2 handy investment trusts that could boost my passive income

Ben McPoland shines a light on two FTSE 250 trusts he feels have the potential to provide him with very attractive passive income.

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There’s arguably never been a better time to be an investor hunting for passive income. Some of the dividend yields out there look very attractive right now, especially on income-focused investment trusts.

Here are two from the FTSE 250 I’m keen to add to my Stocks and Shares ISA once I’ve freed up some money.

A bright future

The first is NextEnergy Solar Fund (LSE: NESF), which has 103 solar and energy storage assets in its portfolio. These are enough to power the equivalent of 301,000 homes for one year.

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Created with Highcharts 11.4.3NextEnergy Solar Fund PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL30 Jun 201930 Jun 2024Zoom ▾Jul '19Jan '20Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '242020202020212021202220222023202320242024www.fool.co.uk

The stock’s fallen 14.5% so far in 2024, as higher interest rates continue to hammer the whole renewable energy sector. Around a third of NextEnergy’s debt isn’t fixed, so higher rates continue to present challenges here. They remain at a 16-year high of 5.25%.

However, I’m encouraged that the fund is actively trying to bring down its debt. It’s offloaded two assets in recent months, the latest being a 35.2MW solar farm sold at a 14% premium to its March holding value. Another three locations are up for sale.

I think there’s a strong chance the share price will bounce back once the Bank of England starts lowering rates. Of course, we don’t know when that’ll be, but the first drop in borrowing costs for more than four years could be on the cards for August.

In the meantime, the stock’s offering a titanic 10.6% dividend yield covered by cash coming in. So I could invest £5,000 today and receive £5,300 in passive income over the next 10 years. This assumes the payout’s maintained, which is never guaranteed with dividend stocks.

Still, NextEnergy did recently raise its dividend for the 11th straight year. And I reckon its future looks bright, despite what the current share price suggests.

Mining for dividends

Another I really like is BlackRock World Mining Trust (LSE: BRWM). As the name suggests, this focuses on global mining stocks. It’s one I’ve held for a few years, but I’m due a top-up.

The biggest holdings today include Glencore, BHP Group and Rio Tinto. These are among the world’s largest mining firms and all regularly dish out dividends. The trust collects these and distributes income to its own shareholders.

Currently, the dividend yield’s 5.9%, comfortably above the 3.5% average for a UK stock.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3BlackRock World Mining Trust Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL30 Jun 201930 Jun 2024Zoom ▾Jul '19Jan '20Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '242020202020212021202220222023202320242024www.fool.co.uk

One unavoidable risk in this sector is that supply and demand fluctuates, significantly impacting earnings and dividends. What happens in China, a major producer and consumer of commodities, is often key.

Obviously, the mining sector also has a reputation for its poor environmental record. While I’d never try to defend or minimise this, it’s also a fact that there won’t be a green revolution without loads more mining.

Take copper, for example. It’s the workhorse of the energy transition due to its excellent conductivity. It’s vital for wind turbine wiring, solar panels, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Some estimates suggest a potential increase of 45% in demand for copper by 2030 compared to 2023.

In fact, demand’s tipped to outpace supply increases, which could support higher profits, dividends and share prices for copper miners. This FTSE 250 trust’s positioned to benefit from this trend.

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Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Ben McPoland has positions in BlackRock World Mining Trust Plc. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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