Diversification
Investments (and risks) are spread across various asset baskets industry wide.
Liquidity
You can subscribe and redeem on any banking day.
Affordability
You can start investing in UITFs with just $1,000 (SB dollar account required)..
Professional Fund Management
Seasoned fund managers constantly
monitor markets for opportunities.
Transparency
You can check the value of your
investment daily with NAVPU.
Regulated Product
Management and regulation of UITFs are
governed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
About the fund
The SB ESG Aware Equity Index Feeder Fund is an equity Unit Investment Trust Fund that is structured as a feeder fund that allows investors to diversify their portfolios and gain access to large and mid-cap U.S. stocks with positive ESG characteristics through its Target Fund, the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF, and achieve investment returns that closely track the total return of the Target Fund, the iShares ESG Aware
MSC USA ETF.
You may refer to the Target Fund’s website (blackrock.com) / fact sheet for key information about the Fund.
Client suitability
The SB ESG Aware Equity Index Feeder Fund is suitable for investors who:
- Have an aggressive risk tolerance
- Seek potentially higher returns through investments in US stocks and who can tolerate high price volatilities
- Have the possibility to be exposed to capital losses given the volatile nature of the US equity market
- Have an investment horizon of at least 3 years
Related downloads
Fund Details
Target Fund | iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF |
Fund Type | Equity Feeder Fund |
Inception Date | 6 September 2022 |
Order Date (T) | Any Business Day within the Subscription Cut-Off Time and/or Redemption Cut-Off Time. |
Subscription Settlement Date | On Order Date. |
Redemption & Subscription Cut-Off Time | Up to 1:30 pm of any Business Day |
Trust Fee (p.a.) | 0.70% p.a. |
Other Notes | Applicable holidays for this Fund: US and Philippine holidays |
Minimum Initial Participation | Minimum Subsequent Participation | Minimum Redemption | Minimum Holding Amount |
USD1,000.00 | USD500.00 | USD500.00 | USD1,000.00 |
Sustainability Characteristics of ESGU
(as of June 21, 2022)
MSCI ESG Fund Rating (AAA-CCC) | AAA |
MSCI ESG Quality Score (0-10) | 9.2 |
Fund Lipper Global Classification | Equity US |
MSCI Weighted Average Carbon Intensity (Tons CO2E/$MSALES) | 106.08 |
MSCI Implied Temperature Rise (0-3.0+°C) | >2.5°C-3.0°C |
MSCI ESQ % Coverage | 100% |
MSCI ESG Quality Score-Perr Percentile | 96.41% |
Funds in Peer Group | 3, 481 |
MSCI Weighted Average Carbon Intensity % Coverage | 99.52% |
MSCI Implied Temperature Rise % Coverage | 99.42% |
Target Fund Information and Performance
(as of May 31, 2023)
TARGET FUND DETAILS
Fund Name | iShares ESG Aware MSC USA ETF |
Launch Date | 01 December 2016 |
Management Company | BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) |
Investment Manager | BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) |
Asset Class | Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) |
Expense Ratio* | 0.15% |
Target Fund Bloomberg Ticker | ESGU |
The effective expense ratio p.a is computed as follows:
SB ESG Aware Equity Index Feeder Fund | 0.70% |
iShares ESG Aware Index Feeder Fund | 0.15% |
TOTAL | 0.85% |
*Expense Ratio of the Target Fund is the sum of the Management Fees and Other Fees and Expenses; 0.15% is as of July 29, 2022
TOP TEN HOLDINGS
Apple Inc. | 7.36% |
Microsoft Corp. | 6.46% |
Amazon.com Inc. | 2.97% |
NVIDIA Corp | 2.65% |
Alphabet Inc. Class C | 2.50% |
Tesla, Inc. | 1.58% |
Meta Platforms, Inc. Class A | 1.42% |
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 1.37% |
Coca-Cola | 1.17% |
Alphabet Inc. Class A | 1.13% |
How to Invest
1
You need to have an SB Peso Account to invest. No peso account yet? Click here to open an account.
2
Fill up the UITF Online Application Form completely or visit any SBC branch near you to start with your investment journey.
Want to invest in our UITFs?
