Blackrock Lat A Regulatory News (BRLA)

BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust plc

(Legal Entity Identifier: UK9OG5Q0CYUDFGRX4151)

Information disclosed in accordance with Article 5 Transparency Directive and DTR 4.2

Half Yearly Financial Results Announcement for Period Ended 30 June 2023

PERFORMANCE RECORD

PERFORMANCE FROM 31 DECEMBER 2018 TO 30 JUNE 2023

Sources: BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited and Datastream.

Performance figures are calculated in US Dollar terms with dividends reinvested.

* Six month performance to 30 June 2023.

1 The change in net assets reflects the portfolio movements during the period and dividends paid.

2 Based on an exchange rate of US$1.27 to £1 at 30 June 2023 and US$1.20 to £1 at 31 December 2022, representing a change of 5.8% in the value of the US Dollar against British Pound Sterling.

3 Alternative Performance Measures, see Glossary, contained within the Half Yearly Financial Report.

4 The Company's performance benchmark index (the MSCI EM Latin America Index) may be calculated on either a gross or a net return basis. Net return (NR) indices calculate the reinvestment of dividends net of withholding taxes using the tax rates applicable to non-resident institutional investors, and hence give a lower total return than indices where calculations are on a gross basis (which assumes that no withholding tax is suffered). As the Company is subject to withholding tax rates for the majority of countries in which it invests, the NR basis is felt to be the more accurate, appropriate, consistent and fair comparison for the Company.

Chairman's Statement

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Half Yearly Financial Report to shareholders for the six months ended 30 June 2023. It is pleasing to note that the Company's net asset value with dividends reinvested has outperformed the benchmark by 7.3 percentage points over the period in US Dollar terms. In Sterling terms, the net asset value with dividends reinvested rose by 18.8% over the same period and the benchmark rose by 12.1%. The share price rose by 18.5% in US Dollar terms and increased by 12.1% in Sterling terms.

Overview and performance

Latin American equity markets have outperformed both developed markets and MSCI Emerging Markets indices over the period under review with the MSCI EM Latin America Index up by 18.5%, compared to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index that returned 4.9% and a rise in the MSCI World Index of 15.1% (all in US Dollar terms respectively). The Mexican economy has been a key beneficiary from the shifting of global supply chains and coupled with a prudent fiscal policy and a strong export sector, Mexico has replaced China as America's largest trade partner. In Brazil the government's fiscal policies proved to be more cautious than expected, inflation has fallen to below 4% which has helped paved the way for interest rate cuts. This resulted in a significant shift in investor sentiment towards Brazil, especially in the second quarter of 2023. From a country perspective, equity markets in Mexico and Brazil performed best over the period under review, up by 27.1% and 16.8% respectively, representing 83.5% of the portfolio; Colombia was the weakest equity market in the region down by 3.3%.

The Company's outperformance was largely driven by stock selection in Brazil and Mexico. The portfolio was overweight in domestic Brazil, positioning that reflected the Investment Manager's view that interest rates were excessively high. The Manager's expectation was for interest rates to be cut this year; which has seen this increasingly being priced by the market in Brazil which has been a very strong contributor to the portfolio's returns. Mexico also contributed meaningfully, with real estate and consumer staples being the main drivers. The real estate sector, supported by an increase in rental income as more US companies moved their manufacturing operations from China to Mexico, performed strongly. Mexico has benefitted significantly this year from the "near-shoring" theme where US companies look to diversify their supply chains and move production closer to home. At the sector level, materials and industrials have been the outperformers and energy and consumer staples were the biggest detractors. Additional information on the main contributors to and detractors from performance for the period under review is given in the following Investment Manager's Report.

Dividends declared in respect of the year to 30 June 2023

1 Quarter to 31 December 2022 includes an additional special dividend of 13.00 cents.

Revenue return and dividends

Revenue return for the six months ended 30 June 2023 was 15.26 cents per share (2022: 18.11 cents per share). The primary driver for this decrease is the reduction in dividends paid by portfolio companies.

The Company has declared dividends totalling 39.12 cents per share in respect of the twelve months to 30 June 2023 representing a yield of 7.6% (calculated based on a share price of 513.63 cents per share, equivalent to the Sterling price of 404.00 pence per share translated into cents at a rate of US$1.27 prevailing on 30 June 2023).

Under the Company's dividend policy, dividends are calculated and paid quarterly, based on 1.25% of the US Dollar NAV at close of business on the last working day of March, June, September and December respectively; additional information in respect of the payment timetable is set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements. Dividends will be financed through a combination of available net income in each financial year and revenue and capital reserves. The dividends paid and declared by the Company in the last twelve months have been funded from current year revenue and brought forward revenue reserves.

