Investment manager Downing plans £100m float to launch new micro-cap trust
An investment manager has announced plans to raise £100m through a fund float on the London Stock Exchange.
Asset management firm Downing today announced plans to launch Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment Trust in May through a listing on the main market.
The company will target investments in publicly-quoted UK companies with market capitalisations of less than £150m.
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It will aim for between 12 and 18 investments and target a compound return of 15 per cent each year in the long term.
Downing, which was established in 1986, invests in companies through venture capital, private equity and public equity. It manages more than £800m of funds.
The firm is being advised on the initial public offering (IPO), due for 9 May, by Stockdale Securities.
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Downing fund manager Judith MacKenzie said: “We believe that there are attractive investment opportunities within the micro-cap space for the experienced and diligent investment manager, looking to invest for the longer term, who can devote the necessary time to understanding a business and its market.
“By applying a private equity approach to public equity investing, we aim to identify such opportunities within this space.”