Murray Income Trust — Differentiated approach to UK equity income

Murray Income Trust (LSE: MUT)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

GBP8.32

1.00 (0.12%)

Market capitalisation

GBP888m

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Murray Income Trust — Differentiated approach to UK equity income

Murray Income Trust (MUT) has significantly outperformed its FTSE All-Share Index benchmark and the majority of peers over the past year, in large part due to its focus on high-quality companies with strong balance sheets, which have held up better than others in recent bouts of market volatility. Manager Charles Luke takes a long-term approach, giving time for company fundamentals to win through and reducing trading costs. The trust has an increased focus on mid-cap and smaller companies (now c 30% of the portfolio) and also has the ability to invest up to 20% (currently c 11%) overseas. The manager highlights MUT’s attractive income characteristics, with a 4.0% yield, above-average dividend growth and dividend security, and a 46-year record of increasing its annual payouts.

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Investment Companies

Murray Income Trust

Differentiated approach to UK equity income

Investment trusts
UK equity income

18 October 2019

Price

842.0p

Market cap

£556.7m

AUM

£614.5m

NAV*

867.4p

Discount to NAV

2.9%

NAV**

876.8p

Discount to NAV

4.0%

*Excluding income. **Including income. As at 15 October 2019.

Yield

4.0%

Ordinary shares in issue

66.1m

Code

MUT

Primary exchange

LSE

AIC sector

UK Equity Income

Benchmark

FTSE All-Share index

Share price/discount performance

Three-year performance vs index

52-week high/low

856.0p

700.0p

910.0p

752.6p

*Including income.

Gearing

Gross*

7.9%

Net*

2.6%

*As at 31 August 2019.

Analysts

Sarah Godfrey

+44 (0)20 3681 2519

Mel Jenner

+44 (0)20 3077 5720

Murray Income Trust (MUT) has significantly outperformed its FTSE All-Share Index benchmark and the majority of peers over the past year, in large part due to its focus on high-quality companies with strong balance sheets, which have held up better than others in recent bouts of market volatility. Manager Charles Luke takes a long-term approach, giving time for company fundamentals to win through and reducing trading costs. The trust has an increased focus on mid-cap and smaller companies (now c 30% of the portfolio) and also has the ability to invest up to 20% (currently c 11%) overseas. The manager highlights MUT’s attractive income characteristics, with a 4.0% yield, above-average dividend growth and dividend security, and a 46-year record of increasing its annual payouts.

MUT has significantly outperformed the FTSE All-Share over the past year

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Chart shows MUT NAV TR relative to index.

The market opportunity

The UK market remains unloved by global investors, with Brexit uncertainty providing an additional headwind on top of wider fears over a slowing global economy and the impact of trade wars. However, this has led to below-average valuations, potentially giving rise to attractive opportunities in quality companies, particularly in the less well researched smaller- and mid-cap space.

Why consider investing in Murray Income Trust?

Strong performance record, both long-term and more recently.

Enhancements to investment team and process as a result of Aberdeen/Standard Life merger.

Strong focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, which research shows is important in generating performance.

46-year record of annual dividend growth, with move to quarterly payments.

Narrower discount and c 4% dividend yield

At 16 October 2019, MUT’s shares traded at a 4.0% discount to cum-income NAV. This was an increase from the narrowest point in three years (3.4%, in May 2019) but is well below the average discounts over one, three and five years, which range from 6.2% to 7.7%. The discount has narrowed on the back of strong NAV performance; while the higher share price has also caused MUT’s dividend yield to dip to 4.0%, the portfolio continues to enjoy higher forecast dividend growth than the index.

Murray Income Trust is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Exhibit 1: Trust at a glance

Investment objective and fund background

Recent developments

Murray Income Trust (MUT) aims for a high and growing income combined with capital growth through investment in a portfolio principally of UK equities. Its investment policy is to invest in companies that have potential for real earnings and dividend growth, while also providing an above-average portfolio yield. The emphasis is on the management of risk and the absolute return from the portfolio. MUT measures its performance versus the FTSE All-Share Index.

