BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust PLC Regulatory News (BRSC)

The information contained in this release was correct as at 31 August 2023. Information on the Company’s up to date net asset values can be found on the London Stock Exchange Website at

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-home.html.

BLACKROCK SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC (LEI:549300MS535KC2WH4082) 

All information is at 31 August 2023 and unaudited.Performance at month end is calculated on a Total Return basis based on NAV per share with debt at fair value 

Sources: BlackRock and Datastream

At month end

Commenting on the markets, Roland Arnold, representing the Investment Manager noted:During August the Company’s NAV per share fell by -2.0% to 1,460.00p on a total return basis, while our benchmark index fell -2.4%. For comparison the large-cap FTSE 100 index fell by -2.5%.

Equity markets were negative in August on the back of weak macroeconomic data out of China leading to increased concerns around the growth outlook. With credit demand remaining weak in China and consumer spending continuing to remain below pre-COVID levels, the country cut interest rates. In addition, concerns around the property sector, stalling growth, rising deflation risk and a weakening currency has contributed to the weaker market performance, in turn affecting global market performance. In the UK, the Bank of England hiked interest rates by 25bps due to mixed inflation data, bringing the Bank Rate to 5.25%, and further emphasising the intention to hold rates at a restrictive level for some time. UK GDP growth showed the economy grew 0.2% during the second quarter, which was slightly stronger than the Bank of England forecast of 0.1%, and an acceleration compared to the prior two quarters.

4imprint reported better than expected performance in their H1 results and raise full year guidance. The company highlighted record levels of demand with order growth of 18% year-on-year and favourable returns on marketing spend. Shares in Hill & Smith rose sharply in response to reporting better than expected trading during the first six months of the year with upgrades to full year guidance. The group has seen positive organic growth during the first half, while recent acquisitions have also been performing well. Looking ahead, the geographic mix of the business has also shifted, with a heavier weighting to the fast-growing US market which now accounts for more than 70% of group profits. Electrical components business, TT Electronics, reported solid start to the year showing improving profit growth with good cash conversion.

Watches of Switzerland (WOSG) was the top detractor from performance during the month after the announcement of Rolex acquiring Bucherer (a privately held luxury watch retailer and competitor of WOSG). Investors were clearly spoked by the news of the deal, and in particular what it means for allocations of Rolex watches to distributors going forward. Whilst we remain confident of the strategic position of Watches of Switzerland, and the positive industry dynamics, it is going to take time for the market to get comfortable that there is no change to their outlook. Clearly the range of outcomes has now increased and as a result we have reduced the position sizing to reflect this. Our holding in YouGov fell on the back of in-line results, which also reiterated previous comments around longer sales cycles and delayed client decision making. In addition, the company announced that it is considering relisting in the US. Other notable detractors were shares that we do not own which outperformed the falling market, for example EMIS Group and Domino’s Pizza.

The economic backdrop remains challenging which continues to be reflected in share prices, and we therefore remain cognisant that we are not out of the woods yet. However, as has been our view for some time, we continue to believe that the economic backdrop is nowhere near as bad as markets have been predicting. Inflation has been coming down, financial conditions are not stretched, corporates and consumers are reasonably well capitalised, and banks have plenty of capital.

Whilst there is much that can be discussed with regards to the economic outlook, one thing is irrefutable; the valuation of UK small and mid-sized companies is more attractive than it has been for some time, and if that valuation is not recognized by the stock market, it will be recognized by others. As stated in recent updates, we expected to see M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity picking up through the course of the year and this certainly spiked in the last month, with approaches for several companies in the UK as private equity firms have decided to start deploying their substantial cash piles.

Against this difficult backdrop, we remind ourselves that many equity markets (Europe, UK) are structurally under-owned and could benefit as sentiment turns and investors begin to reduce these underweights. We remain focused on bottom-up company specific analysis to identify high quality, nimble businesses, operated by entrepreneurial management teams, with strong market positions and resilient cash-flows. These are the types of businesses that we believe will be best placed to manage and thrive in the current environment. Historically these periods have been followed by strong returns for the strategy and presented excellent investment opportunities.

We thank shareholders for your ongoing support.

1Source: BlackRock as at 31 August 2023

29 September 2023

ENDS 

Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.com/uk/brsc on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager’s website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager’s website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.