Publication of monthly factsheet
Summary by AI BETAClose X
10 October 2025
UTILICO EMERGING MARKETS TRUST PLC
(LEI Number: 2138005TJMCWR2394O39)
Publication of monthly factsheet
The latest monthly factsheet for Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc ("UEM" or the "Company") will shortly be available through the Company's website at:
https://www.uemtrust.co.uk/investor-relations/factsheet-archive
Monthly commentary
PERFORMANCE
In September, UEM's NAV total return was up by 1.3% underperforming the MSCI Emerging Markets total return Index which was up by 7.5% in Sterling terms. Given UEM's focus on infrastructure and utility stocks, the underexposure to AI investments, as explained below, is the prime reason for UEM's underperformance this month. For the first six months of UEM's financial year to 31 March 2026, UEM's total return was up 12.7% versus a gain of 18.8% in the MSCI EM total return Index in Sterling terms.
September turned out to be another positive month for markets driven primarily by the Chinese Hong Kong Hang Seng Index which was up by 7.1%, fuelled by the ongoing (albeit fragile) extension of the US-Chinese trade truce and continued AI optimism. The AI euphoria was clearly reflected in Alibaba's Hong Kong listed share price which was up by 53.0% for the month on the back of the company announcing an increase in AI capital expenditure and a new partnership with Nvidia. The US market also reflected this positive AI sentiment, as the S&P 500 Index was up by 3.5% and the Nasdaq up by 5.6%. The US market was also helped by the US Federal Reserve Bank cutting interest rates by 25 bps for the first time in 2025 despite inflation ticking up from 2.7% to 2.9%, as the labour market has begun to show some signs of softening. The US Dollar appreciated against Sterling by 0.4%.
Elsewhere in Asia, the Taiwan Stock Exchange was up 6.6%, again boosted by its exposure to technology stocks which are benefitting from the AI party. In the Indonesian market, the JCI Index was up by 2.9%, whilst Thailand's Thai Set Index was up by 3.0%. The Philippines' PSEi Index was down by 3.3% on the back of weaker macro economic data and fears of a more hawkish US Federal Reserve. India was up marginally for the month, with the Nifty Index up by 0.8% as the stock market continues to see an outflow of foreign capital, despite the implementation of the GST cut at the end of the month and improved sentiment.
Within LatAm, performance was positive although it was overshadowed by the AI drive seen in other regions. The Brazilian Ibovespa Index was up by 3.4%, with the Brazilian Central Bank in September keeping the Selic rate at 15%, signalling a pause in the tightening cycle. The Brazilian Real strengthened against Sterling by 2.3%. In the Colombian market, the COLCAP Index was up 1.4% and Chilean IPSA Index was up 0.8%. The Mexican Mexbol Index was the best performer in the region, up by 7.2%, benefitting from Pemex's credit upgrade and government support. Conversely, the Argentine Merval Index was down by 10.7% on the back of President Milei's worse than expected electoral result in the Province of Buenos Aires.
PORTFOLIO
There was one change to the top thirty holdings in September, with Celsia replacing Rumo. Celsia is an integrated utilities company listed in Colombia operating across the Americas.
Performance across the portfolio was mixed in September, with the final few companies reporting results for the period ended 30 June 2025. Most of UEM's Brazilian investments in the top thirty saw share price appreciation, with Eletrobras continuing its upward streak, up by 16.3% on the back of announcing a capital allocation strategy expected to boost dividends and an improvement of long term power prices in Brazil. Sabesp was up by 7.9% during the month, and Alupar and Copel were both up by 7.1%. Other top performers were Kinx which was up by 15.8%, benefitting from positive AI market sentiment as well as two shareholders increasing their position within the company. Helios Towers also increased by 13.7% benefitting from interest rates reductions, whilst NHPC, the Indian hydro power company, was up by 11.6% as it commenced work on a 2.9GW project.
Four companies within the top thirty saw share price weakness of more than 5% during the month. Inpost was down by 15.9% despite its 2Q25 results being in line with expectations, due to mounting concerns about its future relationship with one of its key clients, Allegro in Poland and teething issues with the integration of Yodel into its UK business. SUNevision was also down by 10.1%, despite reasonable 2Q25 results, as a lack of new orders announced was disappointing. Manilla Water was down by 8.8% as investors took some profit on the back of strong share price performance whilst FPT was down by 8.5% as foreign shareholders continue to sell, despite the improvement in its order book.
Portfolio purchases amounted to £16.6m and total realisations were £20.3m.
DEBT
UEM's debt position rose during the month with the total debt exposure in Sterling terms increasing from £17.1m to £21.6m. This was drawn down as GBP 5.0m, EUR 7.5m and USD 13.5m.
OTHER
UEM's share price increased by 2.0% in September, ending the month at 255.00p with the discount to NAV narrowing from 11.9% to 10.5%.
During the month, UEM held its AGM and a GM where 97.6% voted in favour to amend the Articles of Association and to approve the continuation of UEM for another five years until the AGM in 2030.
UEM bought back 1.1m shares at an average price of 250.82p in the month taking the total number of shares bought back since its year end to 5.8m shares, equivalent to 3.1% of its share capital as at 31 March 2025.
UEM paid its first quarterly dividend of 2.325p per ordinary share in respect to the year ending 31 March 2026, on 26 September 2025 to shareholders on the register on 5 September 2025.
Name of contact and telephone number for enquiries:
ICM Investment Management Limited +44(0)1372 271486
Charles Jillings, Jacqueline Broers, Alastair Moreton
Montfort Communications
Gay Collins, Alex Everett +44 (0) 7798 626282
utilico@montfort.london
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
Latest directors dealings
- 27 minutes ago Prudential
- 39 minutes ago Vanquis Banking Group 20
- 3 hours ago Frasers Group
- 3 hours ago Cavendish Financial
- 3 hours ago Diaceutics