Our Views

In the hundreds of company meetings and discussions we have each year, we highlight those companies that lead the way in sustainability. Additionally we will highlight relevant global trends, legislative changes or interesting articles we come across. You’ll also find our recent Investment Reports.

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Market Thoughts & Insights
Investment Reports

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Market Thoughts & Insights

LME’s commitment to Responsible Sourcing shows the link between business risk and ethical considerations

July 2, 2019

We were very encouraged to see that the London Metals Exchange (LME) had recently committed to introducing responsible sourcing requirements for its brands. This is quite ground breaking for an Exchange and as such we caught up with the LME while in London recently to understand more about this new initiative.

Matt Nacard
-
Chief Executive Officer
Investment Updates

May 2019 Investment Report

June 20, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 May, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $1.0175, APIR code EPF9951AU. During May 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 1.45% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 1.75%, underperforming the market by -0.30% (after fees). During the month the Fund benefitted from overweight positions in NIB Holdings, CSR Limited and Medibank and holding no position in Macquarie Group benefitted the relative performance of the Fund. Key detractors for the month included Link Group, Graincorp and Clydesdale Bank.

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Market Thoughts & Insights

TRANSPARENCY, UNDERSTANDING, ENGAGEMENT, INFLUENCE

May 20, 2019

Ethical Partners investment approach incorporates a formal sustainability assessment on a company by company basis (we call it the EPORA – The Ethical Partners Operational Risk Assessment).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

April 2019 Investment Report

May 20, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 1 May, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $1.0144, APIR code EPF9951AU. During April 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 3.38% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 2.46%, an outperformance of 0.92% (after fees). Over the last quarter the Fund has returned 9.44% (after fees) versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 9.41% performing broadly in line with a strongly rallying market. Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned 1.29% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 4.51%, an underperformance of -3.22% (after fees).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Market Thoughts & Insights

Market leading sector collaboration

April 16, 2019

The real estate sector is market leading when it comes to sustainability. All the major real estate players produce thorough and detailed sustainability reports. This compares to the Top 200 listed companies in Australia, of which just 57% produce an adequate sustainability report. Further significant steps for the sector to take are in the areas of human rights and supply chain. Ethical Partners is seeing significant progress at both an industry and individual company level. It is in the areas of human rights and supply chain where significant opportunities exist for the sector.

Matt Nacard
-
Chief Executive Officer
Investment Updates

March 2019 Investment Report

April 16, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 March, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9702, APIR code EPF9951AU. During March 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -1.34% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 0.73%, an underperformance of -2.07% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -2.03% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 2.00%, an underperformance of -4.03% (after fees).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

February 2019 Investment Report

March 19, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 28 February, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9834, APIR code EPF9951AU. During February 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 7.30% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 6.01%, an outperformance of 1.29% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -0.69% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 1.26%, an underperformance of -1.95% (after fees)

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

January 2019 Investment Report

February 22, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 Jan, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9165, APIR code EPF9951AU. During January the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 1.46% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 3.87%, an underperformance of -2.41% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -7.45% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -4.48%, an underperformance of -2.97% (after fees).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

December 2018 Investment Report

January 18, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 Dec, 2018. Unit price, Investor Class (cum) $0.9089, APIR code EPF9951AU. During December the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -2.47% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -0.23%, an underperformance of -2.24% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -8.78% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -8.04%, an underperformance of -0.74% (after fees).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

November 2018 Investment Report

December 17, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 30 Nov, 2018. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9319, APIR code EPF9951AU. During November the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -2.82% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -2.18%, an underperformance of -0.64% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -6.47% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -7.83%, an outperformance of 1.36% (after fees).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Market Thoughts & Insights

Buy Now, but Who Pays Later?

November 30, 2018

We are currently assessing the role of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) operators in the economy and how that may affect our portfolio (we don’t own any BNPL operators but own several retailers). The significant role they are now playing as a medium for which retailers are interacting with a growing consumer base cannot be ignored.