As at 30 June 2023, a balance of US$5.7 million remained in revenue reserves. Dividends will be funded out of capital reserves to the extent that current year revenue and revenue reserves are fully utilised. The Board believes that this removes pressure from the investment managers to seek a higher income yield from the underlying portfolio itself which could detract from total returns. The Board also believes the Company's dividend policy will enhance demand for the Company's shares and help to narrow the Company's discount, whilst maintaining the portfolio's ability to generate attractive total returns.

Discount management and discount control mechanism

The Board remains committed to taking appropriate action to ensure that the Company's shares do not trade at a significant discount to their prevailing NAV and have sought to reduce discount volatility by offering shareholders a discount control mechanism covering the four years to 31 December 2025. This mechanism offers shareholders a tender for 24.99% of the shares in issue excluding treasury shares (at a tender price reflecting the latest cum-income NAV less 2% and related portfolio realisation costs) in the event that the continuation vote to be put to the Company's AGM in 2026 is approved, where either of the following conditions have been met:

(ii) the annualised total NAV return of the Company does not exceed the annualised benchmark index (being the MSCI EM Latin America Index) (net return, on a US Dollar basis) by more than 50 basis points over the four year period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025 (the Calculation Period); or

(ii)  the average daily discount to the cum-income NAV exceeds 12% as calculated with reference to the trading of the shares over the Calculation Period.

In respect of the above conditions, the Company's total NAV return on a US Dollar basis for the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2023 was 21.5% on an annualised basis, outperforming the annualised benchmark return of 18.6% for the same period by 2.9 percentage points (equivalent to 290 basis points (please see the Glossary contained within the Half Yearly Report for more information). The cum-income discount of the Company's ordinary shares has averaged 12.1% for this period and ranged from a discount of 6.8% to 16.3%, ending the period on a discount of 14.8% at 30 June 2023.

The Company has not bought back any shares during the six months ended 30 June 2023 and up to the date of publication of this report.

Gearing

The Board's view is that 105% of NAV is the neutral level of gearing over the longer term and that gearing should be used actively in an approximate range of plus or minus 10% around this as measured at the time that gearing is instigated. The Board is pleased to note that the Managers have used gearing actively throughout the period, with a high of 108.9% in January 2023. The Company held net cash of 2.6% as at 30 June 2023 as the Manager took profits, particularly in Brazil, after a strong period of relative performance. Average gearing for the six months under review was 104.5% (year to 31 December 2022: 108.7%).

Board composition

Professor Mahrukh Doctor, who had served on the Board since 2009 and as Senior Independent Director since March 2019, retired from the Board at the Company's AGM in March 2023. The Board thanks Professor Doctor for her many years of excellent service, and wishes her the best for the future.

Outlook

Equity markets in the Latin American region saw a very strong start to 2023 and Latin American equity markets remain attractively valued on both an absolute and relative basis. The Latin American region should have higher economic growth prospects than advanced economies in the near future. Central banks in the region have followed traditional monetary policies, unlike many developed countries, so as inflation falls across the region, there is potential for lower interest rates which in turn should stimulate economic activity. The region is rich in natural resources, including fossil fuels of crude oil and natural gas, creating favourable supply and demand dynamics. It is also a major source of copper and lithium, (critical materials for the green energy revolution), as well as a key producer of a wide range of food commodities. Latin America also provides significant opportunities for direct investment as governments and businesses globally re-think supply chain configurations and seek to diversify risk.

The Board remains optimistic for the outlook for Latin American equities. In spite of major difficulties in other major emerging markets like China and Russia, Latin America continues to provide a bright and improving region but political challenges remain.

Carolan Dobson

Chairman

29 September 2023

Investment Manager's Report

Market overview

Latin America had a stellar first half of 2023, gaining +18.5%, with all markets ending the period in positive territory, bar Colombia (-3.3%). Mexico led the charge (+27.1%) and to the surprise of many, even outperforming the MSCI USA Index (+16.8%) as well as emerging markets more broadly (MSCI Emerging Markets Index +4.9%). This was due to a prudent fiscal policy and a strong export sector as the country replaced China as America's largest trade partner. Mexico has been a key beneficiary from the shifting of global supply chains. Like most of Latin America their prudent monetary policy has been successful in tackling inflation. Brazil was another outperformer (+16.8%) as the government's fiscal policies proved to be more prudent than expected, while inflation receded to below 4%, paving the way for interest rate cuts. This resulted in a significant shift in sentiment towards Brazil, especially in the second quarter. Among the smaller markets, Peru returned +15.3% and Chile +7.8%. All performance figures are calculated in US Dollar terms with dividends reinvested.