19 September 2019: Results for the year ended 30 June 2019. NAV TR +7.9% and share price TR +13.2% versus +0.6% for the FTSE All-Share Index. Final dividend of 10.0p declared (subject to approval at AGM).

11 September 2019: MUT Chairman Neil Rogan appointed to the board of The Scottish Investment Trust.

7 August 2019: Merryn Somerset Webb joins the board of MUT as a non-executive director.

Forthcoming

Capital structure

Fund details

AGM

November 2019

Ongoing charges

0.65%

Group

Aberdeen Standard Investments

Interim results

February 2020

Net gearing

2.6%

Managers

Charles Luke (lead), Iain Pyle (deputy)

Year end

30 June

Annual mgmt fee

Tiered (see page 8)

Address

1 George Street,
Edinburgh, EH2 2LL

Dividend paid

Quarterly

Performance fee

None

Launch date

1923

Trust life

Indefinite

Phone

0808 500 0040 (retail)/0131 222 1863

Continuation vote

No

Loan facilities

£40m loan notes/£20m bank loan

Website

www.murray-income.co.uk

Dividend policy and history (financial years)

Share buyback policy and history (financial years)

MUT’s board aims to increase the total dividend each year. Three interim dividends are normally paid, in January, March and June, with a final dividend declared in the annual results and paid after approval at the AGM in November.

Renewed annually, MUT’s board has the authority to allot shares up to the equivalent of 5% of the share capital, and buy back up to 14.99% of shares, in order to manage a premium or a discount.

Shareholder base (as at 31 May 2019)

Portfolio equity exposure by geography (as at 30 September 2019)

Top 10 holdings (as at 30 September 2019)

Portfolio weight %

Company

Country

Sector

30 September 2019

31 August 2018*

Diageo

UK

Consumer goods

3.8

3.0

Unilever

UK

Consumer goods

3.3

4.0

BP

UK

Oil & gas

3.1

3.3

BHP Group

UK

Basic materials

3.1

3.2

Royal Dutch Shell 'B'

UK

Oil & gas

3.1

3.2

GlaxoSmithKline

UK

Healthcare

3.1

2.1

RELX

UK

Media

3.0

2.1

AstraZeneca

UK

Healthcare

3.0

3.3

Prudential

UK

Insurance

2.9

3.4

Roche

Switzerland

Healthcare

2.8

2.3

Top 10 (% of holdings)

31.2

33.1

Source: Murray Income Trust, Edison Investment Research, Bloomberg, Morningstar. Note: *N/A where not in end-August 2018 top 20. Excludes options.

Market outlook: Valuations looking attractive in the UK

Markets have bounced back strongly following the widespread sell-off in Q418, with support from monetary policy on both sides of the Atlantic helping to allay investors’ fears over the slowing global economy and the impact of the US-China trade war. However, Brexit uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on sentiment towards the UK market, with sterling moving up and down quite sharply in response to shifting opinions on the likelihood of achieving a deal before the latest deadline of 31 October. Against this backdrop, UK equities – while advancing in value on a total return basis – have significantly lagged global equities over the past five years (Exhibit 2, left-hand chart), exacerbated by the weakness of sterling since mid-2016 on the back of the referendum result.

A potential positive from all this uncertainty is that UK equity valuations currently look attractive on a forward P/E basis (Exhibit 2, RHS). While global and particularly US equities are trading well above their 10-year average forward P/E ratio, UK equities are trading at a 3% discount to their average, and an 18.7% discount to the world market. This suggests opportunities may exist for UK investors who are willing to look beyond the headlines and find companies that can weather the storms. In the meantime, the UK’s 4.2% dividend yield (above the 10-year average of 3.4%, and well above the 2.6% yield on global equities) means investors are ‘paid to wait’ for a recovery in sentiment.

