Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks

Podcast: Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks Transcript & Links, Episode 105, May 5, 2023 By Ron Robins, MBA. Analyst and Tutor Hello, Ron Robins here. Now I'm recording and publishing this podcast episode 1-day early. The reason, tomorrow, May 5th I plan to have up my terrific new website. So, just in case there are any hitches, I decided to do this podcast 1-day early. Hence, please do visit my brand-new site tomorrow! So, welcome to this podcast episode 105 titled "Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks." It's presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts. Now if any terms are unfamiliar to you, simply Google them. Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein. Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief so that I can get as many companies covered as possible in the time allowed. Please go to this podcast's webpage for links to the actual articles for more company and stock information. Also, some companies might be covered more than once and there are also 8 article links below that time didn't allow me to review them here. ------------------------------------------------------------- 1) Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks Now our first article has the title 13 Best Ethical Companies to Invest in According to Reddit. It's by Fahad Saleem and found on insidermonkey.com. Here are Reddit's picks with some comments by Mr. Saleem... "For this article we scoured several discussion boards on Reddit where hundreds of people have discussed their favorite companies for ethical investing… 13. ASN Biodiversity Fund (ASABNEI:NA) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A Netherlands-based ASN Bank offers several sustainable, green and ethical investment options. Redditors frequently mention ASN Biodiversity Fund as a viable option for ethical investors. 12. Sage Potash Corp. (TSXV:SAGE.V) Hedge Fund Holders: N/A Potash plays a key role in fertilizer production, can increase crop yields and increase resilience of crops against pests. Sage Potash Corp is a Canadian company that explores for potash. 11. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:RKLB) Hedge Fund Holders: 12 Rocket Lab was specially mentioned by some Redditors as a suitable option for those who want to invest in space and rocket technologies. 10. Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ:BYND) Hedge Fund Holders: 13 Beyond Meat is one of the leaders in the plant-based meat industry… The biggest hedge fund stakeholder of Beyond Meat was Ray Dalio's Bridgewater Associates which owns a $1.4 million stake in the company. 9. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Hedge Fund Holders: 135 Apple Inc.'s ESG scores are impressive and the company is investing heavily in ESG-related projects… 8. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) Hedge Fund Holders: 47 Ecolab Inc. was specifically mentioned by several Redditors as the company is one of the leaders in the water treatment industry. Ecolab Inc. has an impressive ESG profile. 7. Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) Hedge Fund Holders: 63 Enphase Energy makes solar micro-inverters, battery energy storage and EV charging stations. 6. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) Hedge Fund Holders: 66 Redditors praise Costco Wholesale Corporation's proactive approach in increasing wages and overall employee benefits. 5. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) Hedge Fund Holders: 91 While Tesla's ESG rating has dropped over the past few months, the stock remains a popular choice of Redditors… Hedge funds are also bullish on Tesla. 4. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) Hedge Fund Holders: 106 We chose NVIDIA for our list of the best ethical companies to invest in according to Reddit because the stock ranks higher in the portfolio of Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV), one of the most favorite choices of ethical investors on Reddit. 3. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) Hedge Fund Holders: 177 Visa Inc. makes it to our list of the best ethical companies to invest in according to Reddit because it is the top holding of the Global Sustainability Leaders ETF, which is a popular ethical investing option among Redditors. 2. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Hedge Fund Holders: 240 Amazon.com is added in our list of the best ethical companies to invest in because it's one of the biggest holdings of Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (MUTF:VFTNX), which is recommended by Redditors for ethical investing. 1. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Hedge Fund Holders: 259 Microsoft Corporation is one of the best ethical companies to invest in according to Reddit because the company is the biggest holding of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (NYSEARCA: SUSA), an ETF that is quite popular among ethical investors on Reddit discussion boards." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 2) Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks Our next article has the title Four Sustainable Investments That Could Have a Positive Impact. It's by Peter Krull who publishes on kiplinger.com. Here's some of what Mr. Krull says about his picks. "1. STMicroelectronics (STM) Much of this Swiss semiconductor company's technology is used in devices that you use every day, like tablets and automobile infotainment systems… STMicroelectronics also makes chips that help control the motors in EVs, chips that help distribute solar power more efficiently and chips that are helping to create smart homes, cities and industries. 2. Acuity Brands (AYI) Acuity Brands manufactures a wide array of lighting products, from home to office and industrial. It even makes ultraviolet lights to disinfect health care facilities (and others) that require sterilization. 3. Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure (HASI) Hannon Armstrong…finances a range of projects broken down into three areas: behind-the-meter, grid-connected and fuels, transport and nature… It's also involved in landfill gas projects, commercial fleet decarbonization and ecological restoration… The stock pays a nice dividend as well. 4. AXS Green Alpha ETF (NXTE) The folks at Green Alpha have been managing sustainable investments for years… they know what they're doing. They eschew the recent trend of creating, as I call them, 'less bad' ESG portfolios and focus on solutions-based investments in the next economy." