STOXX^® Europe 600 ESG-X Ax Low Risk

The STOXX Benchmark ESG-X Indices are based on a selection of STOXX Benchmark Indices and apply standardized ESG exclusion screens. The screens are based on the responsible policies of leading asset owners and aim to reduce reputational and idiosyncratic risks.

STOXX excludes companies that ISS ESG considers to be non-compliant with its Norms-based research, that are involved in controversial weapons or severe controversies, are tobacco producers, or that either derive revenues from thermal coal extraction or exploration, or have power generation capacity that utilizes thermal coal.

STOXX Benchmark ESG-X Indices are suitable as underlying indices for mandates, passive funds, ETFs, structured products and listed derivatives, with the ambition to increase liquidity and lower the cost of trading.

This index applies screens in alignment with the ESMA guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms, which include controversial weapons, Tobacco, Coal (>1%), Oil fuels (>10%), Gaseous fuels (>50%/ Power generation), UNGC principles / OECD guidelines.Per the ESMA guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms, this index meets an 80% threshold linked to the proportion of investments used to meet environmental or social characteristic or sustainable investment objectives in accordance with the binding elements of the investment strategy.

Index Guides, Benchmark statement, and other reports are available under the Data tab.

The STOXX Paris-Aligned Benchmark Indices are based on liquid securities from a selection of STOXX Benchmark Indices. The indices are constructed to follow the EU Paris-aligned Benchmark (EU PAB) requirements outlined in the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards minimum standards for EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks.

Companies identified as non-compliant based on Sustainalytics Global Standards Screening (GSS) assessment, are involved in Controversial Weapons or display a Severe (Category 5) Controversy Rating, as identified by Sustainalytics are not eligible for selection. Tobacco Producers, as identified by ISS ESG, are also not eligible. Securities that generate revenues above a certain threshold from coal, oil and gas exploration or processing activities are excluded. Additionally, securities that derive more than 10% of their revenues from thermal coal-based power generation, or more than 50% from power generation with carbon intensity of lifecycle emissions higher than 100gCO2e/kWh are not considered for selection. Furthermore, STOXX will exclude companies that ISS ESG assesses to have Significant Obstruction in the UN SDG 12,13,14,15.

The weighing process follows an optimization process to meet the minimum requirements detailed in the TEG report. The STOXX Paris-Aligned Benchmark Indices aim to reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by at least 50% when compared to their underlying benchmarks. They are also designed to meet the year on year 7% decarbonization target.

High climate impact sector weights of the STOXX Paris-Aligned Benchmark Indices are not underweighted relative to the underlying benchmark. The indices also overweigh securities with Science Based Targets, as verified by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

Index Guides, Benchmark statement, and other reports are available under the Data tab.

STOXX ESG Target indices aim to provide a strong ESG tilt to the benchmark index while maintaining low tracking error of the benchmark index. The weight of each constituent security is determined through an optimization process that is designed to ensure diversification and uses Axioma's Risk Models and Optimizer. Companies that are non-compliant based on the ISS ESG’ Norms-based research assessment or are involved in controversial weapons are not eligible for selection. Additional exclusion filters are applied, screening companies for involvement in tobacco production and distribution, thermal coal extraction and power generation, small arms manufacturing, military contracting, unconventional oil and gas exploration and production, high ESG risk, and ESG controversies.

This index applies screens in alignment with the ESMA guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms, which include controversial weapons, Tobacco, Coal (>1%), Oil fuels (>10%), Gaseous fuels (>50%/ Power generation), UNGC principles / OECD guidelines.

Index Guides, Benchmark statement, and other reports are available under the Data tab.