What we do

At abrdn we connect one of the world’s broadest ranges of investment capabilities with deeper insights and diverse perspectives. It’s what we call extraordinary connections, a more progressive way of investing that rests on three key principles:

  • Team-based insight-sharing and decision-making can deliver better and more reliable investment outcomes.
  • There’s no substitute for first-hand fundamental research.
  • A strong focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations can enhance long-term returns and reduce risk.

With more than 1,000* investment professionals worldwide, our investment capabilities are genuinely global – spanning a broad range of markets, asset classes and strategies.

We combine our deep knowledge of local markets with the power of coordinated global oversight to drive better investment outcomes for you.

*Source: abrdn, 31 December 2020

Investment approach

abrdn embrace an active management approach. Focus is placed on undertaking primary, internal research and consideration of the fundamentals underlying any prospective investment.

This emphasis is supported by close collaboration between different asset-class teams. As a result, investment professionals make better-informed decisions, leveraging the full spectrum of available insights.

These common components allow us to harness the combined talents and capabilities from across both firms. With 1,000 investment professionals located across 24 offices around the world, the ability to share these insights widely is a key competitive advantage.

  • Fundamentals Driven
  • Micro & Macro Research
  • Long-Term Investors
  • Team-Based Ethos
  • Fully Embedded ESG
  • Shared Asset-Class Insights

Our investment capabilities

Equities

Equities

Aberdeen Standard Investments manages a full range of equity strategies that span the risk/return spectrum and seek to meet specific client outcomes. While distinct in their risk tolerances and return objectives, our equity portfolios share a common approach: to consistently add value through fundamental stock selection and active management. Our equities assets under management are CA$267.1 billion* managed by investment managers located across the world.

* Source: Standard Life Investments/Aberdeen Asset Management, 31 December 2017

See more about equities
certificate

Fixed Income

With significant global fixed income assets under management and a diverse client base, we are one of the largest fixed income managers in Europe. Having grown and diversified over the years, we are in a strong position to offer clients a wide range of global fixed income capabilities to suit differing client needs.

See more about fixed income

Real estate

Real estate can provide a wide variety of investment solutions for our clients. The asset class has a track record of delivering robust, risk-adjusted returns over the long term, and can act as an effective portfolio diversifier.

See more about real estate

Private markets

Interest in private markets has grown rapidly among investors, particularly within an environment of low interest rates and market volatility. This is an investment category offering investors access to a spread of strategies, some of which may be relatively illiquid, but bring the potential for sustainable and enhanced returns, reduced volatility and tail-risk protection.

See more about private markets
pie chart

Multi-Asset

In today’s complex and uncertain investment environment, investors are increasingly seeking solutions that meet specific investment objectives. Aberdeen Standard Investments is at the forefront of multi-asset investing, developing effective and innovative products – we are responding to investors’ need for positive returns and a smoother, more predictable investment journey.

See more about multi-asset
Alternatives

Alternatives

Operating a global platform with experienced investment expertise spanning across geographies, stage, strategies and industry sectors, we encompass hedge funds, natural resources, real estate and private market allocations, direct infrastructure investments and pan-alternatives capabilities.

We meet the challenge to identify meaningful opportunities and build an effective alternatives portfolio through specialized knowledge and focus, helping investors achieve their alternatives investment goals while mitigating risk.

See more about alternatives
quantitative coins

Quantitative

Formed in 2005, the team manages a diverse range of products across the risk-return spectrum including passive, smart beta, and active quant strategies. Using proprietary, systematic (rules-based) approaches to investing, our team manages equity, fixed income, and derivative portfolios across all markets to provide clients with cost-effective, risk-controlled, and transparent customised solutions.

Our investment process is grounded in academic research and proven investment theory. We identify sources of excess risk-adjusted returns, test them throughout the business cycle, and implement them in a systematic, cost-effective, and risk-controlled manner. By having a deep understanding of the individual sources of returns, we are well placed to optimally combine them to create solutions in line with our clients’ requirements, which could encompass pure index tracking, enhanced indexation; smart beta; or derivative overlays such as call options overwriting.

