This investment trust is soaring in value. Should I buy in June?

This investment trust has climbed over 80% in the last year. Paul Summers thinks there could be a lot more upside ahead, thanks to a commodities supercycle.

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FTSE 250-listed BlackRock World Mining Trust (LSE: BRWM) has been a popular buy over the last year. Here, I’ll be asking whether I should, perhaps belatedly, be joining the queue for the investment trust once markets reopen on Tuesday.

What is the BlackRock World Mining Trust?

As the name suggests, this fund is dedicated to owning companies that explore, extract and sell key metals and minerals needed across the globe. 

Unsurprisingly, the portfolio’s major holdings are some of the biggest miners going. Brazilian giant Vale features heavily, as do FTSE 100-listed firms, BHP Group, Anglo American and Rio Tinto. While 40% of assets are invested in mining firms that source a number of metals, 20% of the fund is invested in copper plays. Almost the same amount is devoted to gold miners.

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Naturally, an actively-managed investment trust means fees. Based on its most recent fact sheet, BRWM charges 0.9% a year to manage holders’ money. 

Why is it getting popular?

I think there are two reasons why this investment trust is in demand. First, there are fears over inflation and demand for safe-havens. Mining companies are one example of the latter.

The thinking behind this is that prices tend to rise when economies are flying. Since more things are being made, it makes sense to back those companies who provide the materials needed to make them.

The second reason why the Blackrock World Mining Trust might be proving popular is the excitement surrounding renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. The fact that these featured heavily in the $2trn spending plan announced by US President Joe Biden back in March shows how hot these themes will be going forward. It’s clear that vast amounts of metal will now be needed to bring everything to fruition.  

Both of the above should prove to be tailwinds for miners. A rise in demand should lead to higher earnings. Higher earnings should boost share prices and investor returns. A boost to investor returns should, rather neatly, provide some protection from the aforementioned inflation. 

I’d also expect more dividends for shareholders. As things stand, this investment trust offers a yield of 3.2%. That’s lower than you could get from buying some of the individual miners from the FTSE 100. However, payouts will arguably be obtained at a lower level of risk. 

Should I buy?

Based on future prospects, I find the case for investing in BlackRock pretty compelling. Even so, it pays to consider the flip side. 

If concerns over inflation subside, those already holding could flee the investment trust and recycle their profits into growth stocks again. Even if this doesn’t happen, there will always be some who want to bank gains. It’s also worth remembering that commodity investing can be an ‘interesting’ ride, even when times are good. 

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3BlackRock World Mining Trust Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

Personally, I’m fine with above-average volatility, so long as I know I can stay on board for the long term. And, even if (when) the investment trust does temporarily dip in value, that dividend stream should compensate. If I’d held the shares, I’d simply receive, reinvest and repeat. Yes, the ongoing charge is on the high side, but the diversification aspect makes me think BRWM is worth the cost.

With a potential commodity supercycle on the way, I’m sorely tempted to begin building a position in this investment trust in haste.

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Paul Summers has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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