Fred

These proposals will only change investor behaviour and therefore are unlikely to raise the hoped-for £12bn a year. Higher capital gains tax rates will encourage many investors to move away from owning shares directly and into collective funds. Inside a fund, managers can switch investments at the appropriate time without triggering tax for the end investor, whereas individuals managing their own portfolios would face repeated tax charges for reallocating capital. That may be good news for large fund management groups, but not for engaged private investors who back individual companies — especially smaller quoted businesses.