Andrew Wilson
-
Senior Analyst / Dealer
Investment Updates

October 2018 Investment Report

November 14, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund Investor Class: Unit price 31 October $0.9589. During October the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -5.84% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -6.16%, an out performance of 0.32% (after fees). This was one of the worst monthly Australian equity market performances over the last twenty years with around two thirds of stocks in the ASX300, by number,under performing the benchmark.

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

September 2018 Investment Report

October 18, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund Investor Class: Unit price 30 Sept $1.0184. During September the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -1.7% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -1.2%, an underperformance of -0.5% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned 2.2%versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 0.4%, an outperformance of 1.8%(after fees).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Investment Updates

August 2018 Investment Report

September 21, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund Investor Class: Unit price 31 August $1.0356. Welcome to the inaugural Ethical Partners investment report. The Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund opened in August after we had completed our due diligence on potential company holdings. We made the initial investment with our own capital. Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned 3.9% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 1.6%, an outperformance of 2.3% (after fees). APIR Code EPF9951AU

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Market Thoughts & Insights

Signing up to the Accord

August 13, 2018

The $19bn garment industry in Bangladesh is unfortunately well known for the appalling conditions for its workers. The Rana Plaza Factory which collapsed in 2013, taking with it the lives of more than 1,100 garment workers was unfortunately only one of many disasters that have occurred.

Robyn Parkin
-
Sustainability Research & Advocacy
Market Thoughts & Insights

Macquarie’s commitment to clean energy

August 12, 2018

Over the year to 31 March 2018 Macquarie (ASX:MQG) invested in and arranged over A$9.5 billion in renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology, with over 12,546MW of diversified renewable energy assets in operation or under its management.

Matt Nacard
-
Chief Executive Officer
Market Thoughts & Insights

Vicinity Centres leads the way with solar power

August 10, 2018

Vicinity Centres (ASX:VCX) is in the process of becoming the largest investor in solar power of any shopping centre group in Australia.

Matt Nacard
-
Chief Executive Officer
Market Thoughts & Insights

Our Process: Why we won’t invest in the most corrupt countries

August 9, 2018

In the Ethical Partners Operational Risk Assessment which is used for the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund, we exclude companies that have significant operations in countries that are in the bottom third of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (TICPI).

Nathan Parkin
-
Investment Director
Market Thoughts & Insights

Only four out of ten companies even mention supply chain or human rights in their reporting

August 8, 2018

Earlier this year Ethical Partners Investment Director Nathan Parkin spoke at the Elevate Modern Slavery Conference, which included industry, government, NGO and academic speakers and delegates. Nathan spoke on the importance of the investor voice in addressing the Modern Slavery Issue and about the research Ethical Partners has conducted into the supply chain and human rights disclosures of the top 220 companies listed on the ASX.

Robyn Parkin
-
Sustainability Research & Advocacy
Market Thoughts & Insights

Lend Lease continues focus on sustainability

August 7, 2018

Lend Lease (ASX:LLC) continues to be one of the more responsible and sustainable property developers and construction managers in Australia. It has set 20% reduction targets (by 2020 from a FY14 base line) for water, waste and energy reduction.

Matt Nacard
-
Chief Executive Officer
Market Thoughts & Insights

Modern Slavery Bill passed in NSW; introduced into Federal Parliament

August 6, 2018

On 21st June this year, Ethical Partners was present in the Upper House of the NSW Parliament to watch the passage of the Modern Slavery Bill, Australia’s first legislation on Modern Slavery.

Robyn Parkin
-
Sustainability Research & Advocacy
Market Thoughts & Insights

Sustainable employment and training in Cambodia

August 5, 2018

Ethical Partners had the immense pleasure of meeting with James Bartle, the CEO and founder of Outland Denim earlier this year. Outland Denim is a amazing company that not only makes premium jeans but also provides sustainable employment and training opportunities to women in Cambodia, pays a living wage, and is committed to sourcing the most ethically and environmentally sound raw materials from the pocket linings to the zippers, dyes, leather patches and recycled packaging.

