AMP Capital completes $440m tobacco divestment


In a move that seems timely given the recent campaigns against tobacco investment held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, to which First State Super’s Michael Dwyer took the stage, AMP Capital has completed its near half a billion dollar divestment from tobacco securities that began in March last year.
In addition to the divestment, which is something that would have Tobacco Free Portfolios founder, Bronwyn King, clapping from the sidelines, AMP Capital also became a founding signatory of the Tobacco-Free Finance Pledge launched at the General Assembly.
AMP Capital’s CEO, Adam Tindall, said as a global investment manager, the fund manager firmly believed in responsible investment and company engagement to drive meaningful change.
“…However in the case of tobacco no level of engagement can resolve the inherent dangers involved with their products,” he said.
The fund manager has also completed its $130 million divestment from manufacturers of cluster munitions, landmines, chemical and biological weapons.
Recommended for you
Australian fund managers are actively seeking to launch Cayman versions of their funds to attract offshore flows, with Regal Partners set to launch its latest offering this month.
As private markets gain traction in Australia but only a limited pool of talent is available, three recruiters explore whether fund managers should consider looking overseas to find top talent.
With an explosion of private credit managers appearing in the market, two alternatives experts believe a consolidation is needed to maintain the quality of the sector.
Bentham Asset Management has become the latest fund manager to expand its distribution team as it reports increased interest in its credit strategies.