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 (

China's rapid retreat from its zero-Covid policy in a bid to boost economic growth is one of the big investment themes of 2023 and is sure to provide a major boon for consumption in the so-called Middle Kingdom. Since November 2022, the government has dramatically reopened the Chinese economy and rolled back pandemic-induced restrictions that had been in place for three years.While the end of zero

Fidelity Japan Trust (FJV) has the best five-year performance of all Japan-focused investment trusts and funds. It generated a 150.9% total return, which encompasses share price gains and dividends.In comparison, the MSCI Japan index returned 46.7% over the same five-year period, being one of the popular benchmarks used by Japan-focused investment vehicles.It is important to appreciate that what's

In the same way investors can make a mint by backing a mythical '10-bagger' early doors, fund fanatics can make big gains by catching an investment trust on the way up, before it begins its rise through the market capitalisation ranks and potentially even joins the likes of Scottish Mortgage (SMT), 3i (III) or Pershing Square Holdings (PSH) in the FTSE 100.We can never know with certitude which in

Seemingly counter-intuitively, Japanese stocks surged higher after prime minister Yoshihide Suga announced on 3 September his intention to step down with the Nikkei 225 index gaining 2% and the broader Topix index making new all-time highs.There are two reasons why investors took the news positively. Firstly, Suga's approval rating had deteriorated badly amid his handling of the pandemic. Therefor

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock market index achieved a huge landmark in early 2021 as it returned to levels not seen in three decades.Japanese stocks have joined the global market recovery rally, rising 76% from March 2020's 16,552.83 point Covid-inflicted trough to trade at 29,053.97.This move has been supported by fiscal stimulus and a huge influx of capital into the market from Japan's central bank.W

Although the Japanese economy and its corporates haven't escaped the effects of coronavirus, the number of COVID-19 cases has been relatively contained in Japan and the government has not had to resort to the extreme lockdown measures seen elsewhere. This likely explains why the Japanese stock market has been relatively resilient compared to others globally.Yes, the pandemic-driven postponement of

Strong historical performance data doesn't guarantee a fund will continue to do well in the future, so investors shouldn't buy an investment trust solely based on how it has done in the past expecting similar returns in the future.However, past performance, particularly over the long term, is still worth considering as it provides evidence of how well a trust has done in a variety of market condit

According to WPP's (WPP) annual BrandZ Global Top 100 Most Valuable Brands report for 2017, the value of the Global Top 100 increased 8% year-on-year to $3.6trn despite a year of grand geopolitical surprises.WPP says the value of the BrandZ Strong Brands Portfolio, a subset of the Brandz Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands, increased 124.9% over the 12 years between April 2006 and April 2017, outp

The Japanese economy appears to be finally cranking back into growth mode after as 'Abenomics' and financial stimulus by the country's central bank take effect.Reforms, introduced by prime minister Shinzo Abe, are matched by improving corporate governance and are broadly supportive of Japanese shares.Companies are also flush with cash, meaning there's scope for material dividend growth and the mar

There are any number of ways UK investors can gain exposure to Japan, the world's second largest developed economy. There are plenty of open-ended and closed-ended funds to choose from but for us one investment trust stands out. It trades at a wide discount to net asset value (NAV) with scope to narrow and the 'GARP' approach of its relatively new manager is compelling. Step forward Fidelity Japan

The global market sell-off so far in 2016 has thrown up some interesting opportunities in both stocks and funds. One investment trust that looks particularly enticing is Fidelity Japanese Values (FJV) which now trades at an 18% discount to its net asset value.Some people would worry at that news; to us, it's a major buying opportunity if you share our view that Japan is a good investment as part o