Dunedin announces a dividend increase

20th Jun 2011 18:37

Dunedin Smaller Companies Investment Trust has today announced its results for the six months through April 2011.For the period in question its share price gained 13.1% while its NAV per share improved by 7.7%.During the last twelve months the trust´s shares have risen by 35.8% versus 13.7% achieved by the FTSE SmallCap Index (ex Investment Companies).The objective of Dunedin is to achieve long-term growth from a portfolio of smaller companies in the United Kingdom.In consonance with the greater dividend pay-outs that it has been experiencing of late Dunedin has today announced that it is declaring an increase in its interim dividend to 1.95p (2010 - 1.85p).Lastly, and also of interest, the trust has indicated that, "The economic outlook for the UK continues to be uncertain although company profitability is benefiting from both historic cost cutting and higher volumes. Investors however remain nervous (...) However, these potential storm clouds, particularly in the UK, should not detract from the exposure of our portfolio to more robust foreign markets - approximately 45% of the sales generated by the portfolio's holdings are into overseas markets. If markets remain volatile, these conditions will present opportunities and we are well-placed to invest in good quality companies which offer robust balance sheets, transparent profitability and strong cash flows."AB