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SRI PROFESSIONALS SURVEY: MAJORITY OF RETAIL, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS INTERESTED IN “FOSSIL FUEL-FREE PORTFOLIOS”
63 Percent of SRI Professionals Expect Climate-Prompted Fossil Fuel Divestment in Next 10 Years
NEW YORK CITY AND COLORADO SPRINGS – May 16, 2013 – Over half of sustainable, responsible, impact (SRI) investment industry professionals say that retail investors (65 percent) and institutional investors (53 percent) are currently expressing interest in fossil fuel-free portfolios in the face of growing signs of climate change, according to First Affirmative Financial Network’s Fossil Fuels Divestment Survey.
Released in anticipation of the 24th annual SRI Conference (http://www.SRIconference.com) October 28-30, 2013 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the online survey was conducted by First Affirmative Financial Network between April 22 and May 8, 2013. More than 2,000 SRI industry professionals were asked to weigh-in on 12 questions regarding fossil fuel-free portfolios and related investor concerns. The survey was completed by 466 licensed investment professionals, asset managers, investors, and representatives of SRI investment companies, community development financial institutions, and social research/proxy voting organizations.
Other key survey findings include:
· 77 percent see growing risks for investors associated with fossil fuel company holdings in their investment portfolios.
· 30 percent of those surveyed either already do – or are getting ready to – offer fossil-fuel free portfolios to investors.
· 63 percent believe that investors will in the next 10 years start divesting in meaningful numbers from fossil-fuel companies due to climate change implications of such energy sources.
First Affirmative President Steve Schueth, producer of The SRI Conference, said: “The survey findings strongly suggest that fossil fuel free investing is one of the SRI industry’s next big issues. Ours is an incredibly dynamic field, and as we develop the agenda for the 24th annual SRI Conference in October, we are working hard to present speakers and sessions focused on the most timely, important, and pressing topics. Fossil fuel free investing is already becoming a nationwide movement, and it’s likely to gain momentum as the impacts of climate destabilization are felt far and wide.
In addition, the survey also found that:
· 67 percent of respondents believe that 2013 is the right time for investors to assess and perhaps alter their approach to investing in traditional energy companies.
· 40 percent of those surveyed worry about increased diversification risk in fossil fuel free portfolios, in their role as a fiduciary to clients.
· 24 percent of those surveyed said they would be able to adequately replace the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel companies in portfolios they managed/advised with holdings that exhibit similar risk/return characteristics.
The full survey findings are available online at http://216.30.191.148/sricfossilfuelsurvey.pdf.
via [sif] Fossil Fuel Free Survey Results – rthomas@socialk.com – Socialk Inc. Mail.
In our continued efforts to help support our valued partners, Social(k) is pleased to announce the addition of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) as the latest investment offering on our pure open architecture platform. Choose mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds as investment options. Over 200 Environmental, Social and Governance, ESG, screened mutual funds and now over 200 screened ETF options as well.
Now you have investment flexibility to build a truly low-cost and diverse retirement plan program with:
• Access to over 900 individual Exchange Traded Funds, over 200 ESG screened ETFs
• Representing 60 asset classes
• Working in partnership with Fee Based Financial Advisors
• Incorporated into any plan type of size*
• Pricing as of 4:00pm
• Competitive pricing of 30 bps in addition to standard plan fees
• Available to plans with mutual funds schedule for early 2012
*For plans sold and set-up on the Social(k) platform after June 22, 2011
Featured EFT Providers:
• iShares
• Barclays
• First Trust
• PIMCO
• State Street
For information contact us at socialk.com or call us at 866-929-2525
Video: Social(k) Smarts: Keeping Score 
Some people watch baseball and do line scoring. Others keep score with box scores. Line score is similar to single bottom line accounting. Box score is like triple bottom line accounting. How do you keep score of your financial returns? How do you keep score of the way the game was played?
Keeping score using line score, or single line accounting, measures returns only. $100 goes in and $125 comes out. Financial wizards can measure financial returns with great precision. They can even measure the amount of risk taken for the return. But at the end of the game it is a line score. What is harder to measure is how the game was played, how the returns were made. If you want to really understand the dynamics of a specific game you use box scores. This brings much more depth to the story of the game, or the investment.
