STOXX^® US Equity Factor Screened

The ISS STOXX World AC ESG Climbers Index selects securities from the STOXX World AC universe that consistently improve their ESG performance, with standardized ESG exclusion screens applied for ISS ESG Norms Based Screening assessment, a set of definitions for Controversial Weapons, Tobacco, Thermal Coal, Unconventional Oil & Gas, Civilian Firearms and Military Equipment. The objective is to select such companies that are on trajectory to become ESG leaders in the future, based on whether their ISS ESG Corporate Ratings Overall Numeric Scores have improved at least 5 times if they are assigned to Developed Markets and at least 3 times of improvement if they are assigned to Emerging Markets in the past 5 years, and are required to improve at least 3 times if they are assigned to Developed Markets and 2 times if they are assigned to Emerging Markets in order to remain as constituents. The methodology also removes securities whose issuers are poor ESG performers, where their ISS ESG Corporate Ratings Overall Numeric Score is lower than 1.75. Securities whose issuers do not receive ESG Rating as of the effective review are also excluded.

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.

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