Henderson European Focus Trust : Monthly Factsheet as at 29 February 2024

HENDERSON EUROPEAN FOCUS TRUST PLC (HEFT) ISIN: GB00BLSNGB01

Factsheet - at 29 February 2024

Marketing Communication

Share price performance (total return)

Price (rebased)

		Benchmark
200		NAV (cum income)
150
100
50
0
Feb 19	Feb 20	Feb 21	Feb 22	Feb 23	Feb 24

Dividend history (pence/share)

6.0

	Income		Income Special

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Please note that this chart could include dividends that have been declared but not yet paid.

Performance		6m		1y		3y		5y		10y
over (%)
	Share price	9.9	13.6	38.3	76.4	139.0
	(Total return)
	NAV		12.9		13.6		40.0		82.9		160.5
	(Total return)
	Benchmark	9.6	10.7	32.7	61.8	123.8
	(Total return)
	Relative NAV		3.3		2.9		7.3		21.1		36.7
	(Total return)

Discrete year	Share price	NAV
performance (%) (total return)	(total return)
	31/12/2022 to	21.7		20.5
31/12/2023
	31/12/2021 to		-7.1		-4.8
	31/12/2022
	31/12/2020 to	14.6		17.2
31/12/2021
	31/12/2019 to		8.5		10.9
	31/12/2020
	31/12/2018 to	31.5		24.4
31/12/2019

All performance, cumulative growth and annual growth data is sourced from Morningstar.

Source: at 29/02/24. © 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information

contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance does not predict future returns.

Proposed merger of interests with Henderson EuroTrust plc

Shareholders should note the Company's announcement on 14 March 2024 proposing a merger of interests with Henderson EuroTrust plc to form Henderson European Trust plc. Further information is set out in the announcement on the Company's website. A circular to shareholders containing the full details of the proposals, and convening the necessary general meeting for shareholders to vote on the proposals, will be sent to shareholders.

Commentary at a glance

Performance

In the month under review the Company's NAV total return was 4.6% and the FTSE World Europe (Ex UK) Index total return was 2.7%.

Contributors/detractors

Positive contributors included Besi, CRH, Linde, Schneider Electric and Safran. Detractors included UPM-Kymmene, Arkema and Aker BP.

Outlook

Ongoing uncertainty around the path of inflation/interest rates will likely continue to cause near-term volatility. We see attractive global secular themes within our investment universe on a longer- term horizon.

See full commentary on page 3.

References made to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector, and should not be assumed to be profitable. Janus Henderson Investors, its affiliated advisor, or its employees, may have a position in the securities mentioned.

Company overview

Objective

The Company seeks to maximise total return (a combination of income and capital growth) from a portfolio of stocks listed in Europe.

Highlights

A focused investment trust of between 35 and 45 companies in Europe with an emphasis on maximising total return.

Company information

NAV (cum income)	201.1p
NAV (ex income)	200.4p
Share price	176.0p
Discount(-)/premium(+)	-12.5%
Yield	2.5%
Net gearing	1%
Net cash	-
Total assets	£458m
Net assets	£428m
Market capitalisation	£374m
Total voting rights	212,768,122
Total number of holdings 41
Ongoing charges	0.80%
(year end 30 Sep 2023)

Benchmark	FTSE World Europe (Ex
UK) Index

Overall Morningstar RatingTM 

As of 29/02/2024

Morningstar Medalist RatingTM

Effective 16/10/2023

Analyst-Driven %: 100.00

Data Coverage %: 100.00

Please remember that past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment and the income from it can rise as well as fall as a result of market and currency fluctuations, and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Please refer to the glossary for the definition of share price total return.

How to invest		Find out more
Go to www.janushenderson.com/howtoinvest		Go to www.hendersoneuropeanfocus.com

Source: BNP Paribas for holdings information and Morningstar for all other data. Differences in calculation may occur due to the methodology used.

Please note that the total voting rights in the Company do not include shares held in Treasury.

