Review And Adjust As You Grow

As your income increases or life goals shift, revisit your investment plan. You might want to invest more, explore real estate, or adjust your risk level as retirement approaches. But the foundation—consistent, long-term investing in diverse, low-cost assets—rarely needs dramatic change.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

You won’t do everything perfectly, and that’s okay. What matters is that you’ve started. Most people never invest at all. Celebrate each milestone: your first $1,000 invested, your first dividend payment, your first market recovery. These small wins are the building blocks of real wealth over time.

Building Wealth From Scratch

Wealth Starts With Action

You don’t need a finance degree, a six-figure salary, or a Wall Street advisor to build wealth. You just need to get started, stay consistent, and keep learning. Rookie investors who commit to the basics early on are often the ones who achieve the most impressive results decades down the road. Start today and let time do the rest.

Chelverton UK Dividend Trust PLC (“SDV” or the “Company”)

SDV Update

Further to the announcement on 24 April, the 2025 ZDPs have now been repaid in full, and the Company currently has no borrowings or gearing.  The Company has net assets of £ 30.85 m, as at 7 May 2025, across a diversified portfolio of small and midcap companies.

The Manager believes that there are compelling opportunities within the mid- and smaller UK companies universe and that the application of a rigorous investment discipline, combined with patience and a long-term outlook, can produce outstanding returns for investors. The changing macroeconomic environment, notably lower inflation and the beginning of interest rate cuts in the UK provide an accommodating backdrop for mid- and smaller UK companies.

Dividend for year ending 30 April 2025

Further to the announcement of 5 March 2025, it continues to be the Board’s intention to pay the fourth interim dividend of 3.25p, which when added to the preceding three quarterly dividends would bring the total to 13.00p, for the year ending 30 April 2025.

Dividend Policy

As the Company is now ungeared, post the repayment of the final capital entitlement of the 2025 ZDPs, the underlying income from the restructured portfolio will lead to reduced dividend payments to ordinary shareholders. However, the Company has significant revenue reserves (£2.8m as at 31 October 2024, the last reported date), which can be used to supplement the underlying income.  

Consequently, the Board announces its intention to pay 2.5p per ordinary share on a quarterly basis being a total of 10.00p per ordinary share per annum for the next three years ending 30 April 2028 (subject inter alia to market conditions at the time), effective from the first interim dividend in respect of the year to April 2026. The shares will therefore provide a yield of 7.6% (based on the closing share price as at 8 May 2025). This dividend target takes into account the Company’s revenue reserves and assumes no change in the underlying portfolio income.

The Board believes this represents a compelling combination of an attractive dividend yield and the potential for capital upside from any recovery in the UK small and midcap market.

Outlook

The Board and the Manager are confident in both the Company’s prospects and in the current portfolio’s potential for growth.

As market circumstances develop, the Company will seek opportunities to reintroduce gearing into the Company’s structure. The Company continues to actively consider alternative financing options and will provide a further update as required.

A reduced dividend but still above 6% so it will remain in the Watch List, that is until it isn’t.

Fancy a 13.9% dividend yield? Consider these dirt-cheap investment trusts!

These investment trusts are trading at whopping discounts to their net asset values (NAVs). Here’s why they could prove to be brilliant buys.

Posted by Royston Wild

Published 23 December, 2024

GSF ORIT

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Investment trusts can deliver large returns while allowing investors to effectively diversify. But times have been tough for these companies more recently.

Victoria Hasler, head of fund research at Hargreaves Lansdown, notes that

She also notes that “over the last couple of years we have seen some good quality investment trusts trading on hefty discounts“. This remains the case as we head into the New Year.

So I’m searching for the best value trusts to consider today. Here are two of my favourites.

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust

Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has sent a shockwave across renewable energy stocks. Even companies with little-to-no exposure to the US have slumped following November’s election.

This provides a terrific dip buying opportunity in my opinion. One such business that’s caught my attention is Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (LSE:ORIT).

