Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust (FRCL) is the oldest collective investment fund in the world, dating back to 1868. Manager Paul Niven aims to generate long-term growth in capital and income by investing in a range of focused strategies run both by BMO Global Asset Management and external managers. The portfolio is diversified by geography, sector and style; the trust is overweight Europe ex-UK and emerging markets, and underweight North America. FRCL also invests in private equity. Gearing of up to 20% of net assets is permitted. FRCL has a progressive dividend policy; the annual dividend has increased in each of the last 45 consecutive years and, following the repayment of a longstanding debenture at the end of 2014, interest costs have declined meaningfully.
