DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GuideStone Funds, the nation’s largest faith-based mutual fund family*, today introduced two new impact funds: the Impact Equity Fund (NASDAQ: GMEZX) and the Impact Bond Fund (NASDAQ: GMBZX). These two new funds deliver on GuideStone’s commitment to investing in organizations that align with Christian values, from advancing the sanctity of life and the stewardship of God’s creation to supporting human dignity and advancement.
GMEZX is comprised of equities of global companies exhibiting strong growth characteristics, and GMBZX is composed of a sector-diversified array of high-quality bonds. The two new impact funds highlight the investment strategies first implemented in the January 2021 launch of the Global Impact Fund (NASDAQ: GGIIX) by segmenting the bond portfolio to GMBZX and assigning equity investments to GMEZX. The funds offer investors two distinct and diverse portfolios that advance human flourishing and span a variety of industries, including health care, technology, and consumer business.
“For decades, GuideStone Funds has been at the forefront of delivering attractive, risk-adjusted performance without compromising core faith values,” said David Spika, President and Chief Investment Officer of GuideStone Capital Management, LLC, investment adviser to GuideStone Funds. “Our new impact funds allow anyone to join us in our mission to proactively invest in doing good in the world, from encouraging the sanctity of life to expanding access to clean drinking water and affordable housing.”
GuideStone evaluates each of the funds’ investments with a combined focus on biblical principles, security impact analysis and risk-adjusted returns to allow investors to make a meaningful difference in the world around them while preparing for their financial future.
One of the three pillars for identifying investment opportunities is advancing the sanctity of life from conception to death. In practice, these investments include creating a custom pool of mortgages that supports affordable rental housing and building cost-effective and child-friendly communities for low-income women who are heads of the household. These investments promote stability, which has been shown to be a key factor in reducing abortion.
For impact investing centered on dignity and advancement, the Impact Equity Fund invests in companies that promote physical and emotional well-being for the elderly. The Fund also invests in technology companies and sustainability-focused organizations that work toward the shared mission of stewarding God’s creation.
“The impact of these funds goes even further than what we choose to invest in. While being returns-focused for our investors, GuideStone is also a mission-minded organization that dedicates a portion of our revenue to supporting organizations that promote the sanctity of life and the growth of God’s Kingdom,” said Spika. “As the largest nonprofit, faith-based mutual fund family, GuideStone is distinctly positioned to provide options for investors to do good in addition to doing well.”
Both new impact funds will continue GuideStone’s 2021 pledge to commit 20% of the advisory fee of the funds to advancing the Gospel through missions and ministry.
The impact fund will join the complex of GuideStone’s 25 other mutual funds and be actively managed by David Spika and Brandon Pizzurro, Director of Public Investments.
GMEZX and GMBZX, the investor share class, formally launched on January 27, 2023. For more information on the funds, visit https://www.guidestonefunds.com/Impact.
*As of December 31, 2022, GuideStone Funds has $15.2 billion in assets, which makes GuideStone Funds® the nation’s largest faith-based mutual fund family. No other faith-based fund family exceeds GuideStone Funds in asset size.
There can be no guarantee that any strategy (risk management or otherwise) will be successful. All investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. The Funds’ impact investing criteria could cause the fund to perform differently compared to funds that do not apply such criteria. Successful application of the Funds’ impact investing strategy will depend upon the Adviser’s and each sub-adviser’s skill in properly identifying and analyzing impact investing issues. Investments made may not generate the amount of positive impact that was intended when the investment was made. Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market.
Impact Bond: An investment in the Fund involves risks that can significantly affect the Fund’s performance, including Credit Risk, Below-Investment Grade Securities Risk, Derivatives Risk, Mortgage-and Asset-Backed Securities Risk, Faith-Based Investing Risk, Fixed Income Securities Risk, Foreign Securities Risk and Market Risk. Impact Equity: An investment in the Fund involves risks that can significantly affect the Fund’s performance, including Equity Risk, Faith-Based Investing Risk, Foreign Securities Risk, Derivatives Risk, Market Risk and Futures and Options Risk. New Fund Risk: These Funds are new with limited operating history, and there can be no assurance that the Funds will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Funds may not be able to achieve their investment objective.
Funds invested in accordance with the faith-based investment restrictions of GuideStone Financial Resources may not be able to take advantage of certain investment opportunities due to these restrictions, which may adversely affect investment performance. An investment in the Fund involves risks that can significantly affect the Fund’s performance, including Credit Risk, Equity Risk, Fixed Income Securities Risk, Foreign Securities Risk and Market Risk.
Foreign Securities Risk: Obligations of securities of foreign issuers may be negatively affected by political events, economic conditions or inefficient, illiquid or unregulated markets in foreign countries.
You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risk, charges and expenses of the Funds before investing. For a copy of the prospectus with this and other information about the Funds, call 1-888-GS-FUNDS (1-888-473-8637) or visit GuideStoneFunds.com/Funds to view or download a prospectus. You should read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Shares of GuideStone Funds are distributed by Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, a registered broker-dealer and underwriter of the Funds, not an advisor affiliate. Foreside is not a registered investment adviser and does not provide investment advice. GuideStone Capital Management, LLC®, a controlled affiliate of GuideStone Financial Resources, provides investment advisory services for the Funds.
