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LONDON (Alliance News) - European Assets Trust NV on Wednesday said its net asset value total return significantly outpaced its benchmark in 2015.
The trust, which invests in European smaller companies, said its net asset value total return was 20% in the year to the end of December, compared to only 8.8% for its benchmark, the Euromoney Smaller European Companies (ex-UK) Index.
The trust will pay an annual dividend of EUR0.912 per share, up 20% on 2014.
European Assets Trust said the slow recovery which began to take hold in Europe over the course of the year was in contrast to the signs of deterioration which emerged in the US and a marked slowdown in emerging markets.
This, it said, encouraged flows into European companies, with smaller firms benefiting disproportionately compared to larger counterparts given their sharper focus on domestic European markets.
The trust said though there remains plenty of potential in the European smaller companies segment, the volatile nature of markets at present will mean it has to maintain discipline in its investment strategy in 2016.
Shares in European Assets Trust were up 0.9% to 1,071.85 pence.
By Sam Unsted; samunsted@alliancenews.com; @SamUAtAlliance
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