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 […]
Credit impacts due to ESG factors can vary considerably
The Bottom Line: Moody’s latest report shows the varying credit impacts of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations applicable to more than 10,400 rated entities. Distribution of Moody’s credit impact scores and issuer profile scores as of March 31, 2023 Notes of Explanation: Based on ESG scores of 10,467 rated entities, as of 31 March […]
Sustainable funds expense ratio comparisons
The Bottom Line: Expense ratio comparisons between conventional and sustainable funds are difficult due to lack of homogeneity but low-cost options for investors are available. Conventional and sustainable mutual funds and ETFs asset-weighted expense ratios Notes of Explanation: Expense ratios applicable to conventional mutual funds and ETFs are based on ICI reporting as of December […]
Sustainable funds post average gain of 5.05% in Q1 2023
The Bottom Line: Sustainable funds recorded an average gain of 5.05% in Q1 2023, while top performing funds gained 7.2% and bottom funds dropped 5.09%. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article Top and bottom performing sustainable mutual funds and ETFs – Q1 2023 Observations: Sustainable mutual funds and ETFs, a total of 1,401 funds/share […]
Sustainable indices in Q1 2023 registered improved results
The Bottom Line: After a challenging year in 2022 the relative total returns of sustainable indices in the first quarter of 2023 recorded improved results. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Selected MSCI ESG indices relative performance results to 3-31-2023 Notes of Explanation: Positive or negative ESG performance results are for the selected […]
The three faces of sustainable assets under management in the US
The Bottom Line: The absence of widely accepted definitions and standards in sustainable finance is illustrated in the wide variations of referenced assets under management. 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Sustainable assets under management Observations: The absence of widely accepted definitions and standards in the sustainable finance sphere has contributed to confusion, […]