14th Jan 2026 10:10
(Alliance News) - Polar Capital Global Healthcare Trust PLC on Wednesday said demand for healthcare products remains robust as it outperformed its benchmark.
The investor in healthcare stocks, whose portfolio includes the likes of Eli Lilly & Co and AstraZeneca PLC, said net asset value per share was 369.51 pence each as at September 30, down 6.5% from 395.05p a year prior.
NAV total return was minus 5.9% in the financial year ended September 30, though outperforming against its benchmark, the MSCI ACWI Healthcare index, which had a return of minus 7.8%.
The company highlighted that an absence of exposure to New Brunswick, New Jersey-based healthcare firm Johnson & Johnson was a notable detractor during financial 2025.
Meanwhile, sub-sectors pharmaceuticals, healthcare services and managed care were the biggest contributors, all boosted by positive stock selection.
Polar Capital Global Healthcare declared a 1.00 pence second interim dividend on Wednesday, meaning dividends amounted to 2.20 pence per share in financial 2025, down 8.3% from 2.40p in financial 2024.
Chair Lisa Arnold said: "In the early months of the current financial year, sentiment appeared to have improved for the healthcare sector, with some outperformance against the wider market. As seen in the manager's report, the portfolio managers remain encouraged by the strong fundamentals of the healthcare industry, a view underpinned by high levels of innovation. Demand for healthcare products remains robust, whilst other long term drivers including industry consolidation, accelerated demand in emerging markets and the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies all support a strong foundation to drive much needed efficiencies and better patient outcomes.
"The board will continue to monitor performance but remains very optimistic about the outlook for the healthcare sector and the opportunities to generate returns for shareholders, especially with the revised structure for which shareholders have given their support."
Polar Capital Global Healthcare shares were up 0.8% to 432.38 pence each on Wednesday morning in London.
By Tom Budszus, Alliance News slot editor
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