PODCAST: Low-Cost ESG Stocks to Buy. More…

Low-Cost ESG Stocks to Buy. More… Stocks include Ternium S.A., Kimco Realty Corporation, ArcelorMittal, Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., Owens Corning, Steel Dynamics, Inc., eBay Inc., Hologic, Inc., Flex Ltd., and Mohawk Industries, Inc. Funds: Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio, New Alternatives Fund Class A, Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A, and Fidelity Select Automotive Portfolio

PODCAST: Low-Cost ESG Stocks to Buy. More…

Transcript & Links, Episode 70, November 5, 2021

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to podcast episode 70 published on November 5, titled “Low-Cost ESG Stocks to Buy. More…” — 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.

Now, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in this podcast. Furthermore, if you’re concerned about the ESG and sustainability ratings of any stock or fund included in this podcast, check your broker’s online site for such information.

If your broker doesn’t have this information, signup for free with Morningstar and you can gain access to company and fund ESG-sustainability ratings. Please note, I receive no compensation from Morningstar or anyone else covered in these podcasts.

Also, if any terms are unfamiliar to you, simply Google them.

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10 Cheap ESG Stocks To Invest In

Many ESG stocks are trading at high price-earnings or PE ratios so it’s refreshing to see this article, titled 10 Cheap ESG Stocks To Invest In. It’s by Usman Kabir and was on yahoo.com.

Here are some quotes.

“The ESG companies were identified based on the initiatives they have taken to become more responsible environmentally, socially, and in terms of their governance. Those that have a PE Ratio of less than 20 feature heavily on the list.

The hedge (fund) sentiment around each stock was gauged using the data of 873 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey…

Insider Monkey’s research was able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETFs by more than 86 percentage points since March 2017…

10. Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15. PE Ratio: 3.84

In August, Ternium S.A. announced that it had entered into an agreement with Vale, a Brazilian mining company, to jointly focus on the development of technologies that will reduce carbon emissions during the manufacture of steel products...

Citi analyst Alexander Hacking recently reiterated a Buy rating on Ternium S.A. stock and raised the price target to $60 from $50…

9. Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE: KIM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20. PE Ratio: 24.89

In August, Truist analyst Ki Bin Kim had maintained a Buy rating on Kimco Realty Corporation stock and raised the price target to $25 from $23…

Kimco Realty Corporation has a stellar dividend record…

8. ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22. PE Ratio: 5.62

The company is one of the largest steel firms in the world… It has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions internally by 25% in line with international standards in this regard…

In June, the company revealed that it had entered into an agreement with Canadian authorities to spend $1.4 billion on decarbonization tech at the Ontario plant of the firm.

7. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26. PE Ratio: 7.91

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer… One of the biggest stakeholders in the firm is Impactive Capital, an ESG-focused hedge fund…

On September 30, investment advisory Craig-Hallum maintained a Buy rating on Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. stock and raised the price target to $250 from $230…

6. Owens Corning (NYSE: OC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34. PE Ratio: 9.90

Owens Corning makes and sells a range of building products in the composites, insulation, and roofing domains… It has an impressive dividend history… The company has topped the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List three years in a row…

RBC Capital analyst Mike Dahl recently raised the price target on the stock to $97 from $94.

5. Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26. PE Ratio: 6.00

The increase in demand for steel in the post-pandemic economy, as well as an increase in pricing because of supply chain pressures, has benefited Steel Dynamics, Inc… The company was recently named on a list of 100 Best ESG Companies of 2021 by Investor’s Business Daily.

4. eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39. PE Ratio: 4.20   

eBay Inc. has remarkably stayed relevant in the ecommerce world… The very business model of the firm is based on ESG beliefs as it prefers to sell second-hand and used items…

KeyBanc analyst Edward Yruma recently maintained an Overweight rating on eBay Inc… stock and raised the price target to $90 from $80.

3. Hologic, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41. PE Ratio: 9.39   

Evercore ISI analyst Vijay Kumar upgraded Hologic, Inc. stock to Outperform from In Line with a price target of $78 in July… In the ESG bracket, the company sets annual goals to improve women leadership in healthcare, reduce carbon emissions, and improve health access for underserved communities… 

In late July, the firm had reported earnings for the third quarter, posting earnings per share of $1.33, beating predictions by $0.21. The revenue over the period was $1.1 billion, up 42% year-on-year.

2. Flex Ltd. (NASDAQ: FLEX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43. PE Ratio: 8.57   

The company offers electronic manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers. It is headquartered in Singapore… In 2020, the firm achieved 92% growth in sustainable energy use year-on-year and even used ESG standards to screen all new global suppliers it conducted business with… 

In May, investment advisory Citi reiterated a Buy rating on Flex Ltd. stock and raised the price target to $25 from $22…

1. Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44. PE Ratio: 3.55   

Mohawk Industries, Inc. makes and sells flooring products. As part of an ESG initiative, the company also offers sustainable carpeting and flooring options. The company also aims to offset energy used to make products by installing solar units in remote communities.” End quotes.

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Hold the meat: Burger King, Chipotle, Starbucks top fast-food rankings on World Vegan Day 2021

With investors showing great interest in vegetarian meat substitutes, this article is timely… It might give you some new investing ideas. It’s titled Hold the meat: Burger King, Chipotle, Starbucks top fast-food rankings on World Vegan Day 2021 by Steve Kiggins. It appeared on the USA Today site.

Here are some quotes.

