An Environmentally Friendly Bond ETF With Big Growth Prospects
This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.
Last year, VanEck introduced the VanEck Vectors Green Bond ETF (GRNB) , the first fixed income exchange traded fund offering exposure to green bonds. That launch could prove well-timed given the rapid growth of the green bond market.
Green bonds are debt securities issued to finance projects that promote climate change mitigation or adaptation or other environmental sustainability purposes. The new breed of green bonds gained momentum in global market ever since the European Investment Bank issued the first green bond in 2007, with $81 billion in green bonds issued in 2016 and an expected $150 billion to be issued in 2017.
“Green bond issuance in 2017 shattered the record from 2016, with both new and repeat issuers helping to satisfy the increasing demand for sustainable bond investments,” said VanEck in a recent note. “Approximately $155 billion was issued by 242 issuers, including 156 first time green bond issuers. Total issuance was 84% higher than in 2016, an illustration of the spectacular growth that the market continues to experience.”
GRNB tracks the S&P Green Bond Select Index, which is “is comprised of labeled green bonds that are issued to finance environmentally friendly projects, and includes bonds issued by supranational, government, and corporate issuers globally in multiple currencies,” according to the issuer.
Green bonds also often feature low correlations to other fixed income assets, a possible advantage for income investors at a time of diverging monetary policies throughout much of the developed world.
“Issuance estimates for 2018 point to further growth. The Climate Bonds Initiative’s official estimate is for $250-300 billion of new green bonds,” according to VanEck.
Socially responsible investments have become an increasingly popular theme in the equities space, and fixed-income investors may also have the opportunity to retrofit their portfolios with a green bond exchange traded fund to potentially enhance overall returns while maintaining a socially responsible mindset.
Green funds remain a popular play, especially over the past decade as rising concerns over climate change helped fuel the investment theme. The investments typically draw younger and more environmentally minded investors who see profits in the nascent green industry.
“Green bond market growth shows no signs of slowing following last year’s record issuance. In fact, out of all possible bond types, heads of debt capital markets at 20 of the top investment banks are most optimistic about green bond volume,” said VanEck.
For more information on the fixed-income markets, visit our bond ETFs category.
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