Global Sustainable Outcomes – News & Views Q1 2021

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Global Sustainable Outcomes – News & Views Q1 2021

Inflation: a word that has sparked huge debate as well as rotation in the market. But is it temporary or permanent, helpful or harmful? One thing is clear: it has been rising around the world. With successful vaccine rollout programmes in many developed countries, markets are optimistically looking to a full economic reopening.
However, the economic recovery is also being fuelled by strong consumer balance sheets – not much spending happens in lockdown – and impressive government fiscal stimulus packages. In the US, for example, President Biden has proposed an Infrastructure Plan that envisages spending $2.25 trillion over eight years on a wide range of infrastructure and social initiatives.1 This plan also supports the US’s “green” transition – namely investing in a clean power sector, the electrification of transport, and the decarbonisation of buildings and agriculture.
At the same time global supply chain disruptions – from auto chip shortages to a lack of Marmite on supermarket shelves (supposedly due to shortages in yeast as breweries have closed during lockdowns while demand for the product has gone up) – is leading to a squeeze on input costs. Where manufacturers have pricing power, this is in turn being passed through to the customer. Our strategy’s focus on companies and industries with strong competitive dynamics becomes vital in such an environment as these corporates tend to have greater ability to pass through rising costs and sustain financial returns.
Q1 company earnings calls were dominated by both optimistic management outlooks on sales recovery, but also cautionary warnings around rising inflationary cost pressures. This in turn has sustained the rotation into value cyclical sectors such as banks and commodities that began in Q4 2020. Suddenly near-term earnings growth here looks compelling versus traditional growth sectors such as technology.
Although the Threadneedle Global Sustainable Equity strategy was up 2.4%2 over the quarter, it lagged the MSCI All- Country World Index by 2.1%,3 with our underweight in developed market banks and commodity sectors such as oil and gas hurting relative performance.
We did, however, have several positive sustainable updates over the quarter. Firstly, Sika,4 a leading construction materials company, announced an innovative recycling process it has developed for old concrete. According to the European commission, 25%-30% of all waste generated in the EU consists of construction demolition waste materials.5 Recycling these materials is vital particularly in dense urban areas where most old concrete accumulates. In Sika’s process, old concrete is broken down into individual parts which in turn enables the reuse of the components of the old concrete as well as increased recycling of cement aggregates. This innovation, called «reCO2ver», will make a significant contribution to reducing the ecological footprint of the construction industry.6
Paul Schuler, Sika CEO, said in a statement: “In the five largest EU countries alone, roughly 300 million tons of old concrete are generated every year. With complete recycling of these materials, up to 15 million tons of CO2 emissions can be captured. We are convinced that our new process has the potential to benefit both our customers and the environment.”7
Another innovative specialty materials holding is Croda,8 which recently held its 2021 Sustainability Day. At this, management highlighted several exciting initiatives including:
  • Increasing its use of bio-based raw materials in its products. In 2020, 67% of raw materials in its beauty and household chemicals were bio-based and it set a new target of 75% by 2030.
  • Setting a target to save at least 800,000 hectares of land per year. The company is already at net-zero in 2020 in terms of land used and saved and is now aiming to maintain that for every additional hectare of land used to grow its materials – double the amount of land will be saved by using their agriculture technology.
  • Implementing an internal cost of carbon of £50 per tonne of CO2 into all projects to support decarbonisation of all its production.9
In March, we attended Exane’s “Future of Packaging” conference where we heard positive updates from two of our holdings: UPM, a manufacturer of forest-based products, and SIG Combibloc, a global supplier of aseptic carton packaging. The key takeaway was that consumer pressure is growing on governments and corporates around the world to limit singleuse plastic, with regulation around plastic waste gaining momentum. This is leading to strong tailwinds for more sustainable paper-based packaging solutions and away from plastic packaging.
In addition, UPM highlighted its concern that the EU taxonomy did not view existing forestry management as a taxonomy-aligned activity. However, the European Commission subsequently has presented its new act on taxonomy regulation where they now classified existing forestry management as a taxonomy-eligible activity.
Although markets remain volatile, we believe our sustainable themes are robust with government policy and consumer trends around the world continuing to shift towards a greener and more inclusive future.