While the majority of Mexico's outperformance was in the first quarter, Brazil underperformed as uncertainty around fiscal policy dominated sentiment early in the year. Negative remarks by the newly appointed President Lula regarding high interest rates set by the central bank created a standoff between the two. Despite inflation trending down the central bank kept interest rates unchanged as they were not given comfort around fiscal sustainability by President Lula's leftist government.

Elsewhere in the region political volatility has been the common theme. In Peru, social unrest triggered by the arrest of President Pedro Castillo in December 2022 continued to weigh on markets in the first half of 2023. The new president remains unpopular and has struggled to form an effective government. In Colombia politics remain unstable and valuations have been at multi-year lows following the negative reaction to the country's first ever left-wing government.

The second quarter saw a shift in sentiment towards Brazil, in part resulting from the release of the highly anticipated fiscal framework proposed by the finance minister Fernando Haddad. The proposed new rules were well received as they were more orthodox than expected by investors. The equity market continued to do well in the following months as expectations for a monetary easing cycle increased. This has also been supported by inflation that has continued to trend lower, reaching 3.2% in June. Less uncertainty around the fiscal outlook and the downward trend in inflation remains key for the central bank to start reducing rates. Monetary policy easing is likely the most important support for both the economy and the equity market.

Performance review and positioning

The Company outperformed its benchmark over the six month period ended 30 June 2023, returning +25.8% in US Dollar terms. Over the same time horizon, the Company's benchmark, the MSCI Latin America Index, returned +18.5% on a net basis in US Dollar terms.

Our highest conviction position in the portfolio was our overweight in domestic Brazil. This positioning reflected our view that interest rates, currently at 13.75% were excessively high, and our expectation is for rates to be cut this year. In the second quarter of this year we have seen this thesis increasingly priced by the market and year-to-date our stock selection in Brazil has been a very strong contributor to the portfolio's returns. Mexico also contributed meaningfully, with real estate and consumer staples the main drivers. The real estate sector overall did very well, supported by an increase in rental income as more US companies moved their manufacturing operations from China to Mexico, while Argentina was the only country where the portfolio saw negative returns. At the sector level, materials and industrials have been the outperformers and energy and consumer staples were the biggest detractors.

From a single stock level, the position that contributed the most to absolute returns was Mrv Engenharia (Mrv), a Brazilian homebuilder. The shift in expectations regarding interest rate cuts has helped the share price, as lower interest rates should increase demand in housing via improved affordability. In addition, Mrv is highly leveraged and lower rates would significantly ease the interest expense burden and improve cash generation. Separately, Mrv focuses on affordable housing for the low-income segment, which is a key priority for the new administration under Lula. Brazilian toll road operator CCR was also a sizeable positive contributor. CCR's share price increased on the back of resilient operating trends that were reported in mid-February. IRB Brasil Resseguros, a Brazilian reinsurer, has also started to see a turnaround in their underwriting cycle, helping the shares recover from depressed levels. The positive development in profits have helped mitigate capital raise worries that had been depressing the stock price. Material sector names were also among the top contributors. These included Cemex, a Mexican cement producer which outperformed supported by increasing cement prices and strong Q1 2023 results. Our underweights in Vale, a Brazilian mining company, and Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM), a Chilean lithium producer for electric vehicles (EVs) contributed on a relative basis. Disappointing commodity demand in China was the driver for both companies' underperformance. For SQM specifically, a weakening demand for EVs in China led to a sharp decline in lithium prices. The recent political developments regarding state involvement in the lithium sector have also hurt the share price, but in our view do not represent a material fundamental change.

Our overweight in Brazilian supermarket chain, Assai, was the biggest detractor as the market became somewhat concerned about whether the leveraged balance sheet could withstand a period of lower food inflation. In addition, majority shareholder Casino is facing financial difficulties itself and was forced to significantly reduce its stake in Assai, creating a new supply of shares to the market. Tenaris, our off-benchmark holding in Argentina, underperformed. The weakness in the stock has mainly been due to sensitivity to the oil price as the company produces steel tubes and pipes for oil and gas companies. Our underweight in Brazilian financials weighed on relative returns.

Considering the very strong performance of domestic Brazilian assets in the second quarter (+20.7%) we started to trim our positions, and as a result the weight in Brazil has been somewhat reduced. We have reduced or exited positions where our thesis has largely played out and the stocks have performed well, such as toll road operator CCR, shopping mall Iguatemi and financial names like B3, the stock exchange and XP, an investment manager. We have rotated some of the capital into higher conviction names that have lagged the overall market rally we have seen in recent months, such as PagSeguro Digital. PagSeguro Digital provides solutions for online payments, and while the fees they charge their merchants are fixed their funding costs have been going up with the rising interest rate. A decrease in the policy rate should reduce their costs and boost revenues.

