Standard Life European Private Equity Trust (SEP) provides access to a select portfolio of private equity funds investing predominantly in Europe (including the UK). The manager focuses on funds investing in mid-market buyouts that give high levels of operational input to investee companies. SEP is differentiated from European fund-of-fund peers by its focused portfolio with 11 private equity managers representing over 80% of NAV. SEP’s NAV total return has outperformed European peers represented by the LPX Europe index over one, three, five and 10 years. A mature portfolio and the 14% average value uplift on exit achieved in FY15 are encouraging indicators for NAV progression and positive cash flows.
