Public company aiming to make money by investing in other companies
An investment trust is a public company that raises money by selling shares to investors, and then pools that money to buy and sell a wide range of shares and assets. Different investment trusts will have different aims and different mixes of investments.
Investment trusts, unlike unit trusts, can borrow money to buy shares (known as ‘gearing’). This extra buying potential can produce gains in rising markets but also accentuate losses in falling markets. Investment trusts generally have more freedom to borrow than unit trusts that can be sold to the general public.
Buying shares
Unlike with a unit trust, if an investor wants to sell their shares in an investment trust, they must find someone else to buy their shares. Usually, this is done by selling on the stock market. The investment trust manager is not obliged to buy back shares before the trust’s winding up date.
The price of shares in an investment trust can be lower or higher than the value of the assets attributable to each share – this is known as ‘trading at a discount’ or ‘trading at a premium’.
Conventional investment trusts
Investment trusts are constituted as public limited companies and issue a fixed number of shares. Because of this, they are referred to as ‘closed-ended funds’.
The trust’s shares are traded on the stock exchange like any public company. The price of an investment trust’s shares depends on the value of it’s underlying assets and the demand for its shares.
Investment trusts are allowed to borrow money to buy shares (gearing). Different investment trusts will do this at varying levels. It’s worth checking before you invest because the level of gearing can affect the return on your investment and how risky it is.
Split Capital Investment Trusts
These run for a specified time, usually five to ten years, although you are not tied in. This type of investment trust issues different types of shares. When they reach the end of their term, payouts are made in order of share type.
You can choose a share type to suit you. Typically, the further along the order of payment the share is, the greater the risk but the higher the potential return. You also need to bear in mind the price of shares in an investment trust can go up or down, so you could get back less than you invested.
Asset type
The level of risk and return will depend on the investment trust you choose. It’s important to know what type of assets the trust will invest in, as some are riskier than others. In addition, look at the difference between the investment trust’s share price and the value of its assets, as this gap may affect your return. If a discount widens, this can depress returns.
Borrowing money
You need to find out if the investment trust borrows money to buy shares. If so, returns might be better but your losses greater. With a split capital investment trust, the risk and return will depend on the type of shares you buy.
As of April 2016, all individuals are eligible for a £5,000 tax-free Dividend Allowance (this tax free allowance will fall to £2,000 in April 2018). Dividends received by pension funds or received on shares within an Individual Savings Account (ISA) will remain tax-efficient and won’t impact your dividend allowance.
Tax-efficient
Many unit trusts can be held in an ISA. In this case, your income and capital gains will be tax-efficient.
Any profit you make from selling shares outside an ISA may be subject to Capital Gains Tax.
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