The amount invested into ethical funds returned to pre-credit crunch levels in the third quarter of 2009, research from the Investment Management Association has revealed.
In total, ethical investment funds saw net sales of £59million in quarter three of 2009, a sharp increase from the £18million outflow seen in quarter two, and more than double the £21million net sales seen for the same period in 2008.
Commenting on the statistics, Penny Shepherd MBE, chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) said:
"Investment in ethical funds has returned to levels not seen since the credit crunch took hold, with a near three-fold increase in year-on-year net sales – the highest since 2007.
"This highlights a growing trend of investors wanting to make money and make a positive difference to the world they live in," she added.
Meanwhile, the IMA statistics also revealed that Fund of Funds are experiencing a surge in interest as they saw the highest net sales on record for one quarter.
Commenting, Richard Saunders, chief executive at the IMA said: "The third quarter saw a continuation of strong inflows to funds that have been a feature of 2009 so far.
"That trend is being seen in these statistics. Fund of Funds net sales in the third quarter were the highest on record and Tracker and Ethical sales have both picked up encouragingly compared with this time last year."
© Fair Investment Company Ltd