ESG Investing
A Framework for Environmental, Social, and Governance Considerations in Portfolio Design
July 1, 2009
Topics - ESG Investing Portfolio Construction
It is often argued that the world is changing and that the impact of Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) issues could pose a
significant risk or potential opportunity for pension assets. While this argument
may well have merit, it rarely leads to actionable steps or clarity of direction. In
some sense it is a call to arms against an unknown enemy. The inherent breadth and
ambiguity of issues has resulted in the integration of ESG considerations into
portfolio design remaining largely a philosophical push without clarity on the
direct and indirect impacts on shareholder value.
This paper proposes a simple framework to consider the impacts of ESG issues with
respect to their role in investment decisions. This
framework allows ESG considerations to be disentangled and provides a clearer path
for further investigation of the impact of good/bad ESG policies on shareholder
value and how these considerations may be appropriately included in the investment
decisions of both investors and fiduciaries.
This document is not intended to, and does not relate specifically to any investment strategy or product that Lodestone Wealth offers. It is being provided merely to provide a framework to assist in the implementation of an investor’s own analysis and an investor’s own view on the topic discussed herein.
This document
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solicitation of an offer or any advice or recommendation to purchase any securities or other
financial instruments and may not be construed as such. The factual information set forth herein
has been obtained or derived from sources believed by the author and Lodestone Wealth Management
LLC (“Lodestone Wealth”) to be reliable but it is not necessarily all-inclusive and is not
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decision. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Diversification does
not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses.
This material is not research and should not be treated as research. This paper does not
represent valuation judgments with respect to any financial instrument, issuer, security or
sector that may be described or referenced herein and does not represent a formal or official
view of Lodestone Wealth. The views expressed reflect the current views as of the date hereof
and neither the author nor Lodestone Wealth undertakes to advise you of any changes in the views
expressed herein.
The information contained herein is only as current as of the date indicated, and may be
superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons. Charts and graphs provided herein
are for illustrative purposes only. The information in this presentation has been developed
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relied on in making an investment or other decision. There can be no assurance that an
investment strategy will be successful. Historic market trends are not reliable indicators of
actual future market behavior or future performance of any particular investment which may
differ materially, and should not be relied upon as such. Diversification does not
eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses.
The information in this paper may contain projections or other forward-looking statements
regarding future events, targets, forecasts or expectations regarding the strategies described
herein, and is only current as of the date indicated. There is no assurance that such events or
targets will be achieved, and may be significantly different from that shown here. The
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on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by subsequent market
events or for other reasons.