M&G Launches Multi Asset Sustainable Allocation Fund

M&G Investments, one of the leading international asset managers, announces today the launch of a UK-domiciled multi-asset fund incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and investing in companies that aim to have a positive societal impact, whilst providing sustainable investments returns.

The M&G Sustainable Multi Asset Fund is managed by Maria Municchi and supported by deputy fund manager Steven Andrew.

The fund invests in a diversified range of asset classes from anywhere in the world including emerging markets (net allocation ranges: 20-80% in fixed income, 20-60% in equities and 0-20% in other assets) and will apply M&G’s well established multi-asset philosophy, using dynamic asset allocation and an assessment of behavioural factors to identify those assets that present the most attractive opportunities aiming to provide a total return* of 4 to 8% per annum over any five-year period. Asset allocation is the main driver of returns in the fund.

The fund uses an ESG approach with quantitative screening to ensure holdings exhibit high standards of ESG. Municchi will identify holdings to be added to the portfolio by:

Screening out companies that are in breach of United Nations Global Compact Principles and that derive their revenue from specific sectors: tobacco, alcohol, adult entertainment, gambling, thermal coal, defence and weapons**
Using proprietary internal, and third-party, screening of ESG-rated companies

Additionally, the M&G Sustainable Multi Asset Fund will have a core holding of impact assets which will constitute on average around 20% of the portfolio. These assets are considered to have a positive societal impact with a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of M&G’s Positive Impact team, Municchi will work with colleagues from across the business to identify a watchlist of potential impact investments. The impact assets may be from all listed asset classes including equities, green and social bonds, infrastructure or specialty funds.

Maria Municchi, M&G Sustainable Allocation Fund manager said, “Financial returns should remain the foremost objective of investing, but the way in which we choose to invest can make a difference beyond just those returns. Some of the biggest challenges the world is facing, from climate change to population growth, from corruption to pollution, need addressing urgently. By considering how your investments might affect society and the environment, you can choose to contribute towards a sustainable future.”

Andrew Watson, Head of UK Wholesale Sales at M&G Investments, says: “The M&G Sustainable Multi Asset Fund offers investors a unique proposition; a flexible multi-asset portfolio using the asset allocation expertise of M&G’s multi-asset team, coupled with a sophisticated ESG approach for a sustainable outcome.

“We are actively expanding our range of ESG-focused investment strategies to meet the growing demand for funds that offer strong returns, whilst allowing clients to align their investments more closely to their environmental and social values. Multi-asset offers a unique risk/return proposition and is ideally-suited to a dynamic ESG fund where sustainability and positive impact investing are key features.”

A Luxembourg-domiciled version of the Fund, aimed at investors based outside the UK, was launched on 6 December 2018.

*The combination of capital growth and income

** The fund will filter out companies that derive more than 5% of their revenues for producers, or 10% of their revenues for distributors, from the following sectors: tobacco, alcohol, adult entertainment, gambling or thermal coal. In addition, and on a best effort basis, subject to source information, companies that derive any revenue from defence and weapons are excluded

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Notes to Editors

OpenMaria Municchi

Maria Municchi joined M&G in 2009 and is a member of the Multi-Asset team. She is the deputy fund manager of the M&G Episode Income Fund and the M&G (Lux) Income Allocation Fund. Before joining M&G, Maria worked at Barings and UBS Asset Management. She has an MSc in international management and finance and is a CFA charterholder.

OpenSteven Andrew

Steven Andrew joined M&G in 2005 as a member of the portfolio strategy & risk team, before moving to the Multi Asset team, where he helped to formulate asset allocation strategies for M&G's multi-asset fund range. In November 2010, Steven was appointed manager of the M&G Episode Income Fund. Three years later, he became manager of the M&G Income Allocation Fund upon its launch. Steven began his career at the Bank of England in 1987 and subsequently worked at F&C Asset Management and Merrill Lynch before joining M&G. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in financial economics from the University of London.

