The biotechnology sector is proving to be relatively resilient in this COVID-19 related market sell-off. International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) adopts a conservative approach to investing in what can be a quite volatile, if rewarding, sector. It has fared better than competing funds in this environment. Some delay to drug development, testing programmes and product launches […]
Trust in biotech The biotechnology sector is proving to be relatively resilient in this COVID-19 related market sell-off. International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) adopts a conservative approach to investing in what can be a quite volatile, if rewarding, sector and has fared better than its peers in this environment. Some delay to drug development and testing […]
Change is a coming Following an excellent year of performance during 2019 (an nav total return of 27.5%), Herald Investment Trust (HRI) has seen its discount widen and the value of its portfolio companies fall since the outbreak of covid-19. As authorities scramble to contain the virus, our lives are changing in significant ways. Inevitably, […]
Following an excellent year of performance during 2019 (a net asset value (NAV) total return of 27.5%), Herald Investment Trust (HRI) has seen its discount widen and the value of its portfolio companies fall since the outbreak of covid-19. As authorities scramble to contain the virus, our lives are changing in significant ways. Inevitably, technology […]
More than a port in a storm It is often said that markets climb a wall of worry, but there are times when investors panic and run for the exits. In such an environment, the attractions of funds which are defensively positioned and managed by an experienced team, with an investment ethos based on an […]
More than a port in a storm It is often said that markets climb a wall of worry, but there are times when investors panic and run for the exits. In such an environment, the attractions of funds which are defensively positioned and managed by an experienced team, with an investment ethos based on an […]
Don’t stop me now A much-improved 2019, helped by falling interest rate expectations, translated into 38.3% gains for Premier Global Infrastructure Trust (PGIT) ordinary shareholders. Before the viral panic engulfed markets, PGIT was having a strong start to 2020 as well, with the shares hitting 147p on 21 February. In unsettled markets, the predictable and […]
Don’t stop me now A much-improved 2019, helped by lower interest rate expectations, translated into 38.3% gains for Premier Global Infrastructure Trust (PGIT) ordinary shareholders. Before the covid-19 panic caused markets to stumble, PGIT was having a strong start to 2020 as well, with the shares hitting 147p on 21 February. In unsettled markets, the […]
Real Estate Roundup Kindly sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments Performance data February’s biggest movers in price terms are shown in the chart below. Property stocks tumbled in February as fears over the spread of Covid-19 spooked financial markets around the world and resulted in the largest sell-off since the 2008 financial crisis. There were just […]
Investment Companies Roundup Kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford and Aberdeen Standard Investments Table of contents New research In this issue Performance data Discounts and premiums Money in and out Major news stories Income Events Guide New research Here is a list of research we published over February: An initiation note on Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Trust (MTU) […]
Economic & Political Roundup Kindly sponsored by Polar Capital and Allianz A collation of recent insights on markets and economies taken from the comments made by chairmen and investment managers of investment companies – have a read and make your own minds up. Please remember that nothing in this note is designed to encourage you […]
Reputation restored Following the return of Charles Montanaro as manager in 2016, Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Trust (MTU) has rebuilt its long-term record of outperformance of its benchmark over the last three and a half years. A strong uplift in net asset value (NAV) during the second half of 2019 (helped by some clarity on […]
Reputation restored Over the last three and a half years, under Charles Montanaro’s direction, Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Trust (MTU) has rebuilt its long-term record of outperformance of its benchmark. A strong NAV uplift over the second half of 2019 (helped by some clarity on Brexit), where the trust ranked second of 11 funds in […]
Focused on returns The managers of Aberdeen Emerging Markets (AEMC) are optimistic about the prospects for the company. Strong performance last year has not yet translated into a narrowing of the discount, but if outperformance can be maintained, this should follow in time. Investors might also be comforted by AEMC’s much lower volatility of returns […]
Focused on returns The managers of Aberdeen Emerging Markets (AEMC) are optimistic about the prospects for the company. Strong performance last year has not yet translated into a reduction in the discount that the share price trades at relative to the asset value, but if outperformance can be maintained, this should follow in time. Investors […]
