Ethical & Sustainable Investing News to Profit By!

Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks. Includes articles with these titles: "Health Care Stocks: Reviewing The Best Of The Industry"; "3 Biotech Stocks For Your October 2022 Watchlist"; "7 Topflight Green Energy Stocks Investors Need To Know For 2022"; "11 Best Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Now"; "Best Infrastructure ETFs for Q4 2022." And more

Transcript & Links, Episode 91, October 7, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 91 published on October 7, 2022, titled "Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief so that I can get as many companies covered as possible in the time allowed. Please go to this podcast's webpage for links to the actual articles where you'll find much more great company information.

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1. Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks

Now, almost all ethical and sustainable investors have health care stocks and or funds. So, I want to lead off with this article titled Health Care Stocks: Reviewing The Best Of The Industry. It's by Q.ai and appears on forbes.com. Here are some quotes from the article on each of the recommended stocks.

"1) UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH)

UnitedHealth's stock has been a solid performer with strong growth over the past five years… The company provides health insurance policies for consumers and is expanding to offer policies through the ACA marketplace in many states.

2) Cigna (NYSE: CI)

Cigna is one of the oldest health insurance companies in the U.S. It was founded in 1792 and continues to operate using solid operating principles that enable it to survive and thrive as a company… analysts agree this stock is currently undervalued.

3) Cardinal Health (NYSE: CH)

Cardinal Health provides health care services across the U.S. and abroad. It seeks to provide affordable health care services.

4) Acadia Healthcare (NASDAQ: ACHC)

Acadia Healthcare focuses on providing mental health care to patients across the country… The company is poised for growth as the emotional toll of the pandemic drove more people to seek out therapy in large numbers.

5) Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN)

The company is famous for its monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 and is engaged in further research to uncover more applications for the treatment… Its stock price shot up in the early days of the pandemic and has yet to lose significant value.

6) AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN)

AstraZeneca is an international pharmaceutical company that makes drugs for the prescription and non-prescription markets. It manufactures the popular acid reflux medication Nexium and multiple medicines for the treatment of diabetes. AstraZeneca's focus on making medications for the long-term management of health care makes it an excellent stock to buy and hold.

7) Novartis (NYSE: NVS)

Novartis is an international pharmaceutical company that researches and manufactures medication for treating serious illnesses… The company has been underperforming in the health care sector but is unlikely to go under any time soon.

8) Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY)

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a U.S.-based, multinational pharmaceutical company that researches and manufactures medication for use at the prescription and over-the-counter levels. It's a Fortune 500 company… founded in 1887 and has shown its capability to be a medical innovation leader.

9) Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT)

Abbott Laboratories is involved in developing and manufacturing medical devices, diagnostic tools, generic and branded medications and nutritional products.

10) AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV)

AbbVie split off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 to focus on medical research. The company seeks to find ways to improve patients' lives through the use of pharmaceuticals in areas that include oncology, neuroscience, virology, women's health and eye care.

11) Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson, also known as J&J, is a well-known brand that produces a wide variety of health care products at the consumer and medical industry levels. The company has been in trouble for different issues… Despite these issues, the company has gained almost 35% over the past five years.

12) Pfizer (NYSE: PFE)

Pfizer made waves in the health care industry when it released its Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to help control the spread of the virus. The stock has trended higher in the past five years.

13) Merck (NYSE: MRK)

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and health care company researching and producing human medications, biological therapies, vaccines and animal health medications and products.

14) Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX)

Novavax is an American company that primarily produces vaccines for emergent and established viruses. It currently has an authorized COVID-19 vaccine and has multiple COVID-19 vaccines in various stages of clinical trials. It also has vaccines for Ebola, MERS and SARS in clinical trials.

15) CVS (NYSE: CVS)

CVS is a retail pharmacy chain that operates the retail pharmacy chain CVS, (and) CVS Caremark, which manages pharmacy benefits, health insurance provider Aetna, and owns multiple brands.

16) Teladoc Health (NYSE: TDOC)

Teladoc Health engages in telemedicine and e-healthcare services for patients unable to reach a physical health care location… Its stock price spiked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic but has given up its gains since the beginning of 2021." End quotes.

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2. Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks

Continuing with the health care theme we have this article titled 3 Biotech Stocks For Your October 2022 Watchlist which is found on streetinsider.com. Here are some quotes from the article on each stock.

"1) Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD)

… is a leading biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the development and commercialization of innovative medicines… (an) emphasis on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

2) BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN)

… develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics for patients with serious and life-threatening rare genetic disorders.

3) Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) (Yes, again!)

Pfizer's primary businesses are pharmaceuticals, biologics and vaccines, consumer healthcare, and animal health." End quotes.

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3. Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks

Now we turn our attention back to familiar ground with this article titled 7 Topflight Green Energy Stocks Investors Need To Know For 2022. It's again by Q.ai and also on forbes.com. Now some quotes from the article. Quote…

"1) Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP)

… generates electricity with hydroelectric, wind, solar and biomass sources. The company has a globally diversified portfolio of renewable power assets… They're also investing in emerging future technologies like green hydrogen.

2) Tesla Inc. (TSLA)

Tesla also has a proven track record, and the company has been generating substantial profit from its regulatory credits.

3) First Solar Inc. (FSLR)

… is one of the leading solar panel makers worldwide… manufactures thin-film solar panels… First Solar has been investing heavily to increase its solar panel manufacturing capabilities.

4) Stem Inc. (STEM)

Stem is a global leader when it comes to AI-enabled smart energy storage.

5) Plug Power Inc. (PLUG)

… provides an alternate energy technology by focusing on providing an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem, from production to storage.

