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REG - RIT Cap. Partners - Annual Financial Report

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RNS Number : 2166R  RIT Capital Partners PLC  28 February 2023

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28 February 2023

 

RIT Capital Partners plc

 

Results for the year ended 31 December 2022

 

RIT Capital Partners plc today published its results for the year ended 31
December 2022.

 

Summary:

 

 ·             2022 was one of the most difficult years for financial markets for more than a
               decade, and the first one in 150 years where US equities and government bonds
               both lost more than 10%
 ·             Our corporate objective and our investment approach are both long term in
               nature
 ·             Although our net asset value per share (NAV) total return for the year was
               down broadly in line with global equity markets, we continued to outperform
               over three and five years.  Our three-year NAV return of 24.8% compares
               favourably to the MSCI ACWI at 17.7%, and our five-year return of 40.9% also
               outperformed the index at 35.5%
 ·             Over the longer term, our 10-year return of 140% compares favourably against
               many alternatives.  Similarly, since RIT's inception, the NAV has compounded
               at almost 11% per annum, compared to the ACWI at 7%
 ·             This long-term success is attributed to maintaining a consistent approach.
               We combine active management and careful portfolio construction, with
               diversified and disciplined investment selection to target healthy returns
               over the long term and through the cycles
 ·             The Board has approved an increase in dividends for 2023, and expects to buy
               back shares accretively when in shareholders' interests

 

Financial Highlights:

 

 ·             NAV of 2,388 pence at 31 December 2022(1)
 ·             NAV total return of -13.3% for the year, broadly in line with the ACWI at
               -12.9%
 ·             Share price ended the year at 2,125 pence representing an 11.0% discount

 

Performance Highlights:

 

 ·             Equity markets saw widespread declines over the year, with the S&P 500
               down -18%, the NASDAQ down -32% and the FTSE 250 -17%.  Government bonds also
               suffered, with long-term US bonds down -29% and UK bonds -40%
 ·             Our quoted equities and private investments saw declines, partially offset by
               gains from currency and with stable returns from absolute return and credit
 ·             Private investments remain a key feature of the overall approach and have
               cumulatively added around a 26% contribution to the NAV over the last three
               years.  This portfolio is widely diversified across sectors and styles, with
               many investments showing strong performance, and the majority of the largest
               direct investments profitable
 ·             Outside of private investments, proactive portfolio management helped mitigate
               losses: maintaining low quoted equity exposure, and with well-timed shifts to
               more value and reflationary assets.  Key performers included our exposures to
               Japanese and US value stocks, as well as one of our core credit managers.
               Weaker performance came from China, biotech and one of our external macro
               funds, which was redeemed
 ·             Returns benefited from ensuring a meaningful proportion of the currency
               exposure was outside of a weakening sterling

 

Dividends and Buybacks:

 

 ·             Dividends paid in April and October 2022 totalling 37 pence per share
 ·             The Board intends to pay a dividend of 38 pence per share in 2023 in two equal
               instalments, in April and October. This represents an increase of 2.7% over
               the previous year
 ·             Over the year, the Company continued to buy back shares accretively

 

 (1)  The final audited NAV per share is unchanged from the preliminary unaudited
      NAV per share published on 7 February 2023.

 

 

 

Commenting, Sir James Leigh-Pemberton, Chairman of RIT Capital Partners plc,
said:

 

"2022 was the most difficult year for financial markets for more than a
decade. The global economy was affected by significant supply shocks, with
particularly sharp rises in energy and raw material prices… In financial
markets almost all asset classes saw declines. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ
closed the year down -18% and -32% respectively, while Emerging Markets
recorded a loss of -16%, Europe -10% and the FTSE 250 -17%... Furthermore,
these year-on-year figures, stark though they are, do not tell the whole story
of 2022, which saw significant shifts in investor sentiment and money flows at
different points of the year, resulting in elevated levels of volatility…

 

Our NAV per share was not immune to the market declines, and we ended the year
at 2,388p per share… While any decline in NAV is uncomfortable, it is
important to restate that our aims and objectives are long term. In order to
achieve them, we must ensure that we have enough capital deployed in those
areas which will support future growth, while aiming to mitigate as far as
possible participation in down markets. This we seek to achieve by taking a
holistic and careful approach to portfolio construction, holding a diversified
portfolio of assets, including those which are not typically correlated with
equity markets, and which, through the cycles, are capable of generating
healthy returns… we believe that this approach remains the most effective
means of achieving our corporate objective over the long term.

 

Indeed, over the last 10 years, our NAV per share growth (including dividends)
was 140%. Equally, over more recent years, incorporating both up and down
markets, our NAV has grown by 24.8% over three years compared to 17.7% for the
ACWI and 27.5% for CPI plus 3%. And over five years, our NAV total return was
40.9% compared to 35.5% for the ACWI, and 39.7% for our inflation index. Since
inception, our share price total return has averaged 11.2% per annum against
markets of 7.0%.

 

A key driver of RIT's long-term track record has been private investments,
which, whether direct investments or commitments to funds, have always been an
essential part of our portfolio… Over 2020 and 2021 private investments
added around 34% to total NAV; it is this growth in their value which has
driven the increased proportion of NAV which they represent. In 2022, the
sharp correction in public markets, and in particular tech markets, has meant
that we have written down a portion of these significant gains… However, on
a three-year basis, we estimate that our private investments added
approximately 26% to total NAV - a strong return, and against the backdrop of
both positive and negative years for markets…

 

While private investments are important, they represent only one part of our
diversified multi-asset portfolio which is constructed and managed by JRCM on
a holistic, top-down basis… Throughout 2022, your Board continued to review
the strategy and portfolio composition in the context of our unchanging
corporate objective. The fundamentals of the multi-asset diversified approach,
and our long-term aims, have not altered. We continue to believe that,
notwithstanding the declines we saw in 2022, this remains the right approach
for our shareholders and is likely to generate the superior returns through
the cycles that RIT is renowned for producing…

 

While these are challenging markets, we have managed through them before, and
we remain confident that our approach is the right one for RIT's long-term
performance and for our shareholders."

 

Commenting, Francesco Goedhuis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company's Manager, J. Rothschild Capital Management Limited (JRCM), and Ron
Tabbouche, Chief Investment Officer of JRCM, said:

 

"In years such as this, investing through market cycles can feel
uncomfortable, but we remain confident in our long-term investment approach,
which is supported by our longer-term performance. Over three years, our NAV
has outperformed our equity index, and over five years, it has outperformed
both reference hurdles, while maintaining lower volatility than the market.
Since inception, we have participated in 74% of the monthly market increases
but only 41% of the declines.

 

It may well be that we are witnessing a reversal of a decade's material
outperformance of financial assets over the real economy. Investors will
likely need to adjust their expectations to the very different environment of
a higher cost of capital, labour and raw materials, and with no safety net
provided by central banks…

 

However, we also believe the macro uncertainty… combined with the risk of
'financial accidents' can create compelling bottom-up liquid opportunities in
both equities and credit markets. We will follow our long-standing disciplined
approach, focused on fundamentals-driven investing while looking for strategic
openings which present themselves in such dislocated markets…

We believe that many high-quality companies in our private investment book as
well as our quoted biotech exposure could benefit from the market taking a
more discriminating view of long duration assets…

 

We are all shareholders in RIT and firmly believe that our tried and tested
approach remains the best way to manage money over the long-term, balancing
caution with deploying risk capital to ensure that investors' capital grows
through the cycles. Over the last 10 years, our NAV per share total return of
approximately 140% stands up well against other investments and often with
considerably less risk. Even on a shorter time horizon, we believe our
approach of combining capital preservation with capital growth is a powerful
one. Indeed, if we consider the past 20 years of annual NAV returns, not only
have we never lost money on a rolling three-year basis, but we have generated
healthy growth averaging 10.2% per annum. It is this combination which sets us
apart from the majority of other trusts."

