Funds
Mercer Ethical Leaders 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 0.19%
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 0.14%
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.
-
Nestle SA-Reg 0.11%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
NESTLE SA-REG Human Rights Abuses
Nestle manufactures and sells food and beverages. The company has been criticised for exploiting local water resources for its bottled water production, which has forced underprivileged communities to pay a premium for their groundwater while alternatives have been exhausted. There have also been several allegations of labour conflicts and human rights violations in Nestle’s palm oil, coffee, fruits and seafood supply chains.
-
Wells Fargo & Co 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.
-
Wells Fargo & Company 0.05%
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.
-
Thermo Fisher Scientific 0.02%
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.
-
Nestle Finance Intl Ltd 0.01%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
-
Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 0.19%
Environmental Harm
-
3M Co 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.
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
3M CO Animal Testing Environmental Damage
3M Co is a diversified technology company that has been fined in recent years for environmental non-compliance, regarding the pollution of rivers, waterways and groundwater with toxic chemicals, broadly referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 3M Co also states it uses laboratory animals in the research and development of some products and is therefore considered to be involved in animal testing.
-
Cargill Inc 0.01%
Deforestation
Where companies are involved in, or directly linked to through their supply chain, the act of deforestation or clearance of forest that is then converted to a non-forest use.
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Palm Oil
Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of palm oil.
CARGILL INC Deforestation Environmental Damage Palm Oil
Cargill is a privately held American global food corporation. Cargill specialises in food service, agriculture, meat, and poultry, as well as transportation, pharmaceutical ingredients, and beauty products. The company's supply chain, particularly for soy products, has been linked to several allegations of illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
-
3M Co 0.01%
Animal Cruelty
-
Procter & Gamble Co/The 0.14%
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.
-
Unilever PLC 0.09%
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.
-
Kimberly-Clark Corp 0.08%
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 0.07%
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 0.06%
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.
-
Clorox Company 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.
-
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd 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.
-
Church & Dwight Co Inc 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.
-
Hermes International 0.03%
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).
-
Air Liquide SA 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.
-
Dupont De Nemours Inc 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.
-
Koninklijke Dsm Nv 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.
-
Moncler Spa 0.02%
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Unicharm Corp 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.
-
Unilever Finance 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.
-
3M Co 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.
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
3M CO Animal Testing Environmental Damage
3M Co is a diversified technology company that has been fined in recent years for environmental non-compliance, regarding the pollution of rivers, waterways and groundwater with toxic chemicals, broadly referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 3M Co also states it uses laboratory animals in the research and development of some products and is therefore considered to be involved in animal testing.
-
Procter & Gamble Co/The 0.14%
Fossil Fuels
-
Contact Energy Ltd 0.35%
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.
-
Qatar Energy 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.
QATAR ENERGY Fossil Fuel Production
Qatar Petroleum Corp, headquartered in Qatar, provides oil and gas drilling, exploration, refining, and distribution services. It conducts exploration, drilling and production operations, transport, storage, marketing, and sale of crude oil natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, gas to liquids, refined products, and petrochemicals. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $325 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 982 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 16,520 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years). The expansion is proposed in Qatar, Congo, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 41.8%.
-
Valero Energy Corp 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.
-
Centrica PLC 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.
-
Cie De Saint-Gobain 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.
-
Compagnie De Saint Gobain 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.
-
Fairfax Financial Hldgs Ltd 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Kobe Steel Ltd 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Marathon Petroleum Corp 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.
-
Verbund AG 0.02%
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.
VERBUND AG Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Verbund is an Austrian electricity and natural gas company that generates 96% of its electricity from renewable sources. The company generates electricity through hydro-electric, solar, nuclear, natural gas and wind power generators, and also operates a coal power plant. The company ceased coal generation in 2020, however the Austrian government required the company to reopen the plant due to Austria facing energy shortages. Verbund also intends to improve the sustainability of its natural gas supply by converting to green hydrogen, which it plans to power from its sizeable hydroelectric capacity. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Contact Energy Ltd 0.35%
1.5°C
This data is compiled by Mindful Money from the fund information and portfolios
that each fund has
filed with the Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2023 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 fund is a diversified portfolio that is primarily invested in a mix of income assets (e.G., cash and fixed income), with a moderate exposure to growth assets (e.G., shares and listed property). The fund takes a sustainable investment approach and is managed to specific ‘sustainable investment’ criteria which prohibit investments in certain companies or activities, and encourage investment in companies with strong environmental, social and governance characteristics. This has additional exclusions applied as described in our Sustainable Investment Policy and has been certified by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA).
Mercer is one of the world’s leading firms for superannuation, investments and workforce consulting, with over 25,000 colleagues worldwide helping build brighter futures for our customers and clients. Mercer has been helping Kiwis save for their best possible retirement for over 60 years. Our team of investment experts search the globe to find some of the best and most diverse investments to help maximise KiwiSaver returns and we invest responsibly.
The fund aims to provide moderate returns, to protect capital, and to outperform, over the medium term, the weighted average return of the market indices used to measure performance of the underlying funds/assets in which the fund invests.
| Value | $4.28M NZD |
| Period of data report | 31st Dec. 2023 |
| Fund started | 6th June 1995 |
| Total annual fund fees | 1.57% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 0.9% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.67% |
| Total other charges | 0.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Ross Butler |
Currently: Chair - Mercer (N.Z.) Ltd (0 years, 8 months) |
|
Martin Lewington |
Currently: CEO - Mercer (N.Z.) Ltd (14 years, 10 months) |
|
Kylie Willment |
Currently: Chief Investment Officer, Pacific, Mercer Australia (Pty) Ltd (6 years, 2 months) |
|
Padraig Brown |
Currently: Chief Investment Officer - New Zealand, Mercer (N.Z.) Ltd (1 years, 7 months) |
|
Robert Kavanagh |
Currently: Head of Portfolio Management NZ - Mercer (N.Z.) Ltd (9 years, 9 months) |
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -1.56% | -3.46% |
| 2022 | -0.95% | -0.37% |
| 2021 | 8.70% | 7.71% |
| 2020 | 0.08% | -1.08% |
| 2019 | 4.31% | 3.78% |
| 2018 | 3.39% | 2.7% |
| 2017 | 3.28% | 2.44% |
| 2016 | 2.92% | 1.9% |
| 2015 | 8.63% | 6.49% |
| 2014 | 5.69% | 2.46% |
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 fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.
Top 10 Investments
-
Ishares Mbs ETF
United States Int Fixed Interest3.08% -
New Zealand Government Bond 3.50% Maturing 14/04/33
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.9% -
New Zealand Government Bond 3.00% Maturing 20/04/29
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.86% -
New Zealand Government Bond 1.50% Maturing 15/05/31
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.61% -
New Zealand Government Bond 4.50% Maturing 15/04/27
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.46% -
New Zealand Government Bond 4.50% Maturing 15/05/30
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.22% -
Westpac New Zealand Ltd Rcd 04/03/24
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AA-1.21% -
Kiwibank Ltd Corporate Bond 2.155% Maturing 20/09/24
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest1.2% -
Mufg Bank Ltd Auckland Branch Frn 05/11/24
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest A1.17% -
New Zealand Government Bond 2.75% Maturing 15/04/25
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.12%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 25.0% | 23.05% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 25.0% | 26.36% |
| International Fixed Interest | 25.0% | 23.74% |
| Australasian Equities | 5.0% | 6.09% |
| International Equities | 13.0% | 12.44% |
| Listed Properties | 7.0% | 8.32% |
| 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 fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.