ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs and ETPs ecosystem, reports assets invested in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ETFs and ETPs listed globally reached a record of US$280 billion at the end of May 2021. ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$6.54 billion during May, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$73.95 billion which is much higher than the US$26.42 billion gathered at this point last year. Total assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs increased by 4.1% from US$269 billion at the end of April 2021 to US$280 billion, according to ETFGI’s May 2021 ETF and ETP ESG industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of an annual paid-for research subscription service. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)
Highlights
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Assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally reached a record of $280 Bn at the end of May.
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Record YTD net inflows of $73.95 Bn beating the prior record of $26.42 Bn gathered YTD in 2020.
“The S&P 500 gained 0.7% in May and 12.62% YTD, with positive figures for four consecutive months. Developed markets ex-U.S. gained 3.11% in May. Austria 8.29% and Luxembourg 8.12% were the leaders for the month while New Zealand lost the most at 3.92%. Emerging markets were up 2.58% at the end of May. Hungary (up 15.54%) and Poland (up 13.98%) were the leaders, whilst Egypt (down 3.86%), Chile (down 3.64%), and Malaysia (down 2.79%) were down the most.” According to Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI.
The Global ESG ETF/ETP had 620 ETFs/ETPs, with 1,834 listings, assets of US$280 Bn, from 139 providers on 37 exchanges in 30 countries. Following net inflows of $6.54 Bn and market moves during the month, assets invested in ESG ETFs/ETPs listed globally increased by 4.1% from $269 Bn at the end of April 2021 to $280 Bn at the end of
May 2021.
Global ESG ETF and ETP asset growth as at end of May 2021
Since the launch of the first ESG ETF/ETP in 2002, the iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF, the number and diversity of products have increased steadily, with 620 ESG ETFs/ETPs and 1,834 listings globally at the end of May 2021.
During May, 18 new ESG ETFs/ETPs were launched.
Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs/ETPs by net new assets, which collectively gathered
$4.03 Bn in May. iShares Trust iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU US) gathered $417 Mn he largest net inflows.
Top 20 ESG ETFs/ETPs by net new assets May 2021
|
Name |
Ticker |
Assets (US$ Mn) May-21 |
NNA (US$ Mn) YTD-21 |
NNA (US$ Mn) May-21 |
|
iShares Trust iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF |
ESGU US |
17,363.46 |
2,283.56 |
417.28 |
|
iShares MSCI USA ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF - Acc |
EDMU GY |
2,683.17 |
1,157.93 |
362.63 |
|
BMO MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index ETF |
ESGY CN |
689.00 |
635.05 |
323.95 |
|
Quadratic Interest Rate Volatility and Inflation ETF |
IVOL US |
3,239.67 |
2,242.77 |
295.64 |
|
iShares ESG MSCI EAFE ETF |
ESGD US |
5,842.26 |
1,352.77 |
254.12 |
|
Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF |
ESGV US |
4,471.20 |
1,117.98 |
236.15 |
|
iShares MSCI USA SRI UCITS ETF - Acc |
SUAS LN |
6,996.54 |
1,471.66 |
235.87 |
|
iShares MSCI USA ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF |
EEDS LN |
910.16 |
568.09 |
225.55 |
|
iShares MSCI Europe ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF - Acc |
EDM6 GY |
497.88 |
252.96 |
193.32 |
|
iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF |
SUSB US |
940.18 |
425.97 |
179.80 |
|
JPMorgan US Research Enhanced Index Equity UCITS ETF - Acc |
JREU LN |
331.14 |
136.89 |
172.56 |
|
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF |
ICLN US |
5,951.09 |
2,676.96 |
171.02 |
|
KraneShares Global Carbon ETF |
KRBN US |
379.58 |
331.20 |
144.36 |
|
iShares ESG MSCI EM ETF |
ESGE US |
7,538.01 |
1,010.74 |
138.91 |
|
iShares MSCI EM ESG Enhanced UCITS ETF |
EDM2 GY |
1,020.87 |
280.62 |
138.28 |
|
Fidelity Sustainable Global Corporate Bond Multifactor UCITS ETF - GBP Hdg Acc |
FSMP LN |
329.65 |
320.33 |
125.72 |
|
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF |
VSGX US |
2,237.58 |
491.86 |
107.56 |
|
Lyxor Net Zero 2050 S&P Eurozone Climate PAB (DR) UCITS ETF - Acc |
EPAB FP |
895.72 |
445.73 |
105.41 |
|
iShares MSCI USA SRI UCITS ETF USD - Acc |
3SUR GY |
406.03 |
116.33 |
101.69 |
|
iShares EUR Corp Bond 0-3yr ESG UCITS ETF |
SUSS LN |
2,295.28 |
1,061.18 |
98.62 |
Confusion persists around what constitutes an ESG fund. According to PRI, a UN-supported initiative which seeks to understand the investment implications of ESG issues, 56% of adopters believe there is a lack of clarity in ESG definitions. ETFGI’s classification system attempts to provide greater precision, with ETFs/ETPs listed globally organised into categories, including core ESG products and theme-based groups, such as Clean/Alternative Energies and Gender Diversity. Please contact deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com if you would like to discuss the cost to subscribe to any of ETFGI’s research or consulting services.
