Funds
Booster Asset Class Conservative Fund
Issues of concern
The graph below shows the percentage of the fund invested in each of the worst issues of concern to New Zealanders. Below the graph are listed all the companies this fund invests in, by issue of concern.
Key:
- Human Rights Violations
- Environmental Harm
- Animal Cruelty
- Weapons
- Fossil Fuels
- Social Harm
Companies of concern
Human Rights Violations
-
Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 0.40%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
META PLATFORMS INC-CLASS A Public Safety
Meta is the world’s largest online social network consisting of the Facebook app, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and many features surrounding these products. The company has faced several investigations and legal action linked to privacy-related allegations, including its handling of user data, and breaches of user privacy. Meta has also been criticised for its poor governance model, as well as allowing its platform in non-English speaking countries to be used to incite ethnic violence.
-
Johnson & Johnson 0.30%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON Public Safety
Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest and most diverse healthcare firm. The company has been involved in repeated incidents related to the quality and safety of several of its products across all three of the company’s business segments — drugs, devices, and consumer products. Several products have been associated with allegations of severe or even fatal adverse impacts on patients.
-
Thermo Fisher Scientific 0.24%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC Human Rights Abuses
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.
-
Ubs Group AG 0.24%
Business Ethics
Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.
-
Wells Fargo & Company 0.10%
Business Ethics
Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.
WELLS FARGO & COMPANY Business Ethics
Well Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States. From 2002 to 2016, Wells Fargo employees created 3.5 million unauthorised customer accounts to meet sales targets. These accounts generated improper fees and negatively affected customers' credit scores. The fake accounts, aggressive sales practices, alleged price fixing, and mistreatment of whistleblowers have led to lawsuits against Wells Fargo, raising concerns about the company's business ethics.
-
Caterpillar Inc 0.07%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
CATERPILLAR INC War & Conflict
Caterpillar, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, power solutions, and locomotives, has a history of supplying the Israeli military. In 2004, Human Rights Watch reported the use of Caterpillar D9 bulldozers in demolishing over 250 Palestinian homes in Gaza, resulting in Palestinian casualties. Subsequently, in 2017, the Israeli military acquired numerous Caterpillar heavy engineering vehicles through a significant deal. The sale was financed by the United States Government, but the deal itself was between the Israeli military and Caterpillar. Incidents involving Caterpillar equipment causing harm to Palestinians have persisted, with recent instances reported as of 2023.
These occurrences include the use of Caterpillar equipment in demolishing Palestinian homes in illegally occupied territories, constructing illegal settlements and their infrastructure on occupied land, as well as building the Separation Wall in the West Bank and the Gaza border wall. Evidence also suggests Caterpillar’s products have been used by third parties in other conflict-affected areas, including Myanmar and the Western Sahara. Caterpillar's continued supply to these conflict areas raises concerns about its complicity in the misuse of its products. -
Ubs Group AG 2.750000% 08/08/2025 0.07%
Business Ethics
Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.
-
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc 0.04%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC Human Rights Abuses
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.
-
Wells Fargo & Co 0.04%
Business Ethics
Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.
WELLS FARGO & CO Business Ethics
Well Fargo is one of the largest banks in the United States. From 2002 to 2016, Wells Fargo employees created 3.5 million unauthorised customer accounts to meet sales targets. These accounts generated improper fees and negatively affected customers' credit scores. The fake accounts, aggressive sales practices, alleged price fixing, and mistreatment of whistleblowers have led to lawsuits against Wells Fargo, raising concerns about the company's business ethics.
-
Motorola Solutions Inc 0.02%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC War & Conflict
Motorola is an American provider of communication products, video equipment, telecommunications equipment, software, systems, and services. Motorola Solutions and its subsidiary, Motorola Israel, have been accused of complicity in human rights violations due to its sale of communication products to the Israeli Ministry of Defence in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are deemed illegal under international law and the United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Motorola as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements. As of 2023, Motorola is the sole supplier of the 4G cellular network for the Israeli Military and provides their surveillance and security system, which research shows is being used for border surveillance in the occupied Palestinian territories.
-
Rio Tinto Ltd 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
-
Ubs Group AG 1.250000% 09/01/2026 0.02%
Business Ethics
Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.
-
Li Ning Co Ltd 0.01%
Labour Rights Violations
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on labour rights and freedoms; including poor treatment of workers, child and forced labour, and modern slavery.
-
Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 0.40%
Animal Cruelty
-
Procter & Gamble Co/The 0.12%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
-
Ralph Lauren Corp 0.09%
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Sherwin-Williams Co 0.04%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
-
L'Oreal 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
L'OREAL Animal Testing
L'Oréal is a personal care company and cosmetics company concentrating on hair colour, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfume, and hair care. The company states that its products are sold in countries where animal testing of cosmetic products is required by law.
-
Unilever PLC-Sponsored Adr 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
-
Colgate-Palmolive Co 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
-
Hermes International 0.02%
Animal Welfare Issues
Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
-
Asian Paints Ltd 0.01%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
-
Procter & Gamble Co/The 0.12%
Weapons
-
Dick's Sporting Goods 0.14%
Firearms
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS Firearms
Dick’s Sporting Goods retails athletic apparel, footwear, and equipment for sports. The company sells a range of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, handguns related ammunition, as well as components such as rifle scopes.
-
Walmart Inc 0.12%
Firearms
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.
WALMART INC Firearms
Walmart is the USA’s largest retailer by sales, selling a variety of general merchandise and grocery items. Walmart retails shotguns, pistols and ammunition at some of its stores in the USA, as well as components for firearms such as scopes. Walmart are currently working to improve their weapon-realted controls.
