ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS. Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust. for the year ended 15 April 2017

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS for the year ended 15 April 2017 Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

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3 Who are Janus Henderson Investors? Janus Henderson Investors exists to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals. Formed in 2017 from the merger between Janus Capital Group and Henderson Global Investors, we are committed to adding value through active management. For us, active is more than our investment approach it is the way we translate ideas into action, how we communicate our views and the partnerships we build in order to create the best outcomes for clients. We are proud to offer a highly diversified range of products, harnessing the intellectual capital of some of the industry s most innovative and formative thinkers. Our expertise encompasses all of the major asset classes, we have investment teams situated around the world and we serve individual and institutional investors globally. We have US$330.8bn ( 264.6bn) in assets under management, more than 2,000 employees and offices in 27 cities worldwide*. Headquartered in London, we are an independent asset manager that is dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange. Central to the Janus Henderson approach is sharing expert insight for better investment and business decisions. We call this ethos Knowledge. Shared. It is reflected in how our investment teams interact and in our commitment to empowering clients in their decisionmaking. We believe knowledge is powerful when it is shared. *Combined pre-merger figures of Janus Capital Group and Henderson Global Investors, at 31 March 2017

4 Contents Authorised Fund Manager s report* Page 1 Authorised status* Page 1 Comparative tables Page 4 Ongoing charge figure Page 6 Risk and reward profile* Page 7 Portfolio statement* Page 8 Statement of Authorised Fund Manager s responsibilities of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust Page 14 Statement of the Trustee s responsibilities and report of the Trustee to the unitholders of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust Page 14 Independent Auditors report to the unitholders of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust Page 15 Financial statements Statement of total return Page 17 Statement of change in net assets attributable to unitholders Page 17 Balance sheet Page 18 Directors statement Page 18 Notes to the financial statements Page 19 Distribution tables Page 35 Appendix additional information (unaudited) Page 37 Further information Page 40 * These collectively comprise the Authorised Fund Manager s report.

5 Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust Authorised Fund Manager s report We are pleased to present the Annual Report and Accounts for Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust (the fund ) for the year ended 15 April Authorised status The fund is an authorised unit trust scheme under section 243 of FSMA 2000 Act, and a UCITS scheme complying with the investment and borrowing powers rules in chapter 5 of the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook (COLL) issued by the Financial Conduct Authority. The fund was established on 5 April 1988 and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 7 April Other information Henderson Group plc and Janus Capital Group merged on 30 May 2017 to form Janus Henderson Group plc. Service Providers Authorised Fund Manager Directors of the Authorised Fund Manager Investment Adviser Unitholder Administrator Trustee Name Address Regulator Henderson Investment Funds Limited which is the Director Member of The Investment Association (formerly Investment Management Association) The Ultimate Holding Company is Janus Henderson Group plc M Skinner (to ) P Wagstaff G Kitchen C Chaloner H J de Sausmarez G Foggin (from ) Henderson Global Investors Limited The Ultimate Holding Company is Janus Henderson Group plc International Financial Data Services (UK) Limited National Westminster Bank Plc The Ultimate Holding Company is the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc Registered Office: 201 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3AE Registered in England No Telephone Dealing Enquiries Bishopsgate London EC2M 3AE IFDS House St Nicholas Lane Basildon Essex SS15 5FS 135 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3UR Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority Independent Auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 141 Bothwell Street Glasgow G2 7EQ Legal Adviser Eversheds LLP One Wood Street London EC2V 7WS Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales The Law Society Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 1

6 Authorised Fund Manager s report (continued) Investment Fund Managers Philip Payne and Stephen Thariyan Investment objective and policy To achieve a high and stable income. The fund will invest principally in sterling denominated fixed interest securities including preference shares. The fund may also invest in securities acquired on the conversion of convertible securities held within the portfolio, derivatives and forward transactions, warrants originally acquired with fixed interest investments, or under a scheme of reconstruction affecting securities in the fund, money market instruments and deposits. The fund concentrates on investment grade corporate bonds. Derivatives may be used for meeting the investment objective of the fund and for efficient portfolio management. Performance summary 15 Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr Apr 13 % % % % % Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 9.8 (2.1) IA Corporate Bond Average 8.9 (1.1) Source: Morningstar, bid to bid and net of fees as at 12 noon valuation point, based on performance of income units. Benchmark values are as at close of business. Please remember that past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of an investment and the revenue from it can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Significant portfolio changes for the year ended 15 April 2017 Largest purchases 000 Largest sales/maturities 000 UK Treasury 4.5% 07/09/ ,439 UK Treasury 4.25% 07/06/ ,864 UK Treasury 4.25% 07/06/ ,676 UK Treasury 4.5% 07/12/ ,106 UK Treasury 3.25% 22/01/2044 9,338 UK Treasury 4.5% 07/09/ ,355 UK Treasury 4.75% 07/12/2030 9,003 UK Treasury 2% 07/09/ ,888 UK Treasury 2% 07/09/2025 8,656 UK Treasury 4.75% 07/12/2030 8,848 UK Treasury 4.25% 07/12/2040 7,572 Western Power Distribution West 5.75% 16/04/2032 7,326 UK Treasury 4.25% 07/12/2027 6,779 UK Treasury 3.25% 22/01/2044 6,480 UK Treasury 4.5% 07/12/2042 4,992 Électricité de France 5.5% 17/10/2041 5,853 Wells Fargo 5.25% 01/08/2023 4,240 BPCE 5.25% 16/04/2029 5,311 Westfield America Management 2.625% 0/03/2029 4,166 Verizon Communications 4.75% 17/02/2034 5,022 Total purchases 295,428 Total sales / maturities 355,791 2 Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

