Photo: Endowus

Endowus has launched Asia’s first digital multi-asset Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) portfolios for retail investors to gain access to better sustainable investing options.

The new offering comes on the back of Singapore’s Green Finance Hub aspirations, says the digital advisor in a March 17 statement.

The new globally-diversified ESG portfolios, according to Endowus, represent the best-in-class among ESG equity and fixed income options with lowered fees that were only previously available to institutional investors.

Fund managers of these funds include JP Morgan Asset Management, Natixis-Mirova, PIMCO, Schroders and UOB Asset Management-Robeco.

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Through the new ESG portfolios, Singapore retail investors now get to enjoy access to ESG, sustainable and climate funds that were historically expensive and out of reach. The portfolios also provide access to new SGD-denominated funds and lower-cost share classes for all investors.

In addition, according to figures released by Endowus Research, historical data shows that the Endowus ESG portfolios would have “significantly outperformed comparable non-ESG indexes over the last year”, showing that making a positive impact does not mean compromising returns.

SEE:Endowus launches cash management solution with high projected returns

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Chart: Endowus Research, Bloomberg

The results of an Endowus survey across some 1,100 participants in Singapore have revealed that the nation’s drive towards sustainable investing is aligned with investor sentiment, and that there is a strong and growing demand for more ESG investing options in the country.

“We are proud to be Asia’s first digital wealth advisor to launch multi-asset ESG offerings, empowering individual investors to secure a better financial future for themselves while also making a positive impact on society and the planet,” says Endowus’ chief investment officer, Samuel Rhee.

“We have implemented a robust due diligence process on the selection of funds and fund managers, so investors are provided with only the best ESG products. The resulting new ESG portfolios are a great example of the close partnership it takes, with top global fund managers, to bring an industry-leading offering to market,” Rhee adds.

“It is clear that the world is now turning its eye to investing in better outcomes for the planet and its people, but ESG investing is often seen as being too complex and unapproachable for the average investor. Investors can do their part for a better future for us all—and it doesn’t have to come at the expense of performance at all. Endowus aims to help investors cut through the noise to find the best-in-class ESG offerings, as we have done with our other CPF, SRS and cash investment solutions,” says Endowus’ CEO Gregory Van.