Lazard launches Sustainable Equity Portfolio

NEW YORK-- July 1, 2020--Lazard Asset Management LLC (“LAM”) today announced the launch of the Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio (Institutional: SUSTX; Open: SUSLX) (the “Fund”). The Fund is managed by a highly experienced team with a long-standing investment process and an average of 23 years in the industry. The Lazard US Sustainable Equity portfolio management team is comprised of Andrew Lacey, Ross Seiden, Ronald Temple, Martin Flood and Jessica Kittay.

“We are investing in companies that are aligned with an equitable, inclusive and green future as we believe that a business’s ability to generate sustainable financial returns depends on how it manages its people, operations, and resources, as well as how it engages with society,” said Ross Seiden, Portfolio Manager, Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio. “Put simply, sustainable investing is synonymous with the principles of smart, long-term investing.”

The Fund seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Index, investing in US-listed companies with a market capitalization greater than one billion USD. The Fund is relatively concentrated and normally will hold between 40 and 50 positions. In addition to leveraging the ESG-integrated fundamental research conducted by LAM’s sector-focused research analysts, the portfolio management team integrates a robust sustainability framework into its investment process. The team aims to invest in businesses that generate high levels of financial productivity, while considering the alignment of each company’s products, services, and operations with a more sustainable world.

“We have seen tremendous interest from clients for investment solutions that are truly rooted in sustainability,” said Ronald Temple, Head of US Equity at LAM. “Our sector analysts integrate ESG as a core part of their fundamental research. Understanding what is material to each company gives us an edge in assessing sustainability and security selection more broadly.”

As of March 31, 2020, the Lazard US Sustainable Equity portfolio management team managed more than $20 billion of client assets in US equity strategies.