Sustainable mutual funds post an average decline of 1.05% in May 2023
The Bottom Line: Technology heavy and growth-oriented sustainable mutual funds and ETFs registered strong performance results in May and extended their wide performance lead year-to-date. US stocks posted a narrow increase in May, adding 0.43%, while bonds dropped 1.09% US stocks posted a narrow increase in May, adding 0.43% according to the S&P 500 Index […]
Green bond funds held steady in 2022
The Bottom Line: Green bond funds held steady in 2022 and are expected to benefit from moderating conditions and increased sustainable bonds issuance in 2023. December Summary Investors didn’t abandon green bond funds in 2022 even in the light of posting an average decline of 13.5%, excluding the Franklin Municipal Green Bond Fund (FLMB), versus […]
SEC plans to finalize four sustainable investing and disclosure rules in 2023
The Bottom Line: The SEC will finalize rules in 2023 covering corporate climate disclosures, executive compensation proxy voting, sustainable fund classifications and fund naming conventions. SEC sustainable investing and corporate disclosure rulemaking agenda for 2023 0:00 / 0:00 Listen to this article now Sources: SEC; Sustainable Research and Analysis LLC. Observations: On January 4, 2023, […]
Greenwashing incidents on the rise but likely overstated
The Bottom Line: References to greenwashing appear to be on the rise, but various considerations other than greenwashing may be contributing to the recent uptick. References to greenwashing are on the rise but likely overstated References to greenwashing appear to be on the rise, as illustrated by data along the lines captured by FactSet in […]
Can the U.S. Antitrust Laws Stop ESG investing?
Opinion: ESG is gaining traction as a political issue and in the process, arguments have surfaced that ESG initiatives may be subject to anti-competitive practices. The politicization of ESG investing is introducing additional business uncertainties and risks with financial consequences, including potential legal liabilities and reputational issues ESG investing is gaining traction as a political […]
Stocks, bonds and funds notched increases in November
The Bottom Line: Stocks, bonds and sustainable mutual funds and ETFs gained in November as well as all selected ESG screened indices across asset classes. Stocks, as measured by the large cap S&P 500 Index, added another 5.6% last month after registering a gain of 8.1% in October Stocks and bonds both notched increases in […]
Green bond funds add assets following two months of declines
The Bottom Line: Reversing two consecutive months of declines, thematic green bond funds gained $29.4 million in November 2022 while total return performance lagged benchmarks. November Summary Reversing two months of declines in net assets under management, the segment of thematic green bond funds, consisting of four mutual funds and three ETFs that offer investors […]
Stocks gained 8.1% in October, but bonds dropped 1.3% on higher rates
The Bottom Line: The outperformance of selected ESG indices continue to narrow and long-term results are expected to converge and align with their conventional counterparts. Stocks bounced back in October with a gain of 8.1% while bonds gave up 1.3% as interest rates rose Stocks bounced back in October, benefiting from corporate earnings reports that […]