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Brookfield Finance Inc 0.02%
Controversial Weapons
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of controversial weapons (e.g., landmines and cluster munitions) or components or services thereof.
-
Transdigm Group Inc 0.02%
Military Weapons
Where companies derive revenue from the manufacturing of weapons or weapon components and services to the defence industry. We do not include non-weapons-related military support.
-
Dick's Sporting Goods 0.14%
Fossil Fuels
-
Contact Energy Ltd 0.22%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
CONTACT ENERGY LTD Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Contact Energy is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest electric utilities companies. Contact operates three thermal power stations that employ gas and diesel. In FY2023, 7% of the energy Contact generated came from thermal generation. However, Contact has announced plans for further investment in renewable generation. This includes NZD 1.2 billion in geothermal power, by constructing a new station and expanding capacity at an existing station, along with early developments in wind and solar generation. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Fairfax Finl Hldgs Ltd 0.21%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Loews Corp 0.15%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Cassa Depositi E Prestit 0.14%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Jefferies Fin Group Inc 0.13%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Marathon Petroleum Corp 0.07%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Genesis Energy Ltd 0.06%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
GENESIS ENERGY LTD Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Genesis Energy is engaged in energy generation, trading and selling of electricity, and owns a portfolio of fossil fuel and renewable generation assets across New Zealand. Evidence shows that thermal generation from gas represents a significant portion of the company's total power generation (from the Huntly power station), and that oil and gas power revenues represent approximately 35% of the company's total revenue.
-
Valero Energy Corp 0.06%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Phillips 66 Co 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Channel Infrastructure NZ Lt 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Ampol Ltd 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Halliburton Co 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Rio Tinto Ltd 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
-
Viva Energy Group Ltd 0.01%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Contact Energy Ltd 0.22%
1.5°C
This data is compiled by Mindful Money from the fund information and portfolios
that each KiwiSaver fund has
filed with the Disclose register to 31st March 2024 and Mindful Money
analysis of funds within those portfolios. The list of companies of concern has
been drawn from ratings agencies and public sources, including the Norwegian
Sovereign Fund, NZ Super Fund, Sustainalytics and research organisations.
Please note that companies may breach more than one of these areas of
concern.
The listing of companies of concern is based on definitions used in Mindful Money's
methodology. These definitions may
be different from the exclusions policy and definitions applied by the fund provider.
Mindful Money uses the term Mindful Funds as our standard
for ethical investment and responsible investment. This does not imply that
other funds are unethical or that the fund providers that do not meet these
standards are unethical providers.
About this fund
In their own words
The Asset Class Conservative Fund is suited to investors who seek modest returns on average over the short to medium term, allowing for some shorter-term ups and downs. We aim to achieve this by investing primarily in income assets, while including some growth assets. Exposure is achieved by primarily investing in DFA Australia Limited (Dimensional) funds, utilising their Sustainability Trusts where available.
| Value | $23.4M NZD |
| Period of data report | 30th June 2024 |
| Members | 1,084 |
| Fund started | 1st July 2014 |
| Total annual fund fees | 1.12% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 1.12% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.0% |
| Total other charges | 36.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Bhanu Singh |
Currently: Chief Executive Officer, Australia and Senior Investment Director, Dimensional Fund Advisors (1 years, 6 months) |
|
Jed Fogdall |
Currently: Global Head of Portfolio Management, Dimensional Fund Advisors (5 years, 4 months) |
|
Jim Whittington |
Currently: Head of Responsible Investment, Senior Portfolio Manager & VP, Dimensional Fund Advisors (2 years, 8 months) |
|
Nicholas Stewart |
Currently: Executive Director, Stewart Financial Group Limited (21 years, 3 months) |
|
Rory O’Neill |
Currently: Executive Director, Stewart Financial Group Limited (1 years, 9 months) |
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th June 2024.
Past Returns
Past annual returns for this fund are after fees and taxes. Please note that higher past returns do not always mean higher future returns.
| Year | Market Average | Fund Annual Return |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6.55% | 7.92% |
| 2023 | -1.85% | -5.61% |
| 2022 | -0.74% | -1.33% |
| 2021 | 8.94% | 12.8% |
| 2020 | 0.61% | -3.79% |
| 2019 | 4.19% | 3.18% |
| 2018 | 3.58% | 2.76% |
| 2017 | 4.10% | 4.84% |
| 2016 | 3.52% | 2.76% |
The market average is the average return for funds of the same risk category, sourced from the Commission for Financial Capability's Sorted website. The fund information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th June 2024.
Top 10 Investments
-
DFA Global Bond Sustainability Trust NZD Hedged
Australia Fund45.9% -
DFA Two Year Sustainability Fi Trust NZD Hedged
Australia Fund20.13% -
DFA Global Sustainability PIE Fund
New Zealand Fund9.03% -
DFA Global Sustainability PIE Fund (NZD Hedged)
New Zealand Fund8.92% -
DFA Global Real Estate Trust NZD Hedged Class Units
Australia Fund5.05% -
DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Trust
Australia Fund4.57% -
NZ Core Equity Trust
New Zealand Fund4.21% -
DFA Australian Sustainability Trust
Australia Fund1.41% -
NZ Cash (BNZ Bank Trust Account)
New Zealand Cash and Equivalents A-1+0.8%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1.0% | 0.8% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| International Fixed Interest | 66.0% | 66.02% |
| Australasian Equities | 6.0% | 5.62% |
| International Equities | 22.0% | 22.51% |
| Listed Properties | 5.0% | 5.05% |
| Unlisted Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Other | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Commodities | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Investment Mix
How the money in this fund is invested against the fund's targets.
Target
Actual
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th June 2024.