Funds
ASB World Shares 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. 1.82%
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. 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 0.73%
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 0.44%
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.
-
Motorola Solutions Inc 0.33%
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.
-
Wells Fargo 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.
-
Uber Technologies, Inc. 0.21%
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.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Labour Rights Violations
Uber is a ride and food delivery service provider. Evidence shows the company has been prioritising revenue growth over driver welfare and user safety. As Uber considers its drivers to be contractors, this limits their employee rights to the minimum wage and other benefits, meaning drivers and vehicles are not subject to the labour standards expected from traditional taxi companies.
-
Alstom S.A 0.16%
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.
-
Ubs 0.06%
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.
UBS Business Ethics
Acquired Credit Suisse in 2023, a bank with very poor governance which aided clients with tax evasion and money laundering. As a result, UBS has inherited ongoing regulatory fines and lawsuits relating to these failures. UBS has also been subject to lawsuits relating to its own manipulation of foreign exchange and interbank rates. It holds a provision of USD $4bn for claims (which may not be sufficient).
-
Palantir Technologies 0.03%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
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.
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES Human Rights Abuses War & Conflict
Has developed AI-based predictive policing systems. These are sold to Israeli security forces and used in surveillance of Palestinian in occupied Palestinian territories. The systems were originally designed for US immigration authorities and are used in the US to target immigrants and manage raids.
-
Pan American Silver Corp. 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.
-
Meta Platforms, Inc. 1.82%
Animal Cruelty
-
The Sherwin-Williams Co. 0.47%
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.
-
Novozymes A/S 0.30%
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.
-
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Se 0.26%
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).
LVMH MOËT HENNESSY LOUIS VUITTON SE Animal Welfare Issues Fur & Speciality Leather
Uses exotic leather and fur products in its luxury ranges such as crocodile, python and ostrich. Brands containing exotic leather include Donna Karan, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Bvlgari, Céline. In addition it sells cosmetics and fragrances in China where testing on animals is required.
-
L'Oréal SA 0.19%
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'ORÉAL SA 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.
-
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. 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.
-
Givaudan SA 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.
-
Ecolab, Inc. 0.11%
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.
-
PPG Industries, Inc. 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.
-
Akzo Nobel Nv 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.
-
Hermès International Sca 0.06%
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).
-
The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. 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.
THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES, INC. Animal Testing
Estee Lauder is a multinational cosmetics company, a manufacturer and marketer of makeup, skincare, fragrance, and hair care products. The company states that its products are sold in countries where animal testing of cosmetic products is required by law.
-
Kering SA 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).
-
Beiersdorf AG 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.
-
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert 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.
-
Shiseido 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.
-
Albemarle Corp. 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.
-
The Sherwin-Williams Co. 0.47%
Weapons
-
Amphenol Corp. 0.20%
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.
-
Teledyne Technologies, Inc. 0.13%
Firearms
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.
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.
-
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. 0.04%
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.
-
Transdigm Group, Inc. 0.03%
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.
-
Amphenol Corp. 0.20%
Fossil Fuels
-
Iberdrola 0.54%
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.
IBERDROLA Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Iberdrola is a Spanish energy company, and one of the largest utilities in the world with electric utility operations in nearly 40 countries. Evidence shows that energy generated from oil and gas accounts for 15% of the company’s revenues. However, the company currently generates 80% of their electricity from renewable sources and have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The company reports a total investment of EUR €150 billion is planned for this decade to enable its energy transition. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Dassault Systèmes Se 0.27%
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 0.15%
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.
-
Bkw AG 0.11%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Edp-Energias De Portugal SA 0.05%
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.
EDP-ENERGIAS DE PORTUGAL SA Fossil Fuel Power Generation
EDP is a Portugal’s largest generator and distributor of electricity. Evidence shows that 12.5% of the company’s revenue was is generated from fossil fuels, including 5% from coal-fired plants and 7.5% from oil and gas. However, EDP have committed to being coal-free by 2025 and carbon neutral by 2030. The decision to shut down rather than offload their fossil fuel assets contrasts with many other energy companies who instead choose to sell up when faced with dropping profits or a need to improve their sustainability credentials. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Constellation Energy Corp. 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Iberdrola 0.54%
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. 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
To provide exposure to a portfolio of international equities. The number of years with negative returns are expected to be greater than for funds in the ASB Investment Funds which predominantly invest in income assets. The World Shares Fund invests in a target investment mix of 100% growth assets.
| Value | $513M NZD |
| Period of data report | 30th Sept. 2024 |
| Fund started | 25th Oct. 2007 |
| Total annual fund fees | 1.22% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 1.2% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.02% |
| Total other charges | 0.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Frank Jasper |
Currently: Investment Committee member (2 years, 2 months) |
|
Jax Mitchell |
Currently: Investment Committee member (1 years, 11 months) |
|
Stephen Moir |
Currently: Investment Committee Chairman (1 years, 4 months) |
|
Jonathan Oram |
Currently: Investment Committee member (0 years, 5 months) |
|
Justine Sefton |
Currently: Investment Committee member (2 years, 2 months) |
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th Sept. 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 | 14.61% | 25.75% |
| 2023 | -4.85% | -2.25% |
| 2022 | 3.53% | 8.06% |
| 2021 | 35.55% | 37.79% |
| 2020 | -7.06% | -9.15% |
| 2019 | 10.17% | 5.7% |
| 2018 | 7.53% | 9.44% |
| 2017 | 9.49% | 15.65% |
| 2016 | 4.71% | -0.47% |
| 2015 | 14.67% | 19.6% |
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 30th Sept. 2024.
Top 10 Investments
-
Apple Inc
United States International Equities5.17% -
Microsoft Corp
United States International Equities4.74% -
Nvidia Corp
United States International Equities4.55% -
Amazon Com Inc
United States International Equities2.48% -
Meta Platforms Inc
United States International Equities1.82% -
Alphabet Inc Cap Cl C
United States International Equities1.72% -
Broadcom Ord Shs
United States International Equities1.27% -
Tesla Inc
United States International Equities1.27% -
Lilly (Eli) & Co USD
United States International Equities1.24% -
Schneider Electric Se
France International Equities1.08%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| International Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Australasian Equities | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| International Equities | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Listed Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 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 30th Sept. 2024.