Henderson Alternative Strategies Trust (HAST) invests in a portfolio of specialist and alternative funds with the objective of beating longer-term global equity market returns. It allocates assets to five main types of strategy – hedge funds, private equity, property, specialist geography and specialist sector – focusing on funds that private investors would be unable or unlikely to access individually. After a three-year reconstruction process following its move to Henderson, the portfolio now represents the 30-40 best ideas of the investment team, and recent performance has improved dramatically. The trust has instituted a progressive dividend policy and also recently announced a special dividend.
