Funds Aimed at ESG Skeptics
Kiplinger's Personal Finance|April 2023
A new crop of ETFs seeks to offer an alternative to investments that focus on environmental, social and corporate governance issues. 
KIM CLARK AND ELLEN KENNEDY 
Funds Aimed at ESG Skeptics

There's a new wrinkle in the growing controversies over the rise of investment funds that promise to address environmental, social or corporate governance concerns. Amid investigations into allegations of "greenwashing," or false promises of environmental improvements, and opposition to ESG measures from conservative political leaders, individual investors are gaining new opportunities to direct their money to funds pitched as contrarian responses to the ESG trend.

At least nine new exchange-traded funds-some signaling their purpose with symbols such as DRLL-launched last year in reaction either to ESG issues specifically or to what some of the new fund founders label as a liberal political agenda behind ESG. In their short history, the 2022 crop of funds has cumulatively gathered more than a half-billion dollars in investments, though that is dwarfed by the more than $101 billion in assets currently invested in 279 U.S. ESG ETFs. In 2022 alone, investors put over $5 billion more into ESG ETFs than they took out, according to CFRA.

The nine funds making their debut last year are often lumped with a handful of others introduced since 2017 that promise to advance conservative political issues. Aniket Ullal, head of ETF data and analytics at CFRA, expects more political debates within the investment world. "Political intervention in ETFs is going to be an important story this year," he says. Some state financial officials are already threatening to pull money from managers they charge are improperly using investments to further political agendas, and the new Republican leaders of the House of Representatives threaten investigations into ESG investing.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2023 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE مشاهدة الكل
HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES

We looked at IRS rules for 2025 on everything from tax brackets to how much you can save in retirement accounts.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR

Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?

You can fend off big veterinary bills with a policy that covers your furry companion.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME

If you return to a beloved destination again and again, purchasing a home there may be a smart move-but don't overlook the costs and effort that go into it.

time-read
8 mins  |
January 2025
HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES

Staggered retirement is increasingly common, but it can create financial and emotional challenges.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2025
AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS

KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF

Whether you're looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 2025
My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025

SINCE 1993, I have offered an annual list of 10 stocks with the potential to beat the market in the 12 months ahead. My 2024 selections notched the highest return ever: an average of 48.9%. I beat the S&P 500 index by 10.8 percentage points, and every one of my stocks was up-six by more than 30%.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025
WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?

EXCHANGE-traded funds have exploded in popularity, with the industry now reaching the milestone of $10 trillion in assets.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
TIPS FROM INSIDERS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

TIPS FROM INSIDERS

When corporate insiders buy or sell, it can offer clues on whether you should do the same.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025