Should I buy F&C Investment Trust stock in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been tracking the performance of F&C Investment Trust for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users in the UK trust us to decipher market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute investment advice. In accordance with our ethical charter, we have never been, and will never be, paid by F&C Investment Trust.

What is F&C Investment Trust?

F&C Investment Trust stock price

The price of F&C Investment Trust stock is rising this week. The current share price stands at 1,122.00p, up 0.90% over the last 24 hours, with a weekly gain of 1.18%. Market capitalisation has reached £5.33 billion, and average three-month trading volume is 318,440 shares. The P/E Ratio is not directly applicable to investment trusts, while the dividend yield is 1.39% and the stock’s beta sits at 0.7830, suggesting lower volatility than the market average. F&C Investment Trust offers stability with growth potential, making it appealing for investors seeking a reliable cornerstone for their portfolio.

Our full analysis of the F&C Investment Trust stock

Having thoroughly reviewed F&C Investment Trust’s latest financial results alongside its share price performance over the past three years, we integrated assessments from multiple sources—financial indicators, technical signals, market data, and competitive benchmarks—using our proprietary algorithms to achieve a comprehensive perspective. This rigorous approach highlights not only consistent outperformance but also several emergent strengths within the trust’s global portfolio structure. So, why might F&C Investment Trust stock once again become a strategic entry point into the diversified investment sector in 2025?

Recent performance and market context

F&C Investment Trust has maintained a resilient uptrend across challenging markets, now trading at 1,122.00p per share—reflecting a 0.90% rise in the last 24 hours and a total annual gain of 10.76%. Its impressive one-year track record points to effective portfolio management and sound sectoral allocation, with the trust’s share price comfortably outperforming the FTSE All-World Index benchmark (21.0% NAV return versus the index’s 19.3%). Over the past week, the share price has climbed 1.18%, supported by robust trading activity and sustained market demand. Amid a supportive macro backdrop for global equities and deployment of capital across developed and emerging markets, the trust’s £5.33 billion market capitalisation and FTSE 100 status further reinforce its regional and global credibility.

Significant recent events underscore the momentum behind the trust. The 54th consecutive annual dividend increase, achieved in 2024, has cemented F&C Investment Trust’s “dividend hero” status—an accolade reserved for only the most reliable UK dividend payers. Management’s recent negotiation to reduce fund charges signals sharpened operational discipline and enhanced value for shareholders. A record net asset value (NAV) and persistent outperformance compared to peers and major benchmarks highlight the trust’s adaptability and resilience in diverse market cycles. This exceptional streak coincides with renewed investor focus on global diversification, dividend sustainability, and robust relative performance—a combination that positions the trust as a natural anchor for long-term UK portfolios.

Technical analysis

From a technical standpoint, F&C Investment Trust demonstrates powerful bullish momentum, as indicated by an impressive RSI of 76.53—suggesting the shares are entering overbought territory as continued flows push the price higher. The MACD stands at 3.94, producing a firm buy signal and aligning with the trust’s sustained uptrend. All major moving averages (20, 50, 100, and 200 days) remain below the current share price and generate further buy signals, underlying a structurally positive market dynamic and confirming consistent short- and medium-term strength.

Key support is identified at 907.00p (the 52-week low), while immediate resistance is found at 1,202.67p (the 52-week high set in February 2025). Recent tests near this resistance were met with profit-taking, but buyers have consistently stepped in to support the price on any minor pullback, underscoring a healthy technical structure. The trust’s performance above all major average price points confirms that momentum investors and medium-term holders alike have benefited from its upward trajectory. Technical sentiment—reflected by a “strong buy” consensus—reinforces the case for ongoing constructive price action, offering compelling technical support for strategic entry.

Fundamental analysis

Fundamentally, F&C Investment Trust’s value proposition is anchored in steady long-term growth, multi-decade dividend reliability, and deep global diversification. In 2024, the trust reported a gross revenue of £111.8 million—up 4.9% year-on-year—while net revenues reached all-time highs with a 3.5% increase. The strong NAV performance of +21.0% solidly beat the FTSE All-World Index, demonstrating the value of its active management and dynamic asset allocation.

