Socially Responsible (Aware) Investing
Have You 
Considered It Yet?
"As Quakers settled
"According to a recent study by the
Social Investment Forum, one in eight investment dollars in the
“Socially Responsible Investing
(SRI) describes an Investment strategy which combines
the intentions to maximize both financial return and social good. In general, socially
responsible investors favor corporate practices which are environmentally
responsible, support workplace diversity, and increase product safety and
quality.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socially_Responsible_Investment)
“Social good” is something
which is certainly open to interpretation and/or perspective. For instance,
some may view it as socially irresponsible, while others may see it as socially
responsible, to invest in organizations that support or produce contraceptives.
Note: This is referring to “investment”
with your nest eggs. In terms of using your $ to vote and invest responsibly on
a more daily basis, you might consider buying locally and from sustainable
farms… See http://www.dolezalek.com/chris/Sustainable.htm
Links:
- “Is It Finally Time to Invest
Green?” So-called
socially responsible funds used to mean a clean conscience but lackluster
returns. That's no longer true. FORTUNE SMALL BUSINESS June 4, 2003 (http://www.investorideas.com/Research/Industries/Article/InvestGreen.asp)
- SRI – Wikipedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socially_Responsible_Investment)
- 2005 REPORT ON SOCIALLY
RESPONSIBLE INVESTING TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES (http://www.socialinvest.org/areas/research/trends/sri_trends_report_2005.pdf
)
- What is Socially Responsible
Investing (SRI)? (http://michaelbluejay.com/sri/)
- SRI-Advisor (http://www.sri-advisor.com/)
- Studies of Socially Responsible
Investing (http://www.sristudies.org/)
- The Religions of Social
Responsibility (http://leeds.colorado.edu/uploadedFiles/Business_and_Society/Programs_&_Events/Speaker_Series/The%20Religions%20of%20Social%20Responsibility.pdf)
- Social Funds (http://www.socialfunds.com/ /
Chart http://www.socialfunds.com/funds/chart.cgi?sfChartId=desc)
- Who is who in Corporate Social Responsibility
Rating? (http://www.econsense.de/_CSR_INFO_POOL/_KAPITALMARKT/images/Transparenzstudie_2006_Bertelsmann.pdf)
- Wells Fargo and SRI: (https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr/ea/
)
Learn more about (Wells Fargo & Company’s 10-Point Environmental Commitment and Accomplishments)...
Wells Fargo provides socially responsible investment management services through Nelson Capital Management (https://www.nelsoncapital.com/sripage.htm).
Wells Fargo Private Client Services issued a special report to help individuals that are interested in investing in alternative energy (Identifying Opportunities in Alternative Energy.)
"Good"
Companies
·
The Green Money Online Guide has
short profiles about dozens of socially-responsible companies.
·
SustainableBusiness.com
publishes a newsletter profiling socially-responsible companies.
·
Good Money links to various lists
of companies with good records.
·
Clean Edge
publishes reports about companies involved in renewable energy, alternative
transportation, clean water, and non-hazardous materials.
·
Renewable Energy Stocks
reviews exactly what you think they would.
"Bad"
Companies
·
Multinational Monitor recognizes
the 10 Worst Corporations every year. Here's their list for 2003
and for previous years.
·
Russell Mokhiber (co-author of Corporate
Predators) lists the 100 Worst Corporations of
the decade (1990-2000).
Socially Responsible (Aware) Investing
(SOME
Indicators for Selecting Investments)
In many cases, it’s a matter of opinion,
preference, ethical interpretation, religion, choice…
|
|
+/- Screen |
Max % Holding
In Portfolio |
|
Community Involvement |
+ |
|
|
Charitable Giving |
+ |
|
|
Employee Relations/Diversity (e.g. hiring at all levels independent of race, religion, sexual preference, gender, age, …) |
+ |
|
|
Support/Provide Physician Abortion as a choice |
+ |
|
|
Support/Provide Contraception |
+ |
|
|
“Managed” Nuclear Power |
+ |
|
|
“Controlled” Genetic Engineering/Research/Modifications |
+ |
|
|
Environmentally Aware |
+ |
|
|
Green/Clean Tech |
+ |
|
|
Proactive (reforestation, meet emission standards, low water/energy use, use renewable energy, |
+ |
|
|
Rankings (use/build Buildings with good BREEM Ratings, Computers with good EPEAT Ranking, ) |
+ |
|
|
Sub-par Environmental Standards |
- |
|
|
Coal Power |
- |
|
|
Military/Defense Contractors |
- |
|
|
Poor Diversity |
- |
|
|
Firearms/Armaments |
- |
|
|
Alcohol |
- |
|
|
Tobacco |
- |
|
|
Gaming (Gambling) |
- |
|
|
Animal Testing |
- |
|
|
Operations Supporting Oppressive Regimes |
- |
|
|
Poor Labor Record (poor working conditions, lack of benefits, child labor, …) |
- |
|
|
Pornography |
- |
|
|
Stem Cell Research |
|
|
|
Max % for above categories combined? |
|
|
|
Min % for above categories combined? |
|
|
|
Max % hit on an annualized rate of return? |
|
|