 

 

ENQUIRIES:

 

Brunswick Group LLP:

 

Tom Burns / Sofie Brewis: +44 (0) 207 404 5959

RIT@brunswickgroup.com (mailto:RIT@brunswickgroup.com)

 

About RIT Capital Partners plc:

RIT Capital Partners plc is an investment company listed on the London Stock
Exchange.  Its net assets have grown from £280 million on listing in 1988 to
~£3.7 billion at year end. Lord Rothschild and his immediate family interests
retain a significant holding.

 

Since inception in 1988, RIT's NAV has participated in 74% of monthly market
upside but only 41% of market declines.

 

Over the same period, the total shareholder return has compounded at 11.2% per
annum compared to the ACWI of 7.0%.

 

£10,000 invested in RIT shares at inception would be worth £388,000 today
(with dividends reinvested) compared to the same amount invested in the ACWI
which would be worth £104,000.

 

www.ritcap.com (http://www.ritcap.com)

 

A description of all terms used in this RNS, including further information on
the calculation of Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) is set out in the
Glossary and APMs section at the end of this RNS.

 

 

The following is extracted from the Company's Report and Accounts

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

                                      2022

 Performance for the year
 NAV per share total return*          -13.3%
 Share price total return*            -21.5%
 CPI plus 3.0%                        13.5%
 MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI)  -12.9%

 

 Key data                              2022                 2021                 Change
 NAV per share                         2,388 pence          2,794 pence          -14.5%
 Share price                           2,125 pence          2,750 pence          -22.7%
 Premium/(discount)                    -11.0%               -1.6%                -9.4% pts
 Net assets                            £3,722 million       £4,390 million       -15.2%
 Gearing*                              6.2%                 6.1%                 0.1% pts
 Average net quoted equity exposure    38%                  43%                  -5% pts
 Ongoing Charges Figure for the year*  0.89%                0.72%                0.17% pts
 First interim dividend (April)        18.5 pence           17.625 pence         5.0%
 Second interim dividend (October)     18.5 pence           17.625 pence         5.0%
 Total dividend in year                37.0 pence           35.250 pence         5.0%

 

 

 Performance history                  3 Years  5 Years  10 Years
 NAV per share total return*          24.8%    40.9%    139.9%
 Share price total return*            5.6%     17.7%    125.3%
 CPI plus 3.0%                        27.5%    39.7%    73.8%
 MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI)  17.7%    35.5%    157.0%

The Group's designated APMs (denoted above with an *) are the NAV per share
total return, share price total return, gearing and the ongoing charges
figure.

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Background and Performance

2022 was the most difficult year for financial markets for more than a decade.
The global economy was affected by significant supply shocks, with
particularly sharp rises in energy and raw material prices. The consequent
resurgence of inflation was met with a dramatic tightening of monetary policy.
Businesses across a range of sectors faced increased costs of materials,
labour and capital, impacting margins at a time when revenue growth has been
under pressure as economic activity has faltered, consumer confidence and
purchasing power has waned and the risk of recession has risen. At the same
time, the conflict in Ukraine has given rise to fundamental geopolitical
changes in the relatively stable world order of recent decades.

In financial markets almost all asset classes saw declines. The S&P 500
and the NASDAQ closed the year down ‑18% and -32% respectively, while
Emerging Markets recorded a loss of -16%, Europe -10% and the FTSE 250 -17%.
Fixed income markets were no less adversely affected; long-term US Treasuries
lost -29% and UK government bonds -40%. Corporate bonds also showed marked
declines as both risk-free rates and credit spreads reacted to tighter
monetary policy. It was the first time in 150 years that both US stocks and
bonds were down by more than 10%. Furthermore, these year-on-year figures,
stark though they are, do not tell the whole story of 2022, which saw
significant shifts in investor sentiment and money flows at different points
of the year, resulting in elevated levels of volatility. A good illustration
of this in the UK was sterling, which started the year at an exchange rate of
1.35 against the US dollar, saw an extraordinarily rapid fall to a low of 1.04
in September, down 23%, before recovering some 16% from the lows to end the
year at 1.21.

Our NAV per share was not immune to the market declines, and we ended the year
at 2,388p per share. This represented a -13.3% total return (including
dividends) for the year, broadly in line with the MSCI ACWI (50% £) which
fell by -12.9%. While any decline in NAV is uncomfortable, it is important to
restate that our aims and objectives are long term. In order to achieve them,
we must ensure that we have enough capital deployed in those areas which will
support future growth, while aiming to mitigate as far as possible
participation in down markets. This we seek to achieve by taking a holistic
and careful approach to portfolio construction, holding a diversified
portfolio of assets, including those which are not typically correlated with
equity markets, and which, through the cycles, are capable of generating
healthy returns. These considerations have been the principal determinants of
our portfolio composition for a number of years, and we believe that this
approach remains the most effective means of achieving our corporate objective
over the long term. Indeed, over the last 10 years, our NAV per share growth
(including dividends) was 140%. Equally, over more recent years, incorporating
both up and down markets, our NAV has grown by 24.8% over three years compared
to 17.7% for the ACWI and 27.5% for CPI plus 3%. And over five years, our NAV
total return was 40.9% compared to 35.5% for the ACWI, and 39.7% for our
inflation index. Since inception, our share price total return has averaged
11.2% per annum against markets of 7.0%.

A key driver of RIT's long-term track record has been private investments,
which, whether direct investments or commitments to funds, have always been an
essential part of our portfolio. These are, by design, multi-year investments,
which we are not forced to sell to fund redemptions; we held an investment in
the Economist for 22 years, realising 27x our capital. More recent
investments such as Coupang - one of our most successful ever private
investments - materially boosted returns. Over 2020 and 2021 private
investments added around 34% to total NAV; it is this growth in their value
which has driven the increased proportion of NAV which they represent. In
2022, the sharp correction in public markets, and in particular tech markets,
has meant that we have written down a portion of these significant gains.
During the course of the year, the lower value of our private direct
investments and fund holdings detracted from the NAV by some 6%. However, on a
three-year basis, we estimate that our private investments added approximately
26% to total NAV - a strong return, and against the backdrop of both positive
and negative years for markets. Over this period, we also received in the
order of £500 million of distributions from this portfolio.

A key feature of private investments is, of course, the challenge in valuing
positions which lack a daily traded share price. Our independent Valuation
Committee has devoted significant time to ensuring that our investments are
marked at levels which reflect both changes in market conditions and
underlying operating performance. I highlighted the rigorous efforts we made
in the first half of the year to ensure our direct investments were fairly
valued, and we have continued this approach at the year end. For our private
fund investments, we are more naturally reliant on the external managers or
'GPs'. While there is a well-understood, industry wide time-lag in their
reporting, our NAV will always reflect the latest available information. As
importantly, our Manager undertakes rigorous due diligence before committing
to these funds - all of which are required to provide us with fair value.

Critically, the majority of our direct portfolio companies continue to exhibit
strong operating performance. Our funds exposure is also targeting areas
uniquely positioned to capture some of the most innovative and transformative
structural trends that are underway, and the great bulk of our investments in
funds are with managers with outstanding track records with whom we have long
standing relationships developed over many years. Deploying our permanent
capital in a diversified portfolio in these profitable areas has been, and
remains to this day, a core ingredient in RIT's long term performance track
record.

