Original, independent, thought leadership

Goldman Sachs launches robo-advisor Marcus Invest with impact sleeve

The Bottom Line: Goldman Sachs makes news with two sustainable initiatives, the launch of robo-advisor Marcus Invest and issuance of an $800 million sustainability bond. Goldman Sachs makes news with sustainable initiatives Within the previous ten days or so, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. made the news with two noteworthy sustainable initiatives, the launch of a […]

Actively managed sustainable ETFs continue to expand in January 2021

The Bottom Line: Actively managed sustainable ETFs continue to expand in number and assets, reaching 54 funds with $68.6 billion in net assets under management. Actively managed sustainable ETFs continue to expand in number and assets Three new SEC filings in January added to an expanding number of actively managed sustainable ETFs available to investors […]

DFA launches first time actively managed ETFs with more on horizon

The Bottom Line:  Dimensional Fund Advisors intends to convert six actively managed sustainable equity mutual funds with $26.1 billion into corresponding ETFs in early 2021. Dimensional Fund Advisors intends to convert six sustainable mutual funds into ETFs in early 2021 Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) announced the launch of two Equity ETFs on November 18, 2020. […]

Sustainable funds events and developments: October 2020

The Bottom Line:  Sustainable funds related events or developments in October 2020 numbered 33, including two M&A transactions involving Eaton Vance and Truvalue Labs, Inc. October 2020 Events Summary During October 2020 we identified 33 sustainable fund related events or developments.  These include the following: 18 events involved the launch of new US and non […]

Top robo-advisor platforms offer limited sustainable investing options

The Bottom Line: Five of the top 10 robo-advisor platforms per Barron’s recent rankings offering sustainable investing options but offerings vary by range and scope. Robo-advisor platforms offering sustainable investing options vary by range and scope Robo-advisors, the digital platforms that provide automated algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision, have experienced […]

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