6) Clearway Energy (CWEN)

… is one of the biggest operators and developers of clean energy in the US. The company is presently focused on solar and wind generation projects.

7) NextEra Energy (NEE)

They're currently one of the largest wind and solar energy producers worldwide… They also announced a plan to eliminate carbon emissions totally from operations by 2045." End quotes.

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4. Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks

So here's a second article on the green energy theme. It's titled 11 Best Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Now. It's by Usman Kabir and found on insidermonkey.com. Here are some brief quotes from Mr. Kabir on each company. Starting at…

"11) Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: OPTT)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3

Ocean Power Technologies makes and sells systems that generate power by harnessing the energy of ocean waves.

10) Sunworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3

… markets photovoltaic and battery-based power and storage systems… The stock has benefited from the rising prices for solar cells in the past few months, partly because of supply chain problems that are also affecting other industries.

9) TPI Composites, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPIC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 12

TPI Composites manufactures and sells composite wind blades, and related precision molding and assembly systems to original equipment manufacturers. The company is one of the most prominent clean energy stocks to invest in.

8) Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13

Canadian Solar designs, develops, manufactures, and sells solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products.

7) Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE: BEP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. owns a portfolio of renewable power generating facilities primarily in North America, Colombia, Brazil, Europe, India, and China… (It) has an impressive dividend profile.

6) Clearway Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CWEN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21

Clearway Energy operates as a renewable energy company in the United States. On June 28, the company announced that it had agreed to purchase a portfolio of operating wind projects from Capistrano Wind Partners… the portfolio consists of five utility-scale wind projects."

5) Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) (Yes, again.)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26

Plug Power delivers end-to-end clean hydrogen and zero-emissions fuel cell solutions for various sectors… On September 8, the company announced that it had secured the largest multi-site electrolyzer order in Europe to date.

4) First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) (And again!)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26

First Solar provides photovoltaic solar energy solutions globally. It is one of the elite clean energy stocks to invest in. On September 19, the company announced that it had signed a deal to supply 600 MW of advanced thin film photovoltaic solar modules to Azure Power Global (NYSE: AZRE), an India-based firm.

3) SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEDG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40

SolarEdge Technologies designs, develops, and sells direct current (DC) optimized inverter systems for solar photovoltaic installations worldwide.

2) NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) (Yes, a second time here.)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 59

NextEra Energy transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The firm is among the best clean energy stocks to invest in… It has consistently paid a dividend to shareholders for the past thirty-two years.

1) Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) (Yes, and again.)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72

Tesla designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems. The company is one of the most prominent clean energy stocks to invest in." End quotes.

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5. Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks

Also, a favorite for ethical and sustainable investors is infrastructure. Check out this article titled Best Infrastructure ETFs for Q4 2022. It's by Noah Bolton on investopedia.com. Now some very brief quotes from Mr. Bolton.

"1) SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF (GII)

(This ETF) tracks the S&P Global Infrastructure Index, an index comprised of the 75 largest infrastructure-related stocks based on float-adjusted market capitalization.

2) iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF)

(Like the first fund, this ETF) tracks the S&P Global Infrastructure Index. This fund is multi-cap and uses a blended approach, focusing its holdings on companies in developed markets. The utilities and transportation sectors comprise about 79% of the fund's holdings.

3) iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA)

(This ETF) tracks the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, which tracks the performance of U.S. stocks in a broad range of areas including energy transport and storage, railroads, construction, and engineering services." End quotes.

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UK articles – not in any order

1) Title: The best renewable energy funds to buy now on MoneyWeek.com. By Max King.

2) Title: Best ESG Funds In October 2022 on standard.co.uk. By Andrew Michael.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Best Healthcare, Green Energy, Infrastructure Stocks."

Now, please be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on October 21st.

Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Most Sustainable Stocks & Funds for 2022 includes coverage of the following stocks: Life Time, Hurtigruten, Panera Bread, Yeti, Toro, Ecolab, Colgate-Palmolive, Tesla, Beyond Meat, Microsoft, Aflac, Enphase Energy, Intuit, Adobe, Waste Management, Chipotle, PepsiCo. Plus: First Trust Water ETF, iShares Global Clean Energy ETF, Fidelity US Sustainability Index Fund, Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund

Transcript & Links, Episode 90, September 23, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 90 published on September 23, 2022, titled "Most Sustainable Stocks & Funds for 2022" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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1) Most Sustainable Stocks & Funds for 2022

I'm beginning with this article which lists some intriguing companies not regularly featured in these podcasts. The title of the article is 10 Most Sustainable Companies 2022 and found on Worth.com. Here are the public companies on the list with brief quotes from the article.

1. Life Time: Healthy People + Healthy Planet (NASDAQ: LTH)

Today, the company offers nearly 160 sprawling athletic country clubs, a handful of coworking and residential complexes, and the rights to numerous marquee sporting events such as the Miami Marathon and the annual 'Race Across The Sky' in Colorado.

With sustainability at the forefront of his business model, (Bahram Akradi, the founder,) has relentlessly pushed his staff… In July of this year, his efforts to reduce Life Time's carbon footprint earned him recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge, which named his business the top-ranked company in the country for energy reduction.

2. Hurtigruten: Cruising towards a Carbon Neutral Future (Oslo: HURT)

Hurtigruten Group was established in 1893 by Norway's government as a means for connecting people living along the country's jagged coastline and fjords, shipping goods, and delivering mail. Nearly 130 years later, the company has emerged as the most innovative, technologically advanced, and sustainable cruise line in the world…

3. Panera Bread: Cool Meals for an Overheated Planet (NASDAQ: PNRA)

Carbon-friendly food, it turns out, is good for the planet and business; recent reports found that 6 in 10 Americans say that sustainable food is important to them and a significant driver of brand loyalty.

