December 2023 % change Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share 458.6p +35.6 Ordinary Share Price 419.0p +38.1 Discount of Ordinary Share Price to Net Asset Value 8.6% 10.30% Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) 3,688.0 2,715.0 +35.8 Shareholders' Funds £1,747m £1,319m +32.5 For the year ended 31 December 2024 For the year ended 31 December 2023 Net Revenue Return per Ordinary Share (1.12p) (0.88p) Ongoing charges 1 0.64% 0.70% Five year performance summary 2 As at 31 December 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Shareholders' Funds £1,747m £939m £1,472m £1,229m Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share 458.6p 231.0p 347.9p 291.3p Ordinary Share Price 419.0p 210.0p 352.5p 297.0p Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) 3,688.0 1,832.2 2,489.3 1,941.1 (Discount) premium of Ordinary Share Price to Net Asset Value (8.6%) (10.3%) (9.1%) 1.3% 2.0% fi fi 6 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 What has been the economic backdrop in 2024? At the start of 2024, a raft of major fi fi the end, most elections passed without fi of a new policy agenda in the United States are not yet clear and could be a disruptive force in the year ahead. Fragile geopolitics has undoubtedly remained a source of instability, but for the most part, the economic backdrop has been stable. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates global economic growth at 3.2% for 2024, just 0.1% lower than 2023 and forecasts 3.3% for 2025. Economic activity has been helped by an easing fl ffi across the world to cut interest rates. Supply chain pressures have eased, fi sustained. At the same time, megatrends fi supported corporate spending. What has been happening to interest rates? fi cut rates, with the European Central Bank swiftly following in June. The US fi September, surprising the markets with a 0.5% reduction: it cited growing concerns over the health of the US labour market. This was followed by two 0.25% cuts in November and December. However, at its last meeting of the year, the Fed warned it would slow the pace of rate cuts in 2025, with the minutes suggesting it was “at or near the point at which it would be appropriate to slow the pace of policy easing”. Japan was the only major country to fi exiting its below-zero interest rate policy. By the end of the year, there were fl the US, and bond markets began to pare fi rate cuts in the year ahead. Have there been any notable trends across currency and commodities markets? The US dollar appreciated for the fi economy continued to show resilience in the face of higher rates. As recessionary fears mounted in the summer, the dollar weakened, before rebounding as these fears appeared overblown. Donald Trump’s victory and the Fed’s more cautious stance on future interest rate cuts provided a further boost, with the Dollar Index, a measure of the currency’s strength against its major trading partners, hitting a two-year high. While the Japanese yen weakened against the dollar, it appreciated against the fl on interest rate policy between the two economies. Commodity prices were mixed. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher in the early part of the year, with Brent crude nearing $90 a barrel, compared to just under $80 at the start of the year. However, prices later eased back towards $70 a barrel given abundant supply. In contrast, gold prices soared, reaching a fresh record high of almost $2,800 an ounce in late October. Demand was supported by central bank buying. How have stock markets performed over the year? It was a strong year for global equity markets in 2024, with the MSCI World Index gaining 19.2% over the year, after rising 24.4% in 2023. Markets were supported by the fading risk of a US recession and the turn in interest rate policy. Stock markets were also given a boost in November with a victory for the Republican party in the US elections. Investors are anticipating that a blend of tax cuts and regulation will boost corporate earnings in the years ahead. At a sector level, excitement around AI fi Seven’ (Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia and Tesla), which delivered a return of over 60%. Nevertheless, there were nuances within this. Nvidia, for example, comprehensively outpaced its peers, after delivering strong earnings through the year. Elsewhere, it was also a strong year for consumer discretionary and fi and healthcare were the weakest sectors in the MSCI All Countries World Index. Towards the end of the year there were signs of a broadening out of market leadership. The Russell 2000, for example, which focuses on small and medium sized US companies, rallied in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s election victory, with investors hoping his policy agenda would support smaller, more domestically focused companies. Mike Seidenberg 7 INVESTMENT MANAGER’S REVIEW Investment Manager’s Review ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Has AI continued to advance? Yes, there has been progress in AI- powered tools and applications impacting chips, software, hardware, and other technology industries. Generative fi fi spike in interest, with a notable increase in job postings and investments. The capabilities of large language models expanded, processing larger amounts of data across multiple media such as text, images and video. Where else have you seen growth? Cybersecurity remains a crucial sector. 2024 saw a range of new threats emerging, including the rise of AI-powered attacks. AI was used for automated phishing, malware generation and sophisticated social engineering campaigns. Security teams fifi driven tools to detect anomalies and automate responses. The adoption of Zero Trust Architecture and the focus on cloud security were also notable trends. Cloud computing has been a long- running theme in the portfolio. Cloud computing provides seamless access to servers, networks, storage, development tools and applications via the internet. fi investments in equipment, training and infrastructure maintenance, cloud service providers assume these responsibilities. This allows companies to ‘right size’ technology infrastructure to business needs rather than going through costly investment cycles. The migration to cloud computing continued to grow, with 65% of technology decision-makers anticipating an increase in cloud spending over the next year. We would also highlight the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G. The IoT connects devices and systems, enabling them to communicate and share data. This connectivity is used in homes, cities and industries, delivering smarter, ffi agriculture, for example, to monitor climate patterns and adapt fertiliser or fi of wireless technology, provides the high-speed connectivity needed to support the massive data exchange and real-time communication required by IoT devices. It was an astonishing year for the Bitcoin price, which rose over 100% in 2024. Are there opportunities in blockchain and cryptocurrencies? Certainly, both have the potential to disrupt a number of industries and fi provides a decentralised and secure method to record transactions, which can enhance transparency, reduce fraud ffi ff fi peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. How has the Company performed over the year? The Company’s NAV rose by 35.6% for the year to 31 December 2024. This was marginally behind its benchmark, the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return), which rose by 35.8%. Once again, the fi their dominance in the index made ffi our shareholders to excessively large positions in potentially volatile stocks. We typically hold below index weights in these stocks to avoid concentration risk in the portfolio. Nevertheless, the AI trend remains a strong one. These mega- themes do not come around very often, and when one emerges, we believe in sticking with it. The semiconductor sector was an important contributor to overall returns. While Nvidia saw strong gains, it did not contribute to relative returns because we had a below benchmark weight (10% versus 12%) due to risk management constraints. More important for relative returns were our weights in companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Broadcom, which returned 95.4% and 114.2% respectively. TSMC is not in our benchmark, and we had almost double the index weighting in Broadcom. The largest sector contribution came from our holding in software companies. We had an overweight position in the portfolio (relative to the benchmark), and our stock picking approach was strong. Holding an underweight position (relative to the benchmark) in hardware companies also contributed to relative returns. Weakness has tended to come in idiosyncratic areas, rather than from any major themes. However, IT services was ffi the year. It is also worth noting that concentration in the top 10 stocks has increased over the past three years. The dominance of fi narrow technology market has seen us use a larger amount of capital to invest in some of the mega caps. This was done to preserve performance, knowing that as the market broadens out, we will use capital from these larger positions and redeploy it into new names among large and mid cap companies. What were the major stock highlights over the year? Palantir Technologies provided the largest relative contribution to the portfolio over the year. It was a new buy in August. We liked the company’s leadership position in big data and in the fi products and services. Shares rallied on the continued momentum for AI-related applications as well as news that it would be added to the S&P 500 Index. This should increase liquidity in the stock. We continue to hold it, with the shift in IT spending towards AI showing few signs of weakness. Microsoft was the one weak spot among fi fi versus the benchmark – 8.2% against 14.6%. The group remains a world leader in software, cloud storage and security solutions, and an undoubted pioneer in AI. However, its earnings statement was accompanied by lower forward guidance amid capacity constraints and moderating growth, and as a result we currently intend to maintain a structural underweight. fiIntel Corp. We had an underweight position in this legacy chip maker and then exited it in full at the start of February. Its shares were hit by weaker-than-expected earnings and a lacklustre forecast. The company has lagged behind several of its chip-making rivals in terms of revenue and innovation. The departure of the company’s CEO created further uncertainty toward the end of the year. We keep an eye on the stock, but other chip makers have better exposure to AI and other leading technologies. In our 8 view, once a company is behind in the ffi catch up. Recent new holdings have included Marvell Technology, a developer and producer of semiconductor and related technology across security and networking platforms, secure data processing and storage solutions. It is making important strides in improving the design of its chips and is attracting interest from the hyperscalers. Point-of-sale, cloud-based restaurant management software maker Toast is another recent buy as the company made some interesting product developments. Social networking platform Reddit was another buy in the latter half of the year, plus Paypal, where a revamped management team and new product platform are helping it gain market share. Another purchase of note was Atlassian Corp, a designer and developer of an enterprise software platform for project management, collaboration and support services. It continues to see a strong pipeline of growth, with product upgrades and migrations to its cloud business. Where were the weak spots for the Company? Our largest detractor was MongoDB, a document database provider which allows the storage of structured or unstructured data. This makes the development of applications more agile. However, its shares dropped after it issued a weaker-than-expected outlook. This combined with some overall weakness in the software sector. The company’s more cautious stance fl of IT spending among clients and some near-term sale execution challenges. We trimmed our exposure to the stock during the period. Zscaler also had a tough year. The group is a leader in security-as-a-service ff platform. While earnings were strong, the market had hoped for more and the company could not sustain its valuation. The retirement of the company’s CFO created uncertainty around expectations and customer acquisition slowed. We view this as a case of expectations running ahead of the earnings and continue to hold shares given the company’s strong leadership position. Infrastructure software solutions maker Snowflake was another detractor from performance over the year. The shares were lower following a disappointing sales forecast. The company is facing greater competition in its core data warehouse market business. Investors were also worried about the news that the company’s CEO was stepping down from the role. We reduced our exposure to the stock during the year in favour of companies with better earnings visibility. What are you looking forward to in 2025? AI is creating a new wave of technology innovation every bit as exciting as the Internet. AI has the power to reshape the global economy, changing the way companies operate. This year promises even more groundbreaking AI developments, plus favourable regulatory changes and rapid digitalisation. In 2025, we expect AI spending to shift from infrastructure development to include more software and services as the use cases for AI emerge and expand. ffi gains, spark innovation and create new business models. For example, autonomous systems such as self-driving cars, drones, and robotics have the power to revolutionise transportation, logistics, national security, medical treatment and factory production. In cybersecurity, AI is becoming a powerful tool to detect anomalies, predict threats and automate responses to attacks. In advertising technology, AI is delivering personalised consumer experiences, optimising advertising spending and creating dynamic advertising campaigns that are faster, ffi The year ahead is likely to see both headwinds and tailwinds as the new US administration policies could be more unpredictable than previous administrations. On the one hand, we are likely to see more merger and acquisition activity as interest rates trend downward and the US welcomes a more relaxed regulatory environment and companies are gearing up for strategic acquisitions to fuel growth and expand market share. Conversely, businesses like predictable policies which provide clarity ff the spending environment. There may be more volatility in the semiconductor sector in the year ahead as a result of geopolitical tensions, policy shifts and supply chain disruptions. ff national security concerns may conspire to create a bumpy ride for the sector in 2025. However, this volatility also presents opportunities. AI-driven data centre spending is strong and supply- constrained in key areas, while cyclical semiconductor companies (including personal computers, handsets and industrial companies) with limited AI exposure are navigating an inventory correction, and there is the potential for a recovery later in the year. The momentum from key growth trends such as AI and digitalisation, coupled with a more favourable regulatory environment and a boost in merger and acquisition activity, should support the technology sector in the year ahead. Looking even further ahead, exciting developments in areas such as quantum computing, augmented reality, fi exploration are on the horizon. However, this needs to be tempered with the risks around geopolitics and supply chains and highlights the need for disciplined risk management. Our focus is on building the portfolio from a bottom-up perspective with a macro overview. Technology is a key enabler across almost every industry, and we will continue to seek out stocks ffi long term share price growth. Mike Seidenberg Lead Portfolio Manager Voya Investment Management Co LLC 12 March 2025 9 INVESTMENT MANAGER’S REVIEW ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Investment Sector # Sub Sector # Country Valuation £000 % of Portfolio NVIDIA Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductors United States 179,627 10.5 Apple Technology, Hardware Storage & Peripherals Technology, Hardware Storage & Peripherals United States 157,276 9.2 Microsoft Software Systems Software United States 134,622 7.8 Meta Platforms Interactive Media & Services Interactive Media & Services United States 129,855 7.6 Broadcom Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductors United States 95,680 5.6 Alphabet Interactive Media & Services Interactive Media & Services United States 85,854 5.0 Amazon.com Broadline Retail Broadline Retail United States 58,283 3.4 Taiwan Semiconductor Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductors Taiwan 57,723 3.4 ServiceNow Software Systems Software United States 55,297 3.2 Palantir Technologies Software Application Software United States 44,063 2.6 Top Ten Investments 998,280 58.3 CrowdStrike Software Systems Software United States 40,344 2.4 Cyberark Software Software Systems Software Israel 39,843 2.3 Spotify Technology Entertainment Movies & Entertainment Luxembourg 34,908 2.0 fl IT Services Internet Services & Infrastructure United States 33,958 2.0 fl Entertainment Movies & Entertainment United States 32,485 1.9 Datadog Software Application Software United States 29,897 1.7 Atlassian Software Application Software United States 27,907 1.6 Arista Networks Communications Equipment Communications Equipment United States 27,800 1.6 HubSpot Software Application Software United States 27,772 1.6 SAP SE ADR Software Application Software Germany 26,471 1.5 Top Twenty Investments 1,319,665 76.9 Full portfolio list 10 Investment Sector # Sub Sector # Country Valuation £000 % of Portfolio Klaviyo Software Application Software United States 26,133 1.5 fl IT Services Internet Services & Infrastructure United States 25,414 1.5 Amphenol Electronic Equipment Instruments & Components Electronic Components United States 25,313 1.5 Zscaler Software Systems Software United States 24,340 1.4 Reddit Interactive Media & Services Interactive Media & Services United States 23,697 1.4 Dynatrace Software Application Software United States 22,348 1.3 Palo Alto Networks Software Systems Software United States 21,546 1.3 Micron Technology Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductors United States 20,361 1.2 PayPal Holdings Financial Services Transaction & Payment Processing United States 17,449 1.0 Oracle Software Systems Software United States 17,167 1.0 Top Thirty Investments 1,543,433 90.0 Marvell Technology Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductors United States 16,706 1.0 Monolithic Power Systems Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductors United States 16,515 1.0 Toast Financial Services Transaction & Payment Processing United States 15,762 0.9 Applied Materials Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductor Equipment United States 14,573 0.8 Monday.com Software Systems Software Israel 14,254 0.8 EPAM Systems IT Services IT Consulting & Other Services United States 13,259 0.8 KLA Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductor Equipment United States 11,213 0.7 Samsara Software Application Software United States 10,577 0.6 AppLovin Software Application Software United States 10,428 0.6 Lam Research Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Semiconductor Materials & Equipment United States 10,097 0.6 Top Forty Investments 1,676,817 97.8 Fiserv Financial Services Transaction & Payment Processing United States 10,027 0.6 Celestica Electronic Equipment Instruments & Components Electronic Manufacturing Services Canada 9,326 0.5 MongoDB IT Services Internet Services & Infrastructure United States 8,327 0.5 Elastic NV Software Application Software Netherlands 6,791 0.4 Cadence Design Software Application Software United States 4,255 0.2 Total Investments 1,715,543 100.0 # GICS Industry classifications 11 INVESTMENT MANAGER’S REVIEW Strategic Report Introduction This Strategic Report is provided in accordance with The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013 as amended and is intended to provide information about the Company’s strategy and business needs, its performance and results for the year, and the information and measures which the Directors use to assess, direct and oversee Allianz Global Investors UK Limited (‘the AIFM’) and Voya Investment Management Co LLC (‘the Investment Manager’ for portfolio management) in the management of the Company’s activities. Strategy and Business Model fi of quoted technology companies on a worldwide basis with the aim of achieving long-term capital growth. The Company carries on business as an investment trust and the Ordinary shares are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Investment trusts are collective investment vehicles constituted as closed ended public limited companies. The Company is managed by a Board of non-executive Directors and the Company’s day-to-day functions are carried out by the following main third party services providers: – AllianzGI UK as AIFM – Voya as Investment Manager – HSBC as Custodian and Depositary – MUFG Corporate Markets as Registrar – ffi The Company is subject to the UK Listing Rules, Prospectus Regulation Rules and Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Regulatory and portfolio information is announced via the regulatory news service on a daily, monthly and other periodic basis thereby assisting current and potential investors to make informed investment decisions. Additional portfolio information, technology commentary and corporate information is available on the Company’s website www.allianztechnologytrust.com. Performance The investment portfolio at the year end is set out on pages 10 and 11 and a summary of the top twenty holdings can be found on the website version of the Annual Financial Report. In the year ended 31 December 2024, the Company’s total return on net asset value per share was +35.6% (2023: +46.4%), underperforming the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) by 0.2 percentage points. Further details on the performance of the Company, future trends and factors that may impact future performance of the Company are included within the Chairman’s Statement and the Investment Manager’s Review. Monitoring performance – Key Performance Indicators The Board assesses performance in meeting the Company’s objective and assessing the longer term viability of the Company against the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): The table below compares the Company’s performance to the main technology indices. Although the Company underperformed the benchmark over 1 and 3 years, it outperformed over 5 and 10 years. The Company has outperformed the MSCI World Technology Index over 1 year but underperformed over 3, 5 and 10 years: % Change 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years ATT NAV per share 35.6 31.8 177.4 666.2 Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) 35.8 48.2 169.2 604.2 MSCI World Technology Index (total return) 35.5 53.5 181.9 685.4 Russell MidCap Technology Index 25.5 22.1 99.6 465.8 Source: AllianzGI/Datastream in GBP as at 31 December 2024. * Company’s reference benchmark. 12 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Strategic Report The table below provides a comparison with the broader UK and world equity indices which many investors will use when reviewing the performance of their individual investments. % Change 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years ATT NAV per share 35.6 31.8 177.41 666.2 FTSE All Share Index (total return) 9.5 18.5 26.5 81.9 FTSE World Index (total return) 20.1 30.6 79.8 227.9 Source: AllianzGI/Datastream in GBP as at 31 December 2024 The Board continues to pay close attention to the Company’s performance position against the wider universe of open ended funds, closed ended funds and exchange traded funds. The Company’s strong performance versus the other funds within the Morningstar Global Technology Sector – Equity (Morningstar) category is noted in the table below: 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years Peer Group Ranking vs Morningstar 16/192 36/155 10/120 2/56 The Board regularly reviews stock and attribution analysis to determine the contribution to relative and absolute performance of the portfolio of the top and bottom stocks. The top contributors to and detractors from the Company’s Net Asset Value total return over the year ended 31 December 2024, relative to the benchmark index, were as follows: Top ten contributors relative to the benchmark Top ten detractors relative to the benchmark Active contribution GBP (%) Active contribution GBP (%) Palantir Technologies Overweight 1.87 MongoDB Overweight (1.78) Microsoft Underweight 1.38 Zscaler Overweight (1.09) Intel Underweight 0.95 Shopify Overweight (0.95) Samsung Electronics Underweight 0.92 fl Overweight (0.94) Broadcom Overweight 0.68 Lam Research Overweight (0.88) Arista Networks Overweight 0.60 Monolithic Power Systems Overweight (0.75) Adobe Underweight 0.59 Pinterest Overweight (0.54) fl Overweight 0.54 Elastic NV Overweight (0.54) ServiceNow Overweight 0.43 ASML Underweight (0.51) CyberArk Software Overweight 0.38 JFrog Overweight (0.51) 8.33 (8.49) Source: Allianz Global Investors. 