Yes, I want to invest in UITFs right now.No, I want to learn more about investingKey Risks
CALCULATION METHODOLOGY RISK
The Underlying Index relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of issuers included in the Underlying Index, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. Neither the Target Fund nor BFA can offer assurances that the Underlying Index’ calculation methodology or sources of information will provide an accurate assessment of included issuers.
CONCENTRATION RISK.
The Target Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk or loss, including losses due to adverse events that affect the Target Fund’s investments more than the market as a whole, to the extent the Target Fund’s investments are concentrated in the securities and/or other assets of a particular issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector, market segment or asset class.
COUNTRY RISK
Certain changes in the U.S. economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Target Fund has exposure.
CYBERSECURITY RISK
Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Target Fund, the Target Fund’s adviser, distributor, the Index Provider and other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants or the issuers of securities in which the Target Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions, negatively impact the Target Fund’s business operations and/or potentially result in financial losses to the Target Fund and its shareholders. While the Target Fund has established business continuity plans and systems. Furthermore, the Target Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems of the Index Provider and other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants or issuers of securities in which the Target Fund invests.
ESG INVESTMENT STRATEGY RISK
The Target Fund’s ESG investment strategy limits the types and number of investment opportunities available to the Target Fund and, as a result, the Target Fund may underperform other funds that do not have an ESG focus. The Target Fund’s ESG investment strategy may result in the Target Fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole or underperform other funds screened for ESG standards. The companies selected by the Index Provider as demonstrating ESG characteristics may not be the same companies selected by other index providers that use similar ESG screens. In addition, the companies selected by other Index Provider may not exhibit positive or favorable ESG characteristics.
Taxation
- Except when specifically required by law, the Trustee shall have no responsibility to withhold income or other taxes on revenues from the Fund.
- Each participant should consult its own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of his/her investment in and redemption of units of participation in the Fund, including the applicability and effect of local and national laws of the Philippines, as well as consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a UITF?
A UITF (or Unit Investment Trust Fund) is an open-ended pooled trust fund denominated in pesos or in any acceptable currency, which is operated and administered by a trust entity. Each UITF is governed by a Declaration of Trust (or Plan Rules) which contains the mechanics for investing, operating, and administering the fund. The funds are then invested by a team of professional portfolio managers in various deposits and securities. Individuals and institutions take part in the UITF by purchasing units of participation in the fund. - What is the difference between a Mutual Fund and a UITF?
- A. Where to invest
- Mutual Fund (MF): A mutual fund company. They are sold by licensed mutual fund agents.
- Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF): Commercial banks, particularly their trust or asset management department. They are sold by certified UITF sales personnel.
- B. Who regulates these companies
- MF: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- UITF: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
- C. What you are buying in a fund
- MF: Common shares in the investment company
- UITF: Units of participation in the UITF
- D. The price of the fund is expressed in terms of
- MF: Net Asset Value Per Share (NAVPS)
- UITF: Net Asset Value Per Unit (NAVPU)
- E. Investment fees and their usual range
- MF: sales charge (1% – 5%); redemption fee (0.5% – 3%); investment advisory, distributor and administration fees (1% – 2.5%)
- UITF: trust fees (0.35% – 1.50%)
- A. Where to invest
- What are the fees involved?
The trustee shall charge the fund for management fees, taxes and qualified expenses. The trust fee shall differ for each type of fund and will cover the costs of investment research, management, marketing and routine administrative expenses of the trustee. Note that the taxes are already withheld by the trustee so the NAVPU is already net of fees and taxes. - What are the risks of investing in a UITF?
Because the assets of the UITF are valued based on the prevailing market price, there is a possibility that investments in the fund may go up or down. There are no guarantees of principal nor income. Losses, if any, shall be for the risk of the UITF investors. UITFs are governed by BSP regulations but are not deposit products, hence are not covered by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). - What does “open-ended pooled trust fund” mean?
A UITF is an open-ended investment, meaning the fund will continue to be managed with no predefined term or termination date. It is up to the investor to determine how long he wants to keep his funds invested. - What does “made available by participation” mean?