4. Yeti: Hard Goods Built to Last (NYSE: YETI)

Part of the customer appeal of YETI's famous drinkware line is its value as an alternative to single-use, disposable plastic cups and thermoses… One hundred percent of YETI packaging will be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025… In 2020 YETI surpassed $1 billion in revenue and in 2021 reached global sales of $1.4 billion.

5. Toro: Harnessing Massive Reach and New Tech for Maximum Impact (NASDAQ: TTC)

Its Flex-Force power system of interchangeable, battery-powered yard equipment has given it a certain 'Tesla-like' status in neighborhoods across the country.

6. Ecolab: Water Preservation at Scale (NYSE: ECL)

Ecolab (is) a $15 billion a year company specializing in water treatment, purification, cleaning, and hygiene in various applications. Every major corporate water preservation initiative in the news, from the Manchester United football club to Kraft Heinz to Hilton Hotels, has Ecolab's fingerprints.

7. Colgate-Palmolive: Taking Ownership on a Global Scale (NYSE: CL)

Colgate is not afraid to upend the status quo if it means lowering the environmental footprint of its products." End quotes.

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2. Most Sustainable Stocks & Funds for 2022

Now we turn to another list titled Best Sustainable Investing Funds to Watch in 2022. It's by Kane Pepi on business2community.com. It's a UK article but has relevance globally. Here is Mr. Pepi's list with some quotes from him on each fund.

"1. First Trust Water ETF (FIW)

The First Trust Water ETF is benchmarked to the ISE Clean Edge Water Index. As such, this is one of the most popular sustainable ETFs to provide investors with a way of gaining exposure to the shortage of drinkable water…

The First Trust Water fund was created in 2007… (and) up by almost 80% over the previous five years of trading.

MSCI ESG Rating: AAA

2. KraneShares Global Carbon ETF (KRBN)

This ETF is benchmarked to the IHS Markit Global Carbon Index. The sustainable index fund tracks the most actively traded carbon credit futures contracts and provides comprehensive coverage of cap-and-trade carbon allowances…

KraneShares Global Carbon began trading as recently as 2020. Since then, the fund has increased by almost 100%.

MSCI ESG Rating: N/A – Undisclosed

3. iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN)

Makes investments in firms operating in the biofuels, geothermal, wind, hydroelectric, ethanol, and solar sectors of the worldwide green power sector… it has over $5.7 billion in net assets.

MSCI ESG Rating: AA

4. Invesco Solar ETF (TAN)

… invests in renewable power and tracks the MAC Global Solar Energy Index (SUNIDX)… In order to account for relevant taxes for non-resident investors, the index is calculated using net returns…

The inception year for this fund was 2008… Invesco Solar is trading almost 300% higher than it was five years ago.

MSCI ESG Rating: A

5. First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN)

This is one of the most sustainable index funds in the market for those interested in green investment funds and energy companies within the US…

(The fund) was made public in 2007… (It) has increased by 254% over the five years.

MSCI ESG Rating: A

6. Fidelity US Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX)

… only holds securities with excellent MSCI ESG ratings. This fund's benchmark is the MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index.

MSCI ESG Rating: AAA

7. Global X CleanTech ETF (CTEC)

… aims to mimic the Indxx Global CleanTech Index's price and yield performance, prior to fees and charges… the Global X CleanTech ETF seeks to invest in… businesses engaged in the improvement of home and commercial energy efficiency and those that specialize in the creation of renewable power…

(The fund was listed in) 2020. It has increased a little over 10% since its inception.

MSCI ESG Rating: A

8. BGF Sustainable Energy A2 USD

Launched in 2001, this BGF sustainable energy fund invests at least 70% of its total assets internationally. Notably, there are numerous different units, albeit, for the purpose of this analysis we focus on A2 USD…

There are 49 holdings in this Blackrock sustainable fund… it has an asset net value of over $6.3 billion.

MSCI ESG Rating: AA

9. Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (VFTAX)

The Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund tracks the FTSE4Good US Select Index…

Strict exclusionary ESG filters are applied by the Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund…

The net assets in this sustainable investment fund have a value of almost $14 billion…

(The) Fund has been around since 2019… (It's) price has increased by over 46% since its inception.

MSCI ESG Rating: AAA

10. VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF (EVX)

The VanEck Environmental Services ETF closely monitors, before fees and costs, the price and performance of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index (AXENV). The fund monitors the overall performance of businesses engaged in soil remediation, wastewater management, trash collection, transfer, and disposal, recycling, and environmental consultancy…

VanEck Vectors Environmental Services ETF has risen by over 78% over five years.

MSCI ESG Rating: AA." End quotes.

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3. Most Sustainable Stocks & Funds for 2022

Now from the same busines2community.com site, we have the article Best Ethical Investing Stocks to Watch in 2022 by Michael Graw. Here's his selection of companies with some brief comments on each one.

"1. Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla was kicked out of the S&P 500's ESG stocks index earlier this year. That's because the company receives low scores for its social impact and governance, and Tesla has been criticized for racism and poor work environments. Still, because of Tesla's environmental impacts, many investors still consider it an ethical investment.

ESG rating: 91

2. Beyond Meat (BYND)

Beyond Meat is a meatless food producer that's reinventing what a veggie burger can be… The fast food chain Mcdonald's decided not to go ahead with Beyond Meat burgers on a wide scale after an initial test, although other fast food chains have adopted Beyond Meat products…

Some Wall Street analysts believe Beyond Meat is valued appropriately at its current price. But more bullish analysts suggest the stock could jump to $35 per share, which would represent a gain of nearly 65% from current prices.

