Asset manager Blackrock and Thomson Reuters have joined forces to launch an exchange traded fund (ETF), which will invest in companies promoting diversity and inclusion policies.

Dubbed iShares Thomson Reuters Inclusion & Diversity UCITS ETF, the new vehicle tracks an index that lists the top 100 companies with the most diverse and inclusive workplaces from more than 2,000 publicly-traded companies across the globe.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The index measures companies based on diversity, inclusion, news and controversies, as well as people development.

The index was developed by Thomson Reuters’ Financial and Risk arm, in which American private equity firm Blackstone Group agreed to purchase a majority stake. The Financial and Risk unit will be rebranded as Refinitiv upon deal completion.

Thomson Reuters Financial and Risk managing director of customer proposition Debra Walton said: “We established this Diversity and Inclusion index three years ago in response to the growing demand for data in support of ESG investment mandates. It leverages our rich ESG data and our index calculation capabilities.”

The new strategy has a total expense ratio of 25 basis points.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

BlackRock head of EMEA Rachel Lord said: “We are launching this Fund at a time when a spotlight is firmly on companies to show what they are doing to improve diversity of their workforce, and as investors demand new funds to express specific preferences within their portfolios.

“It is a significant step forward in the evolution of products that harness the power of social change to deliver long-term investment outcomes.”