The 'decent' Investment Trusts

darkvader

Hi,

I have been trying to get a good idea of ITs, the leaders, performers and fees across ITs including investment options. Also been on citywire, morningstar and the odd blog site to read more on the best performers
I have also received prospectus, fund information and investment forms from Baillie Gifford, F&C and Aberdeen as my research pointed to these as having a decent spread of investments and geographic diversification across their choices

So then, before the end of this year, I'd like to start an investment plan each for the missus and myself. The objective is to invest maybe even as less as £100 pm each, leave it in there for a good 20 years to build another small nest egg.

What I'd request advice on is if Baillie Gifford and Aberdeen are good choices to go with? I am in my 30s, happy to go for maximum equity exposure and not touch the money for a considerable time. All advice appreciated (though dont push me for Index Funds or ask if I am maxing our ISAs first - all are being planned and on track )

Thanks
DV

Linton

Suggest that before deciding on the provider you should decide in which sectors you wish to invest. Different providers have different strengths in different areas.

darkvader

Thank you,

I have looked at a general spread rather than specific sectors. Its best to invest in ITs that have proven track record delivering across a spread and freedom to move across sectors over the next 20 years because no one sector stays a favourite for too long

The geography split is important so I'd mostly invest about 40% in the Emerging world including (BRIC, South Americas, Pacific Basin, Middle East, Africa etc) 30% across Developed Market equities and high dividend yield trusts, and the rest 30% across a mix of global corporate bonds, growth or small companies in the Developed World

The main reason for this additional investment is to not have all eggs in one basket. As my ISAs and Pensions tend to lean on emerging markets, I'd like this to be across equities but a little less 'exposed' to the vagaries of the developing markets

DV

gadgetmind

There is a very good investment trust board on the Motley Fool site.

I personally use only two types of IT. 1) The odd "conviction" ones such as RIT, Ruffer and Personal Assets, 2) sector specialists such as Jupiter European and Templeton Emerging.

I am looking at some more generic income and growth ITs, but have this area fairly well covered with trackers and direct equity holdings.

atush

BG and aberdeen both seem to have above average knowledge in ASIA if that is of interest to you. I know that I have done very well with Aberdeen asian smaller companies in this last decade. I haven't got any BG ones at the moment, but I do have holdings in 2 at F&C.

And investing 100/month into trusts is a good way to invest over a decade or two- that is what I am doing. I am a big fan of pound/cost averaging.

bigfreddiel

darkvader wrote: »

What I'd request advice on is if Baillie Gifford and Aberdeen are good choices to go with? I am in my 30s, happy to go for maximum equity exposure and not touch the money for a considerable time. All advice appreciated (though dont push me for Index Funds or ask if I am maxing our ISAs first - all are being planned and on track )

Thanks
DV

good to see everything is on track - and going for a few its is good - and that you have some cash and index funds - could you tell us all what your portfolio allocation is - ie equities, bonds, property, regions - all the usual categories

cheers

fj