What Are Anti-ESG Funds and Why Should We Care?
In the realm of investment, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria have become essential for conscientious investors aiming to align their financial goals with their sustainability values.
ESG factors cover a wide range of issues, including climate change, diversity, and corporate ethics. However, as the ESG movement gains momentum, a counter trend has emerged known as "anti-ESG funds." These funds deliberately disregard ESG considerations, raising questions about their rationale, impact, and ethical implications.
This article explores the world of Anti-ESG funds, delving into their nature, purpose, and the reasons why they warrant our attention.
Featured Article: The Top 3 Visible Benefits Of ESG Investing
Defining Anti-ESG Funds
Non-ESG funds, also known as anti-ESG funds or traditional funds, are investment vehicles that deliberately exclude ESG criteria from their decision-making process. In contrast to ESG-conscious investors who actively seek companies with strong environmental and social practices, anti-ESG funds prioritise financial returns above all else, showing little concern for the potential impact of their investments on the planet, society, or corporate governance.
Featured Article: Top 8 Best ESG Funds for Responsible Investors in 2023
Rationale Behind Anti-ESG Funds
Maximising Profits: The main objective of Anti-ESG funds is to maximise financial returns for investors. Proponents assert that by solely considering financial metrics, investment decisions can be made without the restrictions of ESG considerations that may hinder potential profits. This approach prioritises uncompromised decision-making and unrestricted pursuit of gains.
Scepticism About ESG Impact: Some critics of ESG investing contend that the influence of ESG factors on financial performance remains inconclusive. They assert that ESG criteria can be subjective and may not consistently align with superior investment returns, thus advocating for the exclusion of these factors as a justifiable approach.
Investor Choice: Investors who prioritise profit maximisation and favour traditional investment strategies are the target audience for anti-ESG funds. To cater to diverse investor preferences, the investment industry provides a range of options. This allows for accommodation of varying perspectives and priorities.
The anti-ESG movement
Investment strategies are not immune to political divisions. In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of "anti-ESG funds." According to a recent report from Morningstar titled "Anti-ESG Funds Make Noise. Here’s What They Look Like," these funds emerged in the 2000s but gained significant momentum in 2022. The report highlights that while these strategies may vary, they share a common objective: offering an alternative to ESG investing.
Anti-ESG funds come in different forms, catering to different preferences. Some invest in ‘sin stocks,’ (alcohol, tobacco, gambling, weapons manufacture, etc.) which were traditionally excluded by socially responsible funds. Others focus on companies aligned with politically conservative values. Additionally, there are traditional passive funds that adopt anti-ESG proxy-voting policies.
These funds can have descriptive names that reflect their nature, such as "VICEX," "MAGA," "YALL," and "DRLL." The oldest among them, VICEX, was launched in 2002.
According to Morningstar's research, there are 26 funds that either explicitly market themselves as anti-ESG or are perceived as investing against ESG principles. These funds can be categorised differently, with some exhibiting characteristics from multiple categories.
Related: Top ESG Investment Strategies For Your Portfolio
Just like the broader term "anti-ESG," the classification of anti-ESG funds can vary in interpretation from person to person. Morningstar further categorises these funds into five distinct groups, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their nature.
Anti-ESG: According to Morningstar's analysis, these funds use ESG data to construct their portfolios by favouring companies that management believes are unfairly impacted by ESG ratings providers.
Political: These funds have emerged in response to the criticism of "woke capitalism." The report highlights their opposition to ESG screens, considering them as part of the "liberal agenda”. Instead, these funds tend to invest in companies that are perceived to align with conservative values and policies, as stated in the report.
Renouncer: These funds had initially claimed to uphold ESG investing principles. However, due to political backlash, they later removed any references to ESG principles from their fund names and documents, fearing association with the ESG movement.
Vice: These funds focus on investing in companies that are typically excluded by socially responsible or ethical funds. These companies are often associated with sectors, as noted above, that come under the umbrella of ‘sin stocks’.
Voter: These funds are passive and aim to replicate specific sectors or market indexes, although their voting policies may contradict ESG principles.
“Anti-ESG investments come in all shapes and sizes,” the report said. “As such, the lines between these five anti-ESG categories are blurred, and in many cases, it is unclear whether a fund qualifies as anti-ESG, a plain-vanilla index fund, a niche thematic offering, or something else entirely.”
Featured: Why Anti-ESG Funds Aren’t Winning Over Investors
Why Should We Care?
The emergence of anti-ESG funds has ignited substantial debate and raised concerns for various reasons, despite their ability to cater to specific investor preferences:
Long-Term Sustainability: Critics argue that Anti-ESG funds overlook the enduring sustainability of companies and industries. Disregarding ESG factors may expose investors to companies with significant risks tied to environmental or social issues, potentially resulting in long-term financial losses.
Ethical Considerations: ESG factors encompass values such as climate responsibility, social justice, and ethical governance. Funds that disregard ESG considerations may unintentionally invest in companies with questionable practices, thereby undermining efforts to promote positive change.
Lack of Accountability: With the increasing prevalence of ESG reporting and transparency, funds that go against ESG principles may find it challenging to ensure companies are held responsible for their actions. Consequently, there is a risk of investing in companies that engage in irresponsible practices, as they lack the motivation to make improvements.
Missed Investment Opportunities: By disregarding ESG criteria, funds that are against sustainability ESG principles risk overlooking valuable opportunities presented by companies leading the way in sustainable innovation. These companies are likely to be better equipped for future growth, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Featured: 3 Ways To Navigate The Politicisation Of ESG
Takeaway
Anti-ESG funds offer an alternative perspective to the ESG movement, placing financial returns above environmental, social, and governance considerations. While catering to a specific group of investors, these funds raise important questions about the broader impact of their investment choices.
In an era defined by pressing environmental challenges and increasing societal expectations for responsible business practices, comprehending the implications of anti-ESG funds is vital for investors and society at large.
Striking a balance between financial objectives and ethical, sustainable considerations is an ongoing discourse that will shape the investment landscape for years to come, yet will tip towards the rationale of sustainability-led investing as the incontestable effects of anthropogenic climate change become ever more visceral, and the notion of 'business as usual' ever more counterintuitive to business logic.
Find more ESG news and views from our writing team at Featured Articles, and dial in to ESG investing-specific content here.