ESG rating: 47

3. Microsoft (MSFT)

The company's goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, then offset all prior emissions by 2050… Microsoft also prides itself on the company's social impact. The company has been outspoken about LGBTQ+ rights and integrates supportive symbols into products like the Xbox.

ESG rating: 76

4. Aflac (AFL)

... has quietly been an ethical leader within the insurance industry… Aflac has also taken an active role in promoting medical research. The company donated more than $150 million to cancer research in 2021 and supported more than 140,000 pediatric cancer patients and their families during treatment. More recently, Aflac has also begun giving money towards sickle cell research and patients.

Aflac stock is up more than 5% since the start of 2022… The company also pays a dividend yield of 2.61%.

ESG rating: 94

5. Enphase Energy (ENPH)

This company builds integrated solar panels, batteries, and micro-inverters that can be used to convert large commercial and industrial buildings to solar power. By focusing on the industrial sector, Enphase Energy has somewhat differentiated itself from solar competitors that largely rely on residential solar installations for revenue…

Enphase Energy stock has gained 93% over the past year and is currently trading just below its 52-week high.

ESG rating: 93

6. Intuit (INTU)

The company, which makes software products like TurboTax, Quickbooks, and Mint, has achieved equal gender pay across its organization and is working towards achieving equal pay for minorities… Intuit has also promoted inclusive hiring practices in underserved communities… and investing in 'Prosperity Hubs' in economically depressed areas.

Still… Intuit has faced criticism over some of its practices…

Intuit stock is down 31% since the start of the year and is currently priced 40% below its 52-week high.

ESG rating: 91

7. Adobe (ADBE)

The company has ESG initiatives on multiple fronts, including achieving gender pay equity across its global operations and setting a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035…

This ethical stock saw a 143% increase in price over the past 5 years…

Adobe stock is down 33% so far in 2022, but analysts suggest that the company may be undervalued.

ESG rating: 70

8. Waste Management (WM)

The company operates hundreds of landfills around the US as well as recycling centers and fleets of trucks to collect garbage… Waste Management takes its environmental impact seriously. The company creates landfills that can be filled in and turned into parks once they're full and has been active in promoting recycling…

This ethical investing stock has… gained 6.1% year-to-date and recently hit a 52-week high. Waste Management also pays investors a dividend yield of 1.51%.

ESG rating: 63

9. Chipotle (CMG)

… has made significant efforts to source its ingredients in ways that are local and sustainable. The company has partnerships with thousands of small farmers and buys the majority of its meat products from certified human sources…

The downside to this approach, however, is that Chipotle occasionally runs into issues with its supply chain, especially contamination…

Chipotle stock is sitting at a 1.3% gain for the year so far and is nearing a 52-week high.

ESG rating: 62

10. PepsiCo (PEP)

PepsiCo is one of the world's largest producers of bottled water… The company's goal is to put more water back into each of the aquifers it uses as water sources than it takes out of them…

The price of PepsiCo stock has been flat to down slightly since the start of the year, but investors can still benefit from the stock's 2.70% dividend yield.

ESG rating: 93." End quotes.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order

1) Title: 10 Best ESG Stocks to Invest In by Mohammed Saqib on Yahoo.com.

2) Title: Best Green Investment Funds to Watch in September 2022 on business2community.com. By Michael Graw.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Most Sustainable Stocks & Funds for 2022."

Now, please be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on October 7th.

Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks! Inflation Reduction Act benefits solar and wind companies, particularly. Articles covered include: "11 Best Solar Stocks to Buy Now"; "6 Best Wind Energy Stocks To Buy"; "9 Best Green Stocks and ETFs to Buy"; "10 Best ESG Stocks for 2022"; "Three Socially Responsible Dividend Stocks to Buy Benefit from Fertilizer"; and more

Transcript & Links, Episode 89, September 9, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. It's great to be back with you. Hope you had a wonderful August despite the woes of this world.

So, welcome to my podcast episode 89 published on September 9, 2022, titled "Inflation Reduction Act: Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks!" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

Now though I'm covering 5 articles here, there are another 19 during August and early September that I found with great analyst recommendations. To see their titles and links go to this podcast's webpage located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this edition.

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1) Inflation Reduction Act: Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks!

Now to this podcast. With the US Inflation Reduction Act approved and with its big support for renewable energy, there's a reason for analysts to be optimistic for renewable energy companies. Hence, there's been a preponderance of articles on this theme.

This first article is typical and among the best, I've seen. It's titled 11 Best Solar Stocks to Buy Now by Ramish Cheema on Yahoo! Finance. Here are some relevant quotes.

"In order to pick out the top solar stocks for you, we… selected the relevant ones by studying their balance sheets and market performance. The companies were then ranked according to Insider Monkey's survey of 895 hedge funds for the second quarter of this year.

(Starting at)

11. Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ:MAXN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10

Maxeon… is a Singaporean company that designs, manufactures, and sells solar panels and associated components. It serves both residential and commercial customers and offers its products both directly and through dealers…

Morgan Stanley increased Maxeon's share price target to $21 from $14 in August 2022.

10. Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:CSIQ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13

Canadian Solar is a solar energy company that sells… solar wafers, solar ingots, solar cells, and battery storage solutions in Asia, America, Europe, and other countries. In addition… the company also provides electricity and maintenance services for solar generation equipment. It is headquartered in Guelph, Canada…

Management expects sales to grow by another lofty 35% this year.

JPMorgan raised Canadian Solar Inc.'s share price target to $42 from $38 in August 2022.

9. JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE:JKS)

(Ron's comment: As a sought of addendum to this company, it's still concerning to many people that this company maybe using forced labor, particularly in light of the new UN report on forced labor in China. Now back to the podcast.)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16

JinkoSolar…is a Chinese company that designs, produces, and sells photovoltaic and other products such as silicon wafers, silicon ingots, solar modules, and solar cells. The company… sells its products all over the globe including the U.S, Mexico, Japan, and U.A.E.

8. Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE:BEP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19

Brookfield Renewable Partners is an electricity generation company that uses renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar. The firm… is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

(It's) one of the largest renewable power generation companies in the world.

7. SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21

SunPower… is an American company that provides solar energy products and services to home builders, government entities, residential customers, financial institutions, independent power producers, and electric utilities. (Also) provides solar, storage, and home energy solutions.

SunPower's latest quarter saw it report a whopping 60% rise in quarterly sales…

Morgan Stanley raised SunPower's share price target to $31 from $22 in August 2022.

6. Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SHLS)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23

Shoals Technologies… is an electrical systems provider for solar energy products that is headquartered in Portland, Tennessee, United States. The company provides several components such as cable assemblies, fuses, connectors, and wireless monitoring systems.

Roth Capital increased Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.'s share price target to $40 from $20 in August 2022.

5. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26

First Solar… is an American photovoltaic solar product provider that is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona…

(It's) one of the largest beneficiaries of the Inflation Reduction Act… (and) already has a manufacturing footprint in the U.S. and plans to increase it because of the new legislation…

Piper Sandler increased First Solar's… share price target to $165 from $120 in August 2022.

4. Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARRY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26

Array Technologies… is an American company that provides a solar tracking system based on machine learning software that identifies optimal positions for a solar array to generate electricity. The company is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico…

Its trackers improve electricity output by 25%... Following an acquisition earlier this year, Array Technologies… is also the largest solar tracking company in the world.

Truist raised Array Technologies' share price target to $23 from $13 in August 2022.

3. Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36

Sunrun… is an American residential solar energy systems provider. It provides products such as panels, racks, solar leads, and battery storage. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Morgan Stanley increased Sunrun's share price target to $79 from $70 in August 2022.

2. SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEDG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40

SolarEdge Technologies… designs and sells DC inverter systems for solar power installations. The company has its customers located all over the globe and some of its products include inverters, power optimization systems, communications systems, and a cloud based monitoring platform. It is headquartered in Herzliya, Israel.

JPMorgan raised SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.'s share price target to $419 from $373 in August 2022.

1. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72

While the firm is primarily known for its cars, it also sells solar energy generation and storage products to commercial, residential, and industrial users…

Canaccord raised Tesla, Inc.'s share price target to $881 from $815 in August 2022." End quotes.

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2) Inflation Reduction Act: Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks!

From solar companies, we now turn to the wind companies favored by analysts with this article 6 Best Wind Energy Stocks To Buy. It's by Ronald Kaufman on bestocks.com. Here's some of what Mr. Kaufman has to say.

"1. Vestas Wind Systems (VWS.CO)

Denmark-based. When it comes to wind power, Vestas is unrivaled worldwide…

Vestas is one of the few major pure bets on wind energy since it focuses only on wind turbines.

2. Boralex, Inc. (BLX.TO)

Boralex is a renewable energy power plant developer, builder, and operator in Ontario, Canada. The business provides wind, hydro, thermal, and solar services. Boralex announced on June 2 that the NY Energy Research and Development Authority had chosen five of its solar farms to receive renewable energy credits.

3. General Electric (NYSE.GE)

The company intends to concentrate on aviation after spinning off its healthcare division in 2023 and its renewable energy, electricity, and digital division in 2024…

Although General Electric is not a pure bet on wind energy, it does provide investors with exposure to the industry in the short term; when the company is eventually broken up, investors will have a more specialized choice.

4. Northland Power, Inc. (NPI.TO)

Northland Power, headquartered in Ontario, Canada, is a worldwide power company dedicated to generating energy from renewable sources. The firm manages various renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind farms, efficient natural gas facilities, and solar power plants.

5. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE.MC)

Siemens Gamesa, headquartered in Spain, is a world-renowned innovator in wind power… In addition, the firm's principal shareholder, Siemens Energy (OTC: SMEG.F), is involved in efforts to create wind-powered green hydrogen technology for the company.

Siemens Gamesa has been having problems in recent years owing to a patent battle with GE… Beginning in 2022, the International Trade Commission denied all GE complaints.

6. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE.NEE)

NextEra Energy is a conglomerate whose divisions sell and serve electric electricity and energy infrastructure. In addition, this firm offers electric utility services and maintains a diversified renewable energy industry." End quotes.

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3) Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks! 9 Best Green Stocks and ETFs to Buy.

And, yes, some more green stocks with this article titled 9 Best Green Stocks and ETFs to Buy. It's by Matt Whittaker on money.usnews.com. You can read Mr. Whittaker's more detailed description of each of his 9 picks by clicking the link to his original article on this podcast's webpage.

So his 9 picks are

• First Solar Inc. (FSLR)
• Tesla Inc. (TSLA)
• Fisker Inc. (FSR)
• Stem Inc. (STEM)
• NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE)
• Plug Power Inc. (PLUG)
• iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN)
• VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG)
• First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN)

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4) Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks! 10 Best ESG Stocks for 2022.

Now, how about some top ESG picks with this article titled 10 Best ESG Stocks for 2022. It's by Andrew Lisa on gobankingrates.com. Here are some quotes from Mr. Lisa on his picks.

"1. Linde (LIN)

The UK-based gas production and distribution firm Linde operates all over the world. Its sustainability initiatives include programs to reduce waste and to conserve energy and water.

