YOU INVEST funds become sustainable – Questions and answers about the reorganization

YOU INVEST funds become sustainable – Questions and answers about the reorganization
YOU INVEST funds become sustainable – Questions and answers about the reorganization
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YOU INVEST becomes YOU INVEST GREEN. With the reorganization of the YOU INVEST funds, customers now have the opportunity to invest in actively and professionally managed multi-asset funds with an ESG focus within the framework of this product family. Gerhard Beulig, Senior Fund Manager at Erste Asset Management, explains what this means for investors and who might be interested in YOU INVEST GREEN funds:

What does the reorganization of the YOU INVEST funds mean for investors?

The basic orientation, for example in terms of the equity ratio, remains unchanged, and the return/risk characteristics of the funds will therefore remain very similar. The change will be made by substituting the investment funds in which investments are made and adapting the possible asset classes. The funds used will employ a sustainable investment approach. Some market segments, such as alternative investments, US Treasuries or Chinese government bonds will no longer be invested in for sustainability reasons.

What’s behind the term „sustainability“?

The key word in sustainable investing is “ESG”. This refers to the terms environment, social, and governance – the three core issues of sustainable investing, so to speak. A sustainable fund or investment must meet certain minimum criteria in these three areas. Sustainability in the sense of the ESG standards therefore does not only mean “environmental protection”, but also includes other topics. For example, aspects such as equal rights, human rights or the exclusion of outlawed weapons.

You can find out more about sustainability and sustainable investing here: Sustainability | Erste Asset Management (erste-am.at)

(c) Photo: Samuel Kreuz

Some market segments, such as alternative investments, US Treasuries or Chinese government bonds, will no longer be invested in for sustainability reasons.


– Gerhard Beulig, Senior Fund Manager

How is it ensured that investments are only made in ESG-compliant industries and companies?

On the one hand, the funds used undergo a review of the securities currently held. On the other hand, the entire investment process will also be evaluated. The focal points and exclusion criteria set by the sub-fund managers must correspond to those of Erste Asset Management; an evaluation in this regard is carried out by our sustainability experts.

The stock market environment has been very difficult this year. YOU INVEST funds have also suffered from high inflation and the Ukraine war. How do you assess the situation?

Unfortunately, the entire YOU INVEST fund family was unable to escape the extremely challenging market conditions. As both the stock markets and almost all bond markets recorded significant declines, the performance of the YOU INVEST funds was also negative in the first half of the year – although more stability was brought into the portfolios with a relatively high money market ratio.

The change in the interest rate policy of the major central banks and the tightening of inflation, mainly via energy prices caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, were the main reasons for this. The particularly difficult situation in the first half of 2022 was the fact that there were no asset classes that generated significantly positive returns in an environment of falling equity markets. Thus, the effect of diversification across different asset classes was limited in this short-term period. As already mentioned, the money market share helped to dampen the development.

What advice would you give to investors of YOU INVEST funds?

In challenging times, it is advisable to reflect on the medium to long-term goals that are to be achieved with the investment. Fluctuations in the capital markets can certainly be seen as an opportunity to take advantage of these short-term declines by making favorable purchases, even through fund savings plans (more information on fund savings in turbulent times). The yield level of bonds is more attractive again, an equity share is recommended against the background of the long-term substance-preserving character.

For a glossary of technical terms, please visit this link: Fund Glossary | Erste Asset Management

Legal note:

Prognoses are no reliable indicator for future performance.

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Legal disclaimer

This document is an advertisement. Unless indicated otherwise, source: Erste Asset Management GmbH. Our languages of communication are German and English.

The prospectus for UCITS (including any amendments) is published in accordance with the provisions of the InvFG 2011 in the currently amended version. Information for Investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG is prepared for the alternative investment funds (AIF) administered by Erste Asset Management GmbH pursuant to the provisions of the AIFMG in connection with the InvFG 2011. The fund prospectus, Information for Investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG, and the Key Information Document can be viewed in their latest versions at the web site www.erste-am.com within the section mandatory publications or obtained in their latest versions free of charge from the domicile of the management company and the domicile of the custodian bank. The exact date of the most recent publication of the fund prospectus, the languages in which the Key Information Document is available, and any additional locations where the documents can be obtained can be viewed on the web site www.erste-am.com. A summary of investor rights is available in German and English on the website www.erste-am.com/investor-rights as well as at the domicile of the management company.

The management company can decide to revoke the arrangements it has made for the distribution of unit certificates abroad, taking into account the regulatory requirements.

Detailed information on the risks potentially associated with the investment can be found in the fund prospectus or Information for investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG of the respective fund. If the fund currency is a currency other than the investor's home currency, changes in the corresponding exchange rate may have a positive or negative impact on the value of his investment and the amount of the costs incurred in the fund - converted into his home currency.

This document serves as additional information for our investors and is based on the knowledge of the staff responsible for preparing it at the time of preparation. Our analyses and conclusions are general in nature and do not take into account the individual needs of our investors in terms of earnings, taxation, and risk appetite. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of the future performance of a fund.

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1 Comment

  1. zara says:

     Very Informative, . Here, I want to add something related to solar energy as it’s the cheapest way to have electricity for your home, industry etc.