Values-Based Investing Gaining Steam, Data Shows

Monday, March 3, 2014

The number of investment products focused on environmental, social and governance factors has risen steadily in the last seven years, according to data provided by Morningstar, climbing to 277 total funds as of Oct. 31, 2013, from 199 in 2007.

“There is real investment infrastructure being built in the [values-based investing] space,” says Ron Cordes, executive co-chairman of Concord, Calif.,-based AssetMark, which provides investment platforms to around 4,000 financial advisors. “Investors are increasingly going to their advisors asking for us to include [these funds] in their portfolios.”

In response to the resulting advisor demand, Cordes says, AssetMark — which was known as Genworth Wealth Management until a 2013 acquisition by two private equity firms plans to launch new values-based investing funds in 2014.

Source: Financial Planning (link opens in a new window)

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Impact Assessment
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impact investing