Introduction
Previous articles asked why ethical investment matters [1], introduced sustainable (environmental, social and governance, or ESG) investing [2]; and looked at some different approaches [3], [4]. As a change of perspective, this article considers the selection of ethical funds, outlining some of the challenges that investors face.
Future articles intend to explore topics such as performance. Beyond the usual portfolio construction considerations, ethical investors must select companies and monitor their performance in ethical and sustainability terms. Whichever approach is used, environmental issues, social responsibility, and governance quality are not readily measurable. Consequently, many investors employ the skills of specialist fund managers. This, in turn, raises questions as to how investors can be sure that the fund managers they select are genuinely investing as their clients would wish. Investors wish to be confident that the managers they choose have robust ethical and sustainable investment policies, rather than using a green gloss to obtain a marketing advantage.
Ethical funds
Many fund management houses run ethical strategies, with more being offered as the approach gains popularity. While some managers are specialists, others include ethically orientated funds as part of their broader offering. A concern for investors is whether fund managers lack ethical investing experience or commitment, but want to ‘jump on the bandwagon’, launching a fund to appeal to the ethical market. Although promoted as such, a fund’s ethical credentials may be slender, potentially including holdings that would make clients uncomfortable. Some funds may only underweight investments in undesirable areas rather than avoid them altogether. Others may focus on engaging with company boards, rather than restricting their investments.
Providers may launch new ethical funds but fail to reach required asset targets to make them commercially viable. Insufficient investment in resources or appropriate staff could result in an inability to deliver the performance expected, with a gradual erosion of interest. Consequences could include a merger with a conventional fund, closure, or dropping ethical objectives. Fund selection should explore how deeply embedded ethical investing culture is in the organisation. Managers may find clients like to hear them talk positively about ethical investing, doing so for marketing benefits. Examining staff experience and qualifications can help detect superficial commitment since only serious providers are likely to have invested in individuals with proven knowledge and skills.
Portfolio construction
It is useful to appreciate the challenges facing managers constructing ethical portfolios. When considering a company for inclusion, apart from the return, risk, and diversification aspects, ethical requirements must be considered. Although some criteria are straightforward, others can be more complex. Managers are assisted by corporate standards, covering diverse areas. Many are voluntary, confirming that specified activities have been conducted to a defined quality. The sheer number of different standards can be challenging, and requirements vary. However, some standards provide more symbolic than real value [5]. Initiatives motivating companies to behave more responsibly include auditable quasi-official standards, initiatives encouraging companies to report emissions, achievements and progress to stimulate improvement; but may also be purely aspirational. Companies’ annual reports and accounts can reveal ethical, sustainability, social, environmental objectives, and standards, as well as information about corporate governance [6]. Governance can explore the nature and composition of the board. This can include the roles of NEDs, turnover, expertise, independence, diversity, ability to challenge executives, the remuneration committee, and level of shareholder engagement.
For those fund managers that engage with company boards, the quality of their engagement can be challenging to assess, as well as their commitment to persistently follow up on areas of concern. As shareholders, many use proxy voting, but not all have a defined voting policy, and fewer ask questions at shareholder meetings or file shareholder resolutions. Fund managers with stronger engagement practices will discuss their decisions pre and post voting. At one extreme, some will propose policies to link director remuneration to issues of concern. In contrast, others will outsource voting to external commercial providers. All would claim they use engagement to meet ethical goals, while the quality and commitment vary considerably.
Investors must dig beneath ostensible statements regarding achievements, since many companies desire a ‘green makeover’, but maybe reluctant to absorb the costs and challenges required for genuine change [7]. The complexity means that investors may benefit from support by wealth managers knowledgeable in this area.
How this helps Investors
By appreciating the challenges ethical fund managers face, individuals who wish to invest ethically should be better placed to understand the strengths and weaknesses of products offered. It can be difficult to assess the fund managers’ commitment and the robustness of their ethical investment policies. A better appreciation of what is involved should help them choose an approach or provider that meets their needs.
References
[1] Q. G. Rayer, “Introducing Ethical Investing,” The Private Investor, the newsletter of theUKShareholders’Association, no. 199, pp. 12-13, April 2019.
[2] Q. G. Rayer, “Introducing sustainable “ESG” investing,” The Private Investor, the newsletter of theUKShareholders’Association, no. 200, pp. 10-11, June 2019.
[3] Q. G. Rayer, “Ethical investing approaches: screening and best-in-class,” The Private Investor, the newsletter of theUKShareholders’Association, no. 202, pp. 8-10, 18 October 2019.
[4] Q. G. Rayer, “Ethical investing: portfolio tilting and corporate engagement,” The Private Investor, the newsletter of the UK Shareholders’ Association, no. 203, pp. 12-13, 23 December 2019.
[5] P. Shrivastava and S. Berger, “Sustainability Principles: A review and directions,” Organization and Management Journal, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 246-261, 2010.
[6] R. Monks and N. Minow, Corporate governance, Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishing,, 2011.
[7] C. Krosinsky, N. Robins and S. Viederman, Evolutions in sustainable investing: strategies, funds and thought leadership, John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