Exhibit 2: Market performance and valuation

Performance vs index

12-month forward P/E valuations

 

Last

High

Low

10-year
average

Last as % of average

UK

12.2

15.7

8.5

12.6

97

World

15.0

16.3

9.8

13.6

110

US

17.3

19.0

11.2

15.4

113

Europe

13.8

15.5

7.6

12.3

112

Japan

13.6

21.7

10.5

13.9

98

Asia ex-Japan

12.8

14.3

10.2

12.4

103

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Note: Valuation data at 14 October 2019, using Datastream indices.

Fund profile: UK equity income fund focused on quality

Murray Income Trust (MUT) was founded in Scotland in 1923 and has been under the umbrella of Aberdeen Asset Management (now Aberdeen Standard Investments or ASI) since 2000. Current lead portfolio manager Charles Luke has been in place since 2006, assisted by Iain Pyle since 2018. MUT seeks to reward its investors with a high and growing income, as well as capital growth, from a relatively concentrated portfolio mainly made up of UK equities, although up to 20% may be invested overseas. Following the Aberdeen/Standard Life merger in 2017, Luke is now part of ASI’s expanded UK equity team (most of whose members were previously in the Standard Life Investments (SLI) team), which provides him with full research coverage of the FTSE 350 Index as well as access to Harry Nimmo’s UK smaller companies team. As a result, MUT now invests more in mid-cap UK stocks than hitherto. Luke’s focus is on well-managed, quality companies with solid income characteristics, which can be held for the long term.

MUT has a 46-year record of annual dividend growth, and is a member of the Association of Investment Companies’ UK Equity Income sector. It measures its performance against the FTSE All-Share Index. Gearing of up to £60m (c 10.5% of net assets) is available through a combination of long-term, fixed rate borrowing and a flexible multicurrency bank loan. Net gearing at 31 August 2019 was 2.6%. The manager may write options in order to enhance portfolio income.

The fund manager: Charles Luke

The manager’s view: Strong balance sheets are key to success

While the UK stock market remains very out of favour with investors globally, Luke says that for those with a long-term approach, there are many attractive investment opportunities in the current uncertain environment. He explains that his focus on investing in good-quality companies enables him to look past issues such as Brexit, a potential change in the UK government, trade wars and the deteriorating global economy: ‘My view is that if you focus on robust businesses with strong competitive positions, over time you will be fine. However, it is always worth being wary about what might happen in the future, as very few people can accurately call the next downturn, recession or market setback.’ Luke singles out balance sheet strength as a key aspect of his investment approach. ‘Lots of people say they invest in quality, but their portfolio characteristics do not always show it,’ he says, pointing to MUT’s average net debt to equity ratio, which is well below that of the FTSE All-Share (Exhibit 3). ‘Balance sheet strength is really important: never underestimate the ability of debt to undermine equity,’ he warns.

One of the more significant developments for MUT’s portfolio in recent years has been its increased focus further down the market capitalisation spectrum, as a result of the increased research resources available following the AAM/SLI merger. Luke says the small- and mid-cap exposure is now almost one-third of the portfolio, up from c 10% five years ago. ‘Our small- and mid-cap – but mostly mid-cap – exposure is probably higher than at any time in the last 10 years,’ he explains. ‘It has been a deliberate policy change to invest more in these areas, as that is where you tend to find under-researched, under-appreciated, quality companies that have growth potential and are in charge of their own destiny.’ He adds that there is also a greater likelihood of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity among mid-cap companies, with many takeovers happening at significant premiums to the pre-bid share price.

MUT’s dividend yield has recently dipped below that of the FTSE All-Share Index, partly because of the strongly rising share price (the revenue return per share was actually 3.9% higher in FY19 than in FY18). Luke says that one of the issues with having an objective that targets high income, income growth and capital growth in that order, is that it can be difficult to find good-quality companies with high and growing yields. ‘There is a tension between yield and capital growth,’ he explains. ‘Historically we may have focused too much on income and not enough on capital or income growth. A 4% yield is very attractive, but we want companies that can grow their dividends more rapidly than the market.’ Luke adds that by focusing on companies with stronger balance sheets, the trust has a greater likelihood of delivering on its income aspirations, maintaining its 46year record of annual dividend growth, and also getting a boost from special dividends. ‘MUT has an attractive yield and above-average dividend growth, pays dividends quarterly, has strong revenue reserves, and the option income is useful in providing an additional uncorrelated income stream,’ he concludes.

