Three trusts fall as CQS portfolio managers announce resignations
CQS UK LLP announced on Monday that portfolio managers Keith Watson and Robert Crayfourd have tendered their resignations and will leave the company in three months.
The London-based global asset manager, now part of Manulife, says it is considering a number of options to ensure a ‘smooth and sustainable’ transition and does not expect immediate disruptions to its operations, processes, or strategy.
The resignations affect CQS Natural Resources Growth & Income PLC, Golden Prospect Precious Metals Ltd, and Geiger Counter Ltd, as Watson and Crayfourd are the closed-ended investment firms’ portfolio managers.
Golden Prospect, which was one of the best UK-listed companies last year for total return according to the Association of Investment Companies, said that its board ‘will be discussing the impact of the resignations...with CQS, and is actively considering its options regarding the future management arrangements for Golden Prospect’.
Golden Prospect’s board served a protective notice of termination to CQS, ‘whilst those discussions and such review are ongoing’, as the agreement between the two companies has a notice period of 12 months.
Geiger Counter also said it is evaluating its options.
CQS Natural Resources shares were down 9.1% to 343.75 pence on Monday morning in London, while Geiger Counter shares were down 9.0% to 65.50p, and Golden Prospect shares were down 7.4% to 92.57p.
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