The 10 Biggest SRI Stocks

There are two ways to look at this. On one hand, the difference in performance is negligible: The SRI index outperforms by just 0.62 percentage points per year. This doesn’t suggest a history of market-thumping returns.

At the same time, that’s not exactly the point. Those who invest in SRI indices are often doing so because they want their investments to reflect their values. There’s nothing wrong with market-matching returns — especially if that’s what your investing goals call for. If you can accomplish those returns with the peace of mind that you know where your money is going, more power to you.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Here's a look at the 10 largest components of the MSCI World SRI Index (as of July 31, 2019) and what each company does. Later, we’ll investigate how each company garnered a spot on the list.” data-reactid=”69″>Here’s a look at the 10 largest components of the MSCI World SRI Index (as of July 31, 2019) and what each company does. Later, we’ll investigate how each company garnered a spot on the list.

Data source: MSCI, Yahoo! Finance, annual company sustainability reports. Data accurate as of Aug. 5, 2019.

Does it seem odd to see some of these companies included? On the surface, its easy to see why software companies — which don’t produce too much waste and promote sustainability — are on the list. But oil companies, fast food companies, and purveyors of junk food? You might be surprised once you start looking deeper.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Accenture” data-reactid=”74″>Accenture

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Accenture is a global consulting firm based out of Ireland. Right off the bat, Accenture lends itself to SRI investments: Giving advice to enterprise clients is not the type of business that naturally lends itself to waste and pollution.” data-reactid=”75″>Accenture is a global consulting firm based out of Ireland. Right off the bat, Accenture lends itself to SRI investments: Giving advice to enterprise clients is not the type of business that naturally lends itself to waste and pollution.

The company does a lot to promote the well-being of all stakeholders. This includes:

• Aiming for a 50-50 balance between men and women in its workforce (it’s currently at 42% women)
• With a 2025 target date, reducing greenhouse gases by 11% from 2016 levels
• Creating a new category dubbed Procurement Plus to make sure all the organizations it buys from abide by certain rules regarding sustainability, diversity, and human rights
• The company has developed its own ethical conduct guide for the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Making strides within its own business practices is important. But Accenture’s real leverage — when it comes to improving society — has just as much to do with the advice it gives its clients as with anything else. That’s why one initiative stands out as paramount: a clearly stated goal to help clients reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, the company helped clients eliminate 301,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions — with another 2.6 million metric tons identified to eliminate in the near future.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Total” data-reactid=”83″>Total

Of all the companies on this list, Total might be the most surprising. Gas and oil companies don’t have the best reputation when it comes to sustainability: Not only does their primary product increase greenhouse gas emissions, but the extraction of such natural resources has been known to cause major ecological issues.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The flip side of that same coin, however, means that Total is uniquely positioned to help reduce pollution dramatically. Since it is the fourth-largest oil and gas player in the world, any moves Total makes will reverberate around the world. Total knows that, and the French company’s overarching goal is "to become the responsible energy major" — or major energy company.” data-reactid=”85″>The flip side of that same coin, however, means that Total is uniquely positioned to help reduce pollution dramatically. Since it is the fourth-largest oil and gas player in the world, any moves Total makes will reverberate around the world. Total knows that, and the French company’s overarching goal is “to become the responsible energy major” — or major energy company.

There are multiple prongs to this approach:

• A 2020 goal for inclusion of women in senior executive and committee leadership roles to stand at 25% and 20% of total membership, respectively. To put in perspective how far the company has come, in 2004, 5% of senior executives were women. In 2018, it was 21.6%.
• Decrease sulfuric oxide emissions by 50% between 2010 and 2020 (this was accomplished by 2017)
• Valorize (reuse, recycle, or compost) 50% of wastes produced by the company
• Pledge not to develop energy resources in sites designated on the UNESCO World Heritage List or underneath the Arctic polar ice cap

Clearly, by reducing waste and emissions at sites throughout the world, Total can have an outsized effect on sustainability efforts — which lands it a spot on this list.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Adobe” data-reactid=”93″>Adobe

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Adobe is the worldwide leader in providing tools for creative professionals. The company’s software is the lifeblood for the world’s designers, illustrators, animators, and graphics professionals.” data-reactid=”94″>Adobe is the worldwide leader in providing tools for creative professionals. The company’s software is the lifeblood for the world’s designers, illustrators, animators, and graphics professionals.

Because it is a software company, Adobe also benefits from the fact that it doesn’t produce too much waste. If you think about it, the key product is the code that its engineers embed into the company’s technology.

