Standard Life customers get access to top-performing fund

Standard Life has given customers access to one of its top-performing funds.

The Synergy Global Absolute Return Strategies (GARS) fund has achieved stellar performance in tough years, returning 8% annualised between Sep 2008 and Jul 1, 2012.

Sinead Cullen, head of product, Synergy Regular Invest, said: “The feedback we’ve received is that regular savers want access to our top-selling (GARS) fund.”

Before Standard Life launched Synergy Regular Invest, individuals needed a minimum of €10,000 to access GARS with an investment lump sum, but now savers can access over 30 Synergy funds from €175 per month.

No matter how the market reacts GARS aims to give investors a positive return. It has a target return of cash with a 5% per annum (gross of charges) over rolling three year periods.

GARS invests in a combination of different strategies across global markets using both traditional asset classes and more advanced derivative techniques — it seeks to generate returns in a wider variety of ways than conventional funds.

Falling bank deposit rates means people are seeking higher returns over the long term and many want to diversify their savings away from just one provider, said Ms Cullen.

“Individuals increasingly want to know what they’ve invested in and that their money is working hard for them,” she said.