Edison issues update on abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust (AUSC): Relative performance getting back on track

Edison Investment Research Limited Edison issues update on abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust (AUSC): Relative performance getting back on track 08-March-2024 / 08:16 GMT/BST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. London, UK, 8 März 2024 Edison issues update on abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust (AUSC): Relative performance getting back on track abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust’s (AUSC’s) managers, Abby Glennie and Amanda Yeaman, are looking forward to further improvement in the trust’s relative performance, as investors’ focus is now more on company fundamentals rather than macroeconomic developments. The managers are continuing to use the Matrix, a proprietary screening tool, to search for companies exhibiting high-quality, growth and positive momentum features. Despite a difficult period of performance during 2022, when rising interest rates led to a derating of growth stocks, the strategy employed by abrdn’s small-cap team has proved very successful over the last 25+ years across multiple business cycles. The managers say that there is a wealth of opportunities available in their investible universe, meaning there is healthy competition for capital within the portfolio. Many portfolio names have positive earnings estimates revisions, which suggests a robust operating environment; this is confirmed in meetings with companies. While AUSC aims to generate capital growth there has been solid progression in its annual dividend, supported by a diverse income stream. Over the last five years, the trust’s annual distributions have compounded at 9.5% per year, despite lower income during COVID. This has been helped by some portfolio companies paying special as well as regular dividends.  Click here to view the full report. All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website www.edisongroup.com About Edison: As a content-led investor-relations business, Edison helps companies stand out and meet the right shareholders. Edison’s integrated investor relations solution combines expert analyst content, digital targeting and active investor engagement. This drives liquidity and valuations by building bigger, better informed and more engaged investor audiences globally. Edison has a proven history of increasing liquidity and valuations for its clients. Edison’s content can be viewed by all investors, anywhere in the world. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison’s reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities. For more information, please contact Edison: Mel Jenner [phone] [e-mail] Learn more at www.edisongroup.com and connect with Edison on:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/edison-group-/ Twitter  www.twitter.com/Edison_Inv_Res YouTube http://www.youtube.com/edisonitv Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

End of Announcement - EQS News Service

1854427  08-March-2024