Altius AM launches Sustainable Bond Fund
Boutique fund manager, Altius Asset Management has launched a new product - the Altius Sustainable Bond fund.
Announcing the launch this week, the company described the product as being "a diversified Australian fixed interest portfolio designed to align with investors' personal and social values without compromising investment returns over the long term".
Commenting on the product, Altius chief investment officer, Bill Bovingdon said he believed every well-diversified investment portfolio should include an exposure to bonds but investors seeking responsible investment choices in fixed income have had few options available to them.
"Unfortunately there are limited investment options available to investors looking for fixed interest investments managed with regard to environmental, social and corporate governance principles. As a result, fixed income may have been left out of their investment portfolios, which has restricted diversification and performance," he said.
Explaining the product, Bovingdon said bonds would automatically be excluded from the fund's investment universe if the primary business activity of the issuer was clearly at odds with the fund's ESG principles. This includes activities such as production of armaments, uranium and tobacco.
"The remaining investment universe is screened in line with the Altius Sustainability Policy, with companies in the universe given a sustainability rating which is incorporated into the portfolio construction process," he said.
Recommended for you
Sharing his reasoning in joining the FSC board, WT Financial chief executive, Keith Cullen, believes “product and advice cannot be separated” from each other in the current environment.
The Emerge Foundation, a charity run by financial advisers and fund managers, has announced a scholarship program to help veterans transition into tertiary education.
In an open letter, Sequoia chief executive Garry Crole has hit out against shareholders “with a personal axe to grind” as he fights for his job ahead of an EGM.
The JAWG has announced it is in talks with Treasury around five “core principles” to strengthen the education standards for new entrants to the financial advice space.