ethical fund investment & finance definition

A mutual fund that limits investment alternatives to securities of firms meeting certain social standards. For example, an ethical fund might exclude securities of companies that are known to practice discrimination, that operate in certain countries, or that produce specific products (for example, those having to do with nuclear weapons or nuclear power plants). Ethical funds include the Dreyfus Third Century Fund, the New Alternatives Funds, and the Working Assets Fund, among others. See also social investing.