Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust PLC - invests in UK smaller companies - Net asset value per share at December 31 falls 18% to 1,292.38 pence from 1,570.15p a year earlier. Posts net asset value total return of negative 15%, underperforming the Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding investment companies), which returned negative 4.3%. Raised its payout by 4.1% to 33.3p per share from 32.0p. "It was a disappointing year for the company," Aberforth Smaller says. "The year was ushered in with cautious optimism by UK investors following the December 2019 election, but would end up being defined by the Covid-19 pandemic. The direct and indirect cost to human life serves as a stark reminder of the role infectious disease has played in history."
Current stock price: 1,190.00 pence
Year-to-date change: down 4.7%
By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
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Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Plc (ASL)