Asset allocation

Investment process: Building a focused but diverse portfolio

MUT manager Luke and deputy manager Pyle sit within ASI’s 16-strong UK equity team, and are two of the five members of the UK income product group. All the UK equity team members have specific industry research responsibilities, between them covering the full large- and mid-cap UK stock universe. MUT can also draw on overseas stock ideas from ASI’s large global investor network, and UK smaller company ideas from Harry Nimmo’s specialist Edinburgh-based team.

Quality is at the heart of MUT’s investment process (described in more detail in our initiation note), with the managers using fundamental research and frequent company meetings to identify well-managed businesses with strong balance sheets (high margins and returns on equity; low levels of net debt) and above-average earnings and dividend growth potential as well as dividend security (Exhibit 3). They seek to invest when the shares are undervalued, and hold them for the long term to allow the value to be realised. However, action will be taken swiftly if the team identifies a fundamental deterioration in any of the quality factors underpinning the investment case. ASI also takes an active approach to engaging with investee companies on environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; Luke says this is founded in patience and persistence, and a willingness to behave as part-owners of a business, rather than simply as investors in it. The manager can draw on the expertise of ASI’s team of more than 30 in-house ESG specialists to help assess whether investee companies are acting in the best interests of their shareholders and society at large.

Exhibit 3: MUT quantitative quality characteristics

MUT (%)

FTSE All-Share (%)

Return on equity

16.4

14.3

Operating margin

22.7

16.3

Net debt (ex-financials)

55.6

75.1

EPS growth 3-year forward

7.3

6.9

DPS growth 3-year forward

5.2

3.6

Source: Murray Income Trust, Edison Investment Research. Note: Calculated as weighted medians, as at 31 March 2019.

MUT aims to achieve a high and growing income, combined with capital growth, broadly in that order of priority. The managers construct a relatively concentrated portfolio of c 30–70 companies (currently 58), with a bias towards the larger end of the UK stock market by capitalisation, although up to 20% of assets (at the time of investment) may be in overseas holdings, and c 30% is invested in mid-cap and smaller companies. This combined diversification by both size and geography helps the managers to spread risk as well as accessing opportunities that may not be within the remit of other UK equity income funds. They also seek to diversify the portfolio by income, capital and sector (the top three sectors, using the ICB definition, may not exceed 50% of the portfolio, while the top five holdings are limited to 40%).

Portfolio turnover is low, in line with the manager’s broadly buy-and-hold approach. For FY19 turnover was c 20% (implying a five-year holding period), a slight decline from c 24% in FY18. The FY18 figure reflected a degree of rebalancing as a result of the enhancements to the investment process under the expanded UK equity team, which meets each morning to discuss company newsflow and any changes to the outlook for all stocks under their coverage.

Derivatives are used in concert with the investment process, to generate premium income on stocks the manager would be happy to top-slice (via call options), or top up at a lower share price (via put options). Gearing is deployed across the whole portfolio, with the multicurrency borrowing facility used to defray some of the foreign exchange risk of the overseas holdings.

Current portfolio positioning

At 30 September 2019, there were 58 stocks in MUT’s portfolio (51 UK and seven overseas), compared with 55 a year earlier. The top 10 holdings (see Exhibit 1) made up 31.2% of the total, which was a marginal decrease in concentration from 33.1% at 30 September 2018.

Exhibit 4: MUT’s overseas holdings as at 30 September 2019

Company

Country

Sector

% of portfolio end-Sept 2019

Roche Holdings

Switzerland

Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology

2.8

Microsoft

US

Software & computer services

2.3

Nestlé

Switzerland

Food producers

1.5

KONE

Finland

Industrial engineering

1.6

Novo-Nordisk

Denmark

Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology

1.4

VAT Group

Switzerland

Industrial engineering

1.0

Scandinavian Tobacco

Denmark

Tobacco

0.7

Source: Murray Income Trust, Edison Investment Research. Note: Excludes options.