31 Dec 2023 – 31 Dec 2024. * Relative to Dow Jones World Technology Index. Figures may not add due to rounding. Share Buy backs and Share Issues The Directors continually monitor the level of premium or discount of the share price to the NAV per share. Over the year to 31 December 2024, the mid-market price of the Company’s shares increased by 38.1% (2023: increased by 44.5%), with a discount at the year end of 8.6% (2023: 10.3%). The Board carefully considers the parameters which should apply to both the issuance and the buy back of shares from the market and will only proceed when the action is in the best interests of shareholders. Where there is market volatility the Board will also consider buying back shares when the discount is consistently over 7% and it judges it to be appropriate to do so given the prevailing market backdrop. The Board will only issue new shares at a premium to NAV. The Company bought back 9,015,787 shares in 2024 at a discount to NAV (2023: 16,530,708). There were 47,815,457 shares held in treasury at the year end (2023: 38,799,670 shares). No new shares were issued in 2024 (2023: nil) Results and Dividends An overview of the Company’s results is shown in the Financial Highlights on page 2. The revenue reserve remains substantially fi 13 STRATEGIC REPORT Future development The future development of the Company is dependent on the success of the Company’s investment strategy against the background of the economic environment and market evolution and the future attractiveness of the Company as an investment vehicle compared with long-term savings markets. The Chairman gives his view on the outlook in his statement which starts on page 3 and the lead portfolio manager discusses his view of the Company’s portfolio and the outlook in his report which starts on page 7. The Board fi least once per year at which time it considers the position of the Company and the strategy for the year ahead and beyond, making recommendations for change where appropriate. The last fi September 2024. Marketing the Company’s Investment Strategy The Company continues to operate a targeted and coordinated marketing programme in order to raise awareness of its investment strategy. During 2024 both virtual and in-person communication tools have been used. This programme targets potential investors as well as communicating the latest developments to its existing shareholders. The programme is aimed at both professional and retail investors and aims to create ongoing and sustained demand for the Company’s shares. The retail audience includes those investors who delegate their investment decisions fi increasing numbers who are researching and making their own investment decisions. The programme comprises advertising and other promotional activity as well as communicating with fi press, since positive coverage of the Company’s specialist investment strategy fl programme’s success has been boosted by the number of performance awards won by the Company over recent years and has been instrumental in generating demand from retail investors which is, fi Company’s shareholders. Increasingly investors are choosing to buy and sell stocks and shares via online trading platforms rather than via a traditional stockbroker. Approximately 37% (2023: 35%) of the Company’s shares are now held by investors on these platforms. Many platform providers ff pension products as well as the facility to invest on a regular monthly basis. Competition amongst platform providers is intense therefore investing online ff Company’s shares. Board diversity At 31 December 2024, there were two male Directors and three female Directors. Further information on Board Diversity can be found in the Directors’ Report on page 27. Risk Report Viability Statement In accordance with the Corporate Governance provisions the Company is required to make a forward-looking (longer-term) Viability Statement. In order to do this the Board has considered the appetite for a technology investment trust against the current market backdrop, and has formally assessed the prospects for the Company fi fi is appropriate and is in line with fi next continuation vote will be put to shareholders at the AGM in 2026. In order to assess the prospects for the Company the Board has considered: – The investment objective and strategy taking into account recent, past and potential performance against both the benchmark, other indices of note and peers; – fi which does not currently utilise gearing in any form but does maintain a portfolio of, in the main, non-income bearing investments; – The liquidity of the portfolio and the ability to liquidate the portfolio on the failure of a continuation vote; – The macro economic conditions and geopolitical events; – The ever increasing level of technology adopted by both individuals and corporations alike; – The inherent risks in such technology both in terms of speed of advancement; and – The principal risks faced by the Company as outlined below. The Board is fully aware that the world of technology is constantly evolving and growing and could potentially look very fffi on the results of the formal assessment, through regular updates from the AIFM and the Investment Manager, the Board believes it is reasonable to expect that the Company will continue in operation and meet its liabilities for the period of fi Investment Controls and Monitoring The Board in conjunction with the AIFM and the Investment Manager has put in place a schedule of investment controls and restrictions within which investment decisions are made. These controls include limits on the size and type of investment and are monitored on a constant basis. They are formally signed ff Manager every month and are reviewed by the Board at every meeting. Principal and Emerging Risks and Uncertainties fi Board are set out in the table on page 15, together with information about the actions taken to mitigate these risks. A more detailed version of this table in the form of a Risk Map and Controls document is reviewed in full and updated by the Audit & Risk Committee and Board at least twice per year. Individual risks, including emerging risks and threats to reputation, are considered by the Board in further detail depending on the market situation and a high- level review of all known risks faced by the Company is considered at every Board meeting. The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Company relate to the nature of its objectives and strategy as an investment company and the operations of its third party service providers. 14 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Description Mitigation Change in risk during the year Investment strategy and performance risk ff the Investment Manager’s inappropriate allocation of funds to particular sub-sectors of the technology market and/or to the selection of individual stocks that fail to perform satisfactorily, leading to poor investment performance in absolute terms and/or against the benchmark. The Board has established a schedule of investment controls which is monitored monthly and reviewed at each Board meeting. The Investment Manager has responsibility for sectoral weighting and for individual stock picking, having taken due account of Investment Objectives and Controls that are agreed with the Board from time to time and regularly reviewed. These seek, inter alia, to ensure fifi is appropriate. Technology sector risk The technology sector is characterised by rapid change. New and disruptive technologies, including AI, can place competitive pressures on established companies and business models, and technology stocks may experience greater price volatility than securities in some slower changing market sectors. The Board reviews investment performance, including a detailed attribution analysis comparing performance against the benchmark, at each Board meeting. At such meetings, the Investment Manager reports on major developments and changes in technology market sectors and also highlights issues relating to individual securities. The Board has continued to review the risks and opportunities presented by AI via discussion with subject matter experts and discussion with the Investment Manager fi Cyber risk The Company may be at risk of cyber attacks which may result in the loss of sensitive information or disruption to the business. The operations of the Company are carried out by third party service providers. All service providers report to the Board on operational issues including cyber risks and the controls in place to capture potential attacks. See Operational Risk below. Market risk ff by a general decline in the valuation of listed securities and/or adverse market sentiment towards the technology sector in particular. Although the fi company size, sub-sector and geography, its principal focus is on companies with high growth potential in the mid-size ranges of capitalisation. The shares of these companies may be perceived as being at the higher end of the risk spectrum, leading to a lack of interest in the Company’s shares in some market conditions. The Company’s portfolio may be ff Higher interest rates have had an adverse impact on growth stocks. Market sentiment may quickly deteriorate in the ff macro-economic environment. The Board, the AIFM and the Investment Manager monitor stock market movements and may consider hedging, gearing or other strategies to respond to particular market conditions. The AIFM and the Investment Manager maintain regular contact with shareholders to discuss performance and expectations and to convey the belief of the Board and the Investment Manager that superior returns can be generated from investment in carefully selected companies that are well managed, fi the technology market where disruptive change is occurring. The Board, the AIFM and the Investment Manager would monitor the progress of the unexpected events very closely and initiate appropriate responses where possible. Currency risk A high proportion of the Company’s assets is likely to be held in securities that are denominated in US Dollars, whilst its accounts are maintained in Sterling. ff performance of the Investment Portfolio and create a risk for shareholders. The Board monitors currency movements and determines hedging policies as appropriate. The Board does not currently seek to hedge this foreign currency risk. 15 STRATEGIC REPORT Description Mitigation Change in risk during the year Financial and liquidity risk fi place to manage these risks are disclosed in detail in Note 13 beginning on page 62. Financial and liquidity reports are provided to and considered by the Board on a regular basis. Operational risk The Company may be impacted by disruption to or the failure of the systems and processes utilised by the AIFM and the Investment Manager or other third party service providers. This encompasses disruption or failure caused by cybercrime, fraud and errors and covers dealing, trade processing, administrative fi The Board receives regular reports from the AIFM, the Investment Manager and third parties on internal controls highlighting areas of exception, including reports on monitoring visits carried out by the Depositary on behalf of the Company. The Board has further considered the risk of cyber-attacks and fraud and has received reports and assurance regarding the controls in place and details of whistleblowing procedures. Key individual risk ff a consequence of loss of key individuals e.g. the lead portfolio manager. Succession plans are in place for the Board. The lead portfolio manager is supported by Erik Swords, portfolio manager, and an experienced team of technology investors. Cover is available for core members of the relevant teams of the AIFM. Emerging Risk – Artificial General Intelligence The Board plays close attention to the development fi was recently noted to us in a third-party presentation as moving at “light speed”. Within this there is the potential for emerging risk from technologies both envisioned and not envisioned, but not yet realised. fi (AGI) – the theoretical intelligence of a machine that possesses the ability to understand or learn any intellectual task that a human being can. Risks of such technology include unintended consequences, geopolitical and economic disruption and imbalance, security risks, and existential risk to human beings in the most extreme scenarios. Whilst this might appear fi untestable emergence of such capability is real and we believe must be considered as part of our risk control framework alongside other more routine risks, as the Company naturally invests in companies undertaking AI operations, as well as having (as all entities do) third-party suppliers who are utilising greater levels of AI tools to aid their business provision over time. The Board will continue to monitor the portfolio with detailed analysis of AI related holdings from the Investment Manager. Changes to, and the implementation of new regulations, laws and governance of AI will be monitored by the Board as the landscape develops. The Board will also monitor its third party service providers in respect of the controls and regulation of AI. fifi accounting, legal and regulatory requirements, and with corporate governance and shareholder relations issues which could have an impact on reputation and market rating. Management of the services provided and the internal controls procedures of the third party providers is monitored and reported on by the AIFM to the Board. These risks are all formally reviewed by the Board twice each year and at such other times as deemed necessary. Details of the Company’s compliance with corporate governance best practice, including information on relations with shareholders, are set out in the Corporate Governance Statement within the Directors’ Report beginning on page 32. The Board’s review of the risks faced by the Company also includes an assessment of the residual risks after mitigating action has been taken. 16 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Section 172 Report As an investment company with no employees, the Company’s primary stakeholders are its shareholders and other stakeholders including its service providers and the companies in which it invests. The Board’s strategy is facilitated by interacting with a wide range of stakeholders through meetings, seminars, presentations and publications and through contacts made via the Company’s suppliers and intermediaries. Engagement is both in person and virtually. Engagement with the Company’s stakeholders enables fifi Board strives for an open, constructive and pro-active culture in its engagements as it seeks to meet the Company’s investment objectives. Set out below are examples of the ways in which the Company has interacted with key stakeholders in line with section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 whereby the Directors have a statutory duty to promote the success of the Company. Stakeholders Why we engage How we engage and what we do The outcomes Shareholders Shareholders receive relevant information to enable them to evaluate whether their investment interests are aligned with the strategy and objective of the Company. The Board communicates with shareholders through the annual report and half-yearly report, meets with shareholders at the AGM and provides a forum for interaction. There is a portfolio management presentation and Q&As. This year, there will be a hybrid AGM which each shareholder can attend. The lead portfolio manager participates in investor events and webinars, as well as videos and podcasts on the website to keep shareholders informed on investment activity and performance. The Board provides an online Annual Financial Report via the Turtl platform to provide both regulatory and enhanced reporting to shareholders. Monthly factsheets are published on the Company’s website. Shareholders make informed decisions about their investments. Shareholder correspondence is forwarded directly to the Board. 17 STRATEGIC REPORT Stakeholders Why we engage How we engage and what we do The outcomes Voya Investment Management – the Investment Manager The Board works with the Investment Manager who provides portfolio management services. The Board has a tripartite agreement for the provision of portfolio management services. The Board meets with representatives of the Investment Manager throughout the year with the lead portfolio manager providing regular updates at Board meetings and upon request by the Board. The Board formally reviews the performance and remuneration of the Investment Manager at least annually. During the year the Board travelled to California to meet with representatives of the Investment Manager across a number of business functions. The Company is well managed and receives appropriate and timely advice and guidance for a reasonable cost. Following the annual review of the Investment Manager the Board has concluded that the ongoing appointment of the Investment Manager is in the shareholders’ best interests. Allianz Global Investors UK Limited – the AIFM The Board works with the AIFM who provides accounting and secretarial services as well as expertise in sales and marketing. In addition to the reporting at regular Board meetings, the Board meets with representatives of AllianzGI UK to develop strategy for the Company, including a sales and marketing plan which was adopted during the year, to promote the Company fi raise its rating. The Board formally reviews the performance and remuneration of the AIFM at least annually. The Company is well managed and receives appropriate and timely advice and guidance for a reasonable cost. Following the annual review of the AIFM the Board has concluded that the ongoing appointment of the AIFM is in the shareholders’ best interests. Portfolio companies The Board approves the Investment Manager’s active, stock picking approach and believes in good stewardship. On the Company’s behalf the Investment Manager engages with investee companies, including discussions on Environmental, Social and Governance matters and exercises its votes at all company meetings. During the year the Board travelled to California to meet with the investment management team and a range of portfolio companies. The Investment Manager actively votes at portfolio company meetings. The trip to California allowed the Board to hear directly from the portfolio companies in respect of their own businesses and matters ff Corporate brokers The Board, the AIFM and the Investment Manager work with the corporate brokers, including their research and sales teams to provide access to the market and liquidity in the Company’s shares. The brokers are kept updated on the strategy of the Company so that they can publish relevant research information and talk to potential investors. The sales team receives regular contact and helps the Company to participate in exchange volume and provide liquidity for investors. The Company is an attractive investment and there is liquidity in the Company’s shares. 18 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Stakeholders Why we engage How we engage and what we do The outcomes Media partnerships The Company works with public relations advisers to ensure information about the Company, its strategies and performance can reach a wide audience of potential investors through press articles and online media coverage. Regular communication with public relations partners to raise fi press and media activity. We can measure the success of this activity by monitoring website hits and new investment in the Company on retail platforms. The Company’s name and its attributes as an investment company are known to an increasingly wider audience. Distribution partnerships To reach a wider audience of investors the Company fi access to platforms and wealth managers. The wealth managers together with our distribution partners arrange presentations about the Company at roadshows and conferences to reach investors through share trading platforms and wealth managers. The Board receives detailed fi that there is wide and growing interest in the Company’s shares. AIC The Association of Investment Companies looks after the interests of investment trusts and provides information to the market. The Company is a member of the AIC and has also supported lobbying activities. Information about the Company is disseminated widely. Other service providers The Board has appointed HSBC as Depositary and Custodian and MUFG Corporate Markets as Registrar to provide specialist services to the Company. In addition to regular contact and assurance testing that sound and ff from all these service providers, there is a rolling programme of due diligence visits to suppliers of third party services by AllianzGI UK’s investment trust team to ensure that the Company is receiving good quality services fi internal controls. Assurances from direct service providers on their internal controls are given formally to the Company twice yearly but day-to-day contact with the investment trust team ensures that any issues are quickly fi and that remedial action can take place. 19 STRATEGIC REPORT The Investment Manager’s approach to ESG is set out on pages 22 to 23. The Investment Manager is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Although as an investment trust, the Company has no direct social or community responsibilities, the Board shares the Investment Manager’s view that it is in the shareholders’ interests to be aware of and consider environmental, social and governance factors, when selecting and retaining investments. In addition, Voya has a due diligence approach to ensure any retained company or entity providing services to the Company in its normal course of business has an acceptable approach to ESG factors and as such does not inadvertently support any negative factors. Details of the Company’s policy on socially responsible investment are set out below. How ESG fits into technology For technology, the individual elements of ESG have varying outcomes. The ‘E’ (Environmental) is generally a high scoring factor. Many technology companies are facilitating the move towards a cleaner, less carbon-intensive future. Electric vehicles are an obvious example of this. This is not to say the entire sector is without issue and, indeed, new natural resource demands are emerging as technology expands. We see in general though that companies are aware and consider this factor high in their priorities. Regulators too have a keen eye. The ‘S’ (Social) is split in its outcomes. On the one hand, as a source of quality employment, the result is often positive. On the other hand, governments, regulators and the public at large have questioned the impact of some technologies, such as social media. The sheer size and control of some of fi has whether technology might exacerbate social inequality through the inability of poorer socio-demographic groups to be able to access the same tools as those with more income. Again, regulators have a sharp focus on this topic. Finally, the ‘G’ (Governance) can be the most complicated factor. Many technology companies by their very nature are relatively new and at an early stage of development. This can fl shareholders and founders, both in strategy and sometimes in unhelpful share structures. Of course, the more a company matures, the less of a potential problem this usually becomes. Stewardship The Board has delegated the exercise of proxy voting powers on its behalf to discharge its responsibilities in respect of investments to the Investment Manager to ensure that the portfolio managers can engage in the decision making process. The Voya IM ESG and Proxy Voting Policies have been reviewed by the Board and it believes that the Company’s delegated voting powers are being properly executed. Voya IM uses Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) as its Proxy Advisory Firm to assist in managing its proxy voting responsibilities. ISS is an independent proxy voting adviser fi related services. UK Sustainability Disclosure Requirements The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has introduced a sustainability disclosure requirements and investment labels regime (SDR) to address concerns about misleading environmental claims. The Company and AIFM have considered and undertaken a review of the requirements of the regulations. The Company does not have a label under SDR. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Community and Employee Responsibilities, Emissions, Environmental and Ethical Policy (EEE) The Company’s investment activities and day to day management are delegated to the Investment Manager, AIFM and other third parties. As an investment trust, the Company has no direct social, community, employee or environmental impact, though the Board maintains appropriate oversight of such factors in relation to contracted service providers. Its principal responsibility to shareholders is to ensure that the investment portfolio is properly managed and invested. In light of the nature of the Company’s business there are no associated human rights issues, and the Company does not have a human rights policy. The Board has noted the AIFM and Investment Manager’s report on greenhouse gas emissions on its own operations and the views of the Investment Manager on CSR and EEE which it adheres to in engaging with the underlying investee companies and in exercising its delegated fi of the Company. 20 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 responsibilities in voting. The Investment Manager engages with the Company’s underlying investee companies in relation to their corporate governance practices and in developing their policies on social, community and environmental matters. The Company’s primary objective is to invest principally in the equity securities of quoted technology companies on a worldwide basis with the aim of achieving long-term capital growth. Whilst the Board believes that the Company would be fi decisions were based solely on CSR and EEE considerations, we are supportive of an investment management process that considers all elements of wider ESG risk in the context of risk/reward, like all other risks considered by the Investment Manager. Modern Slavery Act 2015 The Company does not provide goods or services in the normal fi does not have customers. The Directors do not therefore consider that the Company is required to make a statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in relation to slavery or ffi Bribery Act 2010 The Board has a zero tolerance policy in relation to bribery and corruption in its business processes and activities and has received assurance via internal controls reporting from the Company’s main third party service providers that adequate safeguards are in place to protect against any such potentially illegal behaviour by employees or agents. Criminal Finances Act 2017 The Company has a commitment to zero tolerance towards the criminal facilitation of tax evasion. Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions AllianzGI UK produces a product level TCFD report for the Company. This can be found on the Company’s website www.allianztechnologytrust.com. The Company does not maintain premises, hold any physical assets or operations and does not have any employees. Consequently, the Company has no greenhouse gas emissions to report from its operations, nor does it have responsibility for any other emissions producing sources under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. For the same reason as set out above, the Company considers itself to be a low energy user under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations and therefore is not required to disclose energy and carbon information. The Strategic Report has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by: Tim Scholefield Chairman 12 March 2025 Proxy Voting 1 January to 31 December 2024 During the year there were 44 shareholder meetings for companies in the portfolio and the Investment Manager voted on the Company's behalf at all meetings. This represents a total of 487 resolutions. Source: VoyaIM. Company meeting voting record Number of meetings voted 100% in line with management recommendation: 13 Number of meetings with at least one vote against, withheld or abstained: 31 Total vote distribution Votes for: 79% Votes against: 15% Votes withheld: 6% 21 STRATEGIC REPORT We recognize the importance ESG considerations play in maintaining our culture, performing thorough investment analysis, and meeting our clients’ investment objectives. We believe that the incorporation of ESG information, fi investment factors, leads to better- informed investment decision-making and a more holistic assessment of long- term investment risks and opportunities. As part of our investment process, we consider material factors, which may include ESG criteria, with the goal of meeting our clients’ investment ff range of solutions that allow for client customization according to their sustainability preferences. Our ESG Investment Program has been designed to help clients meet their investment objectives and enable them to invest across a spectrum of returns, risk and ESG objectives. As part of this ff – Integrate ESG factors into investment decisions, as relevant and material – ff and capabilities in response to client demand – Perform stewardship activities including active engagement and proxy voting to drive value and long-term sustainability – Consider climate change related data throughout our ESG program – Oversee and manage ESG activities through a strong governance structure ESG integration We believe that ESG factors can impact fi of investments. Incorporating ESG factors into the investment process is underpinned by the belief that it will improve the resilience of the portfolio over the long term by generating more stable, sustainable long-term returns. We fi systematic consideration of ESG factors, when relevant and material, alongside traditional factors, into our investment decisions and engage with issuers as part of our commitment to active ownership. fi fi fi the long-term performance outlook of a company and the value of its securities. Depending on the situation, as part of our assessment of a company’s value, fi we may consider information about many factors, including, among others, those that are considered ESG, such as exposure to regulation or litigation, labor relations, human rights, product quality and safety, reputation, governance practices, executive compensation, board oversight, reporting and disclosure, community relations, energy costs and climate impact. In general, we focus on those ESG factors ff value and performance of a company and its securities over time. Furthermore, our experienced analysts and portfolio managers have a deep understanding of the nuances of their asset class and fi we attempt to take into account the material factors that contribute to making informed investment decisions. Stewardship – Active Ownership and engagement Philosophy Voya IM’s long-term perspective favors sound investment principles aligned with the priorities of our clients. Accordingly, our active ownership activities are designed to protect and enhance the economic value of the companies in which we invest on our clients’ behalf. We do this through exercising our voting rights at shareholder meetings, engaging with companies in which we have invested, and collaborating with other stakeholders to encourage companies to drive value and long-term sustainability. Voya IM believes that on-going discussions with senior management and board members of companies are essential to understand the businesses in which we have invested and to promote best practices and long-term sustainability. Therefore, communication between our investment teams and the Active Ownership (AO) team is critical to ensuring our engagements with companies address all relevant ESG concerns. Engagements focused on ESG matters are led by the AO team and may also include portfolio managers. In addition, members of our investment teams engage with company management to address a range of fundamental questions and concerns, which may include issues that can be fi To that end, Voya IM has developed engagement guidelines to describe our engagement philosophy, objectives, priorities, methodology, tracking, and escalation. These guidelines are designed to help companies understand the AO team’s engagement goals and 22 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 expectations, thereby fostering mutually productive dialogue. Engagements The AO team aspires to improve the long-term sustainability of the companies in which Voya IM invests by promoting ESG best practices through our proxy voting and engagement activities as well as collaborative discussions with other institutional shareholders. Therefore, the purpose of all engagements conducted by the AO team is to have a constructive dialogue between the company and the AO team. Our goal is to understand how the company is addressing its ESG risks and opportunities, better understand each other’s views and objectives, develop fi both parties, and encourage enhanced disclosure utilizing generally accepted reporting frameworks such as TCFD, SASB, EEO-1, GRI, etc. Additionally, Voya IM investment teams may engage with the companies in which they invest. The AO and investment teams have access to a shared application to record key issues during their engagements and assess the company’s ability to address fi investment teams are able to escalate any concerns they may have with a company to the AO and ESG Research teams. Proxy Voting fi in the best interest of our clients. To this end, Voya IM considers many factors, including ESG factors, which may impact the investment risk and fi As such, the Voya IM Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines were developed to summarize Voya IM’s philosophy on various issues of concern to shareholders and provide a general indication of how Voya IM may vote its clients’ portfolio securities regarding these issues in order to maximize shareholder value and mitigate risks. ff alignment to client ESG values by using a client’s custom voting policy or using a fi Climate change We believe that climate change is a fi not aggressively addressed through ff expect the global average temperature will increase by a dangerously high degree and radically alter our ecosystems. The direct and indirect ff the economy, capital markets and fi Given this view, we integrate climate change into the Voya IM’s ESG investment framework, which helps guide our assessment of portfolios’ exposures to climate and other ESG risks and opportunities. Among environmental considerations, climate change represents the most important theme for many sectors. Although the magnitude of importance varies, it is a consideration for all companies given our expectation that decarbonization will be a central macro driver going forward. However, climate change and its potential impact on asset value are complex and uncertain. For these reasons, Voya IM integrates data, as available, related to carbon emissions, fi of environmental impact and climate change vulnerability with the intent of understanding a company’s physical risk (i.e., future damage caused by climate related disasters) and transition risks (i.e., ff to a low-carbon global economy). We also consider the opportunities on which companies may be able to capitalize. ff at discerning climate change’s probable impact on securities’ risk and return fi and insights can be used to build and manage investment solutions that fi objectives. Implementation varies, but these products generally seek to promote climate change mitigation or adaptation alongside generating fi note, as part of our normal investment processes, Voya IM does not exclude or favor investments strictly based on climate-related metrics unless the portfolio is expressly designed with such an objective or clients direct us to do so. Voya Investment Management Co LLC 23 STRATEGIC REPORT Tim Scholefield Independent Non-Executive Director. Chairman of the Board and Nomination Committee. Member of the Remuneration Committee and Management Engagement Committee. Tim joined the Board on 1 December 2021 and was appointed Chairman on 26 April 2024. He is a non-executive director of abrdn UK Smaller Growth Companies plc and Jupiter Unit Trust Managers Ltd. He is also Chairman of Invesco Bond Income Plus Limited. He has over thirty years’ experience in investment management and was, until 2014, Head of Equities at Baring Asset Management. Prior to Baring, he was Head of International Equities at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Limited. Ekaterina (Katya) Thomson Independent Non-Executive Director. Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee. Member of the Nomination Committee and Management Engagement Committee. Katya joined the Board on 18 July 2022 and has over 25 years of experience fi business development in both executive and non-executive roles. She has held fi Lazard, ABN Amro and Thomas Cook. Over the past seven years, Katya has developed in-depth expertise in the UK closed-ended funds sector, serving on four investment trust boards, including AVI Japan Opportunity Trust plc and Henderson EuroTrust plc. Katya is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the ICAEW. Elisabeth Scott Independent Non-Executive Director. Member of the Audit & Risk Committee, the Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and the Management Engagement Committee. Elisabeth joined the Board on 1 February 2015. She is chair of India Capital Growth Fund plc and of JPMorgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust plc and has been a non-executive director of investment companies since 2011. She was chair of the Association of Investment Companies from January 2021 until January 2024. Elisabeth worked in the Hong Kong asset management industry from 1992 to 2008, latterly as managing director and country head of Schroder Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited and she chaired the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association from 2005 to 2007. 24 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC Director’s Review Neeta Patel CBE Independent Non-Executive Director. Chairman of the Management Engagement Committee and Senior Independent Director. Member of the Audit & Risk Committee, the Nomination Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Neeta Joined the Board on 1 September 2019. She is a non-executive director of Albion Venture Capital Trust plc and European Opportunities Trust plc. She is also a board adviser at several technology startups. She was previously CEO at the Centre for Entrepreneurs and an entrepreneur mentor-in-residence at London Business School, a board adviser at Tech London Advocates and a member of the advisory board at City University Ventures. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s honours list in October 2020 for services to entrepreneurship and technology. Simon (Sam) Davis Independent Non-Executive Director. Member of the Audit & Risk Committee, the Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and the Management Engagement Committee. Sam joined the Board on 1 January 2024. He is a non-executive director of ff Schroder Oriental Income Fund Limited. Sam studied Japanese at Oxford before joining Morgan Grenfell & Co. Ltd, fi both London and Tokyo. He moved to Morgan Grenfell Asset Management in 1996 to work with a Tokyo-based team. In 2000 he joined Putnam Investments fi where, over his 19 year tenure, he managed Asian, European and broad international equity portfolios. As Putnam’s co-head of equities he oversaw a global investment team and was CEO of Putnam Investments Ltd, the group’s UK regulated entity. Lucy Costa Duarte Independent Non-Executive Director. Member of the Audit & Risk Committee, the Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and the Management Engagement Committee. Lucy joined the Board on 1 January 2025. She is a specialist in marketing strategy and investor relations in the investment trust sector. Formerly a director at Citigroup, heading the emerging markets ECM team in London, she left Citigroup in 2007 and took a career break. Since 2016, she has been running the marketing and investor relations functions of International Biotechnology Trust plc in a part time capacity, initially at SV Health Investors and more recently at Schroders following the trust’s move to Schroders in 2023. She holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages from the University of Durham. Lucy is a non-executive director of MIGO Opportunities Trust plc and Fidelity Asian Values plc. The table below sets out the number of formal Board and Committee meetings held during the year ending 31 December 2024 and the number attended by each Director. In addition to the scheduled Board and Committee meetings, Directors attended ad hoc meetings to consider matters as and when required. All Directors attended the Annual General Meeting of the Company. None of the Directors has a service contract with the Company. The terms of their appointment are detailed in a letter sent to them when they join the Board. These letters are available for inspection on request to the Company Secretary. Meeting attendance by the Directors during the year ending 31 December 2024 was as follows: Board Audit & Risk Committee Nomination Committee Remuneration Committee Management Engagement Committee Strategy Meeting Number of meetings in the year 4 2 3 1 1 1 fi 1 4 2 3 1 1 1 Humphrey van der Klugt 2 2 1 1 N/A N/A N/A Katya Thomson 4 2 3 1 1 1 Neeta Patel 4 2 3 1 1 1 Elisabeth Scott 4 2 3 1 1 1 Sam Davis 4 2 3 1 1 1 1 Tim Scholefield is not a member of the Audit & Risk Committee but may attend by invitation. 2 Retired from the Board on 24 April 2024. 25 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW The Directors present their Report and the audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Information pertaining to the business review including the outlook and future development is included in the Strategic Report, starting on page 12 and within the Chairman’s Statement starting on page 3. Principal Activity and status The Company was incorporated on 18 October 1995 and its Ordinary shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange on 4 December 1995. The Company is registered as a public limited company in England under company number 3117355. The Company is an investment company within the meaning of section 833 of the Companies Act 2006 and carries on business as an investment trust. The Company is a member of the Association of Investment Companies. The Company is an approved investment trust under sections 1158 and 1159 of the Corporation Taxes Act 2010 and Part 2 Chapter 1 of Statutory Instrument 2011/2999. This approval relates to accounting periods commencing on or after 1 December 2012. The Directors are of the opinion, under advice, that the Company has continued to conduct ff approval. As an investment trust pursuant to section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules in relation to non-mainstream investment products do not apply to the Company. Investment Objective The Company invests principally in the equity securities of quoted technology companies on a worldwide basis with the aim of achieving long-term capital growth in excess of the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) (the Benchmark). Full details can be found inside the front cover. Investment funds The market value of the Company’s investments at 31 December 2024 was £1,716m (2023: £1,287m) with gains of £666m (2023: gains of £355m) over book cost. Taking these investments at this valuation, the net assets attributable to each Ordinary share amounted to 458.6p at 31 December 2024 (2023: 338.2p). During the year, the Company did not enter into any derivative contracts and therefore there were no outstanding contracts as at 31 December 2024. See fi instruments disclosure describing the Company’s exposure to price risk, credit fl Information pertaining to the business review and future outlook can be found in the Strategic Report starting on page 12. Management Contracts The Company has a tripartite Delegation Agreement with AllianzGI UK and Voya for portfolio management services. AllianzGI UK is the AIFM, providing company secretarial, administrative and sales and marketing services, and portfolio management services are provided by Voya. The management agreement provides for a base fee of 0.8% per annum payable quarterly in arrears and calculated on the average value of the market capitalisation of the Company at the last business day of each month in the relevant quarter. The base fee reduces to 0.6% for any market capitalisation between £400m and £1 billion, and 0.5% for any market capitalisation over £1 billion. fi £55,000 per annum to cover AllianzGI UK’s administration costs. In each year, in accordance with the tripartite management contract, the Investment Manager is entitled to a performance fee subject to various performance conditions. The performance fee entitlement is equal to 10.0% of the outperformance of the adjusted NAV per share total return as compared to the benchmark index, the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return). Any underperformance brought forward from previous years is taken into account in the calculation of the performance fee. A performance fee is only payable where the NAV per share at the end of the relevant Performance Period is greater than the NAV per share at the end of the fi fee was last paid. At 31 December 2024 this ‘high water mark’ (HWM) was 297.2p per share. In the event the HWM is not reached in any year, any outperformance shall instead be carried forward to future periods to be applied as detailed below. Any performance fee payable is capped at 1.75% of the average daily NAV of the Company over the period. For this purpose, the NAV is calculated after deduction of the associated performance fee payable. Any outperformance in excess of the cap (or where the HWM has not been met) shall be carried forward to future years ff underperformance but not to generate a performance fee. To the extent the Company has underperformed the benchmark, such underperformance ff by future outperformance before a performance fee can be paid. Underperformance/outperformance amounts carried forward do so fiff The performance fee accrued for as at 31 December 2024 was £nil (31 December 2023: £nil). The investment management fee (payable to AllianzGI UK) is charged 100% to revenue and the performance fee (payable to Voya) is charged 100% to capital. Continuing appointment of the AIFM and the Investment Manager During the year, in accordance with the UK Listing Rules published by the FCA, the Board reviewed the performance of the AIFM and the Investment Manager. The review considered the Company’s investment performance over both the short and longer terms, together with the quality and adequacy of other services provided. The Board also reviewed the appropriateness of the terms of the Management Agreement and tripartite Delegation Agreement, in particular the length of notice period and the management fee structure. 26 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 fi Management Agreement and Tripartite Delegation Agreement is in the best interests of shareholders as a whole. Going Concern fi fi its liabilities. The Directors have considered the Company’s investment objective and capital structure. The Directors have also considered the risks and consequences of the geopolitical and macro-economic events on the operational aspects of the Company and this has been assessed in the Viability Statement on page 14. The Directors believe that the Company has fifi fi shareholders at the AGM in 2026. Related Party Transactions fifffi performance of the Company. Capital Structure The Company’s capital structure is set out in Note 10 on page 60. Voting Rights in the Company’s shares As at 12 March 2025, Allianz Technology Trust PLC’s capital consisted of: Share class Number of shares issued Voting rights per share Total voting rights Ordinary shares of 2.5p in issue 378,211,879 1 378,211,879 Ordinary shares of 2.5p held in treasury 50,544,801 Nil Nil Total 428,756,680 1 378,211,879 Interests in the Company’s Share Capital The Company was aware of the following substantial interests in the voting rights of the Company as at 28 February 2025, the latest practical date before publication of the Annual Financial Report. 31 December 2024 28 February 2025 Holder Number of shares % of issued share capital Number of shares % of issued share capital Interactive Investor (EO) 48,613,093 12.8 48,414,661 12.8 Hargreaves Lansdown, stockbrokers (EO) 47,706,820 12.5 47,162,708 12.4 Rathbones 38,944,999 10.2 38,574,757 10.2 Charles Stanley 28,293,569 7.4 28,163,168 7.4 Evelyn Partners (Retail) 19,796,549 5.2 20,465,873 5.4 AJ Bell, stockbrokers (EO) 18,199,848 4.8 17,996,951 4.8 EO - Execution Only Repurchase of Ordinary shares At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 26 April 2024, authority was granted for the repurchase of up to 64,270,626 Ordinary shares of 2.5p each, representing 14.99% of the issued share capital at the time. The Board has in place a discretionary discount protection mechanism, described in the Chairman’s Statement and in the Strategic Report. In the year under review the Company bought back 9,015,787 shares for holding in treasury (2023: 16,530,708). The Board and diversity The Board recognises the importance of having a range of skilled, experienced individuals with the right knowledge represented fi prepared for each appointment. The following tables set out the prescribed format for information a company must include in its Annual Financial Report in accordance with the requirements of UK Listing Rules 6.6.6. The Board has chosen to align its diversity 27 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW fi periods. Further details on the Company’s appointment process can be found under Appointments to the Board and Director Tenure on page 32. As at 31 December 2024: Number of Board members Percentage of the Board Number of senior positions on the Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair) Men 2 40% N/A Women 3 60% N/A Other - - N/A fi - - N/A * This column is inapplicable as the Company is externally managed and does not have executive management functions, fi considers that chairing the permanent sub-committees that is the Audit & Risk Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Management Engagement Committee are all senior positions. Of these senior roles, three are performed by women and one by a man. As at 31 December 2024: Number of Board members Percentage of the Board Number of senior positions on the Board (CEO, CFO, SID and Chair) White British or other White (including minority-white groups) 4 80% N/A Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups - - N/A Asian/Asian British 1 20% N/A Black/African/Caribbean/Black British - - N/A Other ethnic group - - N/A * This column is inapplicable as the Company is externally managed and does not have executive management functions, fi White prescribed category above. The position of SID is attributed within the Asian/Asian British prescribed category above. However, the Company considers that chairing the permanent sub-committees that is the Audit & Risk Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Management Engagement Committee are all senior positions. Of these senior roles, three are attributed within the White British or other White and one within the Asian/Asian British prescribed categories above. Directors election and re-elections The Directors of the Company, with the exception of Lucy Costa Duarte, all served throughout the year under review. With the exception of Elisabeth Scott, who will retire at the AGM, all Directors will stand for election or re-election by the shareholders at the AGM in accordance with the AIC Code of Corporate Governance (AIC Code). Lucy Costa Duarte, who joined the Board on 1 January 2025, will stand for election at the AGM. The biographies of the Directors are set out on pages 24 and 25. The skills and experience each Director brings to the Board for the long-term sustainable success of the Company are set out below. The attendance record of each Director at meetings of the Board through the year is shown on page 25. – fi Tim brings a wealth of investment knowledge, expertise and experience in investment management, particularly in equities. – Resolution 3 relates to the re-election of Katya Thomson, who was appointed on 18 July 2023, who brings in-depth knowledge, fi fi – Resolution 4 relates to the re-election of Neeta Patel who was appointed on 1 September 2020 as a Director of the Company. Neeta brings a wealth of knowledge from the technology sector. – Resolution 5 relates to the re-election of Sam Davis who was appointed on 1 January 2024 as a Director of the Company. Sam brings in-depth global investment management experience and expertise. – Resolution 6 relates to the election of Lucy Costa Duarte who was appointed on 1 January 2025 as a Director of the Company. Lucy brings expertise in marketing strategy and investor relations in the investment trust sector. 28 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Directors’ fees A report on Directors’ Remuneration starts on page 39. Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance ffi cover is in place and is provided at the expense of the Company. Directors’ and ffi can be found on page 34. Conflicts of Interest Under the Companies Act 2006 a director must avoid a situation where she/he has, or can have, a direct fl fl Company’s interests. Directors are able, if fl fl reports annually on the Company’s procedures for ensuring that its powers fl ff been followed. Under the AIC Code, the Directors are required to notify the Chairman and Company Secretary of any proposed fl fl necessary, by the Board. The Directors are required to list their current time constraints when requesting prior approval of a new appointment. The fi ff and that the agreed procedures have been followed in the year under review. Directors As at the date of this Report, the Board consisted of six non-executive Directors as detailed on pages 24 and 25. All Directors with the exception of Lucy Costa Duarte served throughout the year. Lucy was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2025. Board Committees For the year under review the Nomination Committee was chaired fi Engagement Committee was Chaired by Neeta Patel. The Audit & Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee are chaired by Katya Thomson. The full fi the responsibilities of each Committee, can be obtained from the Company Secretary and can be found on the website www.allianztechnologytrust. com. Management Engagement Committee The Management Engagement Committee report is on page 36. Nomination Committee The Nomination Committee report is on page 37. Remuneration Committee The Remuneration Committee report is on page 38. Audit & Risk Committee The Audit & Risk Committee Report starts on page 44. The Board and Matters Reserved for the Board ffi ff ff a formal schedule of matters reserved for the decision of the Board and there is an agreed procedure for Directors, in the furtherance of their duties, to take independent professional advice if necessary at the Company’s fi for the Board include the setting of parameters for and the monitoring of investment strategy, the review of investment performance (including performance relative to the benchmark and to the Company’s peer group) fi of statutory Companies Act 2006 requirements including the payment of any dividend and the allotment of shares; matters of a Stock Exchange or Internal Control nature such as approval of shareholder statutory documentation; performance reviews and director independence; and, in particular matters of a strategic or management nature, such as the Company’s long term objectives, commercial and corporate strategy, share buy-back and share issuance policy, share price and discount/premium monitoring; the appointment or removal of the AIFM and the Investment Manager; unquoted investment valuations; consideration fi requirements and limits and corporate governance matters. In order to enable them to discharge their responsibilities, prior to each meeting Directors are provided, in a timely manner, with a comprehensive set of papers giving detailed information on the Company’s transactions, fi Representatives of the AIFM and the Investment Manager attend each Board meeting, enabling the Directors fifi or to probe further on matters of concern. A full report is received from the Investment Manager at each meeting. In the light of these reports, the Board reviews compliance with the Company’s stated investment objectives and, within these established guidelines, the Investment Manager takes decisions as to the purchase and sale of individual investments. Whistleblowing As the Company has no employees it does not have a formal policy fi of any concerns about improprieties for appropriate independent investigation. The Audit & Risk Committee has, however, received and noted the AIFM and Investment Manager’s policy on this matter. However, any matters concerning the Company may be raised with the Chairman or Senior Independent Director. Modern Slavery Act 2015 The Company does not provide goods or services in the normal course of fi vehicle does not have customers. The Directors do not therefore consider that the Company is required to make a statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in relation to slavery or ffi Electronic communications The Company has enabled electronic communications whereby shareholders may opt to receive documents electronically. Shareholders who opted for this receive either an email, where an email address has been registered, or letter notifying them of the availability of the Company’s Annual Report, Half- Year Report and any other Shareholder documents on the Company’s website. Those that elected not to switch to electronic means will continue to receive hard-copy documents by post. In 29 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW order to reduce the Company’s impact on the environment we encourage shareholders, wherever possible, to register an email address and to receive fi however continue to make available postal copies where required. Common Reporting Standard (CRS) CRS is a global standard for the automatic exchange of information commissioned by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and incorporated into UK law by the International Tax Compliance Regulations 2015. CRS requires the Company to provide certain additional details to HMRC in relation to UK resident foreign investment holders. The reporting obligation began in 2016 and is an annual requirement. The Registrar, MUFG Corporate Markets, is appointed fi the reports with HMRC on behalf of the Company. Safe Custody The Company’s listed investments are held in safe custody by HSBC Bank Plc (the ‘Custodian’). Operational matters with the Custodian are carried out on the Company’s behalf by the Manager in accordance with the provisions of the investment management agreement. The Custodian is paid a variable fee dependent on the number of trades transacted and location of the securities held. Depositary HSBC Securities Services (the ‘Depositary’) acts as the Company’s Depositary in accordance with the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD). The Depositary’s responsibilities, which are set out in the Investor Disclosure Document on the Company’s website, include cash monitoring; ensuring the proper segregation and safe keeping of fi that are held by the Custodian; and monitoring the Company’s compliance with investment and leverage limit requirements. Although the Depositary has delegated the safekeeping of all assets held within the Company’s investment portfolio to the Custodian, in the event of loss of fi instruments under AIFMD, the Depositary will be obliged to return to the Company fi or the corresponding amount of money, unless it can demonstrate that the loss has arisen as a result of an external event beyond its reasonable control, the consequences of which would have been unavoidable despite all reasonable ff Directors’ Responsibility, Accountability and Audit The Directors’ Statement of fi statements is set out on page 43. The Independent Auditor’s Report starts on page 47. The Board has delegated contractually to external agencies, including the AIFM and the Investment Manager, the management of the investment portfolio, the custodial services (which include the safeguarding of the assets), the day to day accounting, company secretarial and administration requirements and the share registration services. Each of these contracts was entered into after full and proper consideration by the Board of the quality and cost of the ff systems in operation insofar as they ff The Board receives and considers regular reports from the AIFM and the Investment Manager and ad hoc reports and information are supplied to the Board as required. Auditor objectivity and independence Forvis Mazars LLP is the Auditor of the Company. The Board believes that auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded for the following reasons: the extent of non-audit work which may be carried out by Forvis Mazars LLP is fl fi Forvis Mazars LLP has provided information on its independence policies and the safeguards and procedures it has developed to counter perceived fi that it is independent within the meaning of all regulatory and professional requirements and that the objectivity of the audit team is not impaired. Each Director at the date of approval of fi (a) in so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and (b) the Director has taken all the steps he or she ought to have taken as a Director in order to make himself/herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information. fi be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. Forvis Mazars LLP will stand for re-election at the forthcoming AGM. Disclosures required by FCA Listing Rule 6.6.1 This rule requires listed companies to report certain information in a single fi fifi none of the prescribed information is applicable to the Company in the year under review. Post Balance Sheet Events Post balance sheet events are detailed fi Annual General Meeting The AGM will be held on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 2.30pm. This meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting. This means that there will be an in person meeting as well as it being streamed live for those shareholders who cannot attend in person. The formal Notice of AGM, including instructions on how to join online, starts on page 72. The Directors consider that the resolutions relating to the items of special business, as detailed below, are in the best interests of shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Directors unanimously recommend to the shareholders that they vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the forthcoming AGM, as they intend to do in respect of their own holdings of Ordinary shares. The Board welcomes all shareholders to the AGM at which the lead portfolio manager will present his review of the year and prospects for the future. Additionally, shareholders wishing to communicate directly with the Board 30 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 may make contact via the Company Secretary, details of whom can be found on page 68. The following Resolutions relating to items of special business will be proposed: Authority to allot new shares and sell shares from treasury on a non pre-emptive basis By law, Directors are not permitted to allot new shares (or to grant rights over shares) unless authorised to do so by shareholders. In addition, fi from shareholders before allotting new shares (or granting rights over shares) for cash or selling shares out of fiff existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings. Resolution 10 seeks to renew the Directors’ authority to allot shares up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £1,071,891 (42,875,668 Ordinary shares), representing approximately 10% of the Company’s total issued Ordinary share capital as at 12 March 2025, being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this document. The authority will expire on 23 July 2026 or, if earlier, at the end of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2026, unless previously cancelled or varied by the Company in general meeting. Resolution 11, which is being proposed as a Special Resolution, seeks to renew the Directors’ authority to allot equity securities, or sell Treasury shares, for ff shares to existing shareholders pro- rata to their existing holdings, up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £1,071,891 (42,875,668 Ordinary shares), representing approximately 10% of the Company’s total issued Ordinary share capital as at 12 March 2025, being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this document. The authority will expire on 23 July 2026 or, if earlier, at the end of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2026, unless previously cancelled or varied by the Company in general meeting. The Directors do not currently intend to allot new shares or sell shares from treasury under these authorities other than to take advantage of opportunities in the market as they arise and/or to seek to manage demand for the Company’s shares and the premium to NAV per share at which they trade, and only if they believe it would be in the best interests of the Company’s existing shareholders to do so. Under no circumstances would the Directors issue shares or sell Treasury shares at a price which would result in a dilution of the NAV per Ordinary share. Authority for the Company to purchase its own shares A resolution authorising the Directors to make market purchases of up to 14.99% of the Company’s Ordinary shares was passed at the AGM of the Company on 24 April 2024. Resolution 12 will authorise the renewal of such authority enabling the Company to purchase in the market up to a maximum of 64,270,626 Ordinary shares (equivalent to approximately 14.99% of the Company’s issued share capital) either for cancellation or for holding in treasury and sets out the minimum and maximum prices at which Ordinary shares may be purchased exclusive of fl the Companies Act 2006 and the UK Listing Rules. The authority will expire on 23 July 2026 or, if earlier, at the end of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in 2026, unless previously cancelled or varied by the Company in general meeting. The Board believes that such purchases in the market at appropriate times and prices may be a suitable method of enhancing shareholder value. The Company would make either a single purchase or a series of purchases, when market conditions are suitable and within guidelines set from time to time by the Board, with the aim of maximising fi The Board believes that the Company’s ability to purchase its own shares may assist liquidity in the market. Additionally, where purchases are made at prices below the prevailing NAV per share, this enhances the NAV for the remaining shareholders. It is therefore intended that purchases will only be made at prices below the prevailing NAV per share, with the purchases to be funded from the fi (which are currently £776 million). Approval is also being sought for two secondary authorities under resolutions 13 and 14, to allot new shares, to sell shares held as Treasury shares, disapplying pre-emption rights. By order of the Board Kelly Nice Company Secretary 12 March 2025 31 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW The Board recognises the importance of a strong corporate governance culture that meets the listing requirements. The Board has put in place a framework for corporate governance which it believes is appropriate for an investment company in line with the best practices in relation to matters ff regulators and other stakeholders of the Company. With a range of relevant skills and experience, all Directors contribute to the Board discussions and debates on corporate governance. In particular, the Board believes in providing as much transparency for investors as is reasonably possible to ensure investors can clearly understand the prospects of the business and enhance liquidity of its shares while also preserving an appropriate level of fi The Board has considered the Principles and Provisions of the AIC Code of Corporate Governance (‘AIC Code’). The AIC Code addresses the Principles and Provisions set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code (the UK Code), as well as setting out additional Provisions on fi the Company. The Board considers that reporting against the Principles and Provisions of the AIC Code, which has been endorsed by the FRC, provides more relevant information to shareholders. The AIC Code is available on the Company’s and AIC’s websites. Application of the Provisions and Principles The Company has complied with the Principles and Provisions of the AIC Code during the year ended 31 December 2024. The AIC Code is available on the AIC website (www. theaic.co.uk). It includes an explanation of how the AIC Code adapts the Principles and Provisions set out in the UK Code to make them relevant for investment companies. The Board The Directors are responsible for the ff ffff leadership so that the Company has the platform from which it can achieve its investment objective. The Board’s role is to guide the overall business strategy to achieve long term success and value fi description of the Company’s strategy can be found on page 12. Strategic issues and all operational matters of a material nature are considered at its meetings. At 31 December 2024, the Board fi fi Lucy Costa Duarte was appointed a non-executive Director on 1 January 2025. A formal schedule of matters reserved for decision by the Board has been adopted. The Board has engaged fi management, secretarial, depositary, custodial and share registration services. Contractual arrangements are in place fi The Board notes that Elisabeth Scott has been a non-executive Director of the Company for over nine years, and as previously stated, she will be retiring at the forthcoming AGM. The Board carefully considers the various guidelines for determining the independence of non-executive Directors, placing particular weight on the view that independence is evidenced by an individual being independent of mind, character and judgement. All Directors are presently considered to be independent. Notwithstanding her length of service on the Board, the Directors are unanimously agreed that Elisabeth Scott continues to be independent. All Directors retire at the AGM each year and, if appropriate, seek re-election. Each Director has signed a letter of appointment to formalise the terms of their engagement as a non-executive Director, therefore they do not have a service contract with the Company. Copies of the letters of engagement are available on request and at the AGM. Senior Independent Director Neeta Patel is the Senior Independent Director (SID). She is available to shareholders if they have concerns which contact through the normal channels of Chairman, AIFM or Company Secretary has failed to resolve or for which such contact is inappropriate. Board Culture The Board adopts a culture where all parties are treated with respect. The Directors provide mutual support combined with constructive challenge. The Chairman encourages open debate to foster a supportive and co-operative approach for all participants. The Board aims to be open and transparent with shareholders and their respective stakeholders. At regular meetings the Board engages with the AIFM and the Investment Manager to understand its culture and receives reporting and feedback from other service providers. Appointments to the Board and Director tenure The Board regularly reviews its composition, having regard to the Board’s structure and to the present and future needs of the Company. The Board takes into account its diversity, the balance of expertise and skills brought by individual Directors, and length of service, where continuity and experience fi of the Board and believes that this provides for a sound base from which the interests of investors will be served to a high standard. 32 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 fi having a diverse range of experience, skills, length of service and backgrounds. The tenure of each Director, including the Chairman, is not ordinarily expected to exceed nine years. However, the Board is also of the view that length of service will not necessarily compromise the independence or contribution of directors of an investment trust company or, indeed, its chairman. Continuity and fi the strength of the Board especially in times of market turbulence. All Directors with the exception of Elisabeth Scott have served for fewer than nine years. As previously announced and reported in the Chairman’s Statement on page 5, having served on the Board for ten years, Elisabeth Scott will retire at the Company’s forthcoming AGM. The Directors’ appointments are formally fi following their date of joining the Board. Each Director will stand for re-election annually at the AGM. The biographies of each Director can be found on pages 24 and 25 and the ordinary resolutions for their election and re- election on page 72. The Board appoints all Directors on merit and under the Articles of Association of the Company, the number of Directors may be no more than ten and no less than two. A Director may be appointed by ordinary resolution. When the Nomination Committee considers Board succession planning and recommends appointments to the Board, it takes into account a variety of factors. Knowledge, experience, skills, personal qualities, residency and governance credentials play an important part. During the year under review, Humphrey van der Klugt retired from the Board and Sam Davis was appointed to the ff following a recruitment process run by Fletcher Jones, an external recruitment agency. Lucy Costa Duarte was ff 1 January 2025, following a recruitment process run by Sapphire Partners, an external recruitment agency. Meetings The Board is scheduled to meet at least four times a year and between these formal meetings there is regular contact with the AIFM, the Investment Manager, the Company Secretary and the Company’s Brokers. The Directors are kept fully informed of investment fi that are relevant to the business of the Company that should be brought to the attention of the Directors. The Directors also have access, where necessary in the furtherance of their duties, to independent professional advice at the expense of the Company. The attendance record of Directors for the year to 31 December 2024 is set out on page 25. The Board considers agenda items laid out in the notice and agenda of each meeting which are circulated to the Board in advance of the meeting as part of the Board papers. Directors may request any agenda items to be added that they consider appropriate for Board discussion. Each Director is required to inform the Board of any potential fl Board discussion. The Board constantly considers the Company’s strategy with regard to market conditions and feedback from shareholders received directly or from the Managers. The investment strategy is reviewed regularly with the AIFM and the Investment Manager. Board meetings include a review of investment performance and associated matters such as marketing/ investor relations, risk management, gearing, general administration and compliance, peer group information and industry issues. Board evaluation The Board evaluates its performance and considers the tenure and independence of each Director on an annual basis. During 2024, an internally facilitated Board evaluation was conducted whereby each Director assessed the workings of and individual contributions to the Board, Committees, the performance of the Chairman and the AIFM and Investment Manager. The Chairman and SID also held individual discussions with each Director. The results were discussed at the Nomination Committee held in November 2024 and it was concluded that the evaluation process had been worthwhile. Each Director believes that the composition of the Board and its fl and experience, and that the Board, as a whole, and its Committees functioned ff of the Board and Committees were held in person.. The composition of the Board, Committees and tenure of the Chairman are reviewed annually by the Nomination Committee. Further details can be found on page 37. The Board is diverse in its composition and thought processes. The Directors have a breadth of experience relevant to the Company. The Directors believe that any changes to the Board’s composition can be managed without undue disruption. The members of the Board strive to challenge each other constructively to make sure all issues are ff Board holds the AIFM and Investment Managers properly to account on their progress on inclusion and diversity. The Board recommends the election and re-election of Directors and supporting biographies are disclosed on pages 24 and 25 of this annual report. Delegation of responsibilities The Board has delegated the following areas of responsibility: The day-to-day administration of the Company has been delegated to Allianz Global Investors UK Limited in its capacity as Company Secretary and Administrator, along with fi relations. Tasks include preparing the valuations, the statutory accounts, the management accounts, presenting results and information to shareholders, coordinating all corporate service providers to the Company and giving the Board general advice. Voya Investment Management Co LLC, the Investment Manager has full discretion (within agreed parameters) to make investments in accordance with the Company’s Investment Policy. Among the fi fi of the Company and existing portfolio as a whole, including the sourcing of new investments, presenting results and information to shareholders. 33 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW Directors’ and Officers’ Deed of Indemnity The Company has also entered into qualifying third party Deeds of Indemnity with each Director to cover any liabilities that may arise to a third party, other than the Company, for negligence, default or breach of trust or duty. The Deeds were in force during the year to 31 December 2024 and up to the date of approval of this report. The Directors are fi to the Company or costs incurred in connection with criminal proceedings in which the Director is convicted or required to pay any regulatory or fiffi Liabilities insurance information can be found on page 29. Training and advice New Directors are provided with an induction programme that is tailored to the particular requirements of the fi are provided on changes in regulatory ff Directors are encouraged to attend industry and other seminars. Directors, in the furtherance of their duties, may also seek independent professional advice at the expense of the Company. No Director fi under review. All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who is responsible to the Board for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable rules and regulations are complied with. The Company Secretary is also responsible for advising the Board through the Chairman on all governance matters. Conflicts of Interest Company Directors have a statutory obligation to avoid a situation in which they (and connected persons) have, or can have, a direct or indirect interest that flfl the interests of the Company. The Board has in place procedures for managing fl interest as set out on page 29. No fl under review. Alternative Performance Measures In addition to providing guidance on Corporate Governance, the AIC provides the investment company industry with leadership on the reporting of alternative performance measures to support a fair and balanced approach to the performance of your Company. A glossary of Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) can be found on page 66. Audit, Risk Management & Internal Controls For the reasons previously mentioned, the Directors consider the provisions relating to the internal audit as not relevant to the Company. There is an Audit & Risk Committee, which is chaired by Katya Thomson, that meets at least twice a year and the full Audit & Risk Committee Report starts on page 44. The Directors are responsible for ff risk management and internal control systems for the Company, which are designed to ensure that proper accounting records are maintained, fi which business decisions are made and which is issued for publication is reliable, and that the assets of the Company are safeguarded. Such a system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risks of failure to achieve the Company’s business objectives and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Directors, through the procedures outlined below and further detailed in the Strategic Report and the Audit & Risk Committee Report, have kept ff management and internal controls under review throughout the year fi and up to the date of approval of the Annual Financial Report. The Board has fi the key areas of investment strategy, technology sector risk, cyber risk, fi liquidity risk and operational risk for extended review. Emerging risks are also considered by the Board. The Directors’ Statement of Responsibilities, set out on page 43, fi a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity and reputation. The AIFM and the Investment Manager have established internal control frameworks to provide reasonable ff the internal controls operated on behalf of their clients. The AIFM and Investment Manager’s compliance and risk departments assess the ff an ongoing basis. The AIFM and the Investment Manager provide the Board with regular reports on all aspects of internal control fi compliance control, risk management and relationships with external service providers). Business risks have been analysed and recorded in a Risk Matrix, which is formally reviewed by the Audit & Risk Committee at its meetings and at other times as necessary. It is believed that an appropriate framework is in place to meet the requirements of the AIC Code. The Investment Manager, at least on a quarterly basis, reports to the Board on the market and on the investment performance of the Company’s portfolio. Further information is contained in the Chairman’s Statement, the Directors’ Report and the Investment Manager’s Review. Relations with shareholders During 2024, the Company had regular contact with its shareholders in person and virtually through the AIFM and the Investment Manager. The Chairman met with a number of shareholders following his appointment as Chairman. The AGM will be held as a hybrid meeting and will allow shareholders to ask the Board questions. 