Portfolio Update

BLACKROCK SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC All information is at 31 March 2015 and unaudited. Performance at month end is calculated on a capital only basis One Three One Three Five Month Months Year Years Years Net asset value* -1.1% 4.0% -2.7% 51.6% 125.3% Share price* 0.4% 6.0% -5.9% 56.1% 149.6% Numis ex Inv Companies + AIM -1.3% 2.9% -7.3% 25.6% 46.8% *performance calculations based on a capital only NAV with debt at par, without income reinvested. Share price performance calculations exclude income reinvestment. Sources: BlackRock and Datastream At month end Net asset value Capital only (debt at par value): 932.63p Net asset value Capital only (debt at fair value): 925.21p Net asset value incl. Income (debt at par value)**: 946.92p Net asset value incl. Income (debt at fair value)**: 939.49p Share price: 815.00p Discount to Cum Income NAV (debt at par value): 13.9% Discount to Cum Income NAV (debt at fair value): 13.3% Net yield^^^: 1.6% Gross assets^: £493.3m Gearing range as a % of net assets: 0-15% Net gearing including income (debt at par): 9.2% 2014 Ongoing charges ratio^^: 0.7% 2014 Ongoing charges ratio (including performance fees): 1.0% Ordinary shares in issue#: 47,879,792 **includes net revenue of 14.29p ^includes current year revenue ^^ As reported in the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 28 February 2014, the ongoing charges ratio is calculated as a percentage of net assets and using operating expenses, excluding performance fees, finance costs and taxation. ^^^Yield calculations are based on dividends announced in the last 12 months as at the date of release of this announcement, and comprise the final dividend of 7.40 pence per share (announced on 25 April 2014 and gone ex-dividend on 14 May 2014) and the interim dividend of 5.50 pence per share, (announced on 24 October 2014, gone ex-dividend on 6 November 2014). #excludes 2,113,731 shares held in treasury. Sector Weightings % of portfolio Industrials 27.3 Consumer Services 18.1 Financials 17.9 Consumer Goods 9.3 Basic Materials 8.8 Health Care 7.4 Technology 7.3 Oil & Gas 3.1 Telecommunications 0.8 ----- Total 100.0 ===== Ten Largest Equity Investments Company % of portfolio 4imprint 1.9 Workspace Group 1.8 Avon Rubber 1.7 Senior Engineering Group 1.7 CVS Group 1.7 Savills 1.7 Bodycote 1.6 Lookers 1.6 Tyman 1.6 Rathbone Brothers 1.5 Commenting on the markets, Mike Prentis, representing the Investment Manager noted: During March the Company's NAV per share fell by 1.1% on a capital only basis whilst the benchmark index fell by 1.3%; the FTSE 100 Index fell by 2.5%. The major positive contributors to stock selection during the month were our holdings in 4imprint, CVS Group and Betfair. These contributions were all based on strong trading results in recent weeks. We had an excellent meeting with CVS Group management who continue to grow their veterinary business both organically and through small, bolt-on acquisitions. The Company's core holdings of high quality companies, such as Workspace Group and Ted Baker, are performing well supported by strong operational delivery. Shares in Fevertree Drinks continued to be in demand as the company delivered on the high growth expectations set at IPO. Our meetings with management over results season left us confident that these portfolio companies and others are in excellent shape to capitalise on their respective growth opportunities. Encouragingly, there were no significant stock detractors from relative outperformance during the month. From a sector allocation perspective our underweight position in oil & gas companies and our overweight position in the chemicals sector both contributed positively during March. We added holdings in Eurocell and Shawbrook, both on IPO. Eurocell is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer and merchant of PVC profiles for doors, windows and roofline products in the UK. Shawbrook is a niche banking business which is growing well. We were impressed by management in both companies. 15 April 2015 ENDS Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.co.uk/brsc on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
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