Calamos is prepping what appears to be its second ESG-themed US mutual fund — a product bearing the name of Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That’s according to an initial registration statement filed Aug. 24 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Calamos Antetokounmpo Sustainable Equities Trust. The mutual fund in that trust would come in four share classes for retail and retirement savers: A, C, I and R6, according to the filing.
Currently, Calamos provides an international ESG-themed ’40 Act product, the Global Sustainable Equities Fund. The forthcoming Antetokounmpo fund would invest primarily in US-registered securities of companies that have “above average growth potential and meet the environmental, social and governance criteria of Calamos Advisors,” the firm states in the product’s registration statement.
It is unclear what involvement multiyear NBA MVP Antetokounmpo would have with the fund. In a statement, Calamos acknowledged the partnership and SEC registration but did not comment on specifics about the fund.
“The shared values between Calamos Investments and Giannis Antetokounmpo forge the foundation for a great partnership,” the firm stated. “Together, we are creating a sustainable Fund and will seek to generate investment and societal returns.”
The fund adviser would select portfolio holdings through exclusionary screens, materiality assessments and environmental and social impact scoring, according to the registration.
“The team considers a company’s position on various factors such as ecological limits, environmental stewardship, environmental strategies, stance on human rights and equality, societal impact as well as its corporate governance practices,” the firm stated.
The fund would exclude companies with significant business in agricultural biotechnology, alcohol, animal testing, fossil fuels, gambling, mining, nuclear energy, tobacco and weapons.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include a response from Calamos.
