ETFGI reports assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally reached a record of 280 billion US dollars at end of May 2021

LONDON — ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs and ETPs ecosystem, reports assets invested in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ETFs and ETPs listed globally reached a record of US$280 billion at the end of May 2021. ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$6.54 billion during May, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$73.95 billion which is much higher than the US$26.42 billion gathered at this point last year. Total assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs increased by 4.1% from US$269 billion at the end of April 2021 to US$280 billion, according to ETFGI’s May 2021 ETF and ETP ESG industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of 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 $280 Bn at the end of May. 

• Record YTD net inflows of $73.95 Bn beating the prior record of $26.42 Bn gathered YTD in 2020. 

“The S&P 500 gained 0.7% in May and 12.62% YTD, with positive figures for four consecutive months. Developed markets ex-U.S. gained 3.11% in May. Austria 8.29% and Luxembourg 8.12% were the leaders for the month while New Zealand lost the most at 3.92%.  Emerging markets were up 2.58% at the end of May. Hungary (up 15.54%) and Poland (up 13.98%) were the leaders, whilst Egypt (down 3.86%), Chile (down 3.64%), and Malaysia (down 2.79%) were down the most.” According to Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI. 

The Global ESG ETF/ETP had 620 ETFs/ETPs, with 1,834 listings, assets of US$280 Bn, from 139 providers on 37 exchanges in 30 countries. Following net inflows of $6.54 Bn and market moves during the month, assets invested in ESG ETFs/ETPs listed globally increased by 4.1% from $269 Bn at the end of April 2021 to $280 Bn at the end of  
May 2021. 

Global ESG ETF and ETP asset growth as at end of May 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 620 ESG ETFs/ETPs and 1,834 listings globally at the end of May 2021.  
During May, 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  
$4.03 Bn in May. iShares Trust iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU US) gathered $417 Mn he largest net inflows. 

Top 20 ESG ETFs/ETPs by net new assets May 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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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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