NEW YORK—Investment strategies that focus on improving the lives of women and girls, closing the gender pay gap or adding women to corporate boards have attracted more than $2 billion (U.S.) in public and private assets. Public investment vehicles, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds focused on so-called “gender-lens” investing, oversaw $910 million in assets as of June 30, 2017, according to a study released Wednesday by investment firm Veris Wealth Partners LLC. That’s up from $561 million in the same period a year ago, and just $100 million in 2014. A separate report from the Wharton Social Impact Initiative last month found that private equity and venture capital had raised more than $1.3 billion at 50 funds it identified with gender-based strategies. They include investing in small businesses owned by women, startups with female founders or other businesses that improve the lives of women.

Source: thestar November 16, 2017 19:18 UTC