Robyn Parkin
-
Sustainability Research & Advocacy

Market Thoughts & Insights

Market Thoughts & Insights

LME’s commitment to Responsible Sourcing shows the link between business risk and ethical considerations

July 2, 2019

We were very encouraged to see that the London Metals Exchange (LME) had recently committed to introducing responsible sourcing requirements for its brands. This is quite ground breaking for an Exchange and as such we caught up with the LME while in London recently to understand more about this new initiative.

Market Thoughts & Insights

TRANSPARENCY, UNDERSTANDING, ENGAGEMENT, INFLUENCE

May 20, 2019

Ethical Partners investment approach incorporates a formal sustainability assessment on a company by company basis (we call it the EPORA – The Ethical Partners Operational Risk Assessment).

Market Thoughts & Insights

Market leading sector collaboration

April 16, 2019

The real estate sector is market leading when it comes to sustainability. All the major real estate players produce thorough and detailed sustainability reports. This compares to the Top 200 listed companies in Australia, of which just 57% produce an adequate sustainability report. Further significant steps for the sector to take are in the areas of human rights and supply chain. Ethical Partners is seeing significant progress at both an industry and individual company level. It is in the areas of human rights and supply chain where significant opportunities exist for the sector.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Buy Now, but Who Pays Later?

November 30, 2018

We are currently assessing the role of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) operators in the economy and how that may affect our portfolio (we don’t own any BNPL operators but own several retailers). The significant role they are now playing as a medium for which retailers are interacting with a growing consumer base cannot be ignored.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Signing up to the Accord

August 13, 2018

The $19bn garment industry in Bangladesh is unfortunately well known for the appalling conditions for its workers. The Rana Plaza Factory which collapsed in 2013, taking with it the lives of more than 1,100 garment workers was unfortunately only one of many disasters that have occurred.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Macquarie’s commitment to clean energy

August 12, 2018

Over the year to 31 March 2018 Macquarie (ASX:MQG) invested in and arranged over A$9.5 billion in renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology, with over 12,546MW of diversified renewable energy assets in operation or under its management.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Vicinity Centres leads the way with solar power

August 10, 2018

Vicinity Centres (ASX:VCX) is in the process of becoming the largest investor in solar power of any shopping centre group in Australia.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Our Process: Why we won’t invest in the most corrupt countries

August 9, 2018

In the Ethical Partners Operational Risk Assessment which is used for the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund, we exclude companies that have significant operations in countries that are in the bottom third of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (TICPI).

Market Thoughts & Insights

Only four out of ten companies even mention supply chain or human rights in their reporting

August 8, 2018

Earlier this year Ethical Partners Investment Director Nathan Parkin spoke at the Elevate Modern Slavery Conference, which included industry, government, NGO and academic speakers and delegates. Nathan spoke on the importance of the investor voice in addressing the Modern Slavery Issue and about the research Ethical Partners has conducted into the supply chain and human rights disclosures of the top 220 companies listed on the ASX.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Lend Lease continues focus on sustainability

August 7, 2018

Lend Lease (ASX:LLC) continues to be one of the more responsible and sustainable property developers and construction managers in Australia. It has set 20% reduction targets (by 2020 from a FY14 base line) for water, waste and energy reduction.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Modern Slavery Bill passed in NSW; introduced into Federal Parliament

August 6, 2018

On 21st June this year, Ethical Partners was present in the Upper House of the NSW Parliament to watch the passage of the Modern Slavery Bill, Australia’s first legislation on Modern Slavery.

Market Thoughts & Insights

Sustainable employment and training in Cambodia

August 5, 2018

Ethical Partners had the immense pleasure of meeting with James Bartle, the CEO and founder of Outland Denim earlier this year. Outland Denim is a amazing company that not only makes premium jeans but also provides sustainable employment and training opportunities to women in Cambodia, pays a living wage, and is committed to sourcing the most ethically and environmentally sound raw materials from the pocket linings to the zippers, dyes, leather patches and recycled packaging.