HENDERSON EUROPEAN FOCUS TRUST PLC (HEFT) ISIN: GB00BLSNGB01

Factsheet - at 29 February 2024

Marketing Communication

Top 10 holdings	(%)
Novo Nordisk	5.9
ASML	5.5
UPM-Kymmene	4.6
Safran	4.1
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton	3.9
Schneider Electric	3.9
Airbus	3.7
SAP	3.7
TotalEnergies	3.6
Siemens	3.2

References made to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, investment strategy or market sector, and should not be assumed to be profitable. Janus Henderson Investors, its affiliated advisor, or its employees, may have a position in the securities mentioned.

Geographical focus (%)

France	34.4%
Netherlands	16.0%
Germany	14.6%
Finland	7.8%
Denmark	6.8%
United	4.7%
Kingdom
Belgium	3.9%
Switzerland	3.6%
United States	2.9%
Sweden	2.1%

The above geographical breakdown may not add up to 100% as this only shows the top 10.

Sector breakdown (%)

 Industrials	29.9%
 Technology	16.4%
 Consumer	12.5%
Discretionary
 Basic Materials 11.5%
 Health Care	10.5%
 Consumer	7.1%
Staples
 Energy	6.5%
 Financials	5.6%

The above sector breakdown may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Key information

Stock code	HEFT
AIC sector	AIC Europe
Benchmark	FTSE World Europe (Ex
UK) Index
Company type	Conventional (Ords)
Launch date	1947
Financial year	30-Sep
Dividend payment	June, February
Risk rating	Slightly above average
(Source: Numis)
	0.65% for net assets up
Management fee	to £300m. 0.55% for net
	assets above £300m.
Performance fee	No

Premium/(discount) of share price to NAV at fair value (%)

20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
Feb 21	Feb 22	Feb 23	Feb 24

10 year total return of £1,000

3,000		Share price total return	Benchmark
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Feb 14	Feb 16	Feb 18	Feb 20	Feb 22	Feb 24

All performance, cumulative growth and annual growth data is sourced from Morningstar. Share price total return is calculated using mid-market share price with dividends reinvested.

(See Annual Report & Key Information Document for more information)

Regional focus	Europe
Fund manager	Tom O'Hara 2020
appointment	John Bennett 2010

Tom O'Hara

Fund Manager

John Bennett

Fund Manager

Please remember that past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment and the income from it can rise as well as fall as a result of market and currency fluctuations, and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Please refer to the glossary for the definition of share price total return.

	How to invest			Customer services
	Go to www.janushenderson.com/howtoinvest			0800 832 832

HENDERSON EUROPEAN FOCUS TRUST PLC (HEFT) ISIN: GB00BLSNGB01

Factsheet - at 29 February 2024

Marketing Communication

Fund Manager commentary

Investment environment

Resilient US economic data and stronger-than- anticipated inflation mean that expectations for interest rate cuts in the short term have been pared back.

Europe's largest companies in the technology, health care and luxury goods sectors continued to lead equity market returns thanks to announcing strong fourth quarter results, causing the benchmark to perform well over the month.

We saw a reversal of some of January's sector rotation.#

Portfolio review

Top positive contributors to performance in February included Besi (semiconductor capital equipment), CRH (building materials), Linde (industrial gases) and Schneider Electric (capital goods). All these companies reported quarterly results that were ahead of market expectations and generally gave positive outlooks on the trends they see in their businesses for 2024 and beyond.

The biggest detractors included UPM-Kymmene, due to an unexpected weaker earnings forecast for the first half of this year, Arkema, as its shares were caught up in a wider sell-off of cyclical firms and chemical companies, and Aker BP, due to worsening sentiment around the energy sector.

In terms of activity, we opened a new position in Carlsberg, the global brewer. This was catalysed by a meeting with the new CEO, who recently refined the company's strategic plan to 2027 to focus on the company's premium portfolio, faster growing categories outside of beer, and specific growth markets (such as China, Vietnam and India). This position was funded by trimming a number of holdings across the portfolio. We made no sales during the month.