The number of overseas holdings has fallen from eight at 31 December 2018 to seven at 30 September 2019 (Exhibit 4), following the sale in July of the position in Nordea Bank. With the exception of Microsoft, all the overseas holdings are listed in Switzerland or Scandinavian/Nordic countries. MUT’s portfolio is well diversified from a sector perspective (Exhibit 5), with the only significant underweight versus the FTSE All-Share Index being in oil & gas (-7.0pp), where high yields combined with low levels of dividend cover mean many of the companies do not have the dividend security Luke seeks. The biggest overweight positions are in technology (+3.8pp, partly as a result of the 2.8% holding in Microsoft, which is off-benchmark as an overseas holding), and healthcare (+3.1pp), where again some of the larger positions are in overseas stocks.

Exhibit 5: Portfolio industry exposure vs FTSE All-Share Index (% unless stated)

Portfolio end- August 2019

Portfolio end- August 2018

Change
(pp)

Index weight

Active weight vs index (pp)

Trust weight/ index weight (x)

Financials

22.2

26.0

(3.8)

24.9

(2.8)

0.9

Consumer goods

16.3

15.5

0.8

14.9

1.5

1.1

Industrials

13.3

15.7

(2.5)

11.8

1.5

1.1

Healthcare

12.7

10.3

2.5

9.6

3.1

1.3

Consumer services

10.7

8.7

1.9

12.0

(1.3)

0.9

Basic materials

7.0

6.7

0.3

7.4

(0.4)

0.9

Oil & gas

6.1

6.6

(0.5)

13.1

(7.0)

0.5

Technology

4.8

5.3

(0.5)

1.0

3.8

4.8

Telecommunications

2.6

3.9

(1.2)

2.7

(0.1)

1.0

Utilities

4.4

1.3

3.1

2.7

1.7

1.6

100.0

100.0

100.0

Source: Murray Income Trust, Edison Investment Research. Note: Adjusted for cash.

Luke comments that the portfolio has ‘been on a bit of a journey’ over the past year or so, with a slight shift away from overseas companies (from 13.8% at 30 June 2018 to 11.2% at 30 September 2019) and UK companies with predominantly overseas earnings, in favour of more domestically focused UK companies. Recent purchases in this category include paving firm Marshalls, housing developer Countryside Properties, kitchen cabinet specialist Howdens, and retailer WHSmith, which Luke says ‘is a much better-quality company than people think’. He has also added positions in mass-affluent financial advice firm St James’s Place, and utility company SSE. Medical device specialist Smith and Nephew is another recent addition, albeit one with a more international focus. Sales included Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust, given MUT’s enhanced capability to invest directly in mid-sized and smaller companies; fund manager Schroder, as the manager had concerns about the asset management industry backdrop, and also preferred St James’s Place from a quality perspective; and over-50s travel and insurance firm Saga, whose shares had fallen heavily after a surprise profit warning, and continued to slide after Luke exited the position.

The manager has been active in writing options to boost portfolio income, which is also mildly enhanced by the use of gearing. Option-writing as a strategy tends to be most successful during periods of market volatility.

Performance: Strong over both short and longer term

Exhibit 6: Five-year discrete performance data

12 months ending

Share price
(%)

NAV
(%)

FTSE All-Share
(%)

FTSE 350 HY
(%)

MSCI AC World
(%)

30/09/15

(9.2)

(4.7)

(2.3)

(9.7)

0.4

30/09/16

15.7

18.1

16.8

22.8

31.3

30/09/17

11.4

10.1

11.9

10.4

15.5

30/09/18

3.6

5.3

5.9

5.8

13.5

30/09/19

15.3

9.3

2.7

0.3

7.9

Source: Refinitiv. Note: All % on a total return basis in pounds sterling.

