Suncorp strengthens investment research

Suncorp Investment Management (SIM) has entered an agreement giving it access to the services of sustainability research specialists Corporate Monitor to further improve stock selection for its Ethical Balanced Trust (EBT).

Corporate Monitor examines the environmental, socially responsible and corporate governance capabilities of domestic companies listed on the Australian stock exchange.

SIM head of Australian equities Denis Donohue said the deal would enhance SIM’s internal screening processes already in place and make reviews of the firm’s EBT holdings more robust.

Corporate Monitor executive director Michael Walsh said: “The appointment provides us with the opportunity to work with a well-established investment team and fund that has a range of negative and positive ethical screens.

“This is the type of fund that will keep ethical investors sleeping easily at night and which has the potential to influence corporate Australia’s ongoing journey towards environmental and social sustainability,” he added.

The EBT has been in existence for 10 years, with the Australian equities component delivering a return of 38.9 per cent to its investors over the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P ASX 200 Accumulation Index by 7.3 per cent.

“SIM is very proud of the EBT’s returns over the last decade. The trust has produced excellent returns and we continue to secure the best results for our customers by building an investment portfolio made up of fundamentally sound, ethically suitable investments,” Donohue said.