7 Authorised Fund Manager s report (continued) Investment review The fund performed well over the review year, as it benefited from a 36 basis point (bps) tightening in sterling corporate credit spreads and a 37bps fall in UK government bond yields. Monetary policy easing measures announced by the Bank of England following the UK s vote to leave the European Union included a new 10bn Corporate Bond Purchase Scheme (CBPS), which helped drive valuations higher. For the fund, the outperforming sectors were utilities, financials and retail; a bias towards lower-rated investment grade bonds also contributed materially. Utilities were the strongest sector contributor, as they benefited from both idiosyncratic news and the sector s long duration position (duration is a measure of interest rate sensitivity). German utilities RWE and E.ON provided the strongest returns. RWE, the fund s top performer, benefited from a corporate restructuring in which bonds moved to a new spin-off company called innogy Finance, shielding bond investors from the nuclear liabilities. Additionally, RWE benefited from positive ratings action and a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany that stated that utility companies are entitled to compensation following the shutdown of nuclear plants in Rival E.ON performed well following a positive restructuring and inclusion in the CBPS. Elsewhere in non-financials, positioning in the retail sector benefited, with Wal-Mart, Morrison and Tesco performing well; the UK retailers benefited from positive earnings updates and improving sales. In terms of non-financial detractors, a position in Vodafone was the biggest hindrance to performance, reflecting the increase in corporate issuance and rise in merger & acquisition activity in the telecommunications sector. A position in AT&T also hindered returns, as performance struggled after the company announced a deal to acquire Time Warner. As such, the holding was reduced. Finally, limited positioning in basic resources hurt, as the recovery in the sector continued through the review period. Financials contributed to performance, as the sector benefited from the reflationary (pro-growth) environment seen through the second half of 2016, an upshot of the Trump administration. Trump s market-supportive rhetoric helped spur risk-on sentiment, where higher beta sectors (those more sensitive to market movements) such as financials were the beneficiaries. Stock selection in banks was positive, with HSBC, Lloyds and Barclays all contributing materially. HSBC performed best due to solid earnings and a continued belief that it will tender for its longer-dated bonds due to a change in capital treatment. Lloyds and Barclays also had solid earnings. A holding in West Bromwich Building Society detracted after the surprise loss of a Court of Appeal ruling over a mortgage interest charges case, where the society was ordered to pay circa 27.5m. A holding in BNP also detracted due to weakness in French risk assets in the run up to the French elections; the fund therefore exited this position. Insurers were strong, with positions in Aviva and RSA performing well; the latter benefited from the company tendering for some of its subordinated bonds. Holdings in real estate aided performance; the best returns came through Welltower, Kennedy Wilson and Scentre Group. Positioning in this sector was increased during the period through participation in new issues from A2Dominion, Places for People and Westfield. The biggest change to positioning over the year was a reduction in utilities holdings; we took profits on a sector which has been a large beneficiary of the CBPS. The largest reductions came through PPL, Enel and EDF. Telecommunications was the other material sector reduction (for aforementioned reasons) via decreased holdings in Orange, America Movil and Verizon. Overall positioning in financials stayed relatively flat, as the fund reduced positioning in subordinated insurance (which performed well), namely though Legal & General and SwissRe, and increased banking holdings, where new issuance has been focused and valuations remain attractive. The fund participated in numerous bank issues, including Barclays and Wells Fargo. The fund also participated in a bond exchange and new issue from the AA, where we hold a material position. We continue to favour financials due to their more favourable valuations compared with the broader sterling market. We see the risk that non-financial sectors, which have benefited from the CBPS, may experience pressure on valuations as the programme comes to an end. Politics remains one of the biggest risks to corporate bonds over the coming months, with presidential elections in France the main point of focus. The improving global outlook and further interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve in March is also bringing the removal of accommodative monetary policy back into focus. This is unlikely to be a smooth process and may lead to periods of near-term volatility (sharper fluctuations in price). Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 3

8 Comparative tables for the year ending 15 April 2017 Accumulation units (pence (pence (pence per unit) per unit) per unit) Change in net assets per unit Opening net asset value per unit Return before operating charges* Operating charges (2.98) (2.76) (2.71) Return after operating charges* (2.63) Distributions on accumulation units^ (4.99) (5.60) (5.59) Retained distributions on accumulation units Closing net asset value per unit * after direct transaction costs of: Performance Return after charges 10.05% (1.30%) 11.02% Other information Closing net asset value ( 000s) 173, , ,001 Closing number of units 79,566,440 87,883, ,755,637 Operating charges 1.38% 1.41% 1.41% Direct transaction costs 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Prices Highest unit price (pence) Lowest unit price (pence) ^ Distributions on accumulation units are shown gross of tax Income units (pence (pence (pence per unit) per unit) per unit) Change in net assets per unit Opening net asset value per unit Return before operating charges* 6.79 (0.66) 6.86 Operating charges (0.91) (0.86) (0.86) Return after operating charges* 5.88 (1.52) 6.00 Distributions on income units (1.29) (1.39) (1.42) Closing net asset value per unit * after direct transaction costs of: Performance Return after charges 9.64% (2.38%) 10.11% Other information Closing net asset value ( 000s) 101, , ,809 Closing number of units 154,918, ,558, ,762,694 Operating charges 1.38% 1.41% 1.41% Direct transaction costs 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Prices Highest unit price (pence) Lowest unit price (pence) Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

