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An update from our investment manager, Charles Luke
The coronavirus crisis represents an highly unusual episode for equity markets given that it represents a combination of a demand and supply shock leading to significant concerns about the financial viability of companies. Although there are some exceptions due to the unusual circumstances of the crisis, in general companies with robust business balance sheets and strong business models are best placed to navigate these very challenging times. These are the types of companies that we focus on in the Murray Income Trust portfolio and although it is little consolation given the sharp falls in the market, on a gross assets basis, the portfolio has outperformed the broader UK equity market since the start of the year.
The action we have taken so far has been relatively modest although we have sold a number of companies that are particularly exposed to the coronavirus and are surveying the market closely for opportunities to add to holdings where we believe the market reaction has been too severe. We remain in close dialogue with our holdings to understand their thoughts.
A significant economic policy response is being deployed by central banks and governments with interest rate cuts, further quantitative easing and fiscal stimulus. There is unlikely to be a resolution to the health crisis until we have a vaccine and that is likely to be at least 12-18 months away. However, markets will trough before this occurs and as we are now seeing a more widespread understanding of the scale of the issue (as well as the solution) this will be bring forward the point of maximum market stress.
In these conditions we are remaining focussed on closely monitoring the financial strength of our holdings with an emphasis on operational and financial leverage and cash generation. We have adopted a cautious stance for some time and see little reason to shift from this conservative focus on higher quality businesses.
Charles Luke is an Investment Director on the UK and European equities team having joined Aberdeen in 2000. Charles started his career at Framlington Investment Management in 1998, covering UK equities.
Charles graduated with a BA in Economics and Japanese Studies from Leeds University and an MSc in Business and Economic History from the London School of Economics.
Iain has been an Investment Director in the UK Equities team for Aberdeen Standard Investments since 2015. He is the lead manager of Shires Income plc and is deputy manager for Murray Income Trust and Aberdeen Standard Equity Income Trust plc. Within his role, he manages the UK Equity High Income Fund and the Bothwell UK Equity Income Fund and has sector responsibility for oil & gas and banks.
Iain has been covering analyst for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. He is also a member of the Pan-European fund management team. Prior to joining Standard Life Investments, Iain was a Vice President on the number one ranked European Oil & Gas research team at Sanford Bernstein from 2007. He also worked as a management consultant at PwC. Iain holds an MSc, Masters in Chemical Engineering, ACA, CFA and is a qualified accountant.
Investment Director
Charles Luke is an Investment Director on the UK and European equities team having joined Aberdeen in 2000. Charles started his career at Framlington Investment Management in 1998, covering UK equities.
Charles graduated with a BA in Economics and Japanese Studies from Leeds University and an MSc in Business and Economic History from the London School of Economics.
Investment Director
Iain has been an Investment Director in the UK Equities team for Aberdeen Standard Investments since 2015. He is the lead manager of Shires Income plc and is deputy manager for Murray Income Trust and Aberdeen Standard Equity Income Trust plc. Within his role, he manages the UK Equity High Income Fund and the Bothwell UK Equity Income Fund and has sector responsibility for oil & gas and banks.
Iain has been covering analyst for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. He is also a member of the Pan-European fund management team. Prior to joining Standard Life Investments, Iain was a Vice President on the number one ranked European Oil & Gas research team at Sanford Bernstein from 2007. He also worked as a management consultant at PwC. Iain holds an MSc, Masters in Chemical Engineering, ACA, CFA and is a qualified accountant.
Neil was appointed a Director on 26 November 2013 and became Chairman on 6 November 2017.
He is former Head of the Global Equities Team at both Gartmore and Henderson and former Head of International Equities, as well as a former member of the Investment Division Executive Committee, at Gartmore. He has previously managed Fleming Far Eastern Investment Trust and, while at Touche Remnant, he worked on TR Pacific Basin Investment Trust, TR Technology Trust and Bankers Investment Trust.
Donald Cameron was appointed a Director in September 2012. He qualified at the Bar of England and Wales in 2002. Having transferred to the Faculty of Advocates, he was called to the Scottish Bar in 2005, and now practises as an Advocate in Scotland. He is a non-executive director of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust plc.