Engagement highlight: Nextera10

Nextera has been a longstanding holding in the strategy as the leading developer of renewable energy in North America. FPL (Florida Power & Light), part of Nextera, has set a “30-by-30” plan to install more than 30 million solar panels by 2030 and make Florida a world leader in solar energy. The end result will be the largest installation of solar panels by a regulated utility in the world and a 67% fleet-wide reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to the national average. The company has also developed the largest combined solar-plus-storage facility in the country. This cutting-edge project incorporates a 10MW battery storage project into the operations of a 74.5MW solar power plant.11
Given all of this work we were surprised to see that the company had a fairly average score according to the Transition Pathway Initiative, which is a global, asset owner-led initiative which assesses companies’ preparedness for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
We scheduled a call to discuss this with the company in more detail and discovered that it was due to disclosure gaps rather than poor practice. We were reassured to hear that it was already working to close these gaps and we are confident its strategy is well aligned to the energy transition.
As active managers we see the importance of regularly engaging with the companies we own, to ensure that their values remain align with our own. Through regular communication and close relationships, we are able to ensure we maximise sustainable outcomes for this strategy.
1 Bloomberg, March 2021.
2 Gross of fees. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.
3 Bloomberg, as at April 2021.
4 Mention of specific stocks should not be taken as a recommendation to buy.
5 https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/news/1770/ construction-and-demolition-waste/
6 https://www.sika.com/en/media/media-releases/2021/sikaachieves- breakthrough-in-concrete-recycling.html
7 https://www.sika.com/en/media/media-releases/2021/sikaachieves- breakthrough-in-concrete-recycling.html
8 Mention of stocks is not a recommendation to buy or sell.
9 https://www.croda.com/en-gb/sustainability/targets
10 Mention of stocks is not a recommendation to buy or sell.
11 https://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/2019-01-16-FPLannounces- groundbreaking-30-by-30-plan-to-install-morethan- 30-million-solar-panels-by-2030-make-Florida-a-worldleader- in-solar-energy