We also locked in gains in Mexico following the strong performance in the first quarter; we exited our position in Vesta, a real estate company that has been benefitting from US companies moving their manufacturing operations from Asia to Mexico. Vesta is a name that we have held for a long time, but that we currently see as rather fairly valued as more investors have discovered the name. We reduced our position in FEMSA, a convenience store operator that had done very well, and we reduced our position size in Cemex. We initiated a position in Mag Silver Corp, a silver miner operating in Mexico, which is ramping up its key asset this year and recently reached commercial production. In addition, we started a position in Ecopetrol, an oil and gas company in Colombia, where the government has committed to pay outstanding receivables that the government owes the company. Amongst financials we switched from Credicorp in Peru to Bancolombia in Colombia due to more attractive valuations.

We ended the period overweight Argentina and Panama as we are maintaining exposure to off-benchmark names. We are underweight Mexico and Peru. At the sector level, we are overweight consumer discretionary and health care, while being most underweight in utilities and communication services.

Sources: BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited and Datastream.

Performance figures are calculated in US Dollar terms, with dividends reinvested, rebased to 100 as at 1 January 2023.

Outlook

The outlook for the Mexican economy remains positive as it is a key beneficiary from the re-shoring of global supply chains. Mexico remains defensive as both fiscal and the current accounts are in order. While our view remains positive, we have taken profits after a strong relative performance, solely because we see even more upside in other Latin American markets such as Brazil. In addition, we believe that the Mexican economy will be relatively more sensitive to a potential slowdown in economic activity in the US in response to rising interest rates there.

We continue to have a very positive view on Brazil, even though our thesis of slowing inflation and sound fiscal policies has partially played out already. While the market is now pricing in interest rate cuts, these have not yet started, and the positive economic impact is yet to come. In addition, while international investors have moved capital to Brazil, local equity flows have continued to be negative year-to-date as equity markets struggle to compete with a risk-free rate of return of close to 14%. We therefore see Brazil as very early stage in its positive economic cycle and continue to see further upside over the next 12-18 months. We have significantly scaled back our positions after the strong performance, but domestic Brazil remains a dominant bet in the portfolio.

Political uncertainty has been the overriding market sentiment in other countries in Latin America. We believe this will continue to impact market performance, and we have a cautious view on Chile, Colombia and Peru. However, despite the political headwinds in Colombia, we are seeing a slow improvement in macroeconomics and believe it can become an attractive market again once the political climate stabilises.

In a global context, we remain optimistic about Latin America as a whole. Central banks have been proactive in increasing interest rates, which has now resulted in falling inflation. Thus, we will likely see a monetary easing cycle in most countries in Latin America, which should support both economic activity and asset prices. In addition to this normal economic cycle, the whole region is benefitting from being somewhat isolated from global geopolitical conflicts. We believe that this will lead to both an increase in foreign direct investment and an increase in allocation from investors across the region. As such we are optimistic about the outlook for Latin American stocks over the next 12-24 months.

Sam Vecht

Christoph Brinkmann

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited

29 September 2023

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

As at 30 June 2023

GEOGRAPHIC WEIGHTING (GROSS MARKET EXPOSURE) VS MSCI EM LATIN AMERICA INDEX

Sources: BlackRock and MSCI.

SECTOR ALLOCATION (GROSS MARKET EXPOSURE) VS MSCI EM LATIN AMERICA INDEX

Sources: BlackRock and MSCI.

Ten largest investments

As at 30 June 2023

1 Petrobrás (2022: 2nd)

Energy

Market value - American depositary receipt (ADR): US$7,042,000

Market value - Preference shares ADR: US$5,837,000

Market value - Ordinary shares: US$2,958,000

Share of investments: 9.2% (2022: 7.1%)

is a Brazilian integrated oil and gas group, operating in the exploration and production, refining, marketing, transportation, petrochemicals, oil product distribution, natural gas, electricity, chemical-gas and biofuel segments of the industry. The group controls significant assets across Africa, North and South America, Europe and Asia, with a majority of production based in Brazil.

2 Banco Bradesco (2022: 6th)

Financials

Market value - ADR: US$8,601,000

Market value - Preference shares: US$3,175,000

Share of investments: 6.8% (2022: 5.1%)

is one of Brazil's largest private sector banks. The bank divides its operations into two main areas - banking and insurance services and management of complementary private pension plans and savings bonds.

3 Vale (2022: 1st)

Materials

Market value - American depositary share (ADS): US$10,099,000

Share of investments: 5.8% (2022: 9.5%)

is one of the world's largest mining groups, with other business in logistics, energy and steelmaking. Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore and nickel but also operates in the coal, copper, manganese and ferro-alloys sectors.