Stephanie was appointed a Director on 2 August 2018. Just prior to this she retired from being Head of Specialist Funds Company Secretariat and Accounts at Invesco Perpetual, where she had worked since 1996 specialising in the asset management industry with particular focus on investment trusts. Her career spans over 30 years working in financial services including roles at UBS, Wardley Investment Services International and KPMG. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and a member of the Technical Committee of the Association of Investment Companies.
Appointed a Director in July 2012 and Senior Independent Director in November 2018, Jean is an independent non-executive director of Admiral Group plc and NHBC. She was formerly Group Chief Risk Officer at Phoenix Group until June 2013 and previously Risk Management Director of the Insurance and Investments Division of Lloyds TSB and Head of Compliance and Audit at Scottish Widows.
Peter was appointed as a Director in November 2017, having recently retired from the Nestlé Group where he was initially Head of Investments for the Nestlé UK Pension Fund and then CEO & CIO of Nestlé Capital Management. Prior to Nestlé he worked for many years in the investment management industry managing portfolios for investment trusts, pension funds and charitable foundations.
During that time he was a Managing Director at BlackRock International and, before that, a Director of Dunedin Fund Managers and a portfolio analyst at Scottish Widows Life Assurance Fund. Prior to working as an investment manager, Peter worked for five years as an economist in the agricultural industry.
Merryn Somerset Webb was appointed as a Director on 7 August 2019. She is the Editor-in-Chief of UK personal finance magazine Money Week and comments regularly on financial matters across radio and television. She brings a wealth of investment trust experience as well as a particular knowledge of, and interest in, developing the links between investment trusts and their current and potential retail investor base.
Chairman
Neil was appointed a Director on 26 November 2013 and became Chairman on 6 November 2017.
He is former Head of the Global Equities Team at both Gartmore and Henderson and former Head of International Equities, as well as a former member of the Investment Division Executive Committee, at Gartmore. He has previously managed Fleming Far Eastern Investment Trust and, while at Touche Remnant, he worked on TR Pacific Basin Investment Trust, TR Technology Trust and Bankers Investment Trust.
Non-Executive Director
Donald Cameron was appointed a Director in September 2012. He qualified at the Bar of England and Wales in 2002. Having transferred to the Faculty of Advocates, he was called to the Scottish Bar in 2005, and now practises as an Advocate in Scotland. He is a non-executive director of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust plc.
Chairman of Audit Committee
Stephanie was appointed a Director on 2 August 2018. Just prior to this she retired from being Head of Specialist Funds Company Secretariat and Accounts at Invesco Perpetual, where she had worked since 1996 specialising in the asset management industry with particular focus on investment trusts. Her career spans over 30 years working in financial services including roles at UBS, Wardley Investment Services International and KPMG. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and a member of the Technical Committee of the Association of Investment Companies.
Senior Independent Director
Appointed a Director in July 2012 and Senior Independent Director in November 2018, Jean is an independent non-executive director of Admiral Group plc and NHBC. She was formerly Group Chief Risk Officer at Phoenix Group until June 2013 and previously Risk Management Director of the Insurance and Investments Division of Lloyds TSB and Head of Compliance and Audit at Scottish Widows.
Non-Executive Director
Peter was appointed as a Director in November 2017, having recently retired from the Nestlé Group where he was initially Head of Investments for the Nestlé UK Pension Fund and then CEO & CIO of Nestlé Capital Management. Prior to Nestlé he worked for many years in the investment management industry managing portfolios for investment trusts, pension funds and charitable foundations.
During that time he was a Managing Director at BlackRock International and, before that, a Director of Dunedin Fund Managers and a portfolio analyst at Scottish Widows Life Assurance Fund. Prior to working as an investment manager, Peter worked for five years as an economist in the agricultural industry.
Director
Merryn Somerset Webb was appointed as a Director on 7 August 2019. She is the Editor-in-Chief of UK personal finance magazine Money Week and comments regularly on financial matters across radio and television. She brings a wealth of investment trust experience as well as a particular knowledge of, and interest in, developing the links between investment trusts and their current and potential retail investor base.
| Year End | 30 June |
| Accounts published | September |
| Annual General Meeting | November |
| Dividend Paid | March, June, September, December |
Half year report webcast by Charles Luke for the six months to end 31 Dec 19
'Hear fund manager Charles Luke presenting Murray Income's annual results