Wellcome Trust loses millions as its fossil fuel investments plunge in value

Medical charity sold off two-thirds of its investments in Shell but lost an estimated 175m in the last year due to falling share prices in the fossil fuel sector

The Wellcome Trust's investments in fossil fuel companies have lost an estimated 175m in the last year, due to sharp falls in share prices. Research by the Guardian shows the medical charity has sold off two-thirds of its holding in Shell but also increased its investment in the fastest falling of its stocks, mining giant BHP Billiton, by 8%.

The Wellcome Trust is the world's second-biggest non-governmental funder of medical research but has been the focus of a Guardian campaign asking the Trust to sell its fossil fuel investments, which today stand at an estimated 370m.