
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 549300PPXLZPR5JTL763
New Dividend Policy and Declaration of Second Interim Dividend
The Board of
That it will utilise capital and income reserves to significantly increase dividend distributions to shareholders and enhance investment flexibility.
This will result in:
· An increased total dividend of at least 19.1p per share for the year ending
· A notional dividend yield of 6.0% on NAV and a share price dividend yield of 6.5%.
· A second interim dividend for the year ending
It is the Board's intention to continue with a progressive dividend policy with growth in absolute terms in future years from the increased level, and building on the successful long-term track record of dividend increases.
Rationale for the Change
Over the long-term, income return through dividends has been a significant proportion of the total return generated by the Company, and the Board is very aware of the importance of regular and reliable dividends to shareholders.
The Board also notes the significant change that has taken place in the distribution policy of the businesses in which the Company invests. This has seen companies increasingly favour share buy backs over dividend distributions. The net buy back yield alone on the FTSE All Share Index at the end of 2024 was almost 2%, having been close to zero in 2014. At the same time, the total Sterling amount of dividend payments expected to be made by
Alongside this, the Board notes the substantial increase in interest rates since late 2021 which has made holding cash a more attractive proposition than was the case for the period following the global financial crisis. Today, cash rates offer a premium yield comparable with the dividend yield available on the FTSE All Share Index (3.4%).
Recognising investors' continued appetite for yield, the Board has reviewed the Company's dividend policy with the aim of making the Company's shares more attractive to a wider range of investors whilst making use of the inherent advantages of the investment trust structure.
Accordingly, for the year ending
The year ending
It is the Board's intention that, following this step up in distribution, the Company will continue to have a progressive dividend policy, delivering absolute increases in dividends per share to build on its successful long-term record of dividend increases.
The Company will fund the dividend cost from a combination of revenue and capital generation thus utilising one of the key benefits of the investment company structure. In addition, the Company has substantial revenue and capital reserves totalling
The Board does not expect changes to the investment process as a result of the new dividend policy, with the Company continuing to focus on high-quality companies and long-term capital and income growth, supported by a disciplined investment approach and integration of sustainability. It will, however, give the Company's managers additional flexibility to focus on delivering total returns.
Second Interim and Proposed Dividends
The second interim dividend in respect of the year ending
A first interim dividend of 3.2p was paid on
For future financial years, the Board anticipates three equal interim dividend payments followed by a balancing final dividend.
For further information, please contact:
Head of Closed End Fund Sales
Aberdeen Group plc
07796 564562
1 As measured by CPI
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the