(Alliance News) - BlackRock North American Income Trust PLC on Wednesday said its net asset value dropped over the first half of its financial year, as the Covid-19 pandemic in the latter months caused global economic activity to decline at a historically high rate.
For the six months to the end of April, the investment firm reported a net asset value negative return of 9.9%, compared to the Russell 1000 Value index, which made a negative return of 11.4%.
As at April 30, BlackRock North American's net asset value dropped by 12% to 160.09 pence from 182.13p at the end of October 31. The investment trust's share price as at April 30 was 160.50p, reflecting a premium to net asset value of 0.3%.
Shares in BlackRock North American Income Trust closed down 0.6% at 156.00 pence on Wednesday in London.
The investment trust said the six month-period was extremely challenging was the outbreak of Covid-19 in mid-February, following by a slump in the price of oil and the global economy contracting sharply as a third of humanity went into lockdown.
BlackRock North American declared an interim dividend of 4.00 pence per share, in line with the year before.
"The global spread of Covid-19 has rocked financial markets and the fall in US stocks has followed a record long bull market and economic expansion. At the beginning of the year ongoing economic growth was the base case expectation but now we are contemplating a deep virus-induced economic downturn of unknown duration. Anecdotal evidence from China is encouraging with factories and stores already reopening, but a premature end to lockdowns could lead to a
second wave of infections and delay a recovery," said Chair Simon Miller.
By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com
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