9 Comparative tables (continued) Class I accumulation (pence (pence (pence per unit) per unit) per unit) Change in net assets per unit Opening net asset value per unit Return before operating charges* Operating charges (0.88) (0.81) (0.79) Return after operating charges* (0.76) Distributions on accumulation units^ (3.82) (4.12) (4.12) Retained distributions on accumulation units Closing net asset value per unit * after direct transaction costs of: Performance Return after charges 10.80% (0.64%) 11.86% Other information Closing net asset value ( 000s) 211, , ,953 Closing number of units 163,357, ,168, ,723,236 Operating charges 0.70% 0.70% 0.70% Direct transaction costs 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Prices Highest unit price (pence) Lowest unit price (pence) ^ Distributions on accumulation units are shown gross of tax Class I income (pence (pence (pence per unit) per unit) per unit) Change in net assets per unit Opening net asset value per unit Return before operating charges* (1.48) Operating charges (0.78) (0.73) (0.74) Return after operating charges* (2.21) Distributions on income units (2.87) (3.00) (3.09) Closing net asset value per unit * after direct transaction costs of: Performance Return after charges 10.26% (2.00%) 10.79% Other information Closing net asset value ( 000s) 53,508 79,402 58,613 Closing number of units 47,332,013 75,525,079 53,119,114 Operating charges 0.70% 0.70% 0.70% Direct transaction costs 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Prices Highest unit price (pence) Lowest unit price (pence) Performance values are at close of business and may differ from the performance summary. Operating charges Operating charges are expenses associated with the maintenance and administration of the fund on a day-to-day basis that are actually borne by the unit class. Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 5

10 Ongoing charge figure The annualised ongoing charge figure (OCF) of the fund is calculated as the ratio of the total ongoing charges to the average net asset value for twelve months. Ongoing charges are all expenses deducted from the assets of the fund during the year, except for expenses that are explicitly excluded by regulation % % Accumulation units 1.38^ 1.41 Income units 1.38^ 1.41 Class I ^ The annual management charge was reduced from 1.25% to 1.10% with effect from 1 February The OCF is calculated in accordance with guidelines issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). 6 Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

11 Risk and reward profile The fund currently has 4 types of unit class in issue; Income units, Accumulation units, Class I income and Class I accumulation. The risk and reward profile of each unit class is as follows: Typically Lower potential risk/reward Typically Higher potential risk/reward Lower Risk Higher Risk The Synthetic Risk and Reward Indicator (SRRI) is calculated based on historical volatility over a rolling 5 year period, it is reviewed monthly and updated if volatility has changed materially to cause a movement in the SRRI level. The SRRI is an indicator and may not accurately reflect future volatility and market conditions. The value of an investment in the fund can go up or down. When you sell your units they may be worth less than you paid for them. The risk/reward rating above is based on medium-term volatility. In the future, the fund s actual volatility could be higher or lower and its rated risk/reward level could change. The share classes appear at 4 out of 7. Share classes in higher categories have shown greater and/or more frequent variations in share price in the past 5 years than those in lower categories. The lowest category does not mean risk free. The rating does not reflect the possible effects of unusual market conditions or large unpredictable events. There have been no changes to the risk rating in the year. The full list of the fund s risks are contained in the Risk Warning section of the fund s prospectus. The SRRI conforms to the ESMA guidelines for the calculation of the SRRI. Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 7

12 Portfolio statement as at 15 April 2017 Holding Investment Market Percentage value of total 000 net assets % Equities 0.11% (2016: 0.12%) Norway 0.00% (2016: 0.00%) Oil & Gas 0.00% (2016: 0.00%) 109,619 Kvaerner Preference Shares~ - - United Kingdom 0.11% (2016: 0.12%) Financials 0.11% (2016: 0.12%) 41 West Bromwich Building Society* Bonds 95.24% (2016: 96.64%) Australia 2.64% (2016: 2.85%) Fixed Rate Bond 2.28% (2016: 2.41%) GBP 1,500,000 BHP Billiton Finance 4.3% 25/09/2042 1, GBP 2,485,000 Goodman Australia 9.75% 16/07/2018 2, GBP 2,000,000 Scentre 2.375% 08/04/2022 2, GBP 1,200,000 Vicinity Centres 3.375% 07/04/2026 1, GBP 4,200,000 Westfield America Management 2.625% 30/03/2029 4, , Variable Rate Bond 0.36% (2016: 0.44%) GBP 1,000,000 BHP Billiton Finance VAR 22/10/2077 1, GBP 745,000 QBE Insurance 6.115% 24/05/ , Belgium 0.36% (2016: 0.36%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.36% (2016: 0.36%) GBP 1,942,000 Anheuser-Busch Inbev 6.5% 23/06/2017 1, Canada 0.24% (2016: 0.21%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.24% (2016: 0.21%) GBP 1,118,000 Xstrata Canada Finance 7.375% 27/05/2020 1, France 3.02% (2016: 7.61%) Fixed Rate Bond 1.90% (2016: 5.12%) GBP 1,000,000 Électricité de France 5.125% 22/09/2050 1, GBP 1,400,000 Électricité de France 5.5% 17/10/2041 1, GBP 1,900,000 Électricité de France 6% 23/01/2114 2, GBP 2,050,000 Électricité de France 6.125% 02/06/2034 2, GBP 1,500,000 Orange 1% 12/05/2025 1, , Variable Rate Bond 1.12% (2016: 2.49%) GBP 900,000 AXA 5.625% 16/01/ GBP 3,150,000 AXA 6.772% Perpetual 3, GBP 500,000 Électricité de France 5.875% Perpetual GBP 1,200,000 Électricité de France 6% Perpetual 1, , Germany 5.06% (2016: 3.49%) Fixed Rate Bond 4.22% (2016: 2.70%) GBP 4,954,000 Deutsche Telekom International Finance 6.5% 08/04/2022 6, GBP 1,150,000 E.ON International Finance 5.875% 30/10/2037 1, GBP 3,200,000 innogy Finance 4.75% 31/01/2034 3, GBP 1,300,000 innogy Finance 5.5% 06/07/2022 1, GBP 1,550,000 innogy Finance 6.125% 06/07/2039 2, Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

13 Portfolio statement (continued) Holding Investment Market Percentage value of total 000 net assets % Fixed Rate Bond (continued) GBP 3,545,000 innogy Finance 6.25% 03/06/2030 4, GBP 2,400,000 Volkswagen Financial Services 1.5% 12/04/2021 2, , Variable Rate Bond 0.84% (2016: 0.79%) GBP 1,700,000 Munich Reinsurance 6.625% 26/05/2042 2, GBP 2,400,000 RWE Finance 7% Perpetual 2, , Hong Kong 0.28% (2016: 0.00%) Variable Rate Bond 0.28% (2016: 0.00%) GBP 1,500,000 HSBC Holdings 6.375% 18/10/2022 1, Iceland 0.00% (2016: 0.00%) Asset Backed 0.00% (2016: 0.00%) GBP 1,625,000 Singer & Friedlander 7.5% 13/11/2019# - - Ireland 0.02% (2016: 0.00%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.02% (2016: 0.00%) GBP 3,350,000 Lambay Capital Securities 6.25% Perpetual* Italy 0.83% (2016: 2.37%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.83% (2016: 1.69%) GBP 2,250,000 Enel Finance International 5.625% 14/08/2024 2, GBP 1,232,698 Parmalat Capital Finance 9.375% Perpetual# - - GBP 1,700,000 Telecom Italia 7.375% 15/12/2017 1, , Variable Rate Bond 0.00% (2016: 0.68%) Mexico 0.00% (2016: 1.04%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.00% (2016: 0.74%) Variable Rate Bond 0.00% (2016: 0.30%) Netherlands 0.98% (2016: 2.58%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.49% (2016: 1.63%) GBP 1,000,000 Rabobank Nederland 4.625% 23/05/2029 1, GBP 1,250,000 Rabobank Nederland 6.91% Perpetual 1, , Variable Rate Bond 0.49% (2016: 0.95%) GBP 2,500,000 ING Bank FRN 29/05/2023 2, Portugal 0.00% (2016: 0.50%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.00% (2016: 0.50%) Spain 0.31% (2016: 0.00%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.31% (2016: 0.00%) GBP 1,250,000 Iberdrola Finanzas 7.375% 29/01/2024 1, Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 9

14 Portfolio statement (continued) Holding Investment Market Percentage value of total 000 net assets % Sweden 0.22% (2016: 0.00%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.22% (2016: 0.00%) GBP 750,000 Vattenfall 6.875% 15/04/2039 1, Switzerland 1.10% (2016: 1.58%) Fixed Rate Bond 0.41% (2016: 0.40%) GBP 2,200,000 Credit Suisse 2.75% 08/08/2025 2, Stepped Rate Bond 0.16% (2016: 0.12%) GBP 725,000 Glencore Finance 6% 03/04/ Variable Rate Bond 0.53% (2016: 1.06%) GBP 2,500,000 Zurich Finance UK 6.625% Perpetual 2, United Kingdom 60.46% (2016: 58.38%) Asset Backed 1.89% (2016: 1.88%) GBP 600,000 Arqiva Financing 4.882% 31/12/ GBP 1,419,402 Delamare Finance % 19/02/2029 1, GBP 411,685 Greene King Finance % 15/03/ GBP 244,827 Juturna % 10/08/ GBP 2,072,269 Longstone Finance 4.791% 19/04/2036 2, GBP 25,448 Telereal Securitisation % 10/12/ GBP 1,954,793 Tesco Property Finance 5.744% 13/04/2040 2, GBP 2,165,857 White City Property Finance % 17/04/2035 2, , Fixed Rate Bond 49.50% (2016: 47.06%) GBP 4,653,000 AA Bond 2.875% 31/01/2022 4, GBP 3,000,000 AA Bond 4.248% 31/07/2020 3, GBP 1,600,000 Anglian Water Services Finance 2.625% 15/06/2027 1, GBP 1,520,000 Anglian Water Services Finance 4.5% 22/02/2026 1, GBP 1,535,000 Arqiva Broadcast Finance 9.5% 31/03/2020 1, GBP 2,000,000 Arqiva Financing 4.04% 30/06/2020 2, GBP 1,800,000 A2Dominion 3.5% 15/11/2028 1, GBP 1,330,000 BAA Funding 6% 20/03/2020 1, GBP 5,750,000 BAA Funding 6.75% 03/12/2026 7, GBP 2,800,000 BAA Funding 7.125% 14/02/2024 3, GBP 915,000 Bank of Scotland 6.375% 19/08/2019 1, GBP 2,600,000 Bank of Scotland 9.375% 15/05/2021 3, GBP 1,800,000 Barclays Bank 3.25% 12/02/2027 1, GBP 1,227,000 Barclays Bank 9.5% 07/08/2021 1, GBP 2,000,000 Barclays VAR Perpetual 2, GBP 3,100,000 Barclays 3.125% 17/01/2024 3, GBP 1,810,000 BAT International Finance 1.75% 05/07/2021 1, GBP 2,900,000 BAT International Finance 4% 04/09/2026 3, GBP 4,800,000 BAT International Finance 6.375% 12/12/2019 5, GBP 1,900,000 BG Energy Capital 5% 04/11/2036 2, GBP 1,900,000 BUPA Finance 5% 08/12/2026 2, GBP 6,428,000 Cattles 6.875% Perpetual# - - GBP 7,250,000 Cattles 7.125% 05/07/2017# - - GBP 1,900,000 Centrica 4.25% 12/09/2044 2, GBP 1,800,000 Centrica 4.375% 13/03/2029 2, GBP 2,600,000 Centrica 7.00% 19/09/2018 2, GBP 2,570,000 Coventry Building Society 5.875% 28/09/2022 3, GBP 1,200,000 Coventry Building Society 6% 16/10/2019 1, Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

