Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund may not appeal to sustainability-conscious investors.
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund's holdings are exposed to average levels of ESG risk relative to those of its peers in the Target Date 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 and inequalities, could affect valuations. ESG risk differs from impact, which is about driving positive environmental and social outcomes for society’s benefit.
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund has a Carbon Risk Score of 8.98, indicating portfolio companies face low carbon-related risks in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
One potential issue for a sustainability-focused investor is that Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund doesn’t have an ESG-focused mandate. Funds with an ESG-focused mandate would have a higher probability to drive positive ESG outcomes. The fund's current involvement in fossil fuels reaches 8.92%, surpassing 8.57% 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 exhibits moderate exposure (7.73%) to companies with high or severe controversies. From bribery and corruption to workplace discrimination and environmental incidents, controversies are incidents that may negatively affect stakeholders, the environment, or the company’s operations.