Deep Dive: Funds-of-funds can help overcome PE investment barriers

Optimism split over funds' application

The fund-of-funds (FOF) portfolio structure could be the ideal way to invest in private equity, according to experts, acting as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the asset class.

An FOF, otherwise known as a multi-manager fund, is a pooled investment vehicle that invests in other portfolios as its underlying holdings, which can be focused on any asset or security. FOFs usually invest in other mutual funds or hedge funds but Alan Gauld, senior investment director in the abrdn private equity team, thinks the set-up is well placed to invest in funds focused on unlisted assets. Deep Dive: Short sellers are not just 'opportunists, speculators and profiteers' Gauld said: "By overcoming the traditional barriers to entry, FOFs provide investors of all sizes with di...