Henderson Opportunities Lifts Dividend But Outperformed By Benchmark

(Alliance News) - Henderson Opportunities Trust PLC on Wednesday said it lost out to its benchmark during an interim period "dominated" by Covid-19.

In the six months to April 30, the investment's firm's total return lagged at negative 20%, compared to negative 17% return from its FTSE All-Share benchmark.

Net asset value per share at the end of April was 921.3 pence, down by a quarter from 1,232.6p a year prior.

Henderson Opportunities was trading 0.9% higher at 805.10p each in London on Wednesday afternoon.

Rising however, was the trust's dividend, up 86% to 13.0p from 7.0p.

Henderson Opportunities said: "The period under review was dominated by the impact of Covid-19.

"The unprecedented slowdown in activity and the consequential falls in equity values seen in February and March 2020 were particularly severe for small businesses geared to the UK economy where the company's portfolio carries a heavy weighting."

Henderson Opportunities noted that its portfolio is rife with small and medium-sized businesses whose performance hinges on the strength of the UK economy. The FTSE All-Share index however, "is highly international".

Shopping centre owner Hammerson PLC was the investment trust's largest detractor during the six months, highlighting the struggles facing the UK retail industry.

Fuel cell technology firm Ceres Power Holdings PLC was the company's biggest contributor.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

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