The Board of Witan Investment Trust plc, the £1.1bn* global growth investment trust, announces unaudited results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2009.

The results, published today, include the following highlights:

• Net Asset Value (NAV) total return outperforms the benchmark by 1.4%**;
• Rise in share price by 26.7%, combined with dividend payment represents a total shareholder return of 30.6%;
• Dividend increase for the 35^th consecutive year (a second interim dividend of 6.2 pence per share, to be paid to shareholders on 1 April 2010, representing an increase of 2.9% over 2008);
• The reintroduction of gearing into the Trust during February’s market lows.

In addition, Andrew Bell was appointed Chief Executive Office of the Trust in February 2010 following the Board’s decision to combine the roles of chief executive officer and chief investment officer roles to give a greater focus on the implementation of investment strategy. 

Chairman of Witan Investment Trust Harry Henderson said, “The last twelve months have seen markets rebound strongly from historic lows and against this resurgence, many investment professionals found it difficult to keep pace with the extraordinary recovery in indices around the world.  Against this backdrop, Witan Investment Trust has ended the year ahead of its benchmark with certain managers, namely Southeastern, Orbis and Wellington, outperforming their respective benchmarks significantly.  Overall, the Trust has benefited from the smoothing effects of its multi manager structure in an environment where three quarters of active managers underperformed.”

For further information visit www.witan.com.

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NOTES TO EDITORS
* As at 31.12.09, source AIC.

** Since 1 October 2007 the benchmark has been a composite of four indices the FTSE All-Share Index 40%, the FTSE All-World North America Index 20%, the FTSE All-World North America Index 20%, the FTSE All-World Europe (ex UK) Index 20% and the FTSE All-World Asia Pacific Index 20%.

Witan Investment Trust plc
Established in 1909, Witan is one of the UK’s largest investment trusts, managing some £1.1bn (as at 31.12.09, source AIC) on behalf of some 40,000 investors.  Witan is listed in the ‘Global Growth’ sector.

Witan Investment Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Witan Investment Trust plc.

Registered as an Investment Company in England No 101625.