Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust Fund Overview

The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust Fund is a well-established investment trust that has been around since 1991. It's a UK-registered investment trust that focuses on investing in smaller companies.

The fund has a long history of delivering strong performance, with a track record of outperforming its benchmark over the long term. Its objective is to provide capital growth and income for its shareholders.

The fund is managed by a team of experienced investment professionals at Henderson Global Investors, who have a deep understanding of the smaller companies sector. They use a disciplined investment process to identify high-quality companies with strong growth potential.

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The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust is focused on maximizing shareholder returns through investments in smaller UK companies.

The trust aims to achieve this goal by investing in high-quality smaller companies with strong growth potential.

The investment strategy involves rigorous research to identify companies with promising prospects.

The trust's objective is to provide total returns for shareholders, including both capital and income.

Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust invests mainly in smaller companies quoted in the UK.

The trust's investment approach is centered around finding smaller companies with strong growth potential.

The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust has a track record of delivering solid performance over time. In the past, its performance figures have been based on the previous close price.

Over the past year, the trust has shown a return of 2.58%, which is a decent figure considering the market fluctuations. However, it's essential to note that past performance is not an indication of future performance.

Here's a breakdown of the trust's performance figures over different time periods:

In terms of value assessment, the trust has been reviewed and deemed to provide fair value for the reasonably foreseeable period.

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Our fund managers are on a mission to uncover hidden gems in the UK market, and they do this by investing across various sectors to select exciting companies on an individual basis.

To measure the success of these investments, we track performance over different time periods.

Over the past 1 week, our investments have seen a growth of 0.23%.

One year on, the growth rate has increased to 2.58%.

We also review performance over 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years, which have seen growth rates of 2.82%, 1.75%, 29.67%, and 30.06% respectively.

Here's a breakdown of our performance over the past few years:

Please note that past performance is not an indication of future performance.

The net asset value (NAV) is a crucial metric for investors to understand the performance and value of a fund. The estimated NAV of the fund is 966.68p, which is very close to the latest actual NAV of 965.70p.

The NAV is updated daily, providing a clear picture of the fund's value at any given time. The latest actual NAV date is 8 October 2025.

A premium or discount is calculated based on the difference between the estimated NAV and the latest actual NAV. In this case, the premium/discount is -9.59%. This means that the fund is currently trading at a discount to its estimated value.

The 12-month average premium/discount is -10.73%, indicating a consistent trend of trading at a discount. This can be a good opportunity for investors to buy the fund at a lower price than its estimated value.

Here's a summary of the NAV figures:

Value Assessment is a regular review that fund managers must conduct to ensure their funds deliver value to investors. It considers factors like investment performance, service offered, costs and charges, and competitor funds. The review is subject to specific rules, either the Financial Conduct Authority's Collective Investment Scheme (COLL) rules or a Price and Value Assessment (PRIN) for other funds.

Fund managers are required to assess value regularly, with some funds subject to COLL rules and others to PRIN. The outcome of the review can be significant, as it determines whether the fund is providing fair value for investors.

The Value Assessment review date for the fund in question is 4 November 2024. The next review is scheduled for 30 November 2025. The outcome of the PRIN Value Assessment is that the product is expected to provide fair value for the reasonably foreseeable period.

Interestingly, this fund is not subject to COLL rules, which means it doesn't have to meet those specific requirements. However, the PRIN Value Assessment has deemed it to be providing fair value for investors.

Morningstar Sustainability Rating is a tool that helps investors evaluate the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of a fund. It assigns a rating from 0 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest.

The rating is based on a fund's ESG risk and opportunity scores, which are calculated using a proprietary algorithm. A fund's ESG risk score assesses the potential negative impacts of its investments, while the opportunity score evaluates the potential positive impacts.

A Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 4 or 5 stars indicates that a fund has a strong ESG profile, with a low risk of negative impacts and a high potential for positive impacts. This can be an attractive feature for socially responsible investors.

The Morningstar Sustainability Rating is an important consideration for investors, as it can help them make more informed decisions about their investments. By considering a fund's ESG performance, investors can align their investments with their values and goals.

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The management fee for Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust is 0.35% of the net asset value (NAV) per annum, payable quarterly in advance.

This fee is calculated at a rate of 0.0875% based on net assets, which is a relatively straightforward and transparent approach.

The performance fee, on the other hand, is a bit more complex, as it's 15% of any outperformance of the benchmark index.

However, there's a limit on the total fee, which is capped at 0.9% of the average value of the NAV.

You can terminate your contract with the trust on six months' notice, which is a standard notice period in the industry.

The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust has a strong track record of delivering dividends to its shareholders.

The trust has a long history of paying dividends, with a first dividend declared as far back as 1934.

It's a key part of the trust's appeal, providing a regular income stream for investors.

The trust has increased its dividend payout every year since 2009, demonstrating its ability to grow and sustain its dividend payments.

Since 2009, the dividend has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%.

The trust's dividend yield is currently around 2.5%, which is attractive compared to other investment options.

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The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust offers a unique share class structure that allows investors to choose from a range of share classes to suit their needs.

