PR Newswire
LONDON, United Kingdom, March 27
The information contained in this release was correct as at 28 February 2026.
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 28 February 2026 and unaudited.
Performance at month end is calculated on a Total Return basis based on NAV per
share with debt at fair value
One month Three months One Three Five
% % year years years
% % %
Net asset value -0.1 6.5 11.2 7.2 0.5
Share price 2.2 7.7 14.2 11.7 -5.2
Benchmark* 0.8 7.2 21.5 21.5 14.0
Sources: BlackRock and Deutsche Numis
*With effect from 15 January 2024 the Numis Smaller Companies plus AIM
(excluding Investment Companies) Index changed to Deutsche Numis Smaller
Companies plus AIM (excluding Investment Companies).
At month end
Net asset value Capital only (debt at par value): 1,487.30p
Net asset value Capital only (debt at fair value): 1,549.67p
Net asset value incl. Income (debt at par value)1: 1,516.74p
Net asset value incl. Income (debt at fair value)1: 1,579.12p
Share price: 1,402.00p
Discount to Cum Income NAV (debt at par value): 7.6%
Discount to Cum Income NAV (debt at fair value): 11.2%
Net yield2: 3.2%
Gross assets3: £673.4m
Gearing range as a % of net assets: 0-15%
Net gearing including income (debt at par): 5.7%
Ongoing charges ratio (actual)4: 0.8%
Ordinary shares in issue5: 39,812,792
1. Includes net revenue of 29.44p
2. Yield calculations are based on dividends announced in the last 12 months as
at the date of release of this announcement and comprise the Final dividend of
28.50 pence per share (announced on 07 May 2025, ex-date on 15 May 2025, and
paid on 26 June 2025) and Interim dividend of 16.00 pence per share (announced
on 24 October 2025, ex-date on 06 November 2025, and pay date 10 December 2025).
3. Includes current year revenue.
4. The Company’s ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average
daily net assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses
excluding finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges,
VAT recovered, taxation and certain non-recurring items for year ended 28
February 2025.
5. Excludes 10,180,731 ordinary shares held in treasury.
Sector Weightings % of portfolio
Industrials 32.7
Financials 22.7
Consumer Discretionary 12.0
Basic Materials 9.1
Consumer Staples 8.1
Real Estate 5.3
Health Care 3.5
Communication Services 2.9
Technology 1.9
Energy 1.8
—–
Total 100.0
=====
Country Weightings % of portfolio
United Kingdom 97.4
United States 2.6
—–
Total 100.0
=====
Ten Largest Equity Investments % of portfolio
Company
Greencore Group Plc 2.8
Great Portland Estates 2.8
Serco Group 2.7
IntegraFin 2.6
XPS Pensions 2.6
Morgan Sindall 2.6
Boku 2.6
Tatton Asset Management 2.4
Helios Towers Plc 2.3
Sigmaroc Plc 2.2
Commenting on the markets, Roland Arnold, representing the Investment Manager
noted:
During February the Company’s NAV per share returned -0.1% to 1,579.12p on a
total return basis, while our benchmark index, the Deutsche Numis Smaller
Companies plus AIM (excluding Investment Companies) Index, returned 0.8%.
Equity markets continued to grind higher, although leadership broadened
meaningfully beneath the surface. Investors rotated away from more crowded AI
and software names towards cyclical and value-oriented areas, as questions
emerged around the near-term payback from elevated levels of AI investment. At
the same time, macro conditions were influenced by policy uncertainty in the US,
particularly around trade tariffs, and a late-month escalation in geopolitical
tensions in the Middle East, which drove a modest shift in risk sentiment. UK
equities advanced over the month, with the FTSE All Share Index rising 6.5%,
supported by strength in more defensive large-cap areas. In contrast, UK small
and mid-cap companies underperformed, delivering a small positive return,
reflecting both style headwinds and continued outflows from the asset class.
At a sector level, financials were the largest detractor, reflecting macro
volatility and increased concerns around credit risk. Holdings including XPS
Pensions, IntegraFin and Tatton Asset Management all detracted despite an
absence of company-specific news. Pollen Street Capital also underperformed,
caught up in broader weakness across private credit and alternative asset
managers. Elsewhere, Boku’s share price declined, likely reflecting broader
weakness across payments-related names linked to the ongoing rotation away from
AI beneficiaries. We do not believe this reflects any change in the company’s
fundamentals, with its multi-jurisdictional payments network remaining a highly
differentiated and difficult-to-replicate asset.
On the positive side, Ithaca Energy was a strong contributor, benefiting from
higher oil prices following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The
company also delivered a positive trading update, with production in line with
upgraded guidance and further capacity growth expected into 2026. Pan African
Resources also performed well, reporting strong interim results driven by higher
gold production and elevated realised prices. Meanwhile, Senior, the aerospace
and defence engineer, saw its share price rise following confirmation that it
had received multiple takeover approaches, highlighting ongoing M&A (Mergers &
Acquisitions) interest across the UK market.
The current backdrop remains uncertain, with geopolitical tensions, fiscal
pressures and structural industry changes continuing to shape the investment
environment. In the UK, recent policy decisions have increased the burden on
businesses and may slow the pace at which interest rates can be reduced. This
has contributed to sustained outflows from UK equities, with small and mid-cap
companies particularly affected. However, history suggests that this part of the
market has demonstrated resilience through previous periods of disruption,
including the Global Financial Crisis, Brexit and the pandemic. We also note
that elevated levels of M&A activity in the UK point to the attractiveness of
valuations, with strategic and financial buyers recognising the opportunity. In
our view, this reinforces the long-term investment case for UK smaller
companies, even as near-term sentiment remains subdued.
We thank shareholders for your ongoing support.
27 March 2026
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.
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