UUA Opposes SEC Rules That Stifle Investor Voices
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced new rules that would severely limit the ability of investors to file shareholder resolutions. The SEC proposals are a particular threat to proposals addressing environmental and social issues. On January 28, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) submitted an official comment letter to the SEC stating, “We are […]
Three Reasons Investors Should Give ExxonMobil’s 2020 Climate Report the Thumbs-Down
This week, ExxonMobil quietly published its 2020 Energy & Carbon Summary, the company’s latest report in response to rising shareholder demands for improved climate risk disclosure. Kathy Mulvey, Chair of the UUA Socially Responsible Investing Committee, says investors should not be duped by this slick, self-serving attempt by the oil and gas giant to claim that it’s doing […]
December Monthly Commentary
Global equities went out with a bang, building on their already robust returns for the year, with the MSCI ACWI Index up 26.5% in 2019. US stocks led the charge with the S&P 500 Index returning 31.5% for the 12 months ended December 31. International and emerging markets also posted solid results, with the MSCI […]
Fossil fuel companies’ PR campaigns claim they’re helping to fight climate change. The reality is very different. Here’s what investors must do.
The world’s largest fossil fuel producers don’t have credible plans for achieving net zero carbon emissions, despite claiming they support the Paris Agreement. Investors must expect more, question more, and tolerate less from fossil fuel companies—and tell them to swiftly get on board with climate action, or get out of the way. Read more in […]
November Monthly Commentary
Following a relatively quiet month, developed equities ended higher as improving economic data assuaged near-term fears of a slowdown. US markets led the way with the S&P 500 Index increasing 3.6% during the month, adding to year-to-date gains of 27.6% – putting it on track for the best calendar year return since 2013. Internationally, the […]
October Monthly Commentary
Investors embraced risk assets in October amid more accommodative monetary policies from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, and renewed optimism around the outcomes of Brexit, and the trade war between the United States and China. In equities, international and emerging markets led the way with the MSCI EAFE Index and MSCI Emerging […]
Investors Say Companies Must Align Lobbying With Paris Agreement
The UUA joined 200 institutional investors with a combined $6.5 trillion in assets under management in calling on 47 of the largest corporations in the US to align their climate lobbying with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The announcement from Ceres can be found here. The investors are all members of the Climate Action 100+, […]
September Monthly Commentary
Risk assets were in the black in September following a challenging summer marked by an escalating trade war between the United States and China, and sluggish economic growth. Global equities rallied as central banks in the US and Europe eased monetary policy to offset concerns around an economic slowdown. The MSCI EAFE Index led the […]
August Monthly Commentary
Equity markets lagged in August as trade tensions between the US and China resurfaced and investors fretted over slowing global economic growth. The S&P 500 Index declined 1.6% last month as the US manufacturing sector grew at its slowest pace since 2009, according to Markit’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index. The MSCI EAFE Index lost 2.6%, […]
July Monthly Commentary
Most asset classes recorded modest returns in July on the heels of stellar performance in the first half of the year. Domestic equities outperformed with gains of 1.4%—bringing year-to-date returns to 20.2%—as the S&P 500 Index hit a record high fueled by expectations of lower rates in the United States. Internationally, a strong dollar detracted […]