The period since 'Liberation Day' ? when the Trump administration announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs ? has been extremely volatile and ultimately negative for financial markets. This is reflected in the average performance of the investment trust universe which, excluding VCTs, comes in at -1.9% based on Shares analysis of Sharescope data up until 24 April. It is no surprise to see vehicles...

The sweeping tariffs unveiled by president Donald Trump on 2 April 2025, dubbed 'Liberation Day' by the administration, have significantly impacted financial markets, seemingly disrupting decades of economic norms, at least in the short term. We discuss the details and initial market reaction elsewhere in this magazine and it's only natural as an investor to be somewhat shaken by these...

Is there going to be a tech market crash? If so, you definitely didn't hear it here first. Bearish commentators have been forecasting a correction in technology stock prices for almost as long as the current bull run has galloped onwards, and upwards. The bears certainly have reasons to be wary. The valuations of the Magnificent Seven are high, and so missing elevated growth expectations can...

With US stocks trading close to all-time highs, valuations looking stretched and one of the narrowest markets on record, this could be an opportune moment to consider adding some defensive qualities to your portfolio through capital preservation funds and trusts.These products aim to protect your capital during periods of heightened volatility and equity market drawdowns as well as growing...

It can seem daunting to know where to start when making a first investment which may deter some people from starting at all. This would be a mistake because the sooner a start is made, the longer an investment is allowed to mature and provide capital gains and dividends.Waiting just a few years can reduce the potential saving pot over the long term. For example, assuming an investment of £100...

Capital preservation funds are positioned to help investors avoid large losses while growing their wealth too, albeit more slowly than more risk-tolerant funds. In the investment trusts patch, the three main wealth preservers are Ruffer Investment Company (RICA), Capital Gearing Trust (CGT) and Personal Assets Trust (PNL), while RIT Capital Partners (RCP) also has a capital preservation...

We are weeks away from the end of the tax year and inevitably there is plenty of focus on ISAs ? whether that relates opening an account or using up existing allowances.In all the hoo-hah it?s easy to lose sight of just what a compelling vehicle this is for investors. Whatever you are investing for, whether it?s the cost of the kids? education, to supplement your income in retirement or to...

Investors sought haven trusts over the past monthCapital preservation trusts proving popular amid geopolitical instabilityUK-focused trusts disappoint as FTSE 100 stallsConflict in the Middle East, an ongoing war in Ukraine, stubbornly high inflation and interest rates… it is no wonder investors have been positioning portfolios for a rocky ride ahead.Names with a reputation for low-risk...

According to data from the AIC, the average investment trust discount to net asset value has widened from 12.2% at the end of 2022 to 14.5% as of 8 September 2023, while sector averages have generally widened. The exception is private equity, which narrowed from 25.1% to 4.5%, skewed by 3i's (III) dramatic swing from discount to premium.While this presents an opportunity to buy into parts of...

Full-year pre-tax profit of £44 millionNet asset value per share dips 2.2%Committed to dividend of 5.6p per shareCapital preservation trust Personal Assets (PNL) reported a pre-tax profit of £44 million and a fall of 2.2% in net asset value (NAV) per share compared to a rise of 2.4% in the FTSE All-Share Index for the year ending 30 April 2023.Personal Assets lead fund manager Sebastian Lyon...