SL Aberdeen European Corporate Bond funds - change of name and fund description

The SL Aberdeen Standard Total Return Credit Pension Fund invests primarily in the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II Total Return Credit Fund. The aim of the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II Total Return Credit Fund is summarised below.

The objective of the fund is to provide long term total return by investing in debt and debt-related securities in both developed and emerging markets. Up to 100% of the fund’s assets may be invested in investment grade debt and debt-related securities.

The fund is actively managed by the investment team, who will select securities without reference to an index weight or size with the aim of taking advantage of opportunities they have identified. The fund will invest in debt and debt-related securities that are listed or traded anywhere in the world (including in Emerging Markets), including government and corporate bonds, asset backed securities, investment grade bonds and inflation-linked bonds. The fund may also invest in other transferable securities, floating rate notes, money-market instruments, deposits, cash and near cash, derivatives (including currency forwards, interest rate and credit default swaps) and collective investment schemes.

The fund will not invest more than 20% of net assets in asset backed securities.

The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective. 

Investment in all debt and debt-related securities issued by corporations will follow abrdn’s “Promoting ESG Fixed Income Investment Approach”.
This approach utilises abrdn’s fixed income investment process, which enables portfolio managers to qualitatively assess how ESG factors are likely to impact on the company’s ability to repay its debt, both now and in the future. To complement this research, the abrdn ESG House Score is used to quantitatively identify and exclude those companies exposed to the highest ESG risks. Additionally, abrdn apply a set of company exclusions, which are related to the UN Global Compact, Controversial Weapons, Tobacco Manufacturing and Thermal Coal. While these exclusions are applied at a company level, investment is permitted in Green bonds, Social bonds or Sustainable bonds issued by companies otherwise excluded by the environmental screens, where the proceeds of such issues can be confirmed as having a positive environmental impact.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. 

The SL abrdn Total Return Credit Pension Fund invests primarily in the abrdn SICAV II Total Return Credit Fund. The aim of the abrdn SICAV II Total Return Credit Fund is summarised below.

The objective of the fund is to provide long term total return by investing in debt and debt-related securities in both developed and emerging markets. Up to 100% of the fund’s assets may be invested in investment grade debt and debt-related securities.

The fund is actively managed by the investment team, who will select securities without reference to an index weight or size with the aim of taking advantage of opportunities they have identified. The fund will invest in debt and debt-related securities that are listed or traded anywhere in the world (including in Emerging Markets), including government and corporate bonds, asset backed securities, investment grade bonds and inflation-linked bonds. The fund may also invest in other transferable securities, floating rate notes, money-market instruments, deposits, cash and near cash, derivatives (including currency forwards, interest rate and credit default swaps) and collective investment schemes.

The fund will not invest more than 20% of net assets in asset backed securities.

The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective. 

Investment in all debt and debt-related securities issued by corporations will follow abrdn’s “Promoting ESG Fixed Income Investment Approach”.
This approach utilises abrdn’s fixed income investment process, which enables portfolio managers to qualitatively assess how ESG factors are likely to impact on the company’s ability to repay its debt, both now and in the future. To complement this research, the abrdn ESG House Score is used to quantitatively identify and exclude those companies exposed to the highest ESG risks. Additionally, abrdn apply a set of company exclusions, which are related to the UN Global Compact, Controversial Weapons, Tobacco Manufacturing and Thermal Coal. While these exclusions are applied at a company level, investment is permitted in Green bonds, Social bonds or Sustainable bonds issued by companies otherwise excluded by the environmental screens, where the proceeds of such issues can be confirmed as having a positive environmental impact.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund is invested in the Aberdeen Standard Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund 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.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than you pay in. 

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.  

The fund is invested in the abrdn Absolute Return Global Bond Strategies Fund 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.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in. 

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund is invested in the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II China Equities Fund which aims to provide long term growth and is designed for investors who are looking for exposure to the Chinese equity market. The fund invests predominantly in equities of corporations domiciled in the People's Republic of China or companies that derive the majority of their revenues or profits from Chinese operations or have a significant proportion of their assets there. This may include equities that are listed domestically or overseas or investment in companies with Variable Interest Entity (VIE) structures to gain exposure to industries with foreign ownership restrictions. The fund is actively managed by our investment team, who will select stocks to try to take advantage of opportunities they have identified.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than you pay in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund is invested in the abrdn SICAV II China Equities Fund which aims to provide long term growth and is designed for investors who are looking for exposure to the Chinese equity market. The fund invests predominantly in equities of corporations domiciled in the People's Republic of China or companies that derive the majority of their revenues or profits from Chinese operations or have a significant proportion of their assets there. This may include equities that are listed domestically or overseas or investment in companies with Variable Interest Entity (VIE) structures to gain exposure to industries with foreign ownership restrictions. The fund is actively managed by our investment team, who will select stocks to try to take advantage of opportunities they have identified.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund is invested in the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund which aims to provide long term growth from capital gains and the reinvestment of income generated by investing predominantly in European investment grade bonds. The fund is actively managed by our investment teams who may invest in a wide range of bonds (e.g. corporate bonds including high yield bonds, government backed securities, overseas bonds, index-linked bonds, floating rate notes (FRNs) and asset backed securities (ABSs) and/or money market instruments) in order to take advantage of opportunities they have identified. 