15 Portfolio statement (continued) Holding Investment Market Percentage value of total 000 net assets % Fixed Rate Bond (continued) GBP 2,730,000 CPUK Finance 2.666% 28/02/2020 2, GBP 1,090,000 CRH Finance 4.125% 02/12/2029 1, GBP 3,700,000 Dunfermline Building Society 6% 31/03/2015# - - GBP 837,000 Dwr Cymru Financing 6.015% 31/03/2028 1, GBP 2,174,000 Eastern Power Networks 4.75% 30/09/2021 2, GBP 1,750,000 Eastern Power Networks 5.75% 08/03/2024 2, GBP 3,300,000 EE Finance 4.375% 28/03/2019 3, GBP 2,950,000 Experian Finance 4.75% 23/11/2018 3, GBP 3,021,000 FirstGroup 8.125% 19/09/2018 3, GBP 1,500,000 Friends Life Holdings 8.25% 21/04/2022 1, GBP 1,755,000 GKN 5.375% 19/09/2022 2, GBP 1,200,000 GlaxoSmithKline Capital 4.25% 18/12/2045 1, GBP 800,000 GlaxoSmithKline Capital 5.25% 19/12/2033 1, GBP 2,010,000 GlaxoSmithKline Capital 6.375% 09/03/2039 3, GBP 2,300,000 Global Switch Holdings 4.375% 13/12/2022 2, GBP 2,285,000 Great Rolling Stock 6.25% 27/07/2020 2, GBP 1,500,000 Heathrow Funding 2.75% Perpetual 1, GBP 1,000,000 HSBC Bank 4.75% 24/03/2046 1, GBP 3,600,000 HSBC Bank 5.375% 22/08/2033 4, GBP 300,000 HSBC Bank 6.25% 30/01/ GBP 2,150,000 HSBC Holdings 7% 07/04/2038 2, GBP 1,600,000 Imperial Tobacco Finance 4.875% 07/06/2032 1, GBP 1,863,000 Imperial Tobacco Finance 5.5% 28/09/2026 2, GBP 592,000 Imperial Tobacco Finance 7.75% 24/06/ GBP 2,200,000 Imperial Tobacco Finance 9% 17/02/2022 2, GBP 4,000,000 Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate 3.95% 30/06/2022 4, GBP 900,000 Land Securities Capital Markets 1.974% 08/02/ GBP 2,400,000 Legal & General 5.375% 27/10/2045 2, GBP 2,300,000 Lloyds Bank 6.5% 17/09/2040 3, GBP 1,300,000 Lloyds Bank 7.5% 15/04/2024 1, GBP 3,339,000 Lloyds Bank 7.625% 22/04/2025 4, GBP 700,000 London Power Networks 6.125% 07/06/ GBP 3,110,000 Motability Operations 3.625% 10/03/2036 3, GBP 2,900,000 National Grid Gas Finance 2.625% 22/09/2038 2, GBP 1,050,000 National Westminster Bank 6.5% 07/09/2021 1, GBP 1,148,000 Nationwide Building Society 3% 06/05/2026 1, GBP 575,000 Nationwide Building Society 8.625% 29/03/ GBP 2,100,000 Network Rail Infrastructure Finance 4.375% 09/12/2030 2, GBP 1,900,000 Northumbrian Water Finance 1.625% 11/10/2026 1, GBP 1,400,000 Pension Insurance 6.5% 03/07/2024 1, GBP 2,300,000 PGH Capital 4.125% 20/07/2022 2, GBP 3,000,000 Places for People Treasury 2.875% 17/08/2026 2, GBP 2,000,000 Prudential 5% 20/07/2055 2, GBP 2,600,000 RAC Bond 4.565% 06/05/2023 2, GBP 2,600,000 RAC Bond 4.87% 06/05/2026 2, GBP 3,570,000 Royal Bank of Scotland 6.625% 17/09/2018 3, GBP 6,010,000 Santander UK 1.875% 17/02/2020 6, GBP 800,000 Santander UK 3.625% 14/01/ GBP 2,900,000 Scottish Widows 5.5% 16/06/2023 3, GBP 600,000 Scottish Widows 7% 16/06/ GBP 1,800,000 Severn Trent Water Utilities 2.75% 05/12/2031 1, GBP 1,630,000 Society of Lloyd's 4.475% 30/10/2024 1, GBP 1,900,000 SP Manweb 4.875% 20/09/2027 2, GBP 1,500,000 Standard Chartered Bank 5.12% 06/06/2034 1, GBP 1,200,000 Stonegate Pub Financing 4.875% 15/03/2022 1, GBP 298,000 Tesco 5.5% 13/01/ Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 11

