AXA Investment Managers has launched the AXA IM Global Green Bond fund and AXA IM Clean Economy Equity fund in response to higher demand for wholesale responsible investing.
According to the global asset manager, Australian wholesale investors were building sustainable portfolios and seeking more quality and actively managed responsible offerings, particularly in the fixed income space.
The firm said the two funds complemented its flagship Sustainable Equity fund, which was launched in Australia in 2014, and would further strengthen its responsible investment offering in support of the global transition to a low carbon economy.
The AXA IM Global Green Bond fund sought income and growth for investors from an actively managed portfolio of green bonds through a master-feeder structure.
Using a proprietary green bond framework, AXA IM would invest in eligible green bonds with issuers that had an overall sustainability strategy consistent and aligned with green bond projects. These projects have the objective of demonstrating a positive environmental impact by financing the energy and ecology transition.
Likewise, through a master-feeder structure, the AXA IM Clean Economy Equity fund had a dual objective of delivering long-term investment growth and a positive and measurable impact on the environment.
The fund was an actively managed portfolio of high-quality, growth-oriented companies operating in key investment areas impacted by the finite amount of natural resources.
Also aiming to support a number of environmental UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the underlying fund provided a high conviction portfolio of typically 40-60 listed equity and equity-related securities of companies in the clean economy.
Michelle Lacey, head of client group, AXA IM Core, Australia, said: “These two fund launches underpin our commitment to invest responsibly and provide Australian investors the potential to deliver more sustainable financial returns over the long-term based on our long-established responsible investing expertise.”