4 Grupo Financiero Banorte (2022: 8th)

Financials

Market value - Ordinary shares: US$10,091,000

Share of investments: 5.8% (2022: 4.8%)

is a Mexican banking and financial services holding company and is one of the largest financial groups in the country. It operates as a universal bank and provides a wide array of products and services through its broker dealer, annuities and insurance companies, retirements savings funds (Afore), mutual funds, leasing and factoring company and warehousing.

5 FEMSA (2022: 3rd)

Consumer Staples

Market value - ADR: US$9,451,000

Share of investments: 5.5% (2022: 6.0%)

is a Mexican beverages group which engages in the production, distribution, and marketing of beverages. The firm also produces, markets, sells, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages, including sparkling beverages.

6 B3 (2022: 5th)

Financials

Market value - Ordinary shares: US$8,815,000

Share of investments: 5.1% (2022: 5.2%)

is a stock exchange located in Brazil, providing trading services in an exchange and OTC environment. B3's scope of activities include the creation and management of trading systems, clearing, settlement, deposit and registration for the main classes of securities, from equities and corporate fixed income securities to currency derivatives, structured transactions and interest rates, and agricultural commodities. B3 also acts as a central counterparty for most of the trades carried out in its markets and offers central depository and registration services.

7 AmBev (2022: 4th)

Consumer Staples

Market value - ADR: US$7,698,000

Share of investments: 4.5% (2022: 5.3%)

is a Brazilian brewing group which engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beverages. Its products include beer, carbonated soft drinks and other non-alcoholic and non-carbonated products with operations in Brazil, Central America, the Caribbean (CAC) and Canada.

8 Itaú Unibanco (2022: 7th)

Financials

Market value - ADR: US$6,128,000

Share of investments: 3.5% (2022: 4.9%)

is a Brazilian financial services group that services individual and corporate clients in Brazil and abroad. Itaú Unibanco was formed through the merger of Banco Itaú and Unibanco in 2008. It operates in the retail banking and wholesale banking segments.

9 Gerdau (2022: 22nd)

Materials

Market value - Preference shares: US$6,079,000

Share of investments: 3.5% (2022: 1.9%)

is a Brazilian long steel producer. Gerdau's North American business divisions manufacture long and special steel products, such as long carbon steel, long special steel, flat steel and forged and cast parts. These products are used for the agricultural, automotive, construction, distribution, energy, industrial and mining markets.

10 Hapvida Participacoes (2022: 9th)

Health Care

Market value - Ordinary shares: US$5,392,000

Share of investments: 3.1% (2022: 2.8%)

is a Brazilian holding healthcare company. The company operates with a vertical service structure and is one of the largest healthcare solutions providers in the country. The company provides medical assistance and dental care plans and their operating structure includes facilities such as hospitals, walk-in emergencies, clinics or diagnostic imaging units.

All percentages reflect the value of the holding as a percentage of total investments. For this purpose, where more than one class of securities is held, these have been aggregated. The percentages in brackets represent the value of the holding as at 31 December 2022.

Together, the ten largest investments represent 52.8% of the total investments (ten largest investments as at 31 December 2022: 53.5%).

Portfolio of investments

as at 30 June 2023

All investments are in equity shares unless otherwise stated.

The total number of investments held at 30 June 2023 was 42 (31 December 2022: 40). At 30 June 2023, the Company did not hold any equity interests comprising more than 3% of any company's share capital (31 December 2022: nil).

Interim Management Report and Responsibility Statement

The Chairman's Statement and the Investment Manager's Report give details of the events which have occurred during the period and their impact on the financial statements.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risks faced by the Company can be divided into various areas as follows:

· Counterparty;

· Investment performance;

· Income/dividend;

· Legal and regulatory compliance;

· Operational;

· Market;

· Financial; and

· Marketing.

The Board reported on the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Company in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022. A detailed explanation can be found on pages 41 to 45 and in note 16 on pages 91 to 98 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements which are available on the website maintained by BlackRock at www.blackrock.com/uk/brla.

The Board and the Investment Manager continue to monitor investment performance in line with the Company's investment objectives, and the operations of the Company and the publication of net asset values are continuing.

In the view of the Board, there have not been any changes to the fundamental nature of the principal risks and uncertainties since the previous report and these are equally applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review.

Going concern

The Board is mindful of the risk that unforeseen or unprecedented events including (but not limited to) heightened geopolitical tensions such as the war in Ukraine, high inflation and the current cost of living crisis has had a significant impact on global markets. Notwithstanding this significant degree of uncertainty, the Directors, having considered the nature and liquidity of the portfolio, the Company's investment objective, the Company's projected income and expenditure, are satisfied that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and is financially sound.