“Only seven chains were designated as ‘Menu Movers,’ the report card’s top ranking: Burger King (QSR), Chipotle (CMG), Starbucks (SBUX ), KFC (YUM), Panera Bread (PNRA), Pizza Hut (YUM) and Taco Bell (YUM). Thirty-nine of the country’s top 50 fast-food restaurants received the lowest ranking as ‘Dining Dawdlers’ – including McDonald’s, Subway and Chick-fil-A. The 'Moving the Menu' report was produced by World Animal Protection, which advocates eating less meat as part of its mission to ‘change animals’ lives for the better.’

Cameron Harsh, programs director for the nonprofit animal welfare organization, described the 24-page report as a guide to help ‘individual consumers align with the restaurants that share their values…’

‘What the ‘Menu Movers’ in this report have done is not just added plant-based alternatives to their menus and called it good, they’ve actually talked publicly … about the benefits of these products,’ Harsh told USA TODAY…

The World Animal Protection list of ‘Dining Dawdlers’ also includes Arby’s, Dairy Queen, Domino’s, Dunkin,’ Panda Express and Wendy’s.

The message for those straggling chains, Harsh said, is to recognize the plant-based movement as an ‘important and necessary direction’ for the sustainability of the planet – and for their bottom line.” End quotes.

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4 Mutual Funds to Rally on Cleantech Boom

Now found on Yahoo.com is this fine article titled 4 Mutual Funds to Rally on Cleantech Boom and written by the highly reputable Zacks Equity Research team.

Here are some quotes.

“These funds flaunt a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy)… We expect these funds to outperform peers in the future…

1) Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio (FSUTX)

… aims for capital appreciation. This non-diversified fund invests most assets in common stocks of companies, primarily engaged in the utilities industry and generating most of their revenues from utility operations…

(The) Fidelity Select Utilities Portfolio has returned 7.6% and 10.1% in the past three and five-year period, respectively…

(It) has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 and an annual expense ratio of 0.76%, below the category average of 0.94%. This fund has significant investment in alternative energy companies.

2) New Alternatives Fund Class A (NALFX)

… aims for long-term capital appreciation, with income being the secondary objective. The fund invests in common stocks of YieldCos, American Depository Receipts, real estate investment trusts and publicly-traded master limited partnerships.

New Alternatives Fund Class A has three and five-year return of 26.3% and 17.5%, respectively…

(It) has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2 and an annual expense ratio of 0.96% versus the category average of 1.29%. Additionally, the fund has significant investment in alternative energy companies.

3) Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A (CGAEX)

… aims to track the performance of the Calvert Global Energy Research Index. The fund invests a majority of assets in companies whose main business is sustainable energy solutions…

(The) Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A has three and five-year return of 23.8% and 16.8%, respectively…

(It) has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2 and an annual expense ratio of 1.24%, below the category average of 1.26%.

4) Fidelity Select Automotive Portfolio (FSAVX)

… fund aims for capital appreciation. This non-diversified fund invests a majority of assets in common stocks of companies involved in the manufacture, marketing or sale of automobiles, trucks, specialty vehicles, parts, tires and related services.

Fidelity Select Automotive Portfolio has returned 29.3% and 21.2% over the past three and five years, respectively…

(It) has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2 and an annual expense ratio of 0.88%.” End quotes.

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Honorable Mentions

These are ethical and sustainable investment articles worth reading but I hadn’t the space to review them in this podcast.

Alternative energy

1. Title: 20 favorite alternative-energy stocks with expected upside of up to 102% - on S.G.E (sportsgrindentertainment.com) by Christine Watkins. Quote “Over the past few weeks, stocks of alternative-energy companies have shot up dramatically.” End quote.

2. Title: Down over 25%, These 3 Renewable Energy Stocks Are Too Cheap to Ignore in the Motley Fool, by Travis Hoium, Howard Smith, and Daniel Foelber. Quote “Our renewable energy contributors think SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR), Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure (NASDAQ: AY), and TPI Composites (NASDAQ: TPIC) are great deals.” End quote.

3. Title: 3 Renewable Energy Stocks Worth Buying and Holding Until At Least 2050 in The Motley Fool by Travis Hoium, Howard Smith, and Daniel Foelber. Quote “Our contributors think First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR), Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEPC), and Equinor (NYSE: EQNR) are set to thrive for at least the next three decades.” End quote.

4. Title: 3 Renewable Energy Stocks for Beginner Investors on Nasdaq again by Travis Hoium, Howard Smith and Daniel Foelber. Quote “Their three very different responses were Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE), QuantumScape (NYSE: QS), and TPI Composites (NASDAQ: TPIC).” End quote.

5. Title: Why Solar Energy Stocks Are Up Big Today in The Motley Fool by Travis Hoium. Quote “Enphase Energy (NASDAQ: ENPH) reporting its third-quarter 2021 results. The company said that revenue nearly doubled.” End quote.

6. Title: Here's the Strongest Renewable Energy Stock You Can Own in The Motley Fool by Taylor Carmichael, Jason Hall, and Danny Vena. Quote “Jason Hall nominates Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEPC) as his favorite stock in a bad economy.” End quote.

Other

7. Title: Ethical investing: 4 faith-based Exchange Traded Funds with decent ROI in Nairametrics by Kalu Aja. Funds are the Global X S&P 500 Catholic Values ETF (CATH), the Inspire 100ETH (BIBL), Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES), and the Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF (IBD).

8. Title: 3 Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Right Now again in The Motley Fool by Reuben Gregg Brewer. Quote “For income investors, it is a very attractive area of the market. These three infrastructure giants are worth a close look today: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP), Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), and Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI).” End quote.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: “Low-Cost ESG Stocks to Buy. More… ”

To get all the links, stock symbols, or to read the transcript of this podcast -- and more -- go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this episode.

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Talk to you next on November 19. Bye for now.

© 2021 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul.