IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: FOR NON-US PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY
This site is intended only for non-US professional investors or US-based fiduciaries representing non-US investors eligible to invest in Aegon Asset Management’s (the “Company”) UCITS funds. This site, and the funds described herein, are not suitable for individual investors.
The following information regarding the Company’s funds is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer for shares, products or services and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell, an invitation to acquire an investment, or a solicitation of an offer to buy for any persons who are prohibited from receiving such information under their domiciled local laws.
Aegon Asset Management Investment Company (Ireland) Plc is structured as an umbrella type open-ended investment company with variable capital consisting of a number of different sub-funds (“Funds”) and is authorized in Ireland pursuant to European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) UCITS Regulations and the Central Bank UCITS Regulations (“UCITS Regulations"). Aegon Asset Management Europe ICAV is structured as an umbrella type open-ended investment ICAV with variable capital consisting of Funds and is authorized in Ireland as a UCITS pursuant to the UCITS Regulations.
These Funds are registered in Ireland and are available only to residents of those jurisdictions where allowed by law. Investors that do not meet these requirements will be denied access by the Company.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Austria.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Belgium.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Denmark.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Finland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in France.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
Attention aux fraudeurs se faisant passer pour Aegon Asset Management, d’autres institutions financières et organismes de régulation: Nous avons reçu plusieurs signalements de fraudeurs se faisant passer pour Aegon AM et d’autres entreprises en créant de faux sites web, de fausses publicités et de fausses adresses mail. Pour en savoir plus sur la manière de vous protéger contre ces escroqueries et comment signaler un comportement suspect,veuillez lire ce qui suit.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Germany.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Jersey.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Ireland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Italy.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Luxembourg.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Malta.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Netherlands.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor we recommend that you take qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions. You can obtain the latest prospectus, accounts, Key Investor Information and fund prices at www.aegon.nl.
Risk Warning Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Norway.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Portgual.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Spain.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the Legal documents of the Fund(s), such as the KIID and/or prospectus, before making any final investment decisions.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in Sweden.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
This Website and all information contained herein is intended for exclusive use of qualified investors as defined in the Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes of 23 June 2006 (the “CISA”) and in its implementing ordinance, which have their residence or registered office in Switzerland (the “Qualified Investors”), excluding opt up Qualified investors.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
If you are not a Qualified Investor or are an opt up Qualified Investor under CISA with residence or registered office in Switzerland, we recommend you consult a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
For investors in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay:
This material does not constitute an offer of products or securities in any country listed above or in any jurisdiction within Latin America and should not be construed as such. Unless otherwise indicated, no regulator or government authority has reviewed the content or the merits of any products and services referenced or implied herein. This material is being made available only to the extent it is in accordance with the restrictions and/or limitations implemented by any applicable laws and regulations. Information is directed at and intended only for institutional investors and their advisers for informational purposes and may not be reproduced in any form. Before acting on any information provided herein, prospective investors should inform themselves of, and observe, all applicable laws, rules and regulations of any relevant jurisdictions and obtain independent advice if required.
If your country is not listed above, please contact us.
‘Striving for social justice is the most valuable thing to do in life’ Albert Einstein
The ‘S’ in ESG is often overlooked in favour of the more tangible ‘E’ but the global pandemic has reminded us of the huge global inequalities in factors such as income, health and diversity; as well as the value that can be created by addressing them. Investors globally, and society at large, are increasingly scrutinising companies’ behaviour towards all of their stakeholders, whether they be customers, employees or suppliers. It is vital that companies evolve their social practices and provide greater transparency on key social issues, thereby reducing risk and enhancing sustainable returns for investors.
Analysing and measuring social factors can be complex given the greater reliance on qualitative aspects and differing norms around the world. As active investors, we have recently engaged with many corporates that have, in the main, reacted to the circumstances with commendable measures such as more flexible working practices, paying smaller suppliers early or topping up the pay of furloughed employees. In addition, many senior managers have voluntarily reduced their remuneration packages – a welcome move at a time when the gap between the lowest and highest paid in society is increasing. Finally, a number of our investee companies have actively re-focused their attentions to help society battle the pandemic, either by providing Covid-19 support and testing solutions or working to develop a vaccine.
Workplace diversity, which empirical studies have shown to improve corporate performance, also has a role to play in a more socially equitable environment and should be aided by more flexible working (and perhaps as importantly, hiring) practices. This is another topic that we actively engage with companies on, to better understand the challenges they face and actions they are taking. Encouraging the laggards to strive for improvement is a vital part of a comprehensive stewardship strategy.
Unfortunately, some companies continue to prioritise purely financial performance at the expense of social considerations for their stakeholders, resulting in negative consequences such as sub-standard levels of safety and/or pay for employees or unacceptable supply chain behaviours. This is a red flag for investors, as it can lead to negative impacts from either an operational or financial perspective (e.g. increased employee turnover, reduced customer loyalty) and proves the fallacy of believing only financial performance matters. Indeed, a positive social contribution from a company is much more likely to command a premium valuation and a competitive advantage.
As so often happens, the most challenging environments result in positive change! The increased focus on social issues as a consequence of the pandemic is likely, in time, to prove a positive for stakeholders and encourage change (or failure) from those with sub-standard practices. As ever, corporate culture remains key and the best management teams appreciate that extra-financial aspects matter for the operational and reputational strength of their business and the sustainability of its financial returns. The catalyst for change in many social aspects not only complements developments on the environmental front (haven’t we all enjoyed less congestion and pollution during lockdown?) but continues to raise the awareness of the positive aspects of ESG momentum across the full spectrum of the E, the S and the G.
More about the authors
Audrey RyanInvestment Manager
Audrey Ryan, investment manager, is a member of the equities team and is responsible for managing various strategies.