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Revealed Beliefs about Responsible Investing: Evidence from Mutual Fund Managers

Author

Listed:
  • Vitaly Orlov

    (University of St. Gallen - School of Finance; Swiss Finance Institute)

  • Stefano Ramelli

    (University of St. Gallen - School of Finance; Swiss Finance Institute)

  • Alexander F. Wagner

    (University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI); Swiss Finance Institute)

Abstract

What do asset managers believe regarding the financial performance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment strategies? We address this question by exploring the relationship between fund managers’ co-ownership and portfolio ESG performance. Managers with more “skin in the game” exhibit significantly lower ESG performance in funds they manage than their peers. ESG performance is sensitive to changes in managerial ownership. Co-investing managers were less likely to increase their stake in high-ESG stocks after an exogenous shock in ESG-driven fund flows. Moreover, the negative effect of managerial ownership on ESG performance is stronger for managers paid to maximize assets under management, and weaker for managers paid exclusively to maximize financial returns. Overall, the results are contrary to what one would expect if managers really considered ESG strategies an enhanced form of portfolio management.

Suggested Citation

  • Vitaly Orlov & Stefano Ramelli & Alexander F. Wagner, 2022. "Revealed Beliefs about Responsible Investing: Evidence from Mutual Fund Managers," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 22-98, Swiss Finance Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2298
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    File URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4296497
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    Cited by:

    1. Bührle, Anna Theresa & Yen, Chia-Yi, 2023. "Too much "skin in the game" ruins the game: Evidence from managerial capital gains taxes," ZEW Discussion Papers 23-028, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, revised 2023.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ESG; portfolio management; investor beliefs; mutual funds; skin-in-the-game; sustainability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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