Join Jo Groves, Ryan Lightfoot-Aminoff and David Brenchley from Kepler Trust Intelligence for a roundup of all the news that matters to investment trust investors in May, brought to you in association with Schroders.
In news, Ryan debates the pros and cons of the ongoing activist activity, and what effects this has had on the wider industry. Elsewhere, we discuss the implications of industry veteran Richard Pease joining the Rockwood Strategic (RKW) team.
Onto results, where David discusses what Picton Property Income (PCTN) revealed, including an update on their disposal programme and the dividend outlook. Jo covers International Biotechnology’s (IBT) half-year results which managed to deliver positive returns in a falling market, as well as the impact of M&A. Then Ryan turns his attention to Asia, and how two Schroder trusts, Schroder AsiaPacific (SDP) and Schroder Oriental Income (SOI) have managed volatility during the period.
Sticking with Schroders, Jo talks through the highlights of her podcast with Jean Roche of Schroder UK Mid Cap (SCP) and where the best growth opportunities lie in the UK. Elsewhere, Jo also provides the key takeaways of her podcast with Bianca McMillan of Gravis and what challenges the infrastructure industry faces.
On a broader topic, David talks through the highlights of his chat with Annabel Brodie-Smith of the AIC, including looking back at the inception of the AIC’s dividend hero list, and forward at what the industry could look like in five years’ time.
Next, Jo runs through the most bought and sold shares and trusts in the past month, including highlights from Scottish Mortgage’s (SMT) latest results. Finally, David lifts the bonnet on his own portfolio, including his best performing holdings and, in a challenging month, some things he perhaps missed out on.
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Repercussions of activism
02:25 RKW’s new joiner
03:59 PCTN results
05:30 IBT results
07:28 Schroder Asia’s results
09:38 Schroder UK Mid Cap podcast
11:47 GCP’s Bianca McMillan podcast
12:45 AIC’s Annabel Brodie-Smith podcast
14:30 Most/least popular shares & trusts
15:14 SMT’s results
16:11 David’s portfolio performance
18:07 Risk warning
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This podcast was recording on 03/06/2025.