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Green and socially responsible investing in international markets

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  • Kathrin Lesser

    (Center of Finance, University of Regensburg)

  • Sebastian Lobe
  • Christian Walkshäusl

Abstract

From an international perspective, we find strong evidence that green investments are significantly different from SRI investments in terms of financial performance and underlying firm characteristics. Green equities outperformed SRI equities between 2003 and 2007, whereas they underperformed between 2008 and 2012 with absolute multi-factor alphas of more than 1 per cent per month in both directions. Green portfolios mainly contain stocks of low quality with weak business models that are highly capital-demanding but unprofitable, whereas SRI portfolios are principally characterized by stocks with well-conceived and profitable business models. We find that green investments can be considered as a sector bet on the renewable energy industry shaped by massive governmental subsidies during the mid-2000s.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathrin Lesser & Sebastian Lobe & Christian Walkshäusl, 2014. "Green and socially responsible investing in international markets," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 15(5), pages 317-331, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:assmgt:v:15:y:2014:i:5:d:10.1057_jam.2014.31
    DOI: 10.1057/jam.2014.31
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lesser, Kathrin & Rößle, Felix & Walkshäusl, Christian, 2016. "Socially responsible, green, and faith-based investment strategies: Screening activity matters!," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 171-178.
    2. Otero, Luis A. & Reboredo, Juan C., 2018. "The performance of precious-metal mutual funds: Does uncertainty matter?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 13-22.
    3. Reboredo, Juan C. & Quintela, Miguel & Otero, Luis A., 2017. "Do investors pay a premium for going green? Evidence from alternative energy mutual funds," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 512-520.
    4. Fan, Qiufang & Liu, Jintao & Zhang, Tao & Liu, Haomin, 2022. "An Evaluation of the Efficiency of China’s green investment in the “Belt and Road” countries," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 496-511.
    5. Massimo Guidolin & Monia Magnani, 2024. "Do US Active Mutual Funds Make Good of Their ESG Promises? Evidence from Portfolio Holdings," Risks, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Rebecca Abraham & Hani El-Chaarani & Zhi Tao, 2022. "Predictors of Excess Return in a Green Energy Equity Portfolio: Market Risk, Market Return, Value-at-Risk and or Expected Shortfall?," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-31, February.

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