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Schroder British Opportunities Trust PLC on Tuesday reported a decline in its interim net asset value per share, but noted valuations in the private equity sector ‘remain robust’. The London-based public and private investment trust focuses on small to mid-cap UK companies. It reported a net asset value total return of minus 0.6% for the six months that ended September 30, with the overall NAV matching this decline as it fell to 109.90 pence from 110.54p at March 31. ‘Whilst the company’s NAV per share modestly decreased over the 6-month period under review, the private equity portfolio continued to perform well operationally, supported by strong growth in revenue and profitability across its holdings,’ the company said. The company noted the recent approval at its general meeting of the proposal to amend its investment objective and policy to enable the focus on private companies and to wind down quoted holdings which ‘in difficult market conditions, had adversely impacted the company’s net asset value.’ Schroder British Opportunities said the revised strategy seeks to capitalise on the ‘strong pipeline’ of opportunities identified by the private equity team. It aims to be fully invested in unquoted assets by the end of next year. Its shares were trading 3.9% lower at 73.02 pence on Tuesday afternoon in London. Looking ahead, the company said the private equity market in the UK continues to navigate a ‘challenging macro-economic environment’, hurt by persistent inflation and high interest rates, as well as ‘ongoing domestic and geopolitical uncertainties.’ ‘Nevertheless, valuations in the private equity space remain robust for high-quality assets like ours, supported by resilient business models and strong growth. Your board remains cautiously optimistic; while market headwinds may continue, the UK’s deep pool of innovative and high-growth companies continues to offer attractive private equity investment opportunities,’ the company added. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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