2. Accenture (ACN)

Based in Ireland, Accenture uses its position as a management consulting, technology and outsourcing giant… to help its client companies transition to net-zero carbon emissions, and sustainable value chains, technology and decision-making.

3. Microsoft (MSFT)

… has committed to being carbon negative by 2030 — the software giant has been carbon neutral since 2012.

4. Salesforce (CRM)

Cloud-based enterprise software firm Salesforce… achieved net zero carbon emissions in 2015.

5. Nvidia (NVDA)

The company has pledged to source 100% of its global electricity use from renewable sources by 2025, and its GPUs are 20 times more energy efficient than traditional CPU servers.

6. Adobe (ADBE)

Has committed to powering its operations through 100% renewable energy sources.

7. J.B. Hunt (JBHT)

Transportation and logistics firm J.B. Hunt leads the industry in converting over-the-road shipments to intermodal transport, which is 250% more fuel efficient.

8. Best Buy (BBY)

… has reduced its carbon emissions by 60% since 2009 and has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2040. The company operates the largest e-waste recycling program in the world.

9. Xylem (XYL)

Water technology and solutions provider Xylem is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It fosters global equity by advancing access to clean water in developing nations.

10. Texas Instruments (TXN)

Semiconductor and integrated circuit producer Texas Instruments received a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for six straight years." End quotes.

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5) Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks! Three Socially Responsible Dividend Stocks to Buy Benefit from Fertilizer

Let's now turn our attention to an article featuring some unique socially responsible dividend-paying stocks. It's titled Three Socially Responsible Dividend Stocks to Buy Benefit from Fertilizer by Paul Dykewicz on dividendinvestor.com. Here are some quotes from Mr. Dykewicz's article…

"Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS)

… a dividend-paying, Fortune 500 company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, mines phosphate, potash and urea. The largest U.S. producer of potash and phosphate fertilizer.

AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO)

… a Duluth Georgia-based designer, manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, offers a path to profit from the rising demand for fertilizer, said Michelle Connell, president and owner of Dallas-based Portia Capital Management.

Invesco DB Agriculture (NYSEArca: DBA)

(Is) an agricultural exchange-traded fund (ETF) recommended by Bob Carlson, a pension fund chairman who also leads the Retirement Watch investment newsletter." End quotes.

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Again, to see those additional 19 articles not covered here, go to this podcast's page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this page. Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order

1) Title Ten Clean Energy Stocks of 2022/3 - July Returns on altenergystocks.com. By Tom Konrad.

2) Title Here's Why the Time Is Right for These Clean Energy Stocks on Nasdaq.com. By Devina Lohia.

3) Title 10 Best ESG Stocks for 2022 on fool.com. By Allison Plaut.

4) Title These 3 Renewable Energy Stocks Offer Generous Dividend Yields: Passive Income For ESG Investors on Benzinga.com. By Robert Kuczmarski.

5) Title Top Stocks to Buy, Inflation Reduction Act Props Up Investments on marketrealist.com. By Rachel Curry.

6) Title 2 ESG Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2022 on entrepreneur.com. By Pragya Pandey.

7) Title Best Alternative Energy ETFs for Q4 2022 on investopedia.com. By Nathan Reiff.

8) Title Top Alternative Energy Stocks for Q4 2022 on investopedia.com. By Nathan Reiff.

9) Title 3 Top Energy Stocks to Buy Right Now on fool.com. By Matthew DiLallo.

10) Title Two Promising ESG Investment Stocks to Drive Your Portfolio in 2022 on tipranks.com.

11) Title 10 Best Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next 10 Years on yahoo.com. By Hamna Asim.

12) Title 3 Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy as EV Adoption Booms on yahoo.com. By Aparajita Dutta.

13) Title Best Solar Energy Stocks to Invest In 2022 on fool.com. By Matthew DiLallo.

14) Title 10 Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Amid Energy Crisis in Europe on yahoo.com. By Omer Farooq.

15) Title 7 Best Clean Energy ETFs to Buy Now | Investing | U.S. News on usnews.com. By Tony Dong.

16) Title 5 Green Energy Penny Stocks to Watch in 2022 on Investmentu.com. By Aimee Bohn.

Plus articles for the UK and Australian investors

1) Title Best ESG funds on standard.co.uk. By Andrew Michael.

2) Title Top 10 most-popular investment trusts: August 2022 on ii.co.uk. By Kyle Caldwell.

3) Title 5 High-Performing Ethical Investment Funds on Canstar.com.au. By Marissa Hayden.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Inflation Reduction Act: Analysts' Stock-ETF Picks!"

Now, please be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on September 23.

Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Articles covered include: "Top Alternative Energy Stocks for Q3 2022"; "Ameresco: Alternative Energy's Best Near-Term Capital Gain Prospect"; "Alternative Energy Stock Quietly Having a Great Year"; "3 Most Undervalued Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy"; "2 Unstoppable Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy for the Next Decade"; and "3 High-Yield Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now." And more

Podcast: ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022

Transcript & Links, Episode 88, July 29, 2022

Next podcast either September 2 or 9

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 88 published on July 29, 2022, titled "ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

Please note that my next podcast will be either September 2 or 9. I'm taking August off to work on some projects.

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1. ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022

Now it seems that most analysts' ESG recommendations in the media continue to focus on ESG energy stocks and funds. So, I have several articles with that view. The first one is titled Top Alternative Energy Stocks for Q3 2022. It's by Nathan Reiff. Found at investorpedia.com. Now some quotes.