34 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Board and the Annual Report The Board is responsible for reviewing the entire annual report and has noted the supporting information received and the recommendations of the Audit & Risk Committee. The Board has considered whether the annual report fl the Company and its activities and performance in the year under review with a clear link between the relevant sections of the report. The Board was fi report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. By order of the Board Kelly Nice Company Secretary 12 March 2025 35 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW Committee Role of the Committee The role of the Management Engagement Committee is to review the investment management agreement and the Company’s Service Providers. The Committee monitors the performance of the Investment Manager for portfolio management services and the AIFM for the secretarial, fi support services that it provides under a tripartite agreement. It also reviews the terms of the agreement including the level and structure of fees payable, the length of notice period and best practice provisions generally. All of the Committee’s responsibilities have been carried out over the course of the year under review. Composition of the Committee All the Directors are members of the Committee and it is Chaired by Neeta Patel. The terms of reference can be found on the Company’s website www. allianztechnologytrust.com Manager evaluation process During the year under review, the Committee met once to consider the relationship, and the services provided by both the AIFM and the Investment Manager prior to making its recommendation to the Board on the retention of the AIFM and the Investment Manager being in the best interests of the shareholders. The Committee reviewed the performance fee arrangements to ensure they were still appropriate for the size of the Company. The Committee reviewed the split of responsibilities under the tripartite agreement, details of which are noted in the Directors Report on page 26. The performance of the AIFM and the Investment Manager is considered at every Board meeting with a formal evaluation by the Committee each year. For the purpose of its ongoing monitoring, the Board receives detailed reports and views from the Investment Manager on the investment policy and strategies, asset allocation, stock selection, attributions, portfolio characteristics and risk. The Board also assesses the Investment Manager’s performance against the investment controls set by the Board. During the year the Board visited the Investment Manager in California, meeting with various representatives of their business units as well as the investment team. A breakdown of the portfolio begins on page 10. The AIFM and the Investment Manager reappointment The Committee last met in December 2024 and in a closed session after the presentations from the AIFM and the Investment Manager, it was concluded that in its opinion the continuing appointment of both the AIFM and the Investment Manager on the terms agreed was in the interests of shareholders as a whole and recommended this to the Board. Committee evaluation The activities of the Management Engagement Committee were considered as part of the Board appraisal process completed in accordance with standard governance arrangements as summarised on page 33. The conclusion from the process was that the Committee was operating ff membership and skills. Neeta Patel Management Engagement Committee Chairman 12 March 2025 36 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Report of the Nomination Committee Role of the Committee The primary role of the Nomination Committee is to review and make recommendations with regard to Board structure, size and composition, the balance of knowledge, experience, skill ranges and diversity and consider succession planning and tenure policy. All of the Committee’s responsibilities have been carried out during the year under review. The Committee met on three occasions during the year and fi reviewed the following matters: – the structure and size of the Board and its composition particularly in terms of succession planning and the experience and skills of the individual Directors and diversity across the Board as a whole; – tenure policy; – the criteria for future Board appointments and the methods of recruitment, selection and appointment; – the recruitment of a new Director and the reappointment of those Directors standing for re-election at annual general meetings; – the need for any changes in committee membership; – the attendance and time commitment fi duties, including the extent of their other directorships; – the question of each Director’s independence prior to publication of the Report and Accounts in line with the requirements of the AIC Code; and – the authorisation of each Director’s fl accordance with the provisions of the Act. Composition of the Committee The Committee is composed of all the current Directors and chaired by the Chairman of the Board. The terms of reference can be found on the Company’s website www. allianztechnologytrust.com. Succession planning During the year the Committee started the process for the appointment of a new non-executive Director. Sapphire Partners, an executive search agency, were engaged to assist with the recruitment process. The Company and the Directors have no other connection with Sapphire Partners. The Committee provided their criteria for the appointment. Sapphire Partners introduced a number of candidates to the Committee who were invited for interview with existing Directors. Lucy Costa Duarte was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2025. Performance evaluation During the year the Committee undertook an internally facilitated review. The evaluation process adopted required the completion of a questionnaire and each Director to participate in individual discussions with the Chairman and SID on the workings of and individual contributions to the Board, Committees, performance of the Chairman. Questions included a review of the interaction with the AIFM and the Investment Manager. The Senior Independent Director led the review of the Chairman. The results of the performance evaluation were discussed at the Committee meeting held in December 2024. Any concerns were discussed openly and addressed with all Directors with the AIFM present. It was agreed by all participants that the ff fi fi Company as a whole. Board diversity is summarised on page 27. Tim Scholefield Nomination Committee Chairman 12 March 2025 37 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW Report of the Remuneration Committee Role of the Committee The primary role of the Remuneration Committee is to determine the remuneration policy for the Chairman and Directors as well as considering the need to appoint external remuneration consultations. The Committee reviews ff policy and strategy at least once a year. Composition of the Committee The Committee comprises all current Directors and is chaired by Katya Thomson. The terms of reference can be found on the Company’s website www. allianztechnologytrust.com. Consideration of Directors’ Remuneration The Committee reviews Directors’ remuneration taking into consideration the Company’s Remuneration Policy, a selection of peer comparisons, other market information and the Trust Associates Fee Review. The policy is to review Directors’ fee rates from time to time, but reviews will not necessarily result in a change to the rates. Any feedback received from shareholders is also taken into account when setting remuneration levels. The level of Directors’ fees are recommended to and approved by the Board. Directors abstain from voting on their own fees. Directors’ remuneration is paid monthly in arrears and is paid to the individual Director; no payments have been made to third parties on behalf of the individual. A detailed summary of the Chairman and Directors’ remuneration starts on page 39. Committee evaluation The activities of the Remuneration Committee were considered as part of the Board appraisal process completed in accordance with standard governance arrangements as summarised on page 33. The conclusion from the process was that the Committee was ff Katya Thomson Remuneration Committee Chairman 12 March 2025 38 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Introduction This Directors’ Remuneration Implementation Report (the Report) has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Sections 420-422A of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 8 of The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 as amended in August 2013 (the Regulations). The Report is subject to an annual advisory vote of shareholders and an Ordinary Resolution for the approval of the Report will be put to the shareholders at the AGM. The law requires your Company’s Auditor to audit certain disclosures provided. Where disclosures have been audited, they are noted as such. The Auditor’s opinion is included in their report which starts on page 47. Remuneration Policy Report The Remuneration Policy of the Company is required to be put to a binding vote of shareholders at least once every three years; the policy was last proposed to and approved by shareholders at the AGM in 2024 and will therefore next be proposed as a binding vote at the AGM in 2027. The Remuneration Policy Report follows on page 42 and is available on the Company’s website www.allianztechnologytrust.com. Remuneration Committee A detailed description of the Committee’s role and members can be found on page 38. Annual General Meeting (AGM) Voting Statement At the AGM held on 24 April 2024, of the votes cast by proxy for the approval of the Remuneration Implementation Report, 133,378,288 (99.75%) were cast in favour, 333,959 (0.25%) were cast against and 219,220 shares were withheld from the vote. For the Remuneration Policy Report, which was proposed as a binding vote, of the votes cast, 133,373,037 (99.75%) were cast in favour, 338,125 (0.25%) were cast against and 220,306 shares were withheld. Annual Statement The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee reports that the Directors’ remuneration will be increased as of 1 January 2025 as set out on page 40. Relative importance of spend on pay The following disclosure is a statutory requirement. The Directors, however, do not consider that the comparison of Directors’ remuneration with distributions made by the Company is a meaningful measure of the Company’s overall performance. The table below sets out the total level of remuneration compared to the share buy-backs, dividends and distributions made in the year: 2024 £ 2023 £ 2022 £ 2021 £ 2020 £ Total Remuneration 219,727 207,114 203,064 149,500 128,250 Total Dividends, Share Buy-backs and Distributions 31,974,000 40,373,000 39,263,000 16,772,000 - * Number of permanent Directors increased from 4 to 5. Letters of Appointment It is the Board’s policy that Directors do not have service contracts. Instead each Director has received a letter setting out the terms of their appointment under which they provide their services to the Company. In accordance with the Articles any new Directors will fi will stand for re-election by shareholders annually. A Director may resign by notice in writing to the Board at any time and may be ffi ffi the Directors. 39 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW Allianz Technology Trust Net Allianz Technology Trust Return return) Source: AllianzGI / Datastream in sterling. Figures have been rebased to 100 as at 31 December 2014. 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23 Dec 24 Your Company’s performance The regulations require a line graph to be included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report showing total shareholder return fi value performance against its Benchmark index of the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return) and is rebased to 100. An explanation of the Company’s performance is given in the Chairman’s Statement and Investment Manager’s Review. Directors’ fees All the Directors, with the exception of Humphrey van der Klugt who retired on 24 April 2024 and Lucy Costa Duarte who was appointed on 1 January 2025, served throughout the year and received the fees set out below. In the year under review to 31 December 2024 the Directors’ fees were paid at the following rates: £35,000 per annum for each Director with the Chairman of the Board receiving an extra £21,000 per annum, the Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee an extra £10,500 and the Senior Independent Director an extra £2,000 per annum. A review of Directors’ fees is conducted annually by the Remuneration Committee, taking into consideration the increasing demands and accountability of the corporate governance and regulatory environment, as well as the fees of other comparable investment companies. No external remuneration consultant was used, however the Committee reviewed the Trust Associates Investment Company Non-Executive Directors’ Fee Review 2024. Having considered carefully the information provided and to remain competitive for future recruitment, the following increases were agreed. The Directors’ fees will be increased as of 1 January 2025 to £38,000 per annum. The Chairman of the Board will receive £61,000 per annum. The Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee will receive £49,500 and the Senior Independent Director will receive £40,000 per annum. In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, the aggregate maximum limit for fees that may be paid to the Directors per annum is £325,000. These fees exclude any employers’ national insurance contributions, if applicable. Directors are authorised to claim reasonable expenses from the Company in relation to the performance of their duties. However, the policy is to only claim ad hoc expenses which would not ordinarily include general travel to and from meetings held in London. No Director is entitled to receive share fififi remuneration stated above. 40 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Directors’ Remuneration (audited information) The Directors who served in the year received the following emoluments in the form of fees: Appointed Variable Fees 2024 £ Total Fees 2024 £ Variable Fees 2023 £ Total Fees 2023 £ Humphrey van der Klugt 1 July 2015 (retired 24 April 2024) - 11,811 - 34,500 Elisabeth Scott 1 February 2015 - 35,000 - 33,000 Neeta Patel 1 September 2019 - 36,416 - 33,000 fi 1 December 2022 - 56,000 - 46,564 Katya Thomson 18 July 2022 - 45,500 - 41,500 Sam Davis 1 January 2024 - 35,000 - - - 219,727 - 207,114 No payments of Directors’ fees were made to third parties. The fees are pro-rata. Annual Percentage Change 2024 £ % change 2023 to 2024 2023 £ % change 2022 to 2023 2022 £ % change 2021 to 2022 2021 £ % change 2020 to 2021 2020 £ Chairman 56,000 5.6 53,000 3 51,000 6 48,000 18 40,500 Audit & Risk Chairman 45,500 9.6 41,500 N/A 1 41,500 6 39,000 15 33,750 SID 37,000 6.5 34,500 N/A 1 Independent Director 35,000 6 33,000 3 32,000 6 30,000 11 27,000 1 Until 31 December 2022, Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee and SID were a combined fee. Directors’ Interests (audited information) The Directors are not required to hold any shares in the Company; however, pursuant to Article 19 of the EU Market Abuse Regulations the Directors’ Interests in the share capital of the Company are shown in the table below. Ordinary shares of 2.5p each Appointed 31 December 2024 31 December 2023 fi 1 December 2021 19,250 19,250 Elisabeth Scott 1 February 2015 16,500 16,500 Neeta Patel 1 September 2019 14,989 9,852 Katya Thomson 18 July 2022 30,000 25,000 Sam Davis 1 January 2024 9,028 - Lucy Costa Duarte 1 January 2025 - - Since the year end, Lucy Costa Duarte has purchased 7,180 Ordinary shares. There have been no further changes to any of the Directors’ holdings from the year end to the date of this report. Katya Thomson Remuneration Committee Chairman 12 March 2025 41 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW In accordance with Schedule 8 of The Large and Medium sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 as amended, the Company is required to put to a binding vote of shareholders, at least every three years, the Company’s Remuneration Policy Report (‘the Policy’). The Policy was last proposed to and approved by shareholders at the AGM in 2024 and will therefore be proposed as an Ordinary Resolution at the AGM in 2027. Directors’ Remuneration Policy The Company’s Remuneration Policy provides that fees payable to the fl ff and the responsibilities borne by the ffi enable candidates of high calibre to be recruited. Directors are remunerated solely in the form of fees payable monthly in arrears, paid to the Director personally or to a fi term incentive schemes, share option schemes or pension arrangements and fi to the Directors’ performance, either individually or collectively. There are no payments of recruitment bonuses. The Board consists of non-executive Directors whose appointments are reviewed by the Board as a whole. None of the Directors has a service contract with the Company and any Director may resign by notice in writing to the Board at any time; there are no set notice periods and no compensation is payable to a ffi ffi and there are no employees. When reviewing the level of remuneration consideration is given to the time, commitment and Committee responsibilities of each Director. The Board also takes into account the fees paid to directors of companies within its peer group, the increasing demands and accountability of the corporate governance and regulatory environment, as well as the fees of other comparable companies. The policy is for the Chairman of the Board, Audit & Risk Committee and Senior Independent Director to be paid a fee which is proportionate to the fi involved in the position. It is intended that the above Remuneration Policy will continue to fi and subsequent years. Katya Thomson Remuneration Committee Chairman 12 March 2025 42 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Financial fi accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the fi fi the Directors have elected to prepare the fi United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable fi required by law to give a true and ff Company and of the total return of the Company for that year. In preparing fi are required to: – select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; – make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; – state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed; and – fi the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business. fi fi above requirements. The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at fi Company and enable them to ensure fi with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, a Directors’ Report, and Corporate Governance Statement, and a Directors’ Remuneration Report which comply with that law and those regulations. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the fi included on the Company’s website. fi on www.allianztechnologytrust.com, which is a website maintained by the Alternative Investment Fund Manager. The work undertaken by the Auditor does not involve consideration of the maintenance and integrity of the website and, accordingly, the Auditor accepts no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to fi were initially presented on the website. Visitors to the website need to be aware that legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation fi ff other jurisdictions. Neither an audit nor a review provides assurance on the maintenance and integrity of the website, including controls used to achieve this, and in particular whether any changes fi fi matters are the responsibility of the Directors but no control procedures can provide absolute assurance in this area. fi their knowledge that: (a) the Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, fi Company; and (b) the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company, along with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the Company faces. fi Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. For and on behalf of the Board Tim Scholefield Chairman 12 March 2025 43 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW During the year under review, Forvis Mazars LLP were re-appointed as auditor at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in 2024. Their independent report can be found on page 47. Responsibility The primary responsibilities of the Committee are to ensure the integrity fi and the appropriateness of the risk management processes and internal controls. The report details how we carry out this role. Composition and meetings The members of the Committee throughout the year were myself as Chairman, Elisabeth Scott, Neeta fi Chairman of the Board, is not a member of the Committee but attends meetings by invitation. The Committee believes that it is in the best interests of the Company for the Chairman of the Board to attend the Committee meetings. All the members of the Committee are independent Non-Executive Directors, and their skills and experience are set out on pages 24 and 25. The Board reviews the composition of the Committee and it considers that, ffi fi sector experience to fully discharge their responsibilities. The Committee meets at least twice per year. The attendance of the Committee members is shown on page 25. The Committee invites the external auditor, a representative of the Depositary, fi compliance and risk functions and the Investment Manager’s compliance function to attend and report to the Committee on relevant matters. As part of the year end process I, as Chairman of the Committee, attended additional meetings with representatives of the AIFM and the external auditor. In addition, during the year, the Committee also met privately with the external auditor to give them an opportunity to raise any issues without management present. After each Committee meeting the Chairman of the Committee reports to the Board on the main items discussed at the meeting. Role and responsibilities of the Audit & Risk Committee The Committee’s authority and duties fi which were reviewed during the year, and are available on the Company’s website www.allianztechnologytrust. com. The principal activities carried out during the year were: – Financial reporting: we considered fi including the implications of any accounting standards and regulatory fi issues and the appropriateness of the accounting policies adopted. fi that, taken as a whole, the Annual Financial Report is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position, performance, business model and strategy. – External audit: we considered the scope of the external audit plan and fi work. – Risk and internal control: we considered the key risks facing the Company and the adequacy and ff and risk management processes. – External auditor: we considered the ff of the external auditor, as detailed later in this report. Internal Audit and Internal Controls The Committee continues to believe that the Company does not require an internal audit function as it delegates its day-to-day operations to third parties from whom it receives internal control reports. Reports from third party auditors on the internal controls maintained on behalf of the Company by the AIFM, Investment Manager and by other providers of administrative and custodian services to AllianzGI UK or directly to the Company were reviewed during the year. my formal report Chairman of the 44 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Risk Management The Board has ultimate responsibility for the management of the risks associated with the Company. The Committee assists the Board by undertaking a formal assessment of risks and reporting to the Board as appropriate. The Committee has reviewed its approach to risk management and the reporting of such to the Board and has concluded that the processes in place are adequate and provide a robust assessment of risk associated with the Company. The Committee reviews in detail at least twice per year the full Risk Matrix and Controls schedule and makes appropriate recommendations to the Board which may include adding or removing risks for consideration, monitoring and reviewing the fi continues to assess the high-level risks. The Audit & Risk Committee also reviews the annual Internal Controls documents provided by key third party service providers and reports as necessary to the Board. Further details of the key risks associated with the Company are detailed within the Strategic Report. Significant areas of risk and focus considered by the Audit & Risk Committee during the year The Annual Report and Financial Statements are the responsibility of the Board and the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities is on page 43. The Audit & Risk Committee advises the Board on the form and content of the Annual Report and Financial fi The Committee is responsible for agreeing a suitable Audit Plan for the year-end audit and production of the Annual Financial fi and included: Valuation, existence and ownership of the Company’s investments Valuations of actively traded investments are reconciled using stock exchange prices provided by third party pricing vendors. The Company holds no unquoted fi custodian’s records. Recognition, completeness and occurrence of revenue Income received is accounted for in line with the Company’s accounting policy (as set out on page 55) and is reviewed by the Committee. Compliance with Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 The Committee regularly considers the controls in place to ensure that the regulations for ensuring investment trust status are observed at all times. Maintaining internal controls The Committee receives regular reports on internal controls from AllianzGI and its delegates and has access to the relevant personnel at AllianzGI who have responsibility for risk management. Management and Performance Fees The calculation of the management and performance fees payable to AllianzGI UK and Voya is reviewed by the Committee before being approved by the Board. Viability Statement The Board is required to make a longer term viability statement in relation to the continuing operations of the Company. The Committee reviews papers produced in support of the statement made by the Board which assesses the viability of the fi Annual Financial Report The Committee and then the whole Board reviewed the entire Annual Financial Report and noted all the supporting information fl activities and performance in the year, with a clear link between the relevant sections of the report. The Directors were then able fi necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position, performance, business model and strategy. Auditor effectiveness The Committee is responsible for reviewing the terms of appointment of the Auditor and for monitoring the audit process including fffi subsequently issued by them. 45 DIRECTOR’S REVIEW As part of the review of the auditor, the members of the Committee and those representatives of the Manager involved in the audit process reviewed and considered a number of areas including: – the reputation and standing of the fi – the audit processes and evidence of partner oversight; – audit communication including details of planning; and – information on