In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award for two years running (2024 and 2025), takes a look at the biotech sector and speaks to Woody Stileman, London officer manager at RTW Biotech, managers of RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW); Geoffrey Hsu, manager of Biotech Growth Trust (IBT); and Ailsa Craig, co-manager of International Biotechnology Trust (BIOG).
These conversations were recorded on Thursday 30 October 2025.
Section Timestamps:
0:00:24 - Introduction
0:02:47 - Woody Stileman - RTW Biotech (RTW)
0:03:13 - - Why have biotech trusts been out of favour?
0:08:39 - - The involvement of AI
0:10:45 - - Appointments to the US Health Department and FDA
0:13:44 - - Drug pricing
0:18:33 - - RTW’s private holdings and the IPO drought
0:22:13 - - The trust’s discount
0:29:24 - - Risks in biotech
0:31:16 - A short break
0:32:22 - Geoffrey Hsu - Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG)
0:32:37 - - Explaining the biotech resurgence
0:40:25 - - Risks from an accelerated pipeline
0:41:42 - - The selling points of BIOG
0:44:32 - - Investing in China
0:47:18 - - UK interest in the sector
0:48:34 - Ailsa Craig - International Biotechnology Trust (IBT)
0:48:56 - - Looking at the changing fortunes of the biotechnology sector
0:54:26 - - The IBT difference to other trusts in the sector
0:57:09 - - The impact of the US drive to reduce drug prices
0:59:31 - - New drugs originating from biotech
1:03:26 - - Playing the China theme
1:04:53 - - Best use of capital
1:06:01 - - Capability of returns and position in the cycle
1:07:44 - - The change of management house
1:09:08 - Close
If you enjoy the weekly podcast, you may also find value in joining 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, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT). Future profiles include Scottish American (SAIN) and Impax Environmental Markets (IEM). Our new 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 300 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
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In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award for two years running (2024 and 2025), takes a look at the biotech sector and speaks to Woody Stileman, London officer manager at RTW Biotech, managers of RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW); Geoffrey Hsu, manager of Biotech Growth Trust (IBT); and Ailsa Craig, co-manager of International Biotechnology Trust (BIOG).
These conversations were recorded on Thursday 30 October 2025.
Section Timestamps:
0:00:24 - Introduction
0:02:47 - Woody Stileman - RTW Biotech (RTW)
0:03:13 - - Why have biotech trusts been out of favour?
0:08:39 - - The involvement of AI
0:10:45 - - Appointments to the US Health Department and FDA
0:13:44 - - Drug pricing
0:18:33 - - RTW’s private holdings and the IPO drought
0:22:13 - - The trust’s discount
0:29:24 - - Risks in biotech
0:31:16 - A short break
0:32:22 - Geoffrey Hsu - Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG)
0:32:37 - - Explaining the biotech resurgence
0:40:25 - - Risks from an accelerated pipeline
0:41:42 - - The selling points of BIOG
0:44:32 - - Investing in China
0:47:18 - - UK interest in the sector
0:48:34 - Ailsa Craig - International Biotechnology Trust (IBT)
0:48:56 - - Looking at the changing fortunes of the biotechnology sector
0:54:26 - - The IBT difference to other trusts in the sector
0:57:09 - - The impact of the US drive to reduce drug prices
0:59:31 - - New drugs originating from biotech
1:03:26 - - Playing the China theme
1:04:53 - - Best use of capital
1:06:01 - - Capability of returns and position in the cycle
1:07:44 - - The change of management house
1:09:08 - Close
If you enjoy the weekly podcast, you may also find value in joining 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, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT). Future profiles include Scottish American (SAIN) and Impax Environmental Markets (IEM). Our new 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 300 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
285: Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast - with Alex Wright (05 July 2025)
Money Makers
43 minutes 33 seconds
4 months ago
285: Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast - with Alex Wright (05 July 2025)
In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the 2024 AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award, is joined by Alex Wright, manager of the Fidelity Special Values Investment Trust, and Fidelity Special Situations, the open-ended equivalent fund.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 01 July 2025.
*** Out now: The 2025 Investment Trusts Handbook ***
The Investment Trusts Handbook is an independent educational publication designed to provide investors with a handy annual reference book that summarises all you need to know about investment trusts. Now in its eighth year, the Handbook is a high-quality, full-colour hardback of more than 340 pages, the largest yet, with reviews of the past year, extensive interviews and commentary, plus nearly 80 pages of “how to” information and performance data. Available to order from Harriman House (https://harriman-house.com/ithb2025) or Amazon. There is also a free e-book version you can read on a PC, tablet or smartphone, plus an audiobook version.
***
Section Timestamps:
0:00:24 - Introduction
0:01:03 - The UK equity market
0:06:54 - Structural issues in the UK market
0:10:16 - The stock selection
0:11:50 - Getting the measure of Trump
0:15:35 - Domestic policy impact
0:17:38 - A short break
0:18:45 - The portfolio
0:29:38 - The small, mid, and large cap balance
0:33:42 - Discount and gearing
0:37:10 - Learnings from the last twelve years
0:39:38 - Active and passive management
0:43:01 - Close
If you enjoy the weekly podcast, you may also find value in joining 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, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of HICL Infrastructure (HICL). Future profiles include Franklin Global Trust (FRGT) and Baillie Gifford European Growth (BGEU). Our new 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 money-makers.co/membership-join. 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 280 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
Money Makers
In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast, Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook and winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award for two years running (2024 and 2025), takes a look at the biotech sector and speaks to Woody Stileman, London officer manager at RTW Biotech, managers of RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW); Geoffrey Hsu, manager of Biotech Growth Trust (IBT); and Ailsa Craig, co-manager of International Biotechnology Trust (BIOG).
These conversations were recorded on Thursday 30 October 2025.
Section Timestamps:
0:00:24 - Introduction
0:02:47 - Woody Stileman - RTW Biotech (RTW)
0:03:13 - - Why have biotech trusts been out of favour?
0:08:39 - - The involvement of AI
0:10:45 - - Appointments to the US Health Department and FDA
0:13:44 - - Drug pricing
0:18:33 - - RTW’s private holdings and the IPO drought
0:22:13 - - The trust’s discount
0:29:24 - - Risks in biotech
0:31:16 - A short break
0:32:22 - Geoffrey Hsu - Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG)
0:32:37 - - Explaining the biotech resurgence
0:40:25 - - Risks from an accelerated pipeline
0:41:42 - - The selling points of BIOG
0:44:32 - - Investing in China
0:47:18 - - UK interest in the sector
0:48:34 - Ailsa Craig - International Biotechnology Trust (IBT)
0:48:56 - - Looking at the changing fortunes of the biotechnology sector
0:54:26 - - The IBT difference to other trusts in the sector
0:57:09 - - The impact of the US drive to reduce drug prices
0:59:31 - - New drugs originating from biotech
1:03:26 - - Playing the China theme
1:04:53 - - Best use of capital
1:06:01 - - Capability of returns and position in the cycle
1:07:44 - - The change of management house
1:09:08 - Close
If you enjoy the weekly podcast, you may also find value in joining 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, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT). Future profiles include Scottish American (SAIN) and Impax Environmental Markets (IEM). Our new 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 300 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
