VictoryShares Corporate Bond ETF's holdings are exposed to average levels of ESG risk relative to those of its peers in the US Fixed Income category, thus earning it an average Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 3 globes. Competing funds in the category with ratings of 4 or 5 globes have less ESG risk in their holdings. ESG risk measures the degree to which material environmental, social, and governance issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, human capital, as well as bribery and corruption, could affect valuations. ESG risk differs from impact, which is about driving positive environmental and social outcomes for society’s benefit.
VictoryShares Corporate Bond ETF has a sustainability or ESG-focused mandate. Funds with an ESG-focused mandate are more likely to align with the expectations of an investor who cares about sustainability issues. VictoryShares Corporate Bond ETF has an asset-weighted Carbon Risk Score of 9.3, indicating that its companies have low exposure to carbon-related risks. These are risks associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy such as increased regulation, changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and stranded assets. The fund's current involvement in fossil fuels rests at 7.8%, which compares favorably with 12.0% for its average category peer. Companies are considered involved in fossil fuels if they derive some revenue from thermal coal, oil, and gas.
The fund's 5.7% involvement in carbon solutions is roughly in line with the 6.4% average involvement of its peers in the Corporate Bond category. Carbon solutions include products and services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, green transportation, and so on. The fund has a modest level of exposure (5.37%) to companies with high or severe controversies. Companies with controversies are involved in incidents such as corruption, employee abuses, and that pose some degree of business risks to the company. Severe and high controversies can have significant financial repercussions, ranging from legal penalties to consumer boycotts. In addition, they controversies can damage the reputation of both companies themselves and their shareholders.