Perspectives

The rapid growth of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing over the past decade has been a galvanizing force in making companies consider the interests of all “stakeholders” in their business decisions, rather than only shareholder interests.

While many Americans have been spending more time in their homes, others are busy relocating to new homes. In fact, the U.S. may be experiencing a new “urban flight” — an increase in the numbers of large-city dwellers escaping to the suburbs.

As volatility continues amidst coronavirus concerns, our Wealth Management Research team reminds us to stay calm and seek opportunities.

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.