Original, independent, thought leadership

Chart of the Week – October 30, 2023

The Bottom Line:  For investors contemplating sustainable high yield funds, firms with strong credit research teams have shown that they can outperform high yield indices. Top 10 performing sustainable high yield mutual funds and ETFs, based on Q3 2023 resultsNotes of Explanation:  Top performing sustainable funds listed based on Q3 2023 results, limited to the […]

Chart of the Week – October 23, 2023

The Bottom Line: Sustainable large cap value funds reflect greater variations in their holdings and broader diversification than their sustainable large cap growth funds counterparts. Top 11 stocks most widely held by sustainable large cap value funds: September 30, 2023 Notes of Explanation: Sustainable funds based on Morningstar’s classification.  Data as of September 30, 2023. […]

Chart of the Week – October 16, 2023

The Bottom Line: Methodologies used to analyze the outperformance or underperformance of sustainable and conventional mutual funds and ETFs may produce distortions and skew outcomes.   Average 12-month performance of actively managed sustainable and conventional funds-Taxable bond funds and US equity funds across mutual funds and ETFs Notes of Explanation: Sustainable funds based on Morningstar’s classification.  […]

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 Contact Us for this chart. Notes of Explanation:  Assets=total net assets.  Expense ratios are average for […]

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 […]

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