Please note, this fund invests in the sterling hedged share class of the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund. The sterling hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from euros to sterling. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the sterling value of any non euro assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than you pay in. The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 
  

The fund is invested in the abrdn SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund which aims to generate a long-term total return to be achieved by investing predominantly in European investment grade bonds. The fund is actively managed by our investment teams who may invest in a wide range of bonds (e.g. corporate bonds including high yield bonds, government backed securities, index-linked bonds, asset backed and mortgage backed bonds, and/or money market instruments) in order to take advantage of opportunities they have identified. 

Please note, this fund invests in the sterling hedged share class of the abrdn SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund. The sterling hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from euros to sterling. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the sterling value of any non euro assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective. 
Investment in all Debt and Debt-Related Securities issued by corporations will follow abrdn’s “Promoting ESG Fixed Income Investment Approach”.
Through the application of this approach, the Sub-fund targets a lower carbon intensity than the benchmark

Further detail of this overall process is captured within the “Promoting ESG Fixed Income Investment Approach”, which is published at www.abrdn.com under “Sustainable Investing”.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The SL Aberdeen Standard European Smaller Companies Pension Fund invests primarily in the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II European Smaller Companies Fund. The aim of the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II European Smaller Companies Fund is summarised below.

The fund’s investment objective is long term total return to be achieved by investing at least 70% of the fund’s assets in small capitalisation equities and equity related securities of companies listed, incorporated or domiciled in Europe or companies that derive a significant proportion of their revenues or profits from European operations or have a significant proportion of their assets there.
The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective.

Small capitalisation companies are defined as any stock included in the FTSE Developed Europe Small Cap Index (EUR) or, if not included within the index, any stock having a market capitalisation smaller than that of the stock with the largest market capitalisation in such index.

The fund is actively managed. The fund aims to outperform the FTSE Developed Europe Small Cap Index (EUR) benchmark before charges. The benchmark is also used as a reference point for portfolio construction and as a basis for setting risk constraints, but does not incorporate any sustainable criteria.

Investment in all equity and equity-related securities will follow the abrdn “European Smaller Companies Promoting ESG Equity Investment Approach”.

This approach utilises abrdn’s equity investment process, which enables portfolio managers to qualitatively identify and avoid ESG laggards. To complement this research, the abrdn ESG House Score is used to quantitatively identify and exclude those companies exposed to the highest ESG risks. Additionally, abrdn apply a set of company exclusions which are related to the UN Global Compact, Controversial Weapons, Tobacco Manufacturing and Thermal Coal. More detail on this overall process is captured within abrdn’s Promoting ESG Equity Investment Approach, which is published at www.abrdn.com under “Sustainable Investing”.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The SL abrdn European Smaller Companies Pension Fund invests primarily in the abrdn SICAV II European Smaller Companies Fund. The aim of the abrdn SICAV II European Smaller Companies Fund is summarised below.

The fund’s investment objective is long term total return to be achieved by investing at least 70% of the fund’s assets in small capitalisation equities and equity related securities of companies listed, incorporated or domiciled in Europe or companies that derive a significant proportion of their revenues or profits from European operations or have a significant proportion of their assets there.
The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective.

Small capitalisation companies are defined as any stock included in the FTSE Developed Europe Small Cap Index (EUR) or, if not included within the index, any stock having a market capitalisation smaller than that of the stock with the largest market capitalisation in such index.

The fund is actively managed. The fund aims to outperform the FTSE Developed Europe Small Cap Index (EUR) benchmark before charges. The benchmark is also used as a reference point for portfolio construction and as a basis for setting risk constraints, but does not incorporate any sustainable criteria.

Investment in all equity and equity-related securities will follow the abrdn “European Smaller Companies Promoting ESG Equity Investment Approach”.

