This fund has relatively low exposure to ESG risk compared with its peers in the US Equity Large Cap Blend category, earning it the second highest Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 4 globes. ESG risk measures the degree to which material environmental, social, and governance issues, such as climate change and inequalities, could affect valuations. ESG risk differs from impact, which is about driving positive environmental and social outcomes for society’s benefit.
One key area of strength for FIS Biblically Responsible Risk Mgd ETF is its low Morningstar Portfolio Carbon Risk Score of 8.55 and low fossil fuel exposure of 6.06% over the past 12 months, which earns it the Morningstar Low Carbon Designation. The fund is therefore well positioned to transition to a low-carbon economy.
One potential issue for a sustainability-focused investor is that FIS Biblically Responsible Risk Mgd ETF doesn’t have an ESG-focused mandate. A fund with an ESG-focused mandate would have a higher probability to drive positive ESG outcomes. By prospectus, the fund aims to avoid, or limit its exposure to, companies associated with controversial weapons, tobacco, and small arms. Yet this goal is far from achieved, as the fund exhibits 2.28% and 2.03% exposure to controversial weapons and tobacco, respectively. This compares with 1.87% and 0.51% for its average peer in the US Equity Large Cap Blend category.
The fund has a modest level of exposure (2.24%) to companies with high or severe controversies. Companies with high or severe controversies are involved in incidents such as corruption, employee abuses, environmental incidents, and corporate scandals that pose serious business risks to the company.