InvestNow News – 21st Feb 20 – Morphic Performance Report – January 2020

Ethical Investing in Focus

Just how much consideration should guardians of your pensions and savings put on ethical and environmental concerns, if any at all? What responsibility do they have to consider climate change in investment decisions?

There is a landmark court case winding its way through the Australian courts that will have momentous consequences for how these questions are considered. Mark McVeigh is suing his Super Fund in the Federal Court for not acting in his best interests as he won’t be able to access his savings until 2055, and argues that climate risks for that date should affect decisions now.

This shows the increasingly engaged stance from investors and members as the effects of climate change become more severe and are demanding more action for those entrusted with running their money.

Portfolio review

The Morphic Global Opportunities Fund (“Fund”) rose 4.3% in January, outperforming global markets which rose 3.8% in AUD terms. Global equities fell 1.2% in USD terms, as fears of the contagion effects from the Coronavirus drove markets down. A falling Australian dollar versus the US dollar offset this.

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