Edinburgh Investment Trust (EDIN)

EDIN is a leading FTSE 250 Investment Trust which sits within the AIC UK Equity Income sector. The company is managed by James de Uphaugh and Chris Field with a focus on fundamental business research to create a diversified and high conviction portfolio of 40-50 investments. The managers are supported by an experienced team of investment analysts. The company does not have any in-built investment style biases and seeks to deliver long-term added value regardless of economic and market conditions. The company’s large positions include Shell, Unilever and BAE systems, while its biggest sector exposure is retail. In this interview John Hughman speaks to James about the strategies the team has employed since taking over its management at the time Covid struck in April 2020; why there’s value to be found in industries like oil & gas and retail (the latter being “written off as yesteryear”); why a focus on “gloomy” short term economic news may be overdone; the importance of macroeconomic factors including ESG in determining sector exposures; and how an accelerated “corporate Darwinisim” is favouring the larger businesses in which the company invests.