This approach utilises abrdn’s equity investment process, which enables portfolio managers to qualitatively identify and avoid ESG laggards. To complement this research, the abrdn ESG House Score is used to quantitatively identify and exclude those companies exposed to the highest ESG risks. Additionally, abrdn apply a set of company exclusions which are related to the UN Global Compact, Controversial Weapons, Tobacco Manufacturing and Thermal Coal. More detail on this overall process is captured within abrdn’s Promoting ESG Equity Investment Approach, which is published at www.abrdn.com under “Sustainable Investing”.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund is invested in the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund which aims to provide long term growth from capital gains and the reinvestment of income generated by investing predominantly in European investment grade bonds. The fund is actively managed by our investment teams who may invest in a wide range of bonds (e.g. corporate bonds including high yield bonds, government backed securities, overseas bonds, index-linked bonds, floating rate notes (FRNs) and asset backed securities (ABSs) and/or money market instruments) in order to take advantage of opportunities they have identified. 

Please note, this fund invests in the sterling hedged share class of the Aberdeen Standard SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund. The sterling hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from euros to sterling. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the sterling value of any non euro assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than you pay in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The fund is invested in the abrdn SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund which aims to generate a long-term total return to be achieved by investing predominantly in European investment grade bonds. The fund is actively managed by our investment teams who may invest in a wide range of bonds (e.g. corporate bonds including high yield bonds, government backed securities, index-linked bonds, asset backed and mortgage backed bonds, and/or money market instruments) in order to take advantage of opportunities they have identified. 

Please note, this fund invests in the sterling hedged share class of the abrdn SICAV II European Corporate Bond Fund. The sterling hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from euros to sterling. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the sterling value of any non euro assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics but does not have a sustainable investment objective. 
Investment in all Debt and Debt-Related Securities issued by corporations will follow abrdn’s “Promoting ESG Fixed Income Investment Approach”.
Through the application of this approach, the Sub-fund targets a lower carbon intensity than the benchmark

Further detail of this overall process is captured within the “Promoting ESG Fixed Income Investment Approach”, which is published at www.abrdn.com under “Sustainable Investing”.

The value of investments within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate.
 

The fund is invested in the Aberdeen Standard Global Corporate Bond Fund which aims to provide long term growth from capital gains and the reinvestment of income generated by investing predominantly in global investment grade bonds. The fund is actively managed by our investment teams who may invest in a wide range of bonds (e.g. corporate bonds including high yield bonds, government backed securities, overseas bonds, index-linked bonds, floating rate notes (FRNs) and asset backed securities (ABSs) and/or money market instruments) issued anywhere in the world in order to take advantage of opportunities they have identified. 

Please note, this fund invests in the sterling hedged share class of the Aberdeen Standard Global Corporate Bond Fund. The sterling hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from US dollars to sterling. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the sterling value of any non US dollar assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than you pay in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate.

The fund is invested in the abrdn Global Corporate Bond Fund which aims to provide long term growth from capital gains and the reinvestment of income generated by investing predominantly in global investment grade bonds. The fund is actively managed by our investment teams who may invest in a wide range of bonds (e.g. corporate bonds including high yield bonds, government backed securities, overseas bonds, index-linked bonds, floating rate notes (FRNs) and asset backed securities (ABSs) and/or money market instruments) issued anywhere in the world in order to take advantage of opportunities they have identified. 

Please note, this fund invests in the sterling hedged share class of the abrdn Global Corporate Bond Fund. The sterling hedged share class aims to hedge the entire value of the fund from US dollars to sterling. This does not eliminate currency exposure within the fund. In particular, the sterling value of any non US dollar assets may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate.

The fund is invested in the Aberdeen Standard Global Equity Fund which aims to provide long term growth by investing in a diversified portfolio of global equities. The investment team will maintain a diverse asset mix at country, sector and stock level, with the regional, country and sector weightings within the portfolio being a by-product of the underlying stock exposure. Their primary focus is on stock selection to try to take advantage of opportunities they have identified.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than you pay in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. 

The fund is invested in the abrdn Global Equity Fund which aims to provide long term growth by investing in a diversified portfolio of global equities. The investment team will maintain a diverse asset mix at country, sector and stock level, with the regional, country and sector weightings within the portfolio being a by-product of the underlying stock exposure. Their primary focus is on stock selection to try to take advantage of opportunities they have identified.

The value of within the fund can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed - you may get back less than was paid in.

The fund may use derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management, reduction of risk or to meet its investment objective if this is permitted and appropriate. 

The sterling value of overseas assets held in the fund may rise and fall as a result of exchange rate fluctuations.