Tag: environmental social and governance investing

When considering ESG investing, retirement plan sponsors are still concerned about performance and transparency, and some are confused by the latest DOL guidance.

Fiduciary Tool Added to Broadridge Analytic Solution; SS&C Technologies Adds ERS Managed Account Solution to Recordkeeping Platform; BlackRock Launches Multiple ESG Funds and Tools; and more.

Lockwood Adds Expansive Model Portfolios to Managed Account Platform; Capital Group Adopts PFaroe; PGIM Lengthens ETF Space with Second Actively Managed Fund; and more.

Although ESG ratings can be useful when used properly, they should not be the sole metric used to make investment decisions. A report gives examples.

This will drive broader growth in ESG, Cerulli Associates says.

First Trust Introduces Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus ETFs; T. Rowe Price Closes 23-Year-Old Fund; Fidelity Merges Active and Passive Funds in New TDF Suite; and more.

US SIF Launches Money Manager-Focused Guide, and Wells Fargo Updates Personalized Solution.   

Of the 12% of institutional investor respondents to a recent survey who have incorporated ESG, most are DC plans, and more than half are healthcare-focused organizations.

The firm will offer commission-free online transactions for specific funds. 

Transamerica Launches Stable Value Account for Retirement Plans; TD Ameritrade to Provide CLS Fund Models on Market Center Platform; Fidelity Offers Third ESG Investing Option; and more.

Yet, according to ClearPoint Financial Partners, the investing strategy only accounts for less than 1% of the $7.7 trillion U.S. defined contribution (DC) retirement market.  

Panelists discussed numerous investment options that can push additional retirement savings. 

The new guidance addresses ESG investment considerations under investment policy statements and when choosing QDIAs.

"Based on our observations as managers of global fixed income portfolios, the integration of ESG factors and green bonds into the investment process can help investors reap opportunistic gains as well as defend returns,” Yvette Klevan with Lazard Asset Management says.

Turning to opportunistic allocations and alternative investments, they expect average returns of 7.2% this year, Natixis found in a survey.

TD Ameritrade Announces Alternative Solution for Portfolio Management; American Century Releases First ETFs; Putnam Reveals Two ESG Fund Offerings; and more.

Only 39% of institutional investors surveyed by Callan that do not include ESG factors in investment decision-making said the value proposition for ESG remains unclear, down from 63% in 2016.