324: Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast - with Tom Holl and Adrian Brown (21 Mar 2026)

This week we have two guests from BlackRock Energy Resources Income (BERI) joining the podcast: manager Tom Holl and chairman Adrian Brown. We discuss the impact of conflict in the Middle East and the trust's three-pronged approach ahead of its continuation vote next week. Hosted by Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook (winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award 2024 and 2025). Recorded on Thursday 19 March 2026. Jonathan is now writing market and other comments on Substack (jdinvestor.substack.com), and for those of you who follow Money Makers on social media, two new channels are available - TikTok (@moneymakers_its) and Bluesky (@money-makers.co). Do give us a follow! *** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook *** Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358 The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector. *** Section Timestamps: 0:00:24 - Introduction 0:00:56 - The impact of the Iran War on the energy sector 0:03:53 - Vulnerabilities to the global economy 0:06:42 - The three investment “buckets” 0:13:50 - A short break 0:14:54 - The position of the trust as it approaches a continuation vote 0:17:47 - Making the case for the strategy within a small trust 0:19:24 - Saba Capital, activist investors, and discount control 0:22:46 - The enhanced income strategy and a reduction in gearing 0:30:35 - Reflecting on incorporating energy transition 0:31:51 - Renewable energy trusts 0:33:50 - The case made to shareholders 0:36:12 - Consequences of an escalating crisis in the Middle East 0:37:30 - Hedging currency 0:39:17 - Close If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year. This week the Circle features a profile of TwentyFour Income Fund (TFIF). Future profiles include Patria Private Equity (PPET) and J.P.Morgan Claverhouse (JCH). Our expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector. For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle. Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our more than 320 podcasts since launch. You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk. Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk