GREEN ISAS: NEIW REVEALS TOP FUND SUPERMARKETS
Smile and Fair Investment Company top the tree in a new mystery shopping exercise to identify the best fund supermarkets for green and ethical stocks and shares ISAs. In the National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW) Five Star Ratings, Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor are awarded four star ratings. While Barclays Stockbrokers and Fidelity FundsNetwork are awarded three star ratings alongside the other eight fund supermarkets surveyed.
The research is published as recent IMA figures show that in December 2009 just under a fifth (18%) of all money invested in funds via an ISA was direct from the public via fund supermarkets and discount brokers. And research from NEIW found that the older generation, who have a higher ISA allowance in the current tax year*, have a greener outlook than those in the 18-24 age groups**.
The four and five star rated fund supermarkets and discount brokers stand out as they make it easier for investors to identify green and ethical funds, providing resources that help investors understand the options available to them. For example, they provide up to date guides that explain the range of options and/or offer a filter tool that helps investors identify relevant funds. Investors can now choose funds that will make a positive impact, such as those that focus on cleaner energy and health.
Read the full report: Green ISAs: The NEIW Fund Supermarket Ratings March 2010 Results
Read the full press release in our Media Centre. Sign up for email updates to get more information about National Ethical Investment Week. Visit the NEIW Consumer pages for more information and resources on green and ethical investing.
*The amount people over 50 can save in an Isa has risen from £7,200 to £10,200, of which half can be saved in cash and half in stocks and shares. The new limit, which came into force in October, will apply to everyone from 6 April 2010. ** A YouGov survey conducted for National Ethical Investment Week 2009 found that three quarters (75%) of the silver generation say they are very or fairly green. In contrast, only two thirds (62%) of the 18 – 24 age group said the same thing.