MUT has enjoyed a strong period of performance over the past year, outstripping the FTSE All-Share Index return (in share price and NAV total return terms) both during the sell-off in Q418 and in the subsequent recovery. Luke’s focus on quality companies (measured both quantitatively and qualitatively) has helped MUT’s performance in both absolute and relative terms, as these companies have held up better during the periodic bouts of risk-aversion that have increasingly characterised stock markets recently. The enhanced ability to react swiftly to negative developments at portfolio companies has also been beneficial for MUT. Outperformance during FY19 (ended 30 June) came mainly from stock selection, with notable contributions coming from UK stocks Aveva (software & computer services) and Diageo (beverages), and overseas holdings Microsoft (US, software & computer services) and Roche (Switzerland, healthcare). Negative impacts came from some smaller/mid-cap holdings such as Saga (since sold) and XP Power, as well as large telecom stock Vodafone. MUT’s share price performance has been stronger than its NAV returns over most periods shown in Exhibits 7 and 8, particularly so over the past 12 months as the discount has narrowed sharply.

Exhibit 7: Investment trust performance to 30 September 2019

Price, NAV and benchmark total return performance, one-year rebased

Price, NAV and benchmark total return performance (%)

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Note: Three, five and 10-year performance figures annualised.

MUT’s longer-term track record is also positive in both absolute and relative terms (Exhibit 7), with share price and NAV total returns ahead of the FTSE All-Share over three, five and 10 years, and 10-year annualised returns of c 10% versus c 8% for the index. Over most periods shown in Exhibit 8, the trust has also materially outperformed the FTSE 350 Higher Yield Index (which could be seen as a reasonable proxy for the investment universe of a UK equity income fund), although it has generally underperformed the MSCI AC World Index over longer periods, due in part to the weakness of sterling (which has boosted returns from overseas investments) as well as the strong performance of the dominant US market. However, MUT’s ability to own some overseas stocks means it can capture some of this opportunity, and the underperformance has been relatively mild over most periods, with outperformance of the global index over one month and one year.

Exhibit 8: Share price and NAV total return performance, relative to indices (%)

 

One month

Three months

Six months

One year

Three years

Five years

10 years

Price relative to FTSE All-Share

(0.1)

(0.5)

5.2

12.3

9.4

0.7

15.3

NAV relative to FTSE All-Share

(0.6)

0.4

3.1

6.4

4.1

2.6

12.4

Price relative to FTSE 350 HY

(1.7)

0.9

8.7

15.0

13.6

7.7

26.2

NAV relative to FTSE 350 HY

(2.2)

1.9

6.5

9.0

8.1

9.7

23.0

Price relative to MSCI AC World

1.9

(2.6)

0.1

6.9

(5.9)

(25.0)

(16.5)

NAV relative to MSCI AC World

1.4

(1.6)

(1.9)

1.3

(10.5)

(23.6)

(18.6)

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Note: Data to end-September 2019. Geometric calculation.

Discount: Strong performance sparks sharp narrowing

At 16 October 2019, MUT’s shares traded at a 4.0% discount to cum-income NAV. This stands up well against both short- and longer-term averages (6.2%, 7.7%, 7.0% and 4.1%, respectively, over one, three, five and 10 years), following a notable re-rating since the fourth quarter of 2018 (Exhibit 9). While MUT’s NAV total returns have been well ahead of the FTSE All-Share Index over the past year, the share price has advanced by even more, narrowing the discount to close to its lowest level in the past four years.

Exhibit 9: Share price premium/discount to NAV (including income) over five years (%)

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research

Capital structure and fees

Structured as a conventional investment trust with one class of share, MUT had 66.1m shares in issue at 16 October 2019, with a further 2.5m in treasury. While the board may repurchase up to 14.99% of the shares each year to manage a discount (or allot up to 5% to manage a premium), only 127,500 shares (0.2% of the share base) have been bought back in the last 12 months, with no repurchases since the end of October 2018, as the shares have enjoyed a re-rating on the back of strong NAV performance. Gearing of up to £60m (c 10.5% of net assets) is available via £40m of 10-year loan notes (issued in November 2017 with a coupon of 2.51%) and a £20m multicurrency bank borrowing facility with Scotiabank. Net gearing stood at 2.6% at end-August.

