Hedge funds cut NFLX, keep big bets on MSFT, AMZN, add NVDA
LONDON - Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund (LSE:SCP) reported a 9.3% decline in net asset value (NAV) for the half-year period ended March 31, 2025, underperforming its benchmark FTSE 250 ex-Investment Trusts Index, which fell by 7.9%.
The trust’s share price declined by 4.4% during the period, resulting in a narrowing discount from 12.3% to 7.9%. Performance has improved significantly since the period end, with the fund delivering a NAV total return of 10.7% from April 1 to June 27, outpacing its benchmark’s 8.4% return.
The board announced strategic initiatives in March aimed at enhancing shareholder value, including a more active share buyback policy, management fee reduction, and a continuation vote. An interim dividend of 6.3p per share will be paid on August 8, representing a 5% year-on-year increase.
Gearing stood at 9.5% at the end of March and remained at similar levels through May, reflecting investment opportunities identified by fund managers Jean Roche and Andy Brough.
Board chair Harry Morley noted that "emerging signs of an end to the era of the dominance of US technology stocks in global market returns may herald a return of equity investors to help to correct the valuation dislocation which has developed among UK mid-caps."
The challenging performance during the reporting period was attributed to continued fund outflows from UK mid-caps, rising long-term bond yields, and concerns over UK government fiscal policies announced in the October 2024 Autumn Budget, according to the press release statement.
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