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 3) Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks Many people believe that US interest rates are heading down from here, which could give a lift to the housing market. So the most recommended US homebuilders are getting a bid. Hence, this article titled 5 Best Homebuilder Stocks Sorted By Hedge Fund Sentiment. It's by Fahad Saleem on insidermonkey.com. Now let's see some of what Mr. Saleem says about his recommendations. "To see more such companies, go directly to List of Homebuilder Stocks Sorted By Hedge Fund Sentiment. 5. KB Home (NYSE:KBH) Hedge Fund Holders: 31 JPMorgan recently upgraded KB Home stock after the company posted strong quarterly results and gave a solid 2023 guidance. 4. Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) Hedge Fund Holders: 37 Shares of Toll Brothers have gained about 22% year to date through April 24. In March, Toll Brothers upped its dividend by 5%. 3. NVR, Inc. (NYSE:NVR) Hedge Fund Holders: 39 Pennsylvania-based home construction and mortgage services company NVR ranks 3rd in our list of the top homebuilding stocks popular among elite hedge funds. 2. D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI) Hedge Fund Holders: 46 1. Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) Hedge Fund Holders: 54." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 4) Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks Now we turn to one of our investors' favorite sectors with this article titled The 9 Best Wind Energy Stocks To Buy Now. It's by Phillip Ekuwem and seen on thestockdork.com. Here are some thoughts by Mr. Ekuwem on each of his picks. "1. NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE: NEE) NextEra Energy is a leading clean energy company based in Juno Beach, Florida. The company primarily generates and distributes electricity from renewable sources such as wind farms and solar power… Investors also stand to earn dividends, with NextEra Energy recording a strong dividend yield of 2.46%. 2. Clearway Energy Inc. (NYSE: CWEN) Clearway Energy is a leading renewable energy company that owns and operates a diversified portfolio of clean energy assets across the United States… It rewards its shareholders with a dividend yield of 4.80%. 3. General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) GE is organized into four business divisions: Aviation, Healthcare, Power, and Renewable Energy.  The Renewable Energy division develops and manufactures wind turbines and other clean energy solutions. 4. Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) Founded in 1997, Plug Power is a New York-based leading provider of hydrogen fuel cell systems for a wide range of applications, including material handling, stationary power, and on-road vehicles… It produces and distributes green hydrogen, which it creates using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. 5. Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE: BEP)  The company, based in Bermuda, has a diverse portfolio that includes hydroelectric, wind, solar, and storage assets… across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.  6. Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE: D) Dominion Energy Inc. is… one of the largest producers and transporters of energy in the United States… Dominion Energy's business primarily focuses on electric, gas, and energy infrastructure… Dominion Energy is investing in renewable energy and clean technologies, including offshore wind power, solar power, and energy storage to achieve this goal. 7. Eversource Energy (NYSE: ES) Is committed to reducing its carbon footprint to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030… The company invests in renewable energy, such as wind and solar, for energy efficiency and grid modernization. 8. TPI Composites Inc. (NASDAQ: TPIC) (Is) a global manufacturer of composite wind blades and other composite structures for the wind energy, transportation, and industrial markets… It is one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of wind blades. 9. Array Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRY) Array Technologies' primary business is designing, manufacturing, and installing solar tracking systems, which optimize solar panels' energy output by tracking the sun's movement throughout the day." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 5) Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks We continue with the renewable energy theme with this title. The 4 Best EV Battery Stocks Under $10 To Buy Now. By Enrico Caschetta on thestockdork.com. Here's some of what Mr. Caschetta says about these stocks. "1. CBAK Energy Technology Inc (NASDAQ: CBAT) CBAT is a Chinese company that specializes in researching, developing, and manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for EVs and other energy storage systems. 2. Quantumscape Corp (NYSE: QS) Is a US-based company developing next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for EVs.  3. Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: KNDI) Kandi is a Chinese company that designs, develops, and manufactures electric vehicles (EVs) and EV parts, including batteries.  4. Panasonic Holdings (OTCMKTS: PCRFY) Panasonic is barely admittable to our list as the company is only a dollar short of $10." End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- Other Honorable Mention – not in any order 1. Title: ETFs for Green Investing Ahead of Earth Day on zacks.com. By Sweta Killa. 2. Title: Why Union Pacific is a Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock (UNP) on nasdaq.com. By BNK Invest. 3. Title: Iberdrola's big bet on renewable energy is working on qz.com. By Nate DiCamillo. 4. Title: 4 Renewable Energy Stocks Set to Beat Q1 Earnings Estimates -on zacks.com. By Aparajita Dutta. 5. Title: Top Wind Energy Stocks for Q2 2023 on investopedia.com. By Noah Bolton. 6. Title: 25 Most Environmentally Friendly Companies in the World on yahoo.com. By Laiba Immad. Articles from Outside the US 1. India. Title: Top 10 Best Corporate Social Responsibility Companies In Europe 2023 on inventica.co.in. By kritikabhaskar. 2. Canada. Title: This new ETF offers a challenge to socially responsible investing skeptics on theglobeandmail.com. By Rob Carrick. ------------------------------------------------------------- Ending Comment Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast titled: "Analysts Like These Ethical and Sustainable Stocks." Now, please be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you. And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope and prosperity in these terribly troubled times! Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for listening. Talk to you next on May 19th. Bye for now. © 2023 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul