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Performance of ESG-integrated smart beta strategies in Asia-Pacific stock markets

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  • Tan, Yeng-May
  • Szulczyk, Kenneth
  • Sii, Yew-Hei

Abstract

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing is about ethical investing. While ESG investing has garnered heightened attention, the research has not settled on whether ESG investing can “do well while doing good”. Using a proprietary ESG rating database of monthly firm-specific data, we examine the performance of ESG-incorporated investing strategies in Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. Specifically, we combine positive screening and the smart beta approach to evaluate the performance of ESG-based and non-ESG-based (traditional) equity portfolios. Our key findings reveal that high-ESG-based portfolios do not offer superior risk-adjusted returns compared to the low-rated portfolios. While a high-ESG-rated portfolio generally outperforms the market index, the ESG and traditional smart beta alphas differ little. Our results also indicate that the minimum-volatility portfolio achieves the best performance of all the factors. We use data from Refinitiv ESG and Bloomberg ESG to substantiate and support the results. Our findings add to the growing ESG literature that answers whether investors risk sacrificing returns while investing ethically.

Suggested Citation

  • Tan, Yeng-May & Szulczyk, Kenneth & Sii, Yew-Hei, 2023. "Performance of ESG-integrated smart beta strategies in Asia-Pacific stock markets," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:66:y:2023:i:c:s0275531923001344
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2023.102008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Xuepeng & Xu, Fengmin & Jing, Kui, 2022. "Robust enhanced indexation with ESG: An empirical study in the Chinese Stock Market," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
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    2. Tian, Ye & Zhao, Mengyang, 2025. "Does managerial climate risk perception improve environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
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    4. Gerasimos G. Rompotis, 2024. "The Performance of ESG ETFs vis-à-vis non-ESG ETFs in Hong Kong," Climate Economics and Finance, Anser Press, vol. 2(1), pages 12-23, March.
    5. Shi, Chunpei & Wei, Yu & Zheng, Yihe & Wang, Zhuo & Wang, Qian, 2024. "Is ESG investment rewarded or just doing good? Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PC).

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    JEL classification:

    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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