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The Global Smaller Companies Trust Plc(GSCT)
GBX --+0.00%
57Reward
51Risk
📊75%Data
Strong 87% profit margin · Revenue growing 397% YoY
GSCT
+0.0 · +0.00%
GBX · LSE
The Global Smaller Companies Trust Plc | Financial Services
Profitless Growth
Market Cap:787.66M
ℹ️
Reward Rating
57
Moderate
Top 50% stock
75% data coverage
ℹ️
Risk Rating
51
Moderate
Risk Assessment
ℹ️

Educational tool only – Scores are based on historical data and financial metrics for informational purposes. This is not financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Always conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser.

ℹ️ Educational tool only · More

Market Performance

Stock returned +10.0% over the past year, broadly in line with market conditions.

What is The Global Smaller Companies Trust Plc?

The Global Smaller Companies Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by F&C Investment Business Ltd. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. The company is listed on the LSE in UK, operating in the Financial Services sector, with a market capitalisation of 787.66M, and a P/E ratio of 14.3x.

Financial Highlights

Investment Breakdown

📈 Growth
Revenue and earnings growing steadily, indicating improving operating performance.
💰 Profitability
Adequate profitability with some margin variability in recent periods.
⚠️ Risk
Performance tied to macro conditions — sensitive to interest rate cycles.
💸 Valuation
Valuation appears fair relative to current fundamentals.

OpenBook Logo Analysis

Reward: Moderate (57)

The scoring profile indicates moderate reward potential, with growth and momentum as the leading contributors. Risk indicators are elevated — volatility and macro sensitivity warrant consideration.

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice.

Company Information
SectorFinancial Services
Market Cap787.66M
P/E Ratio14.3231
Dividend Yield1.56%
52 Week High194.6
52 Week Low129.5709
Last AnnualApril
IPO DateN/A
IncorporatedUK
Shares Outstanding423M
No. of EmployeesN/A
IndustryAsset Management
ExchangeLSE
Beta0.74
CurrencyGBX
Websitewww.fandc.com/fandc-global-smaller-compani

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Uses ISF.L (iShares FTSE 100 ETF)
Indicators

Performance Metrics

Historical returns

Annual Returns

Calendar year performance

Insufficient price history.
Fundamentals
Fundamentals Insights
Educational tool only. Not financial advice.

Business Snapshot

  • Revenue TrendDecelerating
  • Profitability TrendImproving
  • Balance Sheet StrengthModerate
  • Cash GenerationModerate

Risk Flags

Structural indicators detected (5):
Growth
  • Revenue remains 111.5% below the prior peak from 2021.
Profitability
  • Free cash flow margin was below 0% in 3 of the last 5 years.
  • Operating cash flow to net income ratio has remained below 1.0x for 2 consecutive years (0.14x latest).
Balance Sheet
  • Interest coverage is 0.00x (below 3.0x).
  • Net debt has shown elevated year-over-year volatility.

What Changed This Year

Compared to 2024:
  • Net Income↓ 161.5%
  • Operating Income↓ 159.2%
  • EBITDA↓ 159.1%
  • Revenue↓ 150.2%

Income Statement

CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A

Balance Sheet

CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A

Cash Flow

CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A
CAGR: N/A

Key Ratios

Net Margin
112.17%
Net Income / Revenue
Operating Margin
109.43%
Operating Income / Revenue
ROE
-5.78%
Net Income / Equity
Debt-to-Equity
0.05x
Net Debt / Equity
FCF Yield
1.35%
FCF / Market Cap

Community Discussion

4 today

Share your insights and read what others think about The Global Smaller Companies Trust Plc

4 posts
0/500 characters
John Investor · 2 hours agoBullish
Really impressive Q3 results. Revenue growth of 15% YoY is strong given the current market conditions. The management team seems to be executing well on their strategic plan.
Sarah Chen · 5 hours agoBearish
Concerned about the increasing debt levels. While the P/E ratio looks attractive, the debt-to-equity ratio has been climbing. Would like to see more focus on deleveraging in the next few quarters.
Mike Trading · 1 day agoBullish
Been holding this for 3 years now. Solid dividend yield and consistent performance. Great for long-term investors looking for stability.
Emma Watson · 1 day agoNeutral
What are people's thoughts on the upcoming merger announcement? Could be a game changer for the industry.
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AI-powered community insights

AI

AI Community Insights

Analysis of the past 4 weeks

Community Summary

Community sentiment analysis...

