German construction sector still in recession, civil engineering only bright spot
LONDON - British & American Investment Trust PLC (LSE:BAT) reported a net loss of £4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a profit of £5.2 million in the same period last year, according to a press release statement.
The company’s net assets fell 72.7% to £1.6 million from £6.0 million at the end of December 2024, with diluted net asset value per ordinary share declining to 5 pence from 17 pence.
The significant decline was primarily attributed to a 50% drop in February in the share price of Geron Corporation, the trust’s largest U.S. investment. Despite Geron’s successful FDA approval of its oncology drug in 2024 and European approval in March 2025, the stock has fallen approximately 70% from its June 2024 highs.
"This has been a most disappointing and unexpectedly bad six month period for our portfolio," said Chairman David Seligman in the statement. The company did not declare an interim dividend for the period, citing the unexpected decline in its largest investment.
The investment trust’s portfolio was also impacted by a 10% decline in the U.S. dollar against sterling during the first half of the year. By contrast, the company’s second-largest U.S. investment, Lineage Cell Therapeutics, recovered by over 50% from its low at the beginning of the year.
The company reported that as of September 24, 2025, its net assets had increased by 46.8% since the period end to £2.4 million, equivalent to 7 pence per share on a fully diluted basis. Over the same period, the FTSE 100 index increased by 5.6%.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.