Alliance Witan PLC (ALW)

Profile

https://www.alliancetrust.co.uk

Alliance Witan PLC is a prominent UK investment trust established in 1888, formed through the merger of historic Dundee-based companies and recently combined with Witan Investment Trust in 2024 to create one of the largest such entities. It functions as a core portfolio holding, aiming to deliver long-term real returns via capital growth and an increasing dividend, primarily through investments in global equities spanning diverse sectors and geographies. The trust employs a multi-manager approach with 11 skilled fund managers to balance top holdings and mitigate risk, resulting in a diversified portfolio of around 224 equity positions. Key sectors include technology (over 22%), financial services (about 20%), industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors, with significant exposure to the United States (nearly 60%), followed by the UK, Japan, and emerging markets like India. Top holdings feature leading firms such as Microsoft Corp, Amazon.com Inc, Visa Inc, Mastercard Inc, and Alphabet Inc, comprising roughly 19-20% of assets. With total assets exceeding £5 billion, modest gearing, and a net yield around 2.2%, Alliance Witan PLC plays a vital role in providing investors access to expertly managed global equity opportunities while smoothing market volatility.