Morgan Stanley Survey Finds Interest in Sustainable Investing Stronger than Ever
August 09 2017 - 1:52PM
Business Wire
Investor Survey shows awareness and interest in
sustainable investing continuing to climb steadily – 75% of
individual investors and 86% of Millennials are interested in
sustainable investing1
Three-quarters of active individual investors and 86% of
Millennial active individual investors describe themselves as
interested in sustainable investing, according to a new survey
published today by the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable
Investing. The second edition of the investor survey, Sustainable
Signals, examines the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of
individual investors towards sustainable investing and considers
the broader implications for investors, corporations and
governments. Following the last Sustainable Signals report released
in 2015, the new findings show interest in sustainable investing
continuing to increase with investors’ growing belief that their
investments can make a positive social or environmental impact.
“As widespread attention to sustainability continues to
increase, consumers and investors alike are now more than ever
factoring sustainability issues into their investment decisions,”
said Audrey Choi, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Marketing
Officer at Morgan Stanley. “The Morgan Stanley Institute for
Sustainable Investing works to drive scalable investment solutions
that seek to deliver positive social or environmental impact
alongside the market-rate returns that clients expect.”
Results from the survey identify sustainable investing trends
reflecting the surging growth in the broader sustainability space.
Related findings include:
- Values Matter. Consciousness
around sustainability has leapt from the consumer space to the
investment space. According to the latest survey, investor
attention to sustainability factors is now growing faster than that
of consumers as a whole.
- Environmental impact. Increased
interest in sustainable investing occurred despite a heightened
sense of market volatility, implying perhaps that in uncertain
times, companies and funds with sustainable attributes may be
viewed as more stable over the long run. 71% of investors polled
agreed that good social, environmental and governance practices can
potentially lead to higher profitability and may be better
long-term investments.
- Focus on Customization. The poll
showed a strong desire for the ability to customize sustainable
investments; 80% of individual investors and 89% of Millennials are
interested in sustainable investments that can be customized to
meet their interests and goals.
- Sustainable Investing in the
Workplace. With Millennials projected to make up 75% of the
American workforce by 2025, it’s interesting to note that nine out
of ten Millennial investors (90%) expressed interest in pursuing
sustainable investments as part of their 401(k) portfolios. This
implies that offering sustainable investment funds as 401(k)
options may be an additional way for companies to attract and
retain Millennial talent in competitive job markets.
Millennials continue to fuel growth. Nearly nine in ten
Millennials surveyed (86%) are interested in sustainable investing,
compared with three-quarters of individual investors overall (75%).
This heightened interest is likely tied to Millennials’ strong
belief that they can make a positive difference with their own
investments. Related findings from the survey include:
- Influence. 75% agree that it is
possible for “my investment decisions to influence the amount of
climate change caused by human activities," compared with 58% of
the total individual investor population.
- Impact. 84% agree that it is
possible for “my investment decisions to create economic growth
that lifts people out of poverty," compared with 79% of the total
individual investor population surveyed.
For more information, please see Sustainable Signals: New Data
from the Individual Investor.
The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing
The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing builds
scalable finance solutions that seek to deliver competitive
financial returns while driving positive environmental and social
impact. The Institute creates innovative financial products,
thoughtful insights and capacity building programs that help
maximize capital to create a more sustainable future. For more
information about the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable
Investing, visit www.morganstanley.com/sustainableinvesting.
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a leading global financial services
firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management
and investment management services. With offices in more than 42
countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including
corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more
information about Morgan Stanley, please visit
www.morganstanley.com.
1Poll commissioned by Morgan Stanley but independently conducted
by Brunswick Insight, February 17-22, 2017,
This is for informational purposes only, and is not a
solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other
financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy.
This material contains forward looking statements and there can be
no guarantee that they will come to pass. Information contained
herein is based on data from multiple sources and Morgan Stanley
makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of data
from sources outside of Morgan Stanley.
© 2017 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. and Morgan Stanley Smith
Barney LLC. Members SIPC.
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Media Relations:Morgan StanleySarah Higgins, 212-296-3648
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