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Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

Hedge funds expect to invest more than half of their assets next year based on environmental, social, and governance factors, a quantum jump from 2018, revealed a survey.

58% of hedge fund assets will be tied to ESG criteria in 2019, rising from 42% last year, BarclayHedge found in a survey of hedge fund managers and commodity trading advisors globally.

"Respondents' allocation plans for next year indicate that the percentage of equity investments based on ESG ratings is likely to increase," it said.

The trend is consistent with reports that ESG investing grew at record levels during this year's first quarter.

Of those considering ESG factors in equity investment decisions, on average 52% of assets are currently allocated based on ESG ratings. Among those surveyed, 41% of respondents indicated that ESG ratings factored into 100% of their asset allocations.

While several of those who indicated ESG ratings factored in 100% of their allocations are also among those who've been considering ESG factors the longest, there were some managers who've considered ESG ratings only recently. Clearly, they've decided to go all-in with their ESG-based investment strategies from the start.

On average, among those considering ESG factors, 42% of last year's asset allocations were based on ESG ratings. Responses ranged from 0% of allocations to the several respondents indicating they allocated 100% of assets based on ESG ratings.......................

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