Kepler Trust Intelligence Podcast

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 February, brought to you in association with Schroders. Ryan provides a run-down on the latest developments on the Saba battle and the launch of Achilles Investment Company (AIC) and Invesco Asia Dragon (IAD). Next on the list is the...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak with Matt Bennison, a fund manager on Schroder Income Growth (SCF), which has a total return objective, which is to achieve income growth in excess of inflation as well as capital growth as a result of that rising income. Matt talks about a number of issues in the UK stock market including the increased number of share buybacks, the pros and cons of M&...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak with Ayush Abhijeet from WhiteOak Capital Management, the investment advisor to Ashoka India Equity (AIE). Ayush provides his thoughts on the recent sell-off we've seen in the Indian stock market and provides information on where the sector-leading AIE is finding the best alpha opportunities. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 What’s behind the sell-off in the India...

In our new monthly podcast, we bring you big picture insights from leading investment specialists, exploring the opportunities, challenges and potential threats shaping investors’ portfolios. This month, we are joined by Zenah Shuhaiber, portfolio manager of JPMorgan European Growth & Income (JEGI), invests in a portfolio of companies listed in Continental Europe and appeals to both growth and...

In our new monthly podcast, we bring you big picture insights from leading investment specialists, exploring the opportunities, challenges and potential threats shaping investors’ portfolios. This month, we are joined by Megumi Takayama, portfolio manager and analyst at Chikara Investments, which manages CCJI Japan Income & Growth (CCJI), which has a dual objective of providing shareholders wi...

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 January. Ryan provides a run-down on the latest developments on the Saba battle and dividend increases from abrdn Asian Income (AAIF) and JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income (JAGI), followed by recent results for Cordiant Digital Infras...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Richard Staveley, manager of Rockwood Strategic, about the opportunity for investors in the UK small-cap sector, including the shining stars in the portfolio, key drivers of performance in 2024 and the most interesting themes in the year ahead. 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Elevator pitch for Rockwood  02:54 Drivers of performance in 2024 06:21 Engagement ca...

In our new monthly podcast, we bring you big picture insights from leading investment specialists, exploring the opportunities, challenges and potential threats shaping investors’ portfolios. This month, we are joined by Rebecca MacLean, manager of Dunedin Income Growth (DIG), which seeks to deliver resilient income and capital growth, while meeting a strict sustainable and responsible investment...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak with Loong Lim from WhiteOak Capital Management, the investment advisor to Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets Investment Trust (AWEM). Loong discusses his recent trip to China, the benefits of investing in small and mid-cap names and the challenges and opportunities within the emerging market landscape. 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Insights from Loong's trip to...

In this special episode of Market Matters, we’re joined by Baroness Ros Altmann, a leading expert on both the investment trust sector and pensions industry. Having previously served as the UK Pensions Minister, Ros now sits in the House of Lords and is also a visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. Ros shares her thoughts on Saba’s current campaign, why retail shareholders should hav...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Richard Horlick, Chairman of BH Macro. We discuss his thoughts on BH Macro as a shareholder, including his rationale for owning the trust, recent performance, the current discount and why Brevan Howard stands out in the hedge fund universe. 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Involvement with BH Macro & previous experience 02:09 Attractions of BH Macro  04:30...

In this episode of Trust Issues, sponsored by Baillie Gifford, we speak with Svetlana Viteva, co-manager of Edinburgh Worldwide (EWI), about the trust's investment strategy, some of the exciting, enduring themes in which it invests, such as quantum computing, and the upcoming vote on resolutions put forward by US hedge fund Saba Capital Management. 00:00 Introduction 00:17 What does EWI look for i...

In this episode of Trust Issues, which was recorded on 16 December 2024, we speak to Ryan Lightfoot-Aminoff from the analyst team at Kepler Trust Intelligence about BlackRock Smaller Companies (BRSC).  We discuss his thoughts on the trust, including the opportunity for investors in UK small-caps, an overview of the trust, current portfolio allocations, recent performance and the catalyst for a sus...