Investment Updates

Investment Updates

May 2019 Investment Report

June 20, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 May, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $1.0175, APIR code EPF9951AU. During May 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 1.45% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 1.75%, underperforming the market by -0.30% (after fees). During the month the Fund benefitted from overweight positions in NIB Holdings, CSR Limited and Medibank and holding no position in Macquarie Group benefitted the relative performance of the Fund. Key detractors for the month included Link Group, Graincorp and Clydesdale Bank.

Investment Updates

April 2019 Investment Report

May 20, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 1 May, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $1.0144, APIR code EPF9951AU. During April 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 3.38% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 2.46%, an outperformance of 0.92% (after fees). Over the last quarter the Fund has returned 9.44% (after fees) versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 9.41% performing broadly in line with a strongly rallying market. Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned 1.29% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 4.51%, an underperformance of -3.22% (after fees).

Investment Updates

March 2019 Investment Report

April 16, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 March, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9702, APIR code EPF9951AU. During March 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -1.34% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 0.73%, an underperformance of -2.07% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -2.03% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 2.00%, an underperformance of -4.03% (after fees).

Investment Updates

February 2019 Investment Report

March 19, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 28 February, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9834, APIR code EPF9951AU. During February 2019 the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 7.30% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 6.01%, an outperformance of 1.29% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -0.69% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 1.26%, an underperformance of -1.95% (after fees)

Investment Updates

January 2019 Investment Report

February 22, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 Jan, 2019. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9165, APIR code EPF9951AU. During January the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned 1.46% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 3.87%, an underperformance of -2.41% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -7.45% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -4.48%, an underperformance of -2.97% (after fees).

Investment Updates

December 2018 Investment Report

January 18, 2019

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 31 Dec, 2018. Unit price, Investor Class (cum) $0.9089, APIR code EPF9951AU. During December the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -2.47% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -0.23%, an underperformance of -2.24% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -8.78% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -8.04%, an underperformance of -0.74% (after fees).

Investment Updates

November 2018 Investment Report

December 17, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund - As at 30 Nov, 2018. Unit price, Investor Class $0.9319, APIR code EPF9951AU. During November the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -2.82% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -2.18%, an underperformance of -0.64% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned -6.47% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -7.83%, an outperformance of 1.36% (after fees).

Investment Updates

October 2018 Investment Report

November 14, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund Investor Class: Unit price 31 October $0.9589. During October the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -5.84% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -6.16%, an out performance of 0.32% (after fees). This was one of the worst monthly Australian equity market performances over the last twenty years with around two thirds of stocks in the ASX300, by number,under performing the benchmark.

Investment Updates

September 2018 Investment Report

October 18, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund Investor Class: Unit price 30 Sept $1.0184. During September the Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund returned -1.7% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of -1.2%, an underperformance of -0.5% (after fees). Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned 2.2%versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 0.4%, an outperformance of 1.8%(after fees).

Investment Updates

August 2018 Investment Report

September 21, 2018

Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund Investor Class: Unit price 31 August $1.0356. Welcome to the inaugural Ethical Partners investment report. The Ethical Partners Australian Share Fund opened in August after we had completed our due diligence on potential company holdings. We made the initial investment with our own capital. Since inception on 9 August 2018 the Fund has returned 3.9% versus the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index of 1.6%, an outperformance of 2.3% (after fees). APIR Code EPF9951AU

Ethical Partners Management Services ACN 623 503 720 as Corporate Authorised Representative of Ethical Partners Funds Management Pty Ltd ACN 623 475 454; AFSL 504749

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130 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Telephone: 02 8999 1228
Email:
investors@ethicalpartners.com.au
www.ethicalpartners.com.au
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