A record amount is flowing to investment managers who specialise in socially responsible investing, providing a bright spot for stock-pickers who have otherwise struggled to keep client money.

In the first half of the year, US funds that consider environmental, social and governance factors when making new bets attracted a net $8.4bn, according to data from Morningstar. That is already higher than the previous annual record of $5.4bn collected during 2018. Clients have now committed $35bn to what are known as ESG funds since 2013.