Ethical trusts from Rothschild

ROTHSCHILD Australia Asset Management has become the latest fund manager to enter the fast growing ethical investment field.

Research commissioned by Rothschild indicates there is now a demand for ethical funds to be provided by long established investment grade-rated fund managers, managing director Peter Martin said.

Mr Martin referred to overseas experience to support his prediction that ethical investing is poised for rapid growth. In North America and the UK, assets dedicated to ethical and socially responsible investment grew by 50 per cent per annum over the past 10 years. In the US, one in every eight dollars invested in managed funds is screened from an ethical or investment perspective.

Rothschild’s entry to this market follows the recent launch by AMP of its Sustainable Future funds.

The Rothschild Ethical Share Trust will invest purely in Australian companies, while the Rothschild Ethical Conservative Trust will invest mainly in fixed interest securities with a limited amount of shares.