Britons increase ethical investment

Friday, 12 February 2010 12:00

By myfinances.co.uk staff

Assets held in ethical investment funds increased by 26 per cent during 2009, according to a new report.

The Investment Management Association (IMA), which published the data, said funds under management in the sector stood at £5.6 billion at the end of last year, the second highest figure on record.

Net sales of the funds topped £62 million between October and December, the highest quarterly figure since the last three months of 2007.

For 2009 as a whole, net sales stood at £155 million, up one per cent year-on-year.

Sustainable investment and finance association UKSIF said the rise in ethical fund sales during the last three months of 2009 underlines the importance of choosing investments that will help to build a sustainable economic recovery as the country moves out of recession.

"One simple way to make a difference is to consider green and ethical funds as part of your ISA," said UKSIF chief executive Penny Shepherd MBE.

According to the IMA, there were a total of 54 ethical funds available in the UK at the end of last year.

• Tags:
• ethical investments
,
• ethical isas
,
• news