Editorial by Team Global Equities / Absolute Return Multi Asset
For the third time now, Forum Nachhaltige Geldanlagen (FNG) has awarded a number of MainFirst mutual funds with the FNG Label, the quality standard for sustainable investment funds in German-speaking countries. Six investment funds meet the FNG standards in the areas of Institutional Credibility, Product Standards, Selection Strategy and Dialogue Strategies. MainFirst Absolute Return Multi Asset, MainFirst Germany Fund; MainFirst Global Equities Fund; MainFirst Global Equities Unconstrained Fund and MainFirst Top European Ideas Fund have been awarded two stars for their quality, and MainFirst Megatrends Asia one star.
Sustainability is one of MainFirst’s key concerns
“Overall, we are very happy with the result and are pleased to receive this validation of our work on sustainability. We will continue to work on our approach in the future both to meet the sustainability requirements and to be able to offer our clients sustainable investment options.”
Johannes Schweinebraden, Portfolio Manager
The FNG Label – the quality standard for sustainable financial investments
Sustainable investments are becoming increasingly more important, with the range of funds available skyrocketing. In the first three quarters of 2022, ESG funds saw inflows of USD 140 billion compared with outflows of USD 189 billion in the broad equity market (Morningstar). But investors are having trouble gaining an overview and identifying trustworthy investment products. Independent ESG labels give investors clarity and thus act as a compass when they are choosing sustainable investment solutions.
With more than 200 members, FNG (Forum Nachhaltige Geldanlagen) has been the professional association for sustainable investments since 2001 in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
The holistic methodology of the FNG Label is based on a minimum standard. This includes transparency criteria and the consideration of labour & human rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption as summarised in the globally recognised UN Global Compact. All holdings in the respective fund must also be fully analysed for sustainability criteria. Investments in nuclear power, coal mining, large-scale coal-fired power generation, fracking, oil sands, and weapons & armaments are excluded.
The FNG Label goes far beyond a pure portfolio view and is therefore holistic and meaningful. Elements such as reporting, the fund company itself, an external sustainability committee and issues relating to good governance play an important role. The sustainability certification must be renewed annually.
The FNG Label
- Ensures holistic quality
- Ensures minimum standards
- Involves external, independent inspections
- Provides guidance in the search for credible sustainable investments
- Encourages the spread and development of solid, sustainable investment approaches
- Widens the channels of distribution for fund providers
The advantages of the FNG Label for investors
- Guarantees that the financial investment is sustainable
- Feel-good factor: no investment in excluded business segments and practices.
- Experience-based quality control of the financial investment, certified by an independent third party, and externally monitored in addition
- Objective external evaluation vs. information from the fund provider
- Comparability and lower information cost
The FNG Sustainability Profile
The FNG Sustainability Profile summarises the sustainability criteria used and further key fund data and serves as a guide when selecting sustainable mutual funds. The FNG Sustainability Profile is based on the FNG Matrix – a database for information all about sustainable mutual funds. Here is an overview of the FNG Sustainability Profiles of the MainFirst funds:
Legal notices
This marketing communication is for information purposes only. It may not be passed on to persons in countries where the fund is not authorized for distribution, in particular in the USA or to US persons. The information does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities or financial instruments and does not replace investor- and product-related advice. It does not take into account the individual investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of the recipient. Before making an investment decision, the valid sales documents (prospectus, key information documents/PRIIPs-KIDs, semi-annual and annual reports) must be read carefully. These documents are available in German and as non-official translations from ETHENEA Independent Investors S.A., the custodian, the national paying or information agents, and at www.ethenea.com. The most important technical terms can be found in the glossary at www.ethenea.com/glossary/. Detailed information on opportunities and risks relating to our products can be found in the currently valid prospectus. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Prices, values, and returns may rise or fall and can lead to a total loss of the capital invested. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to additional currency risks. No binding commitments or guarantees for future results can be derived from the information provided. Assumptions and content may change without prior notice. The composition of the portfolio may change at any time. This document does not constitute a complete risk disclosure. The distribution of the product may result in remuneration to the management company, affiliated companies, or distribution partners. The information on remuneration and costs in the current prospectus is decisive. A list of national paying and information agents, a summary of investor rights, and information on the risks of incorrect net asset value calculation can be found at www.ethenea.com/legal-notices/. In the event of an incorrect NAV calculation, compensation will be provided in accordance with CSSF Circular 24/856; for shares subscribed through financial intermediaries, compensation may be limited. Information for investors in Switzerland: The home country of the collective investment scheme is Luxembourg. The representative in Switzerland is IPConcept (Suisse) AG, Bellerivestrasse 36, CH-8008 Zurich. The paying agent in Switzerland is DZ PRIVATBANK (Suisse) AG, Bellerivestrasse 36, CH-8008 Zurich. Prospectus, key information documents (PRIIPs-KIDs), articles of association, and the annual and semi-annual reports can be obtained free of charge from the representative.
Information for investors in Belgium: The prospectus, key information documents (PRIIPs-KIDs), annual reports, and semi-annual reports of the sub-fund are available free of charge in German upon request from ETHENEA Independent Investors S.A., 16, rue Gabriel Lippmann, 5365 Munsbach, Luxembourg, and from the representative: DZ PRIVATBANK S.A., 4, rue Thomas Edison, L-1445 Strassen, Luxembourg. Despite the greatest care, no guarantee is given for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. Only the original German documents are legally binding; translations are for information purposes only. The use of digital advertising formats is at your own risk; the management company assumes no liability for technical malfunctions or data protection breaches by external information providers. The use is only permitted in countries where this is legally allowed. All content is protected by copyright. Any reproduction, distribution, or publication, in whole or in part, is only permitted with the prior written consent of the management company.
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