The European Smaller Companies Trust (LON:ESCT) Hits New 52-Week High – Here’s What Happened

The European Smaller Companies Trust PLC (LON:ESCT)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as GBX 190 ($2.46) and last traded at GBX 190 ($2.46), with a volume of 372411 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 188 ($2.44).

The European Smaller Companies Trust Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 180.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 175.73. The company has a market capitalization of £737.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.82 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.30, a current ratio of 0.08 and a quick ratio of 0.04.

The European Smaller Companies Trust (LON:ESCT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The company reported GBX 1.19 ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The European Smaller Companies Trust had a return on equity of 10.91% and a net margin of 87.06%.

The European Smaller Companies Trust Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be issued a GBX 1.45 ($0.02) dividend. This represents a yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. The European Smaller Companies Trust’s dividend payout ratio is 23.57%.

The European Smaller Companies Trust Company Profile

The Company’s investment objective is to achieve capital growth by investing predominantly in smaller and medium sized companies in Europe. The Company maintains a diversified portfolio. The Company invests 7% of its total assets. The Company invests in equities and other investments for long term, so as to secure its investment objective.