Socially Responsible Investment: Mutual Funds. Global and Local Trends

This study aims to provide a wide perspective of socially responsible investment, especially regarding mutual funds. We show the growing interest on screened funds that justifies further research. After a general view of the trends in the most important collective investment industries, attention is focused on the Spanish market. In doing that, we can compare mature mutual fund industries with a recent developed country in this aspect. Socially responsible mutual funds have shown an increase both in total net assets and in number of investors; but the sector is by far behind the United States regarding the share of the mutual fund industry devoted to screened funds.