Calvert Research and Management Expands U.S. Investment Offering

Calvert Research and Management (Calvert), part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, announced the launch of three actively managed, equity mutual funds focused on generating competitive investment returns through responsible investing. The funds are guided by the Calvert Principles for Responsible Investment, which provide a framework for the evaluation of investments ensuring they are focused on companies that effectively manage their financially material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. The funds seek to deliver competitive investment results and sustainable impact within the global, global small-cap and U.S. small/mid-cap equity sectors by leveraging proprietary fundamental research, incorporating financially-material ESG analysis and direct company engagement.

Funds & Portfolio Management Teams:

• Calvert Global Equity Fund (CGLAX, Class A; CGLIX Class I), managed by Christopher M. Dyer, CFA and Ian Kirwan, Managing Directors and portfolio managers*
• Calvert Global Small-Cap Equity Fund (CSMAX, Class A; CSQCX, Class C; CSPIX, Class I), managed by Aidan M. Farrell, Michael D. McLean, CFA, and Griff Noble, CFA, Managing Directors and portfolio managers*
• Calvert Small/Mid-Cap Fund (CMPAX, Class A; CMPCX, Class C; CMCIX Class I), managed by Michael D. McLean, CFA, and Griff Noble, CFA, Managing Directors and portfolio managers

“The introduction of this suite of funds further expands the Calvert investment offerings, providing investors with the opportunity to access the global capital markets across the Calvert fund range. These strategies seek to invest in companies successfully managing the financially material ESG factors they face and can contribute to long-term company performance,” said Anthony Eames, Managing Director of Responsible Investment Strategy, Calvert Research and Management. “The experienced portfolio management teams supported by the strength of Calvert’s proprietary research system create a set of compelling offerings for investors interested in participating in positive change while seeking competitive, long-term results.”

Each fund is a successor to an Eaton Vance Management mutual fund and will retain those track records. The collaboration between the portfolio management and Calvert ESG research teams transcends both the legacy and new iterations of these funds, allowing the teams to continue to build on their established performance records across all three funds.

“By transitioning these funds to the Calvert platform, we are able to strengthen the focus on ESG analysis and memorialize that into the funds’ investment philosophies and mandates,” said Mr. Eames. “This conversion positions the funds to be fully availed of the responsible investment universe and responds to market demand from our clients for a more comprehensive range of ESG offerings.”

The Calvert Global Equity Fund, which acquired the Eaton Vance Focused Global Opportunities Fund (EFGIX), seeks to generate an attractive return journey through compounding returns over the long-term from a concentrated portfolio of high or improving in quality companies that effectively manage financially material ESG factors.

The Calvert Global Small Cap Equity Fund, which acquired the Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Equity Fund (ESVIX), seeks to achieve long-term total return by investing in a globally-diversified portfolio of small-capitalization companies. Security selection is based on a bottom-up research process identifying companies of high or improving quality which are effectively managing financially material ESG factors.

The Calvert Small/Mid-Cap Fund, which acquired the Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund (EISEX), seeks to achieve long-term total return by investing in U.S. small to mid-cap companies. Security selection is based on a bottom-up research process identifying companies of high or improving quality which are effectively managing financially material ESG factors.

All three strategies invest in companies that operate in a manner consistent with the Calvert Principles of Responsible Investment.

* Calvert Global Equity Fund and Calvert Global Small-Cap Equity Fund are subadvised by Calvert’s affiliate, Eaton Vance Advisors International Ltd. (EVAIL).

About Calvert Research and Management
Calvert Research and Management is a global leader in responsible investing. Calvert sponsors one of the largest and most diversified families of responsibly invested mutual funds, encompassing active and passively managed equity, income, alternative and multi-asset strategies, with approximately $36.1 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2023.

With roots in responsible investing dating back to the 1982 launch of the first mutual fund to oppose investing in companies doing business in apartheid-era South Africa, the firm seeks to generate favourable investment returns for clients by allocating capital consistent with environmental, social and governance best practices and through structured engagement with portfolio companies. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Calvert manages assets on behalf of funds, individual and institutional separate account clients, and their advisors. Calvert Research and Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

About Morgan Stanley Investment Management
Morgan Stanley Investment Management, together with its investment advisory affiliates, has more than 1,300 investment professionals around the world and $1.4 trillion in assets under management or supervision as of June 30, 2023. Morgan Stanley Investment Management strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service, and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide. For further information about Morgan Stanley Investment Management, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im.

About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

Source – Morgan Stanley