Money Makers

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Gabriel Sacks, lead manager at the Aberdeen Asia Focus Trust (AAS).

This discussion was recorded on Friday 06 February 2026.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:01:21 - The objective of Aberdeen Asia Focus (AAS)

0:06:51 - The quality growth style

0:09:23 - Navigating a turbulent 2025

0:16:59 - A short break

0:18:03 - How the AI phenomenon might play out

0:24:36 - Assessing geopolitical tensions

0:28:06 - The Chinese and Indian economies

0:34:37 - The trust, its discount, and gearing

0:38:17 - Future prospects

0:40:42 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Aberforth Geared Value & Income (AGVI). Future profiles include Geiger Counter (GCL) and CT Global Managed Portfolio (CMPI). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our nearly 320 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Jean Hugues de Lamaze, portfolio manager at Ecofin Global Utilities and Infrastructure (EGL), , to discuss the trust's investment themes, its portfolio management, and the energy transition alongside demand driven by AI.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 27 January 2026.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:00:47 - An overview of the trust

0:02:16 - Why is EGL unique?

0:03:50 - The increasing demand for electricity production

0:08:52 - The need to invest in energy transmission

0:10:55 - Why invest with EGL over directly with listed utilities

0:13:36 - How the NAV total return has been generated

0:17:03 - A short break

0:18:07 - Breaking down the investment theme split

0:21:02 - The impact of the interest rate environment

0:24:24 - The share price performance and discount

0:28:02 - The size of the trust

0:32:19 - Is the market wrong?

0:36:42 - Capability for a double-digit return over the coming decade

0:38:15 - Currency exposure

0:39:21 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

As well as the usual features, the Circle currently features a profile of the Achilles Investment Company (AIC), with future profiles including Aberforth Geared Value & Income (AGVI) and Geiger Counter (GCL). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our nearly 320 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

Disclaimer: Money Makers has not had the opportunity to speak to the Chairman of Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon regarding the future of the investment trust, however it was deemed justified to publish this discussion on the ground of interest to shareholders with the proposal for a tender offer being put to a vote in mid-February. Money Makers remains neutral to the outcome for the trust.

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In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Edward Cartwright, CEO of Arcus Investment Management, to discuss the proposal to manage the Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon Trust (BGS).

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 27 January 2026.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:00:32 - The proposition to the board of Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon (BGS)

0:03:35 - The tender offer from BGS

0:09:52 - A short break

0:10:55 - Objectives at the upcoming tender offer meeting

0:14:13 - Getting the message out to retail shareholders

0:16:30 - The Japanese small cap market

0:20:46 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

As well as the usual features, the Circle currently features a profile of the Achilles Investment Company (AIC), with future profiles including Aberforth Geared Value & Income (AGVI) and Geiger Counter (GCL). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 300 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Peter Hewitt, former manager of the CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust (CMPI/CMPG). Names that feature include Scottish Mortgage (SMT), Templeton Emerging Markets (TEM), Edinburgh Worldwide (EWI), Herald (HRI) and several others in both the equity and alternatives subs-sectors.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 23 January 2026.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:01:05 - Learning to live with Donald Trump

0:06:41 - The rise of gold and concerns around the dollar

0:09:10 - Looking at the Asian markets

0:13:54 - Management Style

0:21:14 - A short break

0:22:19 - Saba Capital and Edinburgh Worldwide (EWI)

0:28:04 - Allowing Saba to take such large stakes

0:35:19 - The alternatives sector

0:41:11 - The Six Nations

0:44:27 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Achilles Investment Company (AIC). Future profiles include Aberforth Geared Value & Income (AGVI) and Geiger Counter (GCL). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 300 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Ashley Thomas, renewables infrastructure analyst at Winterflood Securities, to discuss the latest UK offshore wind auction and why the business model of the renewable energy investment trusts is broken

This discussion was recorded on Friday 16 January 2026.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:00:39 - The latest offshore wind auction

0:07:35 - The offshore wind industry in general

0:09:54 - The health of the renewables investment trusts sector

0:12:33 - The relationship with gilt yields

0:16:30 - Dealing with discounts and debt capacity

0:23:30 - A short break

0:24:33 - Consolidation clues from the abandoned HICL-TRIG merger?

