About us

Investing in small and medium-sized European companies

The Trust seeks to generate attractive long-term capital growth through investment in quoted small and medium-sized companies in Europe, excluding the UK. The trust can offer investors:

  • A high-conviction trust that taps into the huge potential of small and medium-sized companies in Europe
  • Attractive combination of capital growth and income; 6% of the year end NAV paid to shareholders as dividends*
  • Under researched asset class which offers the potential for significant performance from stock picking

 

*The Board has stated that barring unforeseen circumstances it will pay an annual dividend equivalent to 6% of the NAV. The dividend is funded from a combination of accumulate capital gains and income but the dividend may fluctuate. Dividend payments may constitute a return of capital in whole or in part and may be achieved by foregoing future capital growth.

Mine Tezgul
Mine Tezgul
Portfolio Manager, European Equities
Phillip Dicken
Philip Dicken
Head of International Equities
Top view of the Triumphal Arch

Long-term capital growth in a focused portfolio

Our aim is to secure long-term growth of capital through investment in quoted small and medium-sized companies in Europe, excluding the United Kingdom, defined as those with a market capitalisation below that of the largest company in the MSCI Europe ex UK SMID Cap Index.


The Trust will not invest more than 20 per cent of its total assets in any one company and does not take legal or management control of any company in which it invests. The Trust does not restrict its investments to any specific industrial sectors and a diversified geographical spread has been maintained. The Trust does not seek to create a portfolio to take advantage of anticipated currency fluctuations. The Trust has the powers under its Articles to borrow an amount up to 20 per cent of its securities portfolio.

Let's talk about risk

The value of your investments and any income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the original amount invested. The value of property reflects the opinion of valuers and is reviewed periodically. These assets can also be illiquid and significant or persistent redemptions may require the manager to sell properties at a lower market value adversely affecting the value of your investment. Investments which are concentrated in a specific sector or country may result in less diversification and hence more volatility in investment values. Gearing is used for investment purposes to obtain, increase or reduce exposure to an asset, index or investment. The use of gearing can enhance returns to investors in a rising market, but if the market falls the losses may be greater.

Fund Facts

Investment Manager
Columbia Threadneedle Investment Business Limited
Benchmark
MSCI Europe ex UK SMID Cap Index
AIC sector
European Smaller Companies
Total assets
£392.3 million (as at 31.08.24)
Yield*
6.77% (as at 31.08.24)
Currency
EUR
ISIN
GB00BHJVQ590
SEDOL
BHJVQ59
Ticker symbol
EAT.L

Key Dates

Launch date
1972
Annual general meeting
May
Shareholders’ and Investors’ Briefing
May
Year end
31 December
Dividend payment date(s)
January, April, July and October

Calculated with reference to December 31 net asset value with dividend payments made in January, April, July and October of each year. The yield is calculated using the dividends declared for the company’s current financial year and the closing share price and exchange rate as at the end of the relevant month.

The Board
Kate Cornish-Bowden
Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Kevin Troup
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
Stuart Paterson
Chairman
Martin Breuer
Non-Executive Director
Pui Kei Yuen
Non-Executive Director
10625, 10629, 10627, 10631, 10633, 15924
Invest now

Columbia Threadneedle offer a range of Savings Plans designed to make investing easy.
Start from £25 a month or one off £100, and there are no charges when you deal using our Investor Portal.

*The yield is calculated using the dividends declared for the company’s current financial year and the closing share price and exchange rate as at the end of the relevant month.

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.