The INDEX Act, a gain for sustainable investors?
The Bottom Line: If enacted, the Investor Democracy is Expected (INDEX) Act will potentially give sustainable investors an influential voice by shifting proxy voting power. Summary/Conclusion The concentration of corporate voting power in the hands of a small number of investment advisers who are perceived to be aligned with an ESG agenda is engendering pushback. … Continue reading about The INDEX Act, a gain for sustainable investors?
April commentary: green bond funds
The Bottom Line: Green bond funds experienced modest outflows during a volatile month and while performance suffered in April, the segment, on average, held up. April Summary Modest outflows during a volatile month for both equities and bonds led to a net decline of $55.3 million in assets to $1.37 billion. Excluded is the $101.9… Continue reading about April commentary: green bond funds
Are 401(k) plan fiduciaries ready for Bitcoin as a plan option?
The Bottom Line: For at least three reasons it seems unlikely that plan sponsors will offer Bitcoin in company sponsored 401(k) plans any time soon. Introduction and conclusion On April 26, 2022 Fidelity Investments announced the launch of Fidelity’s workplace Digital Assets Account (DAA), the industry’s first offering that will enable individuals to have a portion of… Continue reading about Are 401(k) plan fiduciaries ready for Bitcoin as a plan option?
Bonds tumble 2.78% while large cap stocks gain 3.71% in March 2022
The Bottom Line: Heightened volatility in recent months likely to test the resolve of investors but longer-term ESG strategies seem to preserve their value proposition. Bonds gave up 2.78% in March while large cap US equities posted a gain of 3.71% Concerns and uncertainties regarding the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the potential… Continue reading about Bonds tumble 2.78% while large cap stocks gain 3.71% in March 2022
March commentary: green bond funds
The Bottom Line: Difficult market conditions in the first quarter led to very poor monthly and quarterly performance results and reduced issuance of green bonds. Summary Green bond funds, consisting of active and passively managed green bond mutual funds and green bond ETFs, invest in “green” bonds whose proceeds are used principally for climate mitigation,… Continue reading about March commentary: green bond funds
Another difficult month-February 2022
The Bottom Line: Another difficult month for stocks and bonds but returns posted by clean energy funds show value of patience and long-term investing horizon. Negative year-to-date results for stocks and bonds widened in February: S&P 500 -2.99% and Bloomberg Aggregate -1.12% A rough start to the year for both stocks and bonds was followed… Continue reading about Another difficult month-February 2022
ESG Issues in the Bond Fund Space presentation slides
The Bottom Line: Slides presented at Crane Data’s Bond Fund Symposium, March 28, 2022, on the topic of ESG Issues in the Bond Fund Space. Key takeaways from Crane’s Bond Fund Symposium presentation: ESG and sustainable investing are terms that are used interchangeably, leading to confusion and misunderstanding. Terms should be defined, and standards established… Continue reading about ESG Issues in the Bond Fund Space presentation slides
Focusing on ESG ratings: A more active due diligence role for sustainable investors
The Bottom Line: Scrutiny of ESG ratings identifies challenges and signals to investors to take an active due diligence role to understand their fund’s strategies. Sustainable investors should take on a more active due diligence role to understand the sustainable strategies pursued by their funds and ensure continued alignment with their sustainable investment preferences Financial… Continue reading about Focusing on ESG ratings: A more active due diligence role for sustainable investors