Insights - Page 8 of 27 - Natural Investments

Investing with Intent – Spring 2026

This quarter’s issue of Investing with Intent examines how values-aligned investing is responding to today’s political, economic, and regulatory shifts—exploring affordable housing for Hawaiian Natives, shareholders filing lawsuits with major corporations in reaction to SEC no-action guidelines, and more. Follow the stories below in our lastest issue. Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae: A Village Without a Place No More by Kulu Maphalala Bringing the Wisdom of the Three Sisters into Financial Services by Diana Yáñez Why a Perpetual Purpose Trust Model Works for Sustainable Investing Firms by Carrie

Natural Investments April 8, 2026

The Most Important Tasks for Cybersecurity

Imagine we’re out camping. It’s dark and cold, and we’re huddled around a dwindling campfire. With a look over my shoulder, I ask you to lean in close. I have a ghost story to tell you, but this one is real. Really real, like, scary real—happened to a friend of mine. According to Statista, the

Christopher Peck January 9, 2024

The Assembly of Black Possibilities Invites Participants to Rethink Investment Practices

On Oct. 2-3 last fall, at The Assembly of Black Possibilities, a two-day convening in Boston, I ran a workshop with Tiffany Brown of NI and Chordata Capital called “Money Talks: Aligning Your Values with Investment Choices.” We had the opportunity to share our core values, engage in “real talk” about the opportunities and limitations

Nicole Middleton Holloway January 9, 2024

In SRI News – Winter 2024

Nominated by our friends at Calvert Impact Capital, Environmental Finance named NI 2023 Advisor of the Year.

Natural Investments January 9, 2024

Market Report Winter 2024

Encouraging inflation data propelled a big rally across markets in December, with a classic portfolio of stocks and bonds delivering its best monthly returns in years. For the quarter, large-company stocks were up 11.7% and for the year up 26.3%. Small-company stocks rose 14% for the quarter and went up 16.9% for the year. Foreign

Scott Secrest January 9, 2024

A Judicial Victory

Two years ago, the SEC approved the Nasdaq’s proposed new rule on board diversity and disclosure that would require all Nasdaq-listed companies to provide data on board members’ gender, race, and self-identification as LGBTQ+. The rule would also require that boards include at least one female and at least one person who self-identifies as an

Michael Kramer January 9, 2024

Shareholder Advocacy: The Radicals on the Hill

Unfortunately, when the U.S. House of Representatives selected Mike Johnson, R-La., as its Speaker, they picked someone who has been vehemently opposed to socially responsible investing. In the past six years, he sponsored four bills (that didn’t pass) to curtail it, stating that the Department of Labor is overreaching its authority by allowing retirement plans

Michael Kramer January 9, 2024

Investing with Intent – Fall 2023

This newsletter, “Investing with Intent,” is distributed to clients and friends of Natural Investments, PBLLC (NI). NI is an investment adviser registered with the SEC.

Natural Investments October 4, 2023

Countering an Existential Threat to Socially Responsible Investors

Conservatives are attacking the entire premise of socially responsible investing (SRI) nationwide. While our last newsletter focused on state legislative laws that curb the integration of social and environmental risks into investment decision-making, the larger threat is the House Financial Services Committee (the Committee). In July, the Committee held “anti-ESG” hearings in the Capitol, and

Michael Kramer October 4, 2023

Shareholder Advocacy

In the past six months, through our affiliation with the FAIRR Initiative, we have engaged a variety of meat processing companies such as Tyson, Armor, Farmer John, Smithfield, and other brands in Australia, Brazil, and China regarding significant labor issues at their facilities and overall operations in the areas of worker voice, working conditions, grievance

Michael Kramer October 4, 2023

Market Report Fall 2023

The stock and bond markets ended lower during the third quarter. Broadly measured, large U.S. company stocks declined 2.1%, small company stocks lost 4.8%, and foreignstocks were down 3.3%. Bonds lost ground ending down 2.9%. The principal factor weighing on the markets off-and-on over the last year-and-a-half has been the interest rate hike cycle orchestrated

Scott Secrest October 4, 2023