DWS introduces Paris Climate Agreement-aligned corporate bond ETFs

Xtrackers corporate bond ETFs move to Paris Aligned Benchmarks (PAB) indices
New indices are focus on reducing emissions in line with Paris Climate Agreement targets
Exclusion process based on bond issuer emissions to ensure compliance with PAB requirements

DWS has expanded its range of Xtrackers ETFs where the indices tracked are aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Specifically, the indices of seven existing Xtrackers ETFs have changed, which previously tracked the market for corporate bonds in Euro and US dollars with different maturities and focused on environmental and social standards as well as good corporate governance (ESG).

These ETFs now track indices that meet the requirements for EU Paris Aligned Benchmarks (PAB).An ESG-related exclusion criteria will remain in place as well. The new indices are characterised by the fact that they aim to reduce carbon emissions. Specifically, the ETFs track Bloomberg-MSCI Euro/USD Corporate SRI PAB indices that target a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to an equivalent non-ESG market benchmark, as well as a continuous reduction in carbon intensity of seven per cent per year. The benchmark index includes a semi-annual exclusion process based on bond issuer emissions in addition to the usual monthly rebalancing. The semi-annual process determines which issuers should be excluded from the benchmark Index to ensure compliance with the PAB Regulation.

"The addition of corporate bond indices aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement to our Xtrackers ETF range is an important step. This allows investors to build a portfolio across several asset classes that formulates concrete climate-oriented goals that are also documented," says Simon Klein, Global Head of Passive Sales at DWS.

Product Table

Previous ETF name	ISIN	Current ETF name	Amended underlying Index
Xtrackers II ESG EUR Corporate Bond UCITS ETF	LU0484968812	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI Euro Corporate SRI PAB Index
Xtrackers II ESG EUR Corporate Bond UCITS ETF	LU0484968903	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI Euro Corporate SRI PAB Index
Xtrackers II ESG EUR Corporate Bond Short Duration UCITS ETF	LU2178481649	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI Euro Corporate SRI 0-5 Year PAB Index
Xtrackers ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF	IE00BL58LJ19	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI USD Liquid Investment Grade Corporate SRI PAB Index
Xtrackers ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF	IE00BL58LL31	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI USD Liquid Investment Grade Corporate SRI PAB Index
Xtrackers ESG USD Corporate Bond Short Duration UCITS ETF	IE00BF8J5974	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI USD Corporate SRI 0-5 Years PAB Index
Xtrackers ESG USD Corporate Bond Short Duration UCITS ETF	IE00BFMKQ930	LongNameSCIcon	Bloomberg MSCI USD Corporate SRI 0-5 Years PAB Index

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 833bn of assets under management (as of 30 September 2022). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognised by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global Chief Investment Office (CIO View), which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,600 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.

Key risks

Investors should note that the Xtrackers UCITS ETFs and ETCs are not capital protected or guaranteed and investors should be prepared and able to sustain losses of the capital invested up to a total loss.
Shares in the Xtrackers UCITS ETFs which are purchased on the secondary market cannot usually be sold directly back to the relevant fund. Investors must purchase and redeem such shares on the secondary market with the assistance of an intermediary (e.g. a market maker or a stock broker) and may incur fees for doing so (as further described in the applicable prospectus). In addition, investors may pay more than the current net asset value of a share in a Xtrackers UCITS ETF when buying shares on the secondary market, and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling such shares on the secondary market.
Investments in funds involve numerous risks including, among others, general market risks, credit risks, foreign exchange risks, interest rate risks and liquidity risks. The value of an investment in a Xtrackers UCITS ETF may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount of their original investment.
Investments in ETC securities will not accrue any interest and performance is subject to the deduction of the product fee.
Pricing of the ETC securities on the secondary market may be at a significant discount or premium compared to the Value per ETC Security (intrinsic value) published by the Issuer. Investments in Xtrackers ETCs involve numerous risks including but not limited to, general market risks relating to the relevant commodities, exchange rate risks, interest rate risks, inflationary risks, liquidity risks, and legal and regulatory risks.
Movements in exchange rates can impact the value of your investment. If the currency of your country of residence is different from the currency in which the underlying investments of the fund are made, the value of your investment may increase or decrease subject to movements in exchange rates.
For a full description of risk factors, please refer to the relevant prospectus.

Important Notice

This press release has been issued in the UK and approved by DWS Investments UK Limited. DWS Investments UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Any reference to “DWS” shall, unless otherwise required by the context, be understood as a reference to DWS Investments UK Limited including any of its parent companies, any of its or its parents affiliates or subsidiaries and, as the case may be, any investment companies promoted or managed by any of those entities.

Past performance is not a guide for future returns.

Xtrackers UCITS ETFs are all ETFs of one of the following platforms: Xtrackers, Xtrackers II or Xtrackers (IE) plc.

Xtrackers, Xtrackers II and Xtrackers (IE) plc are undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and set up as open-ended investment companies with variable capital and segregated liability between their respective compartments.

Xtrackers and Xtrackers II are incorporated in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, are registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ Register under number B-119.899 (Xtrackers) and B-124.284 (Xtrackers II) respectively and have their registered office at 49, avenue J.F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg. Xtrackers (IE) plc is incorporated in Ireland with registered number 393802 and has its registered office at 78 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland. DWS Investment S.A. acts as the management company of Xtrackers, Xtrackers II and Xtrackers (IE) plc.

This information is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, recommendation, an offer or solicitation. Any investment decision in relation to an Xtrackers ETF should be based solely on the latest version of the prospectus, the audited annual and, if more recent, un-audited semi-annual reports and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID), all of which are available in English upon request or on www.Xtrackers.com. In the case of any inconsistency with the prospectus, the latest version of the prospectus shall prevail.