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When Investors Call for Climate Responsibility, How Do Mutual Funds Respond?

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Ceccarelli

    (University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance; Swiss Finance Institute)

  • Stefano Ramelli

    (University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance)

  • 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

In April 2018, the investment platform and financial advisor Morningstar introduced a new eco-label for mutual funds, the Low Carbon Designation (LCD). The unexpected release of this label induced responses by (1) investors and (2) mutual funds. First, investors flocked to funds labeled as Low Carbon. Through the end of 2018, such funds enjoyed a 3.1% increase in assets compared to otherwise similar funds. This effect was distinct from that of more generic sustainability ratings ("Globes"), and it reversed for funds that lost the label in August or November 2018. Second, managers of just-missing funds adjusted their holdings towards lower carbon risk and lower fossil fuel involvement, the two criteria used to assign the LCD. Both the rewards-for-LCD and the moving-towards LCD effects are stronger for European funds, retail funds, funds with weak financial performance, and low-sustainability funds. Overall, the findings suggest that financial intermediaries actively compete for flows driven by the increasing demand for climate-conscious investment products.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Ceccarelli & Stefano Ramelli & Alexander F. Wagner, 2019. "When Investors Call for Climate Responsibility, How Do Mutual Funds Respond?," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 19-13, Swiss Finance Institute, revised Apr 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp1913
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Guzmán & Cristian Pinto-Gutiérrez & María-Andrea Trujillo, 2020. "Attention to Global Warming and the Success of Environmental Initial Coin Offerings: Empirical Evidence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Amparo Soler-Domínguez & Juan Carlos Matallín-Sáez & Diego Víctor de Mingo-López & Emili Tortosa-Ausina, 2020. "Social responsible mutual funds and lowcarbon economy," Working Papers 2020/15, Economics Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón (Spain).
    3. Amparo Soler‐Domínguez & Juan Carlos Matallín‐Sáez & Diego Víctor de Mingo‐López & Emili Tortosa‐Ausina, 2021. "Looking for sustainable development: Socially responsible mutual funds and the low‐carbon economy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1751-1766, May.
    4. Venturini, Alessio, 2022. "Climate change, risk factors and stock returns: A review of the literature," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    behavioral finance; climate change; eco-labels; investor preferences; mutual funds; sustainable finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • G02 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Behavioral Finance: Underlying Principles
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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