A year so far in the trust world August is upon us, and with it, we have now passed President Trump’s tariffs deadline. While it seems that we have found ourselves in a middle ground – with most major economies having negotiated some form of deal with him – the US has still implemented an […]
In a year already overloaded with geopolitical shocks and economic recalibrations, it would be easy to miss the quieter – but no less meaningful – developments taking place within the UK’s investment trust market. While headlines may have fixated on activist campaigns and takeover bids, a number of trusts have quietly outperformed or innovated in […]
Trump’s presidency is now 100 days old and, while it is still early days, this milestone is seen as a point of reflection on a new president’s tone and approach, which is perhaps more useful than not, given Trump and team’s willingness to move fast and break things. The mood certainly feels ominous: while some […]
The Great Wave off Kanagawa is a seminal piece of Japanese artwork. Created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1831, it depicts three ships struggling against the seas off the coast of Japan – and has been argued to be one of the most recognisable pieces of art ever made. In some ways it has also, until […]
HMS Investment Trust is facing turbulent waters. Not only are the sharks circling, but the icebergs are proliferating, while the regulator seems determined to put a hole in us below the waterline. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently hosted an open panel for industry members, focusing on a critical issue: the fate of the sector […]
Saba Capital, a US-based hedge fund, has been on the offensive against the UK’s investment trust sector. Having built substantial stakes in seven investment trusts, ranging from 20% to just shy of 30% of the trusts’ outstanding shares (a key level that would require them to make a bid for the trust), it is using […]
The problem with Trump’s use of the phrase “MAGA” – Make America Great Again – is that it implies America wasn’t already great. With its booming equity markets, robust economic growth, and strong fundamentals – such as energy independence, deep pools of domestic capital, and the inherent advantages of the US dollar’s reserve currency status […]
The board of Alliance Trust (ATST) announced on 12 September that the forthcoming vote on its merger with Witan will be held on 1 October. This will undoubtedly be a pivotal event, as their combination could be the catalyst for ATST’s entry into the FTSE 100. We believe investors should vote in favour of the […]
The Vanguard LifeStrategy Funds are a cornerstone in the retail and financial advisory sectors. Collectively, these funds offer five passive investment strategies that blend global equity and global bond index funds in varying proportions. The allocations range from 100% equity exposure to 20% equity and 80% bonds, with each fund adjusting its weighting in 20% […]
This week seems to have been the grand finale of an eventful month for Western politics, culminating with the sudden withdrawal of Biden and the rise of Kamala Harris, which appears to have reinvigorated that contest. Biden’s exit followed an attempt on Trump’s life, the discord resulting from the French election, and the Labour Party […]