While private investments are important, they represent only one part of our
diversified multi-asset portfolio which is constructed and managed by JRCM on
a holistic, top-down basis. For example, a higher allocation to the digital
transition theme in our private investments was deliberately offset with a
reduction within our quoted equity portfolio. Furthermore, our pessimistic
outlook for markets also led us to run with the lowest quoted equity exposure
for more than a decade. Within this book, we were more proactive than usual,
with a continued shift from a bias towards long‑duration growth assets, to
more value and reflationary assets. These changes were broadly accretive to
performance, with some standout performers including our exposure to Japan
value-oriented managers as well as to the energy transition theme. Exposure
management is also deployed in this book, with hedges against tech markets
helping to mitigate some of the declines.

Our absolute return and credit positions held up reasonably well,
notwithstanding the widespread credit market declines, reflecting the
lower-correlation nature of this exposure and therefore the diversification
benefits for the overall portfolio.

Within currencies, the exposure required careful management through the
volatility, and overall the book made a meaningful positive contribution. The
main driver was holding around half of the portfolio outside a depreciating
sterling. We continue to hold gold, which, notwithstanding a late comeback, in
light of the shift in inflation expectations, perhaps underperformed
expectations. We do continue to view it as being capable of providing both
portfolio diversification as well as being in a position to benefit from a
number of wider secular trends.

Throughout 2022, your Board continued to review the strategy and portfolio
composition in the context of our unchanging corporate objective. The
fundamentals of the multi-asset diversified approach, and our long-term aims,
have not altered. We continue to believe that, notwithstanding the declines we
saw in 2022, this remains the right approach for our shareholders and is
likely to generate the superior returns through the cycles that RIT is
renowned for producing.

Share capital and dividend

Throughout your Company's history, the discount or premium at which our shares
have traded relative to our NAV has seen wide variations. During 2022, we saw
the discount widen, in part perhaps reflecting the monthly nature of our
reporting during times of volatility, and also perhaps some more widespread
concerns around private equity generally. Where not precluded by being in a
closed period or approaching an imminent publication of NAV, we have continued
seeking to capture value for shareholders by buying back shares as we
approached a high single-digit discount. Over the year, we bought back some
515,000 shares accretively at a cost of £11.0 million and by the year end, we
held some 690,000 shares in treasury. In addition, we have enhanced our
reporting, providing additional commentary outside of our main six-monthly
cycle.

Our corporate objective is to deliver long-term capital growth. However, we
recognise the value to shareholders of a modest income yield; our policy
remains to maintain or increase the dividend, subject to the overriding
capital preservation objective. We paid a total dividend of 37 pence per share
during 2022 and intend to increase the dividend again in 2023 to 38 pence per
share, representing a 2.7% increase. The dividend will be paid as normal in
equal instalments in April and October, funded from our significant reserves.

Governance and employees

During 2022 we welcomed three new non-executive Directors to the Board. Jutta
af Rosenborg was appointed in May, and Vikas Karlekar and Cecilia McAnulty in
August. These appointments further strengthened the skills, experience and
knowledge of the Board. We appreciate the benefits which diversity of
background and experience brings to your Board, and I am pleased we comply
with both the FCA's new requirements and the recommendations of the Parker and
Hampton-Alexander Reviews in terms of the composition of the Board.

After nine years' dedicated service on the Board, Mike Power will not stand
for re-election at the upcoming AGM. I would like to thank Mike for the
expertise, energy and diligence he has devoted to his role as a Director and
for his significant contributions to the Company over this time, including
chairing both the Audit and Risk, and Valuation Committees. On Mike's
retirement and in accordance with the Board's succession planning, Jutta af
Rosenborg will assume the role of Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and
Maxim Parr will assume the role of Chair of the Valuation Committee.

ESG integration remains a core objective of the Board and we are continuing to
develop initiatives aimed at our stakeholders, and making a positive impact on
the society and the environment we work in. JRCM's Responsible Investment
Framework & Policy is fully integrated into our investment processes and
is kept under regular review, and as a signatory of the UN Principles of
Responsible Investment (UN PRI), we look forward to submitting our first
report under this framework in 2023.

Many commentators have highlighted the impact that the widespread challenges I
described earlier can have, and are having, on people's mental health. This is
important to us, and we have invested time with our Manager in ensuring that
our employees are appropriately supported. Steps taken in this regard include
a cost-of-living contribution for employees who would benefit most from a
one-off payment, and targeted support for staff well-being. JRCM colleagues
have also been engaged in activities to help support our community with
charitable donations, conscious of our wider responsibilities.

Our employees and my Board colleagues are central to our long-term success,
and once again, I would like to thank them all for their hard work and
commitment during another particularly challenging year.

 

Outlook

In last year's statement written in early 2022, I highlighted some of the
challenges we may see as a result of the removal of many of the extraordinary
underpins for markets of recent years. It is not clear at all that we are
through the fundamental transition entailed by the end of low interest rates.
While the reintroduction of more rational pricing for risk and capital is
welcome, the consequences of such a significant shift (and at such a fast
pace) are unlikely to be short lived. The existence of 'free money' for so
long, will no doubt have created widespread embedded distortions, which will
take time to resolve. Low rates of economic growth, continuing pressure on
both corporate earnings and consumer confidence, and limited scope for fiscal
stimulus are likely to remain with us for some time, so that the conditions
for a sustained recovery in markets appear at present to be remote.

In this environment we expect to continue with a relatively cautious exposure
to quoted equities, while at the same time remaining positive about the
opportunities for the long term which will emerge in stocks and alternatives
such as the dislocated regional credit markets. Where we see interesting
investments, we will be very selective, and the wide network we can call upon,
as well as our Manager's disciplined due diligence, will be important.

While these are challenging markets, we have managed through them before, and
we remain confident that our approach is the right one for RIT's long-term
performance and for our shareholders.

Sir James Leigh-Pemberton

Chairman

27 February 2023

 

MANAGERS' REPORT - EXTRACTS

Overview and performance highlights

In 2022, financial markets suffered the worst year since the global financial
crisis. Most major equity indices saw high double-digit declines, driven by
multi-decade high inflation, leading to unprecedented global monetary
tightening. This occurred amidst a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, a war
in Ukraine, and a stifled Chinese economy. In the UK, the Bank of England was
forced into emergency bond-buying to stabilise the government bond market,
after the turmoil of September's mini-budget. With investors concerned about
both inflation and a growth slowdown, the swings in market sentiment have been
extreme.

Amidst this unstable backdrop, the NAV total return was -13.3%, broadly in
line with the ACWI (50% £) which was down -12.9% and below the 'inflation
plus' hurdle (CPI plus 3.0%) which hit 13.5% for the year.

In years such as this, investing through market cycles can feel uncomfortable,
but we remain confident in our long‑term investment approach, which is
supported by our longer-term performance. Over three years, our NAV has
outperformed our equity index, and over five years, it has outperformed both
reference hurdles, while maintaining lower volatility than the market. Since
inception, we have participated in 74% of the monthly market increases but
only 41% of the declines.

Overall, the key drivers of performance for the year were:

 ·             a decline in the value of our private investments, largely as a result of a
               reset in markets and public company comparables;
 ·             our low quoted equity exposure, which provided some mitigation against the
               broad declines in equity markets;
 ·             within the quoted equity book, our exposure to China was impacted by the
               government's policy decisions, such as zero-covid and property deleveraging;
 ·             a helpful shift in our quoted equity book from growth assets into assets with
               a reflationary focus, driven both by conviction and the desire for further
               diversification;
 ·             our investment with Eisler Capital, which was down -17.7%, and which we
               redeemed at the year end; and
 ·             the allocation of the portfolio's currency exposure outside of sterling,
               notably to the US dollar, which rallied as investors searched for a safe haven
               amidst the enduring volatility.

