Can Your Portfolio Make an Impact and a Profit?

November 10, 2021
An explosion of investor interest in environmental, social, and governance factors has companies and regulators scrambling to strike the right balance.

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After you listen

  • Read more from Michael Iachini on Insights & Ideas.
  • Read more from Michael Iachini on Insights & Ideas.

Those looking to invest in companies whose values align with theirs when it comes to environmental, social, and governance factors, known as ESG, are working toward a dual bottom line: They are seeking positive results for the causes they support and positive returns for their portfolios. Michael Iachini, managing director and head of manager research at Charles Schwab Investment Advisory, joins Mike Townsend to discuss the state of ESG investing, whether investors can make a profit while also supporting causes they believe in, how to determine whether a company truly shares your values, and what steps Washington is taking to develop standards and ensure they are met. 

Mike also recaps the passage of the infrastructure bill, considers the timing for passing the Build Back Better bill, and looks at the growth of stablecoins, their risks, and Congress's interest in taking the first steps toward a cohesive regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

WashingtonWise is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit Schwab.com/WashingtonWise.

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Get Schwab's view on markets and economy.

Stocks Lower on Potential for More Rate Hikes

Fed leaders concluded a two-day policy meeting by leaving interest rates unchanged, as expected, but signaled another rate increase later this year could be necessary.

Closing Market Update

Fed leaders concluded a two-day policy meeting by leaving interest rates unchanged, as expected, but signaled another rate increase later this year could be necessary.

Quarterly Market Outlook: A Delicate Balance

The Federal Reserve weighs the data while investors wonder: Is the rate-hike cycle over?

Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Please read it carefully before investing.

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision. 

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Because environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies exclude some securities, ESG-focused products may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as products that do not use such strategies. Additionally, the criteria used to select companies for investment may result in investing in securities, industries or sectors that underperform the market as a whole.

Digital currencies, such as bitcoin, are highly volatile and not backed by any central bank or government.

Digital currencies lack many of the regulations and consumer protections that legal-tender currencies and regulated securities have. Due to the high level of risk, investors should view Bitcoin as a purely speculative instrument

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance.

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