Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) today announced that it has acquired the U.S. business of specialist commodity Exchange Traded Product (ETP) provider ETF Securities.

The in-fill acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, further broadens ASI’s suite of investment capabilities with the addition of a range of commodity-based Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). It also provides the platform and expertise to enable ASI to grow its existing Smart Beta capability by launching strategies within an ETF vehicle structure. This means ASI is now able to offer investment solutions across all vehicle types, strengthening its ability to meet the evolving, bespoke needs of clients.

Chris Demetriou, Chief Executive-Americas at Aberdeen Standard Investments commented:

”The needs of our clients are evolving, and we need to be able to offer the full range of solutions to our clients. For some, active solutions will be right and, for others, passive and Smart Beta options will be the solution. ASI has been offering passive, quant and Smart Beta solutions to clients for some years now, managing over $84 billion in assets in these strategies. The expansion of our capabilities into the ETF space shows our commitment to providing the largest range of solutions to our clients in the U.S.”

The specific funds being acquired are: ETFS Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI), ETFS Bloomberg All Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCD), ETFS Bloomberg Energy Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BEF), ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (SGOL), ETFS Physical Platinum Shares (PPLT), ETFS Physical Silver Shares (SIVR), ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares (GLTR), ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (PALL).

ETF Securities’ U.S. operations currently manage $2.8 billion as of April 26, 2018.

Notes to editors

• Aberdeen Standard Investments has relationships with around 500 financial sponsors across approximately 1000 funds globally.
• Aberdeen Standard Investments is a leading global asset manager dedicated to creating long-term value for our clients, and is a brand of the investment businesses of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments.
• With over 1,000 investment professionals we manage $684.6 billion* of assets worldwide. We have clients in 80 countries supported by 50 relationship offices. This ensures we are close to our clients and the markets in which they invest.
• We are high-conviction; long-term investors who believe teamwork and collaboration are the key to delivering repeatable, superior investment performance. We are resolute in our commitment to active asset management.
• Aberdeen Standard Investments is the asset management business of Standard Life Aberdeen plc, one of the world’s largest investment companies.
• Standard Life Aberdeen plc is headquartered in Scotland. It has around 1.2 million shareholders and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Standard Life Aberdeen group was formed by the merger of Standard Life plc and Aberdeen Asset Management PLC on 14 August 2017.

*Standard Life Aberdeen AUM/AUA is US$778.8 billion as of December 31, 2017.