VanEck’s sustainable index fund gets RI certified
The VanEck Vectors MSCI Australian Sustainable Equity exchange traded fund (ETF) has been certified as a ‘responsible investment’ by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA).
The index fund screens companies on their ownership of fossil fuels and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, VanEck said.
The fund manager said MSCI screened companies based on negative and positive screens – excluding companies that own any fossil fuel reserves or derived revenue from mining thermal coal or from oil and gas related activities. It also excluded companies with business activities that were not socially responsible investments (SRI), and only included companies with high ESG performance ratings.
MSCI’s ESG consideration ratings ranged from AAA to CCC, and the VanEck fund said it only included companies given a rating of AAA, AA, or A.
VanEck managing director and head of Asia Pacific, Arian Neiron, said: “Research from academics, asset managers and index providers is mounting that good ESG performance and responsible investing can help companies achieve improved financial performance and therefore deliver greater rewards to investors”.
According to FE Analytics data, over the three years to 31 March 2020, the fund has lost 5.56%. The fund’s return sharply plummeted in line with the global sell-off starting in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VanEck Vectors MSCI Australian Sustainable Equity ETF versus Australian equities sector over three years to 31 March 2020
Recommended for you
Evidentia’s chief investment strategist Nathan Lim has announced his retirement after a 30-year career.
GQG Partners has marked its fifth consecutive month of outflows as its AI concerns lead to fund underperformance but overall funds under management increased to US$166.1 billion.
Apostle Funds Management is actively pursuing further partnerships in Asia and Europe but finding a suitable manager is a “needle in a haystack”.
Managed account provider Trellia Wealth Partners, formed from the merger between Betashares and InvestSense, has appointed its first managing partner.