Sustainable Theme Focus: Sustainability in fashion

I love shopping for clothes – I admit it, writes Pauline Grange. But increasingly, my shopping is tinged with guilt. I am now much more aware of the terrible environmental impact that comes with fashion, with the textiles industry one of the most pollutive in the world.
Around 100 billion apparel items are sold per year, which is a circa 50% increase versus 2006.1 This is in large part due to the rise of “fast fashion” – ie cheap, high-fashion items. In fact, the industry now emits more CO2 than the aviation and shipping industries combined, and uses 79 billion m3 of fresh water a year while causing around 20% of industrial water pollution. But unfortunately, very little of what the industry produces is recycled and reused, with the majority of items ending up in landfill or incinerated within a year of production.2 Indeed, according to the Ellen Macarthur foundation, the global fashion industry produces about 53 million tonnes of fibre a year, of which more than 70% ends up in landfills or on bonfires. Less than 1% is reused to make new clothes.3
This raised awareness has changed my consumption patterns – I now buy fewer but higher-quality items. In addition, I have changed my negative view of buying second-hand clothing and now happily scour for bargains either through online platforms or local charity shops. And it looks like I’m not alone: 70% of women have or are now open to shopping secondhand up from 45% in 2016.4 As a result, rental and resale fashion platforms are seeing strong growth. In the Threadneedle Global Sustainable Global Equity strategy we own one such resale platform, Mercari, which has seen accelerated growth over the past year in its two key markets of Japan and US, with both users and engagement on its platform increasing.
In fact, consumers are increasingly prioritising sustainability, which is starting to influence the way they shop. Nearly 2.5x more consumers plan to shift their spend to sustainable brands.5 At the same time, regulation around building a more circular economy is rising too, such as the EU Circular Economy Action plan which aims to shift production and consumption from the linear “Take, Make, Dispose” model to more circular use of products and materials.6
Adidas has been a core holding since the inception of the Threadneedle Global Sustainable Equity strategy. Its production and promotion of technical sports performance products contributes positively to our social theme of “Good Health and Wellbeing”.
But if we own a textile company, we also want its products to not have a detrimental impact on the environment. Fitness wear is generally worn more frequently and retained for longer than high-fashion items. In addition, Adidas is a sustainable leader in the industry. At its Capital Markets day in March, sustainability was once again front and centre of its agenda. It detailed its innovation around making its products more circular and sustainable and highlighted its target to have nine out of 10 of its articles environmentally sustainable by 2025 using a “Three-loop” strategy:7
  1. Recyled loop: sourcing recycled raw materials from outside of its own products, namely 100% recycled polyester or Parley ocean plastic waste (upcycled plastic waste collected on shorelines and coastal areas).
  2. Circular loop: producing products that can then be recycled and remade into new Adidas products – “made to be remade”. It has launched an Ultraboost trainer that can be returned, recycled and subsequently remade into a new pair, with the aim to expand this concept to more franchises and categories overtime.
  3. Regenerative loop: Where products cannot fit into the above categories, Adidas aims to make these products from natural materials
Management has in fact set a target for 100% of its products to use only recycled polyester by 2024 aided by the introduction of their Primeblue and Primegreen fabrics (see below).
All of which sounds positive, but we wanted to see first-hand how sustainability was embedded into the company’s marketing and products on the shop floor. So, more than a year since our last visit we revisited the Adidas flagship store on Oxford Street, London.
Adidas has improved the integration of sustainability across its product ranges. Before, “green” ranges were showcased separately and in very limited parts of the store. Today, recycled materials are evident across all their ranges throughout the store.
Adidas uses two sustainable materials in its ranges, which are clearly marked (via a label) on different apparel items and trainers:
  • Primeblue: this is a high-performance yarn made with at least 50% Parley ocean plastic.
  • Primegreen: this is a series of highperformance materials that are made from recycled ingredients.
Rummaging through men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and trainers, these products made up a substantial percentage of each range. This is a huge advance from a year ago.
Adidas also aims to implement sustainability innovation at scale to make its most popular products its most sustainable. This was on display upon entering the flagship London store where you are greeted with its new “green” Stan Smith selection, one of Adidas’s most iconic trainer franchises which are now made from either Primeblue or Primegreen materials. It also showcased an industry first: a Stan Smith made using Mylo, a mushroom-based material that performs like leather but is biodegradable.
Another in-store service is the “Sneaker services” repair station. This allows customers to repair their trainers, preventing early and unnecessary disposal. Extending the life of a garment by just nine months reduces its environmental impact by an impressive 20-30%.8
There was also evidence of progress in targeting our social outcome of “Good health and Wellbeing”:
  • Expanding sizing in apparel ranges
    Previously there was a separate section for plus sizes. This has now been replaced with expanded sizing integrated across all ranges as well as the use of plus-size dummies to model clothes for both women’s and men’s ranges. This helps promote inclusion in sport and exercise.
  • Greater focus and dedicated innovation around women’s training
    Adidas has increased investment in women’s training ranges. This was evident in-store from the impressive technical items in the women’s Terrex outdoor range to the exciting new women’s Tennis range.
Digital is another key area of investment for the firm, and the integration of digital and sustainability was on display in the store. For example, there were photo booths where you can take and share your picture and environmental pledge with the online Adidas community.
Overall, we walked away confident that Adidas might achieve its corporate mission: “Through sport we have the power to change lives. By striving to expand the limits of human possibilities, to include and unite all people in sport and to create a more sustainable world”.9