That being said, Adobe has made a number of SRI commitments of note:

• The company vowed to make zero political contributions — and followed through — in 2018.
• Pay parity for equal jobs between men and women has been achieved.
• 70% of the company’s workforce performs their duties in LEED-certified work spaces.
• The amount of carbon dioxide emissions per employee fell 23% — though the time frame for that reduction isn’t clear.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="McDonald’s” data-reactid=”102″>McDonald’s

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="It might be surprising to see McDonald's landing on a list of socially responsible companies. Ever since the 2004 documentary Super Size Me, it has been synonymous with unhealthy eating habits across the Western world.” data-reactid=”103″>It might be surprising to see McDonald’s landing on a list of socially responsible companies. Ever since the 2004 documentary Super Size Me, it has been synonymous with unhealthy eating habits across the Western world.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="But over the past decade, the company has launched a Scale for Good campaign. The idea is simple: Given the fact that McDonald’s has a greater global scale than any other restaurant worldwide, it has the potential to affect more change than thousands of tinier restaurants added together. To that end, the company has focused its efforts in a wide range of areas, including:” data-reactid=”104″>But over the past decade, the company has launched a Scale for Good campaign. The idea is simple: Given the fact that McDonald’s has a greater global scale than any other restaurant worldwide, it has the potential to affect more change than thousands of tinier restaurants added together. To that end, the company has focused its efforts in a wide range of areas, including:

• Sourcing beef from sustainable farmers using best practices
• By 2025, guaranteeing that 100% of packaging comes from recycled, renewable, or certified sources
• Significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions
• Offering Happy Meals with less sugar and saturated fat that are made using simpler ingredients

The real leverage point unique to McDonald’s is its place in the food chain. By being the face that interacts directly with the end consumer, it has the potential to affect wide-ranging changes in how beef is produced — and how forests that are being cut down for cattle grazing can be preserved.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="PepsiCo” data-reactid=”111″>PepsiCo

When people hear Pepsi, they often just think of the caffeinated beverage that’s Coke’s foil. But the company is much more than that. Its top brands include other beverages (Gatorade, Tropicana, Aquafina) and foods (Quaker Oats, Doritos, Fritos).

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="While these snacks — by and large — may not be well regarded for their nutritional value, the company has been going the extra mile to fulfill its SRI mission. Among the company’s key initiatives:” data-reactid=”113″>While these snacks — by and large — may not be well regarded for their nutritional value, the company has been going the extra mile to fulfill its SRI mission. Among the company’s key initiatives:

• Significantly cutting down added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat in the company’s beverages
• A goal of replenishing 100% of water used in high-water-risk areas by 2025 (the company replenished 22% in 2017)
• Expanding a sustainable farming program to include 7 million acres by 2025

Given the global scope of Pepsi’s operations, these choices can significantly move the needle in the communities where the company has factories.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Home Depot” data-reactid=”119″>Home Depot

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Home Depot is one of North America's largest housing and construction suppliers. The company plays an enormous role in resource deployment on the continent, so it’s heartening to see its inclusion on this list.” data-reactid=”120″>Home Depot is one of North America’s largest housing and construction suppliers. The company plays an enormous role in resource deployment on the continent, so it’s heartening to see its inclusion on this list.

The company’s SRI focus specifically includes:

• Reducing greenhouse gases from Home Depot’s U.S. logistics operation by 8% in 2018
• Cutting electricity usage by 23.5% compared to 2010’s baseline figures
• Massive elimination of polystyrene foam packing from products

While there have been several notable complaints about the treatment of rank-and-file employees, they haven’t risen to the level at which MSCI believes they cancel out the environmental benefits of the company’s initiatives.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Roche” data-reactid=”127″>Roche

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="One of a handful of non-U.S.-based businesses on this list, Roche is a major pharmaceutical and diagnostic testing company domiciled in Switzerland. The company is a leader in both cancer treatments and in vitro diagnostic testing.” data-reactid=”128″>One of a handful of non-U.S.-based businesses on this list, Roche is a major pharmaceutical and diagnostic testing company domiciled in Switzerland. The company is a leader in both cancer treatments and in vitro diagnostic testing.

