Athelney Trust PLC
Legal Entity Identifier:
213800ON67TJC7F4DL05
The unaudited net asset value of Athelney Trust was
187.5p at 30 November 2024.
Fund Manager's
comment for November 2024
In the US, following President-elect Trump's
election victory, equities and bond yields surged on expectations
of lower taxes and reduced regulation. The Federal Reserve cut the
federal funds rate to 4.50%-4.75%, signalling caution on inflation
while supporting growth.
The US economy grew by 2.8% in Q3 2024, with
strong personal spending, particularly in goods, but net trade and
inventories hindered growth. The Services PMI rose to 55.3,
signalling growth, while the Manufacturing PMI remained below 50,
indicating contraction. Job growth in October was disappointing,
with only 12,000 new jobs added, impacted by hurricanes and
strikes. Despite this, the unemployment rate held at 4.1%, and job
growth is expected to rebound in November. Inflation rose to 2.6%
in October due to higher energy costs.
The Eurozone GDP grew by 0.4%
quarter-on-quarter in Q3, the strongest growth in two years,
matching the initial estimate. Germany avoided a recession,
expanding by 0.2% after a decline in Q2. Year-on-year, the
Eurozone GDP expanded 0.9%, the best performance since Q1
2023.
In the UK, GDP grew by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter
in Q3, the slowest growth in three quarters and below the forecast
of 0.2%. The services sector expanded by 0.1%, driven by
professional, scientific, and technical activities (0.7%) and
wholesale and retail trade (0.6%). Construction grew by 0.8%, but
the production sector contracted by 0.2%, largely due to a 2.7%
decline in energy supply. On the expenditure side, net trade
improved as exports fell 0.2% and imports decreased by 1.5%.
Household spending rose by 0.5%, business investment increased by
1.2%, and government consumption grew by 0.6%. Year-on-year, the
economy grew by 1%, up from 0.7% in Q2.
The UK Services PMI eased to 50 in November
2024 from 52 in the month before, missing market expectations of
52. The latest reading indicated unchanged levels of business
activity in November, after two consecutive months of slowdown.
Service providers attributed challenges to weak business confidence
and caution following the Autumn Budget.
The UK Manufacturing PMI dropped to 48.6 in
November from 49.9 in October, signalling the first contraction in
seven months due to subdued demand. Firms reported delayed
investment decisions, cutbacks on new projects, and lower export
orders. Production volumes and new work declined, especially in the
automotive sector.
In November, global equity markets saw positive
performance. The MSCI World Index rose by 4.5%, with the S&P
500 increasing by 5.7% and the Nasdaq up by 6.2%, driven by
optimism surrounding a second Trump administration's
business-friendly policies. In the UK, the FTSE 100 gained 2.2%,
while smaller companies struggled. The Small Cap Index fell by
0.5%, and the AIM All-Share Index dropped by 0.6%. However, the
Fledgling Index showed a modest increase of 0.4%. Our portfolio was
up by 0.8% during the month with the net asset value (NAV)
increasing by 0.2 % after accounting for all expenses. The notable
contributors to performance were Wise, Games Workshop, PayPoint,
Cake Box, and Rightmove which all saw gains of greater than 5% in
November.
Our portfolio saw several changes. The
remaining holding in London Metric Property was sold, while we
added to our position in Liontrust Asset Management after the
company announced it would maintain its dividend and implement a
share buyback. Additionally, we established a new position in AJ
Bell. AJ Bell is one of the largest and most well-regarded UK-based
investment platforms, serving both individual investors and
financial advisers, and is experiencing strong growth.
Cash holdings made up 1.9% of the portfolio at
month end.
Fact
Sheet
An accompanying fact sheet which
includes the information above as well as wider details on the
portfolio can be found on the Fund's website
www.athelneytrust.co.uk
under "About" then select "Latest Monthly Fact
Sheet".
Background Information
Dr. Emmanuel (Manny) Pohl
AM
Manny is Chairman and Chief
Investment Officer of E C Pohl & Co ("ECP"), an investment
management company and has been a major shareholder in Athelney
trust for many years.
E C Pohl & co is licensed by the
Australian Financial services (license no.421704).
www.ecpohl.com
www.ecpam.com
Manny Pohl and the ECP group has
AUD2.7bn (£1.5 billion) under its management including four listed
investment companies, three listed in Australia and one in the
UK:
·
Flagship Investments (ASX code:FSI)
AUD95m https://flagshipinvestments.com.au
·
Barrack St Investments (ASX code: BST)
AUD37m www.barrackst.com
·
Global Masters Fund Limited (ASX code:
GFL)
AUD33m www.globalmastersfund.com.au
·
Athelney Trust plc (LSE code: ATY)
GBP6m www.athelneytrust.co.uk
Athelney Trust plc Investment Policy
The investment objective of
the Trust is to provide shareholders with prospects of long-term
capital growth with the risks inherent in small cap investment
minimised through a spread of holdings in quality small cap
companies that operate in various industries and sectors. The Fund
Manager also considers that it is important to maintain a
progressive dividend record.
The assets of the Trust are
allocated predominantly to companies with either a full listing on
the London Stock Exchange or a trading facility on AIM or ISDX. The
assets of the Trust have been allocated in two main ways: first, to
the shares of those companies which have grown steadily over the
years in terms of profits and dividends but, despite this progress,
the market rating is favourable when compared to future earnings
and dividends; second, to those companies whose shares are standing
at a favourable level compared with the value of land, buildings or
cash in the balance sheet.
Athelney Trust was founded in 1994.
In 1996 it was one of the ten pioneer members of the Alternative
Investment Market ("AIM"). In 2008 the shares became fully listed
on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Athelney Trust has
a successful progressive dividend growth record and the dividend
has grown every year since 2004. According to the Association of
Investment Companies (AIC) Athelney Trust is a "Dividend Hero"
being one of only a few investment companies that have increased
their dividend every year for 20 years or more. See
link
https://www.theaic.co.uk/income-finder/dividend-heroes
Website
www.athelneytrust.co.uk
