Pre-close Trading Statement

ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC

PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE

In advance of entering a close period ahead of the announcement of preliminary results for the year to 30 September 2010, Aberdeen provides the following trading update.

Assets under management at 31 August 2010 totalled £168.8 billion, a 2.6% increase on the total at 30 June 2010, as reported in our latest Interim Management Statement. The principal movements are as follows:

Investment performance remains strong across our key equity and fixed income capabilities and this is reflected in continuing healthy equity inflows and slowing outflows from fixed income. Within alternative investment strategies, our flagship hedge fund of funds and multi-asset funds have produced robust performance year to date. The UCITS compliant fund of absolute return funds launched earlier this year has grown to over £200 million. Property performance remains robust after a strong rally in UK property assets and improving markets across Europe over the last 12 months. 

Elsewhere, despite subdued European markets over the summer, investor confidence and appetite appears to be improving in Europe, Asia and the US. Gross new business flows for the two months to 31 August 2010 totalled £6.4 billion, bringing the total for the eleven months year to date to £42.7 billion; this compares favourably with the £19.1 billion achieved for the full year to 30 September 2009. A further £2.1 billion of new mandates had been awarded but not funded as at 31 August 2010.

The rate of redemptions continues to slow, particularly on fixed income mandates. As a result, net new business for the two months to 31 August 2010 totalled £0.6 billion, bringing the total for the eleven months year to date to £1.0 billion, continuing the improving trend. Revenue margins on inflows continue to be higher than on the outflows and as a consequence the overall effect on annualised fee income remains positive.

The benefits of these net inflows, supplemented by steady , market levels, are reflected in healthy profits, with the Group's operating margin continuing at the improved level reported at the interim stage. In accordance with our previously stated intention, we have now fully repaid all bank debt from our operating cashflow. 

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, commented:

 "The level of gross new business so far this year is testament to our product offering, investment teams and global distribution platform. Pleasingly, this has enabled us to repay all bank debt and we remain firmly focused on organic growth, generating cash and strengthening our balance sheet further.

"The short-term economic and market outlook remains uncertain, but our range of capabilities leave us well placed to meet the needs of our clients around the world."

The announcement of the company's preliminary results for the year to 30 September 2010 will be made on 30 November 2010.

For further information please contact:

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC + 44 (0) 20 7463 6000

Martin Gilbert

Bill Rattray

Maitland + 44 (0) 20 7379 5151

Neil Bennett

Rowan Brown

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT AT 31 AUGUST 2010

OVERALL NEW BUSINESS FLOWS FOR 11 MONTHS TO 31 AUGUST 2010 - BY MANDATE TYPE

OVERALL NEW BUSINESS FLOWS FOR 11 MONTHS TO 31 AUGUST 2010 - BY ASSET CLASS

Note: figures in the above tables may appear not to add due to rounding differences