Although traditional P/E ratios are not always directly relevant for closed-end investment trusts, the combination of record income, sustained profitability, and prudent exposure to private equity (7.21% of the portfolio) enhance both yield and growth potential. With a dividend yield of 1.39% and an uninterrupted 54-year record of dividend increases, F&C Investment Trust stands out for investors seeking stable payouts and inflation protection, especially in the context of persistent cost-of-living concerns across the UK.

Strategically, the trust is managed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments—renowned for both global research depth and robust governance—with Beatrice Hollond as Chair and Paul Niven as lead manager. A rigorous investment process, active rebalancing, and a focus on shareholder returns distinguish F&C Investment Trust from passive alternatives. Key structural features include:

• Geographical diversification, with 57.52% allocation to the US, ensuring participation in global tech and growth cycles.
• Sectoral balance across information technology, healthcare, and cyclical growth, reducing idiosyncratic risk.
• Exposure to private equity and alternative assets, enhancing potential for alpha and counter-cyclical returns.

These pillars combine to deliver an attractive blend of global growth, defensiveness, and dividend certainty—an enviable mix for any long-term investor.

Volume and liquidity

Liquidity and trading dynamics offer yet another layer of support for optimism. The trust averages over 318,000 shares traded daily (on a 3-month basis), guaranteeing smooth execution for both retail and institutional buy orders. Thanks to its large market cap, extensive free float (over 481 million shares), and stable institutional participation, F&C Investment Trust enjoys robust liquidity that often buffers against market-wide shocks and volatility spikes.

This active trading regime has been instrumental in driving the trust’s consistently tight pricing, efficient price discovery, and favourable bid-ask spreads. The liquidity also supports regular portfolio rebalancing and ensures that new capital inflows can be productively deployed with minimal impact on market price. In turn, such conditions reinforce ongoing valuation recalibration and strong secondary market demand—a dynamic that underlines market confidence in the trust’s ongoing prospects.

Catalysts and positive outlook

F&C Investment Trust is strategically positioned to benefit from several high-conviction growth catalysts:

• Its global diversification strategy shields it from localised risks while capitalising on the recovery of developed and select emerging markets, particularly as central banks begin easing cycles and macro headwinds subside.
• The trust’s consistent dividend policy and 54-year streak of increased payments offer rare income visibility, appealing not only to income-focused investors but also to growing segments of retirement-focused savings and institutional mandates within the UK.
• A recent, board-driven reduction in fund charges boosts cost efficiency, directly improving net returns for shareholders and enhancing the trust’s appeal versus costlier competitors.
• Ongoing expansion into private equity and alternative asset classes positions the trust to tap into new growth engines often less correlated with public equities.
• Forward-looking governance and ESG initiatives, evidenced by responsible stewardship standards and broad index eligibility (including ISA and pension wrappers), reinforce the sustainability of the trust’s long-term growth model.

Moreover, the sector context is highly supportive: investment trusts as a structure are regaining favour in an environment that increasingly values international diversification, active risk management, and stable income streams in portfolios.

Investment strategies

For short-term traders, any dips towards key support at 1,100p or below present tactical trading opportunities, especially amid short-lived technical pullbacks or sector-wide volatility. With technical indicators still aligned in “strong buy” mode, even minor consolidations may offer advantageous entry points for those seeking quick rebound potential.

Medium-term investors may consider accumulating gradually, taking advantage of periods of flat or modestly negative price action, which have historically preceded renewed positive momentum for the trust. Regular investing via share plans or ISAs—given the trust’s broad UK tax eligibility—offers an effective strategy to smooth volatility and capture compounding dividend growth.

Long-term allocators, including pension savers and those seeking a ‘buy and hold’ anchor, will appreciate the trust’s unwavering commitment to global diversification, strategic private equity allocation, and a 54-year record of sustained dividend increases. With the trust’s projected 10-year total return estimated at +212.2% (around +12.1% per annum), it is positioned as an ideal core holding for those seeking wealth accumulation and defensive resilience against market rotation.