The trust pays Aberdeen Standard Fund Managers an annual management fee on a sliding scale based on net assets: 0.55% up to £350m, 0.45% from £350m to £450m, and 0.25% above £450m. Fees are charged 70% to capital and 30% to revenue. There is no performance fee. Ongoing charges for FY19 were 0.65%, a slight fall from 0.69% in FY18 and below the 0.89% average for the AIC UK Equity Income peer group.

Dividend policy and record

MUT seeks to reward its investors with a high and growing dividend, paid four times a year. Previously it has paid three interims and a final dividend; however, it has proposed a move to four interim dividends, allowing quarterly payments by removing the need to delay the fourth dividend for shareholder approval at the AGM. If the proposal is approved, from FY20 dividends will be paid in December, March, June and September (currently January, March, June and November).

For FY19, total dividends of 34.00p have been declared, a 2.3% increase on the 33.25p paid in FY18. This is the 46th consecutive year in which dividends have been increased, growing at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over five years. The FY19 dividend is 1.03x covered by revenue income, and the trust has also made a small addition to its revenue reserve, which now stands at 37.8p per share, or 1.11x the latest annual dividend.

Although it aims to provide an above-average dividend yield, MUT’s strong recent share price performance has meant the current yield, at 4.0%, is a little below the 4.2% yield on the benchmark FTSE All-Share Index. The portfolio yield has dipped below 4%, but MUT’s holdings have a higher three-year forecast dividend growth than the index, at 5.2% versus 3.6% (at end-March 2019; see Exhibit 3). The manager uses option-writing as a means of generating additional income, in concert with the investment process.

Peer group comparison

Exhibit 10: AIC UK Equity Income sector as at 14 October 2019*

% unless stated

Market
cap £m

NAV TR
1 year

NAV TR
3 year

NAV TR
5 year

NAV TR
10 year

Ongoing
charge

Perf.
fee

Discount
(cum-fair)

Net
gearing

Dividend
yield

Murray Income Trust

556.6

16.2

21.8

47.8

143.5

0.7

No

(3.9)

103

4.0

Aberdeen Standard Equity Income

182.0

(4.1)

8.3

30.5

121.4

0.9

No

(9.4)

114

5.4

BlackRock Income and Growth

44.4

8.3

14.2

45.5

118.3

1.1

No

(4.1)

105

3.6

BMO Capital & Income

326.9

12.8

25.2

62.0

139.1

0.6

No

(1.4)

101

3.5

BMO UK High Income Units

115.7

8.0

8.6

32.6

105.9

0.4

No

(12.1)

103

4.2

Chelverton UK Dividend Trust

36.2

(0.6)

5.9

39.4

282.4

2.0

No

(10.3)

135

5.5

City of London

1,595.8

10.4

15.2

43.9

156.8

0.4

No

2.4

108

4.6

Diverse Income Trust

326.1

0.1

11.9

45.6

1.2

No

(6.9)

100

4.2

Dunedin Income Growth

391.2

15.7

16.0

40.4

126.5

0.6

No

(8.0)

108

4.7

Edinburgh Investment

1,086.0

(1.3)

0.0

29.0

156.9

0.6

No

(10.7)

103

4.7

Finsbury Growth & Income

1,804.1

23.7

44.2

104.2

355.8

0.7

No

0.8

101

1.9

Invesco Income Growth

159.3

10.0

13.0

39.2

155.7

0.7

No

(15.1)

102

4.2

Investment Company

14.5

7.3

8.7

19.7

209.3

2.7

No

(13.7)

100

4.9

JPMorgan Claverhouse

393.6

7.8

18.0

46.1

134.8

0.7

No

(3.4)

111

4.0

JPMorgan Elect Managed Income

88.4

3.7

10.5

32.2

114.8

0.7

No

(2.4)

