New DWS sustainability fund DWS Invest ESG Women for Women focuses on social factors

DWS launched a new sustainably investing equity fund on January 17, 2022. DWS Invest ESG Women for Women invests globally in companies that focus on environmental protection, good corporate governance and fair treatment of their employees. The fund pays particular attention to social aspects – to the "S" in "ESG".

DWS Invest ESG Women for Women is managed exclusively by women and specifically targets the needs of women when selecting their investments. To select companies that perform well in terms of social values and fair working conditions, the 12-strong team of female portfolio managers led by Katharina Seiler, Valerie Schueler and Lilian Haag uses DWS's Social Commitment Score. This score evaluates companies with regard to five factors: In addition to working conditions along the entire value chain, the topics of equal rights and opportunities, gender distribution at management level, work-life balance and flexibility of the working environment are included in the analysis. "The shortlist for the fund includes companies that are leaders in the "Social Commitment Score" as well as companies where the fund management perceives particularly strong progress," says Katharina Seiler. The companies also undergo a classic fundamental analysis with a focus on the business model, management and the issues of growth and valuation. The portfolio managers of DWS Invest ESG Women for Women also focus on long-term investment trends such as digitalization, education, renewable energies, infrastructure, health, research and connectivity.

Social factors important for corporate success

With its focus on social factors, the new DWS fund addresses a topic that is increasingly coming to the fore when it comes to investing - not least as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. "Social aspects are an increasingly important success factor for companies. They can have a positive effect on the productivity and profits of companies, which should also be reflected in a positive performance on the stock market in the long term," explains portfolio manager Valerie Schueler, referring to history: over a period of five years, U.S. companies from the S&P 500 Index that are well positioned in terms of the "S factor" have performed better than the broad market.^[1]

Paving the way for more women to enter the equity market

We want to motivate women to take charge of their wealth accumulation – also in view of the looming pension gap in old age," says Lilian Haag. In contrast to men, women still have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the capital market, says the portfolio manager. Although around 80 percent of women already save regularly, only one in eight invests their money in the equity market.^[2]

 

For further information please contact:

Sabina Díaz Duque
+49 69 / 910 14177
sabina.diaz-duque@dws.com

Kathrin Mahr
+49 69 / 910 13388
kathrin.mahr@dws.com

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 880bn of assets under management (as of 30 September 2021). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.