Funds
Milford Australian Absolute Growth 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
-
Rio Tinto 2.29%
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.
-
Rio Tinto 2.29%
Environmental Harm
-
BHP Group 6.30%
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.
-
Shell 1.47%
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.
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 6.30%
Animal Cruelty
-
Shell 1.47%
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.
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%.
-
Orica Ltd. 0.26%
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.
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 1.47%
Fossil Fuels
-
BHP Group 6.30%
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.
-
Viva Energy Group Ltd. 3.27%
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.
-
Santos Ltd. 2.51%
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%.
-
Rio Tinto 2.29%
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. -
Contact Energy Ltd. 2.00%
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.
-
Teck Resources Limited 1.66%
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 1.47%
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.
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%.
-
Ampol Ltd. 1.33%
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.
-
Origin Energy 1.26%
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.
-
Apa Group 0.43%
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.
-
Orica Ltd. 0.26%
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.
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.
-
Cooper Energy Ltd. 0.24%
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.
-
Beach Energy Ltd. 0.08%
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.
-
Whitehaven Coal Ltd. 0.08%
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.
-
Coronado Global Resources, Inc. 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.
-
South32 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.
-
Genesis Energy Ltd. 0.04%
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.
-
Agl Energy Ltd. 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
BHP Group 6.30%
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 targets an absolute return with an annualised return objective of 5% above the New Zealand Official Cash Rate while seeking to protect capital after the base fund fee but before tax and before the performance fee, over rolling three year periods. It is a diversified fund that primarily invests in Australasian equities, complemented by selective exposure to international equities and cash.
| Value | $732M NZD |
| Period of data report | 30th Sept. 2024 |
| Fund started | 1st March 2018 |
| Total annual fund fees | 1.05% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 1.04% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.01% |
| Total other charges | 0.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
William Curtayne |
Currently: Portfolio Manager (10 years, 9 months) |
|
Wayne Gentle |
Currently: Portfolio Manager (7 years, 8 months) |
|
Jason Kururangi |
Currently: Portfolio Manager (4 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 | 12.57% | 8.26% |
| 2023 | -4.05% | 0.92% |
| 2022 | 1.38% | 11.96% |
| 2021 | 27.68% | 33.38% |
| 2020 | -4.45% | -1.32% |
| 2019 | 6.12% | 2.91% |
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-6.8% -
Telstra Corp Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities6.37% -
CSL Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities5.43% -
AUD Cash Current Account (Hsbc)
Australia Cash and Equivalents AA-5.08% -
Woolworths Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities4.98% -
Csr Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities3.95% -
USD Cash Current Account (Hsbc)
United States Cash and Equivalents A+3.44% -
BHP Group Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities3.33% -
Viva Energy Group Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities3.28% -
Altium Ltd
Australia Australasian Equities2.99%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 7.5% | 22.34% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 10.0% | 2.12% |
| International Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 1.69% |
| Australasian Equities | 77.5% | 66.64% |
| International Equities | 5.0% | 5.03% |
| Listed Properties | 0.0% | 1.72% |
| Unlisted Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Other | 0.0% | 0.46% |
| 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.