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ATHELNEY TRUST PLC
Earnings Release • Jan 5, 2026
4879_rns_2026-01-05_d58f3aef-1cf2-4f67-ab30-135e27c40c0d.html
Earnings Release
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National Storage Mechanism | Additional information 
RNS Number : 6576N
Athelney Trust PLC
05 January 2026
Athelney Trust PLC
Legal Entity Identifier:
213800ON67TJC7F4DL05
The unaudited net asset value of Athelney Trust was 169.5p at 31 December 2025.
Fund Manager's comment for December 2025
Economic conditions improved into year-end, particularly in the United States, where Q3 GDP was revised up to 4.3%, the strongest pace in two years. Growth was led by the American consumer, supported by exports and government spending, while business investment continued to expand despite ongoing weakness in housing. Survey data suggests activity is slowing from a high level rather than rolling over, with employment holding up. Against this backdrop, the Federal Reserve reduced rates by 25bps and indicated that further easing is likely in 2026 if inflation continues to moderate.
The Eurozone remains a tale of uneven progress. Growth improved slightly, supported by higher investment and public spending, but this was offset by weak trade and persistent regional divergence. Manufacturing remains under pressure, particularly in Germany and Italy, while services continue to expand but with diminishing momentum. Overall, the region remains resilient but fragile, leaving the European Central Bank in no rush to materially change policy.
In the UK, economic growth remained muted, with Q3 GDP rising just 0.1%. Manufacturing returned to modest expansion in November, with output and new orders improving after a prolonged downturn, but employment continued to decline as higher labour and input costs weighed on hiring. Services showed clearer momentum in December on stronger domestic and overseas demand. Inflation eased further, with CPI slowing to 3.2% in November, The Bank of England cut rates by 25bps, signalling a cautious and data dependent path ahead.
Equity markets were mixed in December. Global equities recovered modestly, with the MSCI World Index up 0.73%. US markets were weaker with the S&P 500 slipping 0.05% and the Nasdaq falling 0.53%, while UK equities outperformed, with the FTSE 100 up 2.17%, the FTSE 250 up 1.38%, and Small Cap and AIM indices gaining 1.85% and 1.63%, respectively.
Our portfolio performance was weighed down by negative sentiment toward UK financials, particularly AJ Bell, following Autumn Budget changes affecting pensions and savings. These policy shifts created short-term uncertainty around client behaviour, despite no deterioration in underlying business quality. We used this weakness to add to AJ Bell and trimmed our holding in Liontrust. The portfolio declined by 1.89% in December with the NAV down by 2.31% after allowing for expenses.
At the company level, AJ Bell delivered record FY25 results, with strong growth in revenue, profits and earnings per share, alongside a higher dividend and a further £50m share buyback. Net inflows remained robust and management continues to invest for long-term growth. Begbies Traynor reported steady H1 progress, with revenue and profit growth, a higher interim dividend, and continued strength in counter-cyclical advisory services. Impax Asset Management ended the year with £26.1bn of assets under management and remains focused on long-term sustainability themes.
The largest contributors to performance were S&U, NWF Group, and Dunelm, while AJ Bell, Impax, and Auto Trader were the main detractors, a reminder that short-term market sentiment often diverges from long-term business value and success.
Fact Sheet
An accompanying fact sheet which includes the information above as well as wider details on the portfolio can be found on the Fund's website www.athelneytrust.co.uk under "About" then select "Latest Monthly Fact Sheet".
Background Information
Dr. Emmanuel (Manny) Pohl AM
Manny is Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of E C Pohl & Co ("ECP"), an investment management company and has been a major shareholder in Athelney trust for many years.
E C Pohl & co is licensed by the Australian Financial services (license no.421704).
Manny Pohl and the ECP group has AUD2.7bn (£1.5 billion) under its management including four listed investment companies, three listed in Australia and one in the UK:
· Flagship Investments (ASX code:FSI)
https://flagshipinvestments.com.au
· ECP Emerging Growth (ASX code: ECP)
· Global Masters Fund Limited (ASX code: GFL)
· Athelney Trust plc (LSE code: ATY)
Athelney Trust plc Investment Policy
The investment objective of the Trust is to provide shareholders with prospects of long-term capital growth with the risks inherent in small cap investment minimised through a spread of holdings in quality small cap companies that operate in various industries and sectors. The Fund Manager also considers that it is important to maintain a progressive dividend record.
The assets of the Trust are allocated predominantly to companies with either a full listing on the London Stock Exchange or a trading facility on AIM or ISDX. The assets of the Trust have been allocated in two main ways: first, to the shares of those companies which have grown steadily over the years in terms of profits and dividends but, despite this progress, the market rating is favourable when compared to future earnings and dividends; second, to those companies whose shares are standing at a favourable level compared with the value of land, buildings or cash in the balance sheet.
Athelney Trust was founded in 1994. In 1996 it was one of the ten pioneer members of the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM"). In 2008 the shares became fully listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Athelney Trust has a successful progressive dividend growth record and the dividend has grown every year since 2004. According to the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) Athelney Trust is a "Dividend Hero" being one of only a few investment companies that have increased their dividend every year for 20 years or more. See link
https://www.theaic.co.uk/income-finder/dividend-heroes
Website
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