Fund

Takeaways from this page

  • Our 60 year young Fund … and why smaller companies are speedboats
  • Our genuine unique approach
  • Why hundreds of investors have trusted us
  • How you can invest … and grow your money too

Our Fund

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

  • No discounts to net asset value
  • No exit fees or early redemption fee
  • No lock-ins. You can get your money back – when you want it

The Fund has a proven track record since 1963

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

There are no short cuts to success

  • Intelligence gathering: We scan the relevant industries for growth, RoCE etc. We then study company filings and analyst reports and go beyond that.
  • Every year, we meet hundreds of companies but purchase just a few. We buy to keep; we think and act like owners.
  • Our Fund is one of UKā€™s oldest funds and is living proof that active investing i.e. stock picking works.

People we trust

Business is all about people; we invest only in people we trust and admire.

Purposeful business

Our portfolio companies serve our society and make this world a better place.

Hidden gems

We deliberately seek overlooked companies that are below the radar of larger institutional funds.

We are conscious of valuations and Margin of Safety.Ā 

Ā 

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.

Other Reasons

Why hundreds of investors have invested in the Fund ?

Liquidity

The UCITS open-ended structure allows daily dealing. Investors never suffer from NAV discounts as in investment trusts.

Governance

The Fund is FCA regulated and has multiple layers of oversight: ACD, Custodian, Trustees and its own Board of Independent Directors.

Performance + Access

Our wide network allows us access to interesting opportunities including IPOs, discounted placings, liquidity events and blocks of shares.

We... do not

It is also important that you know ... what we do not do.

Never try to be clever

We do not attempt to time the market.

Our style does not involve clever algorithms or other forms of black magic.

Never copy the index

We do not hide behind any index.

We apply our mind and carefully study each company, one at a time.

Never charge hidden fees

There are no hidden fees, no entry fees or exit fees. We do not charge a performance fee either.

Never compromise

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.

Undervalued

Often, smaller companies are under-researched and overlooked. This often results in undervaluation which works in our favour.

Takeover candidates

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.

Ownership mindset

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.

Speedboats

Generally, smaller companies are more focused and simpler businesses. Smaller companies grow faster than larger ones; they are speedboats, not super tankers.

Aligned teams

We get to know the senior management team, evaluate the culture of the company and the commitment of the team.

Discounted shares

We are able to invest in IPOs and discounted share placings. Our strong relationships with brokers and company executives translate into desired allocations.

How to invest

Invest directly

Through our friendly UK based fund administrators.

Following steps are required for only the first time.

  • Download the application form (regular or ISA)

  • Fill in a simple form (no additional documents are required)

  • Make payment using a direct bank transfer (only to the account mentioned in the form and no other)

  • Post the form to Yealand Fund Services, Stuart House, St Johnā€™s St, Peterborough PE1 5DD

Platforms

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!

Also featured in

Fund History : 60 but young at

  • Greene was acquired by Greig Middleton which then became Gerrard Limited.
  • Gerrard became a public company in 1962 (it claimed a history of more than 200 years).Ā 
  • Capel Cure Sharp (then owned by Old Mutual) acquired Gerrard in March 2000 in a deal worth Ā£525 million !

Ā 

Gerrard is also mentioned in two of the volumes of David Kynastonā€™s 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 

Ā 

In 2003, Barclays Bank acquired the broking business from Old Mutual plc.

Ā 

Ā 

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 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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 (ā€œSterlingā€) is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (ā€œFCAā€). On the FCA register, our reference number is 933798. We are not regulated by any other Regulator.

Cookies

Sterling does use cookies on its website. By proceeding you consent to our use of cookies.
Please read more in our cookie policy.

Disclaimer

It is the responsibility of the individual user to consider his or her legal and regulatory position in the relevant jurisdiction, the risks associated with trading such products and to ensure that the use of the content and the subsequent making of any investment does not contravene any such restrictions or applicable laws and regulations of any jurisdiction. Please seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific security, index, report, opinion, advice or other content. This does not exclude or restrict any duty or liability that Sterling has to its clients under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended from time to time) or any other regulatory system under the laws of applicable jurisdictions.

