2024 Annual Engagement Overview
By Kaitlyn Mitchell, MBA, Shareholder Engagement Coordinator View the Full Engagement Overview Report Here. First Affirmative Engagement Priorities First Affirmative’s engagement priorities for the 2023-2024 proxy season exemplify our commitment to meaningful advocacy through a variety of channels, including signed letters, public policy advocacy, campaigns, and shareholder proposals. Addressing climate-related issues remains at the forefront […]
10 Reasons Why a Direct Indexing Solution Can Help You Grow Your Practice
Read the Full Article Here. Direct indexing has been a tool for high-net-worth investors for decades, but advancements in technology like fractional shares have transitioned it into a widely accessible and indispensable strategy. By allowing clients to own the individual stocks that make up an index rather than a pooled investment like a mutual fund […]
Wasmer Schroeder Quarterly Bond Market Overview 4Q 2024
The (Not So) Little Economy That Could By Tom Richmond, Co-Head of Taxable SMA Strategies, Senior Portfolio Manager By now, you are probably tired of reading (although still wondering how so many folks get paid so much to be so wrong) that the U.S. economy must be in, or heading into, a dark, recessionary period. [...]
Market Commentary – Q4 2024
Welcome to the Jungle Overview US equities extended their impressive run in 2024, with the S&P 500 advancing 25%, building on the 26% gain in 2023. The index reached record highs, surpassing its January 2022 peak by 23% and the March 2020 COVID-19 low by a remarkable 163% (see Figure 1). For the second consecutive [...]
Wasmer Schroeder Quarterly Bond Market Overview 3Q 2024
Finally By Tom Richmond, Co-Head of Taxable SMA Strategies, Senior Portfolio Manager As we guessed (hoped) in our update last quarter, the third quarter finally delivered some action on several fronts worthy of discussion and analysis. The U.S. economy continued to perform reasonably well, as well, as third quarter Gross Domestic Product growth in currently […]
Market Commentary – Q3 2024
Resilience and Sustainability Overview Following a 26% rise in 2023, the S&P 500 advanced by 22% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. By third quarter end, the S&P 500 had reached another all-time high, exceeding the January 2022 peak by 20% and the march 2020 COVID low by a resounding 158% (see Figure […]
Showcasing the Power of Active Ownership: Demanding Action on Child Labor from McDonald’s and Wendy’s
First Affirmative Financial Network, a leader in values aligned investing, views proxy voting and advocacy as the impact of ownership. The firm stands by the values it shares with its clients and is committed to making a difference through working with Advisors and end-clients to generate the change they wish to see in the world. […]
VADIS receives top ratings in the 2024 T3/Inside Information Survey
We Stand Out! For the first time ever First Affirmative’s Values Aligned Direct Index Solutions (VADIS) built in partnership with YourStake, gained a top ranking in Advisor Satisfaction with a 9.33 in the new Portfolio Design Solutions category in the T3/Inside Information Survey. View full announcement here.
Why We Do What We Do
George Gay recently sat down with the Host of the Dollars and Change Podcast, Peter Krull to take listeners on a journey about Values-Aligned Investing for an impact. We do what we do to make life better for everyone. View the Podcast here.
