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Data as at: 23/04/2024

Gearing

Gearing (%)
9
Net cash (%)
0
Historic gearing 3yr low/high (%)
6 / 16
Gearing range (%)
0 / 20
Gearing policy

Borrowings are invested in equity markets when it is believed that long term investment considerations merit the Company taking a geared position

Borrowing limits

Apart from in exceptional market conditions the Company will not take out additional borrowings if, at the time of borrowing, this takes the level of gearing beyond 30% calculated in accordance with the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) guidelines. In any event, the Company will not exceed the limit on borrowings set out in its Articles of Association, which provide that the amount of all the Company’s borrowings shall not, without the previous sanction of an ordinary resolution of shareholders, exceed one half of the aggregate issued and fully paid share capital and capital reserves of the Company and, in addition, that the Company may from time to time borrow for temporary purposes sums not exceeding 20% of the Company’s issued and fully paid share capital.

Ways in which investment companies can magnify income and capital returns, but which can also magnify losses.

At its simplest, gearing means borrowing money to buy more assets in the hope the company makes enough profit to pay back the debt and interest and leave something extra for shareholders.

how gearing works table

However, if the investment portfolio doesn’t perform well, gearing can increase losses. The more an investment company gears, the higher the risk.

Investment companies can usually borrow at lower rates of interest than you’d get as an individual. They also have flexible ways to borrow – for example they might get an ordinary bank loan or, for split capital investment companies, issue different classes of share.

Not all investment companies use gearing, and most use relatively low levels of gearing.

An indication of the maximum and minimum levels that the company would expect to be geared in normal market conditions.

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