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.
Sam Cosh is a Director, at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Sam joined Columbia Threadneedle Investments in 2010 from BNP Investment Partners and was appointed Lead Manager for European Assets Trust during 2011. Sam also manages the European investments of The Global Smaller Companies Trust PLC. He has over twenty years’ experience in European equities, principally within small and mid-cap mandates.
Lucy Morris is a Director at Columbia Threadneedle Investments specialising in smaller companies. Lucy joined the business in 2007, originally working in the Performance Analytics team before transferring to Equities in 2011. She has worked on the European Small Cap mandates since that point which include European Assets Trust as well as the European investments of The Global Smaller Companies Trust PLC. She also manages the CT European Smaller Companies open ended fund. Lucy holds the Investment Management Certificate and is a CFA Charterholder.
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 | £390.1 million (as at 31.03.24) |
Yield* | 6.78% (as at 31.03.24) |
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.
Sustainability and ESG
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) issues are the three central factors in measuring sustainability and can present both opportunities and threats to the long-term investment performance the Company aims to deliver to Shareholders. The Board is therefore committed to taking a responsible approach to ESG matters.
There are two strands to this approach. The Company’s own responsibilities on matters such as governance and the impact it has through the investments that are made on its behalf by its Manager.
The Board
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.
Other ways to invest with us
There are a number of ways to invest with Columbia Threadneedle, through a Financial Adviser or a wide range of companies.
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*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.
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