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Sustainable Investing: Make Money Doing the Right Thing

Sustainability became a buzzword in recent years as more people understand the importance of minimizing our impact on the environment. Sustainable investing also is growing in popularity. It refers to consideration of environmental, social and governance factors of investments while still growing value.  

We recommend that clients consider sustainability as a key component of their overall investment strategy. Companies with an environmental focus are well-positioned for solid growth in the coming years.  

Below are three examples of sustainability concepts that are emerging in investment portfolios. 

Sustainable Investing: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle 

Many businesses and households have become avid recyclers, keeping items like electronics, paper, plastics, and glass out of landfills. They also are purchasing items made from recycled products and supporting companies that prioritize the environment.  

Tremendous economic opportunity exists for using old, used, or surplus products as raw materials. This practice that helps avoid environmental damage caused by mining while also reducing overall costs and waste. We hold an investment position in TREX, the leader in composite decking made from sawdust and plastic bags. Two steel companies, Nucor and Schnitzer Steel, use recycled metals as their raw materials instead of mining for iron ore. All three companies enjoy profitability that exceeds industry averages. This suggests that recycling offers an economic advantage over companies that mine raw materials. 

Sustainable Investing: Pandemic Safety 

COVID-19 created economic opportunities for businesses that promote healthy indoor air quality. For instance, air conditioning contractors can install ultraviolet (UV) lighting in air filtration systems to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, as well as combatting mold, mildew, and other contaminants. The result is a cleaner, healthier environment to work and live. 

Our firm was an early investor in Carrier Corp., a leading global manufacturer and distributor of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems with an increased focus on clean air. Social responsibility helped drive the initial investment, but the opportunity grew as Carrier emerged as a leading provider of clean indoor air. 

Sustainable Investing: Electric Vehicles and Solar Energy 

Automotive technology has continued to make strides as manufacturers introduce hybrid and all-electric vehicles. The recent Colonial Pipeline hack, which created widespread fuel shortages throughout the Southeast, may influence car-buying trends for years to come. National media and politicians have increasingly emphasized electric vehicles and renewable energy as a means of reducing greenhouse gases. It is also an effective strategy to offset the rising cases of lung cancer among non-smokers.  

Sales at Tesla, an American electric vehicle and clean energy company, doubled from 2018 to 2020. Meanwhile, Tesla’s newly redesigned solar roof and battery storage are emerging business lines that complement its car division. In client portfolios, Tesla was a core holding until earlier this year, when our firm harvested significant profits. We also reduced our position in NextEra Energy, the parent company of Florida Power & Light, as it may soon need to compete with more solar installations.  

While the goal for any investor is to enjoy financial growth, sustainable investing is a concept that can offer both financial and environmental benefits. As more Americans integrate sustainability practices into their lifestyles, investors have an opportunity to experience positive returns while having a positive, long-term impact on society, environment, and the performance of a business. 

About the Author 

Andrew Hill, CFA, is president and co-founder of Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, 

 

Author

Founded in 2010, Andrew Hill Investment Advisors is a Naples-based financial and portfolio advisory firm that delivers exceptional service, detailed wealth management research and strategic estate planning.
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Andrew Hill, CFA
Jennifer Figurelli, CTFA

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  • Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and only transacts business in states where it is properly notice filed, or is excluded or exempted from such requirements. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Information on this website is directed toward U.S. residents only.
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Business Continuity and Succession Plan Disclosure Statement

Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, Inc. (“AHIA”) maintains a Business Continuity and Succession Plan (“BCP”) that has been developed with the goal of protecting the health and safety of our employees and maintaining continuity of service for our clients. Our Plan is designed to ensure that we are prepared to operate through significant business disruptions, so that our clients can access their accounts without significant interruption under most circumstances.
Key elements of our BCP include the following:

  • Critical data from our computer systems is backed up daily to geographically remote, secure facilities.
  • All AHIA employees can access its computer data remotely via secure connection. If AHIA’s primary network is not accessible, AHIA maintains replicas of all files and database servers in a geographically remote disaster recovery network available to all employees over a secure connection.
  • We maintain an office evacuation plan and emergency procedures in the event of a disaster affecting our primary office facilities or surrounding area.
  • We maintain an emergency contact list and procedures updated and distributed on a regular basis.


