A second interim dividend of 7.2p per share is due to be paid to investors at the end of March which, when added to the first round 6.0p paid in September, brings the total dividend payment for 2012 to 13.2p. This marks the 38th consecutive year in which the firm has increased returns on investor commitments.
The globally-focused equity trust is also introducing quarterly dividends from 2013. The trust hopes to recruit from the broader range of investors with access to investment trusts following the introduction of RDR in 2013 for which regular and predictable dividends are more important.
As of December 2012, almost half of the trust’s holdings were UK-based (44.3%), while financials accounted for the largest proportion of investments (24.3%).
