Credit Suisse Asset Management Launches the First MSCI USA Tech 125 ESG ETF

Credit Suisse Asset Management launches the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) worldwide on the MSCI USA Tech 125 ESG Universal Index. The ETF gives investors access to US technology innovators, with a greater weighting in companies with higher environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores and exclusion of companies with controversial business activities.

The latest addition to the ETF family of Credit Suisse Asset Management replicates the MSCI USA Tech 125 ESG Universal Index, a newly launched ESG integration index focused on US companies involved in driving technological innovation and cutting-edge business activities. The ETF does not only aim to provide exposure to the information technology sector, but encompasses a broader concept involving companies across four themes: internet applications, future of mobility, industrial applications and health innovation. Within the large cap US market, the stocks with the highest exposure to these four innovation themes are selected. In a second step, only the top 125 companies, measured by market capitalization, are considered for the fund. In the process, companies involved in controversial business activities are excluded and a greater weighting is given to companies with a higher ESG score, based on both absolute ESG profile and its momentum.

The CSIF (IE) MSCI USA Tech 125 ESG Universal Blue UCITS ETF will be listed on SIX Swiss Exchange, Deutsche Börse, and Borsa Italiana and is available for retail and institutional investors as of today.

Valerio Schmitz-Esser, Head Index Solutions at Credit Suisse Asset Management: "We are delighted to expand our successful sustainable ETF range today with this ESG fund. For investors interested in technology, the ESG lens is in our view highly relevant for assessing risk and return. We are committed to continue providing our clients with further sustainable alternatives, which help them build strong long-term portfolios."

Nick Mihic, Head of EMEA Wealth and Regional Head Germany, Austria and Switzerland at MSCI: "We are very pleased that Credit Suisse Asset Management has selected our new MSCI USA Tech 125 ESG Universal Index as the basis for its new ETF. The index seeks to identify companies associated with technological breakthrough and innovation in a sector agnostic manner, while maintaining a strong ESG profile."

Since Credit Suisse Asset Management launched its new ETF suite in March 2020, the ETFs have reached total assets of CHF 7.4 bn (as at December 31, 2021) and became fast an integral part of a broader range of index funds and index mandates with CHF 184 bn (as at December 31, 2021) in combined assets.