Insights - Page 9 of 28 - Natural Investments

2026 Impact & Public Benefit Report

The 2026 Impact & Public Benefit Report outlines how Natural Investments creates positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes through its investments, internal practices, and industry advocacy. It showcases data and stories about our firm’s impact on communities, our work to advance a more just form of capitalism, and our leadership in promoting racial equity and inclusive ownership. Download the full report. Annual Company Letter: The Era of Resistance and Resilience by Michael Kramer 2026 Sustainable And Responsible Impact 2026 Shareholder Advocacy Highlights by Michael Kramer

Natural Investments July 17, 2026

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

Private Prison Divestment Efforts Continue at Natural Investments

In May 2018, when President Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy took effect, prison divestment and advocacy efforts received an explosion of public interest. Since then, the headlines have faded, but our Heart Rating continues to hold fund managers accountable. Natural Investments’ Heart Rating, which has been a fixture of our firm since 1992, is an

Kirbie Crowe October 4, 2023

How One Nonprofit Shifted Assets to Align with Its Mission

As a firm, Natural Investments has long provided portfolio management and financial planning services to institutional clients across the country. By the end of December 2022, there were 27 nonprofit and foundation clients with about $90 million in assets under management firmwide. In this article, we want to share a case study about a nonprofit

Nicole Middleton Holloway October 4, 2023