The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc has decided to increase the interim dividend by 7.7% to 7.0 pence per share. In the absence of any unforeseen circumstances, it is expected that the Board will also increase the final dividend. The final dividend for the year ended 31 May 2019 was 16.5 pence. The Board has declared an interim dividend to be paid on 9 March 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 14 February 2020. The ex-dividend date will be 13 February 2020.