Aberdeen Standard Investments, the global investment manager, has announced the launch of a Global Smaller Companies SICAV fund. The Luxembourg registered Fund will provide access for clients in Europe and Asia to a SICAV version of a well-established Global Smaller Companies OEIC strategy, which since launch in 2012 has returned 161.55% to investors (17.64% p.a.), against the MSCI AC World Small Cap return of 119.12% (14.18% p.a.)2. This places the strategy in the top decile within the Morningstar EAA Global Small-cap Equity peer group3.
The latest addition to the Smaller Companies Fund suite, the Global Smaller Companies SICAV aims to deliver superior returns by investing in higher quality smaller companies from around the world, which should also lead to a lower risk proposition to investing in the asset class. With a concentrated, high conviction portfolio of around 50-to-60 stocks, it will provide a degree of diversification for investors who currently hold only large cap global equity exposure. The Fund will be managed by Alan Rowsell.
Alan Rowsell, Investment Director, Equities, said; “Our winning formula for Global Small Cap investing has been to invest in quality smaller companies that fall below the radar of most other global equity managers. Over the last six years, we’ve identified many world-beating businesses, often market-leaders in their niche, which were underappreciated by the market. Take Hong Kong listed sportswear manufacturer, Shenzhou International as an example. It’s up 575% since purchase six years ago. Or, US dental aligner company, Align Technology, another success story – up nearly 340% over three years.
“Looking into 2018, the stockmarket is in an uptrend supported by improving economic data, upgrades to corporate earnings and accommodative monetary policy, although high valuations do present some risk. Investing globally opens up a vast opportunity set of around 6,000 companies across 46 countries, including emerging markets. Our approach of focusing on high quality smaller companies provides investors with a significant degree of downside protection during market downturns, while outperforming over the long term. As bottom-up fundamental stock pickers, we are not trying to time the market or predict macro events, but instead focus our attention on finding the best smaller companies around the world that have resilient business models and are in control of their own destiny.”
Ends
1 A sub-fund of the Standard Life Investments Global Sicav II
2 Standard Life Investments. GIPS composite performance (gross), from 01/02/2012 to 31/12/2017. Currency: Euros. Returns calculated using GBP performance converted to EUR using close of business daily spot rates sourced from Factset (WM Reuters). Currency fluctuations could affect the figures shown.
3 Morningstar Direct. Performance ranking from 01/02/2012 to 31/12/2017. Currency: Euros. Shareclass: Instl Acc.
Notes to editors
- Aberdeen Standard Investments is a leading global asset manager dedicated to creating long-term value for our clients, and is a brand of the investment businesses of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments.
- With over 1,000 investment professionals we manage £569.7 billion* of assets worldwide. We have clients in 80 countries supported by 50 relationship offices. This ensures we are close to our clients and the markets in which they invest.
- We are high-conviction; long-term investors who believe teamwork and collaboration are the key to delivering repeatable, superior investment performance. We are resolute in our commitment to active asset management.
- Aberdeen Standard Investments is the asset management business of Standard Life Aberdeen plc, one of the world’s largest investment companies.
- Standard Life Aberdeen plc is headquartered in Scotland. It has around 1.2 million shareholders and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Standard Life Aberdeen group was formed by the merger of Standard Life plc and Aberdeen Asset Management PLC on 14 August 2017.
*as of 30 September 2017
Important Information
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Aberdeen Standard Investments is a brand of the investment businesses of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments.
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This communication is available for distribution by the following Aberdeen Asset Management affiliates:
In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd, Aberdeen Asset Management Ltd, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Ltd and Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC.
Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name in Canada for the following affiliated registered entities: Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., Aberdeen Fund Distributors, LLC, and Aberdeen Asset Management Canada Limited. Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. is registered as a Portfolio Manager in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia and as an Investment Fund Manager in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Aberdeen Asset Management Canada Limited is registered as a Portfolio Manager in the province of Ontario. Aberdeen Fund Distributors, LLC, operates as an Exempt Market Dealer in all provinces and territories of Canada.
Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name in Brazil for Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. and Aberdeen do Brasil Gestão de Recursos Ltda. Aberdeen do Brasil Gestão de Recursos Ltda. is an entity duly registered with CVM as an investment manager.
United Kingdom, Norway and EU Countries by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Registered Office: 10 Queen’s Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YG. Registered in Scotland No. 108419.
Switzerland by Aberdeen Asset Managers Switzerland AG (AAMS). Registered in Switzerland No. CH-020.3.033.962-7. Registered Office: Schweizergasse 14, 8001 Zurich. Authorised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) by Aberdeen Asset Middle East Limited. Regulated by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Aberdeen Asset Middle East Limited, Al Sila Tower, 24th Floor, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, PO Box 5100737, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Singapore by Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited, Registration Number 199105448E.
Hong Kong by Aberdeen International Fund Managers Limited. This document has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission.
The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) by Aberdeen Asset Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd in the PRC only.
Australia and New Zealand by Aberdeen Asset Management Limited ABN 59 002 123 364, AFSL No. 240263. In New Zealand to wholesale investors only as defined in the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (New Zealand).
Malaysia by Aberdeen Asset Management Sdn Bhd, Company Number: 690313-D and Aberdeen Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd, Company Number: 827342-W.
Thailand by Aberdeen Asset Management Company Limited.
Japan by Aberdeen Investment Management K.K.
Taiwan by Aberdeen International Securities Investment Consulting Company Ltd (101Jin-Guan-Tou-Gu-Xin-Zi-Di No.33), which is operated independently, 8F, No.101, Songren Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China Tel: +886 2 87224500.
Standard Life Investments companies:
Standard Life Investments Limited is registered in Scotland (SC123321) at 1 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LL. Standard Life Investments Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Standard Life Investments (Hong Kong) Limited is licensed with and regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Life Investments Limited.
Standard Life Investments Limited (ABN 36 142 665 227) is incorporated in Scotland (No. SC123321) and is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under paragraph 911A(2)(l) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the ‘Act’) in respect of the provision of financial services as defined in Schedule A of the relief instrument no.10/0264 dated 9 April 2010 issued to Standard Life Investments Limited by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. These financial services are provided only to wholesale clients as defined in subsection 761G(7) of the Act. Standard Life Investments Limited is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority under the laws of the United Kingdom, which differ from Australian laws.
Standard Life Investments Limited, a company registered in Ireland (904256) 90 St Stephen’s Green Dublin 2, is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Standard Life Investments (USA) Limited is registered as an Exempt Market Dealer with the Ontario Securities Commission and as an Investment Adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Standard Life Investments (Corporate Funds) Limited is registered as an Investment Adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Standard Life Investments (Japan) Limited, registered to Head of Kanto Local Financial Bureau (financial instrument business 2913) is licensed with and regulated by the Financial Services Agency in Japan, and is an association member of Japan Investment Advisers Association, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Life Investments Limited.
Standard Life Investments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and licensed under the Securities and Futures Act (License No.: CMS100581-1), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Life Investments Limited.