1 https://www.ubs.com/global/en/investment-bank/infocus/2021/industry-at-risk.html?caasID=CAAS-ActivityStream
2 https://www.ubs.com/global/en/investment-bank/infocus/2021/industry-at-risk.html?caasID=CAAS-ActivityStream
3 https://theconversation.com/fashion-production-is-modernslavery-5-things-you-can-do-to-help-now-115889
4 GlobalData Consumer Survey, December 2019-January 2020.
5 https://www.thredup.com/resale/#methodology-and-sources
6 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/circular-economy/first-circular-economy-action-plan_en#:~:text=The%20new%20
Circular%20Economy%20Action%20Plan%20presents%20measures,…%204%20Ensure%20less%20waste%3B%20More%20items…%20
7 Unless stated elsewhere, all facts and figures regarding Adidas are from this document: https://news.adidas.com/
running/adidas-aims-to-end-plastic-waste-with-innovation—partnerships-as-the-solutions/s/be70ac18-1fc9-45c1-9413-d8abaac2e849
8 https://traid.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/impacts_of_clothing_factsheet_23percent.pdf
9 https://www.adidas.co.uk/impossibleisnothing

Threadneedle Global Sustainable Equity Composite

GIPS Report: Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC

Reporting Currency: USD

Statment of performance results
1. Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC ‘the Firm’ claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®) and has prepared and presented this report in compliance with the GIPS Standards. Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC has been independently verified by Ernst & Young LLP for the periods 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2018. The verification reports are available upon request. A firm that claims compliance with the GIPS standards must establish policies and procedures for complying with all the applicable requirements of the GIPS standards. Verification provides assurance on whether the firm’s policies and procedures related to composite and pooled fund maintenance, as well as the calculation, presentation, and distribution of performance, have been designed in compliance with the GIPS standards and have been implemented on a firm-wide basis. Verification does not provide assurance on the accuracy of any specific performance report. GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein.
2. The ‘Firm’ is defined as all portfolios managed by Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC (prior to 1 January 2021, the firm was known as Threadneedle Asset Management) which includes Threadneedle Asset Management Limited, (TAML), Threadneedle International Limited, (TINTL), Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, (TIS), and Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. (TMLSA), excluding directly invested property portfolios. The firm definition was expanded in 2015 to include portfolios managed by then newly established affiliates of Threadneedle Asset Management in Singapore. TAML & TINTL are authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). TINTL is also registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as a Commodities Trading Advisor with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. TIS is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. TMLSA is authorised and regulated in Luxembourg by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). On 1 July 2020, Threadneedle Asset Management Malaysia Sdn. Bhd (TAMM) was removed from the firm. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. Beginning 30 March 2015, the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies, which includes multiple separate and distinct GIPS-compliant firms, began using the global offering brand Columbia Threadneedle Investments.
3. A concentrated global equity strategy with a focus on high quality companies that seeks to deliver both positive sustainable outcomes, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and superior financial returns. The composite was created November 30, 2018.
4. The portfolio returns used in composites are calculated using daily authorised global close valuations with cash flows at start of the day. Composite returns are calculated by using underlying portfolio beginning of period weights and monthly returns. Periodic returns are geometrically linked to produce longer period returns. Gross of fee returns are presented before management and custodian fees but after the deduction of trading expenses. Returns are gross of withholding tax. Net of fee returns are calculated by deducting the representative fee from the monthly gross return. Policies for valuing investments, calculating performance, and preparing GIPS Reports, as well as the list of composite descriptions, list of pooled fund descriptions for limited distribution pooled funds, and the list of broad distribution pooled funds are available upon request.
5. The dispersion of annual returns is measured by the equal weighted standard deviation of portfolio returns represented within the composite for the full year. Dispersion is only shown in instances where there are six or more portfolios throughout the entire reporting period. The Standard Deviation will not be presented unless there is 36 months of monthly return data available.
6. The three year annualised ex-post standard deviation measures the variability of the gross-of-fees composite and benchmark returns over the preceding 36 month period.
7. The following fee schedule represents the current representative fee schedule for institutional clients seeking investment management services in the designated strategy: 0.65% per annum. Gross of fee performance information does not reflect the deduction of management fees. The following statement demonstrates, with a hypothetical example, the compound effect fees have on investment return: If a portfolio’s annual rate of return is 10% for 5 years and the annual management fee is 65 basis points, the gross total 5-year return would be 61.1% and the 5-year return net of fees would be 55.9%.
8. The MSCI AC World Index is designed to provide a broad measure of equity-market performance throughout the world and is comprised of stocks from 23 developed countries and 24 emerging markets. Index returns reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other earnings and are not covered by the report of the independent verifiers.
9. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and there is the possibility of loss of value. There can be no assurance that an investment objective will be met or that return expectations will be achieved. Care should be used when comparing these results to those published by other investment advisers, other investment vehicles and unmanaged indices due to possible differences in calculation methods.
15 June 2021
Pauline Grange and Jess Williams
Pauline Grange & Jess Williams
Portfolio Manager, Global Equities & Portfolio Analyst, Responsible Investment
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Global Sustainable Outcomes – News & Views Q1 2021

