272: Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast - with Dan Higgins (26 Apr 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 Dan Higgins, fund manager for the Majedie Investment Trust (MAJE), a multi-asset vehicle that as of two years now pursues a "liquid endowment" strategy and comes with a promise that it will never blame external events for any underperformance of its inflation plus 4% minimum annualised return target. It is fair to say that while it is still early days performance since the mandate change has comfortably exceeded that target. This discussion was recorded on 23 April 2025. *** 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. Available to order from Harriman House (https://harriman-house.com/ithb2025) or Amazon. There is also a free e-book version you can read on a PC, tablet or smartphone, plus an audiobook version. *** Section Timestamps: 0:00:24 - Introduction 0:00:58 - Reaction to the Trump administration 0:04:40 - The problems built up by the US in recent years 0:07:16 - Reflecting on recent performance amidst the Trump turmoil 0:12:08 - The role of gold in Majedie’s strategy 0:19:38 - A short break 0:20:45 - Allocating opportunities to different strategies 0:26:58 - Analysis of correlations 0:28:51 - Bringing in the discount 0:34:04 - Resources to keep on top of the strategies 0:41:12 - 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, 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 HgCapital Trust (HGT). Future profiles include Law Debenture Corporation (LWDB) and European Opportunities (EOT). 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 money-makers.co/membership-join. 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 270 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