Related party disclosure and transactions with the Investment Manager

BlackRock Fund Managers Limited (BFM) was appointed as the Company's AIFM (Alternative Investment Fund Manager) with effect from 2 July 2014. BFM has (with the Company's consent) delegated certain portfolio and risk management services, and other ancillary services, to BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited (BIM (UK)). Both BFM and BIM (UK) are regarded as related parties under the Listing Rules. Details of the fees payable are set out in note 11 to the financial statements below.

The related party transactions with the Directors are set out in note 12 to the financial statements below.

Directors' Responsibility Statement

The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR) of the UK Listing Authority require the Directors to confirm their responsibilities in relation to the preparation and publication of the Interim Management Report and Financial Statements.

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge and belief that:

· the condensed set of financial statements contained within the Half Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with the applicable UK Accounting Standard FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting; and

· the Interim Management Report, together with the Chairman's Statement and the Investment Manager's Report, include a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

The Half Yearly Financial Report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's Auditor.

The Half Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board on 29 September 2023 and the above Responsibility Statement was signed on its behalf by the Chairman.

CAROLAN DOBSON

For and on behalf of the Board

29 September 2023

Income Statement

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

The total columns of this statement represent the Company's profit and loss account. The supplementary revenue and capital accounts are both prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period. All income is attributable to the equity holders of the Company.

The net profit/(loss) on ordinary activities for the period disclosed above represents the Company's total comprehensive income/(loss).

Statement of Changes in Equity

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

1Quarterly dividend of 6.29 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2022, declared on 3 January 2023 and paid on 8 February 2023; special dividend of 13.00 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2022, declared on 3 January 2023 and paid on 8 February 2023; and quarterly dividend of 6.21 cents per share for the year ending 31 December 2023, declared on 3 April 2023 and paid on 16 May 2023.

2On 26 May 2022, the Company repurchased and subsequently cancelled 9,810,979 shares. The price at which tendered shares were repurchased was 417.09 pence per share.

3Quarterly dividend of 6.21 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2021, declared on 4 January 2022 and paid on 8 February 2022; and quarterly dividend of 7.76 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2022, declared on 1 April 2022 and paid on 16 May 2022.

4Quarterly dividend of 6.21 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2021, declared on 4 January 2022 and paid on 8 February 2022; quarterly dividend of 7.76 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2022, declared on 1 April 2022 and paid on 16 May 2022; quarterly dividend of 5.74 cents per share for the year ended 31 December 2022, declared on 1 July 2022 and paid on 12 August 2022; and quarterly dividend of 6.08 cents per share, declared on 3 October 2022 and paid on 9 November 2022.

For information on the Company's distributable reserves, please refer to note 9 below.

Balance Sheet

as at 30 June 2023

Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 30 June 2023

Notes to the financial statements

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

1. Principal activity and basis of preparation

The principal activity of the Company is that of an investment trust company within the meaning of Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

The financial statements of the Company are prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 104 Interim Financial Reporting (FRS 104) applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the revised Statement of Recommended Practice - Financial Statements of Investment Trusts Companies and Venture Capital Trusts (SORP) issued by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) in October 2019, and updated in July 2022, and the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

The accounting policies and estimation techniques applied for the condensed set of financial statements are as set out in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

2. Income

Dividends and interest received in cash during the period amounted to US$5,058,000 and US$21,000 (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$6,382,000 and US$42,000; year ended 31 December 2022: US$14,413,000 and US$45,000).

There were no special dividends recognised in capital in the period (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$nil; year ended 31 December 2022: US$nil).

3. Investment management fee

Under the terms of the investment management agreement, BFM is entitled to a fee of 0.80% per annum based on the Company's daily Net Asset Value (NAV). The fee is levied quarterly.

The investment management fee is allocated 25% to the revenue account and 75% to the capital account of the Income Statement. There is no additional fee for company secretarial and administration services.

4. Other operating expenses

1 All expenses other than depositary fees are paid in Sterling and are therefore subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

2 No non-audit services are provided by the Company's auditors.

3 Relates to prior year accrual for AIC fees and miscellaneous fees written back during the six month period ended 30 June 2023 (six months ended 30 June 2022: postage and printing fees and other administration costs; year ended 31 December 2022: postage and printing fees, broker fees and other administration costs).

4 For the six month period ended 30 June 2023, expenses of US$7,000 (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$6,000; year ended 31 December 2022: US$17,000) were charged to the capital account of the Income Statement. These relate to transaction costs charged by the custodian on sale and purchase trades.

The direct transaction costs incurred on the acquisition of investments amounted to US$51,000 for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$60,000; year ended 31 December 2022: US$93,000). Costs relating to the disposal of investments amounted to US$83,000 for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$86,000; year ended 31 December 2022: US$119,000). All transaction costs have been included within the capital reserves.

