Standard Life Aberdeen Share Discussion Threads

[gaygay3] 30/9/2021 14:18

with the new news that’s come from the ABRDN camp this week will it help the SP

[spud] 30/9/2021 11:38

Abrdn launches 'responsible' multi-asset fund



spud

[spud] 29/9/2021 08:05

abrdn PLC Sale of shares in HDFC AMCSource: UK Regulatory (RNS & others)TIDMABDNRNS Number : 3474Nabrdn PLC29 September 2021abrdn plc ("the Company")Sale of shares in HDFC Asset Management Company Limited ("HDFC AMC") by Standard Life Investments Limited ("SLI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of abrdn plcThe Company announces that on Wednesday 29 September 2021, SLI sold 10,650,000(1) shares in HDFC AMC (the "Shares") on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited.The Shares were sold at an average price of Rs 2,873.79(1) which will result in SLI receiving approximately Rs 27,019m (GBP268m(2) ), net of taxes and expenses, from the sale. The Company intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.The Shares sold constituted 5.00% of the paid-up, issued equity share capital of HDFC AMC and SLI's remaining shareholding in HDFC AMC is now 16.22%. Based on the current share price of Rs 2,915.40(3) , the value of this remaining shareholding is approximately Rs 101bn (GBP1.0bn(2) ).It is also noted that SLI's remaining 16.22% shareholding in HDFC AMC continues to provide SLI with the right to nominate a Director to the board of HDFC AMC.spud

[spud] 27/9/2021 15:37

abrdn announces launch of new industrial metals ETF and launches new brand in the Americas market



PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- abrdn is building on its range of commodities ETFs with the launch of a new fund that will track an index of industrial metal prices.

The abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF will seek to provide investment results that closely correspond, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Bloomberg Industrial Metals Total Return SubindexSM. The Index consists of four commodities futures contracts with respect to aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc.

abrdn head of ETFs Steve Dunn comments: "The world is at the early stages of a huge energy transition away from fossil fuels into more sustainable sources. Almost every renewable energy system uses large amounts of industrial metals, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, grid level batteries and carbon capture systems. That huge, long term structural demand will drive significant new demand for industrial metals, a trend that this ETF opens investors up to."

It is the first product to be launched in the US under the new abrdn brand and forms part of the region's growth plans. Those growth plans are centered on growing in the client solutions, passive alternatives, private markets and specialty equity spaces; while continuing to distribute a focussed range of products manufactured outside the region, and generating high quality investment research on Americas markets for products managed elsewhere in the company's network.

The new product will join the trend of 'K-1 Free' commodities ETFs, which do not issue K-1 tax forms that have historically disincentivized clients from investing in the space. abrdn was amongst the pioneers of this trend, with abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI) The launch also comes after a period of significant growth for abrdn's ETF franchise which has gone from managing around $3bn on behalf of clients three years ago to $6.9bn as of September 2021. Three of the five previous metal ETFs in the range have crossed the $1bn asset under management milestone.

Commenting on the region's growth strategy, CEO for Americas Chris Demetriou, commented: "I'm pleased that we're launching this new product at a time when demand for industrial metals is only set to grow and investors are looking for non-correlated investments to act as a hedge against inflation and other market risks. Our strategy in the region revolves in part around competing in those areas where our experience and expertise gives us an advantage. This extension to our commodities franchise reflects that strategy. Our ETF AUM has more than doubled in the last three years to reach nearly $7bn today."

spud

[spud] 12/9/2021 19:18

They’ve been losing staff for months/years as have those that have been poaching to replace those that have been poached. It’s called staff churn and is just like the Magic Roundabout.

spud

[mcunliffe1] 12/9/2021 18:25

ouch!
Losing key staff of that calibre cannot bode well. Thanks gatgay3.

I discovered Blue Prism are in such talks after I'd posted. Microsoft have form for such practices - bundled freeware resulted in fines from the EU in the past I believe.

[gaygay3] 12/9/2021 18:11

American century investment had hired abrdns total return bond team to manage the same strategy for 245bn dollars USfund house

[dr biotech] 11/9/2021 09:44

Blue Prism are subject to an offer from private equity (or at least in talks, I've not followed it closely). Think that may be the end of them. Did look at buying some time ago (more than a year) - was rumoured that microsoft would release some free software that would undermine their business which has caused a continous drag on their share price - but stayed out.

[mcunliffe1] 11/9/2021 09:29

After everything I've just posted about abrdn selling holdings they are buying Blue Prism Group plc lately.

Even as a retired I.T. guy I find Blue Prism's products complicated to grasp - but lots of well known companies are using their software. Might be worth a punt.

[mcunliffe1] 11/9/2021 09:15

Why have they left? What positions did they hold gaygay3?

And why is abrdn so woefully undervalued?

