Bestinvest says
Aberdeen’s Global Equities Team have a successful track record dating back to 2002, skilfully navigating the banking crisis whilst other global funds faltered. Bestinvest have now met most members of the team which gives us confidence of their strength in depth, including a dedicated Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) resource. The fund has a high degree of commonality with Aberdeen's regional funds so investors should exercise caution before holding them in the same portfolio.
The fund aims to achieve long term capital growth through investment in a portfolio of quality international investments chosen on the basis of ethical (“socially responsible”) criteria. The portfolio is selected from a buylist of stocks held by Aberdeen's regional equity teams, so companies held will share the characteristics of other Aberdeen portfolios: straightforward businesses with quality management and strong balance sheets. However, stocks are also screened for both positive and negative SRI criteria, including environmental, social and corporate governance considerations. Companies automatically fail if they: undertake animal testing; have a history of discrimination, harassment, or poor health & safety; derive more than 10% annual turnover from gambling, tobacco, alcohol, military activity, nuclear power or weapons sales; derive more than 5% annual turnover from pornography; have substantial involvement in oil pipelines or dams in the developing world; have a history of poor business practices.