Consolidation is a growing theme across the investment trust sector against a backdrop of stubbornly-wide NAV (net asset value) discounts and increasing pressure on sub-scale funds.2024 is already a record year for M&A (mergers and acquisitions) in a sector which has just seen the eleventh such deal announced, the value-oriented Invesco Asia Trust (IAT) planning to combine with Asia Dragon Trust (

Are miners not getting enough love from the market? That was the (rather self-serving) argument put forward by asset manager BlackRock recently. Global head of thematic and sector-based investing Evy Hambro cautions a lack of investor interest in the sector could starve it of the capital required to provide the materials necessary for the energy transition.Whatever the source, this argument has re

Some of the best performing investment trusts in 2017 have been aided by favourable market conditions as global markets continue to grow.Top of the pile is Independent Investment Trust (IIT), which delivered a total return of 71.6% which is the share price gain and dividend income. Its portfolio has this year included various high-flying tech stocks, beverage companies and housebuilders, all of wh

Mining was the second best performing FTSE 350 sector in 2016 and is still in the top 10 so far this year. Improving commodity prices, stronger balance sheets and more lean mining operations have all contributed to share price success.Anyone who wants exposure to the sector without the individual country risk should look at the wide range of investment trusts that invest in miners. You should be a

Many funds would seek to cut their losses and dispose of investments when valuations are decimated, as witnessed across the mining sector. Yet Baker Steel Resources Trust (BSRT) is taking a contrarian approach and is seeking to increase its stake in nearly every company currently in its mining-focused portfolio. It also wants to raise a large amount of cash to buy more assets, claiming we're near