I believe that ANYTHING is worth only as much as somebody will pay for it. Estimates of weird artifacts placed at auction are often grossly inaccurate - Napoleon's tricorn hat being a recent example.

Remember when SLA were buying-back their own shares, that provided a ready and willing buyer hence placing an artificial price on the shares (there was somebody willing to pay).

Now we see how unloved this company is - nobody buying their shares.

But why?

I have a theory - and it could well be tosh - I'd like your views either way:



Back in the 70's -90's The Standard Life Assurance Company was a well respected company and one whose function was well known and understood. They provided Life Assurance which generally was linked to mortages. As a result, young adults stepping out on the housing ladder for the first time would often encounter this company generally via the Halifax Building Society (another icon of its day) with whom the SL had a great relationship.

Then we move into the complex era of the 2000's where financial dealings become clouded and hard to fully understand. Debt swaps, selling junk bonds etc etc.

People become less trustful of financial institutions - the Halifax is bought and then dies. The Standard cosies up to Phoenix who take over much of the classic insurance/pension aspects of the Standard and also taking the name whilst the original Standard Life merges with Aberdeen.

At that point I have shares in SLA resulting from the demutualisation and With Profits (and other) pensions with Standard Life (but really Phoenix) that permitted the shares to be given to me previously.

I see my pension growing nicely throughout the past 10 years but see my SLA shares slipping. During the 2015-2019 period I must confess, I could not appreciate the difference between SLA and Standard Life (Phoenix). Only when I delved deeper did I realise that my complaints about the archaic computer systems controlling my pension had nothing at all to do with SLA and were the responsibility of Phoenix who had taken over that part of the old Standard Life business.

So, what exactly does abrdn do now?

I see few adverts, I see little comment (other than bad) in the popular financial press. I see hardly any meaningful comments from abrdn higher management.

I watch the RNS feeds on this thread and see abrdn selling shares in a multitude of companies - often small parcels - sometimes selling on consequetive days the same stock and at a lower price on the latter date. Rarely see any buys.

I'd love some answers as we get none from Bird and his gang.


Sorry if a bit windy, and I know Pierre might ask why I continue to hold - sentimental value mainly as my departed dad worked for Std Life for years.

[spud] 10/9/2021 17:06

Probably not. Company is woefully undervalued (like most of the listed UK companies atm).

spud

[gaygay3] 10/9/2021 16:46

just seen that 4 members of abrdn have left the company suddenly is this bad news and will it affect the SP

[spud] 07/9/2021 14:08

RNS this morning. spud

[garycook] 07/9/2021 11:57

Spud,CSN above 14%.Please explain ? Is that your holding,because the yield atm is 7% !

[spud] 07/9/2021 08:52

Chesnara PLC Holdings holdings now above 14%.

spud

[mcunliffe1] 02/9/2021 15:40

Ha Ha,

I know this place quite well. It stinks.
Literally.
Slightly to the northwest of this retail park is United Utilities' sewage treatment facility. The prevailing wind direction is northwest so the site stinks, especially on a warm, sunny day.

Perfect investment for Abrdn I'd say.

[spud] 23/8/2021 11:20

Abrdn agrees under-the-radar £60m+ Cambridge sale



spud

[spud] 17/8/2021 11:59

Abrdn Euro Residential Property Fund Tops €1bn



POSTED BY: MARK MCSHERRY AUGUST 16, 2021
Aberdeen Standard Investments’ Pan-European Residential Property Fund (ASPER) said on Monday it has exceeded €1 billion of committed equity.

ASPER is an open-ended fund designed for institutional investors, which aims to deliver income and capital growth by investing in large, high quality, sustainably constructed, purpose built residential blocks in “triple A” locations — that provide accessibility, amenity and affordability for the occupier.

The ASPER fund passed the €1 billion landmark three years after being launched at the end of Q1 2018.

Having attracted sizeable commitments from international investors, the fund has secured over 40 modern and sustainable residential properties in nine countries across western Europe.

Acquisitions within the fund represent close to 5,000 residential apartment units.

On completion of existing developments, the portfolio value will be close to €1.6 billion.

Aberdeen Standard Investments, currently changing its name to abrdn, one of Europe’s largest real estate investment managers, managing €48.6 billion of real estate assets across UK, Europe and Asia, with offices in Edinburgh, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Singapore and Boston.

abrdn manages £456.6 billion of total assets worldwide.

Marc Pamin, fund manager of Aberdeen Standard Pan-European Residential Property Fund, said: “We are delighted to achieve this landmark only three years after launching the fund.

“The quality of the portfolio and the secured pipeline represents real diversification opportunities for investors and we are keen to build upon this in the future.

“Demand for residential real estate across Europe’s major cities is increasing exponentially.

“The sector is rising to the challenge of developing a new kind of post-pandemic living space to meet the changing needs of a growing population.

