Ecofin Global Utilities and Infrastructure (LSE:EGL) Trust will pay a 2.25p fourth Interim Dividend on 30 November, it said on 20 October, while selling shares from treasury as its stock trades near net asset value (NAV). The shares went ex-dividend on 29 October.

What happened

The dividend, for the year ended 30 September 2026, has a Record Date of 30 October. It matches the third interim of 2.25p, which went ex on 30 July and was paid on 28 August. According to an AI-generated summary from available data, the half-year statement raised the quarterly rate to 2.25p, or 9.00p annualised.

Separately, the trust sold 288,150 shares from treasury on 30 October at an average of 260.7785p. That left 20,274,901 shares in treasury and 94,645,796 voting rights. Similar sales were announced on 21, 22, 26, 27 and 28 October.

There were no results or portfolio figures today. The latest full commentary remains the half-year results of 3 June.

Why it matters for investors

Ecofin Global Utilities and Infrastructure Trust (LSE:EGL) is a constituent of the FTSE All-Share index and an Investment trust holding mainly Utility and infrastructure equities in developed countries. Its objective combines a high, secure Dividend Yield with long-term Capital growth and preservation of capital.

The treasury sales mark a change in its position. QuotedData reported in June that the shares had traded below NAV since May 2023 until the discount closed after the half-year end. The company repurchased shares in the period to 31 March, and has since been reissuing them, with 21,739,781 in treasury at that date.

AJ Bell now shows a 0.55% premium, using a NAV of 258.59p at 29 October, compared with a 12-month average discount of 3.16%. Analysis note: selling at a premium avoids dilution, but the Margin is thin, and that source of capital depends on the rating holding.

How the shares have performed

AJ Bell's page shows 260p to sell and 261p to buy, with a last trade at 260.49p on 2 November. The 12-month range is 228p to 288p, and Market Value is £245.79m. It gives a dividend yield of 3.46%.

NAV has declined since March. It was 275.70p at 31 March, up 12% over the half year from 245.65p, with total return of 14.1%. Share price total return was 19.6%. The comparators, the S&P Global Infrastructure and MSCI World Utilities indices, returned 12.9% and 13.3%, while the trust has no formal benchmark. The October NAV is about 6% below the March figure before allowing for dividends.

The half-year statement credited stock selection in the UK and continental Europe, naming National Grid, SSE, RWE, Enel, Vinci and Veolia among contributors. North American holdings were more mixed. AJ Bell's June report gave a year-on-year NAV rise of 27%.

What to watch next

Full-year results to 30 September are the next major milestone, and will show whether the first half's momentum carried through a softer period for NAV. Portfolio manager Jean-Hugues de Lamaze of RWC warned in June that short-term performance could remain sensitive to interest rates, bond yields and geopolitical developments, while saying the case for listed infrastructure "remains compelling".

Chair Susannah Nicklin, in her first statement in the role, pointed to electrification, including AI datacentre demand, as well as digitalisation and ageing infrastructure as long-term themes. She said sector valuations "remain attractive by historical standards".

Gearing, at 6.2% of net Assets on 31 March, and an ongoing charge of 1.30% remain relevant to returns. Investors can also monitor the frequency of treasury sales, which should indicate demand.