Alger Growth & Income Portfolio has a number of attributes that may meet the expectations of sustainability-focused investors, despite some issues worthy of attention.
Alger Growth & Income Portfolio's holdings are exposed to average levels of ESG risk relative to those of its peers in the US Equity Large Cap Blend category, thus earning it an average Morningstar Sustainability Rating of 3 globes. Competing funds in the category with ratings of 4 or 5 globes have less ESG risk in their holdings. ESG risk measures the degree to which material environmental, social, and governance issues, such as climate change and inequalities, could affect valuations. ESG risk differs from impact, which is about driving positive environmental and social outcomes for society’s benefit.
One key area of strength for Alger Growth & Income Portfolio is its low Morningstar Portfolio Carbon Risk Score of 6.68 and low fossil fuel exposure of 6.19% over the past 12 months, which earns it the Morningstar Low Carbon Designation. Thus, the companies held in the portfolio are in general alignment with the transition to a low-carbon economy.
One potential issue for a sustainability-focused investor is that Alger Growth & Income Portfolio doesn’t have an ESG-focused mandate. A fund with an ESG-focused mandate would have a higher probability to drive positive ESG outcomes. The fund has relatively high exposure (10.88%) to companies with high or severe controversies. From bribery and corruption to workplace discrimination and environmental incidents, controversies are incidents that may negatively affect stakeholders, the environment, or the company’s operations.