Original, independent, thought leadership

Recent developments impacting ESG strategies

The Bottom Line:  Dow Jones survey reports that recent developments like the pandemic, the Ukraine conflict and the energy crisis are influencing sustainable investing practices. 0:00 / 0:00 Developments impacting the strategic thinking of senior managers around ESG strategies Notes of Explanation:  Dow Jones collaborated with Coleman Parkes, a B2B market research specialist, to conduct […]

Shelter from the storm with sustainable money funds

The Bottom Line:  Money market funds are benefiting from rising interest rates and offer investors a safe haven from declines in stock and bond prices. Total return performance of leading sustainable money market funds:  1- and 12-monthsNotes of Explanation:  Total return performance arrayed based on trailing 12-month results through August 31, 2022, posted by the […]

Actively managed ETF launches tick up even during period of underperformance

The Bottom Line:  Even as the majority of US and international equity managers continue to underperform, new launches of actively managed sustainable ETFs tick up. Observations According to the just released S&P Dow Jones Indices SPIVA report¹ that measures the performance of actively managed funds against their relevant S&P index benchmarks, 49% of actively managed […]

Clean energy ETFs diverge in August

The Bottom Line:  Divergence in the August 2022 performance of the top and bottom clean energy funds due to foreign holdings reinforces benefits of diversification. Divergence in performance of top and bottom 10 performing ETFs in August 2022 Observations: With two exceptions, the top sustainable ETF performers in August 2022 were focused on clean energy.  […]

Renewable and clean energy funds led in July and should benefit from IRA

The Bottom Line:  Renewable and clean energy mutual funds and ETFs, performance leaders in July, should benefit from the just enacted Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Performance of the top 10 mutual funds and ETFs:  July 2022 and trailing 12-months (12-M)Notes of Explanation:  *Name change from iClima Distributed Smart Energy ETF effective as of August 9, […]

Sustainable US equity funds outperform in July 2022

The Bottom Line:  Sustainable actively managed US equity mutual funds and ETFs generated better average performance results in July relative to their conventional fund counterparts. Average performance of actively managed sustainable diversified US equity funds versus conventional funds:  July 2022, Y-T-D and trailing 12-months to July 31, 2022Note of Explanation:  Sustainable US equity funds, both […]

Carbon intensity metrics disclosed by seven of ten largest US-equity ETFs

The Bottom Line:  Enhanced disclosures to clients and shareholders by self-described sustainable mutual funds and ETFs of ESG related outcomes and impacts are not commonplace. Average weighted carbon intensity metrics for the largest 10 sustainable ETFsNote of Explanation:  Data sources:  Fund Fact Sheets, MSCI, Sustainable Research and Analysis LLC. Observations: In general, enhanced disclosures of […]

Three newly listed equity ETFs seek greenhouse gas reductions

The Bottom Line:  Three new ETFs listed in June 2022 seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should be evaluated based on financial and non-financial outcomes. Sustainable ETFs listed in June 2022 that invest in companies seeking to reduce CO2 emissions Fund Name/Symbol ER Assets ($M) Structure Sustainable Investing Approach Nuveen Global Net Zero Transition ETF […]

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