Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has acquired the US business of specialist commodity Exchange Traded Product (ETP) provider ETF Securities. The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, broadens ASI’s suite of investment capabilities with the addition of a range of commodity-based Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
ASI says the deal also provides the platform and expertise for it 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 (pictured), Chief Executive-Americas at Aberdeen Standard Investments, says: “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 USD84 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 US.”
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).
