iSTOXX^® L&G Emerging Markets Multi-Factor ESG

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 norms-based Screening assessment, or are involved in Controversial Weapons, as identified by ISS ESG 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 higher than 10% of their revenues from thermal coal-based power generation, or higher 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 following UN SDGs: SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG 15 Life On Land.

The weighing process follows an optimization process to keep the tracking error less than on equal to 1.5% compared to the parent indes while meeting the minimum requirements detailed in the regulation. 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.

The ISS STOXX Emerging Markets ESG Climbers Index selects securities from the STOXX Emerging Markets 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 3 times over the past 5 years in case of new constituents and 2 times in case of existing 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.

STOXX single and multi-factor indices aim to harvest the risk premia of several academically validated style factors – Value, Momentum, Quality, Size and Low Risk. At the same time the rules ensure tradability and diversification as well as limit untargeted systematic exposures.

STOXX uses Axioma's risk model and optimizer to construct the factor indices. The STOXX ESG-X single and multi-factor indices are based on the respective STOXX ESG-X country or regional benchmark indices.

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 Climate Awareness Ex UN Global Compact Principles and Controversial Weapons indices will include companies with a CDP Performance Band A to C- (pre-2016 Performance Band A to C). Band A and A- includes companies that are seen as leading companies in terms of climate change: these companies are disclosing particular “actions” which mark them as leaders, as well as high scores across all other levels of the CDP Scoring matrix. Scoring requires detailed company-specific explanations. Band B & B- includes companies that “manage” climate change: companies seek evidence of climate actions implemented and requires company-specific understanding of cli-mate change related issues.  Band C and C- identifies companies who have looked at implications of climate change for, and on, their business and recognizes a high level, contextual knowledge of environmental issues.  The index also exlcudes companies violating international norms, are involved with controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal, civilian firearms, military equipment, and unconventional oil and gas.

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