Original, independent, thought leadership

Chart of the Week – October 9, 2023

The Bottom Line: Sustainable large cap growth funds exposure to some of the market’s top performers so far in 2023 drove their average 14.9% results.      Top 10 stocks held by the best performing sustainable large cap growth funds: September 30, 2023 Notes of Explanation:  Stocks listed based on the number of top performing […]

Chart of the Week – October 2, 2023

The Bottom Line:  Short-term performance results in the volatile renewable energy sector may be poised for gains due to demand surge in the coming years. Top 10 clean energy funds by assets under management and performance to August 31, 2023Notes of Explanation:  Funds listed in size order.  Top 10 funds by assets under management selected […]

Sustainable index tracking ETFs expense ratios

The Bottom Line:  Sustainable index tracking ETF fees range from a low of 0.1% to a 0.75% high, offering investors a range of pricing options. Assets and average expense ratios for top 10 sustainable index tracking ETF investment categories Notes of Explanation:  Assets=total net assets.  Expense ratios are average for the investment category.  Data as […]

Carbon credit and voluntary offset funds post declines in August

The Bottom Line: Eight thematic sustainable investment vehicles investing in futures contracts on carbon credits and voluntary offset credits are listed, but volatilities are high. Performance of thematic sustainable investment funds investing in carbon credits and voluntary offset credits, to August 31, 2023Notes of Explanation:  Eight funds include, iPath Series B Carbon ETN (GRN), iPath […]

Short duration bond funds dominate top sustainable performers in August

The bottom line:  Best performing sustainable funds in August 2023 dominated by short-dated bond funds investing in fixed or floating rate securities and integrating ESG. Sustainable mutual funds and ETFs:  Top 10 performers in August 2023Notes of Explanation:  Performance results limited to best performing share class, to August 31, 2023.  Calvert Ultra-Short Investment Grade ETF […]

ESG interest in DC plans high, but usage remains low

The Bottom Line:  Expressions of interest in sustainable investments may be high, but usage remains low in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, calling for additional education. MFS US Retirement Survey, 2022:  Interest in more sustainable (ESG) investments in employer-sponsored retirement plansNotes of Explanation:  Percentages represent the sum of respondents that chose somewhat interested, very interested and […]

April 2023 returns highlight variety of sustainable mutual funds

The Bottom Line:  April performance results highlight that mutual funds at this time offer sustainable investors a greater variety of investment options relative to ETFs. April 2023 average total return performance for top 10 performing investment categories stratified by actively managed mutual funds and ETFs Observations: Strong earnings registered by several large companies overcame bank […]

Actively managed ETF flows ignores performance track record

The Bottom Line:  Outsized flows into actively managed ETFs disregards evidence that most active investment managers tend to underperform their benchmark most of the time. Total net assets of sustainable active and passive ETFs: December 30, 2022 – April 28, 2023Notes of Explanation:  Sources:  Morningstar Direct and Sustainable Research and Analysis Observations: According to reporting […]

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