British Empire Trust
British Empire Trust (LSE: BTEM) is a large London-based British investment trust dedicated to investments in companies trading at a discount to Net Asset Value. Established in 1889, the company is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The Chairman is Strone Macpherson.
The firm's recent history dates to 1985, when Asset Value Investors, an employee-owned management company was established to manage the firm, then valued at £6 million.[1] It issued a 4 for 1 rights issue, increasing capital to £30 million in 1985.
Its goal of acquiring firms under NAV has led it to attempt takeovers of other investment trusts trading at a discount. In 1986 British Empire acquired Ashdown Investment Trust for £66 million.[2] In 1989 it mounted a hostile takeover bid for Schroder Global Trust.[3] In 1995 it acquired the Selective Assets Trust (formerly the Edinburgh Assets Trust[4]) for £42 million.[2]
References
- ↑ Asset Value Investors
- 1 2 British Empire Securities and General Trust: History Archived May 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Schroder and British Empire set to lock horns in bid battle Glasgow Herald, 4 February 1989
- ↑ Edinburgh Assets Trust Oldest Scottish Companies
