Sustainability Matters

A strong year for ESG equity index funds.

The pandemic, the fight for racial justice, and the presidential election demonstrate the importance of weighing in with capital to create positive societal change.

Climate risk disclosure and rollbacks of recent rules unfavorable to ESG investing are likely.

Of ESG index funds, 25 of 26 have outperformed for the year to date.

Last year’s record for flows was broken in July.

Shareholder proposals play a central role in corporate governance.

Investors take exception to Department of Labor proposal in public comments.

ESG fund flows have already nearly matched last year's record.

Proposed rule is based on the premise that workers’ retirement security could be compromised by investments that consider climate and other material ESG risks.

They have significantly outperformed for the year to date.

Here's a look at some intriguing new sustainable funds so far this year.

Activate your money for sustainability and impact.

The way you invest matters.

Jon Hale sees resilience in ESG funds, an appreciation for 'social' analysis, and a hastening toward stakeholder capitalism.

Sustainable fund investing is much more robust in Europe. How will the United States catch up?

Sustainable investing can help bring it about.

A look back at the year in sustainability.

ETFs, passive funds, and iShares dominate as U.S. ESG funds gather $10.5 billion in the first quarter.

These funds were helped by a focus on companies with strong ESG profiles and less exposure to energy.

Nearly 500 funds added ESG criteria to their prospectuses for the year.

For the most part, yes, but many fall short on some dimensions.

Record flows, strong performance, and other takeaways from the 2019 Sustainable Funds U.S. Landscape Report.

While ESG equity funds have taken big hits this month, their losses have been less severe than those of conventional peers.

Jon Hale analyzes how ESG funds are holding up.

How did we get here? Gradually, then suddenly.

Sustainability is BlackRock's new standard for investing.

This could be the leading edge of a huge wave of assets into sustainable funds.

Stewardship is an opportunity for fund providers to connect with sustainability-minded investors, and many large asset managers are using proxy votes to press for better governance of environmental and social risks.

We set some goals for individuals, defined-contribution-plan participants, advisors, asset managers, companies, and regulators.

We examine the developments and consider their implications for 2020.

Eighty-four percent of diversified sustainable funds receive 4 or 5 globes in the enhanced Morningstar Sustainability Rating.

The globe rating now reflects company ESG risks both within and across industry groups.

We've seen record ESG fund flows so far in 2019.

Industry would be wise to adopt sustainable practices from the beginning.

With more than a dozen open-end and exchange-traded offerings launched this year, we examine the ones to consider.

Sustainable funds perform on par with traditional funds, cost about the same, and offer plenty of choice.

The number of resolutions and the increasing levels of support reflect shareholders' growing concerns about the climate-resilience of their portfolios.

Investors voted on 177 shareholder resolutions addressing sustainability issues.

Here are some steps you can take to analyze your exposure to gun manufacturers.

Strong flows, good performance, more funds considering ESG and some intriguing new entrants.

With more funds establishing track records, more passive options, and big players getting into the field, the trend seems likely to continue.

It's possible, but you'll have to pick funds with short track records.

Wouldn't those shares be owned by a different investor?

The fund looks promising, but there's no reason to rush to invest during the subscription period.

The estimated $4.1 billion inflow was easily the best quarter yet for U.S. sustainable funds.

Lower your fossil fuel exposure, invest in the green economy, and urge all companies you own to be more sustainable.

Seventy-three funds added ESG criteria to their prospectuses in the first quarter of 2019.

The new offering, which launches later this year, has a well-conceived approach, a quality subadvisor, and, of course, low fees.

Funds in the ESG integration and impact groups have the most comprehensive take on sustainable investing.

More funds, greater flows, and strong relative performance in 2018.