Sentiment Analysis

Community engagement metrics

This Week

Total Posts12
Active Users8
Avg. Posts/Day2

Community Sentiment

Bullish50%
Neutral25%
Bearish25%
Ownership Analysis
Key Takeaway

Mixed ownership structure with varying levels of insider, institutional, and public participation.

● 3.6% Insider● 65.0% Institutional● 31.5% Float
Insider
Institutional
Public Float
69%
Total Owned
3.6%
Insider

Insider Ownership

Bearish

Insiders own 3.6%, which points to limited direct management ownership.

65.0%
Institutional

Institutional Ownership

Strong

Institutions own 65.0%, indicating strong support from professional investors.

31.5%
Public

Public Float

Low

Public float is 31.5%, which points to a fairly balanced ownership structure.

Reward Rating Breakdown

Our reward rating analyses GSCT's potential upside using 5 weighted factors. Each factor is scored 0-100, then combined using the weights shown below.

Overall Reward Rating
57
Moderate REWARD
Data Coverage: 75%

📈 Growth

Weight: 40%
68/100

Growth measures the company's ability to expand its business over time through revenue, earnings, and cash flow generation.

Historical (60%)
Revenue CAGR (3yr)
—
Neutral
Net Income CAGR (3yr)
66.3%
Very Good
FCF CAGR (3yr)
22.5%
Very Good
Forward Estimates (40%)
Rev Est Growth (NTM)
—
Neutral
EPS Est Growth (NTM)
—
Neutral
Analyst Target Upside
—
Neutral
🤖AI Analysis

GSCT scored 68/100 for growth — blending a 3-year historical track record (60%) with analyst forward estimates (40%). Net income expanded at 66.3%, showing strong earnings leverage. No analyst forward estimates available — score based on historical data only. Overall a solid growth profile with positive momentum.

🚀 Momentum

Weight: 25%
50/100

Momentum is assessed relative to the FTSE 100 benchmark where available. Relative outperformance is a stronger signal than absolute return alone.

12M vs Benchmark 30%
—
Absolute return
No Benchmark
6M vs Benchmark 25%
—
Absolute return
No Benchmark
3M Return 20%
—
—
Neutral
Consistency 15%
—
3m vs 1Y/4 normalised
No Data
Volume Trend 10%
—
30d vs 90d avg volume
Neutral
🤖AI Analysis

Insufficient price history to assess momentum. Score defaulted to neutral (50).

💰 Profitability

Weight: 20%
50/100

Profitability examines both the current margin level and margin expansion trends. High and expanding margins indicate pricing power and operational efficiency.

Gross Margin 25%
—
Sector avg 45%
No Data
Net Margin 20%
—
Sector avg 10%
No Data
FCF Conversion 20%
>200%
FCF / Net Income
Very Good
EBIT Growth (3yr) 15%
—
—
Neutral
ROE (TTM) 10%
6.2%
—
Neutral
ROA (TTM) 10%
3.7%
—
Neutral
🤖AI Analysis

Insufficient profitability data available. Score defaulted to neutral (50).

💎 Valuation

Weight: 15%
46/100

Valuation is scored sector-relative — each metric is compared against the typical multiple for this industry, so a high P/E in Healthcare is judged differently to a high P/E in Energy. PEG and Price/FCF use absolute thresholds.

PEG Ratio 25%
0.00
—
No Data
EV/EBITDA 25%
0.0x
Sector avg 12x
Exceptional Value
Fwd P/E 20%
0.0x
Sector avg 18x
Very Expensive
Price/FCF 20%
74.3x
—
Very Expensive
EV/Sales 10%
15.8x
Sector avg 2x
Very Expensive
🤖AI Analysis

GSCT received a valuation score of 46/100 using sector-relative scoring. Its Forward P/E of 0.0x is 100% below the sector average of 18x. EV/EBITDA of 0.0x sits 100% below the sector norm of 12x. Price/FCF of 74.3x is elevated, meaning the cash yield is modest. Overall the stock trades at a premium to sector peers, leaving limited margin of safety.

⚠️

Educational Tool Only

The reward rating and analysis shown above are based on historical financial data and quantitative metrics, provided for informational and educational purposes only. This is not financial advice and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.

