“Tangerine Investment Funds have earned three FundGrade A+ Awards for 2025, recognizing the outstanding risk-adjusted performance of their socially responsible global portfolios in the Global Equity Balanced, Global Neutral Balanced, and Global Equity categories, outperforming hundreds of peers while aligning investments with environmental, ethical, and social values.”
Award-Winning SRI Portfolios Shine in Competitive Landscape
Tangerine Investment Funds, known for their focus on socially responsible investing, have once again demonstrated excellence by capturing three FundGrade A+ Awards for the calendar year 2025. These accolades underscore the funds’ ability to deliver strong returns while adhering to strict criteria that exclude companies involved in controversial activities such as fossil fuels, tobacco production, high carbon emissions, violations of international norms on human rights and anti-corruption, lack of gender diversity in leadership, and involvement in controversial weapons.
The FundGrade A+ Awards, a benchmark in the investment industry, are bestowed upon funds that exhibit consistent, superior risk-adjusted performance over an entire year. The evaluation process involves calculating a monthly FundGrade rating based on key metrics including the Sharpe Ratio, which measures return per unit of risk; the Sortino Ratio, focusing on downside risk; and the Information Ratio, assessing performance relative to a benchmark. These ratios are computed across various time horizons from two to ten years, with the top performers receiving an A grade. To earn the A+ designation, a fund must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher across all monthly ratings in the year, placing it among the elite in its category.
For US investors increasingly prioritizing sustainable and ethical allocations in their portfolios, these awards highlight options that blend financial rigor with values-driven strategies. While Tangerine operates primarily in the Canadian market as a subsidiary of a major banking institution, their global focus—incorporating international equities and bonds—offers parallels to US-based ESG funds, potentially appealing to cross-border investors seeking diversified exposure through similar vehicles.
Details of the Honored Funds
The three award recipients stand out in their respective categories, each tailored to different risk tolerances and growth objectives. Here’s a breakdown:
| Fund Name | Category | Number of Peers in Category | Risk Level | Asset Allocation | Key Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangerine Balanced Growth SRI Portfolio | Global Equity Balanced | 187 | Medium | 75% Stocks, 25% Bonds | Fossil fuels, tobacco, high carbon emitters, norm violators, gender diversity laggards, controversial weapons |
| Tangerine Balanced SRI Portfolio | Global Neutral Balanced | 224 | Low to Medium | 60% Stocks, 40% Bonds | Same as above |
| Tangerine Equity Growth SRI Portfolio | Global Equity | 306 | Medium to High | 100% Stocks, 0% Bonds | Same as above |
Each portfolio is structured as a fund-of-ETFs, providing broad diversification across global markets while maintaining low costs. The management expense ratios are competitively low, typically around 0.77% to 0.85%, allowing more of the returns to flow to investors. Inception dates for these portfolios trace back to early 2022, giving them a track record that has now been validated by multiple years of top-tier performance.
Performance Metrics and Historical Context
Delving into the numbers, the 2025 performance data reveals robust growth amid volatile global markets influenced by geopolitical tensions, interest rate shifts, and economic recoveries. The Tangerine Balanced SRI Portfolio posted a 9.08% return for the year, with a three-year annualized return of 14.47% since inception, reflecting its balanced approach that cushions against downturns while capturing upside in equity rallies. This portfolio’s holdings emphasize a mix of fixed income for stability and equities screened for sustainability, resulting in lower volatility compared to pure stock funds.
The Balanced Growth SRI Portfolio, geared more toward capital appreciation, achieved a 10.29% return in 2025, bolstered by a 17.27% three-year annualized figure. Its heavier equity tilt—75%—benefited from strong performances in sectors like renewable energy, technology, and healthcare, where ethical screens favor innovative, low-impact companies. Investors in this fund have seen consistent outperformance against benchmarks, with risk-adjusted metrics placing it in the top decile.
Leading the pack in aggressiveness, the Equity Growth SRI Portfolio delivered a standout 13.18% return for 2025, with a three-year annualized return of 21.94%. Fully invested in global stocks, it thrives in bull markets while the SRI filters mitigate exposure to high-risk industries, contributing to a Sharpe Ratio that surpasses many non-screened peers. Over its lifespan, the portfolio has compounded at 13.19% annually, demonstrating that ethical constraints do not necessarily hinder returns—in fact, they can enhance long-term resilience by avoiding scandal-prone sectors.
Across all three, distributions are paid annually in December, and total assets under management have grown significantly, with the Balanced Growth SRI Portfolio holding $169.03 million, the Equity Growth SRI at $120.34 million, and the Balanced SRI at $50.30 million. This scale provides liquidity and economies that further benefit unitholders.
Key Benefits of SRI Integration in These Funds
Socially responsible investing within these portfolios goes beyond mere exclusion; it actively selects companies demonstrating positive impacts. For instance, equity components often overweight firms advancing clean energy transitions, fair labor practices, and corporate governance standards. In a year marked by heightened scrutiny on climate risks and social equity, these funds navigated challenges like supply chain disruptions and inflation pressures by favoring resilient, forward-thinking holdings.
For US audiences, where ESG assets have surged past $30 trillion, these Canadian exemplars illustrate how screened investments can compete with traditional funds. Comparative analysis shows that the Tangerine SRI portfolios’ returns in 2025 outpaced many US equivalents in similar categories, such as certain Vanguard or BlackRock ESG offerings, particularly in risk-adjusted terms. This success stems from rigorous due diligence in ETF selection, ensuring underlying assets meet both financial and ethical thresholds.
Strategic Considerations for Portfolio Allocation
Investors contemplating these funds should assess their overall asset mix. The Balanced SRI Portfolio suits those seeking moderate growth with income, ideal for near-retirees or conservative allocators. In contrast, the Equity Growth SRI appeals to long-horizon investors tolerant of higher volatility for potentially greater rewards. Blending them can create customized risk profiles, such as a 50/50 split for balanced exposure.
Market dynamics in 2025, including Federal Reserve policy adjustments and global trade shifts, played to the strengths of these portfolios’ international diversification. US-heavy exposures in tech and consumer sectors, combined with emerging market tilts screened for sustainability, helped mitigate domestic biases. Volatility measures, like standard deviation over the year, remained below category averages, affirming the awards’ emphasis on risk management.
Broader Industry Implications
The repeated wins—Tangerine secured similar honors in prior years—signal a maturing SRI landscape where performance parity with non-SRI funds is achievable. This trend encourages more institutions to adopt ethical frameworks, potentially influencing US regulators and fund managers to enhance transparency in ESG labeling. For individual investors, it validates that aligning portfolios with personal values need not sacrifice returns, especially in a world where sustainability factors increasingly drive economic outcomes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an endorsement of any products. All information is based on publicly available data and reports; readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.