BMO UK High Income (BHI) targets an attractive return to shareholders each year in the form of dividends and/or capital repayments, together with the prospects of capital growth. The investment portfolio is invested predominantly in UK equities. The trust has two share classes, ordinary shares and ‘B’ shares; these have the same rights, with the only difference being that ordinary shares are entitled to dividends whilst ‘B’ shares receive a capital repayment at the same time and in an equal amount to each dividend, with investors able to choose which share class best suits their personal tax situation. Current manager Philip Webster took over lead management of BHI in April 2017, and has subsequently migrated the investment strategy, as discussed under Portfolio. This has involved making the portfolio more active and reducing the number of holdings whilst pivoting towards holding companies where the manager perceives structural, as opposed to cyclical, growth opportunities. BHI currently yields c. 5.9% (as at 11/02/2021). Given the extraordinary market backdrop in 2020 the board has previously confirmed that it would look to utilise BHI’s ample revenue reserves to support the dividend. As we discuss under Dividend, both the board and the manager anticipate that by exiting high yielding mega-caps with low growth and focussing on structural growth the portfolio has a better balance of growth in earnings and dividends. The shift in strategy has seen BHI move away from mega-cap, major index constituents towards a greater allocation to mid-cap and a number of European companies. As discussed under Performance, recent returns have been strong relative to the peer group and benchmark following the shift in strategy. Despite this, the Discount remains wide at c. 9.5% (as at 11/02/2021).

03 Mar 2021
BMO UK High Income - Overview

Sign up for free to access
Get access to the latest equity research in real-time from 12 commissioned providers.
Get access to the latest equity research in real-time from 12 commissioned providers.
BMO UK High Income - Overview
CT UK High Income Trust PLC GBP (CHI:LON) | 104 2.6 2.5% | Mkt Cap: 89.3m
- Published:
03 Mar 2021 -
Author:
Callum Stokeld -
Pages:
8 -
BMO UK High Income (BHI) targets an attractive return to shareholders each year in the form of dividends and/or capital repayments, together with the prospects of capital growth. The investment portfolio is invested predominantly in UK equities. The trust has two share classes, ordinary shares and ‘B’ shares; these have the same rights, with the only difference being that ordinary shares are entitled to dividends whilst ‘B’ shares receive a capital repayment at the same time and in an equal amount to each dividend, with investors able to choose which share class best suits their personal tax situation. Current manager Philip Webster took over lead management of BHI in April 2017, and has subsequently migrated the investment strategy, as discussed under Portfolio. This has involved making the portfolio more active and reducing the number of holdings whilst pivoting towards holding companies where the manager perceives structural, as opposed to cyclical, growth opportunities. BHI currently yields c. 5.9% (as at 11/02/2021). Given the extraordinary market backdrop in 2020 the board has previously confirmed that it would look to utilise BHI’s ample revenue reserves to support the dividend. As we discuss under Dividend, both the board and the manager anticipate that by exiting high yielding mega-caps with low growth and focussing on structural growth the portfolio has a better balance of growth in earnings and dividends. The shift in strategy has seen BHI move away from mega-cap, major index constituents towards a greater allocation to mid-cap and a number of European companies. As discussed under Performance, recent returns have been strong relative to the peer group and benchmark following the shift in strategy. Despite this, the Discount remains wide at c. 9.5% (as at 11/02/2021).