Actions have consequences. As a responsible investor, Aegon Asset Management knows this is true of the decisions we make on behalf of our clients. Our latest Responsible Investment Report explains our actions in 2019.
At Aegon Asset Management, we believe in active, engaged and responsible investment. In practice, we integrate ESG factors across our investment platform, fulfill our stewardship responsibilities by remaining active owners of our clients’ portfolios and develop focused responsible investment solutions that aim to deliver on ESG objectives alongside competitive returns.
Our Responsible Investment Report outlines our approach and key developments across our three pillars: ESG integration, active ownership and responsible investment solutions.
| OUR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT APPROACH | |
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Incorporating ESG factors into the investment process to mitigate risk and uncover opportunities. |
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Addressing ESG issues by actively engaging with issuers and investee companies and exercising shareholder rights. |
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Providing focused responsible investment strategies including exclusions, best-in-class, sustainability-themed and impact investments. |
ESG Integration
Active Ownership
SolutionsBuilding on our rich heritage of responsible investment dating back over 30 years, we have enhanced our responsible investment activities as the marketplace has evolved. Notable developments in 2019 include:
- Enhanced ESG integration across asset classes and developed proprietary ESG research methodologies, specifically within corporate and securitized fixed income research.
- Increased active ownership activity by engaging with 564 companies, up from 360 the prior year. Voted on 2,321 meetings globally, a 69% increase from 2018.
- Launched progressive responsible investment strategies including a best-in-class ESG high yield strategy and sustainability-themed solution in fixed income, with additional strategies under development. These products complement our existing suite of responsible investment solutions with EUR 206 billion under management/advisement* across four key categories: exclusions, best-in-class, sustainability-themed and impact investments.
We’ve made great progress, but there’s more work to do. To that end, we remain committed to responsible investing and aspire to drive the industry forward by promoting best practices for the benefit of our clients, the industry and society at large.
