POSITIVE IMPACT: OUR PHILOSOPHY ON ESG & SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
We believe that investors now have the ability to easily integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations into their portfolios, without sacrificing financial performance or cost. We are proud to introduce our Positive Impact portfolios, designed for investors that are interested in financial performance and positive change.
ABOUT ESG INVESTING
ESG investing involves the consideration of a company's Environmental, Social, and Governance performance in the analysis process of making investment decisions. While there are no universal definitions, you may think of this as socially responsible or sustainable investing. Including ESG considerations in a portfolio may offer positive benefits to you as an investor, in addition to financial performance.
ENGAGEMENT
Each of Bigelow’s Positive Impact portfolios provides exposure to positive shareholder engagement activities. These activities can be critical in influencing companies to take positive steps toward improving their ESG practices.
1 IN 4 DOLLARS
As of year-end 2017, more than one out of every four dollars under professional management in the United States—$12 trillion or more—was invested according to sustainable, responsible and impact investing strategies.
-US SIF Foundation
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Each of Bigelow’s Positive Impact portfolios includes investments that derive a majority of their revenue from products and services that address at least one of the world’s major social and environmental challenges as identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
INVESTMENT FUNDAMENTALS
Our view is that ESG integration creates a strong support framework for making good investment decisions. Our Positive Impact portfolios are managed to have sector and geographic diversification that is in in your best interest in investing for financial gain.
ESG INDICATORS
ESG integration begins with the review and relative rankings of dozens of ESG key point indicators. Bigelow's Positive Impact portfolios are designed to provide you with a diversified portfolio that has higher overall ESG performance than a comparable benchmark portfolio that does not include ESG integration.
DEFINING ESG INVESTING
GLOBAL IMPACT INVESTING NETWORK (GIIN)
"Impact investments are investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return."
The Forum For Sustainable and Responsible Investment
"Sustainable, responsible and impact investing (SRI) is an investment discipline that considers environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact."
The Six Principles for Responsible Investment
- We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
- We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
- We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
- We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
- We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
- We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
MSCI Research
"What is ESG? ESG Investing is a term that is often used synonymously with sustainable investing, socially responsible investing, mission-related investing, or screening. At MSCI ESG Research we define it as the consideration of environmental, social and governance factors alongside financial factors in the investment decision-making process."
WHO ELSE IS INTERESTED IN THIS?
ESG, sustainability and long-term value creation are no longer just buzzwords but increasingly seen by companies and institutional investors as fundamental to managing financial risk and performance.
-Douglas L. Peterson, Chief Executive Officer, S&P Global
A company’s ability to manage environmental, social, and governance matters demonstrates the leadership and good governance that is so essential to sustainable growth, which is why we are increasingly integrating these issues into our investment process.
-Larry Fink, Chief Executive Officer, Blackrock
Sustainable investing is no longer a niche activity.
-Joe Mansueto, Founder, Morningstar
There is a growing consensus in the investment community that certain environmental, social, and governance matters can materially affect a company's long-term financial value.
-Glenn Booraem, Investment Stewardship Officer, Vanguard
OUR THREE POSITIVE IMPACT PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES
WHAT ABOUT PERFORMANCE?
There is research, evidence, and performance history that would suggest that you do not need to sacrifice financial performance when integrating ESG analysis into your portfolio.
Companies that score well on ESG criteria may be able to reduce business risks associated with product liability, labor practices, environmental issues, corruption, accounting practices, and other relevant issues.
Why Now?
More Investor Demand and Company Disclosure
ESG investing has become much easier to implement into your portfolio indecent years. Given an increase in investor demand, more companies are disclosing relevant data and information on their ESG profile that can then be used in further analysis and rankings.
More Analysis, Rankings, and Investment Solutions
This demand and disclosure has lead to both an increase in the amount of investment products that are focused on ESG criteria, such as ETF's and mutual funds, along with company-level research for those who are building portfolios of individual stocks and bonds.
PRICING
Bigelow Investment Management Clients:
Our Positive Impact portfolios are available at no additional cost above our standard investment management fees.