State Street launches ESG version of its mammoth S&P 500 ETF

State Street launches ESG version of its mammoth S&P 500 ETF
The adaptation of SPY will include firms in the S&P 500 index that meet environmental, social and governance criteria
JUL 29, 2020

Fans of value-based and sustainable strategies have a new exchange-traded fund option allowing them to track large American companies.

On Tuesday, State Street Corp. released its SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF, which includes firms in the S&P 500 that meet environmental, social and governance criteria.

Trading under the ticker EFIV, the fund will exclude companies involved with tobacco-related products and weapons, along with those that have a low ESG score from S&P Dow Jones Indices or a low United Nations Global Compact score. The cost is 10 basis points.

[Interested in even more ESG news? Check out InvestmentNews’ ESG Clarity US]

Investors are increasingly taking an interest in ESG characteristics as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, said Sue Thompson, head of SPDR Americas distribution at State Street.

“As you’re watching companies adapt to this human tragedy, companies that really focus on their employees’ health are going to come out of this stronger,” she said.

ETFs that fall under the ESG category have already taken in $14.7 billion in 2020, by far the best year on record according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Much of that reflects products from BlackRock Inc., the largest ETF issuer.

State Street is the third-largest ETF provider in the U.S., managing 16.5% of the $4.5 trillion assets. Its SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is the world’s largest with about $289 billion in assets.

Latest News

Trump account confusion is widespread among parents — and advisors have an opening
Trump account confusion is widespread among parents — and advisors have an opening

Only 7% of U.S. parents are "very confident" they understand how the Trump accounts work, says Omni Calculator

Receiver sues to recover alleged Traders Domain Ponzi profits
Receiver sues to recover alleged Traders Domain Ponzi profits

One transfer alone came to $5.6m, and the receiver says none of it was real profit.

SEC accuses S2A Modular founders of alleged $65 million investor fraud
SEC accuses S2A Modular founders of alleged $65 million investor fraud

Investors chose which factory to fund - the SEC says the money went elsewhere.

Ameriprise gets narrow relief from FINRA panel in latest recruiting dispute with LPL
Ameriprise gets narrow relief from FINRA panel in latest recruiting dispute with LPL

Ameriprise and LPL Financial for the past few years have engaged in a financial advice trade war.

Am I stuck? Rethinking career mobility at every stage
Am I stuck? Rethinking career mobility at every stage

Why advisors at every stage may have more leverage, flexibility, and strategic options than they realize.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income