The AIM-focused venture capital trust said unaudited NAV per share rose by 1.75 pence in the three months to June 30, with further gains after the period end to 32.61 pence cum-dividend by July 24.
Hargreave Hale AIM VCT plc said its unaudited NAV per share rose to 32.37 pence on a cum-dividend basis at June 30, 2026, from 30.62 pence three months earlier, delivering a total return of 5.72%. The Company said qualifying investments contributed 1.49 pence per share and non-qualifying investments added 0.45 pence per share during the quarter. The trust said 82% of portfolio updates received in the period were in line with or ahead of expectations, despite political uncertainty in the UK, weaker domestic economic indicators and renewed tensions in the Middle East after a brief US-Iran truce. AIM returned 6.52% over the period, the Company said. Among qualifying holdings, Hardide was the strongest positive contributor after announcing a further £1.8 million order from a large North American energy customer and reporting revenue growth and improved profitability. Eagle Eye and Abingdon Health also contributed positively. On the weaker side, Skillcast, PCI Pal and Equipmake were cited as negative contributors, although each reported operational progress or post-period updates. Within non-qualifying investments, the IFSL Marlborough UK Micro-Cap Growth Fund and IFSL Marlborough Special Situations Fund rose by £0.99 million, while direct equity investments returned £0.45 million and the fixed income portfolio added £0.25 million. The Company highlighted TP ICAP and Hollywood Bowl as notable positive contributors and said there were no major detractors. The VCT ended the period 89.42% invested under the HMRC investment test. It deployed £3.3 million into qualifying companies through follow-on investments in Eden Research, Ixico and Rosslyn Data Technologies, while reducing its Abingdon Health position and exiting CellBx, Everyman Media Group, Idox and Faron Pharma. The Company also bought back 2.9 million of its own shares in the quarter at an average 31.06 pence each. After the period end, unaudited NAV per share increased to 32.61 pence on a cum-dividend basis as at July 24, 2026, up 0.74% from June 30. The previously disclosed ex-dividend NAV at that date was 31.91 pence, excluding the 0.70 pence interim dividend due to be paid on July 31 to shareholders on the register on June 26.