Objectives and Approach

The Fund aims to provide a monthly income, combined with prospects for investment growth over the long term. It looks to provide an income yield higher than the FTSE All-Share Index over rolling 3-year periods, after the deduction of charges. The Fund is actively managed, and invests at least 90% of its assets in shares of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange; predominantly UK companies. The Fund focuses on selecting companies that exhibit strong potential for paying attractive and sustainable dividend income. These companies may be chosen from any industry or economic sector, and whilst there is no restriction on size, investment tends to focus on the larger companies included in the FTSE All-Share Index. The FTSE All-Share Index is regarded as an appropriate performance measure of the UK stock market, with over 600 companies currently included. The income yield of this index (calculated using dividends declared by its constituent companies) provides a suitable target benchmark against which the level of income generated by the Fund will be measured and evaluated over time. The Fund typically invests in fewer than 70 companies, which may include shares of some companies not within the Index. The Fund may also invest in other assets such as cash and deposits, and hold other funds (including funds managed by Columbia Threadneedle companies) when deemed appropriate. The Fund is not permitted to invest in derivatives for investment purposes, but derivatives may be used with the aim of reducing risk or managing the Fund more efficiently. Derivatives are sophisticated investment instruments linked to the rise and fall of the price of other assets.