The ISS ESG Governance QualityScore Index Series tracks large-, and mid-cap companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific (ex-Japan) that excel in managing governance risks across four key areas: Board Structure, Compensation, Shareholder Rights and Audit & Risk Oversight.

Companies are considered eligible for inclusion/exclusion in the index based on insights drawn from the ISS ESG Governance QualityScore, Norm-Based Research and Controversial Weapons Research.

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Guideline | ISS ESG Governance QualityScore Index Series ›

The pioneering ISS ESG US Diversity Index is the first US diversity index in the market that allows investors to analyze both gender and ethnic diversity for board members and named executive officers.

 

The index tracks large-, mid-, and small-cap U.S. companies that exhibit a broad ethnic and gender representation of directors and named executive officers.

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Guideline | ISS ESG US Diversity Index ›

EQUITY & FIXED INCOME

The Solactive ISS ESG Screened Index Series provides equity and fixed income investors with a range of ESG benchmark indices based on established global norms on responsible business conduct.

The index series tracks various size and regional segments of the global capital markets, such as Developed Markets, Europe, Japan and the United States.​

FIXED INCOME

Provides fixed income investors with a rules-based and market value-weighted approach for identifying corporate bonds that adhere to market standards on ESG controversy screens. The index series consists of four screened corporate bond indices, based on USD- and EUR-denominated corporate bonds, that are available for investment grade and high yield markets.

ISS ESG developed the underlying framework used to screen and select companies based on their adherence to established global norms, such as the United Nations Global Compact, and exclude companies with significant involvement in a defined set of sectors (e.g. pornography, alcohol and fossil fuel). ​

The indices aim to cover current and future regulation on ESG investments and also include a focus on pertinent climate change issues. ​

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Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG Screened Equity Index Series ›

Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG Screened USD HY Corporate Bond TR Index ›

Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG Screened USD IG Corporate Bond TR Index ›

Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG Screened Euro IG Corporate Bond TR Index ›

Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG Screened Euro HY Corporate Bond TR Index ›

In cooperation with Nasdaq, ISS ESG contributes to the OMX Stockholm 30 ESG Responsible Index (OMXS30ESG), which is the ESG responsible version of the OMX Stockholm 30 Index. The OMXS30ESG is based on OMXS30, which consists of the 30 most traded securities on Nasdaq Stockholm, followed by a systematic criteria-based ESG screening. Companies involved in the verified violation of international standards regarding the environment, human rights, labour relations, anti-corruption legislation or the involvement in controversial weapons as well as involvement in business from alcohol, gambling, tobacco, pornography, military equipment, fossil fuels are excluded.

The index has excellent liquidity, which results in an index that is highly suitable as underlying for derivatives products. In addition OMXS30ESG is also constructed to be used for structured products, e.g. warrants, index bonds, exchange traded funds and other non-standardized derivatives products. The composition of the OMXS30ESG index is revised twice a year in start of July and January. The OMXS30ESG Index is a market cap weighted index.

The Solactive ISS ESG EU Climate Benchmark Series tracks companies that meet the minimum requirements for climate benchmarks provided by the European Commission’s Technical Expert Group (TEG) on Sustainable Finance. The Solactive ISS ESG Climate Transition Benchmark Index and Solactive ISS ESG Paris-Aligned Benchmark Index* also go beyond what is required by the TEG to allow for more ambitious climate action:

• Scope 3 emissions are included from inception
• Carbon intensity reduction exceed the 30% and 50% thresholds required for CTBs and PABs respectively
• The Solactive ISS ESG PAB Index is fully aligned with a 2°C scenario until 2050, which is consistent with the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement

The index series currently tracks large- and mid-cap companies across two regional segments: Europe and Developed Markets.

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*The indexes will be updated to reflect the final requirements for CTBs and PABs, which will be published by the TEG.

