New Year's Resolutions
If there’s a theme tying together our shareholder engagements this year, it’s aptly summarized in a New Yorker cartoon showing a corporate executive reminding his colleagues at the conference room table, “Let’s never forget that the public’s desire for transparency has to be balanced by our need for concealment.” Come to think of it, that’s every year’s theme. As active investors placing place careful bets on selected companies (as opposed to passive indexing, which mimics the general direction of the market) we’re in the information gathering business. We ‘crunch’ financial data, then integrate it with environmental, social and governance (ESG) …
Pebble Poses a Mountain-Sized Risk for Alaska Fishery
In October, as the first snow of autumn begins to fall near Alaska’s Bristol Bay, I found myself visiting with a group of locals. Among them was Robin Samuelsen, a Yupik Eskimo and board member of the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation. The conversation began light and jovial as he fondly recalled fishing adventures with his father and grandchild. Then his voice grew anxious: “I’ve never seen the people of Bristol Bay so scared. If there ever is a mining accident our people are finished. Our way of life will be gone.” At issue is the controversial Pebble Mine Project, …
Upheaval in Global Automotive Industry: What Car Are you Driving?
Everyone remembers his or her first car. Mine was the 1951 Raymond Loewy-designed Studebaker Champion. My father was also a Studebaker owner. The 1951 model was a big hit with designers, and it had respectable, if not sensational, sales. But the company went out of business in 1963 when it closed down its factory in South Bend, Indiana. In the 1950s, I began driving Fords. I am not sure why. They were always breaking down. At the same time I began following the entry of foreign cars into the United Sates as a reporter for Advertising Age. It was just …
The Evolution of SRI: Introducing Version 3.0
Society adopts innovative technologies by a process that business schools describe with an “S-curve,” as on the graph below. The vertical axis represents the rising percentage of society using the technology while the horizontal axis represents time. In the first stage early adopters represent a small, slowly rising percentage of society. At a certain point, however, the adoption rate accelerates sharply, steepening the curve, as the technology’s benefits gain widespread acceptance. Once fully diffused through society, the adoption rate levels off and the curve flattens. For the past 30 years socially responsible investing (SRI) has steadily gained mindshare in society. …
Dear Reader
Over the past year, I have spent a lot of time traveling around the country meeting Trillium clients. It is a part of my job that I enjoy very much. You, our clients, have helped me understand what Trillium is doing well and what needs improvement. For over 25 years, Trillium and our clients have been successfully working with companies and communities to improve social and environmental outcomes. During that time, Trillium has consistently delivered competitive financial returns. We can’t do what we do without you, our clients. Thank you. For the past 13 years, Trillium has also had a …
Trillium and Ceres Seek Nominations for Joan Bavaria Awards
In honor of socially responsible investment pioneer Joan Bavaria, Trillium Asset Management and Ceres are inviting nominations for the fourth annual Joan Bavaria Awards for Building Sustainability into the Capital Markets. Nominations for the 2011 Bavaria Awards are being accepted at www.ceres.org/bavaria_awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 1, 2011. The Joan Bavaria Awards are given annually to two leaders working to move the capital markets toward a system that balances economic prosperity with social and environmental concerns. One award is given for long-term impact; the second award is for innovation. Read more …
Trillium Returns to Fully Independent Ownership
Trillium Asset Management Corporation recently completed the repurchase of convertible preferred stock that was issued to Wainwright Bank’s Progressive Securities subsidiary in November 1997. With the repurchase, Trillium is now owned entirely by its employees and board members. “Wainwright Bank has been an important partner over the past thirteen years, sharing with Trillium a unique vision of values and commitment to social responsibility for the clients we serve,” commented Trillium CEO Matt Patsky. “The Trillium team is passionate about remaining an independent, client focused SRI asset management firm, and we had the opportunity to accomplish this through the repurchase.” …
"Funds Unite Do-Gooders and Quants"
Trillium CEO Matt Patsky was quoted in the Wall Street Journal on November 3, 2010. Trillium is partnering with Auriel Capital Management on the development of the first absolute return, market neutral equity fund that rigorously incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks into its stock selection process. Click here to read the article. …
"Toxic Toys-Investors Call on Toys R Us to Phase Out and Label"
Trillium was part of a coalition of investors urging Toys “R” Us to commit to labeling toxic chemicals in the toys it sells and to phase out PVC toys. The chemicals can cause health problems including cancer, neurological, and immume system damage. Trillium ESG Research Analyst Susan Baker said “Toys “R” Us’ failure to phase out PVC products and label toxic chemicals in toys could hurt them during the critical Christmas season, which accounts for roughly 40% of Toys “R” Us’ annual revenues.” Click here to read more on PR Newswire. …
Unrelated New York Based "Trillium Brokerage Services" Fined by FINRA
Trillium Asset Management Corporation is NOT related to New York based Trillium Brokerage Services LLC, which has just been censured and fined by FINRA. …
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