In order to assist shareholders with their understanding of our portfolio, we
have increased the level of disclosure and provided more detailed descriptions
of our underlying exposures.

Asset allocation and portfolio contribution

                                        31 December 2022  2022            31 December 2021  2021
 Asset category                         % NAV             Contribution %  % NAV             Contribution %
 Quoted equity                          35.1%             (6.7%)(1)       42.6%             1.2%(1)
 Private investments                    40.7%             (6.2%)          36.5%             22.4%
 Absolute return and credit             20.1%             (0.6%)          17.7%             2.1%
 Real assets                            1.8%              (0.2%)          1.5%              (0.1%)
 Government bonds and rates             0.0%              (0.9%)          0.0%              0.3%
 Currency                               1.1%              2.1%(2)         0.5%              (0.8%)(2)
 Total investments                      98.8%             (12.5%)         98.8%             25.1%
 Liquidity, borrowings and other        1.2%              (0.8%)(3)       1.2%              (1.5%)(3)
 Total                                  100.0%            (13.3%)         100.0%            23.6%
 Average net quoted equity exposure(1)  38%                               43%

 

 (1)  The quoted equity contribution reflects the profits from the net quoted equity
      exposure held during the period as well as the costs of portfolio hedges. The
      exposure can differ from the % NAV as the former reflects notional exposure
      through derivatives as well as estimated adjustments for derivatives and/or
      liquidity held by managers.
 (2)  Currency exposure is managed centrally on an overlay basis, with the
      translation impact and the results of the currency hedging and overlay
      activity included in this category's contribution.
 (3)  This category's contribution includes interest, mark-to-market movements in
      the fixed interest notes and expenses.

Outlook

It may well be that we are witnessing a reversal of a decade's material
outperformance of financial assets over the real economy. Investors will
likely need to adjust their expectations to the very different environment of
a higher cost of capital, labour and raw materials, and with no safety net
provided by central banks. Participating in this market will be remarkably
difficult, with central banks having unfinished business in their fight
against inflation, companies facing margin pressures and uncertainty around
economic growth, and consumers adjusting to the tighter financial conditions
after a period of generous covid support schemes. This backdrop, in our view,
warrants a cautious net quoted exposure combined with dry powder.

However, we also believe the macro uncertainty discussed above, combined with
the risk of 'financial accidents', can create compelling bottom-up liquid
opportunities in both equities and credit markets. We will follow our
long-standing disciplined approach, focused on fundamentals-driven investing
while looking for strategic openings which present themselves in such
dislocated markets.

We would note that our patient approach also means we are unlikely to
participate in short-term sentiment driven rallies. Nevertheless, we have
demonstrated our resolve to act quickly and decisively when there is an
opportunity, such as the value-oriented assets that benefitted from a more
reflationary environment. We believe there will be additional opportunities in
the upcoming year. For example, in 2022, the market disproportionately
punished all long duration assets as a result of higher discount rates,
without discriminating between the fundamental ability for companies to
produce healthy cash flows and continued growth. We believe that many
high-quality companies in our private investment book as well as our quoted
biotech exposure could benefit from the market taking a more discriminating
view of long duration assets.

Additionally, over the past year, driven by the sharp rise in the cost of
capital, there has been a considerable expansion of the opportunity set for
strategies that do not require rising equity markets. For example, merger
arbitrage, structured credit, and equity market-neutral strategies can produce
healthy returns with little resort to leverage in the current market
environment.

We are all shareholders in RIT and firmly believe that our tried and tested
approach remains the best way to manage money over the long term, balancing
caution with deploying risk capital to ensure that investors' capital grows
through the cycles. Over the last 10 years, our NAV per share total return of
approximately 140% stands up well against other investments and often with
considerably less risk. Even on a shorter time horizon, we believe our
approach of combining capital preservation with capital growth is a powerful
one. Indeed, if we consider the past 20 years of annual NAV returns, not only
have we never lost money on a rolling three-year basis, but we have generated
healthy growth averaging 10.2% per annum. It is this combination which sets us
apart from the majority of other trusts.

 

 Francesco Goedhuis                         Ron Tabbouche

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer       Chief Investment Officer

 J. Rothschild Capital Management Limited   J. Rothschild Capital Management Limited

PRINCIPAL RISKS - EXTRACT

Risk management and internal control

The principal risks facing RIT are both financial and operational. The ongoing
process for identifying, evaluating and managing these risks, as well as any
emerging risks, is the responsibility of the Board and the Audit and Risk
Committee. Day-to-day management is undertaken by JRCM within parameters set
by the Board.

As an investment company, RIT is exposed to financial risks inherent in its
portfolio, which are primarily market-related and common to any portfolio with
significant exposure to equities and other financial assets. The ongoing
portfolio and risk management includes an assessment of the macroeconomic and
geopolitical factors that can influence market risk, as well as consideration
of investment-specific risk factors.

Your Company's broad and flexible investment mandate allows the Manager to
take a relatively unconstrained approach to asset allocation and utilise
whatever action is considered appropriate in mitigating any attendant risks to
the portfolio.

As discussed in the Manager's Report, with inflation rates reaching
multi-decade highs, political and fiscal volatility impacting the UK, energy
price fluctuations magnified and exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
and the underperformance of China, 2022 was extremely turbulent globally, with
no asset classes outpacing inflation and losses across equities and bond
markets. As such, once again, risk management remained critical. The portfolio
risk management approach undertaken by the Manager, and considered regularly
by the Board, is designed to produce a healthy risk-adjusted return over the
long term, through careful portfolio construction, security selection and the
considered use of hedging. Part of this approach is to emphasise or
de-emphasise parts of the portfolio to compensate for risk in other areas. For
example, with a decision to deploy capital to the technology transition theme
through the private portfolio, the exposure to this theme within the quoted
equity book was deliberately smaller. Equally the deployment of hedges,
whether to manage currency translation risk, or to reduce exposure to
particular companies or sectors, was an important part of mitigating losses
over the year.

As a permanent capital vehicle, and unlike open-ended funds, we do not need to
manage the portfolio to meet redemptions. With sizeable assets relative to our
modest borrowings and ongoing liabilities, as confirmed later in this section,
we do not consider the Company's viability or going concern to represent
principal risks. Nevertheless, and in particular at times of market stress,
the Manager utilises a detailed, day-to-day liquidity risk management
framework to help effectively manage the balance sheet, including careful
monitoring of the banking covenants.

The Board sets the portfolio risk parameters within which JRCM operates. This
involves an assessment of the nature and level of risk within the portfolio
using qualitative and quantitative methods. Additional information in relation
to market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk in accordance with IFRS 7
Financial Instruments.

Operational risks include those related to the legal environment, regulation,
taxation, information security, climate and other areas where internal or
external factors could result in financial or reputational loss. These are
also managed by JRCM with regular reporting to, and review by, the Audit and
Risk Committee and the Board.

The Board is ultimately responsible for the Group's system of internal
controls and it has delegated the supervision of the system to the Audit and
Risk Committee. Such systems are designed to manage, rather than eliminate,
the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and, as such, can provide
only reasonable and not absolute assurance against any material misstatement
or loss.

