Wide discounts to NAV (net asset value), strategic reviews and pressure from activist investors such as Saba have helped spur the record levels of takeover activity in the investment trust sector that shows no sign of letting up. Despite a noticeable narrowing of discounts in recent months, many trusts continue to trade well below NAV, so the takeover frenzy looks set to continue. While the...

Creates largest European Smaller Companies trust Lower costs for shareholders Focus on 'dynamic' European small and medium-sized firms The consolidation wave continues to break across the investment trust sector, with the struggling European Assets (EAT) and the stronger-performing European Smaller Companies (ESCT) the latest names to propose a merger. Wide discounts to NAV (net asset value)...

As we write, the first five investment trusts targeted by Saba have seen the US activist hedge fund proposals overwhelmingly voted down.As a brief reminder Saba was proposing to replace the current independent boards with two new directors and had stated an intention to follow this up with a replacement of the investment manager and a new investment mandate. After Herald Investment Trust (HRI)...

First of seven vital votes on Saba proposalsRetail investor engagement key to outcomeInvestors should 'use votes wisely' says analystThis is potentially a historic day (22 January) for the UK investment trust sector, with Herald Investment Trust's (HRI) shareholders about to kick-start a string of crucial votes to either approve or reject a radical agenda pursued by US raider Saba Capital...

The normally sleepy world of investment trusts received a wake-up call just before Christmas with the publication (18 December 2024) of a shareholder letter by activist investor Saba Capital Management calling for change at no fewer than seven well-known funds.Set up by hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein, Saba has a history of successfully instigating change, and while critics argue its...

Saba's investment totals £1.5 billionSix of the seven trusts underperformedCompany proposes sacking directorsThe normally-sleepy world of investment trusts received a wake-up call this morning with the publication of a shareholder letter by activist investor Saba Capital Management calling for change at no fewer than seven well-known funds.The firm, which has a history of successfully...