At 63.5p per share, it trades at a huge 38.7% discount to its estimated net asset value (NAV) per share of 103.6p.

Recent share price weakness has also turbocharged Octopus’ dividend yield to 9.5%. To put this in context, the average for FTSE 100 shares is way back at 3.6%.

I like this trust because of the excellent diversification it offers. It generates power from offshore and onshore wind turbines as well as from solar farms. This allows consistent power generation across all seasons, and boosts efficiency by using technologies that are tailored to different environments.

With assets across the British Isles, Finland, Germany, and France, it can also remain profitable despite poor weather or regulatory issues in one or two regions.

Importantly, it also has no exposure to the US, removing uncertainty over the future of green policies under President-elect Trump.

Such fears — however impractical — may continue to weigh on Octopus’ share price. But over the long term I think it could prove a robust investment.

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund

The Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LSE:GSF) shares several characteristics with the Octopus trust.

Its share price has declined due to falling confidence in renewable energy. This is because demand for its technologies are tied to growth in the renewables sector, where they provide a stable flow of energy even during unfavourable weather.

Gore Street is also vulnerable to higher interest rates that dampen asset values and increase borrowing costs.

But like Octopus, it also offers excellent value I find hard to ignore. At 50.6p per share, the trust trades at an 49.7% discount to its NAV per share of 100.7p.

Meanwhile, its forward dividend yield is a staggering 13.9%.

This is another share with considerable long-term potential as the world switches away from fossil fuels. Bloomberg estimates the global energy storage market will experience an annual growth rate of 21% between now and 2030.

And Gore Street is rapidly expanding to supercharge long-term revenues. Operational capacity leapt 45% in the 12 months to September, to 421.4 MW.

Price since start of 2025.

GSF + 32.6%

ORIT + 6.6%

Current yield

GSF 12%

ORIT 8.5%

A 9.16% yield! Here’s the eye-catching dividend forecast for this hotshot

Jon Smith eyes up a juicy dividend forecast for a renewable energy stock that has a dividend policy aiming to increase by inflation each year.

Posted by

Jon Smith

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Trying to find stocks with a high dividend yield is one thing. Finding ideas that have a good track record and look sustainable is another. Looking at a potential contender’s dividend forecast is a good way to see what the future could hold instead of just focusing on past payouts.

Here’s one idea I think’s worth considering.

Details to note

I’m talking about the Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (LSE:ORIT). It has a current dividend yield of 8.81%, with the stock down 5% in the past year.

The investment company focuses on generating income and growth for shareholders by investing in renewable energy assets across Europe, the UK, and Australia. This includes projects like offshore wind farms, solar parks, and battery storage facilities.

It makes money primarily by selling electricity produced by its renewable energy assets. Given that these are often sold as part of long-term contracts, it historically has good predictable cash flow. This makes it appealing for income investors.

From the dividend side, it typically pays out money each quarter. It has a policy to increase its dividend target in line with inflation. So compared to the 6.02p total from 2024, the announcement was made at the start of this year that it would be raised by 2.5%. As a result, the total payout for this year should be 6.17p.

When I consider the current share price of 69p, this would equate to a yield of 8.94%. If I assume inflation runs at 2.5% for this year, 2026 could see a dividend raised to 6.32p. Using the the current share price again, this would translate to a yield next year of 9.16%

Fighting inflation

Having a clear dividend policy with the aim of increasing the income by the pace of inflation is great. In theory, it allows an investor to not have their income eroded by inflation over time.

However, it’s not always possible to do this. For example, if inflation spiked suddenly to a very high level, management might not be able to honour the policy. After all, the business is only able to generate a certain amount of profit. It would struggle to boost the dividend by X% if earnings for the year only increase by Y%.

A risk is that interest rates stay higher for longer in the UK, putting pressure on finances. Large-scale projects are partly funded by debt. So if the interest rate doesn’t fall as fast as some are expecting, the funding costs will be larger than anticipated. This could filter down to lower profit.

