Investment Company News

14 Feb 2017

A&J Mucklow reports higher NAV at year end

For the second half of 2016, A&J Mucklow has reported EPRA earnings per share up to 12.54p from 11.89p, an interim dividend up to 9.88p from 9.59p and an EPRA NAV per share up a little to 448p from 446p. They say that average rental increases on new lettings and lease renewals have been maintained […]

14 Feb 2017

Aberdeen Diversified Income & Growth publishes discount control policy

Proposed discount control management policy In view of the proposed changes to Aberdeen Diversified Income & Growth (formerly BlackRock Income Strategies) as announced on 30 November 2016, and following further consultation with many shareholders, the Board has given detailed consideration to the appropriate discount control mechanism for the company following the implementation of the proposals. […]

14 Feb 2017

Picton makes 80% on disposal

Picton Property Income has disposed of a non-core property in Drury Lane, Oldham, for GBP2.2 million, completing its business plan for the asset. The warehouse was purchased in April 2010 for GBP0.4 million with an annual rent of GBP74,000 as part of the acquisition of Rugby REIT. During Picton’s ownership, it secured planning consent to […]

12 Feb 2017

BlackRock World Mining revalues Avanco

BlackRock World Mining says it is revaluing its investment in the Avanco Royalty. The valuation is being increased from $12m to $25.2m. This has the effect of adding 6p to the fund’s net asset value. BlackRock World Mining bought the royalty in 2014 – read that story here. BRWM: BlackRock World Mining revalues Avanco

10 Feb 2017

Strategic Equity Capital – Jeff Harris is the natural successor

Strategic Equity Capital has published its interim report covering the six months ended 31 December 2016 – the NAV per share and the NAV total return per share increased by 13.7% and 14.1% respectively. By contrast, the benchmark returned 18.0%. The chairman’s statement attributes the underperformance to the lack of natural resource exposure in the […]

09 Feb 2017

Scottish American just ahead of benchmark in 2016

Scottish American has reported results for the year ended 31 December 2016. Its net asset value total return (capital and income) for the year was 29.9% and the share price total return was 28.7%. The total return from the global equity market was 29.6%. A final dividend of 2.725p is recommended which will take the full […]

08 Feb 2017

JPMorgan Japan smaller fees cut

The board of JPMorgan Japan Smaller Companies has agreed with the manager to reduce the management fee payable on the trust. The old fee was calculated as 1% of gross assets. The new fee is 1% on the first £150m of net assets and 0.8% on any net assets above the £150m level. The new […]

07 Feb 2017

Stuart Widdowson resigns as manager of Strategic Equity Capital

In a brief statement this morning, it was announced that Stuart Widdowson had resigned as manager of Strategic Equity Capital. At the time of writing the shares are off 6%. The full text of the announcement is reproduced below. The Board of Strategic Equity Capital plc (the “Company”) announces that it has been informed by […]

06 Feb 2017

Henderson Opportunities struggles in difficult year for small caps

Henderson Opportunities says its Net Asset Value total return for the year ended 31 October 2016 was 0.4%, while the UK market returned 12.2%. Its discount widened significantly over the course of the year, to stand at 17.5% at the year end. The total dividend for the year is 19.00p an increase of 5.6% on the previous year. The […]