Holding(s) in Company
Helikon Investments Limited, through its entity Helikon Long Short Equity Fund Master ICAV, has acquired a 5.0118% stake in WH Smith PLC, representing 6,337,780 voting rights, primarily through cash-settled equity swaps with various expiration dates up to February 2035. This notification follows an acquisition of financial instruments and was made on January 16, 2026, with the threshold crossing occurring on January 15, 2026.
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Issuer Details
ISIN
GB00B2PDGW16
Issuer Name
WH SMITH PLC
UK or Non-UK Issuer
UK
Reason for Notification
An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments
Details of person subject to the notification obligation
Name
Helikon Investments Limited
City of registered office (if applicable)
London
Country of registered office (if applicable)
United Kingdom
Details of the shareholder
| Name | City of registered office | Country of registered office |
| Helikon Long Short Equity Fund Master ICAV | Dublin | Ireland |
Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
15-Jan-2026
Date on which Issuer notified
16-Jan-2026
- Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
| % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A) | % of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2) | Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) | Total number of voting rights held in issuer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached | 0.000000 | 5.011800 | 5.011800 | 6337780 |
| Position of previous notification (if applicable) | ||||
| 8A. Voting rights attached to shares | ||||
| Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible) | Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1) | Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1) | % of direct voting rights (DTR5.1) | % of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1) |
| Sub Total 8.A | ||||
| 8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a)) | ||||
| Type of financial instrument | Expiration date | Exercise/conversion period | Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted | % of voting rights |
Sub Total 8.B1
- Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))
| Type of financial instrument | Expiration date | Exercise/conversion period | Physical or cash settlement | Number of voting rights | % of voting rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Settled Equity Swap | 28/02/2035 | 28/02/2035 | Cash | 1000000 | 0.790800 |
| Cash Settled Equity Swap | 12/11/2026 | 12/11/2026 | Cash | 316950 | 0.250600 |
| Cash Settled Equity Swap | 17/11/2026 | 17/11/2026 | Cash | 1807201 | 1.429100 |
| Cash Settled Equity Swap | 16/11/2027 | 16/11/2027 | Cash | 1747506 | 1.381900 |
| Cash Settled Equity Swap | 12/09/2030 | 12/09/2030 | Cash | 1466123 | 1.159400 |
| Sub Total 8.B2 | 6337780 | 5.011800% |
- Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
| Ultimate controlling person | Name of controlled undertaking | % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold | Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helikon Long Short Equity Fund Master ICAV | Helikon Long Short Equity Fund Master ICAV | 5.011800 | 5.011800% |
In case of proxy voting
Name of the proxy holder
The number and % of voting rights held
The date until which the voting rights will be held
- Additional Information
- Date of Completion
16-Jan-2026
Place Of Completion
London
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