Prospective dividend for year ending 30 June 2027

JANUS HENDERSON FUND MANAGEMENT UK LIMITEDTHE EUROPEAN SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC

Legal Entity Identifier: 213800N1B1HCQG2W4V90

3 July 2026

THE EUROPEAN SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC

('the Company')

Prospective dividend for the year ending 30 June 2027

The Company's dividend policy is to target a total dividend of at least 5% of the NAV per share as at the previous year end.

Based on the unaudited net asset value of 252.4p per share as at 30 June 2026, the Company anticipates paying a total dividend of 12.64p per share in respect of the year ending 30 June 2027. Based on the share price as at 30 June 2026, this would represent a yield of 5.4%.

It is expected that the dividend will be paid by way of four quarterly interim distributions of 3.16p per share each which will be paid in November 2026, February, May and August 2027.

The Company will maintain its investment focus on capital growth with dividends paid out of income and capital returns as well as reserves.

For further information, please contact:

Janus Henderson Secretarial Services UK Limited

Corporate Secretary to The European Smaller Companies Trust PLC

+44 (0)20 7818 1818