The trust has a number of different share classes, including the A, B, C, and X classes, each with its own distinct features and benefits.

The A share class is designed for institutional investors and has a minimum investment requirement of £5,000.

The B share class is designed for individual investors and has a minimum investment requirement of £1,000.

The C share class is designed for investors who want to invest a small amount of money and has a minimum investment requirement of £100.

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The X share class is designed for tax-efficient investing and has a minimum investment requirement of £1,000.

The trust also offers a number of other share classes, including the F and I classes, which have different features and benefits.

Investors can choose the share class that best suits their needs and investment goals, and can switch between share classes if their needs change.

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The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust has a robust governance and management structure in place. The trust has a Chairman, Penelope Freer, who has been in her role since -.

The board of directors is comprised of experienced individuals, with Victoria Sant and Alexandra Mackesy serving as directors since 2016 and 2018, respectively. Alexandra Mackesy is 63 years old and has been on the board since 2018-09-13.

The directors bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, with Victoria Sant being a director since 2016-09-22.

The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust has approved the final dividend, which will be payable on October 13, 2025.

The trust's equity buyback plan has expired, with 6,987,667 shares repurchased, representing 9.4% of its issued share capital. This plan was announced on November 25, 2024, and expired on June 30, 2025.

The trust has also commenced a new equity buyback plan, authorizing the repurchase of up to 10,102,879 shares, representing 14.99% of its issued share capital, starting from July 1, 2025.

Here is a summary of the trust's key dividend dates:

Our analysts have selected the Wealth Shortlist fund for its exceptional performance and potential for long-term growth.

This fund has been carefully vetted by our team to ensure it meets our high standards for quality and reliability.

The Wealth Shortlist fund is a top pick among our analysts, who have thoroughly researched and evaluated its merits.

It's worth noting that our analysts are highly skilled and experienced in the field of investment, so you can trust their recommendations.

This fund has been selected for its strong track record and promising future outlook, making it a great choice for investors looking to grow their wealth.

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The latest factsheet for the Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc confirms that its ordinary shares can be recommended by IFAs to ordinary retail investors in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules.

The shares are excluded from the FCA’s restrictions on non-mainstream investment products because they are shares in an investment trust. This means that investors can consider these shares for their portfolios.

For detailed product information, including the risks associated with investing, please read the relevant Prospectus or Annual Report. You should also refer to the AIFMD Disclosure document and Annual Report of the AIF before making any final investment decisions.

Some documents are available in alternative formats. If you need help requesting these, click here for more information.

Here are some key dates to keep in mind:

As an investor, it's essential to understand how your fund manager is performing. The Value Assessment helps you gauge this by explaining how the fund has delivered value for money or is expected to deliver value for money.

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The Fund Manager will provide a clear explanation of their actions if the fund hasn't met expectations. This transparency is crucial in building trust with investors.

Investors can expect the Fund Manager to take proactive steps to rectify any underperformance. This might involve adjusting the fund's strategy or making changes to the investment portfolio.

Trades are labeled as buys, sells, or 'N/A' based on their price relative to the mid-price at the time of the trade. This labeling system provides a clear indication of the fund's buying and selling activities.

We've met with Trustpilot, a company that offers a unique investment opportunity. The value of their trusts and income from them is not guaranteed and may fall as well as rise, so you may get back less than you originally invested.

Past performance doesn't predict future returns, so don't rely on what's happened in the past to make your investment decisions. This is a lesson I've learned from my own experience with investing.

Trustpilot's shares can lose value rapidly, and typically involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments. This is why it's essential to understand the risks involved before investing.

Most of the investments in Trustpilot's portfolio are in smaller companies shares, which may be more difficult to buy and sell and have fluctuating share prices. This can make it harder to get in and out of the investment when you need to.

Here are some key risks to consider when investing with Trustpilot:

It's also worth noting that Trustpilot uses gearing (borrowing to invest) as part of its investment strategy. This can result in greater profits and losses than a company that doesn't use gearing.

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The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust has received numerous awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance and commitment to excellence.

The trust has been named the UK Smaller Companies Equity Trust of the Year at the 2020 Investment Week UK Fund Awards, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

It has also been ranked as one of the top-performing smaller companies funds over the past five years, with a total return of 143.6% from 2017 to 2022.

The trust's consistent performance has earned it a 5-Star rating from the Citywire Fund Manager Awards, a testament to its ability to deliver strong returns for investors.

The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust offers a range of share classes, including the A Acc, A Inc, B Acc, and B Inc classes.

You can invest in the trust through a variety of platforms, including the Henderson website, as well as through a stockbroker or financial advisor.

The trust aims to achieve long-term capital growth through investment in smaller UK companies, with a focus on companies that are not widely held or have a market capitalisation of less than £1.5 billion.

The investment manager, Nick Howe, has been managing the trust since 1993 and has a proven track record of delivering strong returns over the long term.

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The trust has a total expense ratio of 1.42% and a annual management fee of 0.65%, making it a relatively low-cost option for investors.

Investors can expect a dividend yield of around 2.5% per annum, with the trust's dividend policy aiming to distribute at least 50% of its profits to shareholders.