Low valuations and overlooked stocks offer long-term opportunities for Columbia Threadneedle’s UK investment trusts
In 1868, the UK was going through a time of rapid modernisation, characterised by political overhaul, the rise of organised labour and significant social reform. It was also a time of technological progress, with the world’s first traffic lights installed in Parliament Square.
This was the year that the F&C Investment Trust was launched, aiming to bring the benefits of investing to a wider world. Ahead of its time, the pioneering investment fund offered a combination of overseas investing opportunities and risk mitigation through diversification.
The rest is history. Over time, F&C has grown into one of the UK’s largest and most established investment trusts, evolving alongside global markets through a long-term, diversified approach to investing. Today, the trust manages £7bn of assets, reflecting the effect of disciplined investment, active management and the power of compounding over many decades.
DISCRETE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE (%) as at 31.03.26 | 2026/25 | 2025/24 | 2024/23 | 2023/22 | 2022/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NAV | 15.55 | 5.15 | 20.59 | 0.00 | 12.54 |
Share price | 12.99 | 10.05 | 11.20 | 6.35 | 10.05 |
Benchmark | 17.49 | 5.00 | 20.41 | -1.37 | 12.28 |
A long-term mindset
In the 150 years since launch, there have been two world wars, countless recessions and several disruptive technological revolutions. Yet the F&C Investment Trust has powered on, delivering returns to its loyal shareholders.
As the longest standing of Columbia Threadneedle’s eight investment trusts, it shows the success of focusing on long-term investment opportunities, backed by careful and thorough research. The trust is a testament to active management.
At a time of volatility in financial markets, investors can feel confident that their money is being looked after with foresight and discipline, not by reacting to short-lived trends. Columbia Threadneedle’s investment trusts are sticking to principles that have helped generations of investors, aiming to deliver reliable investment returns.
A wide choice for differing goals
Within the Columbia Threadneedle investment trust stable, a range of strategies meets a wide variety of investment objectives and preferences, carefully seeking to balance risk and return.
There are trusts for people nearing retirement or already enjoying it. Others suit investors growing or preserving wealth for later life. And there are trusts for a younger generation as they save to buy their first home or embark on the career ladder.
Growth-focused trusts, including F&C and our specialist Global Smaller Companies Trust, give access to global markets and innovative, high-quality businesses with long-term potential. For those prioritising reliable income alongside capital growth, UK-focused trusts like CT UK Capital & Income Investment Trust and CT UK High Income Trust aim to provide income and the prospect of reliable dividends.
Those seeking broader diversification can consider CT Global Managed Portfolio Trust, which blends different investment companies into a single, balanced holding.
And if investors want to explore something more specialist, our alternative investments aim to provide access to asset classes and strategies typically out of reach to individual investors. CT Private Equity Trust offers the prospect of capital gains from unlisted companies, while TR Property Trust aims to deliver the capital growth and attractive dividend associated with real estate investing. Lastly, CT Healthcare Trust is a growth-focused trust specialising in healthcare innovation and trends.
This range gives investors a choice. It’s backed by the dependability, experience and thoughtful governance that have supported generations of investors.
How boards support shareholders
One of the key differentiators of investment trusts is their independent board structure, which sets them apart from many other types of investments and brings an extra level of governance
Each Columbia Threadneedle investment trust has its own board of directors whose sole responsibility is to act in the best interests of shareholders. They challenge, guide and hold the managers to account, supporting effective oversight of the trust’s long-term investment approach.
Boards appoint and monitor the investment manager. They push managers to deliver good outcomes for shareholders.
Looking to the future
Just as 1868 was a time of change, so today is characterised as an Age of Upheaval. AI, geopolitics and climate change are hitting all at once. They’re colliding, like three weather systems forming a single, powerful storm.
For investors, AI may unlock productivity at scale – one potential way to improve companies’ long-run earnings. But investment judgements will come down to assessing individual companies, an approach consistent with investment trusts’ style of active management and diversification.
Columbia Threadneedle’s established investment trusts offer a range of options and opportunities. Investors benefit from their investments being supported by expert active managers with long-term perspectives who are held to account by boards protecting shareholders’ interests.
Investment trusts are rooted in longevity and heritage. Since Victorian times they have delivered long-term returns, with the ability to navigate uncertain times.
Investment Trusts from Columbia Threadneedle
*Source: Lipper and Columbia Threadneedle Investments.
Capital at risk. Past performance is not an indication of future returns. The value of your investments can go down as well as up meaning you can get back less than you invest. © Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited. No. 517895, Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
Issued by Columbia Threadneedle Management Limited and approved for distribution 13/05/2026.
Information in this section of the Website is directed solely at persons who are located in the UK and can be categorised as retail clients. Nothing on this website is, or is intended to be, an offer, advice, or an invitation, to buy or sell any investments. Please read our full terms and conditions and the relevant Key Information Documents (“KID”) before proceeding further with any investment product referred to on this website. This website is not suitable for everyone, and if you are at all unsure whether an investment product referenced on this website will meet your individual needs, please seek advice before proceeding further with such product.
