Socially responsible investing with exchange traded funds (ETFs) is an idea that’s quickly gaining traction. iShares is seeking a way to further capitalize on the trend with its filing for a genocide-free fund.
Investors appetite for socially responsible funds may be satisfied with the advent of a genocide-free ETF. The fund would rely on a third-party index provider to help weed out companies around the world that are strongly connected with genocide, reports Svea Herbst-Bayliss for Reuters.
This ETF would join a lineup of other iShares ETFs that deal with socially-responsible investment themes. No other details about the fund’s portfolio were provided. (Other socially responsible ETFs). As people become more aware of human rights abuses around the worlds, funds that screen out such companies could gain traction.
Vanguard is working on an ETF offering overhaul and is currently screening its 157 funds to spot companies that may be involved in egregious patterns of human rights abuses that might warrant divestment.
A special interest group known as Investors Against Genocide has been pushing Vanguard and Fidelity Investments to exit positions in companies such as PetroChina Co, which has strong links to Sudan. (Read about other ETFs themes that are socially responsible).
For more stories about New ETFs, visit our socially responsible category.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.