PODCAST: Analysts Pick ESG Stocks to Buy!

Ethical & Sustainable Investing News to Profit By!

ESG stocks to buy! According to analysts. These include: AES, Aptiv, LG Chem, LONGi Green Energy Technology, Siemens Energy, Infineon, Covestro, Deere, CJ Cheiljedang, Bluestar Adisseo, Ball Corp, SCG Packaging, Bureau Veritas, Verisk, Brookfield Renewable, First Solar, NextEra Energy, SolarEdge Technologies, Acuity Brands, Inc., United Rentals, Inc., Rockwell Automation, Inc, Union Pacific Corporation, and more…

PODCAST: Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!

Transcript & Links, Episode 47, December 18, 2020

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to podcast episode 47 published on December 18, titled “Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!”— and presented by Investing for the Soul. investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode’s podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

And Google any terms that are unfamiliar to you.

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1. Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!

First, we start with a big list titled 15 Stocks to Buy as the ESG Investing Boom Continues Into 2021 by Callum Keown. It appeared on the barrons.com site. Quote “The sustainable and ESG investing revolution is set to continue in 2021, with investors looking for the next wave of opportunities, Morgan Stanley strategists said, as they revealed the 15 stocks to buy…

In Europe they chose energy-technology company Siemens Energy for its exposure to renewables and gas, as well as German chip maker Infineon, given its ‘commanding position in power semiconductors’ used in electric vehicles. Germany’s Covestro also featured as a leading producer of rigid foams used as insulation in buildings and increasingly in electric vehicles.

In the U.S., they liked global-energy company AES, citing its transformation in developing renewables and storage, and automobile-parts company Aptiv for its growing focus on electric vehicles. In Asia they selected electric-vehicle-battery manufacturer LG Chem and solar wafer producer LONGi Green Energy Technology.

The strategists also picked five stocks relating to sustainable consumption, with governments turning their attention to food and agriculture. Their picks included agricultural equipment manufacturer Deere, South Korean food company CJ Cheiljedang, and China’s Bluestar Adisseo for its products providing nutritional solutions for animal feed. Aluminium-beverage-can producer Ball Corp and Thailand’s SCG Packaging also made the list, offering alternatives to single-use plastics and packaging.

Finally, they highlighted three stocks as a way of playing the overall structural growth theme of sustainability and ESG—asset manager Amundi, testing and inspection specialists Bureau Veritas, and U.S. data analytics company Verisk for its climate-data offering.” End quotes.

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2. Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!

Our next article continues with the alternative energy stock theme. It’s titled Got $5,000? Here Are 5 Energy Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term.

Matthew DiLallo, the article’s author, says these companies are leaders in the energy transition. It was on The Motley Fool site. He says the following about his picks. Quote:

“1) Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure (NASDAQ: AY)

… owns a globally diversified portfolio of infrastructure assets backed by long-term, fixed-rate contracts that supply it with predictable income. The company currently gets 69% of its cash flow from renewable energy assets… Atlantica targets to invest $200 million to $300 million per year to expand its portfolio, which should enable it to steadily increase its high-yielding dividend.

2) Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP)(NYSE: BEPC)

… The company is a global leader in operating hydroelectric facilities (64% of its cash flow), which it compliments with fast-growing wind (27%) and solar energy (9%) platforms… The company anticipates increasing its cash flow at a double-digit annual rate through at least 2025, which should support 5% to 9% annual dividend growth.

3) First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR)

… is a leading manufacturer of thin-film solar panels, ideal for utility-scale solar energy projects… With solar panel demand expected to double over the next five years, First Solar is in an ideal position to capture this growth.

4) NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE)

… is the world's top energy producer from the wind and sun… Meanwhile, the company is also an early leader in emerging technologies like battery storage and green hydrogen. Add those factors to its legacy utility operations and 1.9%-yielding dividend, and NextEra is one of the lowest risk ways to invest in the future of energy.

5) SolarEdge Technologies (NASDAQ: SEDG)

… makes power optimizers and inverters that help lower the cost of energy produced by solar panels… With a cash-rich balance sheet, SolarEdge has the financial flexibility to continue expanding so that it can stay ahead of the technological curve and capture a sizable portion of this growth.” End quotes.

