Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc celebrates its 20th anniversary by closing the market at the London Stock Exchange
Utilico Emerging Markets Trust plc (“UEM” or the “Company”), a UK-listed investment company focused on global infrastructure and utilities megatrends in emerging markets, celebrates its 20th anniversary as a public company, following its admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange on 20 July 2005.
The megatrends of social infrastructure, energy growth & transition, digital infrastructure and global trade - are accelerating structural growth drivers in emerging markets investment opportunities and delivering attractive long-term total returns for investors. Despite ongoing macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical noise, these megatrends remain fundamental, underpinning critical infrastructure investment required for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s innovation.
Since inception to 30 June 2025, UEM has achieved a NAV total return of 9.1% per annum or 471.1% in aggregate, significantly outperforming the MSCI EM Index which was up by 325.3% over that period.
Charles Jillings has been managing the trust since its IPO in 2005. At the start of this year, UEM’s investment manager, ICM Limited, appointed Jacqueline Broers as joint portfolio manager alongside Charles. Jacqueline was previously deputy portfolio manager, having joined ICM in 2010.
“UEM’s focus on infrastructure and utilities in emerging markets is highly differentiated from the MSCI EM Index and is expertly managed by a disciplined, bottom-up approach from the Investment Managers.”
“With President Trump’s focus on tariffs, emerging markets are expected to be well placed as investors look to capitalise on this dislocation in the markets. Foreign investors are beginning to look for alternatives to the US to invest, which can only be positive for the rest of the world. With emerging markets valuations remaining relatively cheap, these markets are likely to benefit from increasing investor demand, playing very well to our core investment thesis.”
“The defensive nature of UEM’s infrastructure and utilities portfolio, supported by global infrastructure megatrends and the manager’s disciplined stock selection, positions UEM to sustain its success over the long term. This approach aims to generate consistent returns for shareholders while providing an attractive dividend income, building on the achievements of the past two decades.”
Mark Bridgeman
Chairman of UEM
