Perspectives

Throughout 2019, the U.S. consumer has remained the strongest part of the global economy. Yet, despite solid consumer spending, retail companies continue to face challenges.

The carbon footprint of a company factors heavily into its Environmental rating — both the amount of carbon generated as a result of a company’s operations, as well as the carbon impact of the company’s finished goods or services...

As defined by Sustainalytics, a firm focused solely on providing ESG research on publicly-traded companies, Governance analysis is an evaluation of how well a company is structured and managed in order to “build sustainable, long-term value that can be delivered to shareholders and other stakeholders in a fair and transparent manner”...

Social factors encompass a wide range of topics related to how a company impacts all of its “stakeholders,” including employees, customers, and the communities in which it operates...

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing has gained popularity in recent years as both individual and institutional investors are embracing sustainable investing and integrating ESG analysis into the investment decision-making process. There is also evidence that aligning investors’ desire for return with the needs of other stakeholders, including customers, employees, and local communities, can be a winning combination...

In a world where athleisure reigns supreme, designer brands have been faced with challenges as consumers gravitate towards value and comfort, particularly in the area of footwear. Athleisure’s influence on fashion, combined with overproduction and a consumer shift to online shopping, have all contributed to struggles for fashion/apparel companies over the last few years. But with a more direct sales strategy and a focus on innovation, non-athleisure brands have been recovering.

For investors with long time horizons, volatility should be synonymous with risk—despite recent market falls.

We’ve all witnessed the recent deterioration of retail stores in America. For decades, department stores were the lifeblood of shopping in the U.S., but now many Sears, JCPenney, and Macy’s locations sit shuttered and in disrepair.

Have you ever envisioned a future where your wallet or purse has become substantially lighter due to lack of monetary contents or perhaps a future where you don’t even need to carry a wallet at all? That future may be closer than you think.

Socially responsible investing (SRI) is becoming an increasingly important topic as investors evolve their thoughts on which corporate attributes will deliver above-average returns for shareholders. In fact, Pension and Investments recently reported that market share for SRI funds in Europe accounts for over 50 percent of assets under management, indicating an increasing willingness for investors to make SRI allocations within their portfolios.