Consolidation expected as heavyweight UK equity income trusts look for new homes

Radical changes could be on the horizon

UK equity income investment companies could see some consolidation, according to investment trust analysts, as two of the sector's largest offerings begin what could be high-profile searches for new management teams.

At the start of April, the board of the £455m Perpetual Income and Growth (PLI) announced it had parted company with manager Mark Barnett. That was followed a fortnight later by the £509m Temple Bar (TMPL) serving a 12-month notice to Ninety One after long-serving manager Alastair Mundy took a leave of absence for health reasons. While TMPL has not yet sacked Ninety One, and insisted it is "certainly possible" that the South African firm will continue to manage the trust, analysts are expecting the two established funds to generate interest from rival groups. Ratings agencies revie...