Aberdeen Standard

15 June 2021
European offices: are they fit for the digital evolution?
European offices: are they fit for the digital evolution?

Covid-19 has acted as a catalyst to expedite trends that were in place long before the pandemic emerged. Hybrid working arrangements and the digitalisation of working practices were already adopted by many organisations, in some cases for several decades. Material technological advances over the last five years have enabled us all to embrace more agile working, while retaining significant levels of connectivity and productivity outside of the office.

15 June 2021
The Responsible Investing Podcast Ep.19: A net-zero carbon journey - with Dan Grandage
The Responsible Investing Podcast Ep.19: A net-zero carbon journey - with Dan Grandage

This week, Dan Grandage, global head of ESG for our private markets investments, discusses the many challenges and opportunities of net zero. He also introduces his innovative Impact Dial – which seeks to score the ESG performance of every asset.  

11 June 2021
Fund management and football – lessons from Cruyff
Fund management and football – lessons from Cruyff

While not immediately obvious, ‘the Sage of Omaha’ and ‘Jopie’ have a lot in common – integrity, authenticity and a track-record of success. While investors will be familiar with Buffet’s proclamations, on the eve of a summer of soccer we’re turning to Cruyff’s words. After all, not only was he a titan on the football field, he is also credited with transforming Barcelona into a powerhouse of European football. So, what can we learn?

9 June 2021
How climate scenario analysis is changing the questions we ask
How climate scenario analysis is changing the questions we ask

Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing the world today. Many governments, countries and industries have recognised the threat and are taking measures to try to counter it. Much depends on their success or failure. As asset managers, however, our primary interest is in the investment implications. 

4 June 2021
Why investing in infrastructure is a win-win for both insurers and society
Why investing in infrastructure is a win-win for both insurers and society

There are a host of reasons why insurers should consider investing in infrastructure. Not only are there benefits for the industry, there are benefits for wider society too, as we report.

23 May 2021
What part do behavioural biases play in quality investing?
What part do behavioural biases play in quality investing?

Quality investing means buying and holding a portfolio of quality companies. In Part I of our recent White Paper on the subject, we look at the reasons and influences behind quality stocks’ performance. One of the explanations comes from the area of behavioural psychology. The behavioural biases of the ‘average’ investor can drive performance patterns that create opportunities for more rational and astute market participants.

7 May 2021
Growth or Value?
Growth or Value?

It feels like the investment world is divided into two camps at the moment. Are you a quality/growth investor or a value investor? You’re one or the other, so pick your team. And that’s as true in the UK equities market as anywhere else, right now.

9 March 2021
China's ESG trailblazers
China's ESG trailblazers

A common perception about China is that understanding of ESG is rudimentary. That may have been true in the past. But it's not what we're seeing today. 

5 March 2021
Finding value in a low yield environment
Finding value in a low yield environment

2020 saw returns of almost 9% from sterling Investment Grade bonds. This was quite a turnaround from March of last year, when coronavirus fears peaked and performance was the weakest since the global financial crisis. But with bond yields now close to 10-year lows, where do we go from here?

3 March 2021
China in 10 charts
China in 10 charts

Investing in the right active strategy will be key as momentum for China’s V-shaped rebound moderates once the rest of the world recovers and Beijing normalises policy.

1 March 2021
The ESG 1-2-3 test
The ESG 1-2-3 test

Right now, the investment industry feels awash with ESG – environmental, social and governance – messaging, products and services. But how can investors distinguish between asset managers with a truly integrated ESG approach and those with only limited capabilities?

4 February 2021
Are oil majors ready to become part of the climate-change solution?
Are oil majors ready to become part of the climate-change solution?

The list of companies making deep pledges on the environment is growing longer by the day. About one-quarter of Fortune 500 businesses now have carbon-neutral targets, with heavyweights such as Danone, Unilever and Vodafone leading the European charge.

2 February 2021
Taking the temperature on climate change - an investment perspective
Taking the temperature on climate change - an investment perspective

December 2020 marked the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement. For all the promises made during the talks, countries have already fallen woefully behind on their commitments to limit global warming. But could the narrative be shifting? We take a close look.

28 January 2021
Greenwashing – what it is and how to tackle it
Greenwashing – what it is and how to tackle it

Many people have heard of greenwashing. However, definitions and practices remain vague. We take a look at this phenomenon and ask what it means for investors.

2 December 2020
Climate Action Series – Session 1. A climb against time to net-zero.
Climate Action Series – Session 1. A climb against time to net-zero.

In the first session of our Climate Action Series, we are joined by Nigel Topping, Climate Action Champion for COP26, and Sir Douglas Flint, the Chairman of Standard Life Aberdeen. In this discussion, they examine the current climate change risks and the pressing need for action in the race to net-zero. They also highlight the policy and sector changes that are needed to tackle climate change. Governments, businesses, investors and customers have a collective responsibility to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

27 November 2020
The Responsible Investing Podcast, Ep.11: The growth of impact investing - with Will Goodhart
The Responsible Investing Podcast, Ep.11: The growth of impact investing - with Will Goodhart

This week Will Goodhart, erstwhile journalist and now Chief Executive of the UK’s CFA, talks us through his fascinating responsible investment journey. This includes the CFA’s work to help investors understand ESG to the urgent need to view climate change from an investment perspective. He also discusses the exciting work he’s doing as part of the Impact Investing Institute.

26 November 2020
Sustainable investing in emerging markets – the road ahead
Sustainable investing in emerging markets – the road ahead

The whole world is feeling the effects of Covid-19 and will do so for some time to come. But just as the coronavirus cripples some immune systems, and leaves others unscathed, the financial impact of containment measures will leave some better off and others destitute.

30 September 2020
Invest today. Change tomorrow. Making a difference with ESG
Invest today. Change tomorrow. Making a difference with ESG

At ASI, two areas that typify our approach to ESG are European Equities and Emerging Market Debt. Over the next six articles, we will dig deeper into the respective teams’ beliefs, processes and portfolios – and show what this means for our clients. We hope you find it an enlightening journey.

1 September 2020
The Responsible Investing Podcast, Ep.5: Thinking outside the vacuum – with Stephanie Kelly
The Responsible Investing Podcast, Ep.5: Thinking outside the vacuum – with Stephanie Kelly

In our fifth Responsible Investing podcast, we talk to Stephanie Kelly, Senior Political Economist in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Research Institute. In a wide-ranging interview, Steph talks us through her team’s innovative global Country ESG Index, discusses the huge importance of the upcoming US election and explains why she always carries her own straw. As we said: wide-ranging.

25 June 2020
Asia after the storm
Asia after the storm

The world has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic this year. Most economic activity was suspended as many of us spent our days confined to our homes.