Socially responsible investing rises

Socially responsible investing increased during the fourth quarter of 2009, new figures have shown.

The Investment Management Association’s (IMA’s) fourth quarter and full year statistics showed that ethical funds under management climbed to the second highest year-end on record during 2009.

Data showed that such funds increased by 26 per cent year-on-year over the 12-month period, taking the total to £5.6 billion.

This is second only to 2007 in terms of the highest year-end figure, however there was a slight decline in the number of funds listed in the IMA’s ethical category, which dropped from 56 in 2008 to 54 last year.

And there was also a small rise in sales of ethical funds to those carrying out social investing, which increased one per cent year-on-year to £155 million.

The news was welcomed by Penny Shepherd of sustainable investment and finance association UKSIF, who noted that ’increasing numbers of investors want to make money and make a difference’.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19612962-ADNFCR