The expansion builds on the track record in the US of ASI’s North American Equity Focused portfolio launched three years ago.

The new Focused range includes Global Emerging Markets (GEM), North American and Global Equity Focused Funds in the SICAV range and a Global Fund in the OEIC range, with plans to add European and Asian Funds.

The portfolios consist of 20-35 stocks and are built on deep fundamental research combined with a fully integrated environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues analysis.  The approach encapsulates ASI Active Equities’ team-based approach with stocks selected through collaboration and team debate to identify the best risk-reward opportunities for the portfolios. 

The high conviction portfolios are managed by a  Focused “POD”, a group of experienced fundamental portfolio managers that draw on the support of specialist quant, risk and ESG teams. The teams utilise risk tools to manage risk with the objective of delivering a superior risk/reward outcome for our clients.

Luxembourg-domiciled funds

• Aberdeen Standard SICAV I – Global Emerging Markets Equity Focused Fund –ASI’s Emerging Markets research team is 57-strong across three continents.  The EM Focused POD  membership is Matt Williams, Xin-Yao Ng, William Scholes and Osamu Yamagata.
• Aberdeen Standard SICAV I – North American Equity Focused Fund –ASI’s 17-strong North American research team is based in Boston and Philadelphia.  The US Focused POD is Ralph Bassett, Samantha Brownlee, Virgilio Aquino and Mike Cronin.
• Aberdeen Standard SICAV I – Global Equity Focused Fund -  draws on the ideas of ASI’s 140 investors globally including its 17-strong global equity team, based in Edinburgh, Boston, New York and Singapore. The Global Focused POD membership is Donal Reynolds, Blair Couper and Adam Kjörling.

UK-domiciled fund

• ASI Global Focused Equity Fund - as above.

Devan Kaloo, global head of equities at Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: “With low cost passive strategies making up a growing portion of portfolios, investors are increasingly turning to focused strategies or concentrated funds in search of alpha for their portfolio.

“We already offer a well established and successful North American Equity Focused strategy for our clients in the US. These new concentrated portfolios are delivered using our strong research platform, integrated ESG analysis and team-based approach to offer high active share products that complement investors’ asset allocation requirements. This is only the start of the journey and the plan is to launch additional Focused strategies.”

Campbell Fleming, global head of distribution at Aberdeen Standard Investments added: “The development of a focused range is an existing and significant part of our continuing strategy of meeting the evolving needs of our clients. High conviction portfolios are increasingly in demand in these uncertain times as interest shifts towards actively managed funds that offer the potential to outperform now and during the volatile times to come.

“A concentrated portfolio constructed by undertaking fundamental company research offers those searching for an active management approach with a more desirable investment option.”