While Warren Buffett has come under fire for declining to part with his company's stake in PetroChina (NYSE: PTR) in light of its parent company's ties with the Sudan, Claymore Securities has stepped forward with an ETF for investors looking to avoid the region. The Claymore/KLD Sudan Free Large-Cap Core (AMEX: KSF) debuted last week with an expense ratio of 0.5% -- higher than a comparable index fund, but low enough that it shouldn't hurt your returns too much if you're looking to avoid the region in your investments. The fund also has traditional social responsibility screens in place, and does not invest in companies associated with the alcohol, tobacco, gambling and firearms industries. According to the fund manager's press release accompanying its debut, the fund screens out any company that:
• Owns or controls property or assets in Sudan
• Has employees or facilities in Sudan
• Provides goods or services to companies domiciled in Sudan
• Obtains goods or services from Sudan
• Has distribution agreements with companies domiciled in Sudan
• Issues credits or loans to companies domiciled in Sudan
• Purchases goods or commercial paper issued by the Government of Sudan
With outrage over the crisis in the Sudan increasing daily, this fund should perform quite well, and it looks like a good option for socially conscious investors.
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