It is also a leader in socially responsible business practices. By its very nature — helping to cure and diagnose potentially life-threatening diseases — Roche has a bent toward SRI. But those practices go far beyond just pharmaceuticals. They include:

• Decreasing water consumption by 13% since 2015
• Decreasing energy consumption by 10% over the same time frame

At the same time, the Access to Medicine Foundation — which monitors how well companies make their life-saving drugs accessible to at-risk populations — ranked Roche among the top 10 drug companies globally for making drugs accessible.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Disney” data-reactid=”134″>Disney

Who doesn’t know about Disney? The company is home to a sprawling media and entertainment empire. This includes a division for theme parks, another for studio entertainment, a third for media networks — like ABC, ESPN, its namesake Disney Channel, and the soon-to-be-launched Disney+ streaming — and a fourth for direct-to-consumer products like toys and games.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The company's SRI efforts have been massive, given the scale of its operations. These include:” data-reactid=”136″>The company’s SRI efforts have been massive, given the scale of its operations. These include:

• Maintaining potable water use at 2013 levels companywide. Last year, in fact, water usage was 5.8% below the 2013 baseline.
• Reducing net emissions by 44% last year from 2012 baselines
• Providing more than 600,000 volunteer hours in 2018 to local organizations
• 54% of waste from theme parks was diverted away from landfills.

These efforts are not only good for the planet but good for business as well.

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Procter &amp; Gamble” data-reactid=”143″>Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble is one of the world’s largest conglomerates. The company makes everything from Pampers diapers to Crest toothpaste to Gillette razors. Because there’s so much manufacturing involved in P&G’s business, it’s impressive that the company finds a spot on this list. Other companies — predominantly software ones — don’t have to worry about pollution nearly as much.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The company is able to do that by pursuing a number of different initiatives, including:” data-reactid=”145″>The company is able to do that by pursuing a number of different initiatives, including:

• Eliminating animal testing from all product development — a goal that has yet to be reached
• Developing supplier sustainability guidelines that include a focus on just labor practices and environmental sustainability

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Microsoft” data-reactid=”149″>Microsoft

Microsoft is not only the world’s largest SRI company, but — depending on the stock’s performance on any given day — the largest company in the world. Period. Valued at more than $1 trillion, this company is a juggernaut that includes a core software-as-a-service component (Office 365), a fast-growing cloud segment (Azure), and a number of hardware products (Xbox, to name one).

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="By its very nature, Microsoft lends itself to an SR focus. Software companies generate little waste — their key product is coding done by engineers. Beyond that, however, the company has routinely gone above and beyond the call of duty. This includes:” data-reactid=”151″>By its very nature, Microsoft lends itself to an SR focus. Software companies generate little waste — their key product is coding done by engineers. Beyond that, however, the company has routinely gone above and beyond the call of duty. This includes:

• Achieving 100% carbon neutrality every year since 2012
• Donating $1.4 billion annually in software and services to nonprofits
• Providing 16,000 students with computer science education

<h2 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="A final word on SRI companies” data-reactid=”156″>A final word on SRI companies

Remember, just because a company lands on an SRI list doesn’t mean that it’s perfect. And it doesn’t automatically make it a sound investment. You have to do your own homework to see how a company aligns with your own moral and investing principles.

But an SRI designation is not an unimportant part of the investing equation either. As public — and political — forces focus more on the environment, governance, and employee-related issues, the companies that shine in these areas will benefit. That’s what makes these lists so valuable: They give insight into how companies are mitigating risks that might not be in the limelight right now but could be soon.

By paying attention to companies that are doing well by doing good, you’re aligning your incentives with forces that may ultimately prove to be the difference between wealth-generating and simply ho-hum investments.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="More From The Motley Fool” data-reactid=”160″>More From The Motley Fool

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Brian Stoffel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Microsoft and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool is short shares of Procter &amp; Gamble and has the following options: long January 2021 $60 calls on Walt Disney, short August 2019 $195 calls on Home Depot, short October 2019 $125 calls on Walt Disney, short January 2020 $155 calls on Accenture, long January 2021 $110 calls on Accenture, long January 2021 $120 calls on Home Depot, and long January 2021 $85 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Accenture, Adobe Systems, Home Depot, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.” data-reactid=”168″>Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Brian Stoffel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Microsoft and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool is short shares of Procter & Gamble and has the following options: long January 2021 $60 calls on Walt Disney, short August 2019 $195 calls on Home Depot, short October 2019 $125 calls on Walt Disney, short January 2020 $155 calls on Accenture, long January 2021 $110 calls on Accenture, long January 2021 $120 calls on Home Depot, and long January 2021 $85 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Accenture, Adobe Systems, Home Depot, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="This article was originally published on Fool.com” data-reactid=”169″>This article was originally published on Fool.com