Trends include green building, energy efficiency, green chemistry, and renewable energy
Published 12-30-10
Submitted by Portfolio 21 Investments
Global mutual fund Portfolio 21 (PORTX) today announced its Top 10 Green Companies for 2011. Portfolio 21 invests only in companies with an explicit commitment to environmental business practices, such as designing ecologically superior products, using renewable energy, developing efficient production methods, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The success of the green strategy has resulted in competitive financial performance for investors over the past 11 years (see performance table below).
"We believe the best long-term investment opportunities are found in companies using environmental frameworks to make business decisions. These companies have clearly demonstrated the qualities of innovation and leadership that create a distinct competitive advantage and should build long-term value for investors," said CEO and Chief Investment Officer Leslie Christian.
Portfolio 21 has reviewed more than 2,000 companies worldwide. It invests approximately $400 million in 99 companies across 21 countries. Portfolio 21's Top 10 Green Companies have been selected based on their environmental performance characteristics:
Portfolio 21's competitive financial performance and green investing approach have attracted attention among retail and institutional investors. A profile on each company illustrating the green approach is available at www.portfolio21.com.
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance date current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 877-351-4115 or by visiting www.portfolio21.com. The Fund will assess a 2.00% fee on certain redemptions for shares purchased and held for less than 2 months. Performance data does not reflect the redemption fee. If it had, returns would be lower.
Portfolio 21 returns are compared with the MSCI World Equity Index. We use this index as a benchmark because Portfolio 21 is a global fund, investing in stocks throughout the world. Portfolio 21 does not attempt to replicate the MSCI World Equity Index. However, comparing performance results with a benchmark is helpful to identify relevant market conditions and fluctuations. The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure global developed market equity performance. The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general. One cannot invest directly in an index.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund invests in foreign securities which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. The Fund also invests in smaller companies, which involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. The Fund's environmental policy could cause it to make or avoid investments that could result in the Fund underperforming similar funds that do not have an environmental policy.
The fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment company, and it may be obtained by calling 877-351-4115, or visiting www.portfolio21.com. Read it carefully before investing.
Investment performance reflects fee waivers in effect. In the absence of such waivers total return would be reduced.
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Portfolio 21 management, and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, nor investment advice.
As of 11/30/10, the companies listed above were held in Portfolio 21 in the following percentages: ABB: 0.8%; Cisco: 0.8%; Eaton: 1.3%; Growthpoint: 0.2%; IBM: 1.7%; Johnson Matthey: 0.5%; Novozymes: 1.6%; Ormat: 0.6%; Schneider Electric: 0.7%; Tennant: 0.7%.
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About Portfolio 21 Investments:
Portfolio 21 Investments has been a pioneer in the field of environmental and socially responsible investing since 1982. In 1999, the company launched the Portfolio 21 mutual fund to address the ecological risks and opportunities of the investment process in the 21st century. Portfolio 21 Investments is based in Portland, OR and has approximately $500 million in assets under management.
Portfolio 21 Investments provides a palette of investment options for clients who understand the ecological and social risks present in the current market paradigm, and want to make wise investment decisions accordingly. Portfolio 21 Investments is also the investment advisor to Portfolio 21, a no-load mutual fund that manages ecological risk by investing in companies that are designing ecologically superior products, using renewable energy, and developing efficient production methods. In 2004 we started a new company, Upstream 21, which directs capital to small businesses supporting environmental sustainability in the local economy.
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