ETFGI reports assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally reached a record of US$269 billion at the end of April 2021

LONDON — May 31, 2021 — ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs/ETPs ecosystem, reported today that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$12.27 billion during April, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$67.72 billion which is much higher than the US$21.56 billion gathered at this point last year. Total assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs increased by 9.3% from US$246 billion at the end of March 2021 to US$269 billion, according to ETFGI’s April 2021 ETF and ETP ESG industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service.  (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)  

Highlights 

·       Assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally reached a record of $269 Bn at the end of April. 

·       Record YTD net inflows of $67.72 Bn beating the prior record of $21.56 Bn gathered YTD in 2020. 

“The S&P 500 gained 5.34% in April and 11.84% YTD as positive corporate earnings and US stimulis measures helped push U.S. equities higher. Developed markets ex-U.S. gained 3.35% in April. Denmark 7.07% and Finland 7.05% were the leaders of the month while Japan lost 1.60% and was the only country to be down for the month.  Emerging markets were up 2.93% at the end of April. Poland (up 9.9%)  and Greece were the leaders (up 9.20%), whilst Chile (down 8.1%), Peru (down 7.1%), and Colombia (down 6.5%) were down the most.” According to Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI. 

The Global ESG ETF/ETP had 602 ETFs/ETPs, with 1,757 listings, assets of US$269 Bn, from 133 providers on 36 exchanges in 29 countries. Following net inflows of $12.27 Bn and market moves during the month, assets invested in ESG ETFs/ETPs listed globally increased by 9.3% from $246 Bn at the end of March 2021 to $269 Bn at the end of April 2021. 

Global ESG ETF and ETP asset growth as at end of April 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 602 ESG ETFs/ETPs and 1,757 listings globally at the end of April 2021.  
During April, 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 $6.93 Bn in April. Blackrock US Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU US) gathered $1.31 Bn alone. 

Top 20 ESG ETFs/ETPs by net new assets April 2021  

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. 

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ETF TV News #76 Gareth Stobie of CoreShares discusses the users and use of ETFs in South Africa with Deborah Fuhr #PressPlay  

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Contact: 
Deborah Fuhr 
Managing Partner, Founder 
ETFGI 
Mobile: +44 777 5823 111 
Email: deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com 
Web: www.etfgi.com 

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