Latest Listed Investment Company News

Solaris Australian Equity Income Plus is seeking up to $91.97 million through a placement and 1-for-3 entitlement offer priced below its market price. The capital is intended to enlarge the portfolio ahead of February and March dividend opportunities, but the offers are non-underwritten and non-renounceable.

Marlin Global’s portfolio fell 6.3% in FY2026 while its benchmark gained 30.5%, prompting a tighter risk framework and a broader portfolio. The NZX-listed investment company has started FY2027 more strongly, but the recovery remains early.

Global Masters Fund will pay its first-ever dividend, a 15.0 cent per share special distribution that is fully franked and sourced from taxable capital gains. The payment marks a deliberate transition for the listed investment company, not the start of a regular dividend stream.

Barramundi’s portfolio suffered its worst reported year in decades, with a NZ$42.9 million loss and an adjusted NAV return of -18.2% against a 9.2% benchmark gain. The board is negotiating a new management agreement with Fisher Funds while imposing tighter diversification and risk limits.

Gowing Bros has reported a $3.49 million FY2026 net loss, with Surf Hardware International remaining deeply loss-making and shopping centre values falling by $3 million. The diversified investment group maintained a fully franked 3 cents per share final dividend as cash declined and borrowings increased.

NAOS Small Cap Opportunities has declared a 1.00 cents per share quarterly dividend, 50% franked, while its investment manager commits to reinvest 100% of estimated annual management fees in NSC shares. The payout implies a 16.38% annualised yield at the latest closing price, although future distributions remain dependent on performance and reserves.

Barramundi’s portfolio returned 3.0% on a gross basis in the September quarter, ahead of the ASX 200’s 1.3% gain. CSL, Ansell, MAAS Group and PWR Holdings led the recovery, although the NZX-listed investment company still traded at a 17.2% discount to NAV.

L1 Global Long Short Fund has completed its entitlement offer, shortfall offers and institutional placement, raising the maximum A$565.4 million available. The capital will be invested under the L1 Global Long Short Strategy, with 321.2 million new shares due to begin trading next week.

Queste Communications is seeking shareholder approval to leave the ASX, arguing that limited trading, concentrated ownership and listing costs no longer justify its quoted status. If approved and accepted by ASX, trading could end on 29 December 2026, leaving shareholders to sell privately after delisting.

Orion Equities will ask shareholders to approve a voluntary ASX delisting, arguing that sparse trading, concentrated ownership and annual listing costs no longer justify its quoted status. The move would leave shareholders relying on private transactions to sell their shares if the delisting proceeds.

Djerriwarrh Investments has declared a fully franked first-quarter FY27 dividend of 3.75 cents per share and is targeting the same payment for the second quarter. The second distribution remains subject to market conditions and final Board approval.

Whitefield Income more than doubled FY2026 profit to $16 million while raising $187 million and maintaining fully franked monthly dividends. Yet net asset backing per share slipped to $1.23 as investment revaluations weighed on equity.