SCHRODER UK SMALLER COMPANIES A

Investment Process

The fund's objective is capital growth through investment in UK smaller companies, focusing on the FTSE Small Cap (ex IT) universe, the FTSE Fledgling Index and AIM, although up to 20% of the fund may be invested outside these universes. The investment process is based on a common sense investment philosophy, quantitative screening of the stock universe, fundamental analysis of company accounts and a subjective evaluation of management and prospects. The primary influence on the portfolio is bottom up stock selection, with individual stock weightings reflecting a combination of investment conviction and assessment of the stock’s likely volatility. Ongoing fundamental research generates an “investment triangle”, allocating investment opportunities into three categories. Generally the fund managers invest in growing companies with a unique product or service for which demand is strong and which have pricing power, while avoiding companies operating in industries where supply exceeds demand and the pricing can deteriorate. The managers do not have a pre-determined style bias, although the fund tends to outperform in falling markets.