New lease of life As we approach the seventh anniversary of Polar Capital Global Financials Trust (PCFT)’s launch, its directors are proposing that the company continues beyond its planned wind-up date. A decade after the financial crisis, the sector, and banks in particular, remain out of favour. The problem is compounded for UK-based investors by […]
New lease of life As we approach the seventh anniversary of Polar Capital Global Financials Trust (PCFT)’s launch, its directors are proposing that the company continues beyond its planned wind-up date. A decade after the financial crisis, the sector, and banks in particular, remain out of favour. The problem is compounded for UK-based investors by the […]
Adding value in cautious times Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust (SLI) has a long-term track record of market-beating returns achieved by investing in a diverse portfolio of commercial property in the UK. Minimal retail holdings and a bias to industrial property have proved beneficial to the fund. However, its active approach to asset management, […]
Adding value in cautious times Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust (SLI) has a long-term track record of market-beating returns arising from a diverse portfolio of commercial property in the UK. Minimal retail holdings and a bias to industrial property have proved beneficial to the fund, but its active approach to asset management in order […]
Real Estate Roundup Performance data January’s biggest movers in price terms are shown in the chart below. The sluggish start to the year for listed property companies is hardly surprising given they were coming off a high base after the “Boris-bounce” following the general election in December. Topping the list was Triple Point Social Housing […]
Economic & Political Roundup Kindly sponsored by Polar Capital and Allianz A collation of recent insights on markets and economies taken from the comments made by chairmen and investment managers of investment companies – have a read and make your own minds up. Please remember that nothing in this note is designed to encourage you […]
Investment Companies Roundup Kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford Table of contents New research In this issue Performance data Discounts and premiums Money in and out Major news stories Income Events Guide New research Here is a list of research we published over January: An annual overview note on Shires Income (SHRS) “Shires Income (SHRS) will […]
Illuminating value Aberdeen New Dawn (ABD) has provided peer-group-beating performance during 2019 (an NAV total return of 18.4% versus a peer group average of 15.2%). Despite this, and also despite offering one of the lowest ongoing charges ratios amongst its peers, its discount to NAV remains broadly unchanged and is still, peculiarly, one of the […]
Illuminating value Aberdeen New Dawn (ABD) has provided peer-group-beating performance during 2019 (an NAV total return of 18.4% versus a peer group average of 15.2%). Despite this, and also despite offering one of the lowest ongoing charges ratios amongst its peers, the discount remains broadly unchanged and is still, peculiarly, one of the widest in […]
Building on a great 2019 The second half of 2019 proved profitable for investors in Shires Income (SHRS) as the trust extended its outperformance of both the UK market and the average of its peer group. Investors also benefitted from the elimination of the discount. The trust continues to expand, and this should both help […]
Building on a great 2019 The second half of 2019 was a profitable time for investors in Shires Income (SHRS), as the trust extended its outperformance of both the UK market and the average competing fund. Investors also benefitted from the elimination of the discount as the share price rose to match the NAV. The […]
Property’s alternative theory The year was dominated by political and economic uncertainty, with Brexit negotiations casting a shadow over the market and the general election adding a further layer of doubt for much of the year. For a market that is staunchly aligned with political and economic sentiment, listed property companies and REITs performed well, […]
Stable income, uncertain times For almost 10 years, GCP Infrastructure (GCP) has met its objective of delivering high and stable income with low volatility of returns, while preserving investors’ capital. The mix of assets that it lends against has evolved as the investment adviser has sought out alternative sources of public sector-backed cash flow. A […]
Stable income, uncertain times For almost 10 years, GCP Infrastructure (GCP) has met its objective of delivering high and stable income for its shareholders with low volatility of returns, while preserving their capital. The mix of assets that it lends against has evolved as the investment adviser has sought out alternative sources of cash flows […]
In this issue The sector at the end of 2019 Performance data Performance by sector and fund Money in and out of the sector Money in and out of existing funds Money coming into existing funds Money going out of existing funds Liquidations, de-listings and trading cancellations Significant rating changes Major news stories Outlook for […]