Friday Funds: Morgan Stanley IM launches ESG ETF platform

The latest developments in ESG-related funds: NTAM announces natural capital index strategy; Foresight launches sustainable infra fund.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has launched an ETF platform listing six of Calvert’s ESG ETFs. The platform is comprised of four indexed ESG strategies and two active ETF strategies. The ETFs advised by MSIM include: US Large-Cap Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Index, Ultra-Short Investment Grade, US Large-Cap Core Responsible Index, International Responsible Index, US Mid-Cap Core Responsible Index, US Select Equity.

Northern Trust Asset Management has launched a natural capital Paris-aligned index strategy. It aims to match the characteristics of the MSCI World Natural Capital Paris-Aligned Equity Select Index which screens companies linked to biodiversity loss and water pollution. It also looks to exclude firms misaligned with SDGs 14 and 15. The strategy will be available for investors across EMEA and APAC.

Foresight Capital Management has launched a sustainable infrastructure mutual fund with Cromwell Funds to expand its range into the US. The Cromwell Foresight Global Sustainable Infrastructure Fund was launched on 31 January and will replicate Foresight’s Global Real Infrastructure Fund. It will offer investors exposure to sustainable infrastructure with a focus on the energy transition.

PensionBee customers have pledged more than £50 million in assets to its new impact plan which it launched in partnership with BlackRock last month. The plan will exclusively invest in companies tackling environmental and social issues across the world, allowing savers to direct their pension money towards companies providing solutions to the SDGs and the transition to net zero. This is PensionBee’s third responsible plan, following the launch of Shariah and Fossil Fuel Free plans in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

PineBridge Investments has upgraded its Global Emerging Market Corporate Bond Fund to Article 9. The fund has been renamed the PineBridge GEM SDG Corporate Bond Fund. It seeks to achieve long-term, capital appreciation through investment in bonds issued primarily by corporate entities and financial institutions located in emerging markets. The fund will only invest in assets that have been assessed as positive contributors to four of the SDGs: decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, responsible consumption and production and climate action. The fund will be managed by Chris Perryman, head of trading at PineBridge.

Just Climate, a business created by Generation Investment Management to address net zero challenges, has made three investments in decarbonisation-focused businesses. The investments include: ABB E-mobility, a Swiss-based global leader in electric vehicle charging solutions, H2 Green Steel, a Swedish industrial start-up which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the steel industry, and Meva Energy, a Swedish renewable energy company.

Swiss asset manager J Safra Sarasin has launched a sustainable development goals “engine” which enables the company to create portfolios which are aligned with the SDGs. The tool looks to target companies with SDG-related products, measure SDG contribution, and engage on targeted issues impacting the SDGs. The asset manager created 10 different product groups that they consider as impactful, covering areas such as green buildings, ecosystem protection, and renewable energy, as well as social topics like access to nutrition, health care or financing.