We’re excited to announce that we’ve added eight new funds to Sharesies—including two new thematic funds, and five more ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) funds. All of these funds are managed by BlackRock, the biggest fund manager in the world!
Thematic funds
Thematic funds are funds that invest in companies related to a common theme (like robots, or water!). They’ve been around overseas for a few years now, so it’s really exciting that they’re starting to become available in New Zealand.
Smartshares Global Automation & Robotics Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term investing, globally
Dividend: No
The Automation & Robotics Fund is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that invests in over 100 companies working in the area of automation and robotics. It invests in companies in both developed and emerging markets, including the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, United Kingdom and more.
With a focus on automation and robotics, the fund is most heavily invested in IT, as well as industrial automation, communications and healthcare. The fund invests through the iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the iSTOXX FactSet Automation and Robotics Index.
Smartshares Global Healthcare Innovation Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term investing, globally
Dividend: No
The Healthcare Innovation Fund is an ETF that invests in over 70 companies focused on innovating in healthcare services. It invests in companies in both developed and emerging markets, including the USA, South Korea, Japan, Germany, India and more.
The fund invests through the iShares Healthcare Innovation UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the iSTOXX FactSet Breakthrough Healthcare Index.
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) Funds
In October 2017, we added the first lot of ESG funds to Sharesies, and added a few more in March 2019. Since then, we’ve received a growing number of requests from you for more funds with an ESG focus! Now, we’re taking the total number of ESG funds to ten!
These five new funds provide an opportunity to invest in companies from all around the world, with an ESG focus. Applying an ESG investment strategy means these funds screen out investment into thermal coal, oil sands, controversial and nuclear weapons, civilian firearms, tobacco, and more. They also exclude companies that violate the principles of the UN Global Compact.
Smartshares Global Responsible Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term, responsible investing globally
Dividend: No
The Global Responsible Fund invests in over 1,500 companies, from over 20 developed countries across the world. Over 50% of this fund is invested in the USA; it also invests in Japan, U.K, France, Canada and more. The fund covers a large range of sectors including IT, finance, communications and healthcare. It invests through the iShares MSCI World ESG Screened UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the MSCI World ESG Screened Index.
Smartshares Emerging Markets Responsible Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term, responsible investing in emerging markets
Dividend: No
The Emerging Markets Responsible Fund invests in over 2,500 small, mid, and large-cap companies from emerging markets such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Brazil, South Africa and more. It covers a range of different sectors including finance, IT, communications, materials and energy. It invests through the iShares MSCI World ESG Screened UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the MSCI EM IMI ESG Screened Index.
Smartshares Japan Responsible Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term, responsible investing in Japan
Dividend: No
The Japan Responsible Fund invests in over 300 Japanese companies, covering a range of sectors including industrial, finance, IT, healthcare and more. As at June 2019 it allows you to invest in companies including Toyota, Sony and Softbank. It invests through the iShares MSCI Japan ESG Screened UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the MSCI Japan ESG Screened Index.
Smartshares Europe Responsible Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term, responsible investing in Europe
Dividend: No
The Europe Responsible Fund invests in over 400 companies across Europe, including the U.K, France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and more. It covers a broad range of sectors including finance, industrial, healthcare, IT, energy and more. It invests through the iShares MSCI Europe ESG Screened UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the MSCI Europe ESG Screened Index.
Smartshares US Responsible Fund
Who’s it for?: Interested in long-term, responsible investing in the US
Dividend: No
The US Responsible Fund invests in over 550 companies across IT, healthcare, finance, communication, energy and more. In May 2019 this funds allows you access to companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson and more. It invests through the iShares MSCI USA ESG Screened UCITS ETF, which is designed to track the MSCI USA ESG Screened Index.
We’ve also added another bond fund...
Smartshares Global Aggregate Bond Fund
Who’s it for?: Looking for consistent, less volatile returns
Dividend: Yes
The Global Aggregate Bond Fund invests in over 3,400 government and corporate bonds across the US, Japan, France, U.K, Germany and more. Bonds are loans typically made by investors to governments or corporations. They usually pay a fixed rate of interest with capital being returned at the maturity of the loan.
The fund is hedged against the NZ dollar, which helps manage the risk of currency movement. It invests through iShares Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF NZD Hedged ETF, which is designed to track the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (in NZD).
For more info, email [email protected]