Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is gaining a lot of popularity. The practice involves trying to maximize financial return while investing in companies that are deemed socially good. Such companies tend to favor policies of environmental friendliness, workplace diversity, fair treatment of workers, etc. Many socially responsible investors also avoid companies involved with alcohol, tobacco, and gambling as well as big oil or military contractors.
Whether or not such a strategy is “worth it” to you probably depends on how you define worth. If your goal is to make as much money as possible, then socially responsible investing (or any strategy which limits the number of companies to choose from) isn’t going to be your best choice. If you put more value on your investments impact on society than the returns you receive, then SRI is certainly an excellent method to follow.
For a comparison of two ends of the Socially Responsible/Irresponsible spectrum, take a look at the chart here. It compares one of the many socially responsible ETFs (KLD) with the defacto standard of social irresponsibility, the VICE mutual fund. A new Socially Irresponsible ETF, PUF, was not included because it is too new to make a reasonable comparison. The VICE Fund and PUF try to invest ONLY in companies that socially responsible investors try to avoid.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 am
This article is a good place to begin…in truth SRI is definitely worth it as GreenMoney has shown over the last 16 years.
GreenMoney Journal’s Winter 2008 Issue features
articles on the growing Positive Global Impacts of SRI (Socially Responsible Investing).
GreenMoney is celebrating its 16th year of publishing in 2008
Thanks
Cliff Feigenbaum, founder and managing editor
505-988-7423
—————
Hello and Welcome to the Winter 2008 Issue
Positive Global Impacts of SRI (Socially Responsible Investing).
I begin this issue, with the words of Calvert Group President and CEO
Barbara Krumsiek because they reflect much of what we are thinking
here at GreenMoney: “The growing popularity of social and
environmental responsibility shows that the public may be beginning to
realize, that corporate and environmental responsibility are vital to
society as a whole, and investment selection can have an impact on
sustainability.”
Sustainability is global; social and environmental issues do not have
borders. Political and Corporate policies in Europe, Asia, Africa and
the Middle East powerfully impact the US, and of course, vice versa.
Thus, we are pleased to see SRI mutual funds companies offering more
international portfolios that allow investors to make a difference
beyond these shores. Domini and Calvert are adding funds to those
already existing, such as Portfolio 21, MMA/International, and
Citizens/Global, all of which promote global corporate responsibility.
We will explore these new funds in our next issue.
In Our WINTER 2008 Issue:
In our new issue writers address global SRI from several perspectives:
· SRI professional Hal Brill visits Starbucks and their sustainable
coffee efforts in Costa Rica.
· Michael Kramer updates us on the mutual fund rating system found on
our GreenMoney chart (print issue only).
· Donna Katzin of Shared Interest reports on the impact of community
investing in South Africa.
· SRI legend Jerry Dodson of the Parnassus funds grants a rare interview.
· The 20 most sustainable companies in the world, according to
SustainableBusiness.com.
· Finally, we present something special as part of our 15th
Anniversary Year- Mindy Lubber of Ceres examines the world of
corporate sustainability.
• You’ll also find a great collection of SRI article from all over the world on- http://www.greenmoney.com
Details on how to SUBSCRIBE NOW and receive our 32-page, print version
At our special 15th Anniversary subscription rate of just $50
United States–$50 a year
Call (800) 849-8751 or go to- http://www.greenmoney.com
Canada–$55 a year at- http://www.greenmoney.com
International–$60 a year at- http://www.greenmoney.com
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