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Monthly Sustainable Portfolios Performance Summary: July 2018

Summary S&P 500 Index recorded best gain since January, up 3.72%, while bonds posted an increase of 0.02%; SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index and the SUSTAIN Bond Fund Indicator outperformed, up 3.93% and 0.06%, respectively. Strong corporate earnings combined with the anticipation of robust economic growth in the second quarter lifted share prices pushed […]

SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index Up 3.93% in July 2018, Leading S&P 500 by 21 bps

Summary Market Summary: S&P 500 records best gain since January, up 3.72% as strong corporate earnings combined with the anticipation of robust economic growth in the second quarter lifted share prices pushed aside for now domestic political and geopolitical uncertainties, global trade war tensions as well as some potential domestic economic headwinds. SUSTAIN Equity Fund […]

SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index Up 0.90% in June, Leading S&P 500 Index by 28 BPS

Summary • June stock and bond market performance alternated as shifting sentiments guided by strong economic growth prospects and positive geopolitical news gave way to interest rate worries and increasing concerns over a looming trade war. • The SUSTAIN Equity Fund Index posted an increase of 0.90% in June while the SUSTAIN Bond Fund Indicator […]

Monthly Sustainable Portfolios Performance Summary: May 2018

Summary U.S. Stocks as well as investment-grade bonds delivered positive results in May; small capitalization stocks in general and growth stocks in particular led the pack The SUSTAIN Equity Fund Index gained 1.35% but lagged behind the S&P 500 Index by almost 1.1%; sustainable bond funds gained 0.62% and posted the best monthly performance results […]

SUSTAIN Equity Fund Index Gains 1.35% in May but Lags S&P 500 by Almost 1.1%

Summary U.S. Stocks, as well as investment-grade bonds, delivered positive results in May; small capitalization stocks in general and growth stocks in particular led the pack. The SUSTAIN Equity Fund Index gains 1.35% but lagged behind the S&P 500 Index by almost 1.1%. Sustainable bond funds gained 0.62% and post best monthly performance results in […]

Monthly Sustainable Portfolio Performance Summary: April 2018

Summary Market returns were mixed in April: The S&P 500 Index eked out a slim gain of 0.38% while investment-grade bonds posted a decline of -0.74%. Riskier sustainable model portfolios outperformed more conservative counterparts in April. Sustainable funds registered a slight average decline of -0.043% in April, ranging from a low of -4.68% to a […]

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