abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust’s (formerly Standard Life Private Equity Trust) investment objective is to achieve long-term total returns through holding a diversified portfolio of private equity (PE) funds and direct investments into private companies alongside PE managers (co-investments), a majority of which will have a European focus.

abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust (APEO) reported a robust 14.1% NAV total return (TR) in FY22 (ended September), as underlying portfolio valuations were up by 10.5% excluding the FX impact (with co-investments particularly strong) and a higher US$/£ rate. Earnings momentum remained high with LTM revenue and EBITDA across APEO’s top 50 holdings at 22.7% and 23.8% in FY22, respectively. This, together with solid exit activity (£210.2m distributions) at an average 20% uplift to carrying values two quarters prior, helped offset lower public valuation multiples.