Sterling or its subsidiaries, associated entities, partners, employees, representatives or suppliers will not be liable, on any grounds whatsoever, contractually or not, for any direct or indirect damage that may arise as the result of it being possible or impossible to gain access to this site, the accessing, visiting or use of this site and/or the information provided, the sending, or receiving of information via this site and/or the operation or non-operation of this site, except in the event of intentional or serious blame on its part. The information contained on this site, including any third-party data is published in good faith and Sterling believes that the information is accurate at the time of publication but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Sterling as to its accuracy or completeness and it should not be relied on as such.

Sterling is not authorised to deal with retail investors and this website and its contents are intended for professional investors only. Nothing in this website is intended to represent a recommendation or investment advice.Ā  Where we mention individual companies thisĀ is for illustrative purposes only, to demonstrate our diverse range of investments. Any mention of any company should not be taken as a recommendation or otherwise.Ā  If you are seeking company information, please visit the website of the relevant company.

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.

Sterling shall therefore have no liability, save for any liability that Sterling may have under the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, for any loss or damage arising out of the use or reliance on the information provided including without limitation, any loss of profit or any other damage, direct or consequential. Nor will Sterling, its subsidiaries, associated entities, partners, employees, representatives or suppliers be, under any circumstances, liable for any corruption of data that may occur as the result of technical problems (e.g. transmission errors, technical failures, breakdowns, intervention of third parties, etc.) and/or for any damage or loss relating to software or hardware that is the result of any virus, defect or malfunction in relation to access or use of the site.

All the contents of this website are the property of Sterling Investment Management Limited.Ā  Nothing on this website is designed to grant any licence or right to use any image, trademark or logo. No act of downloading or otherwise copying from this website will transfer any legal entitlement to any software or material on the website to the transferer. Sterling Investment Management reserves all intellectual property rights to all material on the website and will enforce such rights to the full extent of applicable law.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount of your original investment. The information provided in this website is solely for use by individuals who are resident in the United Kingdom.Ā  It is not intended as, and should not be regarded as, an offer or solicitation to sell investments in any jurisdiction other than the UK. Individuals who are not resident in the UK should not continue as it may be contrary to local laws or regulations for them to receive information in connection with, or to apply for, a UK investment.Ā  By proceeding, you represent and warrant that you are not resident in, or a citizen of, a jurisdiction outside the UK.

Data Protection and Privacy:Ā To the extent any information you provide or which we obtain from this website constitutes personal data, you consent to its processing by Sterling and its agents and other third parties. If you are submitting your email you are also giving us permission to use it and send you emails. All such companies are required to maintain the confidentiality of such information. If you do not wish your information to be used in this way, you should advise Sterling in writing. Please see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy for more detailed information.

You should consider the website as an advertising document that describes Sterlingā€™s capabilities and is for information purposes only. None of the material contained on this website is intended to constitute an offer to sell, or an invitation or solicitation of an offer to buy any product or service provided by Sterling and must not be relied upon in connection with any investment decision. This website does not provide any specific investment advice and does not take into consideration the investment needs of any particular investor or investors. Nothing in this website should be construed as investment, tax, legal or other advice. Irrespective of your size or circumstances please seek professional financial advice to ascertain whether our fund is suitable. It is very likely that our fund may not be suitable, given your personal circumstances and risk profile.

The contents of this website have been approved by Sterling Investment Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Governing Law:Ā The content of this website should be construed under and governed by the laws of England and Wales and the courts of this jurisdiction will have exclusive jurisdiction in respect of any dispute that may arise, except where such content is expressed to be governed by the laws of another jurisdiction. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Important Information section unenforceable, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remainder of this Important Information shall continue in full force and effect.