Although in theory the environment (pardon the) for sustainable/ethical/responsible funds improved significantly last year, the performance of many did not. Excluding oil/mining/guns/fags all hampered their performance in the aftermath of Ukraine. Last year, however, it was those at the pescatarian end of our rating system which put in the best performance. These included the Magnificent 7 tech stocks, which are the future whatever you might think of them, and so have a place in many a sustainable portfolio, especially those using index trackers. They were the biggest gainers in world stock markets generally. More actively managed funds worried that they might be over exposed to the 7, and those at the ‘vegan’ end of the scale, the ‘positive impact’ portfolios, often limit inclusion for other reasons. They will also tend to include many smaller companies doing good things, whose share prices have been kept low by higher interest rates. So, a mixed bag. Which is fine if you’re investing in the right funds for the right reasons.
“Cash ISA allowance could be cut this month”
Our mantra has long been ’straightforward advice that you can understand’. That can mean trying to simplify the many complex products and options with which the world of finance tries to befuddle its target audience.
