Henderson High Income Trust PLC reported strong financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, with a total return performance of 20.4% for NAV and 22.6% for share price, outperforming the benchmark return of 20.6%. The companys net assets increased to £340.2 million, and the dividend for the year was 10.90p, marking the 13th consecutive year of dividend growth. The companys gearing decreased to 17.5%, and the ongoing charge for the year was 0.68%. The companys investment strategy, which favors equities over bonds, contributed positively to the performance, although equity stock selection in the second half of the year was a negative factor. The companys management fee was reduced to 0.45% of adjusted net assets from 1 January 2026. The company also continued its share buyback program, purchasing 2,622,692 shares in 2025, and the discount to NAV narrowed to 5.7%. The companys responsible investing approach, which integrates ESG factors into investment processes, was highlighted, and the companys voting decisions at general meetings were discussed. The companys prospects and outlook were positive, with the UK equity market expected to remain volatile but attractive in a global context. The companys focus on delivering a high level of income for shareholders while also aiming for capital growth over the longer term was reiterated.
| Financial Metric | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAV per share (pence) | 174.72 | 198.77 | +13.76% |
| Mid-market price per share (pence) | 162.50 | 187.50 | +15.38% |
| Revenue return per share (pence) | 10.74 | 11.28 | +5.03% |
| Net assets (£ million) | 303.2 | 340.2 | +12.20% |
| Dividend for the year (pence) | 10.60 | 10.90 | +2.83% |
| Dividend yield (%) | 6.5 | 5.8 | -10.77% |
| Ongoing charge for the year (%) | 0.74 | 0.68 | -8.11% |
| Gearing (%) | 21.0 | 17.5 | -16.67% |