Ideal positioning may be achieved by monitoring technical levels—such as the 20- and 50-day moving averages for tactical entry—and by acting ahead of anticipated portfolio catalysts, such as quarterly performance updates or macro-driven rebalancing moves.

Is it the right time to buy F&C Investment Trust?

F&C Investment Trust combines a globally diversified portfolio, a half-century of uninterrupted dividend growth, best-in-class governance, responsive management, and cost-effective active investing in a single FTSE 100 vehicle. Robust market liquidity, substantial institutional support, and persistent outperformance versus key benchmarks all highlight the trust’s underlying strength and the renewed confidence of the UK investment community.

Current conditions—marked by bullish technicals, healthy trading activity, and a supportive valuation backdrop—seem to represent an excellent opportunity for those seeking a reliable, high-quality investment trust anchored in long-term fundamentals. For investors committed to global growth, strategic diversification, and proven dividend performance, F&C Investment Trust could well be entering a new bullish phase, making the present a favourable window to consider this iconic market leader as a core holding in any diversified portfolio.

How to buy F&C Investment Trust stock in the UK

Buying F&C Investment Trust stock online is straightforward and secure through a regulated UK broker. Investors can choose between buying shares outright (spot/cash purchase) or using CFDs for leveraged trading. Spot buying gives you ownership and dividend rights, while CFDs allow you to speculate on price movements with flexible exposure. Whether you are a long-term saver or a more active trader, both options are easily accessible with top brokers. To help you make an informed choice, you’ll find a comparison of the leading UK brokers further down the page.

Spot buying

A cash purchase of F&C Investment Trust shares means you buy and own the stock directly on the London Stock Exchange. Most UK brokers charge a fixed commission per purchase—typically around £5–£10 per trade, regardless of the amount.

Gain scenario

If the F&C Investment Trust share price is 1,122p (about £11.22), you can buy around 89 shares with a £1,000 stake, including a brokerage fee of around £5.

If the share price rises by 10%, your shares are now worth £1,100.

Result: +£100 gross gain, i.e. +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD trading lets you speculate on F&C Investment Trust’s price movements without owning the underlying shares. CFDs allow leverage, meaning you can gain larger exposure with a smaller initial deposit, but you pay the spread (the difference between buy and sell price) and, if you hold overnight, funding fees.

CFD Gain Scenario: F&C Investment Trust

You open a CFD position on F&C Investment Trust shares, with 5x leverage and a £1,000 stake. This gives you market exposure of £5,000.

Gain scenario: If the stock rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. Result: +£400 gain, on an initial £1,000 (excluding fees).

Final advice

Before investing in F&C Investment Trust, compare broker fees and trading conditions to suit your needs and style. The right approach—cash buying for ownership and dividends or CFDs for flexibility and leverage—depends on your personal objectives and risk profile. Use the broker comparison further down the page to find your best fit.

Our 7 tips for buying F&C Investment Trust stock

The latest news about F&C Investment Trust

F&C Investment Trust shares rose 1.18% this week, outperforming the FTSE All-World Index benchmark. This positive movement is supported by strong trading activity and consistent investor interest on the London Stock Exchange, reflecting confidence in the trust’s UK-listed structure and diversified portfolio approach.

The trust’s NAV achieved a new historic high as disclosed in its latest financial update. The net asset value increase is attributed to the trust’s broad exposure to US equities and private equity, with 57.52% allocated to the US market, supporting robust total returns and confirming agile asset allocation by the management team.

F&C Investment Trust announced its 54th consecutive annual dividend increase, reinforcing its reputation as a “dividend hero” in the UK. This stability provides attractive income for British investors, with the dividend policy underlining the board’s long-term commitment and the trust’s reliability for domestic savers using ISAs or SIPPs.

Recent cost reductions have been delivered, with management fees now among the lowest in the sector. The fee reduction to 0.30% annually is particularly relevant for UK investors, as it directly enhances net returns over time, making the product very competitive compared to peers.

Technical indicators signal further positive momentum, with all major moving averages giving buy signals. The RSI is elevated at 76.525, reflecting sustained buying pressure, and the MACD remains in buy territory, validating continued upward price movement for F&C Investment Trust in the current GB market environment.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.