There exists a widespread consensus among mainstream academics and investors that socially responsible investing (SRI) leads to inferior, rather than superior, portfolio performance. Using Innovest’s well-established corporate ecoefficiency scores, we provide evidence to the contrary. We compose two equity portfolios that differ in eco-efficiency characteristics and find that our highranked portfolio provided substantially higher average returns compared to its low-ranked counterpart over the period 1995-2003. Using a wide range of performance attribution techniques to address common methodological concerns, we show that this performance differential cannot be explained by differences in market sensitivity, investment style, or industry-specific components. We finally investigate whether this eco-efficiency premium puzzle withstands the inclusion of transaction costs scenarios, and evaluate how excess returns can be earned in a practical setting via a best-in-class stock selection strategy. The results remain significant under all levels of transactions costs, thus suggesting that the incremental benefits of SRI can be substantial.

, , , ,
, ,
hdl.handle.net/1765/1296
ERIM Report Series Research in Management
Erasmus Research Institute of Management

Derwall, J., Günster, N., Bauer, R., & Koedijk, K. (2004). The Eco-Efficiency Premium Puzzle (No. ERS-2004-043-F&A). ERIM Report Series Research in Management. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/1296