“Smart money” is doubling down on private equity – but are private investors missing out? September 3, 2025 Public pension plans, sovereign wealth funds and family offices keep bulking up their investments in private equity and private markets. Now, at last, private investors can get in. In July, the largest US public pension fund CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) announced its best set of results in four years. It also bulked up [...]
Stock markets shrinking: where could investors turn for growth? July 1, 2025 Darktrace, Skechers, Royal Mail – more and more companies are being taken private. But investors needn’t miss out. Investing in private companies is no longer off-limits – and you can invest from just £10,000. Global stock markets are shrinking. Last year alone, they saw a net decline of over $120 billion – three times the total [...]
VCT capacity fills up in advance of tax year end March 21, 2025 Venture capital trusts (VCTs) have been reaching capacity as the end of the tax year approaches, with Northern VCTs closing their £36m fundraise this week. The decision by a few large VCTs not to raise money this tax year, and smaller offers from some other players, means capacity is six per cent lower than last [...]
30th anniversary of VCTs celebrated as 2024 raise approaches £240m December 1, 2024 The total amount of money raised through venture capital trusts (VCTs) this tax year is approaching £240m, 20 per cent higher than last year, as the investment industry celebrates the vehicle’s 30th birthday. The VCT was unveiled in the 1994 Budget, where Chancellor Ken Clarke launched the scheme, and have since raised £12.5bn, funnelling money [...]
Inheritance tax receipts rise as Brits warned to ‘make plans to pass on wealth’ November 21, 2024 Inheritance tax receipts have risen again as experts are warning Brits to better plan for the passing on of wealth, after the Autumn Budget changes. Fresh figures released this morning show inheritance tax receipts for between April and October of this year are £5bn, which is £500m higher than the same period last year. This [...]
UK investors rush to venture capital trusts ahead of Budget October 22, 2024 Two venture capital trusts (VCTs) have raised £90m in just 45 days as investors rush into the vehicles ahead of a potential hike in capital gains tax at the Budget. Capital gains tax currently sits at 20 per cent but rumours are spreading that the levy could be lifted by Rachel Reeves’s at her first [...]
Investors pounce on start-up incentive scheme amid fears of Labour tax rises September 9, 2024 Flows into a government-backed scheme offering tax reliefs for investors in UK start-ups have surged since the general election, new data has revealed, as fears grow of possible tax rises under the new Labour government.
Venture capital trust season kicks off as Mobeus launches £90m share offer September 2, 2024 The start of VCT season has arrived with a bang, as Gresham House-run Mobeus has launched £90m in share offers for two of its venture capital trusts. The two VCTs have total net assets of £343m and a combined portfolio of about 50 companies, ranging from early-stage companies with almost no revenue to later-stage, profitable [...]
Venture Capital Trusts prepare for funding surge as tax year closes April 3, 2024 As the tax year draws to a close, Venture Capital Trusts are readying for the late surge of investment into their pockets.