0:26:49 - Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF)

0:29:26 - Other elements of the renewable energy sector

0:39:31 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

The latest profile available to Circle subscribers is of BH Macro (BHMG/BHMU). Future profiles include Achilles Investment Company (AIC) and Aberforth Geared Value & Income (AGVI). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 310 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Jonathan Simpson-Dent, chairman of Edinburgh Worldwide (EWI), a trust which is once again being targeted by Saba Capital.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 05 January 2026.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:00:54 - Saba’s latest attempt to shake-up EWI’s board

0:05:09 - Shareholder awareness of the need to vote

0:06:43 - Engagement with Saba throughout 2025

0:12:29 - Making the case for performance

0:15:58 - Recent events and SpaceX

0:20:34 - A short break

0:21:40 - The merger proposal

0:26:46 - The best outcome for EWI

0:28:48 - Saba’s future involvement

0:30:39 - Saba’s proposed non-executive directors

0:33:50 - Addressing allegations from Saba

0:36:30 - The core messages

0:37:55 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of BG Macro (BHMG/BHMU), which will be followed next week by Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust (AGVI). Our weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 310 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this special, end of year edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by four guests for their comments on the year just gone and the outlook for 2026. Those guests are Ben Conway, James Carthew, Anthony Leatham, and Max King

These discussions were recorded between 12-18 December 2025.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Looking back at 2025

0:04:37 - Investment Trusts Handbook 2026

0:05:32 - Ben Conway

0:13:49 - James Carthew

0:23:58 - A short break

0:25:04 - Anthony Leatham

0:36:31 - Max King

0:47:18 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year. Our weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 310 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Andrew McHattie, editor of the Investment Trusts Newsletter.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 19 December 2025.

We would like to wish all of our listeners a very merry Christmas. Thank you for listening in 2025 and we hope you join us throughout 2026 as we continue to report on developments in the investment trusts sector.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - The investment trusts sector in 2025

0:02:44 - The FCA announcement on cost disclosure

0:07:05 - SpaceX developments

0:12:45 - Saba Capital and an EWI-USA merger

0:16:38 - Saba and Renewables

0:25:27 - A short break

0:26:33 - Chrysalis (CHRY)

0:31:26 - Private equity in general

0:36:25 - RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW)

0:39:18 - Japanese investment trusts

0:44:04 - Three select results (PCT, FCSS, TEM)

0:48:00 - Looking towards 2026

0:49:14 - Investment Trusts Handbook 2026

0:50:32 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets (AWEM). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 310 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Charlotte Cuthbertson and Tom Treanor, co-managers of MIGO Opportunities Trust (MIGO).

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 09 December 2025.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:00:50 - Recent changes at MIGO

0:07:16 - Opportunities in smaller trusts

0:09:09 - The argument for MIGO

0:12:53 - Examples of successes

0:19:39 - Overlap with AGT

0:22:49 - A short break

0:23:56 - Alternatives trusts

0:27:50 - Renewables

0:33:55 - Consolidation

0:37:48 - Gresham House Energy Storage (GRID)

0:40:18 - Operational framework changes for the renewables sector

0:41:58 - MIGO Opportunities Trust itself

0:44:35 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Onward Opportunities (ONWD), and next week's profile will feature Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets (AWEM). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our 310 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk

Due to a technical issue, the audio quality in this edition is a bit lower than normal, for which we apologise.

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In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award (2024 and 2025), is joined by Peter Spiller, manager of Capital Gearing Trust (CGT), for an in-depth review of investment trusts yesterday, today and tomorrow. Saba, Smithson, discount controls, private equity and the coming market crisis among the issues covered.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 04 December 2025.

*** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook ***

Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358

The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector.

***

Section Timestamps:

0:00:24 - Introduction

0:01:02 - The historical context for discounts

0:05:41 - Consolidation and mergers

0:14:49 - Discount control and the measures available to boards

0:19:41 - A short break

0:20:48 - The now-abandoned HICL-TRIG merger and the renewables infrastructure sector

0:25:32 - Listed private equity in general

0:28:46 - Future perceptions of the alternatives sector

0:34:56 - The risk of a market crisis

0:39:25 - The chairman of the Federal Reserve

0:43:00 - Close

If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year.

This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Onward Opportunities (ONWD), and next week's profile will feature Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets (AWEM). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector.

For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle.

Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our nearly 310 podcasts since launch.

You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk.

Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk