




As the energy sector continues to trounce other sectors in 2022, a portfolio of corporate bonds with reduced energy sector exposure seems less than ideal. However, year-to-date, investors have bucked the trend to put net millions into ESG bond ETFs.

Momentum for the U.S. Responsible Investing industry picked up in January when President Joe Biden signed executive orders to re-enter into the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2021 through October month-end, there were 110 equity and fixed income funds that launched focused on Responsible Investing—71 RI-related ETFs and 39 RI-related mutual funds.

Investors continued to plow money into taxable (+$32.0 billion) and tax-exempt (+$4.8 billion) bond funds (including ETFs) for the month of September. For the month, the average taxable and tax-exempt fixed income mutual fund posted a 0.48% and 0.75% decline, respectively, for September and are up 0.50% and 1.27% so far this year.

With the global recovery peaking — and concerns about inflation, rising rates, and fuller valuations just getting started — how can advisors best implement ESG strategies to help their clients navigate today's challenging markets? In the upcoming webcast, How to Use ESG Factors to Navigate the Recovery, Jordan Farris, Managing Director, Head of ETF Product Development, Nuveen; [.

Given the magnitude of the changes we foresee, long-term investors may find opportunities in the technologies and innovations that create renewable energy sources or reduce the carbon intensity of energy production. Net zero is about reducing greenhouse gas emissions so that over time we can achieve an overall balance between emissions produced, and the emissions removed from the overall atmosphere.