US markets rose in June and sustainable stock indices bounced back
The Bottom Line: S&P 500 Index records fifth consecutive monthly gain while sustainable stock indices bounced back in June to eclipse their conventional counterparts. Fears of inflation and the end of Fed stimulus failed to halt another rise in the S&P 500 Index, which recorded a fifth consecutive monthly increase with a gain of 2.3% […]
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 […]
Sustainable (ESG-oriented) securities indices regained their leadership in January
The Bottom Line: US stocks declined 1.0% in January while sustainable (ESG-oriented) securities market indices regained leadership but actively managed sustainable funds turned mixed results. During a month when US stocks declined 1.0%, sustainable (ESG-oriented) securities market indices regain their leadership in January and outperform their conventional counterparts[1] Stocks in January posted a decline of […]
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 […]