JP Morgan Asset Management has launched Australia’s first liquid alternative sustainable fund making its’ Global Macro Sustainable Fund available to retail investors from 1 February, following its European launch in August 2019.
The new fund is run by the same investment team behind the company’s Global Macro Opportunities Fund, with the group focusing on using a sustainable approach to reflect its global macro views through a portfolio of long and short exposures across equity, fixed income, currency and volatility.
As with the company’s other macro funds, the team behind the JP Morgan Global Macro Sustainable Fund integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk analysis into its investment decisions.
The Global Macro Sustainable Fund also excludes industries and sectors such as controversial weapons, tobacco and fossil fuels.
JP Morgan Asset Management head of Australia funds David Hallifax said: “We’re delighted to be extending our established macro franchise by offering the first liquid alternatives sustainable fund for Australian investors. Client demand for sustainable investing continues to grow in Australia and we have identified a gap in the current offerings available to investors.
“This fund stands out as a liquid alternatives portfolio that reflects the shared values of our clients through a three-step approach, combining ESG integration in the research process with systematic exclusions and positive sustainable positioning.
“As the macro landscape continues to evolve, our macro strategies investment team have demonstrated, time and again, their expertise in dynamically shifting exposures to pursue positive returns in varying market environments.
“In light of the increased volatility this year, it’s arguably more important than ever for investors to have exposure to flexible strategies and we’re excited to be able to offer such a well-considered and timely investment opportunity to our clients.”
In 2019, Magellan Financial Group key account manager Emma Kirk said taking ESG issues into account when making an investment decision could significantly increase the chances of protecting capital.
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