Milton Investment Corporation limited (ASX:MLT) is an Australian Listed Investment Company that’s been around since 1938. They invest mainly in Australian listed stocks which make up just over 90% of its entire assets, and have provided shareholders great returns according to their three key mission statements;
” To Increase fully franked dividends paid to shareholders over time ”
“To provide capital growth in the value of shareholders investments”
“To invest in a diversified portfolio of assets which are predominantly Australian Listed companies and trusts”
Milton Investment Corporation Limited
From humble beginnings being incorporated in November 1938, to becoming listed on the ASX in 1958, Milton has grown to become the third largest Listed Investment Company in Australia, managing over (AUD) $3.1 Billion in funds.
in October 2021, Milton was acquired by Washington H. Soul Pattinson (ASX:SOL) and so was delisted and can no longer be traded. Milton shareholders were given a pro rata equivalent in shares of Washington H. Soul Pattinson (ASX:SOL). It probably makes sense to take down this review because of that, but for historical reasons I am going to leave it up as it probably explains a bit around my understanding of LICs at the time it was written.
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The details
Milton has a diversified portfolio of listed companies and trusts as well as other interest producing securities and real estate properties. Milton’s team of professionals review its portfolio and make recommendations to its investment committee of four directors. Because it is managed by a small team, Milton has a very low annual management expense ratio of .14% ($14 per $10,000 invested per year).
Milton has a large holding in Banks and other financial stocks, and otherwise holds a very diversified portfolio as shown in the breakdown below:
Performance
Milton has provided investment returns in line with the index over the long term. Below the total return of Milton is shown (blue is portfolio NAV, orange is share price) against the index. It is worth noting however, that the graph below does not include the effects of franking on returns. By passing on reliable fully franked dividends, Milton shareholders have benefited from Australian tax law franking credits and franking refunds. This is because franked returns come with a 30% corporate tax rate credit, and those on higher tax brackets simply pay a ‘top up’ tax and those on lower tax brackets get a refund for the difference.
Milton is sitting on a franked dividend yield of 4.62% which is grossed up to 6.6% when accounting for the franking (Aussie tax break credit system). They have a strong history of increasing dividends and as shown below the dividend yield has increased consistently every year since the GFC. Prior to that, they had accelerated significantly, so the correction of the GFC saw this return to more sustainable levels.
Apart from the amazing 6.6% grossed up dividend, Milton’s share price has also grown, making up the difference between the high dividend and the total shareholder return.
Financial Disclaimer
Financial Disclaimer: CaptainFI is NOT a financial advisor and does not hold an AFSL. This is not financial Advice!
I am not a financial adviser and I do not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). In this article, I am giving you factual, balanced information without judgment or bias, to the best of my ability. I am not giving you any general or personal financial advice about what you should do with your investments. Just because I do something with my money (or use a particular service or platform) doesn’t mean it is automatically appropriate for your personal circumstances. I do not recommend nor endorse any financial or investment product, and my usage or opinion of any product should not be interpreted as an endorsement, advertisement, or intent to influence.
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Captain FI is a Retired Pilot who lives in Adelaide, South Australia. He is passionate about Financial Independence and writes about Personal Finance and his journey to reach FI at 29, allowing him to retire at 30.
great review thanks! I just invested my first share in Milton
unfortunately they have reduced their current dividend….
5.8c interim dividend versus 9c last year. that’s a large cut.
whereas AFI, AUI, MLT, WHF, MIR and WLE have not. in fact WLE have raised theirs slightly.
the main advantage ( perhaps the only one ) of LICs over listed active or passive ETFs is the ability to smoothen out dividends, despite a bad year on the stockmarket, using prior years retained profits. If MLT can’t do that after only 1 bad year and despite their large size whilst others can, it is not a good look.
perhaps explains why MLT is trading at a discount to MTA, whereas AFI, WHF, MIR, and WLE are trading at substantial premiums.
the market has noticed.
Wow yeah Carlos you are right that is a bit of a worry isn’t it! I have switched from targeting LICs into a more passive strategy now focusing on just my core holding of ETFs (A200 / VTS / VEU) so am paying less attention to the LICs or dividend smoothing – but I totally ack that for some retirees they want that stability / smoothing effect. Interesting you bring up some of the other LICs – the main ones on my ‘radar’ was MLT, ARG, BKI and AFI
We have some serious amount of MLT and the SOL buyout has both share prices going through the roof. At this stage we have decided to wait it out and collect the dividends end up with the SOL shares. What’s you thoughts on the whole buy out and what are you doing with your MLT shares?
haha mate if I had 20/20 vision I would have kept my Milton shares and rode the SOL boom too. Anyway, it is what it is, I was not to know they would do that and to be honest with the information I had at the time I would have still made the call to sell and move into the ETF structure. I do still quite like LICs in general but I believe from what I have read that for me, index fund ETFs are the way to go for the moment.