In light of the growing interest in sustainable finance among investors and academics, in this study, we present an empirical analysis designed to understand whether sustainable investments outperform, underperform, or perform neutrally relative to conventional investments. The literature presents a spectrum of often-opposed conclusions, precluding the establishment of a definitive, consensus-driven judgment. Therefore, our analysis examines the behavior of sustainable investments within the Eurozone equity market from January 2019 to December 2023. Twenty portfolios are constructed to simulate sustainable investment strategies differentiated by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy; stock inclusion/exclusion thresholds; and the type of ESG rating employed in the selection process. The analysis reveals that sustainable investments do not statistically significantly outperform or underperform traditional investments. This finding is significant for investors committed to ESG principles, as it suggests that they can align their investment choices with their ethical convictions without sacrificing performance.
ESG Ratings and Financial Performance: An Empirical Analysis
Abate G.
;Basile I.;Ferrari P.
2025-01-01
Abstract
In light of the growing interest in sustainable finance among investors and academics, in this study, we present an empirical analysis designed to understand whether sustainable investments outperform, underperform, or perform neutrally relative to conventional investments. The literature presents a spectrum of often-opposed conclusions, precluding the establishment of a definitive, consensus-driven judgment. Therefore, our analysis examines the behavior of sustainable investments within the Eurozone equity market from January 2019 to December 2023. Twenty portfolios are constructed to simulate sustainable investment strategies differentiated by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy; stock inclusion/exclusion thresholds; and the type of ESG rating employed in the selection process. The analysis reveals that sustainable investments do not statistically significantly outperform or underperform traditional investments. This finding is significant for investors committed to ESG principles, as it suggests that they can align their investment choices with their ethical convictions without sacrificing performance.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
