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Solving the SRI puzzle? A note on the mainstreaming of ethical investment

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  • Erragragui, Elias
  • Lagoarde-Segot, Thomas

Abstract

Previous research on the relationship between societal and financial performance has yielded ambiguous results. This letter seeks to put forth an explanation for this puzzle. We argue that the difference in returns between ethical and conventional indices may, in fact, be insignificant due to the ‘mainstreaming’ of ethical investment. Using a database of 24 international indices over the 2008–2014 time periods, we calculate rolling daily returns, develop a robust test for difference in Sharpe ratios, and compare alfas across EGARCH asset pricing models with endogenous volatility breakpoints. Results converge to indicate no significant difference in financial performance between conventional and ethical indices. This validates the ‘mainstreaming’ hypothesis and opens avenues for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Erragragui, Elias & Lagoarde-Segot, Thomas, 2016. "Solving the SRI puzzle? A note on the mainstreaming of ethical investment," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 32-42.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:18:y:2016:i:c:p:32-42
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2016.03.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nelson, Daniel B, 1991. "Conditional Heteroskedasticity in Asset Returns: A New Approach," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 59(2), pages 347-370, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joliet, Robert & Titova, Yulia, 2018. "Equity SRI funds vacillate between ethics and money: An analysis of the funds’ stock holding decisions," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 70-86.
    2. Fernando Muñoz, 2020. "How do the size and independence of the board of trustees affect the financial and sustainable performance of socially responsible mutual funds?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1834-1850, July.
    3. Alda, Mercedes & Muñoz, Fernando & Vargas, María, 2022. "Product differentiation in the socially responsible mutual fund industry," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Thomas Lagoarde-Segot, 2020. "Financing the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-22, April.
    5. ZHANG, Jing & ZI, Shuang, 2021. "Socially responsible investment and firm value: The role of institutions," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    6. Yuwen Dai, 2025. "Sustainable investing in emerging markets: Evidence from the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 2001-2015, April.
    7. Christine Helliar & Barbara Petracci & Nongnuch Tantisantiwong, 2025. "Environmental, social and governance risk exposures of mutual funds," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(3), pages 316-332, May.
    8. Ved Dilip Beloskar & Arunima Haldar & S. V. D. Nageswara Rao, 2023. "Socially responsible investments: A retrospective review and future research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4841-4860, November.
    9. Iram Hasan & Shveta Singh & Smita Kashiramka, 2025. "Does Socially Responsible Investing Outperform Conventional Investing? A Cross-Country Perspective," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 32(4), pages 1307-1356, December.
    10. Samuel Drempetic & Christian Klein & Bernhard Zwergel, 2020. "The Influence of Firm Size on the ESG Score: Corporate Sustainability Ratings Under Review," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(2), pages 333-360, November.
    11. Soni, Rajat Kumar & Nandan, Tanuj & Sawarn, Ujjawal, 2024. "Investment modeling between energy futures and responsible investment," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    12. Fabio Pizzutilo, 2017. "Measuring the under-diversification of socially responsible investments," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(14), pages 1005-1018, August.
    13. Giacomo Morelli & Rita D’Ecclesia, 2021. "Responsible investments reduce market risks," Decisions in Economics and Finance, Springer;Associazione per la Matematica, vol. 44(2), pages 1211-1233, December.
    14. Omura, Akihiro & Roca, Eduardo & Nakai, Miwa, 2021. "Does responsible investing pay during economic downturns: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    15. Lestari, Jenjang Sri & Frömmel, Michael, 2024. "Socially responsible investments: doing good while doing well in developed versus emerging markets?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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