Have you ever wished that you owned part of a brewery or one of the many pub chains that have emerged recently? Well now you have the opportunity of turning that dream into reality. If you are an existing member of CAMRA you are eligible to join the CAMRA Members Investment Club.
Cost of Joining
Iain Loe, A Delegate for the CAMRA Investment Club
For a minimum of five pounds per month you could start making an investment in the many companies in which the Club holds shares. These include: Adnams, Black Sheep, Carlsberg, Duvel Moortgat, Enterprise Inns, Fuller's, Greene King, Heavitree, Mitchells & Butler, Punch Taverns, Shepherd Neame, Thwaites, Wadworth, J D Wetherspoon, and Youngs.
The Club operates like a unit trust and members can pay in a fixed sum each month from £5 up to a maximum of £83. Payments can also be made annually, (£60 minimum and £1,000 maximum) all by standing order from your bank. The amount can be altered at any time and, if necessary, can be stopped and your investment left to "ride". Alternatively your investment can be cashed in.
There was another increase in the Club's unit value - at the end of December it had increased to £3.34, with the total fund now worth almost £10.4m.
In December the Club purchased further shares in Black Sheep, Fullers, Greene King, Marstsons, Mitchells & Butlers, Shepherd Neame and Wetherspoons.
The Club held its annual overseas brewery trip last month. Liefmans in Belgium was the destination - a report can be found on the Club's web site.
Club buys small stake in Brasserie Cantillon, Brussels
Chris Holmes, Investment Club Vice Chairman
On 25 January 2010 a small contingent of CMIC committee and members visited Brussels to exchange contracts to purchase 10 shares (2.5%) in Brasserie Cantillon, the traditional family brewers of the famous Belgian beer style, gueuze, since 1900.
The brewery is situated in the centre of Brussels just a short walk from Midi Station.
The Cantillon/van Roy families wish to re-arrange the family's shareholdings and 100 of the 400 shares have been offered to interested parties. After the formalities M. Jean-Pierre van Roy invited the group to toast the deal with a 1976 vintage gueuze - all are pleased to report that it had stood the test of time.
At the end of January the fund value had increased to almost £8.6m, with the unit value also up slightly at £2.97.
Making a Difference
By holding a growing share in a particular company, the Club's votes at their annual general meetings could make a difference to either a take-over bid or other hostile actions. Having a voice in the Boardrooms of the pub owning groups, could help influence their beer policies which is becoming increasingly important in the market where the smaller breweries are competing with the giants.
Dividends received from the profits of all companies are reinvested in more shares. All rights issues are normally taken up to maintain our holdings.
* Please note that the value of shares can go down as well as up and any investment should be regarded as medium to long term.*
CAMRA Investment Club website
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