Manager outlook

We continue to believe in the likelihood of structurally higher inflation and higher interest rates in the years ahead, at least relative to the decade prior to the Covid pandemic. This is not to argue against the potential for near-term disinflation of a more cyclical nature, as supply shocks from both Covid and the Ukraine war are lapsed.

That said, even given the shifting rhetoric from central banks, we continue to lean much more towards a central bank 'plateau' rather than a 'pivot' on interest rates. This is, unless we witness a sharp economic contraction. However, given the fiscal bazooka being deployed under 'Bidenomics' and the need for Europe to follow suit, we may not see the economic 'hard landing' (recession) the market intermittently panics over, even if consumers do moderate their appetite to spend.

Longer term, we expect a clear shift towards a multipolar world, of which deglobalisation - and the capital intensive likes of 'Bidenomics' - is an outcome. We could also see a political shift in favour of populist/pro-labour policies, from both traditional 'left' and 'right' ends of the political spectrum. This could mean stronger wage inflation and greater labour market friction. It also leads us to believe equity investors will need to be more sensitive to valuation when making stock purchasing decisions.

The real economy implications will also present opportunities for stock-pickers. Enablers of deglobalisation (think industrial automation, digitalisation, electrification and construction materials firms) could thrive, while large incumbents across many industries (such as brewing, food catering and enterprise software) could see their already dominant positions enhanced as the end of virtually 'free' money from very low interest rates tempers the threat of disruption by unprofitable start-ups. Europe offers plentiful opportunities to access these themes, being home to large global champions at what we see as reasonable valuations.

HENDERSON EUROPEAN FOCUS TRUST PLC (HEFT) ISIN: GB00BLSNGB01

Factsheet - at 29 February 2024

Marketing Communication

Glossary

Discount/Premium

The amount by which the price per share of an investment company is either lower (at a discount) or higher (at a premium) than the net asset value per share (cum income), expressed as a percentage of the net asset value per share.

Gearing

The effect of borrowing money for investment purposes (financial gearing). The amount a company can "gear" is the amount it can borrow in order to invest. Gearing is used in the expectation that the returns on the investments bought will exceed the costs of the borrowings that funded the purchase. This Company can also use synthetic gearing through derivatives and foreign exchange hedging and/or other non-fully funded instruments or techniques.

Leverage

The Company's leverage is the sum of financial gearing and synthetic gearing. Details of the Company's leverage limits can be found in both the Key Information Document and Annual Report. Where a company utilises leverage, the profits and losses incurred by the company can be greater than those of a company that does not use leverage.

Market capitalisation

Share price multiplied by the number of shares in issue, excluding treasury shares, at month end. Shares typically priced mid-market at month-end closing.

Net Asset Value (NAV)

The total value of a Company's assets less its liabilities.

NAV (Cum Income)

The value of investments and cash, including current year revenue, less liabilities (prior charges such as loans, debenture stock and preference shares at fair value).

NAV (Ex Income)

The value of investments and cash, excluding current year revenue, less liabilities (prior charges such as loans, debenture stock and preference shares at fair value).

NAV total return

The theoretical total return on shareholders' funds per share reflecting the change in Net Asset Value (NAV) assuming that dividends paid to shareholders were reinvested at NAV at the time the shares were quoted ex-dividend. A way of measuring investment management performance of investment trusts which is not affected by movements in discounts/premiums.

Net assets

Total assets minus any liabilities such as bank loans or creditors.

Net cash

A company's net exposure to cash/cash equivalents expressed as a percentage of shareholders' funds, after any offset against its gearing. This is only shown for companies that have gearing in place.

Net gearing

A company's total assets (less cash/cash equivalents) divided by shareholders' funds expressed as a percentage.

Ongoing charges

The total expenses for the financial year (excluding performance fee), divided by the average daily net assets, multiplied by 100.

