INTERIM DIVIDEND
An interim dividend of 10.25p per share has been approved by the Board and is payable on 29th September 2017 to shareholders on the register as at 1st September 2017 (ex-dividend 31st August 2017).
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
Markets have made further progress in 2017 with 3.3% rise in FTSE All-Share Index in the six months. UK Smaller Companies have performed even better with rises of over 10% in relevant indices.
The Company has again performed well with the net asset value of the Income shares increasing by 17.6% to 2353.6p. Total equity was a new record exceeding £200m for the first time.
The share buy-back programme has continued in the half year with a further £5.9m of purchases and the issued equity has now been reduced by 4%.
The interim income dividend is being raised by 2.5% to 10.25p.
The political situation in UK has been complicated by the recent General Election and the immediate future will remain dominated by Brexit.