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BMO: How to Build an ESG Portfolio

February 3, 2022

ESG investments that consider Environmental, Social and Governance factors have become powerful tools for mitigating risk, generating returns, and promoting more sustainable growth. As a result, they’re being readily embraced by investors looking to effect real change in their portfolios and the greater world. In fact, according to Morningstar, ESG funds now account for about a quarter of all money invested into U.S. stock and bond mutual funds.1

Building an ESG portfolio has never been easier. There are options tailored to the preferences and capabilities of each investor. The simplest is an all-in-one approach that offers an entire investment solution within a single fund - ideal for anyone seeking efficient, broad market access across asset classes, regions, and sectors, without the need to monitor day-to-day portfolio activity.

BMO offers a suite of 4 all-in-one responsible mutual funds called the BMO Sustainable Portfolios.  Each has a level of investment risk and performance potential to suit different types of investors as they save for their long-term goals - whether that’s buying a future vacation home, helping a family member achieve their dreams, or funding a comfortable retirement.

Each portfolio is designed to be well-diversified with a mix of fixed income investments, equities, and cash. Together, they provide a more convenient approach to investing with the potential to improve risk-adjusted returns. 

Each BMO Sustainable Portfolio is monitored and rebalanced by professional investment managers to enhance performance and ensure the blend of asset classes in your portfolio remains right for your needs. 

For do-it-yourself investors looking for a globally diversified and responsible ETF, BMO offers ZESG – the BMO Balanced ESG ETF.  The first of its kind in Canada, ZESG is a low-cost, all-in-one solution that focuses on ESG factors, balancing moderate income with the potential for long-term growth.

Whether you invest with the BMO Sustainable Portfolios or the BMO Balanced ESG ETF, letting professionals do the heavy lifting is a major timesaver that lets investors rest easy knowing that their asset allocation is on track. 

Investors who want to target a specific theme with their investments may choose to tactically tilt a portfolio towards a particular theme or add a satellite position that may align with their values.  For example, like the BMO Sustainable Opportunities Global Equity Fund which excludes any fossil fuel related companies, and the BMO Women in Leadership Fund that invests in companies committed to gender equity in senior leadership. 

Many ESG investors may be inclined to avoid the energy sector given the industry’s negative association with the environment, but there are companies working to transition their businesses and lessen their carbon footprint that may be worthy of consideration. The same is true for a growing number of companies spearheading the drive towards less expensive, carbon-neutral solutions like wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy.

BMO ETFs ESG

Companies that produce renewable energy are primed to play an important role in our future, and countries around the world are investing heavily in their development. Even now, their progress is undeniable. In April 2019, renewable energy provided more power generation than coal for the first time ever2, and in 2020, long-term contracts, priority access to the grid and continuous installation of new plants helped renewables surge relative to traditional energy sources3. This trend was further underscored by a recent Bloomberg New Energy Finance analysis that suggested more than 50% of the world’s energy will come from solar and wind sources by 20504.

Together, these developments are creating huge opportunities for investors looking to get behind the ‘green revolution’ through funds like BMO’s Clean Energy Index ETF (ZCLN). The fund tracks the S&P Global Clean Energy Index to provide liquid and tradable exposure to a diversified mix of 100 clean energy companies from around the world.

Although we often tend to look at ESG factors from an equity perspective, they also play a very important role in fixed income markets as well. Companies generally issue debt much more frequently than equity, making bondholders uniquely positioned to enact change by aligning their ESG priorities to a company’s capital funding needs.

Investing in sustainable bonds is about mitigating downside risk – exactly what you want from the fixed income allocation of your portfolio. Thanks to choices like the BMO Sustainable Bond Fund, these objectives can be met while aiming to preserve yield, credit quality, duration, or diversification.

BMO Global Asset Management is committed to innovation in responsible investing, with a range of responsible investment choices and strategies. Whether you choose an all-in-one solution or a build-your-own approach, there’s a BMO responsible investment solution to suit your investment profile and investment goals. Speak to a BMO advisor or investment professional to find the investment that’s best for you. 

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1Source: Morningstar, 2020, Canadian ESG Investing Soars in 2020

2Source: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/energy-and-resources/articles/renewable-energy-outlook.html

3 Source: Bloomberg, Sept 30, 2021

4Source: New Energy Outlook 2021 | BloombergNEF | Bloomberg Finance LP (bnef.com)

Commissions, management fees and expenses (if applicable) may be associated with investments in mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Trailing commissions may be associated with investments in mutual funds. Please read the fund facts, ETF Facts or prospectus of the relevant mutual fund or ETF before investing. Mutual funds and ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in BMO Mutual Funds or BMO ETFs, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus of the relevant mutual fund or ETF.  BMO ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

BMO Mutual Funds are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate entity from Bank of Montreal. BMO ETFs are managed and administered by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager and portfolio manager and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.

Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent simplified prospectus.®/™Registered trade-marks/trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under license.

FULL DISCLOSURE: BMO is a client of BTV-Business Television. This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional. Any action taken as a result of reading information here is the reader’s sole responsibility.

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