Risk Rating Breakdown

Our risk rating assesses GSCT's downside potential using 4 weighted factors. Each factor is scored 0-100 (higher = riskier), then combined using the weights shown below.

Overall Risk Rating
51
Moderate RISK
Data Coverage: 100%

⚖️ Financial Solvency

Weight: 35%
47/100

Financial Solvency measures the company's ability to service and repay its debt obligations. Five sub-metrics are weighted to produce the composite score.

Interest Coverage (25%)
0.0x
Danger Zone
Net Debt / EBITDA (20%)
—
—
Current Ratio (20%)
10.68x
Very Strong
Debt Trend 3yr (15%)
-7%
Stable
FCF / Debt Coverage (20%)
27%
Good
🤖AI Analysis

GSCT has a financial solvency risk score of 47/100. This represents moderate leverage that warrants monitoring. Interest coverage of 0.0x is adequate but not comfortable. Debt has changed -7% over the last 3 years. The balance sheet is stable in normal conditions but could face stress in a downturn. Watch coverage ratios and free cash flow trends.

💼 Operational Quality

Weight: 30%
70/100

Operational Quality measures bottom-line efficiency, cash generation, capital productivity, and margin consistency — four equally weighted signals of business model resilience.

Net Margin (25%)
—
—
FCF Margin (25%)
—
—
Cash ROA (25%)
1.3%
Weak
Margin Stability (25%)
—
—
🤖AI Analysis

GSCT scores 70/100 for operational quality, indicating high operational risk. Key concerns: weak capital efficiency with 1.3% Cash ROA. These weaknesses make the business vulnerable to cost shocks or revenue shortfalls. Monitor profitability trends closely.

📉 Volatility

Weight: 25%
35/100

Volatility measures price instability, worst-case drawdowns, and sensitivity to broader market moves.

Annualised Volatility (35%)
—
—
Max Drawdown (35%)
—
—
Beta (30%)
0.74
Mildly Defensive
🤖AI Analysis

GSCT has a volatility risk score of 35/100. This shows low volatility with relatively stable prices. Beta of 0.74 indicates defensive characteristics — it moves less than the market. Lower volatility is well-suited to conservative investors and income-focused portfolios.

📊 Size Factor

Weight: 10%
50/100

Size factor captures existential risk. Smaller companies have higher failure rates, less diversification, and greater vulnerability to shocks.

Market Cap
£0.8B
Neutral
Size Category
Small Cap
Neutral
🤖AI Analysis

GSCT has a market cap of £0.8B (Small Cap), resulting in a size risk score of 50/100. As a mid-cap company, it faces moderate size-related risk. Mid-caps are typically past the highest-risk startup phase but don't yet have the scale and diversification of large-caps. They can still face challenges from larger competitors and economic cycles, but have established operations and some market presence. Size risk is present but manageable with proper diversification.

ℹ️

Educational Tool Only

The risk rating and analysis shown above are based on historical financial data and quantitative metrics, provided for informational and educational purposes only. This is not financial advice and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.

Analyst Forecasts

Forward-looking estimates from the analyst community for GSCT.

Street ViewBalanced
Balanced setup with +397.3% revenue growth and +528.6% EPS growth.
forecast ranges show tight ranges, 30-day EPS revisions are flat.
Consensus
+397.3% revenue growth
Confidence
Limited visibility
tight ranges
Watch Item
Execution needs to hold
Strong growth expectations leave less room for disappointment if execution slows.
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Yearly Revenue and 2-Year Forecast

Reported revenue for the last 5 years, followed by low, consensus, and high analyst revenue estimates for the next two years. Consensus revenue implies +397.3% YoY growth tight ranges on revenue estimates

Openbook AI
Revenue is projected to move from — last year to — in 2019E and — in 2020E. That implies +100.0% into 2019E on the top line. The 2020E range of — to — suggests tight ranges on revenue expectations. For you, this matters because top-line misses usually flow straight through to EPS cuts and weaker price-path outcomes.

2-Year EPS Estimates

Low, consensus, and high analyst EPS estimates for the next two fiscal years. Consensus EPS implies +528.6% YoY growth tight ranges on EPS estimates

Openbook AI
Analysts are currently looking for 0.00p in 2019E and 0.00p in 2020E. The outer-year range runs from 0.00p to 0.00p, which counts as tight ranges. For you, that means the market is still underwriting +528.6% EPS growth over the next leg of the story.
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