Standard Life GARS
Alternative Strategy
The fund is invested in the Global Absolute Return Strategies Fund, managed by Standard Life Investments, which aims to provide positive investment returns 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 five 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 equities and bonds) 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.
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143.00
EUR
+17.56 (+14.00%) past 3 year
as of 19 May 2026Cash
75.20%
Bonds
22.20%
Derivatives
2.00%
Floating Rate Notes
0.60%
Other
81.50%
United States of America
6.30%
South Africa
5.10%
United Kingdom
1.80%
Brazil
1.10%
Indonesia
1.00%
Germany
0.90%
Mexico
0.90%
Fund insights
Detailed information extracted from the fund factsheet.
Underlying fund: Global Absolute Return Strategies Fund
Managed by Standard Life Investments
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. Derivatives are financial instruments which derive their value from an underlying asset, such as a company share or a bond, and are used routinely in global financial markets. Used correctly, derivatives offer an effective and cost-efficient way of investing in financial markets. However, derivatives can lead to increased volatility of returns in a fund, thus requiring a robust and extensive risk management process. Some derivatives give rise to increased potential for loss where the fund’s counterparty defaults in meeting its payment obligations. 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 GARS.
Standard Life Global Absolute Return Strategies invests through the Global Absolute Return Strategies Fund in a highly diversified mix of traditional assets such as equities and bonds, plus derivative-based strategies. It can also hold both long and short positions in markets, securities and groups of securities. This means it can aim to benefit from rising or falling prices rather than only from market gains.
Standard Life Global Absolute Return Strategies is designed to seek positive investment returns in all market conditions over the medium to long term. It uses active allocation across a wide range of market positions to exploit perceived market inefficiencies, rather than tracking a benchmark. The stated target is cash plus 5% a year, gross of fees, over rolling three-year periods.
Standard Life Global Absolute Return Strategies carries equity risk, emerging market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk, among others. Equity risk means share prices can move sharply, while default risk means a bond issuer may fail to repay what it owes. Because the fund also uses extensive derivatives, returns can become more volatile and losses can sometimes be greater than the original amount invested.
Standard Life Global Absolute Return Strategies uses derivatives to help meet its investment objective and to protect against price and currency movements. Derivatives are contracts whose value depends on another asset, such as a share or bond. They can be efficient tools, but they can also increase volatility and create counterparty risk, which means a loss could occur if the other party to the contract does not pay.
Standard Life Global Absolute Return Strategies may suit investors seeking a globally diversified, medium- to long-term absolute return approach. Its holdings and geographic exposure span markets including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, China and Japan. The fund also invests in emerging markets, which can be more volatile and involve higher political, foreign exchange and liquidity risks.
Standard Life GARS
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