Wespath Update for Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - Wespath Launches New Fund | Receives Global Recognition for Sustainability Reporting...

Wespath Update for Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - Wespath Launches New Fund | Receives Global Recognition for Sustainability Reporting...
Wespath Investment Management Investment Solutions for United Methodist Organizations
Investment Solutions for United Methodist Organizations
Highlights
During the second quarter:
Wespath launched the Extended Term Fixed Income Fund (ETFIF), a long-duration bond fund available to United Methodist-affiliated institutional investors and to participants in the “United Methodist Personal Investment Plan” (UMPIP), the organization’s $3 billion-plus defined contribution plan service offering. For more information on the ETFIF, please click here.
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The funds managed by Wespath received significant new inflows from Discipleship Ministries (formerly known as the “General Board of Discipleship”).
Global Recognition for Wespath’s Sustainable Investment Focus
In June, Wespath was one of only two U.S.-based organizations commended by Responsible Investor (RI) for its 2014 Sustainability Report. The RI awards recognize excellence in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and responsible investment activities by global asset owners. Kirsty Jenkinson’s acceptance of the award is featured in an RI-TV episode entitled, “Encouraging external asset managers in North America,” which can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here.
In May, BlackRock and the Ceres coalition of investors and companies, co-published a new ESG guide, “21st Century Engagement: Investor Strategies for Incorporating ESG Considerations into Corporate Interactions,” that features a section on effective letter writing by Wespath’s Anita Green. To view an article by Institutional Investor that highlights Wespath’s contribution, please click here.
In May, Wespath was informed by the Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP) that the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church ranked 10th out of 500 global asset owners in climate change risk management. The ranking was based on an evaluation of asset owners’ climate change management on factors including transparency, risk management, low-carbon investments and active ownership. Wespath was one of only three U.S.-based institutions featured in the top ten. To view a complete list of the rankings, please click here.
Wespath Insights and Commentary
Wespath’s Michael Lohmeier (Managing Director, Investment Management) and Kirsty Jenkinson (Managing Director, Sustainable Investment Strategies) co-authored a white paper, “The New ‘SRI’: Sustainable and Responsible Investment.” To download a copy, please click here.
Performance Updates
The net-of-fees returns for the Wespath funds for the year-to-date period (ended June 30, 2015) are available here.
On Wednesday, July 22, Wespath will host its “Quarterly Update” webinar at 1:30 p.m. Central time. To register, please click here.
The June Investment Report includes an overview of the markets for the month, information on economic and geopolitical developments that impact the markets, and fund performance data for the month of June, as well as year-to-date.
Upcoming Events
Wespath will be among the sponsors of:
The United Methodist Association’s Children Youth and Family (CYF) Services Summer Workshop in Cleveland, Ohio, July 27-30.
The 2015 National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church (NASCUMC) gathering in Williamsburg, Virginia, July 27-29.
The 2015 National Association of United Methodist Foundations (NAUMF) National Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 12-15.
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Wespath, a division of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church.
Please click here to provide feedback on the scope and nature of the material, and suggestions for future topics. If you have any questions about our investment funds or the wide range of services provided by Wespath, please contact Derek Casteel at dcasteel@wespath.com, Brian Coker at bcoker@wespath.com, Karen Manczko at kmanczko@wespath.com or call 847.866.4100.
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Historical performance is not a guarantee of future performance. See the Investment Funds Description for further information about our funds. This is not an offer to sell any interests in our funds. An offer for the sale of such interests will only be made through the Investment Funds Description.
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