16 Portfolio statement (continued) Holding Investment Market Percentage value of total 000 net assets % Fixed Rate Bond (continued) GBP 2,740,000 Tesco 6% 14/12/2029 3, GBP 2,061,000 Tesco 6.125% 24/02/2022 2, GBP 1,100,000 Thames Water Utilities Cayman Finance 2.625% 24/01/2032 1, GBP 3,800,000 Thames Water Utilities Cayman Finance 4% 19/06/2025 4, GBP 1,497,000 Thames Water Utilities Cayman Finance 5.75% 13/09/2030 1, GBP 400,000 Thames Water Utilities Cayman Finance 7.738% 09/04/ GBP 2,800,000 TP ICAP 5.25% 26/01/2024 2, GBP 2,320,160 UK Treasury 0.5% 22/07/2022 2, GBP 1,200,000 UK Treasury 3.75% 07/09/2021 1, GBP 3,755,000 UK Treasury 3.75% 07/09/2044 4, GBP 2,700,000 UK Treasury 4.25% 07/12/2027 3, GBP 2,670,000 UK Treasury 4.25% 07/12/2040 4, GBP 5,025,000 UK Treasury 4.5% 07/09/2034 7, GBP 1,612,076 UK Treasury 4.5% 07/12/2042 2, GBP 310,000 UK Treasury 4.75% 07/12/ GBP 820,000 UK Treasury 6% 07/12/2028 1, GBP 2,800,000 Vodafone 3% 12/08/2056 2, GBP 2,100,000 Vodafone 3.375% Perpetual 1, GBP 1,700,000 Wessex Water Services Finance 4% 24/09/2021 1, GBP 1,700,000 Western Power Distribution East Midlands 5.25% 17/01/2023 2, GBP 1,100,000 Western Power Distribution South Wales 5.75% 23/03/2040 1, GBP 2,220,000 Western Power Distribution 3.625% 06/11/2023 2, GBP 2,360,000 Whitbread 3.375% 16/10/2025 2, GBP 3,497,000 WM Morrison Supermarkets 3.5% 27/07/2026 3, GBP 2,500,000 WM Morrison Supermarkets 4.75% 04/07/2029 2, GBP 4,100,000 Yorkshire Water Services 3.75% 22/03/2046 4, GBP 1,513,000 Yorkshire Water Services 6% 24/04/2025 1, GBP 500,000 Yorkshire Water Services 6.375% 19/08/ , Stepped Rate Bond 0.18% (2016: 0.16%) GBP 845,000 Standard Life 6.75% Perpetual Variable Rate Bond 8.89% (2016: 9.28%) GBP 1,367,000 Anglian Water Services Finance 5.5% 10/10/2040 1, GBP 2,455,000 Aviva FRN 04/06/2050 2, GBP 800,000 Aviva 4.375% Perpetual GBP 2,000,000 Aviva 6.125% Perpetual 2, GBP 1,110,000 Aviva 6.125% 14/11/2036 1, GBP 2,069,000 Aviva 6.625% 03/06/2041 2, GBP 1,000,000 Aviva 6.875% 20/05/2058 1, GBP 2,418,000 Barclays Bank 6.75% 16/01/2023 2, GBP 2,000,000 BG Energy Capital 6.5% 30/11/2072 2, GBP 625,000 Centrica 5.25% 10/04/ GBP 1,600,000 CYBG 5% 09/02/2026 1, GBP 1,493,000 HBOS Capital Funding 6.461% Perpetual 1, GBP 2,095,000 HSBC Bank 5.375% 04/11/2030 2, GBP 3,789,000 HSBC Bank 5.844% Perpetual 4, GBP 2,650,000 Legal & General 6.385% Perpetual 2, GBP 3,234,000 National Grid Finance 5.625% 18/06/2073 3, GBP 4,150,000 PGH Capital 5.75% 07/07/2021 4, GBP 1,120,000 Prudential 5.7% 19/12/2063 1, GBP 2,690,000 RSA Insurance VAR 10/10/2045 2, GBP 3,020,000 Southern Water Services 4.5% 31/03/2038 3, GBP 2,370,000 Standard Life 5.5% 04/12/2042 2, , Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