Principal risks

The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal
risks facing the Company, concluding that there are no material emerging
risks, and the principal risks are as described below:

 Risk                                                                             Mitigation
 Investment strategy risk

 As an investment company, a key risk is that the investment strategy, guided     The Board is responsible for monitoring the investment strategy to ensure it
 by the Investment Policy:                                                        is consistent with the Investment Policy and appropriate to meet the Corporate

                                                                                Objective. The Directors receive a detailed monthly report from the Manager to
 "To invest in a widely diversified, international portfolio across a range of    enable them to monitor investment performance, attribution and exposure. They
 asset classes, both quoted and unquoted; to allocate part of the portfolio to    also receive a comprehensive investment report from JRCM in advance of the
 exceptional managers in order to ensure access to the best external talent       regular quarterly Board meetings.
 available."

                                                                                The overall risk appetite is set by the Board, with portfolio risk managed by
 does not deliver the Corporate Objective:                                        JRCM within prescribed limits. This involves careful assessment of the nature

                                                                                and level of risk within the portfolio using qualitative and quantitative
 "To deliver long-term capital growth, while preserving shareholders' capital;    methods.
 to invest without the constraints of a formal benchmark, but to deliver for

 shareholders increases in capital value in excess of the relevant indices over   The JRCM Investment Committee meets regularly to review overall investment
 time."                                                                           performance, portfolio exposure and significant new investments.
 Market risk                                                                      The Group has a widely diversified investment portfolio which significantly

                                                                                reduces the exposure to individual asset price risk. Detailed portfolio
 Price risk                                                                       valuations and exposure analysis are prepared regularly, and form the basis
 RIT invests in a number of asset categories including stocks, equity funds,      for the ongoing risk management and investment decisions. In addition, regular
 private investments, absolute return and credit, real assets, government bonds   scenario analysis is undertaken to assess likely downside risks and
 and derivatives. The portfolio is therefore exposed to the risk that the fair    sensitivity to broad market changes, as well as assessing the underlying
 value of these investments will fluctuate because of changes in market prices.   correlations amongst the separate asset classes.

 Currency risk                                                                    Exposure management is undertaken with a variety of techniques including using

                                                                                equity index and interest rate futures and options to hedge or to increase
 Consistent with the Investment Policy, the Group invests globally in assets      equity and interest rate exposure depending on overall macroeconomic and
 denominated in currencies other than sterling as well as adjusting currency      market views.
 exposure to either seek to hedge and/or enhance returns. This approach exposes

 the portfolio to currency risk as a result of changes in exchange rates.         Currency exposure is managed via an overlay strategy, typically using a

                                                                                combination of currency forwards and/or options to adjust the natural currency
 Interest rate risk                                                               of the investments in order to achieve a desired net exposure. The geographic

                                                                                revenue breakdown for stocks as well as correlations with other asset classes
 In addition, the Group is exposed to the direct and indirect impact of changes   are also considered as part of our hedging strategy.
 in interest rates.
 Liquidity risk

 Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will have difficulty in meeting its    The Group manages its liquid resources to ensure sufficient cash is available
 obligations in respect of financial liabilities as they fall due.                to meet its expected needs. It monitors the level of short-term funding, and

                                                                                balances the need for access to such funding and liquidity, with the long-term
 The Group has significant investments in and commitments to direct private       funding needs of the Group, and the desire to achieve investment returns.
 investments and funds which are inherently illiquid. In addition, the Group      Covenants embedded within the banking facilities and long-term notes are
 holds investments with other third-party organisations which may require         monitored on an ongoing basis for compliance, and form part of the regular
 notice periods in order to be realised. Capital commitments could, in theory,    stress tests.
 be drawn with minimal notice. In addition, the Group may be required to

 provide additional margin to support derivative financial instruments

                                                                                  In addition, existing cash reserves, as well as the significant liquidity that
                                                                                  could be realised from the sale or redemption of portfolio investments and
                                                                                  undrawn, committed borrowings, could all be utilised to meet short-term
                                                                                  funding requirements if necessary. As a closed-ended company, there is no
                                                                                  requirement to maintain liquidity to service investor redemptions. The
                                                                                  Depositary, BNP Paribas Trust Corporation UK Limited (BNP) has separate
                                                                                  responsibilities in monitoring the Company's cash flow.
 Credit risk

 Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty to a financial instrument held by    The majority of the exposure to credit risk within the absolute return and
 the Group will fail to meet an obligation which could result in a loss to the    credit portfolio is indirect exposure as a result of positions held within
 Group.                                                                           funds managed externally. These are typically diversified portfolios monitored

                                                                                by the third-party managers themselves, as well as through JRCM's ongoing
 Certain investments held within the absolute return and credit portfolio are     portfolio management oversight.
 exposed to credit risk, including in relation to underlying positions held by

 funds.                                                                           Listed transactions are settled on a delivery versus payment basis using a

                                                                                wide pool of brokers. Cash holdings and margin balances are also divided
 Substantially all of the listed portfolio investments capable of being held in   between a number of different financial institutions, whose credit ratings are
 safe custody, are held by BNP as custodian and depositary. Bankruptcy or         regularly monitored.
 insolvency of BNP may cause the Group's rights with respect to securities held

 by BNP to be delayed.                                                            All assets held directly by the custodian are in fully segregated client

                                                                                accounts. Other than where local market regulations do not permit it, these
 Unrealised profit on derivative financial instruments held by counterparties     accounts are designated in RIT's name. The custodian's most recent credit
 is potentially exposed to credit risk in the event of the insolvency of a        rating was A+ from Standard & Poor's (S&P).
 broker counterparty.
 Key person dependency

 In common with other investment trusts, investment decisions are the             This risk is closely monitored by the Board, through its oversight of the
 responsibility of a small number of key individuals within the Manager. If for   Manager's incentive schemes (on which it has received external advice) as well
 any reason the services of these individuals were to become unavailable, there   as the succession plans for key individuals. The potential impact is also
 could be a significant impact on our business.                                   reduced by an experienced Board of Directors, with distinguished backgrounds
                                                                                  in financial services and business.
 Climate-related risks

 Ongoing climate changes may impact either our own business, the external         We do not consider climate-related risks have material, specific impacts on
 managers with whom we invest, and/ or the underlying portfolio investments.      our own asset management businesses as distinct from the investment portfolio.
 For our own business this could result in increased costs of complying with      Our Manager continues to monitor, and minimise, the climate-related impacts of
 new regulations and/or changes to the way we operate. Portfolio companies        our internal operations; we offset the carbon emissions of this business -
 could see demand pressures, an increased cost of capital, tighter regulation     categorised as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
 or increased taxation, all impacting profitability.                              Protocol - through participation in an accredited scheme and we are taking

                                                                                steps to further develop our understanding of our indirect emissions impact
 Our ability to make climate-change disclosures may be impacted by our            (categorised as Scope 3 emissions).
 investment approach if the external fund managers with whom we invest do not

 provide the desired information.                                                 JRCM is a signatory to the UN PRI, and the Board worked with our Manager to

                                                                                develop JRCM's Responsible Investment Framework & Policy, which
 More frequent extreme weather could disrupt businesses, travel, global supply    incorporates environmental factors into our investment approach. This allows
 chains and profitability.                                                        us to consider the potential wider impacts of climate change risks to our
                                                                                  investments.

                                                                                  JRCM is working with an external adviser to consider our ability to make
                                                                                  additional climate-disclosures in relation to our investment portfolio, while
                                                                                  acknowledging the likely challenges caused by having external funds.