See more about quantitative investments

Liquidity

Our range of liquidity solutions seek not only to preserve the value of capital but also to provide investors with a return in excess of traditional bank deposits. Many institutional investors find this type of solution particularly attractive as it allows them to efficiently manage their working capital. A further advantage is that they can help to diversify their cash investments and therefore reduce risk.

See more about liquidity

Insurance

As a leading global asset manager, we are an active and trusted partner to our insurance clients. Our wide range of investment solutions is backed by our distinctive investment philosophy, disciplined risk management and shared commitment to a culture of investment excellence.

See more about insurance
ESG

Stewardship & ESG

While the consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors is embedded across our overall investment process, we also offer bespoke ESG client solutions to meet specific investment needs. There are several core principles which underpin our engagement process.

See more about stewardship and ESG
  • Equities

    Equities

    Aberdeen Standard Investments manages a full range of equity strategies that span the risk/return spectrum and seek to meet specific client outcomes. While distinct in their risk tolerances and return objectives, our equity portfolios share a common approach: to consistently add value through fundamental stock selection and active management. Our equities assets under management are CA$267.1 billion* managed by investment managers located across the world.

    * Source: Standard Life Investments/Aberdeen Asset Management, 31 December 2017

  • certificate

    Fixed Income

    With significant global fixed income assets under management and a diverse client base, we are one of the largest fixed income managers in Europe. Having grown and diversified over the years, we are in a strong position to offer clients a wide range of global fixed income capabilities to suit differing client needs.

  • Real estate

    Real estate can provide a wide variety of investment solutions for our clients. The asset class has a track record of delivering robust, risk-adjusted returns over the long term, and can act as an effective portfolio diversifier.

  • Private markets

    Interest in private markets has grown rapidly among investors, particularly within an environment of low interest rates and market volatility. This is an investment category offering investors access to a spread of strategies, some of which may be relatively illiquid, but bring the potential for sustainable and enhanced returns, reduced volatility and tail-risk protection.

  • pie chart

    Multi-Asset

    In today’s complex and uncertain investment environment, investors are increasingly seeking solutions that meet specific investment objectives. Aberdeen Standard Investments is at the forefront of multi-asset investing, developing effective and innovative products – we are responding to investors’ need for positive returns and a smoother, more predictable investment journey.

  • Alternatives

    Alternatives

    Operating a global platform with experienced investment expertise spanning across geographies, stage, strategies and industry sectors, we encompass hedge funds, natural resources, real estate and private market allocations, direct infrastructure investments and pan-alternatives capabilities.

    We meet the challenge to identify meaningful opportunities and build an effective alternatives portfolio through specialized knowledge and focus, helping investors achieve their alternatives investment goals while mitigating risk.

  • coins

    Quantitative

    Formed in 2005, the team manages a diverse range of products across the risk-return spectrum including passive, smart beta, and active quant strategies. Using proprietary, systematic (rules-based) approaches to investing, our team manages equity, fixed income, and derivative portfolios across all markets to provide clients with cost-effective, risk-controlled, and transparent customised solutions.

    Our investment process is grounded in academic research and proven investment theory. We identify sources of excess risk-adjusted returns, test them throughout the business cycle, and implement them in a systematic, cost-effective, and risk-controlled manner. By having a deep understanding of the individual sources of returns, we are well placed to optimally combine them to create solutions in line with our clients’ requirements, which could encompass pure index tracking, enhanced indexation; smart beta; or derivative overlays such as call options overwriting.

  • Liquidity

    Our range of liquidity solutions seek not only to preserve the value of capital but also to provide investors with a return in excess of traditional bank deposits. Many institutional investors find this type of solution particularly attractive as it allows them to efficiently manage their working capital. A further advantage is that they can help to diversify their cash investments and therefore reduce risk.

  • Insurance

    As a leading global asset manager, we are an active and trusted partner to our insurance clients. Our wide range of investment solutions is backed by our distinctive investment philosophy, disciplined risk management and shared commitment to a culture of investment excellence.

  • ESG

    Stewardship & ESG

    While the consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors is embedded across our overall investment process, we also offer bespoke ESG client solutions to meet specific investment needs. There are several core principles which underpin our engagement process.