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Sustainable Portfolios Performance Summary: February 2018

Summary S&P declined -3.69% in February, partially recovering from a brief 10.2% correction. The SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index posted a -3.72% drop, trailing the non-ESG index by just 3 basis points. The three sustainable model portfolios also experienced declines, ranging from -4.51% to -0.78%, but in each case exceeded the returns posted by […]

SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index Posts Strong 5.47% Gain in January 2018

Summary The SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index, which tracks the total return performance of the ten largest actively managed large cap US oriented equity mutual funds that employ a sustainable investing strategy beyond absolute reliance on exclusionary practices, posted a strong gain of 5.47% in January and 23.05% for the twelve month period to […]

Sustainable Portfolios Performance Summary: December 2017

Summary Stocks recorded new highs throughout the year. The S&P 500 Index posted a full year total return gain of 21.83% while emerging markets delivered an even greater 32.38% gain. Bonds turned in the second best performance in the last five years. Against a goldilocks backdrop, sustainable oriented funds, defined as actively managed mutual funds […]

Sustainable Portfolios Performance Summary: November 2017

Summary The 3.07% gain of the S&P 500 Index in November, driven by strong corporate earnings, solid economic growth around the world and signs of progress in the US on the Republican led tax bill, also powered the performance of sustainable mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) along with the 3 sustainable […]

Sustainable Portfolios Performance Summary: October 2017

S&P 500 Registers the Best Monthly Gain of 2.33% Since Recording an Increase of 3.97% in February Positive earnings results, strong US economic data that seemed to eclipse the effects of hurricanes Harvey and Irma that shut down parts of Texas and Florida in August and September, coupled with an optimistic outlook for tax reform […]

SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index Gains 1.7% in October but Lags the S&P 500

SUSTAIN Index Gains but Only One Constituent Fund Beat the S&P 500 in October The SUSTAIN Large Cap Equity Fund Index, which tracks the total return performance of the ten largest actively managed large cap US oriented equity mutual funds that employ a sustainable investing strategy beyond absolute reliance on exclusionary practices, registered a gain of 1.7% […]

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