ABERFORTH SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC - Interim Management Statement

PR Newswire

                     Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc     Interim Management Statement for the 3 months ended 30 September 2014Investment ObjectiveThe investment objective of Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc (ASCoT) is toachieve a net asset value total return (with dividends reinvested) greater thanon the Numis Smaller Companies Index (Excluding Investment Companies) (NSCI(XIC)) over the long term.Aberforth Partners LLP are contracted as the Investment Managers andSecretaries to the Company.Features  * During the 3 months to 30 September 2014, the Company's net asset value    fell by 0.4%. By comparison, the Company's benchmark, the NSCI (XIC), fell    by 2.9%. Over the 9 months to 30 September 2014, the Company's net asset    value rose by 0.7% though the benchmark fell by 3.5%.All figures are total    returns.  * 20,000 shares were purchased for cancellation during the quarter for a    total consideration of £214,000.  * The Board declared an interim dividend for the year ending 31 December 2014    of 7.75p, an increase of 5.4%. This dividend was paid on 28 August 2014.Financial Position                       As at         As at              As at                             30 September 2014  30 June 2014   31 December 2013Fixed Assets: Investments              £1,156m       £1,166m            £1,168mat bid priceNet Liabilities                         £(33m)        £(32m)             £(30m)                                       _______       _______            _______Total Shareholders' Funds              £1,123m       £1,134m            £1,138mNet Asset Value                       1177.35p      1189.50p          1,193.22pShare Price                           1090.00p      1046.00p          1,095.00pDiscount                                  7.4%         12.1%               8.2%Shares in Issue                     95,344,792    95,364,792         95,382,792Market Capitalisation                   £1039m         £998m            £1,044mGearing                                   3.0%          2.8%               2.6%General InformationOngoing charges (2013 -p.a.)                                              0.79%Launch Date                                                    10 December 1990Further InformationFurther information regarding the Company, including any share buybacks, themost recently published net asset value and the monthly factsheet can be foundon the following website: www.aberforth.co.ukContactDavid Holland (Tel: 0131 220 0733)Aberforth Partners LLP, Secretaries,3 October 2014NoteThis information has been provided in satisfaction of obligations under DTR 4.3