Our approach and offering

At AXA Investment Managers we maintain a three-tiered approach to RI and impact investing.

At AXA IM, we integrate sustainability risks within the research and investment process for all assets[1]. Our approach to sustainability risks is derived from the deep integration of ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria into that process. Our framework relies notably on:

Sectorial and normative exclusions policies

These aim to systematically address the most severe sustainability risks into the investment decision-making process.

Proprietary ESG scoring methodologies

The use of ESG scores in the investment process enables us to focus on assets with an overall better ESG performance and therefore likely lower sustainability risks.

Read more about our ESG scoring methodologies

Stewardship

We seek to protect client investments by raising issues of concern that may have a material impact on investor value over the longer term. Our dialogue with companies and Sovereigns aims to reduce investment risk, enhance returns and drive positive impacts for society and the environment.

This framework pushes us to consider how sustainability impacts on the development, performance or position of a company, and how it might have tangible effects on financial value in a broad sense (financial materiality). It also helps us to assess the external impacts of an asset’s activities on ESG factors (ESG materiality).

We aim to leverage this framework to deliver sustainable long-term outcomes for our clients through a comprehensive range of strategies which have a stronger focus on sustainability. We split our offering into two parts.

ESG Integrated

These strategies use data and research, exclusions and proactive stewardship to help build ESG into the investment process, and promote environmental and social characteristics in our approach. As part of this we may exclude issuers with the lowest ESG scores as well as those which do not follow what we consider good governance practices. We believe that this level of ESG integration can potentially reduce risk to help us achieve better risk-adjusted returns.

We consider strategies classed as ESG Integrated to meet the requirements of Article 8 of the SFDR regulation. 

Within this group, strategies in the ESG Integrated+ category go a step further by targeting an ESG score higher than that of the benchmark or universe.

ACT range

The ACT range is our most focused ESG offering. Strategies in this category are designed to help clients target specific sustainability goals around issues such as climate change and inequality while continuing to adopt the reinforced approach to sustainability risks and good governance practices as described above. Alongside financial returns, these strategies target positive outcomes related to ESG criteria and/or to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Investment decisions are guided by both the financial and impact goals.

We consider strategies in the ACT range to meet the requirements of Article 9 of the SFDR regulation. Within this range are two categories:

  • Sustainable strategies aim to embed ESG into the portfolio construction process, in an even more material and intentional manner. Every strategy in this group targets one or more specific sustainable objectives related to the ESG pillars (for example, carbon footprint) to further refine the investment universe.
  • Listed Impact strategies incorporate the demands of the Sustainable category but will seek out businesses and projects that can potentially have an intentional, positive, measurable and sustainable impact on society and/or the environment. These strategies will also report against impact criteria aligned to specific UN SDGs.

This product categorisation framework applies to open funds in liquid asset classes. Specific approaches may apply for segregated accounts or Alternative strategies.

The reference to SFDR product categories is provided based on the basis of the European Directive (EU) 2019/2088 on the sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (“SFDR Regulation”) and state of knowledge as of 10 March 2021. As of today the SFDR-related regulatory technical standards are not yet finalised and enforced. The product categorisation shall be re-assessed once such regulatory technical standards are completed and may evolve.

Climate Aware Investing

Governments around the world are seeking to limit global warming by aligning economies with the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement

Fixed income

The fixed income and high yield teams have reinforced their credit analysis team, and each has been trained to incorporate ESG considerations in their analysis of issuers.

Framlington Equities

Framlington Equities has a team of three specialists dedicated to ESG, who support fund managers on a day to day basis in the analysis of companies.

Rosenberg Equities

Rosenberg Equities has a dedicated ESG team, comprising of five ESG specialists headed by Kathryn McDonald.

Multi-asset

Our multi-asset team work closely with the equity and fixed income platforms to integrate ESG, through two major pillars.

ESG research & publications

Empower investors with key insights on responsible investment trends, as we look at how investments could help foster prosperity for people and prosperity for the planet.

A detailed look at impact investing

Go beyond ESG integration towards a positive financial and societal impact.

Insights

Responsible investment

Can ESG screening provide a buffer for fixed income investors?

The unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus put in place by governments and policymakers worldwide has supported bond markets for much of 2020 and 2021, but fixed income investors have faced chall ...

Responsible investment

The market takes up the challenge of the SFDR

The EU Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which has just entered into force, is a watershed for sustainable finance.

Responsible investment

China green bonds: Seeking harmonisation in a sector that could boost the climate change fight

As part of AXA IM’s commitment to fighting climate change, we aim to be a leading investor in the green bond market.

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This page is for advertising and informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any investments or products on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies and should not be considered a solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice. The strategies and/or products discussed herein may not be available in all jurisdictions and/or to certain types of investors. Opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that forecasts made will come to pass. No guarantee, warranty or representation is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this material. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision. Further important information as well as information regarding the representative and the paying agent of the respective fund are available under important information.