The $140 million Abrdn Emerging Markets SDG Corporate Bond fund secured the global ESG fixed income fund of the year award after being praised by one judge for its "thoughtful framework".
A Sustainable Investment Awards judge was impressed by the "strong threshold for inclusion" demonstrated by the peer-reviewed 'white list' process undertaken by Abrdn which ensures each investable company in its universe demonstrates it addresses an unmet SDG need as well as delivering an impact that is material to the business, preferably shows intentionality, and is measurable through at least three impact metrics.
Since late 2023, the fund is also increasingly focusing on enhancing its transition financing focus.
"We enhanced our SDG process to include a specific carve-out for investing in 'SDG Transition' bonds," Bevan and McGrath said. "The idea is to promote investment in companies who are early stage in terms of transitioning their business to being SDG-aligned and have issued ringfenced use-of-proceed bonds (either green, social or sustainability bonds) to demonstrate this transition."
Key facts (as of 30 April):
Fund name: Abrdn Emerging Markets SDG Corporate Bond
ISIN: LU2392364217
Assets under management: $140 million
Launched: 1 December 2021
Number of holdings: 120
Benchmark: JP Morgan ESG Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index (CEMBI) Broad Diversified Index
Top 10 Holdings (as of 30 April) | |
---|---|
Holdings | Weight |
Prudential (2.95%, due 2034) | 2% |
PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (1.5%, due 2026) | 1.90% |
Tower Bersama Infrastructure (2.75%, due 2026) | 1.90% |
Manila Water (4.375%, due 2030) | 1.80% |
Globe Telecom (3%, due 2035) | 1.80% |
Banque Ouest Africaine (4.7%, due 2031) | 1.80% |
Sociedad de Transmision (4%, due 2032) | 1.70% |
National Central Cooling (2.5%, due 2027) | 1.70% |
Development Bank of the Philippines (2.375%, due 2031) | 1.70% |
Lima Metro Line 2 Finance (4.35%, due 2036) | 1.60% |