Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 219

Investors face new choices in listed vehicles

The market capitalisation of listed investment companies (LICs) and listed investment trusts (LITs) on the ASX reached almost $35 billion in July 2017, up 12% from the previous year. What is driving the interest and what are the fundamental differences between these structures?

LICs and LITs popularity boost

While LICs have traded on the ASX for nearly 100 years, it is only relatively recently that a wide range of investors have taken advantage of their benefits, spurred on by regulatory changes and market conditions.

One of the key factors driving the increased interest was the introduction of the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) legislation in 2013. FoFA abolished the generous upfront trail and soft commission structures that had, until then, been enjoyed by advisers who recommended their clients into managed fund products. This directly resulted in an uplift in appetite from investment managers, financial advisers and investors in using LICs.

The number of LICs listed on the ASX now exceeds 100, double that of five years ago. While many people are familiar with LICs, LITs are less well known and less common in the Australian market.

So, what is the difference between LICs and LITs and what does it mean for investors?

LICs and LITs give exposure to a broad range of assets in one transaction. Both are traded on the ASX, which is appealing to a lot of self-directed and SMSF trustees.

Unlike a managed fund, however, their assets are held in a closed pool, which means they usually don’t issue new shares or cancel existing shares as investors join or leave. If investors want to exit, they have to sell their shares (or units) on the stock exchange. They can’t be redeemed.

Differences between LITs and LICs

The biggest difference between LICs and LITs lies in the way they are structured. A LIC is a company, which pays dividends to investors, whereas LITs are incorporated as trusts and must pay out any surplus income to investors in the form of distributions.

Some of the fundamental differences include:

Tax transparency

A LIC treats the dividends from underlying investments and capital gains as income on its profit and loss statement. The LIC then deducts operating costs to derive a profit before tax figure. This is then taxed at the company rate before dividends are paid.

By contrast, a LIT more closely represents an unlisted managed fund in that all net income and realised capital gains must be distributed on a pre-tax basis, and the end investor pays any taxation.

Capital gains tax treatment

A major advantage of the way LITs are taxed is most individual investors will be eligible for discounted capital gains tax concessions applicable to investments held for more than 12 months.

Corporate entities are generally not eligible for this discount, although some LICs may qualify for a concession from the Australian Tax Office to pass on this benefit to shareholders.

Ability to pass through income can lead to predictable returns

A LIT may also provide the manager with more flexibility in paying distributions, allowing them to pay out more than the underlying income levels, through a return of capital. This can be useful when the manager wants to pay out a set portion of the fund each year, to give investors a predictable income stream.

By comparison, a LIC is limited by its ability to pay dividends, requiring the accumulation of retained profits before a dividend can be paid.

With an ageing demographic of investors who will be increasingly focused on income, it is likely that more LITs will come to the market as more investors grow to understand the structure of these products and realise their advantages.

Whether investors choose to invest in a LIC or a LIT, or both, it is highly likely the growth of the market is set to continue.

 

Andrew Lockhart is a Managing Partner at Metrics Credit Partners (MCP), an Australian debt-specialist fund manager. MCP is offering investors exposure to the corporate loan market through the MCP Master Income Trust, which will list on the ASX soon. This article is general information and does not consider the circumstances of any investor.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Why LICs are closing and more should follow

The catalyst for a LICs rebound

Why LICs may be close to bottoming

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

The nuts and bolts of family trusts

There are well over 800,000 family trusts in Australia, controlling more than $3 trillion of assets. Here's a guide on whether a family trust may have a place in your individual investment strategy.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 581 with weekend update

A recent industry event made me realise that a 30 year old investing trend could still have serious legs. Could it eventually pose a threat to two of Australia's biggest companies?

  • 10 October 2024

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 583 with weekend update

Investing guru Howard Marks says he had two epiphanies while visiting Australia recently: the two major asset classes aren’t what you think they are, and one key decision matters above all else when building portfolios.

  • 24 October 2024

Warren Buffett is preparing for a bear market. Should you?

Berkshire Hathaway’s third quarter earnings update reveals Buffett is selling stocks and building record cash reserves. Here’s a look at his track record in calling market tops and whether you should follow his lead and dial down risk.

Preserving wealth through generations is hard

How have so many wealthy families through history managed to squander their fortunes? This looks at the lessons from these families and offers several solutions to making and keeping money over the long-term.

A big win for bank customers against scammers

A recent ruling from The Australian Financial Complaints Authority may herald a new era for financial scams. For the first time, a bank is being forced to reimburse a customer for the amount they were scammed.

Latest Updates

Property

Coalition's super for housing plan is better than it looks

Housing affordability is shaping up as a major topic as we head toward the next federal election. The Coalition's proposal to allow home buyers to dip into their superannuation has merit, though misses one key feature.

Planning

Avoiding wealth transfer pitfalls

Australia is in the early throes of an intergenerational wealth transfer worth an estimated $3.5 trillion. Here's a case study highlighting some of the challenges with transferring wealth between generations.

Retirement

More people want to delay retirement and continue working

A new survey suggests that most people aged 50 or over don't intend to stop work completely when they reach retirement age. And a significant proportion of those who delay retirement do so for non-financial reasons.

  • ASFA
  • 13 November 2024
Economy

US debt, the weak AUD and the role of super funds

The more the US needs capital and funding, the higher its currency goes. For Australia, this has become a significant problem as the US draws our capital to sustain its growth, putting pressure on our economy and the Aussie dollar.

Investment strategies

America eats the world

As the S&P 500 rips to new highs, the US now accounts for a staggering two-thirds of the world equity index. This looks at how America came to dwarf other markets, and what could change to slow or halt its momentum.

Gold

What's next for gold?

Despite a recent pullback, gold has been one of the best performing assets this year. What are the key factors behind the rise and what's needed for the bull market in the yellow metal to continue?

Taxation

Consulting on the side? Don't fall into these tax traps

Consultants must be aware of the risks of Personal Service Income rules applying to their income. Especially if they want to split their income or work through a company.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.