OpenAbout M&G Investments

M&G Investments is part of M&G Prudential, a savings and investment business which was formed in August 2017 by our parent company, Prudential plc and has £341.9 billion of assets under management (as at 30 June 2018). M&G Prudential has over 7 million customers in the UK, Europe, Asia and the Americas including individual savers and investors, life insurance policy holders and pension scheme members.

M&G Prudential is set to demerge from Prudential Plc to become an independent company listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For nearly nine decades M&G Investments has been helping its customers to prosper by putting investments to work, which in turn creates jobs, homes and vital infrastructure in the real economy. Its investment solutions span equities, fixed income, multi asset, cash, private debt, infrastructure and real estate. M&G recognises the importance of responsible investing and is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is a member of the Climate Bonds Initiative Partners Programme. Its £30 billion property arm has a sector leading approach to responsible property management and is committed to continuously improving the sustainability performance of its funds.

M&G Investments is a business name of M&G Investment Management Limited and is used by other companies within the Prudential Group. M&G Investment Management Limited is registered in England and Wales under number 936683 with its registered office at Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH. M&G Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This press release reflects the authors’ present opinions reflecting current market conditions which are subject to change without notice and involve a number of assumptions which may not prove valid. It has been written for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or as a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information given in this document has been obtained from, or based upon, sources believed by us to be reliable and accurate although M&G does not accept liability for the accuracy of the contents. M&G does not offer investment advice or make recommendations regarding investments. Opinions are subject to change without notice. M&G Investments is a business name of M&G Investment Management Limited and is used by other companies within the Prudential Group. M&G Investment Management Limited is registered in England and Wales under number 936683 with its registered office at Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH. M&G Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Notice to Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the EEA (each a “Member State”) which has implemented Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (Directive (2011/61/EU)) (the “AIFMD”) (and for which transitional arrangements are not/ no longer available), this document may only be distributed and units may only be offered or placed in a Member State to the extent that: (1) the Fund is permitted to be marketed to professional investors in the relevant Member State in accordance with AIFMD (as implemented into the local law/regulation of the relevant Member State); or (2) this document may otherwise be lawfully distributed and the units may otherwise be lawfully offered or placed in that Member State (including at the initiative of the investor).

In relation to each Member State of the EEA which, at the date of this document, has not implemented AIFMD, this document may only be distributed and units may only be offered or placed to the extent that this document may be lawfully distributed and the units may lawfully be offered or placed in that Member State (including at the initiative of the investor).

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M&G plcの直接子会社であるM&G Investments（M&Gインベストメント）のウェブサイトにアクセスするには、
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アメリカ合衆国を主たる事業領域とするPrudential Financial, Inc.（プルデンシャル・ファイナンシャルInc.）の関連会社をお探しの場合は、こちらをクリックしてください。

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イングランド及びウェールズで設立された国際グループ企業であるPrudential plc（プルデンシャル・ピーエルシー）の関連会社をお探しの場合は、こちらをクリックしてください。

M&G plc, incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AG. Registered number 11444019. M&G plc is a holding company, some of whose subsidiaries are authorised and regulated, as applicable, by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority.

M&G plc is a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in England, and its affiliated companies constitute a leading savings and investments business. M&G plc is the direct parent company of The Prudential Assurance Company Limited. The Prudential Assurance Company Limited is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America or Prudential plc, an international group incorporated in England and Wales.

M&G plc は、イングランド及びウェールズで設立・登録。本社登録地は10 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AG。登録番号11444019。M&G plcは持ち株会社で、その子会社の一部はPRA（健全性監督機構）及びFCA（金融行為規制機構）に認可され、それらの規制対象となっています。

M&G plc は、イングランドを登録地、及び主たる事業領域とする会社で、その関連会社は有数の貯蓄・投資機関として基盤を確立しています。M&G plcは、Prudential Assurance Company Limited（プルデンシャル・アシュアランス・カンパニー・リミテッド）の直接親会社です。なお、Prudential Assurance Company Limitedは、アメリカ合衆国を主たる事業領域とするPrudential Financial, Inc.（プルデンシャル・ファイナンシャルInc.）またはイングランド及びウェールズで設立された国際グループ企業であるPrudential plc（プルデンシャル・ピーエルシー）とは一切関係がありません。