Can Warren Buffett’s Investment Decisions Independent of ESG? Evidence from Berkshire Hathaway

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed a growing recognition of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, yet the application of ESG principles within Berkshire Hathaway, under the leadership of renowned investor Warren Buffett, has not been prominently evident. This study seeks to ascertain whether the historical investment decisions made by Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, seemingly disassociated from active ESG involvement, may have nonetheless been subject to the influence of ESG factors. Employing methodologies encompassing correlation and regression analyses, this research unveils a discernible positive relationship between Berkshire Hathaway's investment quantities and the ESG scores of the invested firms. Moreover, companies demonstrating a positive trajectory in ESG considerations tend to be more aptly enlisted in the subsequent year's investment roster, while those witnessing a decline in ESG scores are prone to exclusion. In a comparative exploration of financial variables and ESG metrics, this study chose profit margin, ultimately revealing that ESG scores exert a notably more pronounced impact on Berkshire Hathaway's investment deliberations, specifically pertaining to share quantities, in contrast to the effect exerted by profit margin.