Interactive Investor

'Next generation' investment trust dividend heroes revealed

23rd March 2018 16:06

Kyle Caldwell from interactive investor

Investors searching for investment trusts that offer the prospect of consistent dividend growth can choose from an 21-strong list that has been put together by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC).

The AIC's so-called 'Next Generation of Dividend Heroes' list comprises 18 trusts that have increased their dividends each year for 10 years or more, with an upper limit of 20 years. The trade body has also revealed the trusts with records of dividend increases that span 20 years and more.

Dividend reserves give trusts the edge

Two UK equity income trusts appear at the top of the list with Perpetual Income & Growth and Standard Life Equity Income in first and second spot respectively.

Smaller companies investment strategies also make an appearance. BlackRock's Smaller Companies and Throgmorton trusts, claim 14 years of dividend growth, while Athelney boasts 15 years worth.

Overall eight out of the 21 trusts hail from the UK equity income sector or the UK smaller companies sector. This highlights the advantages associated with backing a closed-ended income-focused investment company, which can draw on a 'reserve' account to bolster income during challenging markets. A total of 15% of income generated by the trust can be stored each year.

Unit trusts, which are open-ended funds, are not able to offer this function and as a result virtually all of the UK equity income open-ended funds cut their dividends during the financial crisis. Investment trusts, on the other hand, simply drawn on their 'rainy day' reserves during the crisis to either maintain or grow their dividends.

A list of 20 investment trusts that have increased their dividends for at least 20 years can be found here.

Three trusts have reached the impressive milestone of 50 years of consecutive dividend increases. The trusts are: City of London, Bankers and Alliance Trust.

Source: AIC and Morningstar      Past performance is not a guide to future performance

Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.

This article was originally published in our sister magazine Money Observer, which ceased publication in August 2020.

These articles are provided for information purposes only. Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.

These articles are provided for information purposes only.  Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties.  The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.