AUTHOR
Max King
Max was for nearly 30 years a fund manager at Finsbury Asset Management, JO Hambro and Investec Asset Management. Responsibilities in the first two included the management of ten investment trusts; at IAM, he managed multi-asset funds. These funds were to a greater (Invested Managed Growth) or lesser extent investors in investment trusts and other closed end funds across the market spectrum. Before fund management, he qualified as a chartered accountant, worked in corporate finance and in risk arbitrage. He retired from full time work in late 2016.
See here for details of current investments held by Max.
Four of the best funds for mining profits in gold
Gold
Four of the best funds for mining profits in gold
The gold-price upswing is set to endure, says Max King. These funds look the most promising.
13 Jan 2021
Six investment trusts to tuck away now – and six to sell
Investment trusts
Six investment trusts to tuck away now – and six to sell
Max King presents his round-up of the “lame ducks” of 2020 and highlights six “Cinderella” trusts: strong performers that have not received the recogn…
29 Dec 2020
Where to find sustainable growth in renewable energy
Renewables
Where to find sustainable growth in renewable energy
The renewable energy sector has come a long way, but there is still plenty of momentum in funds and utility stocks.
21 Dec 2020
Can you afford to ignore investment trusts?
Sponsored
Can you afford to ignore investment trusts?
As this year has decisively shown, says Max King, the simplest route to outperformance has been via investment trusts. Here’s why you should invest in…
8 Dec 2020
A fund that can profit from insuring the risks we all face
Funds
A fund that can profit from insuring the risks we all face
The insurance sector is embarking on an upswing and boasts steady long-term returns, says Max King. This fund could help you profit.
7 Dec 2020
What today's investors can learn from the bear markets of the past
Investment strategy
What today's investors can learn from the bear markets of the past
Several key patterns emerge from a look at previous downturns, says Max King. The upshot is that fortune favours the brave – but don’t panic if you mi…
4 Dec 2020
Looking for income? Buy these three solid property funds
Investment trusts
Looking for income? Buy these three solid property funds
Apparent high-yielding bargains often turn out to be value traps. But these three property funds look like solid buys for income investors.
23 Nov 2020
Five top investment trusts to buy and forget until 2040
Investment trusts
Five top investment trusts to buy and forget until 2040
Picking winning long-term stocks is extremely difficult but, with a sensible spread of solid funds, investors can look forward to maximum gains with m…
6 Nov 2020
Does politics matter for investors?
Sponsored
Does politics matter for investors?
Generally speaking, says Max King, markets don’t seem to care much about politics. But every now and again, politics really does matter quite a lot.
3 Nov 2020
Odyssean Investment Trust: making the best of difficult circumstances.
Investment trusts
Odyssean Investment Trust: making the best of difficult circumstances.
Odyssean Investment Trust, set up to profit from supporting “misunderstood companies”, is a mere three years old – but its record to date and managers…
2 Nov 2020
UK post-Covid recovery stocks: these 20 companies could be set to rocket
Share tips
UK post-Covid recovery stocks: these 20 companies could be set to rocket
Finding stocks with the potential to rise tenfold or even further is far easier said than done. But the pandemic has produced the most promising backd…
22 Oct 2020
Funds to buy UK small-cap stocks on a discount
Investment trusts
Funds to buy UK small-cap stocks on a discount
Investment trusts investing in smaller companies are recovering, yet share prices haven’t caught up, says Max King.
19 Oct 2020
Why it pays to take cries of “bubble” with a pinch of salt
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Why it pays to take cries of “bubble” with a pinch of salt
Many observers are pointing to a stockmarket “bubble” – especially in US tech stocks. But, says Max King, just because a lot of people are saying it, …
13 Oct 2020
Why the underperforming Temple Bar investment trust will deliver again
Investment trusts
Why the underperforming Temple Bar investment trust will deliver again
Temple Bar, the value-focused investment trust, has had a dreadful year, but new managers should turn it around.
13 Oct 2020
Why the government shouldn't raise taxes
UK Economy
Why the government shouldn't raise taxes
Tackling our deficit with new levies would be economically and politically suicidal, says Max King.
12 Oct 2020
Ethical investing: how ethical is your ESG fund?
ESG investing
Ethical investing: how ethical is your ESG fund?
There’s no doubt that environmental and other issues can have a huge impact on share prices – 2020 has proven that beyond doubt. But how can investors…
6 Oct 2020
Murray Income Trust: a rare star in the income sector
Investment trusts
Murray Income Trust: a rare star in the income sector
The Murray Income Trust is a reliable and promising pick in a struggling sector.
