Updates from Ultra Electronics, SGV Capital and Scottish Investment Trust

Updated
savings, tax, stockmarket, pensions, cash, investment FTSE 100, Ultra Electronics, SGV Capital, Scottish Investment Trust
savings, tax, stockmarket, pensions, cash, investment FTSE 100, Ultra Electronics, SGV Capital, Scottish Investment Trust

The FTSE 100 took a 56-point tumble on Monday, ending at 6,984.4. Ashtead Group shares stumbled again, down 3.5% to 1120p while Morrisons Supermarkets saw fresh pressure, down 3.4% to 171p. AstraZeneca was down 2.6% to 4372.50p. However, better news for Primark owner Associated British Foods, climbing 2.6% to 3028p helped by an upgrade from Goldman Sachs.

Across the water the Dow Jones saw a 115.4 point dive to 18,010.6 following weaker financial numbers from The Commerce Department indicating the US economy contracted in the first quarter. Greek woes also nagged.

We commence with an update from Ultra Electronics - it has agreed to buy the Electronic Products Division (EPD) of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for a cash sum of $265m.

EPD, headquartered in Massachusetts, US, employs 433 across four offices in the US and UK and is a designer of microwave integrated systems used in radar, missile, flight test and simulation applications.

"EPD adds significant core technologies in the RF and microwave sectors," claims Ultra boss Rakesh Sharma, "and complements the Group's communications and sensor portfolio." Ultra shares have climbed more than 5% in the last month.

Next, an interim from SVG Capital. SVG reports a NAV per share of 592p (£1.1bn) which is a 1% increase in the three months, or 15% since March 2014. There are claimed significant distributions - £287m received in the period.

A further £72m of realisations are expected to complete before the end of June 2015 says SVG. Its post-2012 investment portfolio now represents 28% of the overall investment portfolio.

"We have good visibility," says the company, "on the investment pipeline over the next 12 to 18 months and expect to make at least one new commitment and further co-investments this year."

We end with another a six-month update from Scottish Investment Trust. In the six months to 30 April 2015, the net asset value per share (NAV) total return was 9.8%. The share price total return over the same period was 9.4%.

In comparison over the same period the FTSE All-World Index total return was 9.6% and the UK FTSE All-Share Index total return was 9.2%.

"As we rationalised our holdings, we reduced Health Care and Technology and added to Utilities and the consumer sectors." Industrials returned £15.3m, helped by a weak euro and economic recovery in the eurozone.

McCain Seeks Funding to Help Asia Against China Challenges
McCain Seeks Funding to Help Asia Against China Challenges


Read more:

10 Top ISA Tips for 2015

The Naked Trader

Day Trading: 15 Secrets to Success

Advertisement