Negative Screening and Performance Consequences

From capitalizing on the green energy revolution to carbon-free portfolios or supporting local business to targeting tobacco or weapons producers-investors are increasingly asking the industry to tailor portfolios to their preferences, while anticipating unmeasurable risks. Many investment managers however, are firmly entrenched in avoiding such exclusions in the view that they could damage returns. Meanwhile, others are embracing these preferences and risk concerns to carve out their niche. Still, we are yet to see a thorough explanation of how to build expectations for the range of outcomes exclusions might foster.