Finland’s Varma Pension Insurance Company has invested USD240 million into Nordea’s ESG-focused Emerging Stars Equity strategy.
Sustainability is an integrated part of the investment process at Varma, which has a portfolio of about EUR47 billion and roughly EUR2 billion in listed emerging market equities.
Nordea’s popular ‘STARS’ equity strategies embody true ESG integration, with thorough proprietary research undertaken to identify companies displaying sustainable and responsible business models.
Juliana Hansveden, portfolio manager of Nordea’s Emerging Stars Equity strategy, believes better run companies are more likely to succeed over the long term, which means it is crucial to properly understand and analyse ESG risks.
“My team and I are thrilled that we have been entrusted with this large mandate from Varma,” Hansveden says. “Emerging markets continue to offer a lot of opportunities, and we are looking forward to delivering long-term sustainable performance to Varma and its stakeholders.”
Anders Madsen, head of institutional and wholesale distribution in Northern Europe at Nordea Asset Management, adds: “Being appointed by Varma for a large emerging market equity investment is obviously something we are extremely pleased with, and something we consider to be a true testament to the work we are doing in terms of ESG as well as to the strong and competitive risk adjusted performance that has been delivered throughout the years.”