Risk rating

The key measure used to assess risk is volatility of returns, using historic net asset value (NAV) performance of the Company over 1 and 3 years. In this instance volatility measures how much a company's NAV fluctuates over time in relation to the UK Equity market. The higher a volatility figure, the more the NAV has fluctuated (both up and down) over time. Please note that risk categorisations are indicative and based principally on historic data and should not be solely relied upon when making investment decisions.

Share price

Closing mid-market share price at month end.

Share price total return

The theoretical total return to the investor assuming that all dividends received were reinvested in the shares of the company at the time the shares were quoted ex-dividend. Transaction costs are not taken into account.

Total assets

Cum Income NAV multiplied by the number of shares, plus prior charges at fair value.

Yield

Calculated by dividing the current financial year's dividends per share (this will include prospective dividends) by the current price per share, then multiplying by 100 to arrive at a percentage figure.

For a full list of terms please visit: https://www.janushenderson.com/en- gb/investor/glossary/

HENDERSON EUROPEAN FOCUS TRUST PLC (HEFT) ISIN: GB00BLSNGB01

Factsheet - at 29 February 2024

Marketing Communication

Source for fund ratings/awards

Overall Morningstar Rating™ is a measure of a fund's risk-adjusted return, relative to similar funds. Fund share classes are rated from 1 to 5 stars, with the best performers receiving 5 stars and the worst performers receiving a single star.

Overall Morningstar Rating™ is shown for an investment company achieving a rating of 4 or 5.

Morningstar Medalist Rating™

Ratings should not be taken as a recommendation. For more detailed information about Morningstar Ratings, including its methodology, please go to www.global.morningstar.com/managerdisclosures.

Company specific risks

• This Company is suitable to be used as one component of several within a diversified investment portfolio. Investors should consider carefully the proportion of their portfolio invested in this Company.
• Active management techniques that have worked well in normal market conditions could prove ineffective or negative for performance at other times.
• The Company could lose money if a counterparty with which it trades becomes unwilling or unable to meet its obligations to the Company.
• Shares can lose value rapidly, and typically involve higher risks than bonds or money market instruments. The value of your investment may fall as a result.
• The return on your investment is directly related to the prevailing market price of the Company's shares, which will trade at a varying discount (or premium) relative to the value of the underlying assets of the Company. As a result, losses (or gains) may be higher or lower than those of the Company's assets.
• If a Company's portfolio is concentrated towards a particular country or geographical region, the investment carries greater risk than a portfolio that is diversified across more countries.
• The Company may have a particularly concentrated portfolio (low number of holdings) relative to its investment universe - an adverse event impacting only a small number of holdings can create significant volatility or losses for the Company.
• Where the Company invests in assets that are denominated in currencies other than the base currency, the currency exchange rate movements may cause the value of investments to fall as well as rise.
• The Company may use gearing (borrowing to invest) as part of its investment strategy. If the Company utilises its ability to gear, the profits and losses incurred by the Company can be greater than those of a Company that does not use gearing.

Not for onward distribution. Before investing in an investment trust referred to in this document, you should satisfy yourself as to its suitability and the risks involved, you may wish to consult a financial adviser. This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the AIFMD Disclosure document and Annual Report of the AIF before making any final investment decisions. Past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Tax assumptions and reliefs depend upon an investor's particular circumstances and may change if those circumstances or the law change. Nothing in this document is intended to or should be construed as advice. This document is not a recommendation to sell or purchase any investment. It does not form part of any contract for the sale or purchase of any investment. We may record telephone calls for our mutual protection, to improve customer service and for regulatory record keeping purposes.

Issued in the UK by Janus Henderson Investors. Janus Henderson Investors is the name under which investment products and services are provided by Janus Henderson Investors International Limited (reg no. 3594615), Janus Henderson Investors UK Limited (reg. no. 906355), Janus Henderson Fund Management UK Limited (reg. no. 2678531), (each registered in England and Wales at 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) and Janus Henderson Investors Europe S.A. (reg no. B22848 at 2 Rue de Bitbourg, L-1273, Luxembourg and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier).

Janus Henderson is a trademark of Janus Henderson Group plc or one of its subsidiaries. © Janus Henderson Group plc .