Takeaways from this page
We manage theĀ Sterling Select Companies FundĀ ā a UK UCITS which holds a portfolio of diverse businesses.
We invest in overlooked, under-researched and mispriced companies.
After deducting all fees, an investment of Ā£1,000 would have grown to more than Ā£600,000. That is 600 times the initial outlay >>>Ā
The open-ended fund structure means
We are investors in the Fund.
We are keen to attract like minded investors to invest but only after they have fully understood our what, how and why.
Investment Process
Business is all about people; we invest only in people we trust and admire.
Our portfolio companies serve our society and make this world a better place.
We deliberately seek overlooked companies that are below the radar of larger institutional funds.
We are conscious of valuations and Margin of Safety.Ā
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We seek an attractive entry valuation and then be patient for the re-rating to unfold.
We are fussy and do not follow the crowd.
Proof ?Ā Our distinct portfolio reflects our independent thinking.
Compare our Fund holdings yourself and see the difference first-hand.
The UCITS open-ended structure allows daily dealing. Investors never suffer from NAV discounts as in investment trusts.
The Fund is FCA regulated and has multiple layers of oversight: ACD, Custodian, Trustees and its own Board of Independent Directors.
Our wide network allows us access to interesting opportunities including IPOs, discounted placings, liquidity events and blocks of shares.
We do not attempt to time the market.
Our style does not involve clever algorithms or other forms of black magic.
We do not hide behind any index.
We apply our mind and carefully study each company, one at a time.
There are no hidden fees, no entry fees or exit fees. We do not charge a performance fee either.
We do not invest in businesses we do not understand. We stay away from get-rich offers and popular companies.
Investing in smaller companies
In general, larger companies have a dedicated investor relations team and their website contains exhaustive information. Hence, hundreds of analysts and large fund houses find it very easy to research them ā from the comfort of their desks. Who would object to such a cushy job? Unfortunately, this also makes larger company investing a very crowded endeavour. It is incredibly hard to develop any sort of edge.
In the post-MiFID-2 world, many brokers have cut their research coverage of smaller companies. This relative lack of analysis on smaller companies means they are more likely to be overlooked and possibly underpriced. We welcome such inefficient pricing and believe we are paid to do just that.
Smaller companies are hard work. Fact. Fortunately, we love what we do and this gives us the required energy to turn over one more rock and find the next hidden gem.
Often, smaller companies are under-researched and overlooked. This often results in undervaluation which works in our favour.
Larger companies acquire smaller companies ā especially if the stock market fails to value them correctly. Several of our companies have been acquired at significant premiums.
Often, the management of smaller companies have meaningful shares, more aligned with shareholders. As owners, they are careful ā just like us. We like that.
Generally, smaller companies are more focused and simpler businesses. Smaller companies grow faster than larger ones; they are speedboats, not super tankers.
We get to know the senior management team, evaluate the culture of the company and the commitment of the team.
We are able to invest in IPOs and discounted share placings. Our strong relationships with brokers and company executives translate into desired allocations.
Through our friendly UK based fund administrators.
Following steps are required for only the first time.
Search for *YFS Sterling Select Companies Fund* on any good platform.
If your preferred platform does not have our Fund enlisted, please let us know and we can get working!
Fund History : 60 but young at
A quick history for the enthusiast.
Greene & Company were stockbrokers in 1960’s. They created a collective vehicle for their private clients in 1963, the same Fund we continue to manage today.Ā
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Gerrard is also mentioned in two of the volumes of David Kynastonās classic multi-volume history of the City of London, available at the Barbican Library (definitely worth a read about London Financial history). It is doubtful if there is any city in the world, including New York, that can match London’s very rich financial history.Ā Ā
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In 2003, Barclays Bank acquired the broking business from Old Mutual plc.
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As of 2025, the Fund is the 18th oldest fund in the UK. The Fund was born in 1963 and has turned 61… we have 39 to go before we score 100.Ā
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We consider the following to be very important and recommend that you read this warning and disclaimer before proceeding, as it explains certain legal and regulatory restrictions applicable to any investment services we provide.
Sterling Investment Management Limited (āSterlingā) is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (āFCAā). On the FCA register, our reference number is 933798. We are not regulated by any other Regulator.
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Over the sixty years of the existence of the YFS Sterling Select Companies Fund, it has invested in many companies across several industries. The companies we mention reflect our investments and views on a given day and are subject to change, anytime and without any announcement or notice, due to corporate activity or general portfolio operation.
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