If your account requires servicing during a significant business disruption and we are unable to assist you, please call Fidelity Investments at 1-800-523-1203 and a dedicated team member will be able to assist you. It is impossible for us to anticipate every potential problem that may occur, but we believe our BCP will enable us to conduct business in the event of a variety of possible business disruptions. We review and test our BCP at least annually and it is subject to modification based on changing circumstances and assessment of need.

As a fiduciary, AHIA has certain legal obligations, including the obligation to act in client’s best interest. AHIA seeks to avoid a disruption of service to clients in the event of an unforeseen loss of key personnel, due to disability or death. To that end, AHIA has entered into a succession agreement with The Colony Group, LLC, effective May 24, 2019. AHIA can provide additional information to any current or prospective client upon request to Andrew D.W. Hill, President at 239-777-3188 or [email protected]

Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, Inc.
Privacy Notice

Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, Inc. (“AHIA”) believes it is essential that we maintain the privacy of the nonpublic personal information provided to us and that we obtain in connection with providing our products and services to clients.  AHIA views protecting its customers’ private information as a top priority subject to the requirements of the Federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  AHIA has instituted policies and procedures to ensure that client information is kept private and secure. 

AHIA limits the use, collection, and retention of such information to what we believe is necessary or useful to conduct our business and to provide and offer clients quality products and services, as well as other opportunities that may be of interest. Information collected may include, but is not limited to name, address, telephone number, tax identification number, date of birth, employment status, annual income, and net worth. 

In providing products and services, we collect nonpublic personal information about our clients from the following sources: 

  • Information we receive from clients on applications or other forms (e.g. investment/insurance applications, new account forms, and other forms and agreements);
  • Information about client transactions with us or others (e.g. broker/dealers, clearing firms, or other chosen investment sponsors); and
  • Information we receive from consumer reporting agencies (e.g. credit bureaus), as well as other various materials we may use to put forth an appropriate recommendation, or to fill a service request.


AHIA does not disclose any nonpublic personal information about its clients or former clients to any non-affiliated third parties, except as permitted by law.  While servicing a clients’ account, AHIA may share some information with its service providers, such as transfer agents, custodians, broker-dealers, accountants and lawyers.  Additionally, we will share such information where required by legal or judicial process, such as a court order, or otherwise to the extent permitted under the federal privacy laws.  

AHIA restricts internal access to nonpublic personal information about clients to those associated persons of AHIA who need to access that information to provide services.  As emphasized above, it has always been and will always be AHIA’s policy never to sell information about current or former clients or their accounts to anyone.  It is also AHIA’s policy not to share information unless required to process a transaction, at the request of a customer, or required by law.

AHIA places strict limits on who receives specific information about client account(s) and other personally identifiable data. As a rule, we do not disclose nonpublic personal information we collect to others. However, because we rely on certain third parties for services that enable us to provide our advisory services to clients, such as our attorneys, auditors, other consultants, brokers, and custodians who, in the ordinary course of providing their services to us, may require access to information, we may share nonpublic personal information with such third parties. 

AHIA may also disclose such information to others upon a client’s written instructions.  Such written instructions may be amended, and/or rescinded at any time in writing.  If a client prefers that we not disclose confidential personal information about them to non-affiliated third parties who provide a product or service that we feel would benefit them, the client may direct us not to make disclosures to such non-affiliated third parties via an opt-out provision.  We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about clients to those persons associated with AHIA, who need access to such information in order to provide our products or services to clients.  We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard clients’ nonpublic personal information. If a client decides to close his/her account(s) or become an inactive customer, we will adhere to the privacy policies and practices as described in this notice. 

AHIA reserves the right to change these Privacy Principles, and any of the policies or procedures described above, at any time without prior notice. However, clients will be promptly provided with a current copy of our privacy notice upon material changes or upon request.  Active clients will receive a current copy of our privacy notice at least annually. These Privacy Principles are for general guidance and do not constitute a contract or create legal rights, and do not modify or amend any agreements.   If you have questions about this privacy policy, or if you wish to amend or rescind your written instructions with us at any time, please call us at (239) 777-3188.