The Solactive ISS Low Carbon Index Series enable investors to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts whilst reducing climate change related investment risks. The indices include only the top 50% companies showing the best carbon emission numbers compared to their respective sector in the starting universe, which are the Solactive US or Solactive EU Benchmark Series. ​

The Solactive ISS ESG Beyond Plastic Waste Index provides passive investors with an opportunity to invest in companies that are proactively focusing on plastic waste reduction.

The Solactive ISS ESG Beyond Plastic Waste Index tracks companies that are listed on stock markets in both Developed and Emerging Markets. The index will only include companies with a market capitalization of at least EUR 200 million and an average daily value traded of at least EUR 100,000 over the past one and six months.

Companies are excluded on the basis of the following criteria:

• Risks vis-à-vis Established Standards for Responsible Business Conduct
• Poor ESG Performance
• Plastics-Related Controversies
• Obstruction of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

The STOXX Paris-Aligned Benchmark Indices and the STOXX Climate Transition Benchmark Indices are constructed to go beyond the EU Climate Benchmark (EU PAB and EU CTB) requirements. The indices encourage climate stewardship and corporate engagement in addition to meeting the regulatory requirements.

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Stoxx Paris-Aligned & Climate Transition Benchmarks ›

The Solactive ISS Prime Rated ESG Index Series, tracks companies that achieve or exceed ambitious sector-specific performance requirements defined by the ISS ESG Corporate Rating. The index constituents, categorized as “Prime”* by ISS ESG, are defined by ISS based on the ESG risk exposure and impact of their respective business models and value chains (absolute best-in-class approach). In addition, only companies identified by ISS ESG as operating in accordance with market standards on ISS ESG screens are eligible for inclusion. Those standards are based on established norms such as the United Nations Global Compact and the absence of significant involvement in defined sectors.

The index series currently tracks large and midcap companies across five regional segments: Global, Developed Markets, Emerging Markets, U.S. and Europe.

The indices aim to cover current and future regulation on ESG investments and also include a focus on pertinent climate change issues.

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Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG Prime Rated ESG Index Series ›

*The ESG Corporate Rating assesses companies’ sustainability performance on an absolute best-in-class basis. An analyst opinion complements each rating to provide a qualitative commentary of key rating results across the three dimensions of sustainability opportunities, sustainability risks and governance. If a company meets the minimum standards in successfully managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities, it is awarded with the Prime status.

The Solactive ISS SDG Aligned Index and the Solactive ISS SDG Leaders Index enable investors to align their investments with the 17 SDGs. The Solactive ISS SDG Aligned Index includes companies with an overall positive impact on the SDGs and no significant negative impact on any of the 17 individual SDGs. The Solactive ISS SDG Leaders Index takes it a step further by only including companies with an overall significant positive impact on the SDGs and no negative impact on any of the 17 individual SDGs. Index constituents are selected based on their ISS ESG SDG Impact Rating, as well as their adherence to established standards for responsible business conduct, including the UN Global Compact and OECD Guidelines.

The constituents of the SDG Index Series are drawn from the Solactive Global Benchmark Series (GBS) of indices.

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Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG SDG Aligned Index ›

Guideline | Solactive ISS ESG SDG Leaders Index ›

First listed in 2007, the Global Challenges Index initiated together with Hanover Stock Exchange has shown continuous development and firmly established itself. The index defines sustainability in concrete terms by focusing on future-relevant fields of action, sets stringent and consistent performance criteria for the listed companies and identifies pioneering companies that make active use of the opportunities provided by global change.

7

GLOBAL

CHALLENGES

1. Combating the causes and consequences of climate change
2. Securing adequate provision of drinking water
3. Stopping deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management
4. Preserving biodiversity
5. Tackling population development
6. Combating poverty
7. Supporting responsible management (governance) structures

Track sector-leading companies with superior economic profit (EVA Margin), medium to high ESG performance, and adherence to key international norms and controversial weapons frameworks.

Learn more about EVA here.

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Guideline |  ISS ESG EVA Leaders Index ›