Sydney, 16 April 2024 – Global investment manager and solutions provider Russell Investments has today launched its first multi-strategy exchange-traded fund (ETF) in Australia, providing investors with access to an actively managed portfolio of international shares, with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) related considerations.  

Russell Investments Sustainable Global Opportunities Complex ETF (ASX:RGOS) incorporates the investment strategies of multiple global equities managers Russell Investments considers have ESG capabilities in global shares. RGOS takes ESG related considerations into account by selecting managers who have been identified by Russell Investments as having a sustainable investment strategy, and by applying exclusionary screens and net zero transition considerations.   

Tim Furlan, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand at Russell Investments, said the appetite for actively managed ETFs continues to strengthen in Australia and, at the same time, investors seek investment solutions focused on the environment and sustainability. 

“RGOS gives investors access to quality investment ideas from multiple managers.  In selecting these managers, we assess how the manager integrates ESG characteristics or objectives in its processes,” Furlan said.   

Russell Investments’ Head of Global Equities Will Pearce and Senior Portfolio Manager James Harwood will lead the management of RGOS’s investment portfolio. Harwood said RGOS provides institutional-grade risk control, active selection and outperformance potential which can be considered as part of a core international shares allocation in a balanced portfolio.  

“For ESG-focused investors it is a balance between deliberate security selection in line with their values, while not being constrained by the opportunity set or bearing excessive risk. Our multi-strategy approach provides a diversified exposure to sustainable global shares with lower equity factor and stock risks, compared to a typical single manager active ESG-related strategy,” said Harwood. 

“Individual active ESG managers can lean towards investment styles such as growth or quality, and either large or small cap. RGOS uses complementary managers to balance these factors to provide less volatile performance patterns, while still pursuing excess returns above RGOS’ global equity benchmark.”  

Russell Investments’ dedicated manager research team evaluate more than 200 global equity managers who we consider have ESG capabilities for possible inclusion in the portfolio.  

Russell Investments’ portfolio managers continually assess the managers and their suitability for the portfolio, with additions or replacements made as necessary, or as new opportunities are uncovered. This may include managers that are otherwise closed to new money or not immediately available to Australian investors.  

The current managers include: Sparinvest, Wellington Management, Neuberger Berman, and Mirova, allowing Russell Investments to combine a mix of investment styles focussing on value, quality and growth. 

RGOS will also disclose its full holdings daily, giving investors transparency about how their money is being invested. 

RGOS aims to outperform its benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Net Index, before costs and tax, with a fee of 0.95% per annum on assets under management. 

RGOS becomes the sixth product in Russell Investments’ suite of ETFs in Australia. Other Russell Investments’ products include three fixed income ETFs (RGB, RCB, RSM), and two Australian share ETFs (RDV, RARI). 

Media enquiries 
Darren Snyder 
darren@honner.com.au
0434 827 650 

Notes to editors 

• More information about the Russell Investments Sustainable Global Opportunities Complex ETF can be found at russellinvestments.com.au/etf 

About Russell Investments

Russell Investments is a leading global investment solutions firm with A$436 billion in assets under management (as of 30 December 2023) for clients in 30 countries. The firm provides a wide range of investment capabilities to institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and individual investors around the world. Building on an 87-year legacy of continuous innovation to deliver exceptional value to clients, Russell Investments works every day to improve people’s financial security. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Russell Investments has offices in 16 cities around the world, including in New York, London, Tokyo, Sydney and Shanghai. For more information, please visit www.russellinvestments.com.au. 

Important information 

Issued by Russell Investment Management Ltd ABN 53 068 338 974, AFSL 247185 (RIM). This communication provides general information only and has not been prepared having regard to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision, you need to consider whether this information is appropriate to your objectives, financial situation and needs.  

This information has been compiled from sources RIM considers to be reliable but accuracy is not guaranteed. Any past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This document is not intended to be a complete statement or summary of the Russell Investments Funds (the Funds) or the Russell Investments Sustainable Global Opportunities Complex ETF (ETF). Investing in the Funds and the ETF is subject to risks, some of which are beyond the control of RIM, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested. Please see the risks section of the PDS for the Funds and the ETF for further details. You should consider these risks in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs. Neither RIM nor its related entities, directors or officers give any guarantee as to the success of the Funds or ETF, amount or timing of distributions, capital growth or taxation consequences of investing in the Funds or ETF. Any potential investor should consider the latest Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) issued by RIM for the Russell Investments Sustainable Global Opportunities Complex ETF (ETF) in deciding whether to acquire, or to continue to hold, units in the ETF. The PDS can be obtained by visiting www.russellinvestments.com.au/etfs or by phoning (02) 9229 5111.  The Target Market Determinations for the Funds and the ETF are available on our website at www.russellinvestments.com/au/support/tmds and include descriptions of who the financial product is appropriate for. You should refer to the TMD of the ETF or relevant Funds before making any investment decisions.  

Only persons who have been authorised as trading participants under the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Operating Rules can apply for units in the ETF through the PDS. Investors who are not Authorised Participants but are looking to acquire units in the ETF cannot invest through the PDS but may purchase units on the ASX. Please consult your stockbroker or financial adviser.  

To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of reliance on this information. 

This material does not constitute professional advice or opinion and is not intended to be used as the basis for making an investment decision.  

This work is copyright 2024. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of Russell Investment Management Ltd.