Funds
Milford 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
-
Ubs 0.29%
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).
-
Thermo Fisher Scientific 0.16%
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.
-
Meta Platforms, Inc. 0.15%
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.
-
Uber Technologies, Inc. 0.08%
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.
-
Rio Tinto 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.
RIO TINTO Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries.
-
Ubs 0.29%
Environmental Harm
-
Shell 0.53%
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.
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.
GMOs
Where companies are involved in the development or release of GMO plants and seeds.
SHELL Animal Testing Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production GMOs
Shell, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company engages in the exploration and production, refining, transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Between 2020 and 2022, the company spent on average US$2,329 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,376 million barrels of oil in 2021, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 317% in the short term (1-7 years). The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, USA, Canada, the UK, and Norway. 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 45.3%.
-
BHP Group 0.05%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
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.
BHP GROUP Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production
One of the world's largest mining companies, headquartered in Australia with operations globally. In 2015 Samarco (a BHP joint venture with Vale SA) caused the Mariana dam disaster releasing huge quantities of heavy metal waste into the Doce River basin. This is the largest pollution incident ever recorded and devastated communities and the ecosystem. BHP also mines thermal coal. While it sold some coal mines, it will continue to operate the Mt Arthur mine in New South Wales until 2030.
-
Duke Energy Corp 0.02%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
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.
-
Shell 0.53%
Animal Cruelty
-
Shell 0.53%
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.
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.
GMOs
Where companies are involved in the development or release of GMO plants and seeds.
SHELL Animal Testing Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production GMOs
Shell, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company engages in the exploration and production, refining, transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Between 2020 and 2022, the company spent on average US$2,329 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,376 million barrels of oil in 2021, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 317% in the short term (1-7 years). The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, USA, Canada, the UK, and Norway. 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 45.3%.
-
L'Oréal SA 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'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.
-
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Se 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).
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.
-
Shell 0.53%
Weapons
Fossil Fuels
-
Contact Energy Ltd. 1.18%
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.
-
Ampol Ltd. 0.64%
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.
-
National Grid PLC 0.61%
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.
NATIONAL GRID PLC Fossil Fuel Production
Operates electric and natural gas transmission systems in the UK and US. It also operates facilities for storing LNG. including the Grain LNG terminal in the UK which is the largest LNG facility in Europe and 8th globally.
-
Shell 0.53%
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.
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.
GMOs
Where companies are involved in the development or release of GMO plants and seeds.
SHELL Animal Testing Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production GMOs
Shell, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company engages in the exploration and production, refining, transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Between 2020 and 2022, the company spent on average US$2,329 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,376 million barrels of oil in 2021, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 317% in the short term (1-7 years). The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, USA, Canada, the UK, and Norway. 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 45.3%.
-
Santos Ltd. 0.47%
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.
SANTOS LTD. Fossil Fuel Production
An Australian oil and gas company with significant operations in natural gas and oil production and exploration. The company has plans for major short term expansion of exploration in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Alaska. The company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 59%.
-
Genesis Energy Ltd. 0.35%
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.
-
Origin Energy 0.25%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
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.
-
Ameren Corp. 0.24%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Cheniere Energy, Inc. 0.22%
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.
-
Apa Group 0.16%
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 0.16%
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.
-
Teck Resources Limited 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.
-
Viva Energy Group Ltd. 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.
-
BP 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.
BP Fossil Fuel Production
BP, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company has as reportable segments: gas & low carbon energy, oil production & operations, customers & products, and Rosneft. Additionally, BP plc owns and operates crude oil and natural gas pipelines, processing facilities and NGLs extraction business.
Between 2020 and 2022, the company spent on average US$1,104 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,066 million barrels of oil in 2021, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 287% in the short term (1-7 years). The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Indonesia, India, Azerbaijan, UAE, Egypt, Mauritania, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and the UK. 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 34.7%. -
BHP Group 0.05%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
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.
BHP GROUP Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production
One of the world's largest mining companies, headquartered in Australia with operations globally. In 2015 Samarco (a BHP joint venture with Vale SA) caused the Mariana dam disaster releasing huge quantities of heavy metal waste into the Doce River basin. This is the largest pollution incident ever recorded and devastated communities and the ecosystem. BHP also mines thermal coal. While it sold some coal mines, it will continue to operate the Mt Arthur mine in New South Wales until 2030.
-
Duke Energy Corp 0.02%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
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 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.
RIO TINTO Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries. -
Rwe AG 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Tc Energy 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.
TC ENERGY CORP. Fossil Fuel Production
Headquartered in Canada, TC Energy operates natural gas, oil, and power generation assets in Canada and the USA. The company operates nearly 100,000km of oil and gas pipelines, and currently has 2,170.6km of pipelines under development. Projects include Coastal GasLink.
-
Centerpoint Energy, Inc. 0.01%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Iberdrola 0.01%
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.
-
Kinder Morgan, Inc. 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.
-
Nextera Energy, Inc. 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. 1.18%
1.5°C
Fund Provider Response
At Milford, we are acutely aware of our capacity as shareholders to drive positive change. Rather than just avoid harm, we believe it is our duty to use our seat at the table to help drive the transition to a more sustainable future. We use our detailed research to enable educated conversations with the companies we invest in and push them to deliver better outcomes via sustainability targets, action and reporting. Please see our website for a deeper explanation of our approach and examples in our latest engagement activities and outcomes report: https://milfordasset.com/Engagement-Activity-and-Outcomes
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
The Fund’s objective is to provide moderate returns and protect capital after the base fund fee but before tax over the minimum recommended investment timeframe of three years. It is a diversified fund that primarily invests in fixed interest securities, with a moderate allocation to equities.
| Value | $536M NZD |
| Period of data report | 30th Sept. 2024 |
| Fund started | 1st Sept. 2015 |
| Total annual fund fees | 0.95% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 0.94% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.01% |
| Total other charges | 0.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Mark Riggall |
Currently: Portfolio Manager, Senior Dealer (9 years, 6 months) |
|
Paul Morris |
Currently: Portfolio Manager (8 years, 5 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 | 5.67% | 6.11% |
| 2023 | -1.56% | 0.19% |
| 2022 | -0.50% | -0.81% |
| 2021 | 8.70% | 8.59% |
| 2020 | -0.05% | 0.93% |
| 2019 | 4.31% | 4.5% |
| 2018 | 3.39% | 4.63% |
| 2017 | 3.28% | 5.52% |
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
-
NZD Cash Current Account (Hsbc)
New Zealand Cash and Equivalents AA-7.91% -
NZ Government Inflation Indexed 2.00% 20/09/2025
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA3.24% -
AUD Cash Current Account (Hsbc)
Australia Cash and Equivalents AA-2.11% -
NZD Cash Call Account (Bank Of China)
New Zealand Cash and Equivalents A2.09% -
NZ Local Government Funding 4.5% 15/05/2030
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.58% -
Westpac 5.1% 14/05/2029
Australia Int Fixed Interest AA-1.34% -
ANZ Bank 4.95% 05/02/2029
Australia Int Fixed Interest AA-1.27% -
NZ Local Government Funding 1.5% 15/04/2026
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.23% -
Housing New Zealand 3.42% 18/10/2028
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.17% -
NZ Local Government Funding 1.5% 20/04/2029
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest AAA1.12%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 7.0% | 17.28% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 25.0% | 25.01% |
| International Fixed Interest | 50.0% | 38.69% |
| Australasian Equities | 4.0% | 6.54% |
| International Equities | 9.0% | 10.41% |
| Listed Properties | 5.0% | 1.96% |
| Unlisted Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Other | 0.0% | 0.11% |
| 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.