The LIC may or may not be completely transparent when it comes to revealing its holdings or NTA [net tangible assets]/performance numbers, and the costs are substantially higher — moreover they usually earn a bonus if they outperform.
LIC share prices, like that of every other publicly traded company, fluctuate based on supply and demand. This means that while the fund may have $1 in assets per share, the stock may be trading for 80 percents… or $1.20.
A large fish may buy out LIC, which is trading at a significant discount to the NTA, and liquidate it for a profit.
LICs can occasionally provide good discounts.
LIC managers tend to get upset when their fund gravy train gets taken away from them
The LIC gets smacked sometimes, especially during periods of acute lack of confidence, while the assets it holds bounce swiftly, thus buying the LIC at a discount is like going back in time and buying those equities before the rally.
(Source: The Motley Fool)
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