In our new monthly podcast, we bring you big picture insights from leading investment specialists, exploring the opportunities, challenges and potential threats shaping investors’ portfolios.  This month's guest is Jean Roche, co-manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap (SCP), which aims to capitalise on the growth opportunities in the UK mid-cap universe. Jean has extensive experience in the asset manageme...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Thomas McMahon, Head of Investment Companies Research at Kepler Trust Intelligence, about BlackRock Frontiers (BRFI). We discuss his thoughts on the trust, including BRFI’s investable universe, current sector and geographic weightings, recent performance and the long-term growth drivers for frontier markets. 00:00 Introduction 00:23 Overview of the trus...

Jo, David & Ryan talk through the most notable news in November, including TR Property, Schroder Real Estate, Miton UK MicroCap, Cordiant and Rockwood, and highlights of our recent podcasts and events. 00:00 - Introduction 00:18 - News on property, Miton UK MicroCap and the return of activist activity 05:06 - Results round up of CORD, BGEU, RKW and PCTN 10:50 - Most bought & sold trusts in...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Steven Marshall, Chairman of Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Management. We discuss what CORD offers retail investors, how the portfolio is structured, risk management, performance and the outlook for the sector. 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Overview of digital infrastructure 00:59 Objective of the fund 01:32 Key attributes for investments 02:34 How the por...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Randall Sandstrom, Chief Executive and CIO of Sequoia Investment Management, adviser to the Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund (SEQI). We discuss what SEQI offers retail investors, current portfolio allocations, performance, risk management and the outlook for the sector. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Overview of private debt 02:38 What SEQI offers...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Christopher Berrier, manager of Brown Advisory US Smaller Companies, about the opportunity for investors in the sector, including managing downside risk for investors, the impact of AI, the rationale for an allocation to US small-caps and the outlook for the sector. 00:00 Introduction 00:17 Overview of BASC’s objective  02:59 Investment case for Clear S...

In our new monthly podcast, we bring you big picture insights from leading investment specialists, exploring the opportunities, challenges and potential threats shaping investors’ portfolios.  This month's guest is Jasmine Yeo, co-manager of the Ruffer Investment Company (RICA) which aims to deliver consistent positive returns irrespective of market conditions. Jasmine has extensive experience in...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Richard Sennitt, manager of Schroder AsiaPacific, about the opportunity for investors in the sector, including the implications of Chinese stimulus measures and a Trump administration, valuations in India and how SDP offers a differentiated approach for investors. 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Overview of SDP’s objective and investment approach 02:14 Key dri...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Ailsa Craig & Marek Poszepczynski, managers of International Biotechnology Trust, about the opportunity for investors in the biotech sector, from the implications of a Trump victory to the current state of play on obesity drugs. 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Overview of IBT and current allocations 02:24 Change in composition of XBI 03:25 Benefits of a ba...

Jo Groves, Ryan Lightfoot-Aminoff and David Brenchley from Kepler Trust Intelligence discuss the most notable news and interviews in the investment trust world in October. We discuss the impact of the budget on UK equities, as well as the outcome of Asia Dragon’s strategic review. Furthermore, we summarise the key takeaway from the results of Ashoka India, BH Macro and International Biotechnology....

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Duncan Ball, CEO of BBGI Global Infrastructure about what makes BBGI unique and the outlook for the wider infrastructure sector. 00:00 Introduction 00:19 What is BBGI's investment strategy? 03:09 What makes BBGI unique from sector peers? 05:19 What is BBGI's dividend policy? 07:07 What role does BBGI play in an investor's portfolio? 08:41 How do interes...

In this episode of Trust Issues, we speak to Paul Major, co-portfolio manager of Bellevue Healthcare, about GLP-1s, commonly known as weight-loss drugs, other innovation within healthcare and the outlook for the sector and smaller companies more broadly. 00:00 Introduction 00:23 What are GLP-1 drugs? 03:02 Why BBH doesn't invest in Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly 09:12 How much risk does increased compe...