UBS ETF (IE) MSCI ACWI Socially Responsible UCITS ETF (Hedged to GBP)

Issuer: UBS

Asset Class: Equity

TER: 28bps

Trading Currency: GBX

Pays Income: False

Listing Date: 04 Jan 2018

Ticker: AWSG

ISIN: IE00BDR55B48

This fund offers investors a core global equity holding structured around stringent Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) principles. It is designed to track a benchmark that filters the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) to include only companies with high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings while excluding those involved in controversial sectors such as weapons, tobacco, and fossil fuels. The methodology aims to construct a diversified portfolio of firms that are leaders in sustainability, providing exposure across both developed and emerging markets, allowing investors to align their investments with their values on a global scale.

A key feature of this specific share class is its currency hedging strategy. The fund's underlying assets are valued in its base currency, but this share class hedges that exposure back to the British pound. This process is designed to minimize the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations between the two currencies. By neutralizing a significant portion of currency volatility, the investment's return profile should more closely reflect the performance of the underlying SRI-screened equities, which can be particularly appealing for investors looking to reduce uncompensated risk in their international allocations.

The investment is well-suited for individuals or institutions seeking a comprehensive, single-product solution for global equity exposure that adheres to a robust ethical framework. It combines the benefits of broad market diversification with the focused approach of SRI, and the added currency hedge makes it an attractive option for those wishing to mitigate exchange rate risk within their portfolios.