ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of new funds designed to meet sustainable investing criteria.
TD Asset Management (TDAM) has announced the launch of three ESG exchange-traded funds (ETFs) designed to provide investors with exposure to broad market indexes while investing in companies driving positive change. Each ETF tracks a mid- to large-capitalisation indices, featuring companies with high ESG metrics, in their respective regions. Partnering with Morningstar and Sustainalytics to construct a screening process, these ETFs exclude companies in tobacco, gambling and weapons industries. The TD Morningstar ESG Canada Equity Index ETF (TMEC), TD Morningstar ESG US Equity Index ETF (TMEU) and the TD Morningstar ESG International Equity Index ETF (TMEI) began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange December 1. “Whether investors are looking to invest in Canadian, US or international equity markets with a focus on ESG, they will benefit from a disciplined and committed approach to sustainable investing at TDAM,” said TDAM CIO Rob Vanderhooft.
Nordea Asset Management has launched the Global Social Empowerment Strategy, the latest thematic global equity product in its existing ESG range. The product invested in three key ESG areas: vital needs, inclusion and empowerment. Through this allocation of capital, Nordea aims to contribute to global sustainable growth while committing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We believe social empowerment is the next theme investors will turn their attention to as they seek to have a positive impact whilst achieving attractive returns,” said Thomas Sørensen, Co-Manager of Nordea’s Global Social Empowerment Strategy.
Fidelity International has expanded its sustainable ETF range with two new funds: The Fidelity Sustainable Research Enhanced Japan UCITS ETF and the Fidelity Sustainable Research Enhanced Pacific Ex Japan UCITS ETF. This follows the prior launch of the Sustainable Research Enhanced Equity ETF range in June. Each fund features companies that have been selected for their positive fundamental outlook and strong sustainability credentials, according to Fidelity’s Sustainable Ratings. “The Sustainable Research Enhanced ETF range leverages our fundamental ESG research to provide efficient and cost-effective building blocks,” said Nick King, Head of ETFs at Fidelity International.
Amundi has announced the launch of its first Social Bond Strategy, which offers a high allocation to social bonds aligned with the international capital markets and global scope. The launch of this strategy aligns Amundi for the rise in social bond issuances in 2020, which has tripled since 2019.
