ESG

BlackRock, Vanguard splash on lobbyists as ESG battles rage ahead of US election

Big four fund groups including State Street and Fidelity spent $7.8m on US lobbyists last year as politicians railed against 'woke' investing

Fund houses are trying to buy influence at a key crossroads for sustainable investing
Fund houses are trying to buy influence at a key crossroads for sustainable investing Photo: Getty Images

BlackRock, Vanguard and other asset management giants have shelled out millions of dollars to lobbyists as ESG remains a key battleground heading into the US election.

The ‘big four’ fund groups — BlackRock, State Street, Fidelity and Vanguard — spent a total of $7.6m on federal lobbying in 2023, a Financial News analysis of public disclosures of lobbying activities shows.

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