RobecoSAM Global Gender Equality Impact Equities Z EUR

The equities market initially gained strongly on the potential reopening of economies and the likelihood of larger fiscal stimulus, but later reversed gains as the 10-year rates spiked about 40 bps, exceeding 1.5% at one point. Half a year ago, the rate was still at a record low of around 0.5%. The remarkable surge in yields, inflation concerns and pulled-forward expectations for rate hikes being potential risks for equities sent jitters through the equities market. The US ISM Index and manufacturing PMI rose with new orders and improved production. Sectors which are positively sensitive to rising bond yields outperformed (energy, financials, materials), while sectors with negative sensitivity underperformed (healthcare, consumer staples, utilities). Value and small cap styles outperformed, while quality and growth underperformed. In terms of economic participation, it will take 257 years to close the gender gap, compared to 202 years previously; sobering news and an opportunity to accelerate the change.

The fund is allowed to pursue an active currency policy to generate extra returns and can engage in currency hedging transactions.

In principle the fund does not intend to distribute dividend and so both the income earned by the fund and its overall performance are reflected in its share price.

RobecoSAM Gender Equality Impact Equities invest in companies that are leading with regard to the promotion of gender equality. It employs systematic, bottom-up stock selection that combines proprietary Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) data and research throughout the investment process. ESG criteria for exclusions and fund-specific suitability are applied during universe construction. An in-house Sustainability Investing (SI) research team integrates financially-material sector and company-specific sustainability analysis into investment cases. A dedicated thematic equity team incorporate SI research within fundamental analysis and stock valuations. Impact assessments of controversial incidences affecting portfolio holdings provide additional risk management. An active ownership and engagement team interacts directly with company management of fund holdings, offering additional channels for sustainable impact.

RobecoSAM Global Gender Equality Impact Equities Strategy is an actively managed fund that invests globally in companies that are leaders in promoting gender diversity and equality. The selection of these stocks is based on fundamental analysis. The fund's objective is to achieve a better return than the index. The fund has sustainable investment as its objective within the meaning of Article 9 of the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The fund aims to create a positive societal impact by investing in companies that exhibit a high degree of gender equality and that actively promote gender equality. The fund integrates ESG (i.e. Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) in the investment process, applies an exclusion list basis controversial behavior, products (including controversial weapons, tobacco, palm oil and fossil fuel) while avoiding investment in thermal coal, weapons, military contracting and companies that severely violate labor conditions, next to voting and engaging.The strategy integrates sustainability criteria as part of the stock selection process and through a theme specific sustainability assessment. The portfolio is built on the basis of the eligible investment universe that includes companies with superior Gender Scores. The internally developed Gender Score comprises various criteria, such as board diversity, equal renumeration, talent management or employee well-being. Companies that exhibit an inferior overall ESG assessment are exluced from the investent universe.The majority of stocks selected will be components of the Benchmark, but stocks outside the Benchmark may be selected too. The investment policy is not constrained by a benchmark but the fund may use a benchmark for comparison purposes. The fund can deviate substantially from the issuer, country and sector weightings of the Benchmark. There are no restrictions on the deviation from the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a broad market weighted index that is not consistent with the sustainable objective of the fund.

Risk management is fully integrated into the investment process to ensure that positions always meet predefined guidelines.