Brussels-based asset manager Candriam Investors Group is to expand its socially responsible investment (SRI) strategy later in the year.
Reporting net inflows of €2.8 billion for SRI products in the first half of the year today, the firm said the new strategy would focus on high yield.
The firm said the launch forms part of its 20-year commitment to being an SRI “pioneer”.
Naïm Abou-Jaoudé, chief executive of Candriam Investors Group, said: “Both as an investor and responsible company, we believe that only inclusive growth is sustainable. Therefore we consistently advocate a focus on ESG [environmental, social, governance] aspects, which should be a primary responsibility of the asset management industry.”
Over a quarter of Candriam’s total assets under management (AuM) is in SRI screening processes.
The company posted half-year results showing overall AuM rose by €6.1 billion in the first half, to €108 billion. Total net inflows were €4.5 billion.
As well as SRI, AUM growth was driven by winning landmark bids from pension funds and by increasing its distribution foothold in Europe and internationally.
The highest inflows were into its European equities and asset allocation strategies. Other top-selling strategies included emerging markets bonds and equities.
©2017 funds europe