Important Information

Important Information: For use by Professional and/or Qualified Investors only (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). This is an advertising document. The document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any
particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

Notice to Investors in Hong Kong: The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong (“HK”). You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the information presented herein. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice. Any funds mentioned herein have not been authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission pursuant to the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong (the “Ordinance”). Accordingly, the funds may only be offered or sold in HK to persons who are “professional investors” as defined in the Ordinance and any rules made under the Ordinance or in circumstances which are permitted under the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance of Hong Kong and the Ordinance. In addition, this document may not be issued or possessed for the purposes of issue, whether in HK or elsewhere, and the funds may not be disposed of to any person unless such person is outside HK, such person is a “professional investor” as defined in the Ordinance and any rules made under the Ordinance or as otherwise may be permitted by the Ordinance. This document does not constitute investment advice and is issued without regard to specific investment objectives or the financial situation of any particular recipient.

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of Schedule 6 to the CMSA. In addition, no legal or natural persons of MY may directly or indirectly purchase any of the funds or any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions.

Notice to Investors in Thailand: This document is not reviewed or approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand (“TH”) which takes no responsibility for its contents. No legal or natural persons of TH may directly or acquire any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior TH’s governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is not licensed in TH.
This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and any income is not guaranteed and can go down as well as up and may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. This means that an investor may not get back the amount invested. Where references are made to portfolio guidelines and features, these are at the discretion of the portfolio manager and may be subject to change over time and prevailing market conditions. Actual investment parameters will be agreed and set out in the prospectus or formal investment management agreement. Please note that the performance targets may not be attained.
The research and analysis included in this document has been produced by Columbia Threadneedle Investments for its own investment management activities, may have been acted upon prior to publication and is made available here incidentally. Any opinions expressed are made as at the date of publication but are subject to change without notice and should not be seen as investment advice. Information obtained from external sources is believed to be reliable but its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.This document includes forward looking statements, including projections of future economic and financial conditions. None of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, its directors,
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Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W.

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Important Information

Important Information: For use by Professional and/or Qualified Investors only (not to be used with or passed on to retail clients). This is an advertising document. The document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any
particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. Your capital is at risk. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The value of investments is not guaranteed, and therefore an investor may not get back the amount invested. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency fluctuations and different financial and accounting standards. The securities included herein are for illustrative purposes only, subject to change and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell. Securities discussed may or may not prove profitable. The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) associates or affiliates. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Columbia Threadneedle and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, may not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not take into consideration individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. This document and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

Notice to Investors in Hong Kong: The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong (“HK”). You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the information presented herein. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice. Any funds mentioned herein have not been authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission pursuant to the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong (the “Ordinance”). Accordingly, the funds may only be offered or sold in HK to persons who are “professional investors” as defined in the Ordinance and any rules made under the Ordinance or in circumstances which are permitted under the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance of Hong Kong and the Ordinance. In addition, this document may not be issued or possessed for the purposes of issue, whether in HK or elsewhere, and the funds may not be disposed of to any person unless such person is outside HK, such person is a “professional investor” as defined in the Ordinance and any rules made under the Ordinance or as otherwise may be permitted by the Ordinance. This document does not constitute investment advice and is issued without regard to specific investment objectives or the financial situation of any particular recipient.

