Engine No. 1 CEO on its new activist ETF debut

CNBC's Bob Pisani talks with Engine No. 1 CEO Jennifer Grancio about its new activist ETF, the Transform 500 ETF under the ticker VOTE. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO: https://cnb.cx/2NGeIvi Engine No. 1, the upstart activist firm that put three candidates on Exxon’s board of directors, is launching an exchange-traded fund in a bet that shareholder activism will take center stage in coming years. The Engine No. 1 Transform 500 ETF will trade under the ticker VOTE, and has received $100 million in commitments, the company said Tuesday. The passive fund will invest in 500 of the largest U.S. companies and track the Morningstar U.S. Large Cap Select Index, with the aim of helping to “instigate positive change for employees, customers, communities, and the environment.” The firm said it will hold companies accountable on environmental, social and governance issues through the votes it casts, while also working with companies to strengthen investments made in stakeholders. “Our idea with this product was, let’s be ESG investors, not by what we hold because we’re just holding the 500 largest companies by market cap. Instead, let’s be ESG by what we do as active owners,” said Engine No. 1 managing director Michael O’Leary. “Because of this fund, we will now be long-term, nearly permanent owners of the 500 largest companies in America.” Engine No. 1 has gained prominence over the last few months after waging a campaign against Exxon, which ultimately proved successful. The firm began targeting the oil giant in December 2020, saying Exxon needed to shift its operations and significantly reduce emissions in order to ensure long-term financial viability. The activist firm nominated four board directors, two of which it secured at Exxon’s annual shareholder meeting in May, which spanned several hours and included a surprise one-hour recess between sessions. The vote over a third candidate was too close to call at the meeting’s conclusion, but was later confirmed in favor of Engine No. 1. The campaign against Exxon comes amid a surge in ESG investing, and as investors — especially younger generations including millennials — increasingly want to support companies whose mission aligns with their values. “There shouldn’t be a trade-off between positive impact and financial performance,” said Yasmin Dahya Bilger, head of ETFs at Engine No. 1. “This product gives investors the ability, in our minds, to take their seat at the table and have a voice, between the votes that we cast and the way we engage.” Engine No. 1 said that digital investment advisor Betterment will integrate the new fund into its socially responsible investing strategies. The fund’s annual expense ratio will be 0.05%. » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC Classic: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCclassic Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide. The News with Shepard Smith is CNBC’s daily news podcast providing deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day’s most important stories. Available to listen by 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT daily beginning September 30: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/the-n... Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: http://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: Follow CNBC News on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-cred... #CNBC #CNBCTV