the sustainable, responsible and ethical investment information hub
Brief description of Style
Social themed funds focus on ‘people issues’ (such as employment and basic necessities of life). Social Themed fund managers focus significantly on societal benefits when analysing companies for investment.
SRI approach applied
Funds select or avoid investments according to criteria which relate primarily to social issues – such as employee relations, human rights, equal opportunities and benefits to local communities. Only investments that match published criteria will be allowable for investment.
SRI issues covered
‘People issues’ including employment and the provision of basic necessities such as housing, infrastructure, education, health services and other benefits to local (or other named) communities. Other issues may also be considered but are considered a lower priority than these issues and so may be less relevant to investment selection decisions.
Measuring positive impacts is a feature of some funds in this group.
See ‘Policies’ and ‘Approaches’ filters for further information.
Variation across Style segment
This SRI Style is fairly new and has very few funds at present.
Impact on investment strategy
Investment reflects the fund’s allowable universe and the assets types held by the fund.
Who is this Style most likely to appeal to?
Investors who are primarily interested in ‘people’ issues – as opposed to environmental or sustainability issues (which at not necessarily ignored – but are not the main driver of investment selection).
Associated Styles
There are elements of crossover between Social funds and Ethical funds – as well as many Sustainability funds.
Associated Jargon
‘Social impact’ – i.e. bringing specific, targeted (positive) benefits to communities or defined groups of people
A video recording of the 60 minute presentation M&G climate fund manager Randeep Somel, CFA and I gave earlier this week is now available on the M&G Wealth Platform (previously Ascentric). My main task was to introduce the impact investment fund spectrum – the similarities and differences between funds that focus on generating positive impacts as […]
A similar version of the following text was first published in our March 2022 newsletter. FCA Disclosures and labels (DLAG) – my involvement with the FCA, on their Disclosures and Labelling Advisory Group is proving both interesting and tough. We have had many meetings and the level of engagement has been impressive – but […]
A big thank you to our friends at Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts for publishing – and putting on the front cover – my latest piece on sustainable investment. You can download a pdf of the text here: 16-17 Purpose, Positioning and Priorities The text – as submitted – is below. Sent to Investment […]