17 Portfolio statement (continued) Holding Investment Market Percentage value of total 000 net assets % United States 19.72% (2016: 15.67%) Fixed Rate Bond 19.72% (2016: 15.67%) GBP 2,700,000 Amgen 4% 13/09/2029 3, GBP 1,000,000 Apple 3.05% 31/07/2029 1, GBP 2,000,000 Apple 3.6% 31/07/2042 2, GBP 1,318,000 AT&T 4.25% 01/06/2043 1, GBP 4,000,000 AT&T 4.375% 14/09/2029 4, GBP 900,000 AT&T 4.875% 01/06/2044 1, GBP 2,150,000 AT&T 5.875% 28/04/2017 2, GBP 1,100,000 AT&T 7% 30/04/2040 1, GBP 3,000,000 Bank of America 2.3% 25/07/2025 3, GBP 3,270,000 Bank of America 5.5% 04/12/2019 3, GBP 1,600,000 Bank of America 6.125% 15/09/2021 1, GBP 4,000,000 Bank of America 7% 31/07/2028 5, GBP 640,000 Brown-Forman 2.6% 07/07/ GBP 1,750,000 Citigroup 5.15% 21/05/2026 2, GBP 3,102,000 Citigroup 6.8% 25/06/2038 4, GBP 996,000 Citigroup 7.625% 03/04/2018 1, GBP 1,200,000 Comcast 5.5% 23/11/2029 1, GBP 2,100,000 Digital Stout 4.75% 13/10/2023 2, GBP 4,112,000 GE Capital UK Funding 5.875% 18/01/2033 6, GBP 387,000 General Electric Capital 4.875% 18/09/ GBP 1,400,000 General Electric Capital 5.25% 07/12/2028 1, GBP 5,000,000 Goldman Sachs 4.25% 29/01/2026 5, GBP 1,496,000 Goldman Sachs 6.875% 18/01/2038 2, GBP 2,450,000 Johnson & Johnson 5.5% 06/11/2024 3, GBP 1,590,000 JPMorgan 1.875% 10/02/2020 1, EUR 3,000,000 Lehman Brothers Holdings 4.25% 26/09/2016# - - GBP 2,700,000 McKesson 3.125% 17/02/2029 2, GBP 3,600,000 Morgan Stanley 2.625% 09/03/2027 3, GBP 1,400,000 Time Warner Cable 5.25% 15/07/2042 1, GBP 4,000,000 Time Warner Cable 5.75% 02/06/2031 4, GBP 1,830,000 Toyota Motor Credit 1% 27/09/2022 1, GBP 1,100,000 Verizon Communications 3.125% 02/11/2035 1, GBP 1,780,000 Verizon Communications 4.073% 18/06/2024 2, GBP 1,400,000 Verizon Communications 4.75% 17/02/2034 1, GBP 4,669,000 Wal-Mart Stores 4.875% 19/01/2039 6, GBP 1,800,000 Wal-Mart Stores 5.625% 27/03/2034 2, GBP 3,000,000 Wal-Mart Stores 5.75% 19/12/2030 4, GBP 3,900,000 Wells Fargo 2% 28/07/2025 3, GBP 3,600,000 Wells Fargo 5.25% 01/08/2023 4, , ~ Suspended, delisted or unquoted securities * Manually priced securities # Defaulted Investment assets 515, Other net assets 25, Total net assets 540, Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 13

18 Statement of Authorised Fund Manager s responsibilities of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust (the fund ) The Financial Conduct Authority s Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook requires the Authorised Fund Manager to prepare financial statements for each annual accounting year which give a true and fair view, in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland) of the financial affairs of the fund and of its revenue for the year. In preparing the financial statements the Authorised Fund Manager is required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; comply with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Authorised Funds issued by the Investment Management Association (IMA) in May 2014; follow generally accepted accounting principles and applicable accounting standards; keep proper accounting records which enable it to demonstrate that the financial statements, as prepared by Henderson Investment Funds Limited, comply with the above requirements; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the fund will continue in operation for the foreseeable future. The Authorised Fund Manager is responsible for the management of the fund in accordance with its Trust Deed, Prospectus and the Regulations. The Authorised Fund Manager is also responsible for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Statement of the Trustee s responsibilities and report of the Trustee to the unitholders of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust (the Scheme ) The Trustee must ensure that the Scheme is managed in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority s Collective Investment Schemes Sourcebook, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, (together the Regulations ), the Trust Deed and Prospectus (together the Scheme documents ) as detailed below. The Trustee must in the context of its role act honestly, fairly, professionally, independently and in the interests of the Scheme and its investors. The Trustee is responsible for the safekeeping of all custodial assets and maintaining a record of all other assets of the Scheme in accordance with the Regulations. The Trustee must ensure that: the Scheme s cash flows are properly monitored (this requirement on the Depositary applied from 18 March 2016) and that cash of the Scheme is booked into the cash accounts in accordance with the Regulations; the sale, issue, redemption and cancellation of units are carried out in accordance with the Regulations; the value of units of the Scheme are calculated in accordance with the Regulations; any consideration relating to transactions in the Scheme s assets is remitted to the Scheme within the usual time limits; the Scheme s income is applied in accordance with the Regulations; and the instructions of the Authorised Fund Manager ( the AFM ) are carried out (unless they conflict with the Regulations). The Trustee also has a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that the Scheme is managed in accordance with the Regulations and the Scheme documents in relation to the investment and borrowing powers applicable to the Scheme. Having carried out such procedures as we consider necessary to discharge our responsibilities as Trustee of the Scheme, it is our opinion, based on the information available to us and the explanations provided, that in all material respects the Scheme, acting through the AFM: (i) has carried out the issue, sale, redemption and cancellation, and calculation of the price of the Scheme s units and the application of the Schemes income in accordance with the Regulations and the Scheme documents, and (ii) has observed the investment and borrowing powers and restrictions applicable to the Scheme. National Westminster Bank plc London 18 July Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

19 Independent Auditors report to the unitholders of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust (the Trust ) Our opinion In our opinion, Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust s financial statements, (the financial statements ): give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Trust as at 15 April 2017 and of the net revenue and the net capital gains of its scheme property for the year then ended; and have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, the Statement of Recommended Practice for UK Authorised Funds, the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook and the Trust Deed. What we have audited The financial statements, included within the Annual Report and Accounts comprise: the balance sheet as at 15 April 2017; the statement of total return for the year then ended; the statement of change in net assets attributable to unitholders for the year then ended; the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information; and the distribution tables The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and applicable law), the Statement of Recommended Practice Financial Statements of UK Authorised Funds issued by the Investment Management Association (the Statement of Recommended Practice for UK Authorised Funds ), the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook and the Trust Deed. In applying the financial reporting framework, the Authorised Fund Manager has made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. In making such estimates, they have made assumptions and considered future events. Opinions on matters prescribed by the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook In our opinion: we have obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of the audit; and the information given in the Authorised Fund Manager s Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. Other matters on which we are required to report by exception Propriety of accounting records and information and explanations received Under the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: proper accounting records have not been kept; or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit Our responsibilities and those of the Authorised Fund Manager As explained more fully in the Authorised Fund Manager s Responsibilities Statement set out on page 14, the Authorised Fund Manager is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board s Ethical Standards for Auditors. This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Trust s unitholders as a body in accordance with paragraph of the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 15