Notice to Investors in Singapore: Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited (“TIS”) holds a capital markets services licence for fund management under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”). Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (“CMIA”) and Threadneeedle Asset Management Limited (“TAML”) are each a related corporation of TIS. Pursuant to an arrangement between TIS and CMIA/TAML which has been approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, CMIA and TAML are exempt from the requirement to hold a capital markets services licence for fund management under the SFA in respect of its provision of fund management services to clients
in Singapore in accordance with the terms of the approval. This document has not been reviewed or registered by any regulatory authority in Singapore. Accordingly, this document may not be circulated or distributed, nor may any funds be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 304 of the SFA, or (ii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Notice to Investors in Malaysia: This document has not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory authority in Malaysia (“MY”). As the recognition by the Malaysian Securities Commission pursuant to Section 212 of the Malaysian Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (the “CMSA”) has not been and will not be obtained, any funds mentioned herein are not being and will not be deemed to be issued, made available, offered for subscription or purchase in MY, and neither this document nor other material in connection therewith should be distributed, caused to be distributed or circulated in MY, save and except to individuals or other legal entities who fall under Paragraphs 3(a), 4, 5, 6, 10, 13 and 24
of Schedule 6 to the CMSA. In addition, no legal or natural persons of MY may directly or indirectly purchase any of the funds or any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions.

Notice to Investors in Thailand: This document is not reviewed or approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand (“TH”) which takes no responsibility for its contents. No legal or natural persons of TH may directly or acquire any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior TH’s governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is not licensed in TH.
This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered representative of any particular investment. This should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and any income is not guaranteed and can go down as well as up and may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. This means that an investor may not get back the amount invested. Where references are made to portfolio guidelines and features, these are at the discretion of the portfolio manager and may be subject to change over time and prevailing market conditions. Actual investment parameters will be agreed and set out in the prospectus or formal investment management agreement. Please note that the performance targets may not be attained.
The research and analysis included in this document has been produced by Columbia Threadneedle Investments for its own investment management activities, may have been acted upon prior to publication and is made available here incidentally. Any opinions expressed are made as at the date of publication but are subject to change without notice and should not be seen as investment advice. Information obtained from external sources is believed to be reliable but its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.This document includes forward looking statements, including projections of future economic and financial conditions. None of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, its directors,
officers or employees make any representation, warranty, guaranty, or other assurance that any of these forward looking statements will prove to be accurate. The mention of any specific shares or bonds should not be taken as a recommendation to deal.
This document and its contents are confidential and proprietary. The information provided in this document is for the sole use of those attending the presentation. It may not be reproduced in any form or passed on to any third party without the express written permission of Columbia Threadneedle Investments. This document is the property of Columbia Threadneedle Investments and must be returned upon request. This document is not investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Investors should consult with their own professional advisors for advice on any investment, legal, tax, or accounting issues relating an investment with Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited [“TIS”], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia. This document should only be distributed in Australia to “wholesale clients” as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W.

Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited 天利投資管理香港有限公司. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

In UK: Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 573204, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In Switzerland: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

In EEA: Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. Registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes (Luxembourg), Registered No. B 110242 44, rue de la Vallée, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

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Investment approach

Teamwork defines us and is fundamental to our investment approach, which is structured to facilitate the generation, assessment and implementation of good, strong investment ideas for our portfolios.

Funds and Prices

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has a comprehensive range of investment funds catering for a broad range of objectives.

Investment Capabilities

We offer a broad range of actively managed investment strategies and solutions covering global, regional and domestic markets and asset classes.

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