New manager driving improved performance

Securities Trust of Scotland (STS) aims to generate rising income and long-term capital growth from a relatively concentrated portfolio of 35 to 55 global equities. Since May 2016, the trust has been managed by Mark Whitehead, who heads up Martin Currie’s income team. A new unconstrained, high-conviction investment approach was adopted on 1 June 2016, with performance measured against a peer group comprising both closed- and open-ended funds. STS has outperformed the peer group since the change in investment strategy. The trust actively uses gearing and has a progressive dividend strategy; its current dividend yield is 3.5%.