Bluefield Solar shares up despite reporting negative return

Bluefield Solar Income Fund posted its annual report for the year to 30 June on Tuesday, with total investment income during the year of £28.02m and total underlying earnings of £20.97m.

The London-listed firm’s underlying earnings per share were 7.1p, with a total declared dividend per share for the year of 7.25p.

Total comprehensive income before tax was £8.67m, with statutory earnings per share of 2.92p and a net asset value per share of 99.39p, against a share price of 99.75p.

Bluefield’s total return to shareholders, based on the share price movement and dividends paid during the year, was a loss of 2.51%.

“The board is pleased to announce a strong set of results with above target earnings for the second full year of operations and an above target dividend of 7.25p per share,” said chairman John Rennocks.

“The company has established a strong platform to continue to deliver solid underlying earnings and dividends over the medium to long term.”

At 0928 BST, shares in Bluefield Solar Income Fund were up 0.23% at 107.25p.