Liberal Eye for the Investor

[Best_man23]

As someone who is saving for his eventual retirement, the thought came to me today that DU might be a good source of information for companies that liberals could invest in and still feel good.

Given this, my criteria would include companies that have progressive to liberal management, companies that are green (hence, good for the environment), minority and female owned companies, and of course, any company that doesn't suck up to Dumbya.

DUers, I await your replay. When responding, give the company name and or stock ticker symbol. Obviously, I'm looking for publically held companies; however, feel free to list any companies that match the above criteria.

[Nite Owl]

1. There are mutual funds

that are screened as green. Some are for religious reasons. I have come across them in my past research. I can't look right now but maybe try a google. Look at the companies that these funds invest in. GE is one that for sure is not on their screens. I think perhaps PG and KO might have been. Personally I trade and feel good about taking any profits on the majority.

[phillybri]

7. Here's one that we (Morgan Stanley) offer...

http://www.msdwadvice.com/markets/fundcenter/morganstanleyfunds/growth/KSI.html#FundFacts

I think that link should work...:-)

[rudeboy666]

2. well

"Given this, my criteria would include companies that have progressive to liberal management, companies that are green (hence, good for the environment), minority and female owned companies, and of course, any company that doesn't suck up to Dumbya."

I don't want to sound too cynical. But the above criteria does not seem like the best way to make a return. Of course, if you are willing to take a loss, then by all means go ahead with your plan.

Maybe you could ease your criteria a little.

[Best_man23]

9. The purpose of this thread

Is to inquire other DUers in regards to investments. Investing is something I think all of us who don't trade stocks for a living do with some trepidation. Its not meant to come up with a database of liberal friendly companies for investment purposes. Any suggestions made on here should be thoroughly researched by anyone before monies are invested.

My criteria is just a framework, its not set in stone. If anyone can make a successful case for any company besides ones who whore for Dumbya, please post.

[YNGW]

3. I hope this stays kicked.

This could get interesting.

[Best_man23]

5. I plan to keep this kicked

At the very least, it will provide spirited discussion.

[trotsky]

4. Parnassas Fund

One of the ones I came across when researching this awhile ago.

http://www.parnassus.com/Parnassus_Fund.html

The Parnassus Fund was founded in 1984. The Fund bases its investment decisions on two primary factors --- a company's financial strength and its environmental and social policies.

[Best_man23]

6. Very interesting

Good suggestion Trotsky.

Prospectus for those interested parties.

http://www.parnassus.com/TPFProsp.pdf

[central scrutinizer]

15. Calvert and Domini are

two other socially responsible investment options.

check out:

http://dmoz.org/Business/Investing/Socially_Responsible/Advisers,_General/

or

http://www.firstaffirmative.com/

for some other options

[RoeBear]

8. I don't know if I would feel all that superior...

... sitting on the porch, in my rocking chair, eating dogfood and thinking what a nice green portfolio I have.
I'd rather go with companies that will perform the best and make my retirement comfortable.

[Nite Owl]

10. Top holdings in Parnassus Equity Income

Ticker Company Name % Net Assets Share Change from 06/30/03 YTD Return
JNJ Johnson & Johnson 3.37% 25,000 -6.59%
NA Ciena Cv 3.75% 2.76% NA NA
PFE Pfizer 2.48% NA 11.90%
GPC Genuine Parts 2.32% 64,100 5.13%
ATG AGL Resources 2.16% 122,000 22.05%
AJG Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2.05% 100,000 8.68%
NA Baxter Intl Pfd 1.91% 25,000 NA
MRK Merck 1.84% NA -22.56%
IVGN Invitrogen 1.74% NA 117.87%
SBC SBC Communications 1.72% 25,000 -9.14%
SNV Synovus Financial 1.47% NA 51.03%
KSE Keyspan 1.43% 75,000 5.23%
ASO AmSouth Bancorp 1.35% 125,000 29.03%
NA Oneok Pfd 1.29% 147,600 NA
KMI Kinder Morgan 1.23% 125,000 31.73%
NA Lsi Logic Cv 4% 1.16% NA NA
NA Pmc-Sierra Cv 3.75% 1.16% 25,000 NA
NJR New Jersey Resources 1.05% NA 24.85%
PDCO Patterson Dental 1.05% NA 55.69%
NA Rf Microdevices Cv 3.75% 1.03% NA NA
SPC St. Paul 1.01% 120,000 11.65%
TGT Target 0.85% NA 30.04%
NA Lam Rsrch Cv 4% 0.81% NA NA
ELK ElkCorp 0.75% 175,000 48.33%
VZ Verizon Communications 0.74% NA -11.63%


This is from Money Central. Hope this helps. Surprised at some of the names actually.

[trotsky]

12. No kidding

The pharmaceuticals especially. Target doesn't surprise me though, with their reinvestment in the community.

[Nite Owl]

14. And I never thought

of some of those tech and energy companies as 'clean and green'. I would have thought that a company like Starbux would be there. Don't they give health care off the bat to all their employees? This could be some interesting research.

[denverbill]

13. That's the problem with 'socially responsible' funds.

Drug companies, some of the worst offenders in the world of political bribery, predominate in this fund. While they may not pollute, destroy rain-forests, or enslave foreigners, they have bought and sold politicians and sold out American citizens. They've turned the FDA into little more than a rubber-stamp.

[denverbill]

11. IMHO, invest in small companies.

Small companies:

1) don't outsource jobs overseas
2) are usually headquartered where they operate, so don't want to pollute their own backyard
3) feel a social obligation to their community and employees
4) are undervalued relative to multinationals
5) don't have the cash or need to bribe elected officials