The latest news in investment offerings, financial products and other services relevant to wealth advisors and their clients.

UK wealth manager Rathbones has established a Responsible Investment Centre of Excellence to help deliver strong long-term value for clients across sustainability research, stewardship and ESG integration.

The centre will operate throughout the group, bringing together all of Rathbones’ investment expertise to enable better client outcomes in support of its aim “to help more clients invest their money well, so they can live well.” It also underscores Rathbones’ commitment to responsible and sustainable investing, while creating a platform for future innovation in a fast-changing landscape.

“Creation of the Centre of Excellence will contribute to delivering on our commitment to build a world-class investment capability for the benefit of our clients. Our ambition to be the best wealth manager in the UK by far is rooted in becoming the first choice for clients, and we believe responsible investment expertise is an integral part of how we deliver long-term value," Jonathan Sorrell, group chief executive officer, said. 

“Bringing our ethical and sustainable research experts together with our stewardship and ESG integration capabilities together in one coordinated centre strengthens how we share insight, prioritise engagement and support investment teams across the group," Kate Elliot, head of the responsible Investment Centre of Excellence, said. 

The centre will provide dedicated support across Rathbones Asset Management investment strategies, as well as to the wider Rathbones wealth business, strengthening the link between ESG expertise and portfolio outcomes and enhancing the ability to identify long-term risks and opportunities.

Franklin Templeton
California-headquartered investment manager Franklin Templeton, a global asset manager, has launched the Franklin US Income Equity Focus UCITS ETF. This actively managed, high-conviction equity ETF is designed to provide income and capital appreciation through a diversified portfolio of US equities and equity-related securities.

The new ETF – listed on Deutsche Börse Xetra this week – will also be listed on Borsa Italiana and the London Stock Exchange this week. It is registered for distribution in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

The Franklin US Income Equity Focus UCITS ETF builds directly on the legacy and expertise of Franklin Income Investors, an asset management unit that has been running the long-standing Franklin Income strategy since 1948. Collectively, the team manages over $105 billion.

The ETF invests primarily in US large cap equities and equity-related securities, combining the potential to provide high current income alongside capital appreciation. This investment approach is designed to provide diversified exposure across the US market, generate consistent income, and lower volatility; it can serve as a core holding in an investor’s equity sleeve or as a source of supplemental income for retirement needs.