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Data as at: 24/04/2024

Gearing

Gearing (%)
10
Net cash (%)
0
Historic gearing 3yr low/high (%)
5 / 12
Gearing range (%)
0 / 20
Gearing policy

When appropriate, the Company will utilise gearing to maximise long term returns. The Board continues to believe that the sensible use of modest financial gearing should enhance returns to shareholders over the longer term. Gearing is used to leverage the Company’s portfolio in order to enhance returns when this is considered appropriate to do so.

Borrowing limits

In order to manage the level of gearing, the Board has set a maximum gearing ratio of 20% of net assets and receives regular updates from the Manager on the actual gearing levels the Company has reached together with the assets and liabilities of the Company and reviews these at each Board meeting.

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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