Even with these concerns, I believe the trust is an excellent option for sustainable income. The fact that it operates in the renewable energy sector should also mean it has long-term demand.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Jon Smith has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

We think earning passive income has never been easier

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for growth on your initial investment.

To see if there is any further research for your Snowball type the ticker (ORIT) in the search box.

Current share price 47p

Current yield 13.7%

The plan is to use the dividend stream to re-invest in other higher yielding shares in the Snowball.

The yield is higher than the market average, so high risk, it would therefore be prudent not to re-invest the earned dividends back into SEIT.

The dividend could be frozen or cut but that would not be a reason to sell the Trust.

The plan is to hold to try and achieve the holy grail of investing of having a share in your portfolio that produces income at a zero, zilch, cost.

The discount to NAV is 48%, so if they were taken over, there should be profit to re-invest back into the Snowball.

7% and 13.4% dividend yields

Story by Royston Wild

Happy woman commuting on a train and checking her mobile phone while using headphones© Provided by The Motley Fool

Investing for a second income is becoming more challenging as recessionary risks grow in key economies.  Dividends from a broad range of UK shares could be under threat if earnings stagnate or fall.

High energy

With a 13.4% forward dividend yield, SDCL Energy Efficiency Trust‘s (LSE:SEIT) one of the top three highest-yielding investment trusts on the London stock market.

As its name implies, this trust owns assets that seek to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. These include electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop solar panels on retail buildings, and waste heat recovery systems for industrial clients. In all, it has 50 different projects on its books.

These span both cyclical and defensive sectors — such as healthcare, retail and data centres — as well as different parts of the world. Around two-thirds of its assets are in the US, with the remainder spread across the UK, Asia and Mainland Europe. This diversified approach facilitates a smooth stream of income even if individual industries or territories suffer turbulence.

As the chart below shows, SDCL’s dividends have grown each year since the trust’s initial public offering (IPO) six years ago.

Source: dividenddata.co.uk

That’s not to say future earnings aren’t immune to pressure however. I’m especially mindful that changing green policy in the US under the Trump presidency could limit future returns.

Good health

Primary Health Properties (LSE:PHP) is another investment trust with sky-high dividend yields and a long record of payout growth. Indeed, annual dividends here have risen for 28 straight years.

This partly reflects its classification as a real estate investment trust (REIT). Under sector rules, at least 90% of earnings from its rental operations must be distributed in the form of dividends.

Source: Primary Health Properties

It’s also because of its focus on the ultra-defensive healthcare sector. The vast majority of its 500-plus properties are doctor surgeries, with other properties including dentists, pharmacies and diagnostics centres.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice.

Profits could be at risk if NHS policy changes unfavourably. However, the cost benefits that primary healthcare in general brings means such actions are unlikely (if not totally off the table). Just this week, the UK government announced a £102m cash injection to build new surgeries and modernise existing ones.

Primary Health Properties’ forward dividend yield is also a market-beating 7%.

The post 7% and 13.4% dividend yields! 2 investment trusts to consider for a second income appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Custodian Property Income REIT plc

(“Custodian Property Income REIT” or “the Company”)

Active asset management continues to drive income and valuation growth, underpinning fully covered dividend

Custodian Property Income REIT (LSE: CREI), which seeks to deliver an enhanced income return by investing in a diversified portfolio of smaller, regional properties with strong income characteristics across the UK, today provides a trading update for the quarter ended 31 March 2025 (“Q4” or the “Quarter”) and the year ended 31 March 2025 (“FY25”).

