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Invesco Bond Income Plus Ltd on Wednesday reported net asset value growth and raised its 2025 dividend, but pencilled in a flat payout for the new year, alongside naming its next chair. The Oxfordshire, England-based investment firm focuses on high-yield bonds. Chair Tim Scholefield will not stand for re-election at the firm’s annual general meeting in June, and Invesco BIP has appointed Mark Bridgeman to take over on June 17. Bridgeman currently chairs FTSE250 listing Utilico Emerging Markets Trust PLC. Invesco Bond Income shares rose 0.4% to 172.13 pence on Wednesday morning in London, for a market capitalisation of £443.2 million, while Utilico rose 1.8% to 275.98p for a market cap of £485.4 million. At the end of December, Invesco Bond Income’s NAV per share was 172.87p, up from 170.87p a year earlier. NAV total return, with dividends reinvested, ticked up to 8.7% from 8.5% in 2024. Invesco BIP upped its total dividend for 2025 by 4.8% on-year to 12.25p per share from 11.69p, but said that its 2026 dividend target will remain unchanged at 12.25p. In the near term, Invesco BIP sees war in the Middle East overshadowing the outlook for high-yield securities. ‘It is unclear how or when the conflict will be resolved and hence it is extremely difficult to reach any firm conclusions on the outlook for global economy and financial markets,’ noted Chair Tim Scholefield on Wednesday. ‘There is a clear risk Iran may prevent shipping resuming through the Gulf for an extended period with the result that inflation would be higher and economic growth lower in 2026. On the other hand if military action is concluded and the disruption to shipping turns out to be short lived then I would expect the global economic backdrop in 2026 to be broadly supportive for corporate earnings, balance sheets and credit quality.’ Scholefield continued: ‘The company began 2026 with a relatively conservative exposure to risk compared to its history. Net gearing is low and the overall credit exposure is tilted towards higher quality bonds and well diversified, giving some resilience to potential shocks. ‘Together with this lower-risk starting point, the company’s closed ended structure makes it well positioned to take advantage of a sell-off when good quality bonds could be available at deeply discounted prices, locking in returns for the future.’ Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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