Interactive Investor

ii ACE 40 investments:
Vanguard SRI European Stock Fund

ii Ace 40
Asset GroupAsset Sub-GroupInvestment Category
EquitiesEuropean equitiesLow cost

Why we recommend it

The fund tracks the FTSE Developed Europe Index which aims to track the performance of large and mid-cap companies across developed European markets. The fund promotes environmental and social characteristics by excluding companies from its portfolio based on the impact of their conduct or products on society and/or the environment. This is met by screening out stocks that do not meet specific ‘socially responsible’ criteria. The SRI screening process excludes index constituents that are or have engaged in activities that result in serious violations of the UNGC; that are involved in or determined to derive revenues from production of controversial weapons or those that are involved in the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products.

This fund has a Morningstar Sustainability Rating of three globes (out of a maximum of five).

A soundly constructed and reasonably representative portfolio with a low fee leaves this fund well positioned to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns relative to its Morningstar Category peers over the long term. This is a fund with a low fee that tracks a broadly representative and diversified benchmark.

The fund is reasonably priced: The ‘GBP’ accumulation share class levies annual ongoing charges of 0.14%.

Ethical criteria

ii ACE sustainable style: Avoids. This means the index-tracking fund simply screens out specific sectors considered to be unethical, or stocks whose environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores are below a certain threshold.

Fund EcoMarket category: Limited Exclusions. Funds we class as having 'limited exclusion' strategies exclude only a small number of companies (or other assets) as a result of their sustainability or ESG characteristics. They typically invest very widely and may have extensive exposure to assets some may regard as controversial.

Please be that aware that although all of these funds have ethical criteria their strategies vary. Some funds, particularly low cost and tracker funds, often invest in companies that are considered to be more responsibly managed than their competitors - but may still be considered undesirable by some ethically minded investors.

The risks

Ethical screening: In certain market conditions the performance of the fund may differ from the benchmark index, which is not an ethically screened index.

Currency: Because investments are made predominantly outside the UK, performance may be significantly affected by changes in exchange rates.

Information and data compiled to March 2023.

Risk warnings

The information we provide in the ACE 40 investments list does not constitute a "personal recommendation". You should ensure that any investment decisions you make are suitable for your personal circumstances and that the ethical style of the investment reflects your personal beliefs.

Past performance of the underlying constituents is not a guarantee of future performance. Remember, the value of investments, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise so you could get back less than you invest.

Annual performance can be found on the factsheet of each fund, trust or ETF. Simply click on the asset’s name and then the performance tab.

If you are unsure about the suitability of a particular investment or think that you need a personal recommendation, you should speak to a suitably qualified financial advisor.

Any changes to the ii ACE 40 investments list and the rationale behind those decisions will be communicated through the Quarterly Investment Review.

Details of all recommendations issued by ii during the previous 12 month period can be found here.

ii adheres to a strict code of conduct. Members of ii staff may hold shares in companies mentioned in the ii ACE 40 investments list, which could create a conflict of interest. Any member of staff intending to complete some research about any financial instrument in which they have an interest are required to disclose such interest to ii. We will at all times consider whether such interest impairs the objectivity of the recommendation.

In addition, staff involved in the production of this ii ACE 40 list are subject to a personal account dealing restriction. This prevents them from placing a transaction in the specified instrument(s) for five working days before and after an investment is included or amended and made public within the list. This is to avoid personal interests conflicting with the interests of the recipients of this ii ACE 40 investments list.