255: Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast - with Jonathan Simpson-Dent (05 Feb 2025)

In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the 2024 AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award, is joined by Jonathan Simpson-Dent, chairman of Edinburgh Worldwide (EWI), one of the seven trusts targeted by Saba Capital. This discussion was recorded on 04 February 2025, edited on 05 February 2025, after all five of the seven trusts to hold meetings so far voted conclusively to reject Saba's propositions. The vote for EWI will be the last of the seven and is due to be held on 14 February. *** Out now: The 2025 Investment Trusts Handbook *** The Investment Trusts Handbook is an independent educational publication designed to provide investors with a handy annual reference book that summarises all you need to know about investment trusts. Now in its eighth year, the Handbook is a high-quality, full-colour hardback of more than 340 pages, the largest yet, with reviews of the past year, extensive interviews and commentary, plus nearly 80 pages of “how to” information and performance data. The Handbook is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in investment trusts. There is also a free e-book version you can read on a PC, tablet or smartphone. Available to order from Harriman House (https://harriman-house.com/ithb2025) or Amazon. *** Section Timestamps: 0:00:24 - Introduction 0:01:14 - Reaction to the outcome of the Saba votes 0:04:03 - The two upcoming votes for EWI and their own proposition 0:06:09 - The trust’s performance and how Saba built its stake 0:12:29 - The trust’s manager 0:14:02 - Limits to patient capital 0:16:03 - A short break 0:16:56 - The share capital 0:18:47 - What happens if Saba is defeated? 0:22:26 - Trading at a discount 0:24:43 - The right personnel? 0:26:12 - The global smaller companies mandate 0:29:49 - The retail investor base 0:34:50 - Close If you enjoy the weekly podcast, you may also find value in joining 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, market/portfolio reviews and regular extracts from the editor's notebook. This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Scottish Oriental Smaller Companies (SST). Future profiles include Personal Assets (PNL) and Custodian Property Income REIT (CREI). Look out for the latest edition of our new expanded weekly subscriber email which summarises Jonathan's latest thoughts and includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news. The content of that email is also available for subscribers via the website. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year. For more information about the Money Makers circle, please visit money-makers.co/membership-join. Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 250 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.