Polar Capital Global Financials Trust ends year in line with benchmark

(Sharecast News) - Polar Capital Global Financials Trust reported net asset value total returns in line with its benchmark for the year ended 30 November on Thursday, as earnings rose and the board declared a higher total dividend. For the year, the London-listed trust delivered a sterling total return of 13.9% on a NAV per ordinary share basis, matching the 13.9% return from the MSCI ACWI Financials Index.

The ordinary share price total return was 14.5%.

Since inception, the trust had generated a NAV total return of 240.9%, compared with 247.9% for the benchmark.

By comparison, the MSCI World Index returned 12.5% over the year, while the FTSE All Share Index rose 20.0%.

The dynamic median of the Lipper Financial Sector peer group, comprising 58 open-ended funds during the period, delivered a 16.5% total return.

Earnings per ordinary share totalled 22.51p for the year, down from 53.93p in the prior year, reflecting a capital return of 16.91p compared with 48.62p in 2024, while revenue return increased to 5.60p from 5.31p.

Its ongoing charges ratio rose to 0.91% from 0.85%.

The company said it paid or declared total dividends of 6.75p per ordinary share for the year, up from 4.7p in the prior financial year.

That comprised a first interim dividend of 2.6p and a special dividend of 1.6p, both paid on 29 August, and a second interim dividend of 2.55p, payable on 27 February.

At 0926 GMT, shares in Polar Capital Global Financials Trust were down 0.45% at 231.46p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.