                                                                                  We monitor developments in regulation and disclosures and seek as far as
                                                                                  possible to prepare for future changes.

                                                                                  The Group's adoption of fair value in relation to its investments, means that
                                                                                  the climate-related risks recognised by market participants are incorporated
                                                                                  in the valuations
 Legal and regulatory risk

 As an investment trust, RIT's operations are subject to wide ranging laws and    The Operational Risk Committee of JRCM provides oversight of all legal,
 regulations including in relation to the Listing Rules, and Disclosure,          regulatory and other operational risks across the Group. This Committee
 Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA's Primary Markets function, the       reports key findings to the JRCM Executive Committee and the Audit and Risk
 Companies Act 2006, corporate governance codes, as well as continued             Committee.
 compliance with relevant tax legislation including ongoing compliance with the

 rules for investment trusts. JRCM is authorised and regulated by the FCA and     JRCM employs a general counsel and a compliance officer as well as other
 acts as Alternative Investment Fund Manager.                                     personnel with experience of legal, regulatory, disclosure and taxation

                                                                                matters. In addition, specialist external advisers are engaged in relation to
 The financial services sector continues to experience regulatory change at       complex, sensitive or emerging matters. For example, during 2022 the Group
 national and international levels, including in relation to climate change.      again engaged external advisers in supporting its consideration of ESG
 Failure to act in accordance with these laws and regulations could result in     matters.
 fines, censure or other losses including taxation or reputational loss.

                                                                                Where necessary, co-investments and other transactions are subject to review
 Co-investments and other arrangements with related parties may result in         by the Conflicts Committee and/or the FCA.
 conflicts of interest.
 Operational risk

 Operational risks are those arising from inadequate or failed processes,         Systems and control procedures are the subject of continued development and
 people and systems or other external factors.                                    regular review. During the year the Audit and Risk Committee reviewed, and

                                                                                satisfied itself with, the Manager's approach to due diligence as part of its
                                                                                  investment decision making.

 Key operational risks include reliance on third-party managers and suppliers,    Processes are in place to ensure the recruitment and ongoing training of
 dealing errors, processing failures, pricing or valuation errors (including      appropriately skilled staff within key operational functions. Suitable
 under or over-stating the valuations of private investments leading to the       remuneration policies are in place to encourage staff retention and the
 incorrect valuation of these portfolio holdings), fraud, reliability of core     delivery of the Group's objectives over the medium term.
 systems and IT security issues.

                                                                                  Independent pricing sources are used where available and performance is
                                                                                  subject to regular monitoring. In relation to more subjective areas such as
                                                                                  private investments and property, the valuations are estimated by experienced
                                                                                  staff and specialist external managers and valuers using industry standard
                                                                                  approaches, with the final decisions taken by the independent Valuation
                                                                                  Committee, and subject to external audit as part of the year-end financial
                                                                                  statements.

                                                                                  A business continuity and disaster recovery plan is maintained, and was
                                                                                  updated in 2022 following the move to a hybrid working arrangement.

                                                                                  Cyber security continues to receive an enhanced focus, with systems and
                                                                                  processes designed to combat the ongoing risk developments in this area. Such
                                                                                  processes are kept under regular review including multi-factor authentication,
                                                                                  ensuring effective firewalls, internet and email gateway security and
                                                                                  anti-virus software. This is complemented with staff awareness programmes
                                                                                  (including periodic mock phishing exercises) which monitor and test both the
                                                                                  robustness of our systems as well as keeping staff alert to potential risks.

                                                                                  During the year, the Manager was awarded the government's 'cyber essentials
                                                                                  plus' security certification in March 2022, the highest level of certification
                                                                                  offered under this scheme. The Group has specific insurance cover in place to
                                                                                  cover information security and cyber risks.

 

Corporate Governance Report - Extract

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts in
accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each
financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the Group
and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with UK adopted
international accounting standards (UK adopted IAS). Under company law the
Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied
that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and
the Parent Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and the Parent
Company for that period.

In preparing these financial statements the directors are required to:

 

 ·             select suitable accounting policies in accordance with IAS 8 Accounting
               Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors and then apply them
               consistently;
 ·             make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
 ·             present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides
               relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
 ·             provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements
               in UK adopted IAS is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of
               particular transactions, other events and conditions on the Group and Parent
               Company financial position and financial performance;
 ·             in respect of the Group financial statements, state whether UK adopted IAS
               have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained
               in the financial statements;
 ·             in respect of the Parent Company financial statements, state whether UK
               adopted IAS have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed
               and explained in the financial statements; and
 ·             prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
               inappropriate to presume that the Parent Company and the Group will continue
               in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Parent Company's and Group's transactions
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of
the Parent Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the Parent
Company and the Group financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and Parent
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, Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration
Report and corporate governance statement that comply with that law and those
regulations. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity
of the corporate and financial information included on the Parent Company's
website.

The Directors confirm, to the best of their knowledge:

 

 ·             that the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with UK
               adopted IAS give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial
               position and profit or loss of the Parent Company and undertakings included in
               the consolidation taken as a whole;
 ·             that the Annual Report, including the Strategic Report, includes a fair review
               of the development and performance of the business and the position of the
               Parent Company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a
               whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties
               that they face; and
 ·             that they consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair,
               balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for
               shareholders to assess the Parent Company's position, performance, business
               model and strategy.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - EXTRACTS

Consolidated Income Statement

 Year ended 31 December                                                2022                        2021
 £ million                                          Revenue  Capital   Total     Revenue  Capital  Total
 Investment income                                  19.1     -         19.1      12.7     -        12.7
 Other income                                       7.6      -         7.6       3.8      -        3.8
 Gains/(losses) on fair value investments           -        (555.5)   (555.5)   -        901.8    901.8
 Gains/(losses) on monetary items and borrowings    -        20.2      20.2      -        18.0     18.0
                                                    26.7     (535.3)   (508.6)   16.5     919.8    936.3
 Expenses
 Operating expenses                                 (36.0)   (7.6)     (43.6)    (29.6)   (24.8)   (54.4)
 Profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax         (9.3)    (542.9)   (552.2)   (13.1)   895.0    881.9
 Finance costs                                      (5.0)    (20.0)    (25.0)    (4.0)    (16.0)   (20.0)
 Profit/(loss) before tax                           (14.3)   (562.9)   (577.2)   (17.1)   879.0    861.9
 Taxation                                           -        -         -         (0.2)    (2.5)    (2.7)
 Profit/(loss) for the year                         (14.3)   (562.9)   (577.2)   (17.3)   876.5    859.2
 Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share - basic         (9.2p)   (362.1p)  (371.3p)  (11.1p)  561.4p   550.3p
 Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share - diluted       (9.2p)   (362.1p)  (371.3p)  (11.0p)  556.5p   545.5p

The total column of this statement represents the Group's consolidated income
statement, prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting
standards (UK adopted IAS). The supplementary revenue and capital columns are
both prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment
Companies (AIC). All items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 Year ended 31 December                                                               2022                       2021
 £ million                                                          Revenue  Capital  Total    Revenue  Capital  Total
 Profit/(loss) for the year                                         (14.3)   (562.9)  (577.2)  (17.3)   876.5    859.2
 Revaluation gain/(loss) on property, plant and equipment           -        (2.1)    (2.1)    -        (0.2)    (0.2)
 Actuarial gain/(loss) in defined benefit pension plan              (4.5)    -        (4.5)    1.9      -        1.9
 Deferred tax (charge)/credit allocated to actuarial gain/(loss)    1.1      -        1.1      (1.1)    -        (1.1)
 Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year                  (17.7)   (565.0)  (582.7)  (16.5)   876.3    859.8

