Institutional Strategy > Equities > Global Sustainable Equity

Global Sustainable Equity

Seeks to invest in quality companies where sustainability reinforces competitive advantage

Global, best ideas portfolio of 40-60 quality holdings
Sustainability, value chain lens and engagement key to approach
Risk-controlled portfolio, with high active share >75%
Experienced, industry-leading investment team* supported by NB research and ESG platforms
Established, long-term track record

Hendrik-Jan Boer

Senior Portfolio Manager and Global Equities Team Group Head

Alex Zuiderwijk, CFA

Senior Portfolio Manager

Jeroen Brand

Senior Portfolio Manager

Investment Philosophy

We seek to build a sustainable, future-proof portfolio by investing in companies that:

Corporate Change

We use a value chain perspective to bottom-up assessment; a differentiated approach that looks across traditional sector classifications for compelling investment opportunities.

Evaluate Opportunities Through A Value Chain Lens

Investment process

We adopt a consistent and repeatable four-step process to build a resilient portfolio of high-quality and sustainable business models

ESG at Neuberger Berman

As an active manager, Neuberger Berman has a long-standing belief that ESG factors are an important driver of investment returns from both opportunity and risk mitigation perspectives.

Top scores (5 stars) awarded in the most recent UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) assessment for ESG investment and stewardship approach and integration across asset classes¹
Member of PRI 2020 Leaders’ Group, awarded to 1% of PRI investment manager signatories²
Innovative ESG investing team support development of proprietary research and investment-led implementation of ESG integration

For illustrative and discussion purposes only. PRI grades are based on information reported directly by PRI signatories, of which investment managers totaled 3,404 for 2021. Due to some technical problems that the PRI had migrating to a new data platform, the results of the 2021 reporting cycle (based on the calendar year 2020) were delayed. Note that scores for the 2021 reporting cycle cannot be compared to previous years due to the change in assessment methodology. Although there was not a Leaders' Group announced by the PRI based on reporting in 2021, Neuberger Berman achieved a 5-star rating in every eligible module in the PRI's 2021 Reporting Framework. Unlike previous years, the indicator scores are assigned one of five performance bands (from 1 to 5 stars) instead of six performance bands (from A+ to E).
The year 2020 represents the first year that asset managers became eligible for PRI Leader designation, which formerly included asset owners only. The new designation was awarded to only 20 of the 2100+ investment manager PRI signatories. The Leaders’ Group showcases signatories at the cutting edge of responsible investment, and highlights trends in what they are doing. PRI uses signatories’ reporting responses and assessment data to identify those that are doing excellent work in responsible investment – across their organizations and with a focus on a given theme each year. The 2020 theme is climate reporting. Information about PRI Leader is sourced entirely from PRI and Neuberger Berman makes no representations, warranties or opinions based on that information.

Key Risks

Counterparty Risk: The risk that a counterparty will not fulfil its payment obligation for a trade, contract or other transaction on the due date.
Currency Risk: Investors who subscribe in a currency other than the base currency of the portfolio are exposed to currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the return on investment.
Liquidity Risk: The risk that the portfolio may be unable to sell an investment readily at its fair market value. In extreme market conditions this can affect the portfolio’s ability to meet redemption requests upon demand.
Market Risk: The risk of a change in the value of a position as a result of underlying market factors, including among other things, the overall performance of companies and the market perception of the global economy.
Single Country Risk: Where a portfolio invests primarily in a single country, it may be subject to greater risk and above average market volatility than an investment in a broader range of securities covering multiple countries.
Operational Risk: The risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed processes, people and systems, including those relating to the safekeeping of assets or from external events.
Sustainable Risk: The strategy may focus on investments in companies that relate to certain sustainable development themes and demonstrate adherence to environmental, social and corporate governance practices. This may mean the universe of securities from which the strategy can invest in may be smaller than that of other strategies and may underperform the market as a result.

THE FOREGOING DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF THE RISKS AND CONFLICTS INVOLVED IN THIS OFFERING OR AN INVESTMENT IN THE STRATEGY. POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD INFORM THEMSELVES BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO INVEST IN THE STRATEGY AND SHOULD CONDUCT THEIR OWN DILIGENCE OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND IDENTIFY AND MAKE THEIR OWN ASSESSMENT OF THE RISKS INVOLVED.