5. Dividends

The Company's cum-income US Dollar NAV at 31 March 2023 was 496.41 cents per share, and the Directors declared a first quarterly interim dividend of 6.21 cents per share. The dividend was paid on 16 May 2023 to holders of ordinary shares on the register at the close of business on 14 April 2023.

In accordance with FRS 102 Section 32 Events After the End of the Reporting Period, the final dividend payable on ordinary shares is recognised as a liability when approved by shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised only when paid.

Dividends on equity shares paid during the period were:

6. Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year

At 30 June 2023 the Company had net surplus management expenses of US$868,000 (30 June 2022: US$1,030,000; 31 December 2022: US$868,000) and a non-trade loan relationship deficit of US$1,606,000 (30 June 2022: US$1,308,000; 31 December 2022: US$1,606,000). A deferred tax asset was not recognised in the period ended 30 June 2023 or in the year ended 31 December 2022 as it was unlikely that there would be sufficient future taxable profits to utilise these expenses.

Non-equity redeemable shares

The redeemable shares of £1 each carry the right to receive a fixed dividend at the rate of 0.10% per annum on the nominal amount thereof. They are capable of being redeemed by the Company at any time and confer no rights to receive notice of, attend or vote at general meetings except where the rights of holders are to be varied or abrogated. On a winding up, the capital paid up on such shares ranks pari passu with, and in proportion to, any amounts of capital paid to the holders of ordinary shares, but does not confer any further right to participate in the surplus assets of the Company.

7. Earnings and net asset value per ordinary share

Revenue, capital earnings/(loss) and net asset value per ordinary share are shown below and have been calculated using the following:

1 Based on an exchange rate of US$1.27 to £1 (30 June 2022: US$1.21; 31 December 2022: US$1.20).

There were no dilutive securities at 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: nil; 31 December 2022: nil).

8. Called up share capital

During the six months ended 30 June 2023, no ordinary shares were repurchased (six months ended 30 June 2022: 9,810,979 shares for a total cost of US$51,393,000; year ended 31 December 2022: 9,810,979 shares for a total cost of US$51,431,000).

The ordinary shares give shareholders voting rights, the entitlement to all of the capital growth in the Company's assets, and to all income from the Company that is resolved to be distributed.

9. Reserves

The share premium and capital redemption reserve are not distributable reserves under the Companies Act 2006. In accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 02/17BL on Guidance on Realised and Distributable Profits under the Companies Act 2006, the special reserve and capital reserve may be used as distributable reserves for all purposes and, in particular, the repurchase by the Company of its ordinary shares and for payments as dividends. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, the special reserve, capital reserve and the revenue reserve may be distributed by way of dividend. The gain on the capital reserve arising on the revaluation of investments of US$24,454,000 (30 June 2022: loss of US$11,041,000; 31 December 2022: gain of US$165,000) is subject to fair value movements and may not be readily realisable at short notice, as such it may not be entirely distributable. The investments are subject to financial risks; as such capital reserves (arising on investments sold) and the revenue reserve may not be entirely distributable if a loss occurred during the realisation of these investments.

10. Valuation of financial instruments

The Company's investment activities expose it to the various types of risk which are associated with the financial instruments and markets in which it invests. The risks are substantially consistent with those disclosed in the previous annual financial statements with the exception of those outlined below.

Market risk arising from price risk

Price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices (other than those arising from interest rate risk or currency risk), whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual financial instrument or its issuer, or factors affecting similar financial instruments traded in the market. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, climate change or other events could have a significant impact on the Company and its investments.

The current environment of heightened geopolitical risk given the war in Ukraine has undermined investor confidence and market direction. In addition to the tragic and devastating events in Ukraine, the war has constricted supplies of key commodities, pushing prices up and creating a level of market uncertainty and volatility which is likely to persist for some time.

Valuation of financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are either carried in the Balance Sheet at their fair value (investments) or at an amount which is a reasonable approximation of fair value (due from brokers, dividends and interest receivable, due to brokers, accruals, cash and cash equivalents and overdrafts). Section 34 of FRS 102 requires the Company to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of inputs used in making the measurements. The valuation techniques used by the Company are explained in the accounting policies note on page 84 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset.

The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

Level 1 - Quoted market price for identical instruments in active markets

A financial instrument is regarded as quoted in an active market if quoted prices are readily available from an exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, pricing service or regulatory agency and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm's length basis. These include exchange traded derivatives. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for these instruments.

Level 2 - Valuation techniques using observable inputs

This category includes instruments valued using quoted prices for similar instruments in markets that are considered less active, or other valuation techniques where all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable from market data.

Valuation techniques used for non-standardised financial instruments such as over-the-counter derivatives, include the use of comparable recent arm's length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants making the maximum use of market inputs and relying as little as possible on entity specific inputs.

