Q1 2022 Review

By Marypat Thenell Smucker | June 7, 2022

Gender Lens Investing Q1 2022 examines the first quarter 2022 performance and composition of gender lens equity funds and offers overviews of DEI equity funds and gender lens fixed income vehicles. The review explores the dynamics shaping publicly available gender lens investing:

Updating our Scorecard Rankings, and Applying a Gender Lens to Climate Funds.

Download the executive summary or full report

Key Findings

  • Publicly traded gender lens equity funds (GLEFs) totaled US$4.1 billion in AUM as of March 31, 2022. AUM growth for 2021 was 51%, while quarterly growth was largely flat.
  • Year-over-year growth for the GLEFs in our coverage universe in both periods was 27%.
  • This quarter we initiated coverage of five gender lens equity funds, including four launched since November 2021.
  • There are 14 global equity funds and 18 regional equity funds available to individual investors. These are domiciled in the U.S., Canada, the E.U., Republic of Korea, and Japan.
  • Gender lens fixed income AUM was US$7.6 billion as of March 31, 2022. While quarterly growth was down 10%, with new issues and maturities both in the mix, AUM in these funds and vehicles grew 75% in 2021. Year-over-year growth was 19%. We also watch sustainable bonds that employ a gender lens.
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) funds totaled US$235 million in AUM as of March 31, 2022. This growing group of funds focuses on investing in companies with robust DEI policies. AUM growth was 19% for the quarter.
  • The report provides a review of climate funds through a gender lens. The analysis focuses on gender equality metrics of the top holdings of leading funds in three climate strategies: Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Clean Water.
  • The Parallelle Finance Scorecard is a tool for evaluating funds with an in-depth gender lens.
  • Scorecard rankings of the gender lens equity funds in our coverage universe and related commentary are included in the report.

Figure A: 12 Largest GLEFs by AUM (in US$ millions)

As of March 31, 2022; Source: Fund fact sheets

Figure B: Top GLEF Performers. Along with the broader market, the group of 32 gender lens equity funds (GLEFs) generally traded down for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.  A full discussion of performance and composition of the GLEF group is included in the report.

Download the executive summary or full report

 

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