EQS-Adhoc: HBM Healthcare Investments delivers strong return despite weak biotech sector and increases net asset value per share (NAV) by 19 percent in calendar year 2021

HBM Healthcare Investments closes the 2021 calendar year with another strong performance. The net asset value per share (NAV) rose by 19 percent to CHF 336.27 as at 31 December 2021, while the share price increased by 15.2 percent to close at CHF 339.00 at a small premium to NAV.

The healthcare sector showed a mixed picture in terms of performance. While the large-cap pharmaceutical companies (MSCI World Healthcare Index +23.9 percent, measured in Swiss francs) rose strongly in value, biotech companies (Nasdaq Biotechnology Index +3.0% and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF -18.1%) took a breather after their good run in recent years.

HBM Healthcare Investments, which is mainly invested in the segment of small and medium sized biotech companies, was able to more than compensate for the significant share price declines in this segment thanks to the strong share price performance of its largest listed investment, the Chinese Cathay Biotech (share price +118%), value contributions from the portfolio of private companies (financing rounds and IPOs), and partial profit realisations in the portfolio of listed companies.

Expected net profit of around CHF 275 million for the first 9 months of the financial year 2021/2022

Also for the first 9 months of the financial year 2021/2022 ending on 31 March, there was an increase in value of 12.8 percent in the NAV and of 5.7 percent in the share price (MSCI World Health Care Index +15.4%, NBI -2.7%, XBI -20.2%). Based on the reported NAV as at 31 December 2021, HBM Healthcare Investments expects a net profit of approximately CHF 275 million for this period (previous year net profit of CHF 644.6 million). In the case of an investment company, the net result reflects the changes in the value of the investments held.

The present figures are preliminary based on the current status of the financial closing process. The final result will be published with the December 2021 quarterly report on 21 January 2022.

Contact
For further information, please contact Dr Andreas Wicki on +41 41 710 75 77, or at andreas.wicki@hbmhealthcare.com.