Commenting on the trading update, Richard Shepherd-Cross, Managing Director of the Investment Manager, Custodian Capital Limited, said: “This Quarter’s performance further emphasised the benefits of portfolio diversification, which combined with our hands on approach to generating strong income growth, has helped support three consecutive quarters of capital appreciation. We believe the current discount provides an attractive entry point for investors, especially given our long track record of fully covering the dividend, with shares currently yielding around 8%. The 17 lettings, lease renewals, re-gears and rent reviews we completed during the Quarter were achieved at significant aggregate premiums to ERV and previous rent, and our ongoing investment in solar panels at our properties has begun to prove its worth as a potential source of future revenue and value creation.

“We also believe that during periods of trade uncertainty such as the one the world now finds itself in, it would not be unreasonable to view UK real estate as a relatively safe haven for investors seeking stable asset backed income in established and secure jurisdictions. This should be particularly true for the Company’s diversified investment strategy that generally targets sub £10m, higher yielding, regional assets across the UK, that principally serve a local and/or domestic market.”

Highlights

Strong leasing activity continues to support rental growth, underpinning fully covered dividend

• 1.5p dividend per share approved for the Quarter, achieving aggregate FY25 dividends per share of 6.0p, in line with target, and fully covered by unaudited EPRA earnings per share
• Target dividends per share of no less than 6.0p for the year ending 31 March 2026.  This target dividend represents a 7.9% yield based on the prevailing 76p share price
• EPRA earnings per share of 1.6p for the Quarter (Q3: 1.5p)
• EPRA occupancy decreased to 91.1% (31 Dec 2024: 93.4%), primarily due to a previously flagged industrial unit becoming vacant in Biggleswade, which provides an opportunity to refurbish and improve the rental rate, and an office in Sheffield where we are assessing the options.  The industrial asset in Biggleswade is already under offer to let subject to a refurbishment.  4.0% of estimated rental value (“ERV”) is vacant and being or about to be refurbished or under offer to let or sell (31 Dec 2024: 1.8%)
• During the Quarter, this decrease in occupancy resulted in a 1.2% decrease in like-for-like passing rent.  However, like-for-like ERV increased by 1.5%, primarily driven by 2.1% like-for-like growth in the industrial sector
• Significant potential for further income growth with the portfolio’s ERV of £50.2m exceeding the current passing rent of £43.9m by 14% (31 Dec 2024: 11%).  Approximately 30% of this reversion is available from leasing events with the remainder from letting vacant space.  Based on our track record and occupier demand for space, we expect to capture this potential rental upside at (typically) five-yearly rent reviews or on re-letting, with an opportunity to do so across c. 17% of the portfolio’s income in FY26.  We expect to also continue to drive passing rent and ERV growth further through asset management initiatives
• Leasing activity during the Quarter comprised the completion of two rent reviews at an average 31% increase in annual rent, nine lease renewals and regears in aggregate 11% ahead of ERV and 13% ahead of the previous rent, and letting six vacant units

Valuations growing across the Company’s c.£594m portfolio, with a 1.2% uptick on a like-for-like basis

• Q4 net asset value (“NAV”) total return per share of 3.4%
• NAV per share grew by 1.8% to 96.1p (31 Dec 2024: 94.4p) with a NAV of £423.5m (31 Dec 2024: £416.1m)
• The value of the Company’s portfolio of 151 assets at the Quarter end was £594.4m (31 Dec 2024: £586.4m), a like-for-like increase of 1.2% during the Quarter, net of £0.8m of capital expenditure. Benefitting from a diversified portfolio, during FY25, the Company has seen a like-for-like portfolio valuation increase of 2.2%

Savers might be surprised at how much they need in their pension pot to fund this.

Figures we plugged into MoneyHelper’s annuity comparison tool showed a 65-year-old would need a pension pot of around £545,000, if they wanted to purchase an annuity that paid out enough each year to fund a comfortable retirement (i.e. just over £43,000 per year).

The amount will vary depending on your health and the sort of annuity product you want to buy, as well as market annuity rates at the point of purchase.

The quote we generated assumes the 65-year-old is in good health, and wants to purchase a single-life level annuity.