VCTs / EIS

The Treasury is considering relaxing the rules which govern VCT investment.

Patrick Reeve, managing partner of Albion Ventures, says VCTs have become the default tax planning investment for higher earners.

Susan McDonald, chief executive of Calculus Capital, says now we are out of recession, investors should consider the benefits of EIS funds.

Investec Structured Products is planning to launch its first VCT in February.

Venture capital trusts (VCTs) aid economic growth through their investments in small businesses, according to Albion Ventures.

ISIS Equity Partners, supported by promoters RAM Capital Partners, has launched a joint offer for Baronsmead VCT plc and Baronsmead VCT 2 plc, the first offer open to new investors since 2005.

Octopus Investments has confirmed that it will takeover management of all three AIM VCTs managed by Close Investments - representing around £65m of total assets - as of 1 August.

Octopus Investments has launched a new Portfolio Service which aims to generate an average total return in excess of 10pc per annum.

Octopus Investments is seeking to raise up to £25m for its latest launch, Titan VCT 3, which is designed to deliver strong returns through investment in to smaller unquoted UK companies.

THE VCT sector surpassed market expectations at the end of the last tax year, according to research from the AIC.