Aberdeen UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust plc (AUSC) has declared an interim dividend of 6.0 pence per ordinary share, payable on 27 November 2026, as the investment trust prepares for its proposed combination with JPMorgan UK Small Cap Growth & Income plc. The Board confirmed the dividend is intended to ensure the Company distributes sufficient net income from the current financial period to maintain its investment trust status. The announcement also confirms that, beyond this payment and a previously announced second interim dividend of 9.5 pence per share, no further dividends are expected to be paid by the Company.

Key Points

  • Aberdeen UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust plc (AUSC)
  • The Board has declared an interim dividend of 6.0 pence per ordinary share, payable 27 November 2026
  • Ex-dividend date is 5 November 2026; record date is 6 November 2026; a separate 9.5p second interim dividend for the year ended 30 June 2026 is also payable on the same date
  • Investors should watch for publication of the Scheme documentation relating to the proposed combination with JPMorgan UK Small Cap Growth & Income plc, expected in the coming days

AUSC Declares 6.0p Interim Dividend to Preserve Investment Trust Status Before Scheme Completion

The Board of Aberdeen UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust plc announced on 28 October 2026 that it is paying an interim dividend of 6.0 pence per ordinary share. The announcement states that the explicit purpose of this distribution is to ensure the Company distributes sufficient net income from the current financial period to maintain its investment trust status under UK tax rules. Shareholders on the register as at 6 November 2026 will be entitled to receive the payment, with the ex-dividend date falling on 5 November 2026 and funds due to be disbursed on 27 November 2026.

Second Interim Dividend of 9.5p Per Share Also Payable on 27 November for Year Ended 30 June 2026

Alongside the newly declared interim dividend, the announcement draws attention to the Company's second interim dividend for the financial year ended 30 June 2026, which was announced in conjunction with the annual results on 22 October 2026. That payment amounts to 9.5 pence per ordinary share and shares the same payment date of 27 November 2026, record date of 6 November 2026, and ex-dividend date of 5 November 2026. The Board has stated that these two distributions are not anticipated to be followed by any further dividend payments from the Company.

Proposed Combination with JPMorgan UK Small Cap Growth & Income plc Drives Dividend Timeline

The dividend declaration is directly linked to the proposed combination of AUSC with JPMorgan UK Small Cap Growth & Income plc, first announced on 18 September 2026. The Scheme documentation is expected to be published in the coming days, according to the announcement. The Board's decision to declare this interim dividend reflects the need to manage the Company's income position ahead of the Scheme, ensuring regulatory and tax compliance as the trust approaches what is anticipated to be the final chapter of its independent operation. Investors may wish to monitor publication of Scheme documentation closely.