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 At 31 December
 £ million                                       2022     2021
 Non-current assets
 Investments held at fair value                  3,586.3  4,291.8
 Investment property                             37.9     38.3
 Property, plant and equipment                   20.7     23.1
 Retirement benefit asset                        0.5      3.8
 Derivative financial instruments                1.0      2.9
                                                 3,646.4  4,359.9
 Current assets
 Derivative financial instruments                57.3     32.7
 Other receivables                               245.3    262.8
 Amounts owed by group undertakings              4.5      3.7
 Cash at bank                                    218.0    325.9
                                                 525.1    625.1
 Total assets                                    4,171.5  4,985.0
 Current liabilities
 Borrowings                                      (236.2)  (240.0)
 Derivative financial instruments                (10.4)   (8.2)
 Other payables                                  (63.5)   (168.8)
 Amounts owed to group undertakings              (0.1)    -
                                                 (310.2)  (417.0)
 Net current assets/(liabilities)                214.9    208.1
 Total assets less current liabilities           3,861.3  4,568.0
 Non-current liabilities
 Borrowings                                      (134.4)  (168.9)
 Derivative financial instruments                -        (2.9)
 Deferred tax liability                          (0.2)    (1.3)
 Provisions                                      (1.8)    (1.0)
 Lease liability                                 (3.2)    (3.6)
                                                 (139.6)  (177.7)
 Net assets                                      3,721.7  4,390.3
 Equity attributable to owners of the Company
 Share capital                                   156.8    156.8
 Share premium                                   45.7     45.7
 Capital redemption reserve                      36.3     36.3
 Own shares reserve                              (46.3)   (23.0)
 Capital reserve                                 3,548.9  4,174.4
 Revenue reserve                                 (29.1)   (11.4)
 Revaluation reserve                             9.4      11.5
 Total equity                                    3,721.7  4,390.3
 Net asset value per ordinary share - basic      2,414p   2,819p
 Net asset value per ordinary share - diluted    2,388p   2,794p

The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue
on 27 February 2023.

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 £ million                                                        Share capital  Share premium  Capital redemption reserve  Own              Capital reserve  Revenue reserve  Revaluation reserve  Total equity

shares reserve
 Balance at 1 January 2021                                        156.8          45.7           36.3                        (15.3)           3,350.1          5.1              11.7                 3,590.4
 Profit/(loss) for the year                                       -              -              -                           -                876.5            (17.3)           -                    859.2
 Revaluation gain/(loss) on property, plant and equipment         -              -              -                           -                -                -                (0.2)                (0.2)
 Actuarial gain/(loss) in defined benefit plan                    -              -              -                           -                -                1.9              -                    1.9
 Deferred tax (charge)/credit allocated to actuarial gain/(loss)  -              -              -                           -                -                (1.1)            -                    (1.1)
 Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year                -              -              -                           -                876.5            (16.5)           (0.2)                859.8
 Dividends paid                                                   -              -              -                           -                (55.0)           -                -                    (55.0)
 Purchase of treasury shares                                      -              -              -                           -                (1.4)            -                -                    (1.4)
 Movement in own shares reserve                                   -              -              -                           (7.7)            -                -                -                    (7.7)
 Movement in share-based payments                                 -              -              -                           -                4.2              -                -                    4.2
 Balance at 31 December 2021                                      156.8          45.7           36.3                        (23.0)           4,174.4          (11.4)           11.5                 4,390.3
 Balance at 1 January 2022                                        156.8          45.7           36.3                        (23.0)           4,174.4          (11.4)           11.5                 4,390.3
 Profit/(loss) for the year                                       -              -              -                           -                (562.9)          (14.3)           -                    (577.2)
 Revaluation gain/(loss) on property, plant and equipment         -              -              -                           -                -                -                (2.1)                (2.1)
 Actuarial gain/(loss) in defined benefit plan                    -              -              -                           -                -                (4.5)            -                    (4.5)
 Deferred tax (charge)/credit allocated to actuarial gain/(loss)  -              -              -                           -                -                1.1              -                    1.1
 Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year                -              -              -                           -                (562.9)          (17.7)           (2.1)                (582.7)
 Dividends paid                                                   -              -              -                           -                (57.6)           -                -                    (57.6)
 Purchase of treasury shares                                      -              -              -                           -                (11.0)           -                -                    (11.0)
 Movement in own shares reserve                                   -              -              -                           (23.3)           -                -                -                    (23.3)
 Movement in share-based payments                                 -              -              -                           -                6.0              -                -                    6.0
 Balance at 31 December 2022                                      156.8          45.7           36.3                        (46.3)           3,548.9          (29.1)           9.4                  3,721.7

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 Year ended 31 December                                                        Consolidated cash flow
 £ million                                                    2022                          2021
 Cash flows from operating activities:
 Cash inflow/(outflow) before taxation and interest           57.7                          71.8
 Interest paid                                                (25.0)                        (20.0)
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities          32.7                          51.8
 Cash flows from investing activities:
 Sale/(purchase) of property, plant and equipment             (0.1)                         (0.1)
 Investments in subsidiary undertakings                       -                             -
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities          (0.1)                         (0.1)
 Cash flows from financing activities:
 Repayment of borrowings                                      (591.6)                       (421.9)
 Drawing of borrowings                                        555.4                         469.8
 Purchase of ordinary shares by EBT(1)                        (40.4)                        (21.0)
 Purchase of ordinary shares into treasury                    (11.0)                        (1.4)
 Dividends paid                                               (57.6)                        (55.0)
 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities          (145.2)                       (29.5)
 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year                      (112.6)                       22.2
 Cash at the start of the year                                325.9                         296.8
 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash                    4.7                     6.9
 Cash at the year end                                               218.0                   325.9
 Reconciliation:
 Cash at bank                                                       218.0                   325.9
 Cash at the year end                                               218.0                   325.9

 

 (1)  Shares are disclosed in the own shares reserve on the consolidated balance
      sheet.

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - EXTRACTS

Earnings per ordinary share - basic and diluted

The basic earnings per ordinary share for 2022 is based on the loss of £577.2
million (2021: profit of £859.2 million) and the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the period of 155.5 million (2021: 156.1
million). The weighted average number of shares is adjusted for shares held in
the employee benefit trust (EBT) and in treasury in accordance with IAS 33.

 £ million                         2022     2021
 Net revenue profit/(loss)         (14.3)   (17.3)
 Net capital profit/(loss)         (562.9)  876.5
 Total profit/(loss) for the year  (577.2)  859.2

 

 Weighted average (million)  2022   2021
 Number of shares in issue   156.8  156.8
 Shares held in EBT          (1.0)  (0.5)
 Shares held in treasury     (0.3)  (0.2)
 Basic shares                155.5  156.1

 

 pence                                               2022     2021
 Revenue earnings/(loss) per ordinary share - basic  (9.2)    (11.1)
 Capital earnings/(loss) per ordinary share - basic  (362.1)  561.4
 Total earnings per share - basic                    (371.3)  550.3

The diluted earnings per ordinary share for the period is based on the basic
shares (above) adjusted for the effect of share-based payments awards for the
period.

This adjustment is not required for 2022 as an increase in shares in issue
would reduce the basic loss per ordinary share. As a result, there is no
difference between the basic and diluted loss per ordinary share.

