Comparison tool gives board diversity insight
Selfwealth clients may get the chance to assess the effect of board diversity on a stock's returns after the company partnered with Infinitas Asset Management.
Infinitas Women's Investment Portfolio has been added to Selfwealth's online comparison tool, which allows peer and market comparisons.
The portfolio favours stocks that demonstrate diversity at board and senior management levels, and is also focused on sustainable income and avoiding speculative risk.
The fund is backed by the Victorian Women's Trust, with revenue raised directed to charity.
The current rate of progress on achieving board diversity on ASX200 companies is slow, according to the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) audit released earlier this month.
ACSI's benchmark of two female board members per ASX200 company would not be realised until 2024 at the current rate of progress, it said.
IT's audit revealed only 24 female directors were appointed in 2012, increasing the overall figures to 15.5 per cent or 230 positions (164 individuals).
Selfwealth managing director Andrew Ward said Selfwealth's subscribers had been predominantly male — at over 80 per cent — when the tool was launched. However female subscribers had now grown to approximately 40 per cent of the total.
The partnership will also pull Infinitas' Socially Responsible Portfolio onto Selfwealth's comparison platform, with revenue directed to Rainforest Rescue.
"The two portfolios complement our other professionals perfectly, and we look forward to our community of subscribers benefitting from this diversification in investment styles," Ward said.
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