The Financial Performance of RI Funds After 2000

Abstract

More and more investors integrate social and environmental criteria into their investment decisions (Kasemir et al. 2001). Thus the number of investment funds in the socially responsible investment (SRI) sector has increased correspondingly. In 2007 there were 313 SRI funds available in Europe (Eurosif 2007). Those funds strive for satisfying the needs of the investors with respect to social and environmental impacts (Koellner et al. 2007). But do those funds offer a satisfying financial return as well? How did those financial products perform financially in times of turmoil like in the past years? Additionally to their performance with respect to sustainability, the environment, or ethical criteria, SRI funds are expected to perform financially in a sustainable way as well. Only then they guarantee a positive long term financial return and acceptable financial risks.