‘The most logical move’: Alliance Witan shareholders poised to benefit from better liquidity and lower costs

Valeria Martinez, Investment Week, 26 June 2024:

The merger of the Alliance Trust with Witan has been widely regarded as a logical outcome given their shared multi-manager approach, but analysts have warned shareholders of the combined entity may have to stomach higher levels of volatility.

Both trusts joined this year’s investment trust M&A drive today (26 June) with news of the formation of Alliance Witan, a £5bn vehicle that will likely be catapulted into the FTSE 100 to join the likes of Scottish Mortgage and F&C investment trust.

The blockbuster merger, described by Stifel analysts as “the most logical move”, comes as a result of Witan CEO Andrew Bell’s retirement, which prompted an invitation for proposals from interested parties for the future management of its portfolio.

“While not an unexpected move following the retirement of Witan CEO Andrew Bell, this announcement remains a significant one given it involves two of the sector’s larger and most established companies,” said Andrew Courtney, analyst at QuotedData.

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