 Weighted average (million)            2022   2021
 Basic shares                          155.5  156.1
 Effect of share-based payment awards  -      1.4
 Diluted shares                        155.5  157.5

 

 pence                                                 2022     2021
 Revenue earnings/(loss) per ordinary share - diluted  (9.2)    (11.0)
 Capital earnings/(loss) per ordinary share - diluted  (362.1)  556.5
 Total earnings per ordinary share - diluted           (371.3)  545.5

Net asset value per ordinary share - basic and diluted

Net asset value per ordinary share is based on the following data:

 31 December                                     2022     2021
 Net assets (£ million)                          3,721.7  4,390.3
 Number of shares in issue (million)             156.8    156.8
 Shares held in EBT (million)                    (2.0)    (0.9)
 Shares held in treasury (million)               (0.7)    (0.2)
 Basic shares (million)                          154.1    155.7
 Effect of share-based payment awards (million)  1.7      1.4
 Diluted shares (million)                        155.8    157.1

 

 

                                                2022   2021
 31 December                                    pence  pence
 Net asset value per ordinary share -  basic    2,414  2,819
 Net asset value per ordinary share - diluted   2,388  2,794

 

Dividends

                         2022       2021
                         Pence      Pence      2022        2021
                         per share  per share  £ million   £ million
 Dividends paid in year  37.0       35.25      57.6        55.0

The above amounts were paid as distributions to equity holders of the Company
in the relevant year from accumulated capital profits.

On 28 February 2022 the Board declared a first interim dividend of 18.5 pence
per share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2022 that was paid on 29
April 2022. A second interim dividend of 18.5 pence per share was declared by
the Board on 1 August 2022 and paid on 28 October 2022.

The Board declares the payment of a first interim dividend of 19 pence per
share in respect of the year ending 31 December 2023. This will be paid on 28
April 2023 to shareholders on the register on 11 April 2023, and funded from
the accumulated capital profits.

 

Glossary and Alternative Performance Measures

Glossary

Within this Annual Report and Accounts, we publish certain financial measures
common to investment trusts. Where relevant, these are prepared in accordance
with guidance from the AIC, and this glossary provides additional information
in relation to them.

Alternative performance measures (APMs): APMs are numerical measures of the
Company's current, historical or future financial performance, financial
position or cash flows, other than financial measures defined or specified in
the Company's applicable financial framework - namely UK adopted IAS and the
AIC SORP. They are denoted with an* in this section.

CPI: The CPI refers to the United Kingdom Consumer Price Index as calculated
by the Office for National Statistics and published monthly. It is the UK
Government's target measure of inflation and, from 1 January 2022, is used as
a measure of inflation in one of the Company's KPIs, CPI plus 3.0% per annum.

Gearing*: Gearing is a measure of the level of debt deployed within the
portfolio. The ratio is calculated in accordance with AIC guidance as total
assets, net of cash, divided by net assets and expressed as a 'net'
percentage, e.g. 110% would be shown as 10%.

 

 £ million     2022     2021
 Total assets  4,171.5  4,985.0
 Less: cash    (218.0)  (325.9)
 Sub total     3,953.5  4,659.1
 Net assets    3,721.7  4,390.3
 Gearing       6.2%     6.1%

Leverage: Leverage, as defined by the UK Alternative Investment Fund Managers
Directive (AIFMD), is any method which increases the exposure of the
portfolio, whether through borrowings or leverage embedded in derivative
positions or by any other means.

MSCI All Country World Index: The MSCI All Country World Index is a total
return, market capitalisation-weighted equity index covering major developed
and emerging markets. Described in this report as the ACWI or the ACWI (50%
£), this is one of the Company's KPIs or reference hurdles and, since its
introduction in 2013, has incorporated a 50% sterling measure. This is
calculated using 50% of the ACWI measured in sterling and therefore exposed to
translation risk from the underlying foreign currencies. The remaining 50%
uses a sterling-hedged ACWI from 1 January 2015 (from when this is readily
available). This incorporates hedging costs, which the portfolio also incurs,
to protect against currency risk and is an investable index. Prior to this
date it uses the index measured in local currencies. Before December 1998,
when total return indices were introduced, the index is measured using a
capital‑only version.

Net asset value (NAV) per share: The NAV per share is calculated by dividing
the total value of all the assets of the trust less its liabilities (net
assets) by the number of shares outstanding. Unless otherwise stated, this
refers to the diluted NAV per share, with debt held at fair value.

NAV total return*: The NAV total return for a period represents the change in
NAV per share, adjusted to reflect dividends paid during the period. The
calculation assumes that dividends are reinvested in the NAV at the month end
following the NAV going ex-dividend. The NAV per share at 31 December 2022 was
2,388 pence, a decrease of 406 pence, or 14.5%, from 2,794 pence at the
previous year end. As dividends totalling 37.0 pence per share were paid
during the year, the effect of reinvesting the dividends in the NAV is 1.2%,
which results in a NAV total return of ‑13.3%.

Net quoted equity exposure: This is the estimated level of exposure that the
trust has to listed equity markets. It includes the assets held in the quoted
equity category of the portfolio adjusted for the notional exposure from
quoted equity derivatives, as well as estimated cash balances held by
externally-managed funds and estimated exposure levels from hedge fund
managers.

Notional: In relation to derivatives, this represents the estimated exposure
that is equivalent to holding the same underlying position through a cash
security.

Ongoing charges figure (OCF)*: As a self-managed investment trust with
operating subsidiaries, the calculation of the Company's OCF requires
adjustments to the total operating expenses. In accordance with AIC guidance,
the main adjustments are to remove direct performance-related compensation
from JRCM, as this is analogous to a performance fee for an externally-managed
trust.

 

 £ million                                     2022   2021
 Operating expenses                            43.6   54.4
 JRCM direct performance-related compensation  (7.6)  (24.8)
 Other adjustments                             0.0    (0.1)
 Ongoing charges                               36.0   29.5
 Average net assets                            4,045  4,085
 OCF                                           0.89%  0.72%

In addition to the above, managers charge fees within the external funds (and
in a few instances directly to RIT in relation to segregated accounts). We
have estimated that, based on average net assets across the year and annual
management fee rates per fund (excluding performance fees), these represent an
additional 0.88% of average net assets (2021: 0.87%).

Premium/discount: The premium or discount (or rating) is calculated by taking
the closing share price on 31 December 2022 and dividing it by the NAV per
share at 31 December 2022, expressed as a net percentage. If the share price
is above/below the NAV per share, the shares are said to be trading at a
premium/ discount.

Share price total return or total shareholder return (TSR)*: The TSR for a
period represents the change in the share price adjusted to reflect dividends
paid during the period. Similar to calculating a NAV total return, the
calculation assumes the dividends are notionally reinvested at the daily
closing share price following the shares going ex-dividend. The share price on
31 December 2022 closed at 2,125 pence, a decrease of 625 pence, or 22.7%,
from 2,750 pence at the previous year end. Dividends totalling 37.0 pence per
share were paid during the year, and the effect of reinvesting the dividends
in the share price is 1.2%, which results in a TSR of ‑21.5%. The TSR is one
of the Company's KPIs.

 

Basis of presentation

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2022 has been
extracted from the statutory accounts for that year. The auditor's report on
these accounts is unqualified and does not contain a statement under either
Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts will
be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual
General Meeting.

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2021 has been
extracted from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered
to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on these accounts is
unqualified and does not contain a statement under either Section 498(2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Report and Accounts

 

The full statutory accounts are available to be viewed or downloaded from the
Company's website at www.ritcap.com. Neither the contents of the Company's
website nor the contents of any website accessible from the Company's website
(or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this
announcement.

 

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