Prices and Markets

It is hard to gauge the true extent of the damage that the pandemic is inflicting on the global economy, but already many companies have been forced to reduce or suspend dividends. For investors reliant on income, the renewable infrastructure sector offers some sense of security. JLEN Environmental Assets Group’s (JLEN’s) diverse portfolio and predictable long-term revenue stream provide some additional reassurance... Read more For the moment, attention has shifted away from the longer-term climate-related threats that face us, but...

After a brief period of extreme volatility in stock markets related to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, confidence is returning in the technology sector. Shareholders seem to appreciate that the sector is well-placed to weather the disruption caused by measures that are being used to fight the pandemic. Polar Capital Technology Trust (PCT), buoyed by its strong track record, is attracting the attention it deserves. It has seen its discount eliminated and is issuing shares to meet investors’ demand... Read more...

In this issue Performance - Following two months of heavy falls as the covid-19 pandemic took hold and the UK was put on lockdown, many property companies saw a bounce in their share price in April, although not enough to recover the losses since the crisis hit. Valuation moves - Several companies reported net asset value (NAV) falls in the quarter to the end of March 2020 as property portfolio valuations took a hit due to the impact of covid-19....

A collation of recent insights on markets and economies taken from the comments made by chairmen and investment managers of investment companies – have a read and make your own minds up. Please remember that nothing in this note is designed to encourage you to buy or sell any of the companies mentioned... Read more Global (thoughts from Henderson International Income and Martin Currie Global) Flexible investment (thoughts from CIP Merchant) UK (thoughts from Acorn Income, Dunedin Income Growth, Fidelity...

As part of our commitment to providing Investment Research, we have published our regular monthly update on the Global Economy & Listed Investment Companies. In this issue Performance – Small-cap strategies performed particularly well, while Gold is seen as a hedge against the monetary debasing taking placing, as central banks provide record levels of stimulus. Golden Prospect Precious Metal led NAV returns over April. On the negative side, property is particularly affected by the lockdown, with swathes of tenants not able to meet...

The outbreak of covid-19 has taken the wind out of global markets and Seneca Global Income & Growth Trust (SIGT) has not been immune to this; its net asset value (NAV) has fallen 30.4% during the first quarter of 2020 (23.6% in March – all in total return terms). It has suffered a triple whammy from its UK-biased value style, its mid cap exposure and the correlation of alternative asset fund prices to equity markets, but its board has said...

Covid chaos The covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the share price of property companies, with 31% wiped off the value of their total market capitalisation during the first quarter of 2020. Companies focused on the retail, leisure and hospitality property sectors were particularly badly affected as the country was put on lockdown in an effort to halt the spread of the disease. Later in the quarter, the extent of the problem for property companies was revealed with...

Unprecedented times We have knitted together the impact on the investment companies from what is now widely considered to be the most severe pandemic in a century. The collapse in asset prices over the latter part of March, brought the curtain down on an up-market that lasted more than ten years. In amongst this, there were pockets, such as the technology sector, that held up well. For many industries, the worst is still to come, as we brace ourselves for...

Just a couple of months ago, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC)’s net asset value (NAV) and share price were at all-time highs. However, since then, the covid-19-related sell-off in markets has led to a flight to safety. NAVs of smaller companies funds have fallen and discounts have widened. Against this backdrop, SEC has proved relatively resilient, however.... Read more Jeff Harris and Adam Khanbhai, SEC’s managers, were confident in their portfolio ahead of the outbreak. The long-term economic effect of the...