“We believe this represents great opportunities for investors.”

spud

[mcunliffe1] 10/8/2021 18:30

If Bird believes “market volatility is expected to continue due to Covid-19 and its unequal effects in different parts of the world" then there's money to be made if you are able to correctly predict where Covid-19 will benefit and where it will hinder.

That ability to identify such situations is what makes a good investment company.

Sadly, Abrdn spent much of it's cash reserves buying back its own shares when there really might have been better places to spend that money.

[spud] 10/8/2021 07:42

Good results so shall sit tight:Half year results 2021 Strong start to the year, creating momentum for our growth ambitions-- Fee based revenue 7% higher and adjusted operating profit 52% higher than prior year which are the highest rates of growth since merger.-- Net outflows reduced to GBP5.6bn, including liquidity net outflows of GBP3.7bn. Excluding liquidity flows, which are volatile, net outflows were GBP1.9bn representing a significant improvement over prior periods and less than 10% of outflows at the low point in H2 2018.-- Consequently the impact on revenue from net outflows (excluding LBG) is less than 0.5% compared with 3% in H1 2020.-- AUMA of GBP532bn (FY 2020: GBP535bn) broadly flat as reductions due to flows and corporate actions were partially offset by positive market movements.-- Delivered improved operational leverage with cost/income ratio of 79%, 6ppts lower than prior year.-- Higher adjusted operating profits in all vectors - 61% higher in Adviser, 33% higher in Investments and Personal has recorded a small profit for first time.-- IFRS profit before tax of GBP113m, reflecting higher adjusted operating profit and significantly lower impairments than H1 2020.-- Adjusted diluted EPS of 7.0p is 3.7p higher, benefiting from the increase in adjusted profit after tax and the share buybacks in 2020.-- Adjusted capital generation increased by GBP73m to GBP176m, reflecting strong profit performance.-- Strengthened capital position with surplus regulatory capital increasing to GBP2.8bn (FY 2020: GBP2.3bn), including GBP0.7bn benefit from sale of 4.99% in HDFC Life. -- Interim dividend of 7.3p in line with our dividend policy. Good progress in our growth vectors-- Gross flows (excluding liquidity) in Institutional and Wholesale were 21% higher than H1 2020 at GBP20.0bn.-- Institutional and Wholesale has seen best net flows performance (excluding liquidity) since merger of (GBP0.8bn).-- Liquidity gross flow in Institutional and Wholesale reduced from GBP9bn in H1 2020 to GBP2bn in H1 2021 reflecting client response to volatile markets.-- Strong client demand for private markets(1) investments drove net inflows to GBP3.2bn, a 10-fold increase on prior year. -- Investment performance is 66% of AUM above benchmark over three years (FY 2020: 66%). -- Strengthened ESG product offering with launch of range of SFDR Article 9 climate funds. -- Adviser net flows increased to GBP2.0bn (H1 2020: GBP1.1bn), the highest flows in three years. Launched new adviser experience programme to accelerate our market-leading position.-- Personal had record net flows of GBP0.5bn with Aberdeen Standard Capital reaching record AUMA of GBP8.7bn.Simplified the business, investing to focus on strategic priorities and client needsspud

[spud] 09/8/2021 16:42

Will Abrdn be successful in cutting costs as well as vowels?



Tuesday will see the market given another chance to get used to Abrdn PLC, the slightly odd and difficult to pronounce name for the company previously known as Standard Life Aberdeen until last month.

The FTSE 100-listed company is “on a mission to turn around a business that has been exceptionally unexceptional for some time”, according to Nicholas Hyett, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

“The group, now overwhelmingly focussed on fund management, is looking to cut costs while improving investment performance and expanding its distribution network. If it can do all three – charging fees on more money, for more clients, and on a lower cost base - it would be a heady mix for profits – unfortunately it’s also a familiar playbook for any asset manager and not one that always delivers,” Hyett cautioned.

“We’re only in the very early days of the new strategy, and tangible progress next week is likely to be minimal. That won’t stop analysts scrutinising management comments closely – the group has work to do to convince investors it deserves the benefit of the doubt after years of lacklustre results,” he suggested.

The market is expecting that net outflows in the first half will be around £2.1bn.

spud

[mcunliffe1] 08/8/2021 15:58

What's to be taken over spud? Other than a FTSE100 listing. A reversal into Abrdn could work for someone but I see this share going nowwhere - slowly.

Like Dr BiotechI have shares from the de-mut. 1545 in my case. My wife holds L&G from her relatively brief employment with one of their divisions (employee share scheme). Our respective holdings are a similar value. I feel that Std Life Assurance Company, as it was named when it de-mutualised, was either grossly undervalued OR With Profit policy holders were 'shafted'.

Little has changed since then except higher management have taken ever larger wages.

[lippy4] 08/8/2021 15:55

all very dismal,where is the good news???