Original, independent, thought leadership

Markets in May post modestly higher total returns but ESG indices lag

The Bottom Line: S&P 500 took a breather in May, adding 70 bps after registering three-strong successive monthly gains while ESG indices, in general, lagged. S&P 500 added 70 bps in May following three-strong successive monthly gains while ESG indices, in general, lagged The gradual reopening of many economies on the heels of the ongoing […]

Markets rose in April while sustainable fund indices outperformed

The Bottom Line: Markets rose in April as economic activity and corporate earnings rebounded; ESG securities market indices diverged while sustainable mutual fund indices outperformed. Market Summary • Economic activity in the US rebounded strongly, fueling first quarter corporate earnings that beat analyst expectations, both in number and magnitude, and was on track to set […]

S&P 500 gained 4.38% in March while some sustainable indices posted excess returns

The Bottom Line:  S&P 500 was up 4.38% in March while three of four sustainable securities-oriented indices posted excess returns and two fund indices outperformed. S&P 500 expanded previous month’s gain to record a 4.38% increase in March while three of four sustainable securities-oriented indices post excess returns   After giving up the 2.4% gain […]

S&P 500 gained 2.76% in February while active sustainable fund managers prevailed

The Bottom Line:  With some volatility during the month, the S&P 500 gained 2.76% in February while active sustainable fund managers beat comparative conventional indices. With some volatility during the month, S&P gains 2.76% in February while active sustainable fund managers beat comparative conventional indices Government spending, aggressive monetary policy, low interest rates, coronavirus optimism […]

December 2020 market commentary: Active sustainable fund managers prevailed

The Bottom Line: The S&P 500 Index, which gained 18.4% in 2020, added 3.84% in December while sustainable fund managers prevailed in equities and bonds. The S&P 500 which gained 18.4% in 2020, added 3.84% in December while active sustainable fund managers prevailed    The S&P 500, which was down as much as 33.93% between […]

November 2020 market update: Markets rally and ESG indices diverge

The Bottom Line: Markets rallied in November across the board; actively managed sustainable mutual funds outperformed their conventional benchmarks while ESG securities market indices lagged. November market commentary The broad stock market as measured by the S&P 500 rallied strongly in November, gaining 10.95%. The index recorded the best monthly gain since April of the […]

Research

Research and analysis to keep sustainable investors up to-date on a broad range of topics that include trends and developments in sustainable investing and sustainable finance, regulatory updates, performance results and considerations, investing through index funds and actively managed portfolios, asset allocation updates, expenses, ESG ratings and data, company and product news, green, social and sustainable bonds, green bond funds as well as reporting and disclosure practices, to name just a few.

A continuously updated Funds Directory is also available to investors.  This is intended to become a comprehensive listing of sustainable mutual funds, ETFs and other investment products along with a description of their sustainable investing approaches as set out in fund prospectuses and related regulatory filings.

Getting started

Many questions have surfaced in recent years regarding sustainable and ESG investing.  Here, investors and financial intermediaries will find materials that describe the various approaches to sustainable investing and their implementation.  While sustainable investing approaches vary and they have thus far defied universally accepted definitions, many practitioners agree that they fall into the following broad categories:  Values-based investing, investing via exclusions, impact investing, thematic investments and ESG integration.  In conjunction with each of these approaches, investors may also adopt various issuer engagement procedures and proxy voting practices.  That said, sustainable investing approaches will continue to evolve.

In addition to periodic updates regarding sustainable investing and how this form of investing is evolving, investors and financial intermediaries interested in implementing a sustainable investing approach will also find source materials that cover basic investing themes as well as asset allocation tactics.

Inesting ideas

Thoughts and ideas targeting sustainable investing strategies executed through various registered and non-registered sustainable investment funds and products such as mutual funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs), closed-end funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Unit Investment Trusts (UITs). Coverage extends to investment management firms as well as fund groups. 

Independent source for sustainable investment management company research, analysis, opinions and sustainable fund disclosure assessments