In this paper we analyse the performance and flows of ESG active equity UCITS funds relative to their non-ESG peers in a period of financial distress, corresponding to the first wave of COVID-19. Compared to other crisis events in the recent past, it has the advantage of looking at a complete exogenous shock affecting the economic and financial market as a whole.
An analysis of performance and flows of EU ESG funds versus EU non-ESG funds during stressed market conditions has been lacking so far. Moreover, it is a first attempt to address the heterogeneity within the cohort of active funds with some active funds significantly outperforming compared to others.
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