217: Weekly Investment Trusts Podcast - with Ed Balls, Nick Macpherson, Sandy Nairn (29 Jun 2024)

In this week's special edition of the Weekly Investment Trust Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook, reviews the week in the markets and looks at the possible impact of a likely incoming Labour government in Thursday's coming election. Joining him to discuss this are three distinguished guests - Ed Balls, journalist and broadcaster, and former MP and minister; Nick Macpherson, Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court and former permanent secretary to the Treasury; and Sandy Nairn, executive director of Global Opportunities Trust (GOT). We are grateful for the support of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, which enables us to keep the podcast free. Section Timestamps: 0:00:39 – This week’s guests 0:01:43 – Review of the week 0:02:54 – Corporate news and announcements 0:04:53 – Summary of results 0:06:14 – Money Makers Circle 0:06:53 – Q&A with Ed Balls, Nick Macpherson, and Sandy Nairn 0:07:28 – Recalling 1997 0:19:18 – The role of the civil service 0:22:16 – Reform of the Treasury 0:27:55 – Market reaction to a falling dept to GDP ratio 0:30:40 – Devolution and planning 0:38:50 – Ruling out tax rises 0:45:47 – Immigration 0:50:36 – Post-election hopes and worries 0:57:00 – Close Trusts mentioned this week (with tickers): Witan Investment Trust (WTAN), Alliance Trust (ATST), SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust (SEIT), Triple Point Energy Transition (TENT), Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT), Augmentum Fintech (AUGM), Regional REIT (RGL), Rockwood Strategic (RKW). 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 Premier Miton Global Renewables (PMGR). Future profiles include Schroder AsiaPacific (SDP) and Target Healthcare REIT (THRL). Look out for the latest edition of our new expanded weekly subscriber email which summarises Jonathan's latest thoughts including some of his most recent trust purchases, and includes a comrehensive summary of all the latest news. The content of that email is also available for subscribers via the website. 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 nearly 220 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.