Gender Lens Investing Assets Under Management Grow Fivefold In Past Two Years
More Than $560 Million Now Invested In Solutions That Impact Women and Girls
Sep 12, 2016, 09:00 ET
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Gender Lens Investing (GLI) assets under management in public market equities and debt have grown fivefold since 2014 to $561 million, according to new analysis by Veris Wealth Partners and Women Effect.
The accelerated growth is the result of an increased number of GLI solutions now being offered by money managers, along with demand from individual and institutional investors to place capital in public market securities that directly benefit women and girls.
The analysis found that as of June 30, 2016, there were 15 GLI equity and debt solutions, up from nine as of Sept. 30, 2014. Two of the newest opportunities target non-U.S. investors, including those in Canada and select European and Asian countries.
More than half of the growth in assets under management has been in the Gender Diversity Index ETF (SHE) sponsored by State Street Global Advisors. The ETF was launched in March 2016 and was seeded with $250 million from the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS).
To view the list of opportunities, please visit Women Effect, an online curated community that brings together GLI stakeholders.
"Gender Lens Investing is growing steadily, but we need sponsors to create more public market investment opportunities," said Patricia Farrar Rivas, CEO of Veris Wealth Partners. "With more investment vehicles, Gender Lens Investing will grow more, and that will be good for women and girls in the U.S. and abroad."
The joint analysis was a follow-up to Veris' original survey of GLI solutions conducted in 2013 and then again in 2015. The most recent analysis found that two-thirds of available products provide both gender criteria and screen for other broader ESG factors, or give clients the option to apply their own.
"Investors are directing more capital to Gender Lens Investing because there are a growing number of terrific opportunities to fund initiatives that positively impact women and girls," said Suzanne Biegel, Founder of Women Effect.
About Veris Wealth Partners
Veris Wealth Partners, LLC is a partner-owned, independent wealth management firm that specializes in impact and sustainable investing. Veris believes that superior investment performance and positive impact are complementary parts of a holistic investment strategy. Veris is based in San Francisco with offices in New York City, Portsmouth, and Boulder. For information, call 415.815.0580, or visit www.veriswp.com.
About Women Effect
Women Effect is the home for people moving capital with a gender lens. We're a global community of individual and institutional investors, philanthropists and their advisers, who come together to share knowledge, opportunities and best practice around gender lens investing. We are a connecting point and a curated community, collaborating with a diverse set of partners leading thought and strategy around gender lens investing. There is an invitation-only private online community, currently in beta mode, where tools and resources are available to members. For information, visit www.womeneffect.com.
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SOURCE Veris Wealth Partners