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.
Emerging markets: the Brics never lived up to their promise – but is now the time to buy?
Emerging markets
Emerging markets: the Brics never lived up to their promise – but is now the time to buy?
Twenty years ago hopes were high for Brazil, Russia, India and China – the “Brics” emerging-market economies. But only China has beaten expectations. …
18 Oct 2021
What the best-performing investment trusts of the past 20 years can teach us
Investment trusts
What the best-performing investment trusts of the past 20 years can teach us
Forty-two trusts have risen more than tenfold over the last two decades. What made the winners stand out? And how can we identify future outperformers…
12 Oct 2021
Emerging markets: has the Brics dream survived reality?
Emerging markets
Emerging markets: has the Brics dream survived reality?
Two decades ago the “Brics” – Brazil, Russia, India and China – were the global economy's rising stars, with expectations high for their rapid develop…
7 Oct 2021
The UK stockmarket is cheap – but is it cheap for good reasons?
UK stockmarkets
The UK stockmarket is cheap – but is it cheap for good reasons?
Compared to other developed-world markets, UK stocks are remarkably cheap. But a number of factors means the discount could be well-deserved, says Max…
27 Sep 2021
Invest in a promising new chapter at RIT Capital Partners
Investment trusts
Invest in a promising new chapter at RIT Capital Partners
The long-standing chairman of the RIT Capital Partners investment trust stepped down in 2019, but the new team are doing very well, says Max King.
27 Sep 2021
Why it pays to face up to your investment mistakes
Investment strategy
Why it pays to face up to your investment mistakes
Buying stocks can be a complicated business. But selling stocks can be tricky, too – even if you sell for the right reasons. Max King explains how to …
17 Sep 2021
Pershing Square: a deeply undervalued investment trust to buy now
Investment trusts
Pershing Square: a deeply undervalued investment trust to buy now
Pershing Square Holdings has a strong record, but trades at a discount of almost 30%. It could be the ideal investment for uncertain market conditions…
13 Sep 2021
In a “defined contribution” pension? Cheer up!
Pensions
In a “defined contribution” pension? Cheer up!
Max King explains why today’s defined contribution pensions are in many ways better than the final salary pensions of old.
31 Aug 2021
Invest in affordable housing – a solid return with a social impact
Investment trusts
Invest in affordable housing – a solid return with a social impact
The private sector can help tackle homelessness – but investors should expect to be rewarded as well. And these two funds fit the bill nicely.
30 Aug 2021
The best way to invest in affordable housing
Investment trusts
The best way to invest in affordable housing
The private sector must play a role in meeting demand for retirement homes and shared ownership. This fund will help.
23 Aug 2021
Witan: the "lame duck" investment trust has become a winner
Investment trusts
Witan: the "lame duck" investment trust has become a winner
The global investment trust looked lacklustre early this year, but is making a convincing comeback.
9 Aug 2021
Two private equity trusts: one to buy, one to avoid
Investment trusts
Two private equity trusts: one to buy, one to avoid
The tech boom has fostered a lot of great businesses, but with many backed by private equity, few retail investors have been able to profit. Here, Max…
30 Jul 2021
After a stunning 2020, how is 2021 shaping up for investment trusts?
Investment trusts
After a stunning 2020, how is 2021 shaping up for investment trusts?
Investment trusts performed extraordinarily well in 2020, but 2021 hasn't been so kind. Max King runs his eye over the sector, and looks at what the s…
27 Jul 2021
The best fund to buy to ride Britain's post-pandemic recovery
Share tips
The best fund to buy to ride Britain's post-pandemic recovery
The Lowland Investment trust is perfectly poised to profit from Britain’s post-pandemic bounce, says Max King.
27 Jul 2021
Investing in Russia: risky but rewarding?
Share tips
Investing in Russia: risky but rewarding?
The only investment trust focusing on the world’s cheapest stockmarket is worth a look, says Max King.
14 Jul 2021
Two investment trusts that have proved their worth
Investment trusts
Two investment trusts that have proved their worth
These two investment trusts have earned investors’ confidence since their flotations and remain solid bets, says Max King.
25 Jun 2021
Why “black swan” events are even rarer than you might think
Investment strategy
Why “black swan” events are even rarer than you might think
Common parlance has it that “black swan” events, such as a financial crisis or global pandemic, are impossible to predict. But as it turns out, most r…
24 Jun 2021
Bank on financial stocks with this investment trust
Investment trusts
Bank on financial stocks with this investment trust
Banks, though not British banks, look set for a strong rebound, making this investment trust worth researching.
