NPH Logo

Popular Funds

Standard Life logo

Standard Life ARGBS

Alternatives

Alternative Strategy

The fund is invested in the Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund, managed by Standard Life Investments, which aims to provide positive investment returns in the form of income and capital growth in all market conditions over the medium to long term. The fund is actively managed, with a wide investment remit to target a level of return over rolling three-year periods equivalent to cash plus three per-cent a year, gross of fees. It exploits market inefficiencies through active allocation to a diverse range of market positions. The fund uses a combination of traditional assets (such as bonds, cash and money market instruments) and investment strategies based on advanced derivative techniques, resulting in a highly diversified portfolio. The fund can take long and short positions in markets, securities and groups of securities through derivative contracts. Please note, this fund invests in the euro hedged share class of the Standard Life Investments Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund. The euro hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from sterling into euro. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the euro value of any non sterling assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund is invested in the Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund, managed by Standard Life Investments, which aims to provide positive investment returns in the form of income and capital growth in all market conditions over the medium to long term. The fund is actively managed, with a wide investment remit to target a level of return over rolling three-year periods equivalent to cash plus three per-cent a year, gross of fees. It exploits marke t inefficiencies through active allocation to a diverse range of market positions. The fund uses a combination of traditional assets (such as bonds, cash and money market instruments) and investment strategies based on advanced derivative techniques, resulting in a highly diversified portfolio. The fund can take long and short positions in markets, securities and groups of securities through derivative contracts. Please note, this fund invests in the euro hedged share class of the Stan dard Life Investments Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund. The euro hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from sterling into euro. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the euro value of any non sterling assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

StatusOpen for Investment
Fund size€145M
SFDRArticle 6
Managerabrdn: Absolute Return Team
FocusGlobal

Risk rating

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

92.75

EUR

+8.74 (+10.40%) past 3 year

as of 19 May 2026
Asset Split

Cash

27.3%

Financials

16.7%

Government

13.8%

Other

11.3%

Collateralised

8.2%

Consumer Discretionary

7.5%

Telecommunication Services

4.7%

Real Estate

4.1%

Materials

3.7%

Quasi Sovereign

2.8%

Top Holdings
#1

US (GOVT OF) 0.125% IL 2031 2.5

#2

SOUTH AFRICA (GOVT OF) 8.25% 2032 1.7

#3

SOUTH AFRICA (GOVT OF) 8% 2030 1.5

#4

BRAZIL (GOVT OF) 10% 2027 0.8

#5

TPMF 2019-GR4X A2R FRN 2051

#6

FOAKS 3X AR FRN 2034

#7

FOAKS 3X DR FRN 2034

#8

VOLKSWAGEN FINANCIAL SERVICES

#9
MEDICAL PROPERTIES TRUST 2.55% 2023 0.5

MEDICAL PROPERTIES TRUST

#10

TAURS 2021 FRN 2031

Asset Breakdown

Bonds

71.60%

Cash

27.30%

Floating Rate Notes

1.60%

Derivatives

-0.50%

Geographic Allocation

Other

54.60%

US

United States of America

16.90%

IE

Ireland

5.50%

GB

United Kingdom

5.50%

South Africa

4.60%

CN

China

3.40%

DE

Germany

2.80%

IN

India

2.70%

Fund insights

Detailed information extracted from the fund factsheet.

Underlying fund: Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund

Managed by Standard Life Investments

Currency hedging

The fund invests in the euro hedged share class of the Standard Life Investments Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund. The euro hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from sterling into euro. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the euro value of any non sterling assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

Derivatives

The fund and its holdings may use derivatives for the purpose of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its respective investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. The fund can use derivatives in order to meet its investment objective or to protect from price and currency movements. This may result in gains or losses that are greater than the original amount invested. The fund does make extensive use of derivatives.

ESG & sustainability

This fund is managed using an investment process that integrates environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors but does not promote ESG characteristics or have specific sustainable investment objectives. This means that whilst ESG factors and risks are considered, they may or may not impact portfolio construction. abrdn, the Investment Manager of the fund, integrates sustainability risks and opportunities into its research, analysis and investment decision-making process. abrdn believes that the consideration of sustainability risks and opportunities of a company can have a material impact on a company’s competitive position and future success and as such on long-term investment returns for investors. abrdn’s ESG integration requires, in addition to its inclusion in the investment decision making process, appropriate monitoring of sustainability considerations in risk management, portfolio monitoring, engagement and stewardship activities. abrdn also engages with policymakers on ESG and stewardship matters. Combining the integration of sustainability risks and opportunities with broader monitoring and engagement activities may affect the value of investments and therefore returns.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Standard Life ARGBS.

Standard Life Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies invests in the Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund, which uses a mix of bonds, cash and money market instruments alongside derivative-based strategies. The portfolio is globally diversified and can take both long and short positions in markets, securities and groups of securities. This gives the fund a wide remit to seek returns across different market conditions.

Standard Life Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies aims to deliver positive returns from income and capital growth in all market conditions over the medium to long term. It targets a return over rolling three-year periods equivalent to cash plus 3% a year, gross of fees. The manager tries to exploit market inefficiencies through active allocation to a diverse range of market positions.

Standard Life Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies invests in the euro hedged share class of the underlying fund, which aims to hedge the whole fund value from sterling into euro. However, this does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In plain language, exchange-rate changes can still make the euro value of non-sterling holdings rise or fall.

Standard Life Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies carries risks linked to interest rate changes, credit quality, foreign exchange movements, liquidity and derivatives use. It also has exposure to emerging markets, high-yield bonds, mortgage and asset-backed securities, and convertible and contingent convertible securities, each of which can add extra volatility or loss risk. In plain language, that means the fund can move around a lot and some holdings may be harder to sell or more likely to lose value.

Standard Life Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies may suit an investor looking for a medium- to long-term absolute return bond strategy rather than a conventional bond index fund. It is designed for investors who want a diversified global bond portfolio with active management and the ability to use derivatives and long/short positions. The fund may appeal to someone comfortable with a higher level of complexity and the possibility of losses as well as gains.

Standard Life Logo

Standard Life ARGBS

Get free, expert advice on this fund from a regulated advisor

Regulated advisors

No obligation

100% free advice

About The National Pension Helpline

Simply fill in any assessment form and a Central Bank regulated pension advisor will be in touch to discuss your options. This is a 100% cost and commitment free service.

Start A New Pension

|

NationalPensionHelpline.ie is an information-only website and does not provide direct financial advice. By submitting your information through the platform, your information is sent directly to our pension advisor partners who are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. NationalPensionHelpline.ie has a registered office at National Pension Helpline, 151 Thomas Street, Dublin 8, D08 PY5E. View privacy policy.