A client invests in a UITF by purchasing units of participation in the fund. The units of participation represent the investor’s proportionate share in the total value of the fund. As an investor in the fund, the client does not own any specific asset of the fund, only a proportionate share in all of the fund’s assets. - How is a fund different from a bank deposit?
There are several major differences between UITF investments and bank deposits. First, the UITF is a trust product and is managed by the Trust Department of the bank. Second, investments in the UITF are marked to market. Their value can go up or down on a daily basis, depending on the market value of the underlying investments. Third, there is no guaranteed rate of return that the fund will provide. For reference, the fund’s past performance is available. However, it is important to note that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Fourth, as a result of the daily fluctuations in market value, the principal is not protected. Fifth, the UITF is not covered by PDIC Insurance. - How can an investor compare the performance of the trustee versus other trust entities?
All trust entities offering UITF products are required to publish the fund’s prevailing NAVPU as well as the year-on-year and the year-to-date return on investment in major dailies at least once a week. The investor should, however, compare performance of products with similar investment parameters for a more objective evaluation. - How is a UITF valued?
The UITFs are valued using the mark to market (MTM) method. The term “mark to market” means that the underlying investments of the fund are valued at “fair market value” or the current price at which that asset can be bought or sold. With MTM, investors get an accurate indication of what their units are currently worth. Net Asset Value (NAV) – The Net Asset Value of the fund is the sum total of all the funds’ underlying assets less fees and liabilities. Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU) – The NAVPU represents the price per unit of participation. It is computed as the NAV divided by the total number of units of participation in the fund. - Which NAVPU is used when I subscribe or redeem?
When an investor subscribes to the fund, the number of units that he/she will obtain will be based on the NAVPU that will be released at the end of the banking day. Similarly, when an investor redeems, the NAVPU that will be used for computing the redemption proceeds is the NAVPU that will be published at the end of the day. - Can a client invest in more than one type of UITF?
Yes. Clients may diversify their investments across various UITFs as long as the funds are in line with their own investment objective, and they can tolerate the risks involved with the funds. - Which type of UITF is suitable for an investor?
When choosing a UITF, investors should identify their needs and goals and match them against the investment parameters of the product. To determine the client’s suitability for a fund, the following factors have to be considered: investment capacity, or the amount available for investment; investment horizon, or how long a client can stay in the fund; risk profile, or how much price volatility the client is willing to take; and investment objective, whether the client wants income or capital growth. - Is there an indicative or guaranteed rate of return for UITF products?
No. Since UITFs are subject to the mark to market valuation method, the NAVPU may fluctuate depending on the volatility of the market. The return figures published by Security Bank only represent how the fund has performed in the past. This does not necessarily mean that the fund will give the same return over a similar period of time in the future. - How do investors keep track of the value of the UITF investment?
After subscribing into the UITFs, the client will receive a Confirmation of Participation or COP which states the total number of units that the investor was able to buy, and at what NAVPU those units were bought at. The investor can find out the value of his current investments by multiplying the total number of units he/she holds by the latest available NAVPU, which is published daily on the Security Bank website at https://www.securitybank.com/market-information/navpu/ - When does the investor get the proceeds of the UITF investment?
Payment to the investor will depend on the settlement period prescribed by the trustee. This may vary depending on the nature and settlement convention of the investments of the UITF product. - In what instruments can a trustee invest the fund?
The character and kind of investments which may be made by the trustee depend on the investment parameters set forth in the UITF Declaration of Trust or Plan Rules. BSP Regulations, however, prescribe that UITF fund investments shall be limited to bank deposits, securities issued by or guaranteed by the Philippine government or the BSP, tradable securities issued by the government of a foreign country, any political subdivision of a foreign country or any supranational entity, exchange listed securities, marketable instruments that are traded in an organized exchange, loans traded in an organized market, such other tradable investments as the BSP may allow.
Disclaimer
The contents herein are intended for general information purposes only and should not be used as basis for making decisions nor should it be regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice. No representation or warranty as to its accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness, express or implied, is hereby made. The views and opinions expressed in this article does not pertain to the any opinion, representation or position of SBC Trust in whole or in part. SBC Trust denies any liability that may arise out of any loss or may result in actual, direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damage from the use or reliance on any information provided.