6 Oct 2020
Don’t be fooled by the illusion of safety in income
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Don’t be fooled by the illusion of safety in income
The UK income sector has suffered badly. Max King looks at what the might future look like, and what investors can learn from the experience.
15 Sep 2020
Two funds that will help ensure a brighter outlook for care homes
Investment trusts
Two funds that will help ensure a brighter outlook for care homes
Two listed real-estate investment trusts in the care-home sector look attractively valued and offer a decent income too, says Max King.
15 Sep 2020
Two excellent technology investment trusts to buy now
Tech stocks
Two excellent technology investment trusts to buy now
Tech focused-investment trusts Polar Capital and Allianz remain excellent investments in one of the few sectors growing strongly
9 Sep 2020
We will be heading for a brighter future after Covid-19
UK Economy
We will be heading for a brighter future after Covid-19
This period of structural economic upheaval may cause more good than harm, says Max King – if Britain can take advantage.
28 Aug 2020
Mid Wynd: an investment trust profiting from long-term trends
Investment trusts
Mid Wynd: an investment trust profiting from long-term trends
Artemis' Mid Wynd International, a thematic investment trust, offers a good way to diversify a growth portfolio, says Max King.
25 Aug 2020
A three-for-one value opportunity for compelling sectors
Funds
A three-for-one value opportunity for compelling sectors
This trust invests in compelling sectors that all look attractively priced.
18 Aug 2020
Four investment trusts that should profit from the EU's Great Leap Forward
Investment trusts
Four investment trusts that should profit from the EU's Great Leap Forward
Debt issuance by Brussels makes the euro more stable and bodes well for risky assets. These four investment trusts should profit.
10 Aug 2020
There's still plenty of potential for investors in commercial property
Property
There's still plenty of potential for investors in commercial property
Jitters over the outlook for the commercial property sector are overdone, says Max King. Investors should consider this Europe-focused real-estate inv…
4 Aug 2020
An investment trust that's well-placed to profit from the rebound
Investment trusts
An investment trust that's well-placed to profit from the rebound
This trust invests in stocks of all sizes and looks well placed to ride a rapid economic recovery
28 Jul 2020
Tony Pidgley: the Master Builder leaves the stage
People
Tony Pidgley: the Master Builder leaves the stage
Berkeley’s Tony Pidgley, who has died aged 72, was a genius who transformed the housebuilding industry, says Max King
24 Jul 2020
Buy into UK mid-cap stocks' recovery with this investment trust
Investment trusts
Buy into UK mid-cap stocks' recovery with this investment trust
Schroder's investment trust specialising in UK mid-cap stocks has an impressive long-term record and looks cheap
14 Jul 2020
Ruffer investment trust faces a rough patch
Investment trusts
Ruffer investment trust faces a rough patch
Ruffer, the defensive investment trust, has an impressive overall record, but may struggle for now.
7 Jul 2020
A first-half home run for investment trusts
Sponsored
A first-half home run for investment trusts
The investment trust sector has seen some extraordinary performance in the first half of this year. Max King looks at what's behind it, and asks: is i…
7 Jul 2020
Investment trusts that should profit from private equity
Investment trusts
Investment trusts that should profit from private equity
Private equity has recovered steadily from its spring slump, but still offers value. Max King casts his eye over five investment trusts specialising i…
30 Jun 2020
How to use investment trusts to invest in specific countries and themes
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How to use investment trusts to invest in specific countries and themes
Using specialist investment trusts can extend your horizons to the parts of the investment world that general funds do not reach.
16 Jun 2020
Syncona: a biotech trust that's going for a song
Investment trusts
Syncona: a biotech trust that's going for a song
Syncona is an investment trust that invests in promising, privately-held biotechnology companies. It looks too cheap.
15 Jun 2020
Investing in the UK: the good, the bad and the ugly
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Investing in the UK: the good, the bad and the ugly
The FTSE 100 has been in decline for a long time, while small and mid-cap stocks have outperformed, says Max King. Will the blue-chips bounce back?
9 Jun 2020
Britain's housing market may avoid a nasty crash
Property
Britain's housing market may avoid a nasty crash
UK house prices were already weakening when the virus arrived; London in particular now looks good value, says Max King.
9 Jun 2020
Compound interest: the eighth wonder of the world
Funds
Compound interest: the eighth wonder of the world
Setting up a pharmaceuticals trust in the mid-1990s taught Max King the power of compounding
26 May 2020