relevant accounting and regulatory developments, and recommendations on corporate reporting. Auditor tenure There are no contractual obligations which restrict the Committee’s choice of auditor. This is Forvis Mazars LLP’s third year as the Company’s independent auditor with Nargis Yunis appointed as audit partner. Following professional guidelines, Nargis can serve for up to fi of the auditor is considered by the Audit & Risk Committee each year, taking into account relevant guidance and best practice and considering their ff the external audit process. Auditor independence As reported last year, the Committee was informed by Forvis Mazars LLP that during the period under review, there was a breach by Forvis Mazars LLP of paragraph 2.3a of the FRC Ethical Standard as a Forvis Mazars LLP partner working in a non-audit capacity held shares in the Company. Following detailed discussions with Forvis Mazars LLP and receipt of reassurance with respect to ongoing controls enhancements, the Committee has concluded that this was a technical breach and does not impact the Auditor independence. Forvis Mazars LLP did not provide any non-audit services to the Company in this or the previous accounting year. The Committee also took into account the competitiveness of their fees and obtained feedback from the AIFM regarding the performance of the audit fi the independence and performance of the Auditor. Forvis Mazars LLP will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM to be re-appointed as auditors of the Company for the year ending 31 December 2025. Committee evaluation The activities of the Audit & Risk Committee were considered as part of the Board appraisal process completed in accordance with standard governance arrangements as summarised on page 33. The conclusion from the process was that ff with the right balance of membership, experience and skills. Katya Thomson Audit & Risk Committee Chairman 12 March 2025 46 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Opinion fi Technology Trust PLC (the ‘Company’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Changes in Equity, and notes fi policy information. fi applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). fi – ff fi ended; – have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and – have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the “Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of fi independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical fi statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities and public interest entities, and we fi with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we ffi for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern fi the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in fi Our audit procedures to evaluate the Directors’ assessment of the Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included but were not limited to: – Undertaking an initial assessment at the planning stage of the audit to identify events or conditions that may cast fi going concern; – Obtaining an understanding of the relevant controls relating to the Directors’ going concern assessment; – making enquiries of the Directors to understand the period of assessment considered by the Directors, assessing and challenging the appropriateness of the Directors’ key assumptions in their income and expense projections and implication of those when assessing severe but plausible scenarios; – assessing the liquidity of the portfolio through reviewing the Directors’ assessment of how quickly the portfolio could be liquidated if required; – assessing the Company’s performance to date; – evaluating the appropriateness of the Directors’ disclosures fi viability statement. fi any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, fi Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period fi are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. In relation to Allianz Technology Trust PLC’s reporting on how it has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the fi the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting. Allianz Technology Trust PLC 47 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Financial Statements Key audit matters fifi fi fiff fffi statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. We summarise below the key audit matter in forming our opinion above, together with an overview of the principal audit procedures performed to address this matter and our key observations arising from those procedures. fi Completion Report. Key Audit Matter How our scope addressed this matter Valuation, existence and ownership of the investment portfolio (as described on page 45 in the Report of the Audit and Risk Committee and as per the accounting policy set out on page 55). Investments held as of 31 December 2024 were valued at £1.7bn (2023: 1.3bn), these are measured in accordance United Kingdom Accounting Standards, and the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment Companies. The investment portfolio solely comprises of level one investments. Investments make up 98% (2023:98%) of net assets by value and are considered to be the key driver for the Company’s performance. The investments are fi upon initial recognition as held at fair value fi and subsequently at fair value which is based on their quoted bid prices at the close of business on the year-end date. There is a risk that investments recorded might not exist or might not be owned by the Company. Although the investments are valued at quoted bid prices, there is a risk that errors fi numbers presented. fi ownership of investments as a key audit matter as it ff and allocation of resources. Valuations of actively traded investments are reconciled using stock exchange prices provided by third party pricing vendors. The Company holds no unquoted investments. Ownership of listed fi Our audit procedures included, but were not limited to: – understanding Management’s process to record and value investments through discussions with Management and examination of control reports for the third-party service organisation; – performing walkthroughs to evaluate the design and implementation of controls; – for all investments in the portfolio, agreeing investment holdings to HSBC Bank Plc’s (‘Custodian / Depositary’), independently fi obtain comfort over existence and ownership; – for all investments in the portfolio, independently comparing the market prices to a reputable third-party pricing source and recalculating the investment valuations as at the year-end; – for all investments in the portfolio, assessing the frequency of fi and – fi statements and ensure that the methodology applied is in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the Association of Investment Companies. Our observations We have no matters to communicate with regards to the valuation, existence and ownership of the investment portfolio held as at 31 December 2024. 48 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit fl These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of fiff fi d on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for fi Overall materiality £ 17,468,540 (2023: £13,187,750) How we determined it 1% of net assets (2023: 1% of net assets) Rationale for benchmark applied fifi considered to be the main focus of the shareholders. Whilst valuation processes for these investments are not considered to be complex, there is a risk that errors in valuation could cause a material misstatement. 1% has been chosen as it is a generally accepted auditing practice for investment trust audits and the Company is a public interest entity. Performance materiality Performance materiality is set to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the fi fi On the basis of our risk assessments and together with our assessment of the overall control environment, we set performance materiality at £12,227,978 (2023: £7,912,650) which represents 70% (2023: 60%) of overall materiality Reporting threshold fi audit above £524,056 (2023: £395,633) as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. fi fi error, and then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks. In particular, we looked at where the Directors fi ffifi statements as a whole. We used the outputs of our risk assessment, our understanding of the Company, its environment, controls, ffifi statement line items. Other information fi fi not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially fi misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether fi conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 49 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: – the information given in the strategic report and the fifi fi statements and those reports have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements; – the information about internal control and risk management fi about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 in the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook made by the Financial Conduct Authority fi and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements; and – information about the Company’s corporate governance code and practices and about its administrative, management and supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the FCA Rules. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we fi – strategic report or the Directors’ report; or – information about internal control and risk management fi about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: – adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or – fi Directors’ remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or – fi law are not made; or – we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or – a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by the Company. Corporate governance statement The UK Listing Rules require us to review the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK fi Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with fi the audit: – Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of accounting and any fi – Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the entity’s prospects, the period this assessment covers and why the period is appropriate, set out on page 14; – Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable, set out on page 43; – fi assessment of the emerging and principal risks, set out on page 14; – fi ff control systems, set out on page 14; and; – The section describing the work of the Audit Committee, set out on page 44. Responsibilities of Directors As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 43, the Directors are responsible fi fi internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to fi from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. fi responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about fi material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could fl fi The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Based on our understanding of the Company and their industry, we considered that non-compliance with the following 50 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 ff fi GDPR, Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and Money Laundering (Amendment) regulations 2012, The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. To help us identify instances of non-compliance with these laws and regulations, and in identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect to non-compliance, our procedures included, but were not limited to: – Gaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Company, the industry in which they operate, and the structure of the Company, and considering the risk of acts by the Company which were contrary to the applicable laws and regulations, including fraud; – Inquiring of the Directors, management and, where appropriate, those charged with governance, as to whether the Company is in compliance with laws and regulations, and discussing their policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations; – Reviewing any correspondence with relevant licensing or regulatory authorities including the FCA; – Reviewing minutes of Directors’ meetings in the year and up fi – Discussing amongst the engagement team the laws and regulations listed above, and remaining alert to any indications of non-compliance. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a fffi such as the UK Listing Rules, HMRC Investment Trust rules, the UK Corporate Governance Code, the AIC Code of Corporate Governance, the Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation. In addition, we evaluated the Directors’ and management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of fi override of controls, and determined that the principal risks related to posting manual journal entries to manipulate fi fi estimates, in particular in relation to the investment portfolio, revenue recognition (which we pinpointed to the accuracy, fffiff unusual transactions. Our procedures in relation to fraud included but were not limited to: – Making enquiries of the Directors and management on whether they had knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; – Gaining an understanding of the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud; – Discussing amongst the engagement team the risks of fraud; – Addressing the risks of fraud through management override of controls by performing journal entry testing. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities, including fraud, rests with both those charged with governance and management. As with any audit, there remained a risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations or the override of internal controls. ff on our audit are discussed in the “Key audit matters” section of this report. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. Other matters which we are required to address Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the Audit Committee on 13 July 2022 fi December 2022 and reappointed by the Members at the fi The period of total uninterrupted engagement is three years, covering the years ended 31 December 2022 to 31 December 2024. The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Company and we remain independent of the Company in conducting our audit. As reported last year, during the period under review, there was a breach by Forvis Mazars LLP of paragraph 2.3a of the FRC Ethical Standard as a Forvis Mazars LLP partner working in a non-audit capacity held shares in Allianz Technology Trust PLC. Our assessment, which has been shared and agreed with the Directors, is that it was a technical breach and does not impact our independence since the respective partner is not fi Standards. The investment was disposed of immediately when it was discovered. We therefore concluded that we remain independent of the Company in conducting our audit. We continue to monitor and reassess controls in place to prevent such breaches happening in the future. Our audit opinion is consistent with our additional report to the Audit Committee. Use of the audit report This report is made solely to the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Nargis Shaheen Yunis (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Forvis Mazars LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 30 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7AU 12 March 2025 51 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Income Statement Notes 2024 Revenue £’000s 2024 Capital £’000s 2024 Total Return £’000s 2023 Revenue £’000s 2023 Capital £’000s 2023 Total Return £’000s Gains on investments held at fair value through fi 7 - 462,854 462,854 - 424,802 424,802 Exchange gains (losses) on currency balances (8) 1,521 1,513 (46) (1,122) (1,168) Income 1 6,571 - 6,571 5,372 - 5,372 Investment management fee and performance fee 2 (8,816) - (8,816) (6,866) - (6,866) Administration expenses 3 (1,165) - (1,165) (1,003) - (1,003) Profit (loss) before finance costs and taxation (3,418) 464,375 460,957 (2,543) 423,680 421,137 Taxation 4 (891) - (891) (937) - (937) Profit (loss) on ordinary activities attributable to Ordinary shareholders (4,309) 464,375 460,066 (3,480) 423,680 420,200 Earnings (loss) per Ordinary share (basic and diluted) 6 (1.12p) 120.68p 119.56p (0.88p) 106.71p 105.83p The total return column of this statement is the income statement of the Company. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are both prepared under the guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies. All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year. fi Income. The Company does not have any other Comprehensive Income. The notes on pages 55 to 65 form an integral part of these Financial Statements. 52 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Notes 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Non current assets fi 7 1,715,543 Current assets Other receivables 9 511 Cash and cash equivalents 9 33,763 34,274 34,982 Current liabilities Other payables 9 (2,950) (2,993) Net current assets 31,324 31,989 Total net assets 1,746,867 1,318,775 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 10 10,719 Share premium account 11 334,191 Capital redemption reserve 11 1,021 Capital reserve 11 1,442,679 Revenue reserve 11 (41,743) (37,434) Shareholders’ funds - equity 12 1,746,867 1,318,775 Net asset value per Ordinary share 12 458.6p 338.2p fi the Board of Directors on 12 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Tim Scholefield Chairman 12 March 2025 at The notes on pages 55 to 65 form an integral part of these Financial Statements. 53 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Changes in Equity Called up Share Capital £’000s Share Premium Account £’000s Capital Redemption Reserve £’000s Capital Reserve £’000s Revenue Reserve £’000s Total £’000s Net assets at 1 January 2023 10,719 334,191 1,021 626,971 (33,954) 938,948 Revenue loss - - - - (3,480) (3,480) Shares repurchased into treasury during the year - - - (40,373) - (40,373) fi - - - 423,680 - 423,680 Net assets at 31 December 2023 10,719 334,191 1,021 1,010,278 (37,434) 1,318,775 Net assets at 1 January 2024 10,719 334,191 1,021 1,010,278 (37,434) 1,318,775 Revenue loss - - - - (4,309) (4,309) Shares repurchased into treasury during the year - - - (31,974) - (31,974) fi - - - 464,375 - 464,375 Net assets at 31 December 2024 10,719 334,191 1,021 1,442,679 (41,743) 1,746,867 The notes on pages 55 to 65 form an integral part of these Financial Statements. 54 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Notes to the Financial Statements 1 The financial statements – have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out below. fi accordance with The Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 and with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts’ (SORP) issued by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) in July 2022. fl company and in accordance with guidance issued by the AIC, supplementary information which analyses the Income Statement between items of a revenue and capital nature has been presented alongside the Income Statement. In accordance with the Company’s status as a UK investment company under section 833 and 834 of the Companies Act 2006, net capital returns may be distributed by way of dividend. The requirements within FRS 102 section 7.1A have been met to qualify for the exemption to prepare a Cash Flow Statement. Therefore the Cash Flow Statement has not fi The accounting policies adopted in preparing the current fi previous years. The Directors believe that it is appropriate to continue to fi statements as the assets of the Company consist mainly fi exceed liabilities. The Directors have considered the Company’s investment objective and capital structure. The Directors have also considered the risks and consequences of the geopolitical and macro-economic events on the operational aspects of the Company and fi resources to continue in operational existence and meet its objectives for twelve months after the approval of the fi 2 Revenue – Dividends received on equity shares are accounted for on an ex-dividend basis. UK dividends are shown net of tax credits and foreign dividends are grossed up at the appropriate rate of withholding tax. Special dividends are recognised on an ex-dividend basis and treated as a capital or revenue item depending on the facts and circumstances of each dividend. Where the Company has elected to receive its dividends in the form of additional shares rather than in cash, the equivalent of the cash dividend is recognised as revenue. Any excess in the value of the shares received over the amount of the cash dividend is recognised in capital. Deposit interest receivable is accounted for on an accruals basis. 3 Investment management fees and administrative expenses – The investment management fee is calculated fi and is charged in full to revenue as permitted by the SORP. Performance fees are charged in full to capital, as they are directly attributable to the capital performance of the investments. Other administrative expenses are charged in full to revenue. All expenses are recognised on an accruals basis. 4 Valuation – The Company’s business is investing in fifi fi assets are publicly traded equity investments which are fi FRS 102 Section 11: ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12: ‘Other Financial Instruments’. fi initially recognised at fair value. After initial recognition, these continue to be measured at fair value, which for quoted investments is either the bid price or the last traded price depending on the convention of the exchange on which the investment is listed. Gains or losses on investments are recognised in the capital column of the fi are recognised on the trade date, being the date which the Company commits to purchase or sell the assets. 5 Taxation – Where expenses are allocated between capital and revenue, any tax relief obtained in respect of those expenses is allocated between capital and revenue on the marginal basis. Deferred taxation is recognised in respect of all timing ff balance sheet date, where transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax or a right to pay less tax in ffff fi fi A deferred tax asset is recognised when it is more likely than not that the asset will be recoverable. Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis at the rate of corporation tax that is expected to apply when the timing ff 6 Foreign currency – In accordance with FRS 102 Section 30: ‘Foreign Currency Translation’, the Company is required to nominate a functional currency, being the Summary of Accounting Policies 55 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS currency in which the Company predominately operates. The functional and reporting currency is sterling, fl Company operates, the predominant currency in which its shareholders operate and the currency in which its expenses are generally paid. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling on the date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses thereon are recognised in the revenue or capital column of the income statement, dependant on the nature of the gain or loss. Gains and losses on investments arising from a change in exchange rate are taken to the capital reserves. 7 Shares repurchased for cancellation and holding in treasury – For shares repurchased for cancellation, Share Capital is reduced by the nominal value of the shares repurchased, and the Capital Redemption Reserve is correspondingly increased in accordance with Section 733 of the Companies Act 2006. The full cost of the repurchase is charged to the Capital Reserve. For shares repurchased for holding in treasury, the full cost is charged to the Capital Reserve. 8 Shares sold (re-issued) from treasury – Proceeds received from the sale of shares held in treasury are treated as fi Companies Act 2006. Proceeds equivalent to the original cost, calculated by applying a weighted average price, are credited to the Capital Reserve to replenish the fi original cost are credited to the Share Premium Account. 9 Shares issued – Share capital is increased by the nominal value of shares issued. The proceeds in excess of the nominal value of shares net of expenses are allocated to the Share Premium Account. 10 Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions – In the application of the Company’s accounting policies, which are described above, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. These estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be ff Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised ff ff current and future periods. fi or assumptions made during the year. The investment portfolio currently consists of listed investments and fi valuing those securities. 11 Operating segments – The Company has one operating segment, being that of an investment trust investing principally in equity securities on a worldwide basis, with the aim of achieving long term capital growth. 56 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 1. Income 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Income from investments Equity income from overseas investments 5,630 4,865 5,630 4,865 Other income Deposit interest 941 507 941 507 Total income 6,571 5,372 * All equity income is derived from listed investments. 2. Investment Management Fee 2024 Revenue £’000s 2024 Capital £’000s 2024 Total £’000s 2023 Revenue £’000s 2023 Capital £’000s 2023 Total £’000s Investment management fee 8,816 - 8,816 6,866 - 6,866 Allianz Global Investors UK Ltd is appointed as AIFM and performance management services are provided by Voya Investment Management Co LLC. The management agreement provides for a base fee of 0.8% per annum payable quarterly in arrears and calculated on the average value of the market capitalisation of the Company at the last business day of each month in the relevant quarter. The base fee reduces to 0.6% for any market capitalisation between £400m and £1 billion, and 0.5% fi administration costs. In each year, in accordance with the management contract, the Investment Manager is entitled to a performance fee subject to various performance conditions. For years beginning on or after 1 January 2022, the performance fee entitlement is equal to 10.0% (1 December 2013 to 31 December 2021: 12.5%) of the outperformance of the adjusted NAV per share total return as compared to the benchmark index, the Dow Jones World Technology Index (sterling adjusted, total return). Any underperformance brought forward from previous years is taken into account in the calculation of the performance fee. A performance fee is only payable where the NAV per share at the end of the relevant Performance Period is greater than the fi mark (HWM) was 297.2p per share. In the event the HWM is not reached in any year, any outperformance shall instead be carried forward to future periods to be applied as detailed below. Any performance fee payable is capped at 1.75% of the average daily NAV of the Company over the period (2023: 1.75% of year-end NAV). For this purpose, the NAV is calculated after deduction of the associated performance fee payable. Any outperformance in excess of the cap (or where the HWM has not been met) shall be carried forward to future years to be ff ff fiff The performance fee accrued for as at 31 December 2024 was £nil (31 December 2023: £nil). The Investment Manager’s fee is charged 100% to Revenue and the performance fee is charged 100% to Capital. 