169. Investing in public and private equity

Schroder British Opportunities Trust was launched just over a year ago in response to the pandemic. Portfolio manager Rory Bateman, and UK small and mid-cap analyst Uzo Ekwue, tell us more about the opportunities they are aiming to exploit. They discuss the differences between private and public equity investing, and give examples of the high growth and undervalued UK companies they are targeting.
Apple Podcast Spotify Podcast

One of the few products to be launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Schroder British Opportunities Trust (SBOT) seeks to tap into the unloved status of UK equities by targeting companies which have been in the eye of the storm. The portfolio consists of 30-50 small and medium-sized public and private businesses requiring fresh injections of equity, with the trust aiming to provide a net asset value total return of 10% per annum.

What’s covered in this podcast:

  • Why the trust was launched and the opportunities it hopes to exploit
  • Examples of high growth UK companies
  • The type of undervalued companies the managers look for
  • If the trust has a shelf-life or if it is an evergreen strategy
  • How much is invested in private and public companies
  • The pros and cons of private equity
  • Schroders’ capabilities in the private equity space
  • The type of investor the trust may be suitable for
This article is provided for information only. The views of the author and any people quoted are their own and do not constitute financial advice. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any fund or trust, or to adopt a particular investment strategy. However, the knowledge that professional analysts have analysed a fund or trust in depth before assigning them a rating can be a valuable additional filter for anyone looking to make their own decisions. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. Market and exchange-rate movements may cause the value of investments to go down as well as up. Yields will fluctuate and so income from investments is variable and not guaranteed. You may not get back the amount originally invested. Tax treatment depends of your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. If you are unsure about the suitability of any investment you should seek professional advice. Whilst FundCalibre provides product information, guidance and fund research we cannot know which of these products or funds, if any, are suitable for your particular circumstances and must leave that judgement to you. Before you make any investment decision, make sure you’re comfortable and fully understand the risks. Further information can be found on Elite Rated funds by simply clicking on the name highlighted in the article.