Candriam said the gains meant it had hit its five-year asset growth target six months ahead of schedule
European investment manager Candriam said its total assets increased 7.1% to 150 billion euros ($177 billion) in the first six months of the year, boosted by net inflows into its environmental, social and governance-focused (ESG) funds.
Demand to invest in ESG-related funds has surged over recent years as the world looks to move to a low-carbon economy in the fight against climate change, and as social issues such as diversity take on greater importance for investors.
Candriam said the gains meant it had hit its five-year asset growth target six months ahead of schedule, rising more than 50% since the goal was set in 2016.
The main reason for the growth is the ESG trend, Candriam Chief Executive Naim Abou-Jaoude told Reuters. In 2021, 90% of the net sales came from ESG products, compared with 50%-60% over the previous three years.
The trend is accelerating, he added, with some clients shifting out of vanilla actively managed funds to sustainable funds, and demand from private clients increasing.
Net inflows accounted for 4.2 billion euros ($4.98 billion) of the 10 billion euro ($11.86 billion) half-year asset gain, with the balance from positive investment performance. Total assets at the end of December 2020 were 140 billion euros ($166.08 billion).
Of the inflows, 1.9 billion euros ($2.25 billion) went into sustainable-focused global credit and high-yield funds, 1.1 billion ($1.30 billion) went into equity funds, of which 600 million euros ($711.76 million) was sustainable equity, 800 million euros ($949.02 million) went into thematic funds and 400 million ($474.51 million) into absolute return.
Among the most in demand thematic funds during the period were the 1.9 billion euro ($2.25 billion) Oncology Impact Fund, with inflows of 180 million euros ($213.53 million), and the 1.07 billion ($1.27 billion) Climate Action Fund, with inflows of 250 million euros ($296.57 million).
