Index provider Stoxx has extended its commitment to socially responsible investing by broadening its offering of environmental, social and governance (ESG) indices and becoming a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.

The new indices—the Stoxx Europe ESG Leaders 50, the Euro Stoxx ESG Leaders 50, the Stoxx Asia/Pacific ESG Leaders 50 and the Stoxx North America ESG Leaders 50—use the same methodology as the existing Stoxx Global ESG Leaders indices that the index provider developed in partnership with Sustainalytics last year.

However, the new launches are divided by region rather than sub-areas within the ESG sector. Last year’s launches included the Stoxx Global ESG Leaders index, which was then broken down further into the Stoxx Global ESG Environmental Leaders, Stoxx Global ESG Social Leaders and the Stoxx Global ESG Governance Leaders indices.

The new indices provide just one overall ESG rating for each region and will use the Global ESG Leaders index as their index universe, pulling out the top 50 companies in terms of market capitalisation for each of the regions covered.

The indices are calculated on a gross return basis, with net return options available for Europe and the eurozone. Currency-wise, euro, sterling and US dollar options are available.

At the same time it added to its ESG range, Stoxx also announced that it had become a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, an initiative that is aimed at helping investors make socially responsible investment choices.

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