Searching for returns in ethical investing

ETHICAL INVESTING

Maria Merricks discovers how to invest ethically and still make money.

The concept of ethical funds has long been overshadowed by the myth investing ethically will compromise returns. Commentators, however, argue this view is outdated. Recent IMA figures suggest investors have woken up to the idea ethical investing can be aligned with returns. Ethical funds saw net retail sales of £74m in Q3 2010 - up 25% on the same period the previous year. Mike Appleby, head of SRI thematic research at Aviva Investors, says SRI funds have changed since their introduction over 20 years ago and today the label need not affect performance. He says it is easy for peopl...