ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of USD15.08 billion during March, bringing year-to-date net inflows to a record USD55.84 billion which is much higher than the USD15.80 billion gathered at this point last year as well as the prior record of USD41.16 billion gathered in Q1 2020.
Total assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs increased by 6.9 per cent from USD231 billion at the end of February 2021 to USD246 billion, according to ETFGI’s March 2021 ETF and ETP ESG industry landscape insights report, a monthly report which is part of an annual paid-for research subscription service.
“The S&P 500 gained 4.4 per cent in March and 6.2 per cent in Q1, supported by the increasing pace of Covid-19 vaccinations and continued monetary and fiscal support. Global equities gained 2.5 per cent in March and 5.2 per cent in Q1, as measured by the S&P Global BMI. Thirty eight of the 50 countries advanced during the month and 35 were positive at the end of Q1. Developed markets ex-US gained 2.3 per cent in USD terms in March and 4.0 per cent in Q1. Emerging markets were down 1.6 per cent in USD terms in March and up 2.8 per cent in Q1, as measured by the S&P Emerging BMI,“ says Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI.
There were 578 ESG ETFs and ETPs, with 1,673 listings, assets of USD246.46 billion, from 129 providers listed on 36 exchanges in 29 countries at the end of Q1 2021.
Since the launch of the first ESG ETF/ETP in 2002, the iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF, the number and diversity of products have increased steadily, with 578 ESG ETFs/ETPs and 1,673 listings globally at the end of March 2021.
During February, 46 new ESG ETFs/ETPs were launched.
Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs/ETPs by net new assets, which collectively gathered USD7.96 billion in March. The iShares Edge MSCI USA Minimum Volatility ESG UCITS ETF – Acc (MVEA NA) gathered USD1.05 billion the largest NNA for the month.