57 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 3. Administration expenses 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Auditor’s remuneration Fee payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the Company's annual accounts 50 48 VAT on auditor's remuneration 10 10 60 58 Directors' fees 1 220 207 Employer national insurance contributions 22 23 Marketing costs 2 371 245 Depositary fees 65 58 Custodian fees 60 55 Registrar’s fees 103 136 Professional & advisory fees 95 116 Stock exchange fees 67 52 Legal fees 16 4 Printing and postage 54 48 FCA fees 45 37 AIC fees 22 21 Other administrative expenses 83 61 VAT recovered (118) (118) 1,165 1,003 The above expenses include value added tax where applicable. 1 Directors’ fees are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Implementation Report on page 39. 2 The marketing budget takes into account both the marketing activity carried out by the AIFM and other third party service providers. 4. Taxation 2024 Revenue £’000s 2024 Capital £’000s 2024 Total £’000s 2023 Revenue £’000s 2023 Capital £’000s 2023 Total £’000s Overseas taxation 891 - 891 937 - 937 Total tax 891 - 891 937 - 937 Reconciliation of tax charge fi (3,418) 464,375 460,957 (2,543) 423,680 421,137 Tax on profit (loss) at 25% (2023: 23.52%) (855) 116,094 115,239 (598) 99,649 99,051 Reconciling factors Non taxable income (1,405) - (1,405) (1,135) - (1,135) Non taxable capital losses - (115,714) (115,714) - (99,913) (99,913) (Losses) gains on foreign currencies - (380) (380) - 264 264 Excess of allowable expenses over taxable income 2,260 - 2,260 1,733 - 1,733 ff 891 - 891 937 - 937 Total tax 891 - 891 937 - 937 The Company’s taxable income is exceeded by its tax allowable expenses. As at 31st December 2024, the Company had accumulated surplus expenses of £130.6m (2023: £121.5m). 58 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 At 31 December 2024 the Company has not recognised a deferred tax asset of £32.6m (2023: £30.4m) in respect of accumulated expenses based on a prospective corporation tax rate of 25% (2023: 25%). Provided the Company continues to maintain its current fifi fi for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 December 2012, subject to the Company continuing to meet the eligibility conditions at Section 1158 Corporation Tax Act 2010 and the ongoing requirements for approved companies in Chapter 3 of Part 2 Investment Trust (Approved Company) Tax Regulations 2011 (Statutory Instrument 2011/2999). ff eligibility conditions. The Company has not therefore provided tax on any capital gains and losses arising on the disposal of investments. 5. Dividends on Ordinary shares fi 6. Earnings per Ordinary share 2024 Revenue £’000s 2024 Capital £’000s 2024 Total £’000s 2023 Revenue £’000s 2023 Capital £’000s 2023 Total £’000s Earnings (loss) after taxation attributable to Ordinary shareholders (4,309) 464,375 460,066 (3,480) 423,680 420,200 Earnings (loss) per Ordinary share (1.12p) 120.68p 119.56p (0.88p) 106.71p 105.83p 2024 No. of Shares 2023 No. of Shares Weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue for the earnings per Ordinary share calculations above 384,793,143 397,030,186 Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same as the Company has no dilutive instruments. 7. Investments held at fair value through profit or loss Gains on investments 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Opening book cost 932,068 920,805 Opening investments holding gains (losses) 354,718 (21,868) Opening market value 1,286,786 898,937 Additions at cost 794,238 987,092 Disposals proceeds received (828,335) (1,024,045) Gains on Investments 462,854 424,802 Market value of investments held at 31 December 1,715,543 1,286,786 Closing book cost 1,049,917 932,068 Closing investments holding gains 665,626 354,718 Closing market value 1,715,543 1,286,786 Gains on Investments 462,854 424,802 The Company received £828.3m (2023: £1,024.0m) from investments sold in the year. The book cost of these investments when they were purchased was £676.4m (2023: £975.8m). These investments have been revalued over time and until they were sold any unrealised gains/losses were included in the fair value of the investments. Transaction costs and stamp duty on purchases amounted to £147,000 (2023: £193,000) and transaction costs on sales amounted to £214,000 (2023: £235,000). 59 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 8. Investments in subsidiaries or other companies As at 31 December 2024 the Company held no investments in subsidiaries, nor did it hold more than 10% of the share capital of any other company or have any holdings in an investee undertaking which comprises 3% or more of any class of capital. 9. Other receivables, cash and cash equivalents and other payables 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Other receivables Accrued income 446 621 Other receivables 65 69 511 690 Cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank 33,763 34,292 Other payables Other payables 2,950 2,993 2,950 2,993 The carrying amount of other receivables, cash and cash equivalents and other payables, each approximate their fair value. 10. Called up Share Capital 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Allotted and fully paid 428,756,680 Ordinary shares of 2.5p (2023: 428,756,680) 10,719 10,719 * Inclusive of 47,815,457 (2023: 38,799,670) Ordinary shares held in treasury for reissuance into the market or cancellation at a future date. Shares held in treasury are non-voting and not eligible for receipt of dividend. During the year no Ordinary Shares (2023: £nil) were issued from the block listing facility and 9,015,787 Ordinary shares repurchased to be held in treasury (2023: 16,530,708). During the year no Ordinary shares were reissued from treasury (2023: £nil). Proceeds from share issuances were £nil (2023: £nil) net of issuance costs of £nil (2023: £nil). Since the year end a further 2,729,344 shares have been bought back up to and including 12 March 2025. 2024 Number 2024 £’000s 2023 Number 2023 £’000s Allotted 2.5p Ordinary shares Brought forward 389,957,010 9,749 406,487,718 10,162 Shares repurchased to treasury (9,015,787) (225) (16,530,708) (413) Carried forward 380,941,223 9,524 389,957,010 9,749 2024 Number 2023 Number Treasury shares: Brought forward 38,799,670 22,268,962 Shares repurchased to treasury 9,015,787 16,530,708 Carried forward 47,815,457 38,799,670 Total Ordinary shares in issue and in treasury at the end of the year 428,756,680 428,756,680 60 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 11. Reserves Capital Reserve Share Premium Account £’000s Capital Redemption Reserve £’000s Gains (losses) on sales of investments £’000s Investment holding gains (losses) £’000s Revenue Reserve £’000s Balance at 31 December 2023 334,191 1,021 654,382 355,896 (37,434) Gains on sales of investments - - 505,073 - - Foreign currency gains - - 1,521 - - Net movement in investment holding gains - - - (42,219) - Transfer on disposal of investments - - (353,127) 353,127 - Shares repurchased to treasury during the year - - (31,974) - - Retained loss for the year - - - - (4,309) Balance at 31 December 2024 334,191 1,021 775,875 666,804 (41,743) The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in its technical guidance TECH 02/17 states that investment holding gains arising out of a change in fair value of assets may be recognised as gains on sales of investments provided they can be readily converted into cash. Securities listed on a stock exchange are generally regarded as being readily convertible into cash and hence investment holding gains in respect of such securities may be regarded as realised under Company Law. ff amount received is allocated here. It is not distributable by way of a dividend and cannot be used to repurchase shares. The Capital Redemption Reserve represents the nominal value of shares repurchased and cancelled. It is not distributable by way of a dividend and cannot be used to repurchase shares. fl Capital column of the Income Statement. It can be used for share repurchases for holding in treasury. It is also distributable by way of a dividend. fl 12. Net Asset Value (NAV) per share The Net Asset Value per share (which equates to the net asset value attributable to each Ordinary share in issue at the year end calculated in accordance with the Articles of Association) was as follows: NAV per share attributable 2024 2023 Ordinary shares of 2.5p 458.6p 338.2p NAV attributable 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Ordinary shares of 2.5p 1,746,867 1,318,775 The Net Asset Value per share is based on 380,941,223 Ordinary Shares in issue at the year end (2023: 389,957,010 Ordinary Shares). 61 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 13. Financial risk management policies and procedures The Company invests in equities and other investments in accordance with its Investment Policy as stated on the inside front cover. In pursuing its investment objective, the Company is exposed to certain inherent risks that could result in a reduction either in the Company’s net return or in its net assets. fi and interest rate risk), liquidity risk and credit risk. The Directors determine the objectives and agree policies for managing each of these risks, as set out below. The Investment Manager, in close co-operation with the Directors, implements the Company’s risk management policies. These policies have remained substantially unchanged during the current and preceding year. (a) Market risk The Investment Manager assesses the exposure to market risk when making each investment decision, and monitors the risk on the investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. Market risk comprises market price risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. (i) Market price risk fi ff portfolio is shown on pages 10 and 11. Market price risk sensitivity The value of the Company’s listed equities, which were exposed to market price risk as at 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023 was as follows: 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Listed equity investments held at fair value through profit or loss 1,715,543 1,286,786 The following illustrates the sensitivity of the net return and the net assets to an increase or decrease of 20% (2023: 20%) in the fair values of the Company’s listed investments. This level of change is considered to be reasonably possible based on observation of market conditions in the year. The sensitivity analysis is based on the impact of a change to the value of the Company’s listed equity investments at each balance sheet date and the consequent impact on the investment management fees for the period, with all other variables held constant. 2024 20% increase in fair value £’000s 2024 20% decrease in fair value £’000s 2023 20% increase in fair value £’000s 2023 20% decrease in fair value £’000s Revenue earnings Investment management fees (1,716) 1,716 (1,287) 1,287 Capital earnings Gains (losses) on investments at fair value 343,109 (343,109) 257,357 (257,357) Change in net return 341,393 (341,393) 256,070 (256,070) Management of market price risk The Directors meet regularly to evaluate the risks associated with the investment portfolio. Dedicated portfolio managers have the responsibility for monitoring the existing portfolio selection in accordance with the Company’s investment objective and seek to fi The Board can authorise the Investment Manager to use options in order to protect the portfolio against high market volatility. Where options are employed, the market value of such options can be volatile but the maximum realised loss on any contract is limited to the original investment cost. No options were taken out in the current year (2023: £nil). (ii) Foreign currency risk fifl exchange rates. 62 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Management of foreign currency risk Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling on the date of the transaction. Foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. It is the Company’s policy not to hedge foreign currency exposure. fi fi its receipt. The table below summarises in sterling terms the foreign currency risk exposure: 2024 Investments £’000s 2024 Other net assets (liabilities) £’000s 2024 Total currency exposure £’000s 2023 Investments £’000s 2023 Other net assets (liabilities) £’000s 2023 Total currency exposure £’000s Sterling - (2,698) (2,698) - (2,812) (2,812) US Dollar 1,715,543 33,579 1,749,122 1,254,931 34,211 1,289,142 Other currency exposure - 443 443 31,855 590 32,445 Total 1,715,543 31,324 1,746,867 1,286,786 31,989 1,318,775 Foreign currency risk sensitivity The following table details the Company’s sensitivity to a 20% increase and decrease in sterling against the relevant foreign currencies and the resultant impact that any such increase or decrease would have on the net return and net assets. The sensitivity analysis includes all foreign currency denominated items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 20% change in foreign currency rates. 2024 20% decrease in sterling against foreign currencies £’000s 2024 20% increase in sterling against foreign currencies £’000s 2023 20% decrease in sterling against foreign currencies £’000s 2023 20% increase in sterling against foreign currencies £’000s US Dollar 437,281 (291,520) 322,286 (214,857) Other currency exposure 111 (74) 8,111 (5,407) Change in net return and net assets 437,392 (291,594) 330,397 (220,264) (iii) Interest rate risk fifl Interest rate exposure fififf changes in interest rates. 2024 Fixed rate interest £’000s 2024 Floating rate interest £’000s 2024 Nil interest £’000s 2024 Total £’000s 2023 Fixed rate interest £’000s 2023 Floating rate interest £’000s 2023 Nil interest £’000s 2023 Total £’000s Financial assets - 33,763 1,715,543 1,749,306 - 34,292 1,286,786 1,321,078 Financial liabilities - - - - - - - - Net financial assets - 33,763 1,715,543 1,749,306 - 34,292 1,286,786 1,321,078 Short-term receivables (payables) (2,439) (2,303) Net assets per balance sheet 1,746,867 1,318,775 As at 31 December 2024, the interest rates received on cash balances or paid on bank overdrafts, was 2.55% and 5.75% per annum respectively (2023: 2.75% and 6.25% per annum). Management of interest rate risk ff fi balances for other than brief periods of time and therefore there is minimal exposure to interest rate risk. 63 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (b) Liquidity risk Liquidity risk relates to the capacity to meet liabilities as they fall due and is dependent on the liquidity of the underlying assets. Maturity of financial liabilities flfi 2024 Three months or less £’000s Between three months and one year £’000s Between one and five years £’000s More than five years £’000s Total £’000s Other payables - within one year Other payables 2,950 - - - 2,950 2,950 - - - 2,950 2023 Three months or less £’000s Between three months and one year £’000s Between one and five years £’000s More than five years £’000s Total £’000s Other payables - within one year Other payables 2,993 - - - 2,993 2,993 - - - 2,993 Management of liquidity risk fi fl 31 December 2024, the Company had no committed borrowing facility (2023: £nil). (c) Credit risk Credit risk is the risk of default by a counterparty in discharging its obligations under transactions that could result in the Company ff Management of credit risk Outstanding settlements are subject to credit risk. Credit risk is mitigated by the Company through its decision to transact with counterparties of high credit quality. The Company only buys and sells investments through brokers which are considered to be approved counterparties, thus minimising the risk of default during settlement. Normally trades are settled by payment of cash against delivery. The credit ratings of brokers are reviewed quarterly by the Investment Manager. The Company is also exposed to credit risk through the use of banks for its cash position. Bankruptcy or insolvency of banks may cause the Company’s rights with respect to cash held by banks to be delayed or limited. The Company’s cash balances are held with HSBC, rated Aa3 by Moody’s rating agency. The Directors believe the counterparties the Company has chosen to transact with are of high credit quality, therefore the Company has minimal exposure to credit risk. The table below summarises the credit risk exposure of the Company as at 31 December: 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Other receivables: Accrued income 446 621 Other receivables 65 69 Cash and cash equivalents 33,763 34,292 34,274 34,982 64 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities fi FRS 102 sets out three fair value levels. Level 1 – The unadjusted quoted price in an active market for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date. Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable (i.e., developed using market data) for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable (i.e., for which market data is unavailable) for the asset or liability. fifi 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Level 1 1,715,543 1,286,786 Level 2 - - Level 3 - - 1,715,543 1,286,786 14. Capital management policies and procedures The Company’s objective is to provide long-term capital growth through investing principally in the equity securities of quoted technology companies on a worldwide basis. The Company’s capital at 31 December 2024 was as per the equity shareholders’ funds in the Balance Sheet on page 53. The Board, with the assistance of the Investment Manager, monitors and reviews the broad structure of the Company’s capital on an ongoing basis, including the level of gearing, taking into account the Investment Manager’s view on the market and the future ff value per share and the share price (i.e. the level of share price discount or premium) to assess the need whether to repurchase shares for cancellation or holding in treasury or to issue shares. The Company’s objective, policies and processes for managing capital are unchanged from the preceding accounting period and the Company has complied with them. The Company will not invest in more than 20% of the net assets using ‘gearing’. The Company’s Articles of Association limit borrowing to one quarter of its called up share capital and reserves. 15. Transactions with the Investment Manager and related parties The amounts paid to the Investment Manager together with details of the investment management contract are disclosed in Note 2 on page 57. The existence of an independent Board of Directors demonstrates that the Company is free to pursue its own fi not considered to be a related party. The Company’s related parties are its Directors. Fees paid to the Company’s Board, including employer national insurance contributions, are disclosed in Note 3 on page 58fi of 12 March 2025. 16. Post Balance Sheet events Since the year end a further 2,729,344 Ordinary shares have been bought back for a total cash consideration of £11.5m. As at 12 March 2025 there were 428,756,680 Ordinary shares in issue (including 50,544,801 Ordinary shares in treasury). 65 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS UK GAAP performance measures Net Asset Value is the value of total assets less all liabilities. The Net Asset Value, or NAV, per Ordinary share is calculated by dividing this amount by the total number of Ordinary shares in issue. As at 31 December 2024, the NAV was £1,746.9m (2023: £1,318.8m) and the NAV per share was 458.6p (2023: 338.2p). Earnings per Ordinary sharefi For the year ended 31 December 2024 net revenue return per Ordinary share was (1.12p) (2023: (0.88p)), calculated by taking the loss after tax of £4.3m (2023: loss of £3.5m), divided by the weighted average shares in issue of 384,793,143 (2023: 397,030,186). Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) Discount or Premium is the amount by which the stock market price per Ordinary share is lower (discount) or higher (premium) than the Net Asset Value, or NAV, per Ordinary share. The discount/premium is normally expressed as a percentage of the NAV per Ordinary share (see pages 2 and 6). Ongoing chargesff fi asset value during the year and this is calculated in accordance with guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies (see page 6). 2024 £’000s 2023 £’000s Management fee 8,816 6,866 Administration expenses 1,165 1,003 Total expenses (A) 9,981 7,869 Average net asset value with debt at market value (B) 1,552,889 1,130,050 Ongoing charge (A/B) 0.64% 0.70% The ongoing charge including the performance fee payable of £nil (2023: £nil) is 0.64% (2023: 0.70%). ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 66 Investor Information AIC Code AllianzGI AllianzGI UK Allianz Technology Trust PLC The Company/ATT AIFM APMs Annual Financial Report AFR AGM AIC CSR DTR The Benchmark EEE ESG Fed FCA The Custodian The Depositary KPIs MUFG NAV Ongoing Charges Figure OCF SID ffi State Street TCFD The UK Code Voya IM/Investment Manager INVESTOR INFORMATION 67 Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) Allianz Global Investors UK Limited 199 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3TY Telephone: +44 (0)20 3246 7000 Head of Investment Trusts, AllianzGI UK: Stephanie Carbonneil, email: [email protected] Company Secretary and Registered Office Kelly Nice and Kirsten Salt, email: [email protected] 199 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3TY Telephone: 0800 389 4696 Investment Manager Voya Investment Management Co. LLC 2999 Oak Road Walnut Creek CA 94597 Telephone: +1 415 954 4500 Lead Portfolio Manager: Mike Seidenberg Portfolio Manager: Erik Swords Registered number 3117355 Bankers and Custodian HSBC Bank plc, 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ Depositary HSBC Security Services 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ Independent Auditor Forvis Mazars LLP 30 Old Bailey London EC4M 7AU Registrar MUFG Corporate Markets Central Square 29 Wellington Street Leeds LS1 4DL Stockbrokers fl Riverbank House 2 Swan Lane London EC4R 3GA Identifiers SEDOL: BNG2M15 ISIN: GB00BNG2M159 BLOOMBERG: ATT EPIC: ATT GIIN: YSYR74.99999.SL.826 LEI: 549300OMDPMJU23SSH75 Financial calendar Full year results announced and Annual Financial Report published in March. Annual General Meeting held in April. Half year results announced and Half- Yearly Financial Report published to shareholders in August. The year end is 31 December. How to invest Information is available from Allianz Global Investors either via Investor Services on 0800 389 4696 or on the Company’s website: www. allianztechnologytrust.com. A list of providers can be found on the Company’s website www. allianztechnologytrust.com/how-to- invest Market and portfolio Information The Company’s Ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the code ATT. The market price range, gross yield and net asset value (NAV) are shown daily in the Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph under the headings ‘Investment Trusts’ and ‘Investment Companies’, respectively. The NAV of the Ordinary shares is calculated daily and published on the London Stock Exchange Regulatory News Service. The geographical spread of investments and ten largest holdings are published monthly on the London Stock Exchange Regulatory News Service. They are also available from the Manager’s Investor Services Helpline on 0800 389 4696 or via the Company’s website: www. allianztechnologytrust.com. Share price The share price quoted in the London ffi 31 December 2024 was 419.0p per Ordinary share. Website Further information about Allianz Technology Trust PLC, including monthly factsheets, daily share price and performance, is available on the Company’s website: www. allianztechnologytrust.com Association of Investment Companies (AIC) The Company is a member of the AIC, the trade body of the investment trust industry, which provides a range of literature including factsheets and a monthly statistical service. Copies of these publications can be obtained from the AIC, 9th Floor, 24 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4YY, or at www.theaic. co.uk. AIC Category: Technology and Technology Innovation. ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 68 Shareholder enquiries In the event of queries regarding their fi dividend payments, registered details, etc., shareholders should contact the Registrar on 0371 664 0300. Lines are open 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (UK time) Monday to Friday. Calls to the helpline number from outside the UK are charged at applicable international ff calls made from mobile telephones and calls may be recorded and monitored randomly for security and training purposes. Changes of name and address must be fi general enquiries about the Company should be directed to the Company Secretary, Allianz Technology Trust PLC, 199 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3TY. Telephone: 0800 389 4696. Share dealing services MUFG Corporate Markets operate an online and telephone dealing facility for UK resident shareholders with share fi may also be payable on transactions. For further information on these services please contact www.eu.mpms.mufg. com for online dealing or 0371 664 0445 for telephone dealing. Lines are open 8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Calls to this number are charged at local rates, calls from outside the UK are charged at applicable international ff calls made from mobile telephones and calls may be recorded and monitored randomly for security and training purposes. Shareholder Proxy Voting Shareholders may submit their proxy electronically using the Share Portal service at www.signalshares.com. Or via the Registrar’s LinkVote+ Shareholder App. Further details on voting via the LinkVote+ App, online through the Registrar’s Share Portal, or by post using the personalised proxy card provided, are contained within the Notice of Meeting Notes starting on page 73. CREST Proxy Voting fi CREST) may be voted through the CREST Proxy Voting Service in accordance with the procedures set out in the CREST manual. Voting via the Proxymity platform is also available to institutional shareholders. Further details are contained within the Notice of Meeting Notes starting on page 73. FATCA The Company is registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a Foreign Financial Institution for the purposes of the Foreign Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The Company’s Global fi (GIIN) is YSYR74.99999.SL.826 Non-Mainstream Pooled Investments The Company is an investment trust and therefore its shares are not subject to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules relating to the restrictions on the retail distribution of unregulated collective investment schemes and close ff 1 January 2014. Accordingly, its shares can be recommended by IFAs to retail investors in accordance with the FCA’s rules in relation to non-mainstream investment products. Nominee companies In order to allow investors holding their shares within a nominee company to receive shareholder communications, the Company undertakes to provide multiple copies of such documents to the registered nominee company where prior notice has been given. The Company encourages nominee companies to provide the underlying ffi make informed decisions regarding their investments, including the opportunity to attend Company General Meetings. Warning to Shareholders ff ff ffi INVESTOR INFORMATION 69 Alternative Investment Fund Manager and Depositary Allianz Global Investors UK Limited (‘AllianzGI UK’) is designated the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). AllianzGI UK is authorised to act as an AIFM and to conduct its activities by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in accordance with AIFMD and FCA requirements. The management fee and the notice period are unchanged in the restated management and administration agreement (details in Note 2 on page 57). The Company appointed HSBC Bank PLC as its Depositary and Custodian in accordance with AIFMD under an agreement between the Company, AllianzGI UK and HSBC. Depositary fees are charged in addition to custody fees and are calculated on the basis of net assets. Leverage and Risk Policies under AIFMD The Company may borrow cash and employ leverage which may include the use of derivatives in accordance with the stated investment policy and the underlying investment guidelines set by the Board for the Investment Manager from time to time. It is acknowledged that the use of leverage may expose the Company to greater risk as volatility levels, in particular within derivative contracts, can be high. The use of leverage is therefore carefully considered prior to exposure. The AIFMD requires each element of leverage and its exposure to be expressed as a ratio of the Company’s NAV. The Company does not currently employ gearing and does not currently invest in derivatives. Remuneration Disclosure of the AIFM The following table shows that total amount of remuneration granted to the employees of Allianz Global Investors UK Ltd fifi management/ Senior Management Function holders and other risk takers. All employees thereof Material Risk Takers thereof Board Members/ SMF thereof Other Material Risk Takers 38,208,950 3,773,014 3,773,014 N/A 35,897,533 8,614,518 8,614,518 N/A Total compensation 74,106,484 12,387,532 12,387,532 N/A Note: All Material Risk Takers are performing a Senior Management Function. The information on employee remuneration does not include remuneration paid by delegated managers to their employees. AllianzGI UK does not pay remuneration to employees of delegated companies directly from the fund. Setting the remuneration AllianzGI UK is subject to certain requirements applicable to investment management companies with regard to structuring the remuneration system. The board of directors of AllianzGI UK has set up a remuneration committee. It has the overall responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the remuneration policy and practices. Working in close cooperation with control functions as well as with external advisers and in conjunction with the management, the human resources department has developed AllianzGI UK’s remuneration policy. The remuneration committee ensures that on a regular basis the implementation of the remuneration policy is subject to a central and independent internal review. Remuneration structure fl experience required in a particular role, and an annual variable remuneration. The total amount of the variable remuneration payable throughout AllianzGI UK depends on the performance of the business and on the company’s risk position and will fi performance of the employee and their departments during the period under review. Variable remuneration includes an annual fi certain threshold, a substantial portion of the annual variable remuneration is deferred for a period of three years. The deferred portions increase in line with the level of the variable remuneration. Half of the deferred amount is linked to the performance of AllianzGI UK, and the other half is invested in the funds managed by AllianzGI UK. The amounts ultimately distributed depend on the company’s business performance or the performance of shares in certain investment funds over several years. In addition, the deferred remuneration elements may be withheld under the terms of the plan. Certain employees are also eligible for a Carried fi performance year. ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 70 Performance evaluation The level of pay awarded to employees is linked to both quantitative and qualitative performance indicators. For investment managers, whose decisions ff clients’ investment goals, quantitative indicators are geared towards sustainable investment performance. For portfolio managers in particular, the quantitative element is aligned with the benchmark of the client portfolios they manage or with the client’s expected return, measured over a period of one year and three years. For client- facing employees, goals also include client satisfaction, which is measured independently. The remuneration of employees in controlling functions is not directly linked to the business performance of individual departments monitored by the controlling function. Risk takers The following groups of employees fi of management/Senior Management Function holders and other risk takers. Risk avoidance AllianzGI UK has comprehensive risk reporting in place, which covers both current and future risks of our business activities. Risks which exceed the organisation’s risk appetite are presented to the global remuneration committee, which will decide, if necessary, on the adjustments to the total remuneration pool. Individual variable compensation may also be reduced or withheld in full if employees violate our compliance policies or take excessive risks on behalf of AllianzGI UK. Annual review and material changes to the remuneration system The board of AllianzGI UK approved the remuneration policy which had been implemented in accordance with the remuneration regulations. AIFM Pre-Investment Disclosures The AIFMD requires that potential ffi pre-investment information in order to make an informed decision. An ‘AIFMD: Information Document’ is available in the Literature Library on the Company’s website at www.allianztechnologytrust. com which provides information on investment objective, strategy, policies and other pertinent information which may have an impact on a potential investor’s decision. There have been no material changes to the information disclosed within the ‘AIFMD: Information Document’ since publication. INVESTOR INFORMATION 71 THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt as to what action to take, you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other appropriate independent professional advisor authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 immediately if you are in the United Kingdom or, if not, another appropriately authorised financial adviser. If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your shares in Allianz Technology Trust PLC, please forward this document and the accompanying Form of Proxy to the purchaser or transferee or to the person through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for transmission to the purchaser or transferee. Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Allianz Technology Trust PLC (the ‘Company’) will be held at Stationers’ Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 2.30pm for the following purposes: The AGM will be held in person and voting will be conducted on a poll. However, shareholders will be able to view and listen to a live webcast of the AGM and submit questions to the meeting electronically. Those attending virtually will not be able to vote for the purposes of the business transacted at the AGM and are therefore encouraged to vote ahead of the meeting. Instructions on how to join the meeting virtually are contained on page 76. AGM Voting Shareholders are encouraged to vote by proxy. Detail of how to vote, either electronically, by proxy form or through CREST or Proxymity, can be found on pages 73 to 76. The results of the AGM will be announced via the London Stock Exchange and placed on the Company’s website as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the AGM. Ordinary Business fi as Ordinary Resolutions: 1. To receive and adopt the Company’s Annual Report and fi December 2024, together with the Reports of the Directors and the Independent Auditor’s report thereon. fi 3. To re-elect Katya Thomson as a Director of the Company. 4. To re-elect Neeta Patel as a Director of the Company. 5. To re-elect Sam Davis as a Director of the Company. 6. To elect Lucy Costa Duarte as a Director of the Company. 7. To re-appoint Forvis Mazars LLP as Independent Auditor ffi next Annual General Meeting of the Company at which the Financial Statements are laid before the Company. 8. To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the Independent Auditor of the Company. 9. To receive and approve the Director’s Remuneration fi December 2024. Special Business fi which 10 and 13 will be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and 11, 12 and 14 will be proposed as Special Resolutions: Resolution 10 – Allotment of shares That, in substitution for any existing authority but without prejudice to the exercise of any such authority prior to the date hereof, the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares in the Company (together being ‘relevant securities’) provided that such authority shall be limited to the allotment of shares and the grant of rights in respect of shares with an aggregate nominal value of up to £1,071,891 (42,875,668 Ordinary shares) (representing 10% of the Company’s total issued share capital as at 12 March 2025) such authority to expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, unless previously revoked, varied or extended by the Company in a general meeting, save that the Company may at any time prior to the expiry of this authority ff might require relevant securities to be allotted or granted after the expiry of such authority and the Directors shall be entitled to allot or grant relevant securities in pursuance of such an ff Resolution 11 – Disapplication of pre-emption rights That, subject to the passing of resolution 10 above, and in substitution for any existing power but without prejudice to the exercise of any such power prior to the date hereof, the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally empowered, pursuant to sections 570 and 573 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560(1) of the Act) for cash either pursuant to the authority given by resolution 10 above or by way of the sale of Treasury shares wholly for cash as if section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, provided that this power: (a) expires at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company ff would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in ff conferred hereby had not expired; and (b) shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities or the sale of Treasury shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £1,071,891 (42,875,668 Ordinary shares) (representing 10% of the Company’s total issued share capital as at 12 March 2025). ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 72 Resolution 12 – Authority to buy back shares That, in substitution for any existing authority but without prejudice to the exercise of any such authority prior to the date hereof, the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorised, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’), to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Act) of fully paid Ordinary shares of 2.5p each in the capital of the Company (‘Ordinary shares’), provided that: (a) the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is 64,270,626 or, if less, the number representing approximately 14.99% of the issued Ordinary share capital of the Company on the date on which this resolution is passed; (b) the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an Ordinary share is 2.5p; (c) the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for each Ordinary share purchased pursuant to this authority shall not be more than the higher of: (i) 5% above the average closing price on the London fi business days immediately preceding the date of purchase: and (ii) the higher of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the London Stock Exchange; and (d) unless previously varied, revoked or renewed by the Company in a general meeting, the authority hereby conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Company’s next Annual General Meeting or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company may, prior to such expiry, enter into a contract to purchase Ordinary shares under such authority which will or might be completed or executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary shares pursuant to any such contract. Resolution 13 – Allotment of shares – Second authority for the Directors’ to allot new shares of the Company. That, in addition to the authority sought under resolution 10 and in substitution for any existing authority but without prejudice to the exercise of any such authority prior to the date hereof, the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares in the Company (together being ‘relevant securities’) provided that such authority shall be limited to the allotment of shares and the grant of rights in respect of shares with an aggregate nominal value of up to £1,071,891 (42,875,668 Ordinary shares) (representing 10% of the Company’s total issued share capital as at 12 March 2025) such authority to expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, unless previously revoked, varied or extended by the Company in a general meeting, save that the Company may at any time prior to the expiry of this authority ff might require relevant securities to be allotted or granted after the expiry of such authority and the Directors shall be entitled to allot or grant relevant securities in pursuance of such an ff Resolution 14 – Disapplication of pre-emption rights – Second authority for the renewal of the authority to allot up to 10% of the Ordinary shares of the Company for cash without first offering them to existing shareholders. That, subject to the passing of resolution 13 above, and in substitution for any existing power but without prejudice to the exercise of any such power prior to the date hereof, the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby generally empowered, pursuant to sections 570 and 573 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560(1) of the Act) for cash either pursuant to the authority given by resolution 11 above or by way of the sale of Treasury shares wholly for cash as if section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, provided that this power: (a) expires at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or on the expiry of 15 months from the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier, save that the Company ff would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in ff conferred hereby had not expired; and (b) shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities or the sale of Treasury shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £1,071,891 (42,875,668 Ordinary shares) (representing 10% of the Company’s total issued share capital as at 12 March 2025). By order of the Board Kelly Nice, Company Secretary 199 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3TY 12 March 2025 Notes to the Notice of Meeting The following notes explain your general rights as a shareholder and your right to attend and vote at this Annual General Meeting (the ‘Meeting’) or to appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. 1. To be entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting (and for the purpose of the determination by the Company of the number of votes they may cast), shareholders must be registered in the Register of Members of the Company at close of trading on 17 April 2025. Changes to the Register of Members after the relevant deadline shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the Meeting. 2. Shareholders, or their proxies, intending to attend the Meeting in person are requested, if possible, to arrive at the Meeting venue at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the Meeting at 2.30pm (UK time) on 23 April 2025 so that their shareholding may be INVESTOR INFORMATION 73 checked against the Company’s Register of Members and attendances recorded. 3. Shareholders are entitled to appoint another person as a proxy to exercise all or part of their rights to attend and to speak and vote on their behalf at the Meeting. A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the Meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to ff Ordinary shares held by that shareholder. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company. A form of proxy which may be used to make such appointment and give proxy instructions accompanies this Notice. If you do not have a form of proxy and believe that you should have one, or if you require additional forms, please contact the Company’s registrar whose details are provided in Note 6 below and on page 68. 4. In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint holders appear in the Company’s fi named being the most senior). 5. A vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes for or against the resolution. If no voting indication is given, your proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her discretion. Your proxy will vote (or abstain from voting) as fi put before the Meeting. 6. To be valid, any form of proxy or other instrument appointing a proxy, must be returned by no later than 2.30pm on 17 April 2025 through any one of the following methods: i) by post, courier or by hand (during normal business hours only) to the Company’s registrar at MUFG Corporate Markets, PXS 1, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL; ii) electronically via the website of the Company’s registrar at www.signalshares.com; iii) via LinkVote+ (see note 8); iv) in the case of shares held through CREST, via the CREST system (see notes below); or v) in the case of institutional investors, via the Proxymity platform (see notes below). 7. If you return more than one proxy appointment, either by paper or electronic communication, the appointment received last by the Registrar before the latest time for the receipt of proxies will take precedence. You are advised to read the terms and conditions of use carefully. Electronic communication facilities are open to all shareholders and those who use them will not be disadvantaged. 8. VOTE+ is a free app for smartphone and tablet provided by MUFG Corporate Markets (the company’s registrar). ff appointment quickly and easily online, as well as real-time access to their shareholding records. The app is available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. QR codes to facilitate this are shown below. Your vote must be lodged by 2.30pm on 17 April 2025 in order to be considered valid or, if the Meeting is adjourned, by the time which is 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting. Apple App Store GooglePlay 9. The return of a completed form of proxy, electronic proxy appointment, any CREST Proxy Instruction or appointing a proxy via Proxymity will not prevent a shareholder from attending the Meeting and voting in person if he/she wishes to do so. 10. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the Meeting (and any adjournment of the Meeting) by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual (available from www.euroclear.com). CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. 11. In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a ‘CREST Proxy Instruction’) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & fi information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by 2.30pm on 17 April 2024. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to mean the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST application host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means. ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 74 12. CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK & International Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular message. Normal system timings and limitations will, therefore, apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or sponsored member, or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his/her/their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set fi Regulations 2001. 13. If you are an institutional investor you may be able to appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform. For further information regarding Proxymity, please go to www.proxymity.io. Your proxy must be lodged by 2.30pm on 17 April 2025 in order to be considered valid or, if the Meeting is adjourned, by the time which is 48 hours before the time of the adjourned Meeting. Before you can appoint a proxy via this process you will need to have agreed to Proxymity’s associated terms and conditions. It is important that you read these carefully as you will be bound by them and they will govern the electronic appointment of your proxy. An electronic proxy appointment via the Proxymity platform may be revoked completely by sending an authenticated message via the platform instructing the removal of your proxy vote. 14. Any corporation which is a shareholder can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers as a shareholder provided that no more than one corporate representative exercises powers in relation to the same shares. 15. As at 12 March 2025, (being the latest practicable business day prior to the publication of this Notice), the Company’s Ordinary issued share capital excluding Treasury shares consists of 378,211,879 Ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. As at 12 March 2025 the Company held 50,544,801 Ordinary shares in treasury (representing 11.7% of the total issued Ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding Treasury shares)). Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 12 March 2025 are 378,211,879. 16. Under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’), shareholders meeting the threshold requirements set out in that section have the right to require the Company to publish on a website a statement setting out any matter fi statements (including the Auditor’s Report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the Meeting; or (ii) any circumstances connected with an auditor of the ffi fi laid in accordance with section 437 of the Act (in each case) that the shareholders propose to raise at the relevant meeting. The Company may not require the shareholders requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with sections 527 or 528 of the Act. Where the Company is required to place a statement on a website under section 527 of the Act, it must forward the statement to the Company’s auditor not later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the Meeting for the fi Company has been required under section 527 of the Act to publish on a website. 17. Any shareholder attending the Meeting has the right to ask questions. The Company must cause to be answered any such question relating to the business being dealt with at the Meeting but no such answer need be given if: (a) to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation fi information; (b) the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question; or (c) it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Meeting that the question be answered. 18. The following documents are available for inspection ffi Company on any business day from the date of this Notice until the time of the Meeting and may also be inspected fi 2pm on the day of the Meeting until the conclusion of the Meeting: copies of the Directors’ letters of appointment or service contracts. 19. You may not use any electronic address (within the meaning of Section 333(4) of the Act) provided in either this Notice or any related documents (including the form of proxy) to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated. 20. Any person holding 3% or more of the total voting rights in the Company who appoints a person other than the Chairman as his or her proxy must ensure that both he or she and such third party comply with their respective disclosure obligation under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. A copy of this Notice, and other information required by Section 311A of the Companies Act 2006, can be found on the Company’s website at www.allianztechnologytrust.com INVESTOR INFORMATION 75 Instructions for electronic attendance at the Annual General Meeting We are pleased to be able to provide a facility for shareholders to follow the AGM remotely and submit questions to the Board on the business of the Meeting. How to join the virtual meeting fi 25agm/, using your smartphone, tablet or computer. You will then be prompted to enter your unique 11 digit Investor Code (IVC) including any leading zeros and ‘PIN’. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your IVC. This will authenticate you as a shareholder. fi fi ‘Manage your account’ when logged in to the Signal Shares portal. You can also obtain this by contacting MUFG Corporate Markets, our Registrar, by calling +44 (0) 371 277 1020. Access to the AGM will be available from 30 minutes before the start of the event, although you will not be able to submit questions until you are logged in. If you wish to appoint someone to attend the virtual meeting on your behalf, please contact MUFG Corporate Markets on +44 (0) 371 277 1020 in order to obtain their IVC and PIN. It is suggested that you do this as soon as possible and at least 48 hours (excluding non-business days) before the meeting. If your shares are held within a nominee and you wish to attend the electronic meeting, you will need to contact your nominee as soon as possible. Your nominee will need to present a corporate letter of representation to MUFG Corporate Markets, our registrar, as soon as possible and at least 72 hours (excluding non-business days) before the meeting, in order that they can obtain for you your unique IVC and PIN to enable you to attend the electronic meeting. * Lines are open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate. ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 76 OVERVIEW 6 ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC ANNUAL REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2024 1 Allianz Technology Trust PLC 199 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3TY +44 (0)203 246 7000 www.allianztechnologytrust.com www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-technology-trust-plc ALLIANZ TECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC
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