22 Jun 2021
Under new management: how change can be good for investment trusts
Investment trusts
Under new management: how change can be good for investment trusts
Change isn’t always for the better, but recently funds opting for new stewards have profited from the move, says Max King
15 Jun 2021
Stockmarkets are due a breather
Stockmarkets
Stockmarkets are due a breather
Inflation jitters look overdone, but high valuations mean equities will still tread water for a few months, says Max King
7 Jun 2021
Unlocking Hansa Investment Company
Investment trusts
Unlocking Hansa Investment Company
Hansa Investment Company looks cheap given that it could eventually restructure, says Max King.
1 Jun 2021
Why we’ll all be better off when the commodities curse is dispelled
Sponsored
Why we’ll all be better off when the commodities curse is dispelled
The existence of substantial fossil fuel resources in a country has often proved a curse for its population, says Max King. The end of the oil era wil…
25 May 2021
Two bond funds to buy in case inflation doesn't take off
Investment trusts
Two bond funds to buy in case inflation doesn't take off
We could well avoid sustained price rises, in which case these bond funds look a solid bet, says Max King
18 May 2021
Micro-cap stocks: how to get huge returns from tiny firms
Small cap stocks
Micro-cap stocks: how to get huge returns from tiny firms
Micro-cap stocks are often overlooked, but the British market has plenty of them and their potential is massive. Max King picks the best two investmen…
3 May 2021
What do investment trust directors do?
Sponsored
What do investment trust directors do?
When you buy an investment rust you may not think twice about its directors. But they are an important part of what makes investment trusts such a suc…
27 Apr 2021
Renewable energy: how to cash in as the US goes green
Investment trusts
Renewable energy: how to cash in as the US goes green
A rapidly growing emphasis on renewable power in America will boost investors’ portfolios. Max King outlines the best ways to invest.
26 Apr 2021
Get decades of growth at a discount with this healthcare investment trust
Investment trusts
Get decades of growth at a discount with this healthcare investment trust
Healthcare is set for strong long-term expansion but looks cheap. That makes this investment trust worth buying, says Max King.
19 Apr 2021
Private equity funds: get strong returns from these bargain investment trusts
Investment trusts
Private equity funds: get strong returns from these bargain investment trusts
Private-equity investment trusts are a way to buy into a high-performing sector that’s out of reach for most individual investors. Many of these funds…
2 Apr 2021
What I learned from 15 years of investing in small companies
Funds
What I learned from 15 years of investing in small companies
Max King spent 15 years managing funds in the small-companies sector. Here he reveals the secrets of long-term investment success
2 Apr 2021
Why you should ignore the pessimists and invest now
Sponsored
Why you should ignore the pessimists and invest now
There is widespread fear that massive fiscal stimulus will result in uncontrollable inflation. But don't worry, says Max King. Use the current market …
30 Mar 2021
Four of the best investment trusts for investing in emerging markets
Investment trusts
Four of the best investment trusts for investing in emerging markets
Investors need to tread very carefully in this risky sector. Here are the best ways to approach it
22 Mar 2021
Where to find value in the commercial property sector
Investment trusts
Where to find value in the commercial property sector
Commercial property – notably shopping centres and offices – has struggled due to Covid-19. But there are several promising real estate investment tru…
8 Mar 2021
Investing beyond China: how to buy into wider Asian markets
Investment trusts
Investing beyond China: how to buy into wider Asian markets
There are several reasons to be sceptical about China’s development, says Max King. What’s more, there is vast potential in other regional emerging ma…
26 Feb 2021
Why you should pay attention when investment trusts raise new money
Sponsored
Why you should pay attention when investment trusts raise new money
There was a time when buying into an investment trust public offering was a bad idea. But things have changed, says Max King. Investors need to keep a…
23 Feb 2021
Cash in on the potential of US small-cap stocks with this investment trust
Small cap stocks
Cash in on the potential of US small-cap stocks with this investment trust
There is ample scope for the American market’s small-cap stocks to close the valuation gap with blue chips. Max King picks an investment trust perfect…
22 Feb 2021
Decimalisation: Britain’s “new pence” turn 50 years old
UK Economy
Decimalisation: Britain’s “new pence” turn 50 years old
In 1971 the UK adopted a decimal currency. The shift was widely thought to be a step towards joining the Common Market, but there was more to it than …
15 Feb 2021