Jupiter fund eyes greater income opportunities

Jupiter Asset Management makes key changes to its Environmental Income Fund.

Jupiter fund eyes greater income opportunities

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The fund management firm said the fund will be renamed the Jupiter Responsible Income fund and will take the FTSE 4 Good Index as its benchmark instead of the FTSE All Share.
 
Through widening its investment scope the fund will have potential to invest in selected resource companies and a broader pool of dividend-paying firms.
 
The changes will take effect as of 19 September and are expected to enhance the income potential of the fund.
 
Jupiter said the changes reflect its view that a number of resource businesses have become increasingly engaged in issues of environmental and social responsibility and so now deserve consideration by the fund.
 
The fund’s current policy does not prevent it from investment in resource firms, but it has previously applied a soft screen because it felt companies in the sector had failed to address the impact of their business the environment and society.
 
Companies will continue to be monitored for inclusion or, if necessary, exclusion from the portfolio by Jupiter’s sustainable investment and governance team. 
 
The focus of the fund will still be UK companies that are actively managing their environmental and social impact.
 
But it has recently been shifted from the IMA UK All Companies sector to the IMA UK Equity Income sector to reflect its recent income-generating focus.
 
Christopher Watt, manager of the fund, said: "Since the launch of the fund 11 years ago, the percentage of the FTSE All Share index in resources has increased to around 30% and mining and oil and gas are the two largest sectors by market capitalisation.
 
"Considering investment in this type of stock, as and when we identify opportunities, could benefit our investors by providing a bigger pool of dividend-paying stocks."
 
His fund uses a negative ethical screening process to avoid companies associated with armaments, tobacco, nuclear power and animal testing for toiletries and cosmetics.
 

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