The Scottish American Investment Company

Any investment in an investment trust involves risk. You should be aware of the following risks when considering investing.

Past performance

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

The value of your investment

The investment trusts managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Limited are listed UK companies and are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The value of their shares, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount invested.

Overseas investment

The Trust invests in overseas securities. Changes in the rates of exchange may also cause the value of your investment (and any income it may pay) to go down or up.

Emerging Markets

The Trust invests in emerging markets where difficulties in dealing, settlement and custody could arise, resulting in a negative impact on the value of your investment.

Gearing

The Trust can borrow money to make further investments (sometimes known as “gearing” or “leverage”). The risk is that when this money is repaid by the Trust, the value of the investments may not be enough to cover the borrowing and interest costs, and the Trust will make a loss. If the Trust's investments fall in value, any invested borrowings will increase the amount of this loss.

Share buy-backs

The Trust can buy back its own shares. The risks from borrowing, referred to above, are increased when a trust buys back its own shares.

Liquidity

Market values for securities which have become difficult to trade may not be readily available and there can be no assurance that any value assigned to such securities will accurately reflect the price the Trust might receive upon their sale.

Derivatives

The Trust can make use of derivatives to obtain, increase or reduce exposure to assets and may result in the Trust being leveraged. Derivatives are most often used to compensate for possible unfavourable currency and market movements. This may result in greater movements (down or up) in the net asset value of the Trust. It is not our intention that the use of derivatives will significantly alter the overall risk profile of the Trust. A further risk exists in respect of the counterparty with whom the derivative transaction is made. Due care and diligence is exercised in the selection of counterparties, however, the possibility of the counterparty failing to pay sums due to the Trust still remains.

Property investment

The Trust has some direct property investments, which may be difficult to sell. Valuations of property are only estimates based on the valuer's opinion. These estimates may not be achieved when the property is sold.

Corporate Bonds

Corporate bonds are generally perceived to carry a greater possibility of capital loss than investment in, for example, higher rated UK government bonds. Bonds issued by companies and governments may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates and expectations of inflation.

Charges to capital

The Trust charges 75% of its investment management fee, borrowing costs and property management fee to capital, which reduces the capital value. Also, where income is low, the remaining expenses may be greater than the total income received, meaning the Trust may not pay a dividend and the capital value would be further reduced.

Tax Rates

You should note that tax rates and reliefs may change at any time and their value depends on your circumstances.

Regulation

The Trust is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Information subject to change

The information and opinions expressed within this website are subject to change without notice.

Not Investment Advice

This information has been issued and approved by Baillie Gifford & Co Limited and does not in any way constitute investment advice.

Suitability for retail distribution

Please note that the Company currently conducts its affairs, and intends to continue to conduct its affairs, so that the Company’s ordinary shares can be recommended by Independent Financial Advisers to ordinary retail investors in accordance with the FCA’s rules in relation to non-mainstream pooled investment products (NMPI). The Company’s ordinary shares are excluded from the FCA’s restrictions which apply to non-mainstream pooled investment products because they are shares in an investment trust.