Upgrade for the Standard Life Investments Global Smaller Companies fund

Square Mile Investment Consulting & Research has upgraded the Standard Life Investments Global Smaller Companies fund from a Positive Prospect to an A-rating. Positive Prospect ratings are awarded to newer funds or untested strategies that Square Mile's team of analysts feel have the potential to deliver. By awarding this fund an A-rating, Square Mile confirms its confidence in the fund's managers and investment process.

Square Mile's recommended funds, which sit within the Academy of Funds, carry a rating - A, AA, AAA, R or P+ - as reflection of the level of conviction Square Mile's team of analysts has in a fund's ability to deliver on expectations. Square Mile's independent, qualitative research is designed to offer advisers a solid foundation for client investment propositions and recommendations.

Commenting on the, Andrew Johnston, Senior Investment Research Analyst at Square Mile, said:

"Although the Standard Life Investments Global Smaller Companies fund was launched in 2012 it has the backing of two experienced managers - Harry Nimmo and Alan Rowsell - and a dedicated team. However, as this was the first time the team's investment process had been expanded onto the global smaller companies stage we wanted time to build our conviction in the strategy, which we have now done.

We expect that the fund's quality growth bias will add value for investors over the long-term and help minimise losses when investor sentiment turns sour, though there will undoubtedly be points in time when it struggles e.g. when its investment style falls out of favour or at inflection points. Ultimately, it is the manager and management team that will drive the success of the strategy and here we consider the managers, Mr Rowsell and Mr Nimmo, and their colleagues to be more than up to the task."