Original, independent, thought leadership

Two reports on climate change issued last week are required reading

The Bottom Line:  Reports issued last week on climate change and related financial, economic, and social risks are required reading for investors and other stakeholders.   0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Carbon dioxide levels over timeNotes of Explanation:  Source: 2023 Economic Report to the President/Lüthi https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06949et al. 2008. Note: Data come from reconstructions […]

UBS acquires Credit Suisse and its funds

The Bottom Line:  Plans announced yesterday by UBS to acquire Credit Suisse should not result in any immediate impact on the management of investment funds. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Mutual funds, ETFs and ETNs managed by UBS and Credit Suisse as of February 28, 2023Notes of Explanation:  Sources:  Morningstar Direct and […]

Sustainable ultra-short bond ETFs offer potential for higher returns

The Bottom Line:  In a rising rate environment, the latest sustainable ultra-short bond ETF listing adds to number of offerings with potential for higher returns. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Sustainable ultra-short bond ETFs:  AUM and expense ratios Sources:  Notes of Explanation:  AUM as of February 28, 2023, except CVSB and PULT […]

Outperforming large actively managed sustainable US equity funds

The Bottom Line:  The largest actively managed sustainable equity funds are outperforming their designated securities market indices in 50% or more of three time periods. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Observations:  By one measure, the largest actively managed sustainable US equity funds are outperforming their designated and appropriate benchmarks at levels that […]

Actively managed funds continue to dominate January 2023 sustainable fund listings

The Bottom Line:  The trend of launching actively managed ETFs continues into 2023 through January, subject to higher expense ratios and challenging record of underperformance. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Mutual funds/share classes and ETFs launched in January 2023 Fund Firm Mutual Fund/ETF AUM (M)* Expense Ratio (%) Sustainable Investing Approach (Summary) […]

At least 165 firms offer sustainable mutual funds and ETFs

The Bottom Line:  Sustainable investors can choose from an increasing number of sustainable mutual funds/share classes and ETFs that are now offered by 165 firms. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Ten largest management firms offering sustainable mutual funds and ETFsNotes of Explanation:  Where applicable, assets of affiliated firms are consolidated.  Assets as […]

Legal action against DOL ESG rules and their potential impacts on DC plans

The Bottom Line:  Legal action against DOL rules governing climate change and other ESG factors could slow near-term adoption but not affect their long-term uptake. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Socially responsible funds offered and used, per Vanguard qualified plans 2022 surveyNotes of Explanation:  Includes the offering and use of equity funds […]

On the 30th anniversary of ETFs, sustainable funds account for 1.4% share

The Bottom Line:  On the 30th anniversary of ETFs, sustainable ETFs make up 1.4% of net assets but have the potential for continued rapid growth. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Conventional ETFs versus sustainable ETFs:  AUM and number of funds as of 12/31/2022Sources:  Sources:  AUM and number of funds:  Morningstar Direct; sustainable […]

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