How do ETFs work?
Your guide to how ETFs work and whether this type of investment is right for you.
Read more…Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Impact investing: Everything you need to know
Not sure what impact investing is? Our guide explains everything you need to know about it.
The responsible investment market has seen rapid growth in recent years – becoming an alphabet soup of acronyms, each describing a slightly different approach.
Of all the different types of ethical investment, the fastest growing is “impact investing”.
What is impact investing?
Impact investments are those that target companies making a positive social or environmental impact, alongside a financial return for the investor.
Impact investing isn’t a new concept, but had previously been confined to institutional and high net worth investors. Today, it is making its way into the mainstream.
How big is the impact investing market?
A recent report from the Global Impact Investing Network said that the global impact investment market is now worth more than half a trillion dollars and is one of the fastest-growing areas of asset management.
Who is making impact investments?
The growth has been driven largely by younger investors, who want to ensure that their long-term savings are not supporting unethical companies.
Why impact investing?
Other than the obvious social benefits, there is also a compelling investment case for impact investment.
Companies whose products and services can solve some of the most pressing social or environmental problems should have a ready market and therefore strong growth characteristics.
At the same time, these companies may be supported by regulation as policymakers seek to bring about change with legislation. These may be companies that help recycling, or generate power from renewable sources.
How do you measure “impact”?
It is relatively easy to measure a company’s financial return. Investors can look at revenues or profits.
However, measuring their “impact” is less tangible and early attempts at impact investing struggled to show that they were really making a difference.
The cause has been helped by the development of the UN Sustainable Development goals. These 17 goals aim to address the key global challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.
Many impact investment funds now use these as a framework to measure a company’s impact. Companies also use the Gates Foundation and World Health Organization (WHO) to inform their assessment of “impact”.
How do companies make sure they’re being ethical?
Many of the major investment management groups now offer impact investment funds. These will invest in a diversified range of “impact” companies. Most require that the impact should be intentional.
In other words, it’s not enough to be ethical by accident – it needs to be part of the explicit goals of the company, built into its culture and its mission statement. It needs to be the majority of what a company does and make a material difference to the company’s fortunes.
Investors in this area may find that their portfolio has more smaller companies. As sustainable investing has entered the mainstream, the companies involved are now far bigger, more mature and profitable. However, the larger a company becomes, the more its impact may be diluted. As such, many fund managers will stick with smaller companies where the exposure is “pure”.
Impact investing in Canada
Impact investing has been gaining momentum in Canada. The MaRS Centre for Impact Investing reports that, while the term “impact investing” has only been around since 2007, Canadians have a history of socially responsible investing that dates back to the early 1900s.
One example is the creation of credit unions as an affordable alternative to big banks. Another example is the establishment of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs), indigenous-run organizations that are designed to meet the financial needs of indigenous people.
Impact investing is likely to grow in popularity. New companies are launching all the time, giving investors more choice about where to invest. These companies have an important tailwind in growing their revenues and profits as the world wakes up to the need to address long-term challenges, such as climate change, poverty and education.
What about the rest of the world?
Equally, impactful companies may be concentrated in areas with more problems. For example, China’s pollution problem has led to real innovation in electric cars and alternative energy solutions like solar energy.
Emerging markets as a whole tend to have more impact companies because that is where some of the world’s most pressing problems hit hardest. Equally, while banks in developed markets are considered distinctly unethical, in emerging markets they have an important social purpose – spreading financial inclusion and facilitating micro-lending, for example.
Those targeting impact investing may find themselves invested across the globe.
Compare stock trading accounts
To buy stocks, you’ll need to open a stock trading account. Compare your options below to get started.
1 - 5 of 5
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.
More on investing
How to read stock charts
Learning how to read stock charts and recognize chart patterns can unlock your success as a trader.
Read more…
3 upcoming IPOs to watch in June 2023
Several medical research and health care companies — including a J&J spinoff — are expected to go public this month.
Read more…
What are stocks?
Owning a stock means you own part of a company and can potentially grow your wealth. But there is a risk of loss.
Read more…
Best time to buy stocks
The best time to buy stocks could be right after an IPO, during expansion periods or when other investors are buying or selling.
Read more…
How to analyze a stock
Learn how to research stocks and find the right investment opportunities in 4 steps.
Read more…
More guides on Finder
-
Best bad credit loans in Prince Edward Island
Compare some of the best bad credit loans in PEI.
-
Credito review
Your guide to the features, interest rates and fees to expect when you apply for a short-term loan with Credito.
-
5 apps like Bree in Canada
Pay for unexpected bills and avoid overdrafts when you sign up for apps like Bree.
-
Debt Relief Canada (reliefcanada.ca) review
Take a closer look at the debt relief solutions, features and fees of Debt Relief Canada.
-
Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) review 2023
Learn more about Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) to see if it’s the right broker for you.
-
Guide to finding the best prepaid card in Canada in June 2023
We show you the best prepaid credit cards in Canada, whether you’re looking for a prepaid card with no fees, cash back rewards, or travel perks, or more.
-
How to buy Sui (SUI) in Canada
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to buy Sui, lists some exchanges where you can get it and provides daily price data on (SUI).
-
5 apps like Nyble in Canada
Compare apps like Nyble in Canada to access emergency funding.
-
RightRide review
Your guide to buying and financing a car in Canada with RightRide.
-
Compare bad credit car loans in BC
Your guide to bad credit car loans in BC and how to find the right financing for your needs.