Why activist investors are set to pull back on ESG campaigns

Why activist investors are set to pull back on ESG campaigns
It's all about effectiveness, says consulting firm.
JAN 09, 2024
By  Bloomberg

Activist investors are expected to carry out fewer environmental and social campaigns this year after the strategy proved less lucrative than other shareholder agendas, according to business consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal Inc. 

An analysis by the firm found that activist campaigns focused on operational or strategic change outperformed the market by an average of 9.4% over the past six years. By contrast, campaigns focused on environmental and social issues saw the weakest relative returns, outperforming the market by just 0.2% on average for the same period, according to a report published Tuesday. 

“As investors focus more firmly on returns in 2024 in a challenging market, we expect to see a decline in ESG-related campaigns and a renewed focus on metrics such as margin growth, cash generation and return on capital,” said Andre Medeiros, a managing director of A&M. 

A&M’s analysis is based on 550 public campaigns by shareholder activists launched between the start of 2016 and Oct. 31, 2021, against companies headquartered in Europe and the US. The firm then looked at the total shareholder return for each company over the subsequent two years following the campaign launch and compared that return to either Europe’s Stoxx 600 Index or the S&P 500 Index, depending on where the company was located.

Latest News

5 best practices to brand your process & win more busines
5 best practices to brand your process & win more busines

Advisors can set their practice apart and win more business with a powerful graphic describing their unique business and value proposition.

Industry, financial experts sound off after DOL walks back crypto warning for 401(k)s
Industry, financial experts sound off after DOL walks back crypto warning for 401(k)s

The Labor Department's reversal from its 2022 guidance has drawn approval from crypto advocates – but fiduciaries must still mind their obligations.

Autopilot surges to $750M AUM, touts RIA growth as users copy Pelosi, Buffett trades
Autopilot surges to $750M AUM, touts RIA growth as users copy Pelosi, Buffett trades

With $750 million in assets and plans to hire a RIA Growth Lead, Autopilot is moving beyond retail to court advisors with separately managed accounts and integrations with RIA custodians such as Schwab and Fidelity.

RIA wrap: Former Procyon advisors launch Third View, ex-Rochdale CEO resurfaces in New York
RIA wrap: Former Procyon advisors launch Third View, ex-Rochdale CEO resurfaces in New York

Elsewhere on the East Coast, a Boca Raton-headquartered shop has acquired a fellow Florida-based RIA in "a natural evolution for both organizations."

$43B Beacon Pointe taps seasoned retirement plan specialist to lead in DFW region
$43B Beacon Pointe taps seasoned retirement plan specialist to lead in DFW region

After advising on nearly $700 million in retirement assets, 27-year veteran Greg Mykytyn is bringing his expertise in ESOP and 401(k) plans to the national RIA in Texas.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave

SPONSORED The evolution of private credit

From direct lending to asset-based finance to commercial real estate debt.