Why is the Australian Ethical Investment (ASX:AEF) share price surging 7% today?

This fund manager is shooting the lights out today…

| More on:
A woman sitting in her lounge room punches the air in a gesture of success, having seen the rising IAG share price on her laptop

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is enjoying a reasonably breezy day on the ASX boards so far this Tuesday. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up a healthy 0.73% at 7,406 points. But one ASX 200 share is putting those numbers to shame. That would be the Australian Ethical Investment Limited (ASX: AEF) share price.

Australian Ethical shares are currently up 6.87% at $14.62 a share after closing at $13.65 yesterday afternoon and opening at a flat $14 this morning. The price went as high as $14.80 this morning, up nearly 8%.

So with this explosive move higher, you must be wondering what's going on with Australian Ethical today. Is there a new announcement or update from this managed fund and super provider? A fresh dividend announcement? Perhaps a director has picked up a truckload of shares?

What's happening with the Australian Ethical share price?

Well, unfortunately for anyone who wants a solid answer, there isn't one to give. It's unclear why this company is jumping so decisively higher today.

Yes, there has been no news or announcements out of Australian Ethical this Tuesday. In fact, the last update the company gave was last Thursday. And that was just some routine ASX paperwork. There have been no public director or major shareholder transactions this week either. Or any announcements related to this company's dividend.

One of the last major updates this company gave was its quarterly funds under management (FUM) update last month. As we covered at the time, the company announced a record quarterly inflow of $160 million, resulting in a record $6.54 billion in total FUM. But that was a while ago now, and investors have had plenty of time to digest those numbers.

And ASX fund managers or even financials shares are certainly not enjoying a sector-wide banquet today. As an example, Australian Ethical's fellow fund managers such as Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) and Platinum Asset Management Ltd (ASX: PTM) are both in the red so far today. The major ASX financials shares (ie, the ASX banks) are having a decent day today. But all four are up between 1 and 2% so far, nothing compared to Australian Ethical.

It's what we think we know that just ain't so…

So what conclusions can we draw? Well, only that we don't know for sure why Australian Ethical is enjoying such a strong day today,

It's possible a large and/or institutional investor noticed Australian Ethical shares fell close to 7% over last week and decided to load the boat. Perhaps an exchange-traded fund (ETF) needed to rebalance its holdings and picked up a large tranche of shares to do so.

Whatever the reason, there will be more than a few shareholders pleased with what today has given them. Not that this is anything out of the ordinary for this company. Remember, Australian Ethical is now up an eye-watering 199% in 2021 alone.

At the current Australian Ethical share price, this company has a market capitalisation of $1.65 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 148 and a dividend yield of 0.48%.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Australian Ethical Investment Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Australian Ethical Investment Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Financial Shares

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Financial Shares

2 rising ASX financial shares with 'meaningful upside' still left: fundie

Financials outperformed every other sector in FY25, but there are still buying opportunities left, say these experts.

Read more »

Frustrated and shocked business woman reading bad news online from phone.
Financial Shares

Macquarie shares sink 5% on Q1 update

The investment bank is having a tough start to the year.

Read more »

A man holds his baby on his lap at the dining room table while he looks at his laptop screen earnestly.
Financial Shares

After its result, does Macquarie rate AMP shares a buy, hold or sell?

The financial services company released a strong second-quarter update on Monday.

Read more »

A blockchain investor sits at his desk with a laptop computer open and a phone checking information from a booklet in a home office setting.
Broker Notes

Are non-bank lenders a lucrative alternative to the big 4 banks?

The big 4 banks are widely perceived as being fully valued or overvalued.

Read more »

Red sell button on an Apple keyboard.
Financial Shares

ASX 200 financials was the best sector of FY25. But it's time to sell these 2 stocks, say experts

The ASX 200 financials sector gave investors a near-30% total return in the 2025 financial year.

Read more »

Happy woman working on a laptop.
Financial Shares

AMP share price jumps on strong Q2 update

Let's see what the financial services company reported for the quarter.

Read more »

A woman holds up hands to compare two things with question marks above her hands.
Financial Shares

The pros and cons of buying IAG shares this month

Is this the right time to invest in the insurance giant?

Read more »

man analysing share price
Financial Shares

ASX 200 financial services rivalry: Should I buy Hub24 or Netwealth shares?

Let's compare the pair.

Read more »