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Woodford Income Focus – Link considers options for fund

Woodford Income Focus remains suspended while Link considers whether to appoint a new manager, transfer the Fund’s assets or wind up the fund.

Important information - This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether an investment is right for you please seek advice. If you choose to invest the value of your investment will rise and fall, so you could get back less than you put in.

This article is more than 5 years old

It was correct at the time of publishing. Our views and any references to tax, investment, and pension rules may have changed since then.

Investments can go down as well as up so there is always a danger that you could get back less than you invest. Nothing here is personalised advice, if unsure you should seek advice.

Link Asset Services (Link) confirmed this morning that it is considering various options for the Woodford Income Focus Fund. Link, Woodford Income Focus Fund’s Authorised Corporate Director announced earlier this month that it would be suspending trading in the fund from 15 October until further notice.

Link said it has taken the decision to suspend trading in the Fund in anticipation of redemptions following the resignation of the fund manager.

Since the suspension two weeks ago, Link has been considering options for the future of the fund. These include appointing an alternative fund manager, transferring the fund’s assets into another fund, or, if neither of these options are available, winding-up the fund.

Link has appointed an independent research firm to help find alternative fund managers who may be suitable to run the fund.

Link said today:

“…we are currently considering indications of interest from several investment managers. We have also asked a leading independent investment research firm to help us to identify any other investment managers that may be suitable to assume the role of investment manager of the Fund. We will look to conclude this process in the coming weeks and decide whether this is a viable option”

If Link decides instead to transfer the fund’s assets into another fund, it says it will give investors the chance to vote on the proposal.

If neither a new manager nor a suitable receiving fund can be found, Link will “look to wind-up the Fund through a process of an orderly realisation of the Fund’s assets”. Changes would be subject to regulatory approval by the Financial Conduct Authority.

While Link considers its options, the fund will continue to be suspended. While the fund is suspended, Link will continue to calculate and publish the net asset value per share each day.

Link says it will cease suspension of the Woodford Income Focus Fund as soon as possible once it has determined which course of action is in investors’ best interest.

It will keep shareholders updated with news regarding the suspension, and the outcome for investors in the fund.

We will keep you up to date on Link’s plans for the fund as we know more.

Important information - Please remember the value of investments, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise so you could get back less than you invest. This article is provided to help you make your own investment decisions, it is not advice. If you are unsure of the suitability of an investment for your circumstances please seek advice. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.

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Important information - Please remember the value of investments, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise so you could get back less than you invest. This article is provided to help you make your own investment decisions, it is not advice. If you are unsure of the suitability of an investment for your circumstances please seek advice. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.
Written by
Emma-Wall
Emma Wall
Head of Platform Investments

Emma's responsible for developing and implementing the investment processes for Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management, including the Wealth Shortlist.

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Article history
Published: 30th October 2019