20 Independent Auditors report to the unitholders of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust (the Trust ) (continued) What an audit of financial statements involves We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) ( ISAs (UK & Ireland) ). An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Trust s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Authorised Fund Manager; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements. We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive procedures or a combination of both. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report and Accounts (the Annual Report ) to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Glasgow 18 July 2017 Notes: (a) The maintenance and integrity of the Janus Henderson Investors website is the responsibility of the Authorised Fund Manager; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website. b) Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 16 Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

21 Statement of total return for the year ended 15 April Note Income Net capital gains / (losses) 4 40,723 (28,098) Revenue 5 21,036 25,537 Expenses 6 (5,825) (6,577) Net revenue before taxation 15,211 18,960 Taxation Net revenue after taxation 15,211 18,960 Total return before distributions 55,934 (9,138) Distributions 8 (15,211) (19,004) Change in net assets attributable to unitholders from investment activities 40,723 (28,142) Statement of change in net assets attributable to unitholders for the year ended 15 April 2017 Restated Opening net assets attributable to unitholders 572, ,376 Amounts receivable on issue of units* 2,432 15,213 Amounts payable on cancellation of units* (83,794) (70,241) (81,362) (55,028) Dilution adjustment* Change in net assets attributable to unitholders from investment activities 40,723 (28,142) Retained distributions on accumulation units 8,983 10,373 Unclaimed distributions Closing net assets attributable to unitholders 540, ,011 *Prior year restated, see note 1(a) for details. Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 17

22 Balance sheet as at 15 April Note Assets: Investments 515, ,450 Current assets: Debtors 9 19,933 12,689 Cash and bank balances 10 20,786 16,922 Total assets 556, ,061 Liabilities: Creditors: Bank overdrafts 5,031 7,099 Distribution payable 976 1,987 Other creditors 11 9,582 1,964 Total liabilities 15,589 11,050 Net assets attributable to unitholders 540, ,011 Directors statement In accordance with the requirements of the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook as issued and amended by the Financial Conduct Authority, we hereby certify the investment report and financial statements on behalf of the Directors of Henderson Investment Funds Limited. C Chaloner (Director) G Foggin (Director) 18 July Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust

23 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 15 April Accounting policies (a) Basis of preparation The financial statements of Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust (the fund ) have been prepared under the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of investments, and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Financial Statements of UK Authorised Funds issued by the Investment Management Association ( IMA ) in May 2014 (the SORP ), the Financial Reporting Standard 102 ( FRS102 ), the Financial Conduct Authority s Collective Investment Schemes Sourcebook ( COLL ) and the Trust Deed. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. A prior year adjustment has been made to the Statement of change in net assets attributable to unitholders on page 17 to show Dilution adjustments of 354,020 charged on the issue and cancellation of units separately. Of the 354,020 adjustment, 73,015 was previously included in Amounts receivable on issue of units and 281,005 was previously included in Amounts payable on cancellation of units on the Statement of change in net assets attributable to unitholders. (b) Basis of valuation of investments The valuation of listed investments has been at fair value, which is generally deemed to be bid market price, excluding any accrued interest in the case of debt securities, at close of business on the last valuation day of the accounting year (15 April 2017) in accordance with the provisions of the scheme particulars. Suspended, defaulted, delisted, unquoted or manually priced securities are valued by the Authorised Fund Manager taking into account, where appropriate, latest dealing prices, valuations from reliable sources, financial performance and other relevant factors. Derivative assets and liabilities are valued at the fair value price to close out the contract at the Balance sheet date, using available market prices or an assessment of fair value based on counterparty valuations and appropriate pricing models. (c) Revenue recognition Interest on debt securities is recognised on an accruals basis, taking into account the effective yield on the investment. The effective yield is a calculation that amortises any discount or premium on the purchase of an investment over its remaining life based on estimated cash flows. Bank interest and revenue earned on derivatives are recognised on an accruals basis. Stock lending revenue is accounted for on an accruals basis, net of bank and agent fees. If any revenue receivable at the Balance sheet date is not considered recoverable, a provision is made for the relevant amount. (d) Treatment of expenses All expenses (other than those relating to the purchase and sale of investments) are charged against revenue on an accruals basis. Annual Management Charge ( AMC ) In payment for carrying out its duties and responsibilities the Authorised Fund Manager is entitled to take an annual fee out of the Fund property, calculated as a percentage of the relevant value of the property of each class of each fund. The AMC is accrued on a daily basis by reference to the net asset value of each unit class on that dealing day and the amount due for each month is payable on the last working day of the month. General Administration Charge All fees with the exception of the annual management charge, Trustee and safe custody fees have been replaced by a single ad valorem charge, the General Administration Charge ( GAC ). The Authorised Fund Manager believes that this creates more efficiency around the charging process than more traditional methods. The GAC is calculated as a percentage of the scheme property and the amount each unit class in each fund will pay will depend on the costs attributable to each unit class based on whether the class is a retail class or an Institutional class. The GAC accrues on a daily basis and is payable to the Authorised Fund Manager by each unit class monthly. For further details please refer to the Prospectus. Allocation of revenue and expenses to multiple unit classes With the exception of the AMC and the GAC which are directly attributable to individual unit classes, all revenue and expenses are allocated to unit classes pro rata to the value of the net assets of the relevant unit class on the day that the revenue or expense is incurred. For further details please refer to the Prospectus. Henderson Sterling Bond Unit Trust 19