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Our analysis reviewed 117 Abrdn funds, each measured against its sector average over 1, 3, and 5 years to 29 September 2025.
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Only 15 funds (12.8%) achieved a 4 or 5-star Yodelar Rating for consistent top-quartile performance across multiple timeframes.
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76 funds (65%) received a 1 or 2-star rating, reflecting sustained below-average results relative to sector peers.
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The Abrdn World Equity Enhanced Index Fund ranked as the group’s strongest performer, delivering 100.31% growth over 5 years versus 62.22% for the IA Global sector.
With more than £518 billion in assets under management, Aberdeen stands among the UK’s largest and most established investment firms. Formerly operating as Standard Life Aberdeen, the company rebranded to Abrdn in 2021 before reverting to its original Aberdeen name in 2025. This move forms part of a broader initiative to streamline operations and refocus attention on investment performance and client outcomes.
In this review, we analysed 117 Aberdeen funds, comparing their performance and sector rankings over 1, 3, and 5 years. Each fund was evaluated against its Investment Association (IA) sector average and overall Yodelar performance rating, which measures consistency relative to peers.
Our analysis shows that Aberdeen continues to manage a diverse range of strategies spanning multiple markets and asset classes, though with mixed results. While a number of funds have demonstrated strong and consistent performance, the majority have fallen short of their respective sector averages.
Aberdeen Fund Performance Summary
We completed a comprehensive analysis of 117 Abrdn funds, reviewing their performance and sector rankings over 1, 3, and 5 years. Each fund was evaluated and assigned an overall Yodelar rating based on its returns compared to sector peers.
Our findings indicate that only 15 Aberdeen funds earned a 4 or 5-star rating, demonstrating a robust and consistent ability to outperform their peers across different timeframes.
Conversely, 76 funds - accounting for approximately 65% of those analysed - received a 1 or 2-star rating, reflecting sustained below-average performance.
This wide dispersion underscores how performance can vary significantly within a single provider’s range.
Top Performing Aberdeen Funds
Below, we highlight the five best-performing Abrdn funds. These stand-out funds have consistently outperformed their sector peers, delivering strong and competitive returns over the past 1, 3 and 5 years.
Abrdn World Equity Enhanced Index Fund
The Abrdn World Equity Enhanced Index fund, managing approximately £536 million, has been one of Aberdeen's most consistent funds. It invests primarily in global equities within the MSCI World Index, seeking to enhance index-like returns through a quantitative, risk-controlled approach.
Over 1 year, the fund delivered 16.61%, ahead of the IA Global sector average of 11.16%. Over 3 years, it returned 54.69% compared with 35.47%, and over 5 years it achieved 100.31%, well above the sector’s 62.22% average.
Performance has benefited from significant exposure to large-cap technology and growth companies including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet. With an ongoing charge of 0.29%, it remains one of Aberdeen’s most cost-efficient funds, combining broad global exposure with a structured, data-driven investment process.
Abrdn Emerging Markets Income Equity Fund
This fund aims to deliver income and long-term capital growth by investing in companies across emerging markets. It holds at least 70% of assets in firms listed or operating in countries such as China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Over 1 year, it gained 21.54% versus the IA Global Emerging Markets average of 15.95%. Over 3 years, it returned 41.93% compared with 27.77%, and over 5 years, it achieved 54.41%, ahead of the sector’s 37.58%.
The fund’s approach focuses on financially strong companies with sustainable dividends and steady cash flows. Top holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics, and Tencent. Its performance reflects the fund’s exposure to resilient, high-dividend companies that have benefited from long-term structural growth in consumer demand across developing markets.
Abrdn Global Infrastructure Equity Fund
The Abrdn Global Infrastructure Equity fund has ranked among the strongest performers in the IA Infrastructure sector. It delivered 13.27% over 1 year compared with 5.35% for the sector, 27.80% over 3 years versus 4.62%, and 56.87% over 5 years compared with 34.43%.
The fund invests primarily in companies linked to essential infrastructure — including transport, utilities, energy, and communications — focusing on businesses with reliable earnings and dividend potential. Holdings such as Enbridge, Kinder Morgan, and Aena SME SA have contributed to steady performance.
With broad global diversification and an emphasis on sustainability and income, the fund has provided balanced exposure to a sector that offers both defensive characteristics and moderate long-term growth.
Abrdn UK Equity Enhanced Index Fund
Designed to track and modestly enhance the FTSE All-Share Index, this fund applies data-driven adjustments to capture additional returns while maintaining close alignment to benchmark risk.
Over 1 year, it returned 16.73% against the IA UK All Companies sector average of 8.31%. Over 3 years, it achieved 50.65% compared with 36.54%, and over 5 years, 88.50% versus 61.77%.
