Heartwood IM ethical offerings aim to satisfy risk appetites

“I do not think that investors are taking more risk in the current low yield environment. However, the idea of investors taking on less risk as they approach retirement remains true. Given the amount of volatility in global markets, I would say that some investors have taken less risk.”

He added: “The annual management charge does sound quite steep but then again, these types of funds tend to carry a premium.”

Charges: AMC of 1 per cent for clients who invest via an intermediary.

Verdict: Ethical investments face significant headwinds in the low yield and increasingly volatile investment environment. When it comes to the cost of ethical fund, 1 per cent is not too expensive however; they cost significantly more than some of the more conventional equity portfolio in market.