We know Portfolio 21, a mutual fund, returned 2.99% annually, over the last five years as of Dec 31, 2010. We know The Vice Fund, also a mutual fund, returned 2.43% annually, for the same time frame. Very similar returns as seen from the line scores.
Let’s look at the box scores. What companies do they look at to invest in?
“The Vice Fund invests in companies, both domestic and foreign, engaged in the aerospace and defense industries, owners and operators, gaming facilities as well as manufacturers of gaming equipment, manufactures of tobacco products and producers of alcoholic beverages.” www.usamutuals.com/vicefund
“Portfolio 21 invests in companies designing ecologically superior products, using renewable energy, and developing efficient production methods. Portfolio 21 companies seek to prosper in the 21st Century by recognizing environmental sustainability as a fundamental human challenge and a tremendous business opportunity.” www.portfolio21.com/
The box scores add a deeper understanding of the game. Triple bottom line accounting adds a deeper understanding of the investment.
How are you keeping score of your investments? Are you measuring success by dollars only? Isn’t wealth more than cash in the bank? Returns at any cost, certainly not. We can each use our own values and beliefs to decide what is important to measure, but we should be measuring more than the simple return.
BOSTON, MA–Marketwire – 10/07/09 – The Eventide Gilead Fund NASDAQ:ETGLX – News, a mutual fund practicing values-based and socially responsible investing, was named as a Category King by the Wall Street Journal for the one-year period ending September 30, 2009 for its no-load retail class shares. This is the fifth time in 2009 the Fund has been named Category King by the Wall Street Journal, in recognition of ranking within the top ten funds in its category for fund performance. The Eventide Gilead fund was ranked #2 out of 380 midcap-core funds for the period based upon its investment return. During this period, the Fund generated a return of 15.67% compared with the S&P 500 Index return of 6.91%, an out-performance of 22.58%.
via Eventide Funds | A Values-Based Approach to Investing.
BOSTON, MA–(Marketwire – January 7, 2011) – The Eventide Gilead Fund (NASDAQ: ETGLX), a mutual fund practicing values-based investing, achieved an after-fees one-year total return of 18.46% for its retail class shares compared with the S&P 500 Index total return of 15.06%, making 2010 the third consecutive calendar year the Fund has finished ahead of its benchmark index. Since its inception on July 8, 2008, the Eventide Gilead Fund has generated a total annualized return of 12.95%, compared to a total annualized return of 1.80% for the S&P 500 index.
Performance as of December 31, 2010:
1 month 3 months 1 year Inception (annualized)
Eventide Gilead 10.24% 15.69% 18.46% 12.95%
S&P 500 6.68% 10.76% 15.06% 1.80%
Expenses ratios — Gross Expenses 4.13%, Net Expenses 1.63%. The advisor has agreed to maintain the Fund’s total annual operating expenses at 1.63% until October 31, 2011.
via The Eventide Gilead Fund Outperforms S&P 500 for Third Consecutive Calendar Year.
Following are companies that have been removed from Portfolio 21 because they no longer meet our investment criteria.
We divest from companies for financial, environmental, and/or corporate responsibility performance issues. We inform companies when they are divested for environmental and corporate responsibility concerns with the intention of providing education that may motivate changes in their performance. Following is a sample of divested companies during the last 12 months.
Securities mentioned are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
via In Depth – Activism – Divested Companies – Portfolio 21.
As investors, we have an opportunity to engage with companies and the public in addressing environmental and other corporate responsibility concerns that inform our investment process.
We employ several different engagement strategies, all of which are integrated into our research and investment process, thereby linking our investment decisions with the success or failure of our company engagements. We also support and collaborate with As You Sow, a non-profit organization using shareholder activism to ensure that corporations act responsibly. Our primary concerns are corporate actions taken at the expense of employees, environment, and community. Communications and Proxy Voting are the primary engagement strategies.
via In Depth – Activism – Portfolio 21.
Portfolio 21 developed and employs the following proprietary framework to evaluate which companies understand their ecological risks and opportunities, and are taking positive action to integrate sustainability strategies in their business models.
