BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc Reports Updated Issued Share Capital and Voting Rights Excluding Treasury Shares as of 22 July 2026

BRGE’s Capital Structure and Share Count as of 22 July 2026

In line with FCA regulations, BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc has detailed its capital structure as of 22 July 2026. The company’s issued share capital comprises 90,353,001 ordinary shares of .001 each, representing the total shares available for voting and trading. This figure excludes 27,575,937 treasury shares, which are not counted in shareholder voting calculations.

The distinction between issued shares and treasury shares is crucial for investors to understand the true voting base. Treasury shares, although issued, do not carry voting rights and are excluded from the denominator used in shareholder percentage calculations for regulatory purposes. Consequently, shareholders should use the 90,353,001 figure when determining their ownership percentage and assessing if they have crossed FCA disclosure thresholds. This capital structure highlights the company’s approach to managing its shareholder base and clarifies the effective voting capital available.

Compliance with FCA Transparency Directive Requirements

This announcement marks BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc’s formal adherence to the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, specifically provision 5.6.1 and Article 15 of the Transparency Directive. These rules require listed investment companies to maintain transparency about their share capital and voting rights, enabling investors and the market to accurately assess shareholdings and potential conflicts of interest. The disclosure date, 22 July 2026, underscores the company’s commitment to timely regulatory communication.

The notification plays a vital role in the regulatory framework for UK-listed companies. By specifying the denominator shareholders must use, BRGE ensures all market participants have a consistent basis for disclosure obligations. Shareholders must notify the company and the FCA if their holdings reach, exceed, or fall below thresholds such as 3%, 5%, 10%, and other increments. Accurate denominator figures are essential to ensure correct threshold notifications and maintain regulatory integrity.

Denominator for Shareholder Notification Calculations

BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc instructs shareholders to use 90,353,001 as the denominator when calculating whether notification of interest changes is required under FCA rules. This figure excludes the 27,575,937 treasury shares and represents the true issued capital excluding treasury stock. Shareholders must divide their holdings by 90,353,001 to determine their exact percentage and evaluate if disclosure thresholds have been crossed.

This guidance is especially important for institutional investors, fund managers, and major shareholders holding multiple share tranches or nearing regulatory thresholds. For example, a shareholder owning 4,517,650 shares would hold approximately 5% of voting capital (4,517,650 divided by 90,353,001). Any increase or decrease crossing a threshold triggers notification requirements. Using the correct denominator ensures all disclosures accurately reflect shareholders’ actual percentages, preserving the regulatory system’s integrity. Investors trading BRGE shares should retain this denominator for compliance purposes.

Impact of Treasury Shares on Capital Management Strategy

The 27,575,937 treasury shares held by the company serve as a significant capital management tool. Treasury shares are commonly used for employee share schemes, convertible security obligations, share buybacks, or other capital management initiatives. Excluding these shares from the voting denominator prevents dilution of existing shareholders’ voting rights.

From an investor standpoint, the treasury shares indicate potential past or future share buybacks or capital transactions. The treasury holding represents roughly 23.4% of total issued share capital (27,575,937 divided by the sum of 90,353,001 and 27,575,937), a substantial proportion. The company’s ability to cancel, reissue, or utilize these shares provides flexibility in capital allocation. Shareholders should monitor any future disclosures or capital transactions affecting treasury shares.

Investment Trust Structure and Greater Europe Focus

BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc operates as a closed-ended investment trust, differing from open-ended mutual funds. Listed on the UK stock market, it pools investor capital to invest primarily in companies across Greater Europe. This structure allows a fixed number of shares (subject to buybacks or issuance) and enables strategies including gearing and alternatives unavailable to open-ended funds.

The trust’s Greater Europe focus offers geographic diversification across developed and emerging markets in Europe. The disclosed capital structure pertains to the trust’s own shares listed on the London Stock Exchange, separate from its underlying investment portfolio. Shareholders invest in the trust’s shares and benefit from the portfolio’s performance aligned with published objectives.

BlackRock Investment Management as Company Secretary and Administrator

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited acts as Company Secretary for BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc. The announcement lists Lucy Dina at BlackRock Investment Management as the primary contact (phone: 0207 743 5324). BlackRock Investment Management is a global asset manager providing corporate administration, secretarial, and operational support to listed investment companies.

This professional management ensures high standards of regulatory compliance and corporate governance. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate share registers, processing shareholder transactions, and timely regulatory filings. Shareholders with queries about shareholdings, voting rights, or notification requirements should contact the Company Secretary at the provided number.

Issued Share Capital and Treasury Stock Breakdown

The total issued share capital of BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc is 117,928,938 ordinary shares of .001 each, including treasury shares (90,353,001 plus 27,575,937). For voting and regulatory purposes, the relevant denominator is 90,353,001 shares, representing shares in circulation with voting rights. The nominal .001 par value reflects UK corporate standards and does not indicate market price. Market capitalization depends on the current share price multiplied by the voting shares, a figure not disclosed here.

Separating issued shares from treasury shares is essential for accounting and regulatory reporting. Issued shares include all shares ever issued, while shares in issue exclude treasury stock. Shareholders should use 90,353,001 as the denominator to calculate ownership percentages and disclosure obligations. The company’s financial statements will detail both issued and treasury shares, including acquisition costs and accounting treatment.

Voting Rights Threshold Notifications and Shareholder Reporting

Shareholders must notify BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc if their holdings reach, exceed, or fall below FCA-prescribed thresholds, typically at 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50%, and 75% of voting rights. Using the denominator of 90,353,001 shares, shareholders can determine if transactions trigger notification requirements. Non-compliance may lead to FCA penalties and enforcement actions.

This announcement reminds shareholders to monitor their holdings and transactions carefully. Institutional investors and fund managers should implement systems to aggregate holdings across client accounts and meet notification obligations. Using the correct denominator is critical. Shareholders uncertain about obligations or considering transactions near thresholds should seek independent financial and legal advice.

Market Transparency and Investor Information Standards

BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc’s disclosure of voting rights and capital structure aligns with transparency standards for UK-listed companies. Publishing this information via the Investegate regulatory news service ensures equal access for retail investors, institutions, brokers, and analysts. Transparency supports efficient, fair markets by preventing information asymmetry.

Investors tracking BRGE shares through market data providers and financial platforms will see the updated issued share count reflected, with 90,353,001 as the standard denominator for regulatory filings and analysis. The announcement confirms no recent material changes to capital structure, indicating stability for valuation and investment decisions.