102

4.5

Law Debenture Corporation

686.6

5.8

17.6

48.0

164.5

0.5

No

(9.0)

108

3.4

Lowland

348.5

(1.9)

6.9

32.0

196.4

0.6

Yes

(6.6)

113

4.6

Merchants Trust

528.2

5.3

15.1

37.1

123.9

0.6

No

(0.3)

116

5.6

Perpetual Income & Growth

684.1

(0.8)

(2.6)

16.9

140.1

0.7

No

(13.4)

117

4.7

Schroder Income Growth

188.9

7.6

15.8

43.7

150.4

0.9

No

(8.1)

113

4.5

Shires Income

80.0

11.0

18.4

45.7

166.0

1.4

No

(1.2)

118

5.0

Temple Bar

842.6

11.0

21.0

40.4

145.3

0.5

No

(7.5)

110

4.2

Troy Income & Growth

244.2

14.5

18.5

56.4

165.5

0.9

No

1.4

100

3.3

Value And Income

113.4

6.3

10.2

30.8

117.7

1.3

No

(20.9)

131

4.7

Sector average (24 funds)

451.6

7.4

14.3

42.0

160.5

0.9

(6.8)

109

4.3

IA UK Equity Income sector average**

581.9

3.6

9.4

34.5

121.0

1.4

4.9

MUT rank in sector

7

2

3

5

13

15

9

15

19

Source: Morningstar, Edison Investment Research. Note: *Performance to 11 October 2019. **For open-ended funds, fund size is measured by assets under management (not market capitalisation) and ongoing charges by the total expense ratio. TR=total return. Net gearing is total assets less cash and equivalents as a percentage of net assets (100 = ungeared).

The Association of Investment Companies’ UK Equity Income sector, of which MUT is a member, is one of the largest AIC peer groups, with 24 funds having at least a one-year performance track record. In Exhibit 10 we show MUT in the context of this peer group. Strong performance over the last 12 months in particular has propelled the trust up the performance rankings, with above-average NAV total returns over one, three and five years, ranking second, third and fifth respectively, while lagging somewhat over 10 years. We also show the average returns for the open-ended Investment Association UK Equity Income sector; MUT’s performance is ahead of this peer group over all periods shown. Ongoing charges are lower than average, and, in common with all but one of the peers, MUT does not charge a performance fee. Following a recent narrowing in the discount, it is now tighter than the sector average, although three of the peers currently trade on a small premium to NAV. MUT’s gearing is below average in a sector where the majority of funds have some level of gearing, while its dividend yield is somewhat below average, largely as a result of strong share price performance. The open-ended funds have a higher yield on average, at 4.9% versus 4.3% for the closed-end funds.

The board

MUT has six independent, non-executive directors. The chairman, Neil Rogan, was appointed to the board in 2013 and took on his current role in 2017. Jean Park has been on the board since 2012, and became the senior independent director in 2018. Donald Cameron MSP also joined the board in 2012. A process of board refreshment has seen the trust appoint three new directors in the past two years: Peter Tait in November 2017, Stephanie Eastment (chairman of the audit committee) in August 2018, and Merryn Somerset Webb in August 2019. The directors have professional backgrounds in investment management, insurance, accountancy, law and personal finance journalism.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Murray Income Trust and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Murray Income Trust. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

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Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison’s policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison relies upon the "publishers’ exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Murray Income Trust and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Murray Income Trust. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison’s policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison relies upon the "publishers’ exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

  

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Secure Trust Bank — A reassuring trading update

Secure Trust Bank’s (STB’s) trading update for Q319 had a reassuring tone. The business trends and ‘overall results are in line with management expectations’. Management noted that demand slowed in September, but this is not a surprise given Brexit deadline concerns. STB has been in de-risking mode for several quarters and has been repositioning its loan book in anticipation of economic and political uncertainties. At the same time, the short duration of its loan book allows it to respond quickly as the lending environment changes. We are not making changes to forecasts or our fair value of 2,428p per share.

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