London, UK, 7 July 2021
Edison issues review on BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust (BRGE)
BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust (BRGE) has a long-term record of outperformance versus its peers and the broad European market. It has two co-managers: Stefan Gries, since June 2017, covering developed European markets (c 90% of the fund); and Sam Vecht, since the trust's launch in September 2004, covering emerging European markets (c 10% of the fund). While all the trust's positions are selected following thorough fundamental analysis rather than taking a view on the macro environment, Gries is optimistic about the prospects for an upcoming economic recovery in Europe. So far, its vaccine program has lagged the pace of other regions such as the US and the UK, so there is potential to catch up, and there is a coordinated €750bn EU Recovery Fund in place to be spent on green initiatives, which has not yet been employed.
BRGE has been re-rated in recent quarters and now regularly trades at a premium, indicating strong demand for the company's shares. It is currently trading at a 2.0% premium to cum-income NAV, compared with a 0.8% to 3.8% range of average discounts over the last one, three, five and 10 years. So far in FY21, the board has been able to reissue a meaningful number of shares from treasury (see page 9). While BRGE offers a modest 1.0% dividend yield, the annual distribution has increased each year since the trust was launched, and this was possible in FY20 (a period of lower income) due to its revenue reserves.
Click here to view the full report or here to sign up to receive research as it is published.
All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website
About Edison: E dison is a leading research and investor relations consultancy, connecting listed companies to the widest pool of global investors. By focusing on the volume and quality of investors reached - across institutions, family offices, wealth managers and retail investors - Edison can create and gauge intent to purchase, even in the darkest pools of capital, and then make introductions via non-deal roadshows, events or virtual meetings.
Having been the first in-market 17 years ago, Edison now has more than 100 analysts covering every economic sector. Headquartered in London, Edison also has offices in New York, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv and a presence in Athens, Johannesburg and Sydney.
Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority .
Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison's reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities.
For more information, please contact Edison:
Mel Jenner +44 (0)20 3077 5720 investmenttrusts@edisongroup.com
Sarah Godfrey +44 (0)20 3681 2519 investmenttrusts@edisongroup.com
Learn more at www.edisongroup.com and connect with Edison on:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/edison-group-/
Twitter www.twitter.com/Edison_Inv_Res
YouTube www.youtube.com/edisonitv