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3. Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!

For most ethical and sustainable investors, many infrastructure stocks would qualify as investments. And given the prospect of massive infrastructure spending planned by governments globally, it might be worth considering some of these companies. Here’s an article titled 12 Best Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now that might assist you. It’s written by Ma’k Almario and appeared on the Yahoo! Finance site.

Mr. Almario says, “These are the most popular infrastructure stocks among the 800+ hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey.”

I’ll mention a company and then provide a brief quote from him on each one. Working towards the number one spot, we start with…

“12) Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST)

Fastenal Company is an industrial distributor based in Minnesota. The company markets industrial, safety, and construction supplies at the same time inventory management, manufacturing, and tool repair…

11) Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI)

The company manufactures innovative lighting products, controls, software, and services… Acuity Brands is one of the 10 new stocks billionaire Ken Fisher just bought.

10) Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE: MLM)

… is one of the leading suppliers of building materials, including aggregates, cement, and heavy materials.

9) Aecom (NYSE: ACM)

… is one of the top infrastructure firms in the world.

8) United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI)

United Rentals, Inc. is one of the world’s largest equipment rental companies… [it’s] a relatively popular stock among hedge funds, but hedge funds have been taking some chips off the table throughout 2020.

7) HD Supply Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HDS)

… is an industrial distributor in North America… Unfortunately, it may be a bit late to buy this stock now.

Recently, The Home Depot, Inc… announced its acquisition of HD Supply Holdings in an all-cash deal for all common stock at $56 per share. The acquisition is expected to be completed on January 31, 2021.

6) Vulcan Materials Co. (NYSE: VMC)

The company is engaged in the manufacturing of construction materials, gravel, crushed stone, and sand.

5) Rockwell Automation, Inc (NYSE: ROK)

… provides industrial automation and information technology.

4) Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC)

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies with headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia.

3) Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU)

Kansas City Southern is a Delaware-registered transportation holding company with railroad investments in the United States, Mexico, and Panama.

2) CSX Corporation (NASDAQ: CSX)

CSX Corporation is an American holding company focused on rail transportation and real estate in North America.

1) Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP)

… is the best infrastructure stock to buy now. The company is a freight-hauling railroad that operated 8,300 locomotives over 32,300 miles.” End quotes.

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4. Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!

Now, this is an interesting new sustainable equity ETF. It’s covered in an article by Aaron Neuwirth titled J.P. Morgan Launches Carbon Transition Equity ETF, JCTR. It appeared on etfdb.com. Here are some key quotes from Mr. Neuwirth.

“The fund will track the JPMorgan Asset Management Carbon Transition U.S. Equity Index, built to achieve a meaningful reduction in carbon intensity without relying on exclusions or sector deviations. JCTR will seek to offer investors at least 30% less carbon intensity than the Russell 1000 index.”

This article originally appeared on ETFTrends.com.” End quotes.

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Robeco launches two climate-focused fixed income strategies

Now to some exciting new fixed income entrants. They are reviewed in an article titled Robeco launches two climate-focused fixed income strategies. It’s published on theasset.com site.

Quote “Asset manager Robeco has launched two climate-focused fixed income strategies, the first of their kind to be fully compliant with the European Union’s benchmark regulation for Paris-aligned investments. These are RobecoSAM Climate Global Credits and RobecoSAM Climate Global Bonds.

RobecoSAM Climate Global Credits invests globally in corporate bonds with explicit climate targets that contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement…

RobecoSAM Climate Global Bonds comprises a global aggregate portfolio of fixed income assets. The strategy aims for a lower carbon footprint relative to the global investment grade bond universe and an average of at least 7% decarbonization per annum, while outperforming its Paris-aware benchmark.” End quotes.

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End Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: “Analysts: ESG Stocks to Buy!”

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Thank you for listening.

Now, I’m likely taking a break over the holidays so my next podcast might not be until January 15, 2021! So, stay tuned!

Though these are difficult times, I do hope you have a joyous and restful holiday. Bye for now.

© 2020 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul.