BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc (BRSC) has published its latest total voting rights disclosure in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, confirming its issued share capital as at 11 November 2026. The announcement states that the Company's relevant share capital, excluding treasury shares, stands at 236,798,950 ordinary shares of £0.05 each. The disclosure establishes the official denominator shareholders must use when calculating whether they are required to notify interests or changes in interests under the Rules. Investors tracking shareholding thresholds in BRSC should update their calculations accordingly.

Key Points

  • BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc (BRSC)
  • The Company has disclosed its total voting rights figure as at 11 November 2026 under DTR 5.6.1
  • Issued capital excluding treasury shares: 236,798,950 ordinary shares of £0.05 each; shares held in treasury: 61,893,655
  • Investors should monitor whether their holdings cross FCA notification thresholds using the confirmed denominator of 236,798,950

BRSC Confirms 236,798,950 Ordinary Shares as the Regulatory Denominator at 11 November 2026

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc has notified the market that, as at 11 November 2026, its total issued share capital comprised 236,798,950 ordinary shares of £0.05 each, once shares held in treasury are excluded. The Company also holds 61,893,655 shares in treasury, which are excluded from the denominator under the applicable rules. This disclosure is made in conformity with provision 5.6.1 of the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and pursuant to Article 15 of the Transparency Directive, ensuring market participants have access to the correct baseline figure for interest calculations.

How Shareholders Must Use the Denominator Under FCA Transparency Rules

Under DTR 5.6.1, the Company is required to publish the total number of voting rights and shares in issue so that shareholders can determine whether a notification obligation has been triggered. The announcement explicitly instructs shareholders to use 236,798,950 as the denominator when assessing whether their interests in BRSC have crossed or fallen through any applicable FCA notification threshold. Any investor whose holding represents a notifiable proportion of that figure must comply with the relevant disclosure requirements, filing the appropriate notifications with both the Company and the FCA in a timely manner.

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust's Structure and Investment Mandate

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc is a closed-ended investment trust managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, one of the world's largest asset managers. The trust focuses on investing in smaller UK-quoted companies, providing investors with exposure to a segment of the equity market that can offer distinctive growth characteristics compared with large-cap indices. Company secretarial matters, including this regulatory notification, are handled by Graham Venables at BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, who is listed as the contact for all enquiries relating to the disclosure.