Level 3 - Valuation techniques using significant unobservable inputs

This category includes all instruments where the valuation technique includes inputs not based on market data and these inputs could have a significant impact on the instrument's valuation.

This category also includes instruments that are valued based on quoted prices for similar instruments where significant entity determined adjustments or assumptions are required to reflect differences between the instruments and instruments for which there is no active market. The Investment Manager considers observable data to be that market data that is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market.

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. If a fair value measurement uses observable inputs that require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs, that measurement is a Level 3 measurement.

Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgement, considering factors specific to the asset or liability including an assessment of the relevant risks including but not limited to credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, business risk and sustainability risk. The determination of what constitutes `observable' inputs requires significant judgement by the Investment Manager and these risks are adequately captured in the assumptions and inputs used in measurement of Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

The table below is an analysis of the Company's financial instruments measured at fair value at the balance sheet date.

The Company held no Level 3 securities as at 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: none; 31 December 2022: none).

For exchange listed equity investments the quoted price is the bid price. Substantially all investments are valued based on unadjusted quoted market prices. Where such quoted prices are readily available in an active market, such prices are not required to be assessed or adjusted for any business risks, including climate risk, in accordance with the fair value related requirements of the Company's financial reporting framework.

11. Transactions with the Investment Manager and AIFM

BlackRock Fund Managers Limited (BFM) provides management and administration services to the Company under a contract which is terminable on six months' notice. BFM has (with the Company's consent) delegated certain portfolio and risk management services, and other ancillary services, to BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited (BIM (UK)). Further details of the investment management contract are disclosed on pages 47 and 48 of the Directors' Report in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The investment management fee is levied quarterly, based on 0.80% per annum of the net asset value. The investment management fee due for the six months ended 30 June 2023 amounted to US$643,000 (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$744,000; year ended 31 December 2022: US$1,332,000). At the period end, an amount of US$643,000 was outstanding in respect of these fees (30 June 2022: US$751,000; 31 December 2022: US$588,000).

In addition to the above services BIM (UK) has provided the Company with marketing services. The total fees paid or payable for these services for the period ended 30 June 2023 amounted to US$48,000 excluding VAT (six months ended 30 June 2022: US$54,000; year ended 31 December 2022: US$83,000). Marketing fees of US$128,000 were outstanding at 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: US$162,000; 31 December 2022: US$81,000).

During the period, the Manager pays the amounts due to the Directors. These fees are then reimbursed by the Company for the amounts paid on its behalf. As at 30 June 2023, an amount of US$227,000 (30 June 2022: US$109,000; 31 December 2022: US$110,000) was payable to the Manager in respect of Directors' fees.

The ultimate holding company of the Manager and the Investment Manager is BlackRock, Inc., a company incorporated in Delaware, USA.

12. Related party disclosure

Directors' emoluments

The Board consists of four non-executive Directors, all of whom are considered to be independent of the Manager by the Board. None of the Directors has a service contract with the Company. The Chairman receives an annual fee of £50,200, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual fee of £38,600, the Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee receives an annual fee of £36,400 and each of the other Directors receives an annual fee of £34,300.

At the period end and as at the date of this report members of the Board held ordinary shares in the Company as set out below:

Significant holdingsThe following investors are:

a.  funds managed by the BlackRock Group or are affiliates of BlackRock, Inc. (Related BlackRock Funds); or

b. investors (other than those listed in (a) above) who held more than 20% of the voting shares in issue in the Company and are as a result, considered to be related parties to the Company (Significant Investors).

As at 30 June 2023

As at 31 December 2022

13. Contingent liabilities

There were no contingent liabilities at 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: none; 31 December 2022: none).

14. Publication of non-statutory accounts

The financial information contained in this Half Yearly Financial Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditors.

The information for the year ended 31 December 2022 has been extracted from the latest published audited financial statements, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor in those financial statements contained no qualification or statement under Sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

15. Annual results

The Board expects to announce the annual results for the year ending 31 December 2023 in March 2024. Copies of the results announcement can be obtained from the Secretary on 020 7743 3000 or by email at cosec@blackrock.com. The Annual Report and Financial Statements should be available by mid-March 2024, with the Annual General Meeting being held in May 2024.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Beynsberger, Director, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) LimitedTel: 020 7743 3000

Press enquiries:Ed Hooper, Lansons Communications - Tel: 020 7294 3620E-mail: BlackRockInvestmentTrusts@lansons.com or EdH@lansons.com 

29 September 2023

12 Throgmorton AvenueLondon EC2N 2DL

END

The Half Yearly Financial Report will also be available on the BlackRock Investment Management website at http://www.blackrock.com/uk/brla. Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.