Managing approximately £565 million, the fund holds a diversified mix of major UK-listed firms including HSBC, AstraZeneca, and Shell. Supported by a low OCF of 0.27%, its blend of passive structure and active optimisation has contributed to consistently competitive returns within the UK equity space.
Abrdn MyFolio Index V Fund
Part of Aberdeen’s risk-based MyFolio range, the Index V fund is designed for investors seeking higher long-term growth potential within a defined risk framework. It primarily invests in passively managed global index funds, allocating around 80% to equities and the remainder to other asset classes for diversification.
Over 1 year, the fund returned 14.91% versus the IA Volatility Managed sector average of 8.30%. Over 3 years, it gained 43.17% compared with 26.54%, and over 5 years, it achieved 72.23%, more than double the sector’s 33.90% average.
Its diversified global exposure and disciplined cost control have supported steady returns. Managing approximately £866 million, the fund demonstrates how structured, low-cost portfolios can achieve competitive long-term results through broad market participation.
Underperforming Aberdeen Funds
While several Aberdeen strategies have delivered strong returns, others have struggled to keep pace with their peers. The following five funds have consistently ranked near the bottom of their sectors over multiple timeframes.
Each has received a 1-star Yodelar Rating, reflecting persistent below-average performance.
Abrdn Asia Pacific Equity Fund
This fund provides exposure to Asia Pacific equities (excluding Japan) but has lagged its sector peers. Over 1 year, it returned 9.38% versus the sector’s 14.26% average; over 3 years, 8.81% versus 22.54%; and over 5 years, 15.21% compared with 34.33%.
Performance has been affected by slower economic growth in parts of Asia and regulatory uncertainty in China. A tilt towards growth and financial stocks also weighed on results during defensive market phases, leaving long-term returns below average.
Abrdn Europe ex UK Equity Fund
The Europe ex UK Equity Fund aims for long-term growth through active stock selection across continental Europe. However, results have fallen well short of peers. Over 1 year, it declined -12.80% compared with a sector gain of 11.13%. Over 3 years, it returned 9.20% versus 49.35%, and over 5 years, only 5.76% versus 62.29%.
Underperformance has been driven by limited exposure to large technology names, weaker European growth, and higher inflation pressures. These factors have weighed heavily on returns relative to more diversified strategies.
Abrdn Global Equity Fund
Despite its global remit, the Abrdn Global Equity Fund has struggled to deliver competitive results. Over 1 year, it returned 0.76% against the IA Global sector’s 11.16%. Over 3 years, it delivered 23.67% versus 35.47%, and over 5 years, 51.39% versus 62.22%.
Performance has been constrained by lower exposure to high-growth U.S. technology firms and a focus on slower-growing sectors. Currency movements and relatively higher costs have further weighed on outcomes compared with lower-cost peers.
Abrdn American Equity Fund
This U.S.-focused fund invests mainly in large North American companies. Over 5 years, it returned 50.23%, lagging the IA North America sector average of 83.24%. Over 3 years, it gained 41.12% compared with 50.23% for the sector.
Its active, concentrated portfolio has struggled during value-led markets but benefited from recent recoveries in large-cap technology names. Although short-term results have improved, longer-term performance remains below average.
Abrdn UK Mid-Cap Equity Fund
Among Abrdn’s weakest performers, this fund has delivered negative returns over the long term. Over 1 year, it fell -4.18% compared with an 8.31% sector gain. Over 3 years, it gained 8.76% versus 36.54%, and over 5 years it lost -12.54%, against the sector’s 61.77% average.
The fund’s challenges reflect the broader difficulties faced by UK mid-cap stocks during a period of economic uncertainty. Higher inflation, rising borrowing costs, and limited exposure to global sectors have all constrained performance.
Summary
Aberdeen remains one of the UK’s most recognisable investment groups, managing a broad range of funds across global markets. However, our analysis highlights clear inconsistency within its fund range. Of the 117 funds reviewed, only a small proportion delivered strong, consistent results, while the majority lagged behind their sector averages over multiple timeframes.
These findings underline the need for investors to regularly review their portfolios and understand how each holding contributes to overall performance. Market cycles, cost structures, and investment approaches can all affect outcomes, and even well-established providers can experience significant variation across their fund ranges.
Why Diversification and Oversight Matter
The uneven performance of Aberdeen’s funds reinforces a broader principle: no single fund manager or investment house performs strongly across every market condition. Economic trends, regional shifts, and sector rotations all play a part in shaping results. Maintaining a well-diversified portfolio — spread across different providers, regions, and asset types — helps to manage these variations and build more consistent long-term outcomes.
Professional portfolio oversight, such as that provided through MKC Invest’s discretionary management, ensures portfolios stay balanced and responsive as markets evolve. This approach enables timely adjustments, helps to control risk, and keeps each portfolio aligned with its intended objectives. In an environment where performance across funds can vary widely, disciplined management and true diversification remain essential to achieving stability and long-term growth potential.