In our view, there are no truly sustainable companies in Portfolio 21, therefore no companies excel in all of the areas listed below. However, we select companies with strengths in multiple areas that are well positioned to make further advancements in addressing sustainability challenges.
via In Depth – Investment Philosophy – Company Evaluation Criteria – Portfolio 21.
At Least 17 States Already Allow State Employees to Consider SRI Choice for Retirement Funds
The introduction of the Federal Employees Responsible Investment Act (FERIA), is a significant milestone for socially responsible and sustainable investing (SRI), proposing to grant federal employees the opportunity to select an SRI option in their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
The Social Investment Forum (SIF) commends Rep. Jim Langevin, the original sponsor of the bill, (D-R.I.) and original co-sponsors Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Nita Lowey (D-NY) and James McGovern (D-MA) for their leadership on this legislation.
At least 17 states — Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin — already offer their employees the option of investing retirement dollars in SRI funds.
SIF CEO Lisa Woll said: “This measure would give federal employees the range of investment options that many state and private sector employees already have access to by allowing investments in at least one socially responsible index fund. Investors are increasingly turning to socially responsible and sustainable investment (SRI) options because good corporate governance and performance on social and environmental issues are often indicators of financial success, good management and less risk. Many federal employees enter the government to pursue social and environmental goals and are looking for investment options that work towards — rather than against — achieving those goals.”
Rep. Langevin said: “The reckless actions of financial institutions over the past few years provide a clear illustration of why we need to place a greater importance on good corporate governance. That is why I reintroduced the Federal Employees Responsible Investment Act — a bill I have sponsored for the past five years. Investing in companies that are committed to corporate responsibility and sustainability will have a positive impact on our financial system, as well as empower federal employees to reward companies that share their values.”
via Social Investment Forum: Press Release: Social Investment Forum Applauds Introduction of Bill Allowing Federal Employees to Select SRI Retirement Option (9/21/2010).
by Rob Thomas
I became licensed to sell securities in 1998, a great time to be investing in stocks and bonds. Qualcomm was going to $1000 and Cisco was going to be worth more than most countries. That lasted until March 2000 when the dot.com boom went bust. My interests then took me to retirement plans. For over ten years I advised companies on pension benefits as an advisor for UBS. Defined contributions plans, 401(k), 403(b) 457 and profit sharing plans, to name a few, are a part of most companies’ benefit programs. The defined benefit plan, the traditional pension plan, is not as popular. Working with companies to offer plans that makes sense, and are embraced by employees, is where I have focused my efforts with Social(k). Since 1999 I offered a 401(k) platform with more socially responsible funds than any other provider. In 2005 I greatly expanded the socially responsible fund offerings on the platform and branded it Social(k).
During that time I have heard a lot of reasons why someone is not interested in a retirement plan. The newest batch actually considers the world ending in our lifetime a valid reason to avoid putting a little extra cash away for later in life. Let’s examine reasons for not investing for retirement. Then we will look at how one’s relationship with money changes over time and how to use that to your advantage.
Who has time for a retirement plan when the world is collapsing?
“Global climate change means we will be drowned, frozen or dehydrated before I reach retirement age, the last thing I need to do is put money away for a future that may not exist.”
“The Mayan calendar says we are done by 2012! I’ll enroll in 2013, thank you.”
“Nut jobs are going to drive this country into the ground, I don’t need a 401(k) I need an A(k)– as in AK-47!”
“Why bother saving for retirement, I’m 300 lbs overweight and will be dead by 50.”
Okay, maybe those excuses are a little extreme. How about these?
“As soon as I get a chance.”
“When I get my next raise.”
“When they plug the well in the gulf!” (which has been done…)
Finally, the ever-popular “market timing” excuses:
“The market is too overvalued. I will buy in during the next drop.” (Good luck having the intestinal fortitude to buy when the market is collapsing.)
“The market is tanking, I will get in after it recovers.” (You will miss the early returns and prices will rebound before you step up to buy.)
The arguments against contributing to a retirement plan seem to come down to:
The world is going to end; I have no money; The market is too high or too low.
Let’s look closer at each:
via GreenMoney Journal: From the Stock Market to the Supermarket.
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