"Here are the top three alternative energy stocks with the best value, the fastest growth, and the most momentum…

1) Daqo New Energy Corp. (DQ)

Is a China-based solar energy company that manufactures polysilicon for sale to manufacturers of solar cells and modules. The company also manufactures photovoltaic wafers. Daqo reported earnings for Q1 2022 on April 21. Net income attributable to shareholders surged by over sixfold while revenues quintupled year-over-year (YOY). This performance was driven in part by a jump in polysilicon sales volume.

2) Excelerate Energy Inc. (EE)

Is a liquified natural gas (LNG) company. It offers regasified natural gas delivery, storage, and other related services. It has operations around the globe. On May 20, the company reported that it had signed a 10-year contract with a subsidiary of Gasgrid Finland Oy to charter a floating storage and regasification vessel. The vessel will serve Finland and the Baltic region with liquefied natural gas and related services.

3) Iberdrola SA (IBDRY)

Is a Spain-based multinational electric utility company. The company engages in the generation, distribution, and trading of electricity. It specializes in clean energy, including onshore and offshore wind, and solar energy."

End quotes. My comment about Daqo. It's still being accused of using forced labor.

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2. ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022

Now, here's the second article in this ESG energy stocks theme titled Ameresco: Alternative Energy's Best Near-Term Capital Gain Prospect. By Peter F. Way on seekingalpha.com. Here are some quotes from Mr. Way's blog.

"A 3-5 month prospect from here of Ameresco share prices could reasonably range from a $46.00 low to $58.80 high from its present price of $47.30, a +24.3% gain.

From Yahoo Finance. Quote. 'Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC) (is) a clean technology integrator, provides a portfolio of energy efficiency and renewable energy supply solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, energy security and resilience, asset sustainability, and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations…

In addition, the company sells photovoltaic (PV) solar energy products and systems, as well as provides consulting and enterprise energy management services; and owns and operates a wind power project located in Ireland… As of December 31, 2021, the company owned and operated 147 small-scale renewable energy plants and solar PV installations." End quotes.

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3. ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022

And a third article in the ESG energy stock space titled Alternative Energy Stock Quietly Having a Great Year. By Schaeffer's Digital Content Team on schaeffersresearch.com. This is some of what the team has to say.

"Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH)

Is a global energy technology company and a supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems. The company's semiconductor-based microinverter system converts energy at the individual solar module level and brings a system-based high-technology approach to solar energy generation, storage, control, and management. The company has shipped more than 45 million microinverters, and over 2.0 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in more than 135 countries…

On the charts, ENPH is up roughly 17% in 2022…

Enphase Energy stock offers a rich valuation at a price-earnings ratio of 55.87 and a price-sales ratio of 18.24. Nonetheless, the company has maintained high and consistent growth rate over multiple years, which has helped the market justify the company's inflated valuation… Enphase Energy is also expected to grow its revenues and earnings 31.7% and 22.9%, respectively, for fiscal 2023." End quotes

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4. ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022

And a fourth article in this ESG energy stocks vein is titled 3 Most Undervalued Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy. By Will Ashworth on InvestorPlace.com. Among Mr. Ashworth's comments are the following.

"1) Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC)

Was created so that investors could invest in its renewable power assets through a corporation rather than a limited partnership…

The company's June 2022 annual shareholder's meeting highlighted that Brookfield Renewable Corporation generated $934 million in funds from operations (FFO) in 2021, 10% higher than a year earlier…

In the five years between 2021 and 2026, it expects to grow funds from operations by 10% or more annually…

For those who want a more diversified portfolio, you can own Brookfield Renewable Corporation indirectly through Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM), which owns 26% of the company. Brookfield Asset Management stock is down 25% year-to-date.

You won't go wrong owning Brookfield Asset Management over the long haul.

2) NextEra Energy Partners LP (NYSE:NEP)

Is a growth-oriented limited partnership created by its parent company, NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE), in June 2014. It owns wind and solar projects, natural gas, and infrastructure assets in the U.S…

It (seeks) to grow LP distributions by 12% to 15% per year between 2019 and 2024. So far, it's increased them by approximately 15% per year… Its annualized distributions since its IPO have increased by 290%, from 75 cents to $2.93 at the end of 2021.

Down 9.4% YTD, I wouldn't say that NextEra Energy Partners LP is a screaming buy, but it's not overpriced either.

3) Ameresco (NYSE:AMRC) (Yes again!)

Is (in) the business of owning renewable assets and helping others implement clean energy solutions for their businesses…

In 22 short years, Ameresco's completed more than $11 billion in energy solution projects for more than 8,000 customers worldwide. In addition, it owns 353 million watts of energy (MWe) assets for solar, landfill gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and battery storage…

Ameresco has been able to increase its revenues since 2017 by more than 21% annually, from $717 million in 2017 to an estimated $1.87 billion in 2022. Over the same period, the company has grown its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) by 27.1% annually.

With Ameresco stock down more than 46% YTD, it's trading at the same levels it did in December 2020, 18 months ago. Under $40 would be a perfect entry point. " End quotes.

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5. ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022

In this next article Brookfield Renewable Corporation and NextEra Energy Partners LP are again recommended. It's titled 2 Unstoppable Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy for the Next Decade. By Matthew DiLallo. On fool.com.

"1) Brookfield Renewable (BEPC)

Brookfield Renewable operates a globally diversified portfolio of renewable energy and energy transition assets. It currently generates 21 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy… Its assets produce steady cash flows backed by long-term power purchase agreements…

Brookfield anticipates that mergers and acquisitions will add up to 9% per share to its bottom line each year. The company recently raised a record $15 billion for an energy transition fund to help companies decarbonize their operations. That's giving it additional capital to complete deals, positioning it to further capitalize on the decarbonization megatrend.

2) NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE)

NextEra Energy operates Florida Power & Light (FPL), a leading electric utility in the state, and NextEra Energy Resources, a large-scale clean energy infrastructure business… The energy resources unit operates natural gas pipelines, renewable energy generating facilities, battery storage operations, and electricity transmission lines that generate steady cash flow backed by long-term fee-based contracts.

The company… recently unveiled its Real Zero strategy to eliminate its carbon emissions by 2045. Florida Power & Light is undertaking the largest solar energy expansion in the nation, which it's supplementing with large-scale battery storage deployment. It also aims to replace natural gas in its power plants with green hydrogen and renewable natural gas…

Management expects profits to grow by more than 10% this year. It then foresees them expanding at the high end of its 6% to 8% target range through at least 2025. That should give the utility the funds to grow its 2.1%-yielding dividend by at least 10% annually through 2024." End quotes. Incidentally, Florida Power & Light is just accused of unethical competitive behavior.

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Top Solar Panel Companies 2022

Finally, this article is not a stock recommendation but rather an interesting assessment of solar panel makers available in the US. It's titled Top Solar Panel Companies 2022 and by Lisa Iscrupe on saveonenergy.com. Here is some of what Ms. Iscrupe and fellow researchers say. Quote.

"The solar industry is a combination of many business sectors. From solar installers to dealers to solar panel manufacturers, navigating your solar energy journey can take time. When you are researching solar panels for your home, one place that's good to start is with the solar panel company or manufacturer that you want. Based on our research, here's our top 10 solar panel companies:

Canadian Solar Inc. Jinko Solar SunPower CertainTeed LG Tesla First Solar Inc. Lumos Hanwha REC Solar

End quotes. There's much more information on their site.

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3 High-Yield Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now

Now we turn from ESG energy stocks to infrastructure with an article titled 3 High-Yield Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Now. It's by Daniel Foelber, Scott Levine, and Lee Samaha. Again on fool.com. Now one of the recommendations is Kinder Morgan, an oil-gas pipeline company. Hence, I'm leaving it out.

"1) Scott Levine picks Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC) (BIP)

… Currently offers an enticing forward dividend yield of 3.8%.

With global operations in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, Brookfield Infrastructure has a worldwide presence in a variety of infrastructure projects including (but not limited to) natural gas pipelines and storage, data centers, toll roads, and electricity transmission… investors should be relieved to learn that 90% of the company's debt is a fixed rate…

Should the company return $2.16 to unitholders in 2022 as it plans, it will represent an approximate 10% compound annual growth rate for its distribution since 2009. Looking ahead, management has targeted continued annual distribution growth of 5% to 9%.

2) Lee Samaha recommends Hubbell (HUBB)

There aren't many industrial companies whose earnings are trending ahead of initial expectations going into 2022, but Hubbell is one of them. Management began 2022 forecasting organic sales growth of 8%-10% and adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $8.75–$9.25 only to raise it to 11%-13% and $9-$9.40 on the first-quarter earnings call in late April…

The company makes electrical equipment, meters, connection products, and lighting fixtures. About 56% of its sales go to the utility market (mainly transmission and distribution), with 44% to electrical solutions (electrical products, connection, and bonding). There's a need to replace the infrastructure of an aging U.S. electrical grid…

No company will be truly safe from a recession, but Hubbell stands to do relatively well. Throw in a 2.3% dividend yield, and the stock is attractive for investors." End quotes.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order, links on this podcast's webpage

1) Title This Renewable-Energy Juggernaut Continues to Produce Powerful Results on fool.com. By Matthew DiLallo.

2) Title 3 Sustainable ETFs for ESG-Focused Investors on the Canadian yahoo.com site. By Adam Othman.

3) Title My Top Renewable Energy Stock for the Second Half of 2022 on fool.com. By Daniel Foelber.

Plus an article for UK investors — again link on this podcast's webpage

Title Best ESG Funds 2022 – Forbes Advisor UK. By Andrew Michael.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "ESG Energy Stocks for 3Q 2022."

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

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Now I'm taking August off to work on some projects, so I'll talk to you next Friday, either September 2nd or 9th. Have a great August! Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Great green stocks and healthy health stocks found in these articles: "Ten Green Stocks I expect to do well over the next year"; "Top Health Care Stocks To Buy Right Now? 4 To Watch"; "Top 5 Companies That Pledged To Go Carbon Neutrality"; and "Best Stocks To Buy Now? 4 Renewable Stocks For Your List."

Podcast: Great Green Stocks

Transcript & Links, Episode 87, July 15, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 87 published on July 15, 2022, titled "Great Green Stocks" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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1. Great Green Stocks

This first article is titled Ten Green Stocks I expect to do well over the next year by Tom Konrad. It appeared on altenergystocks.com. I've covered Mr. Konrad's picks before, so this is an update. His picks are followed by brief comments on each one.

"1) MiX Telematics (NASD: MIXT)

A provider of vehicle tracking and telematics to large international vehicle fleets. The company is green because it both reduces accidents and fuel usage for its customers.

2) Valeo, SA (FR.PA or US ADR: VLEEY or US foreign stock ticker: VLEEF)

A provider of electrified drive trains, sensors, and comfort systems for the automotive industry.

3) NFI Industries (NFI.TO C$13.39 or US foreign stock ticker: NFYEF)

A leading international bus and motorcoach manufacturer selling a large and growing number of electrified vehicles.

4) Rockwool A/S (ROCK-B.CO and ROCK-A.CO or US foreign stock ticker: RKWBF)

A manufacturer of fire and mold resistant building insulation.

5) Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure (NASD: HASI)

A financier of solar, wind, biogas, and energy efficiency installations.

6) Veolia (VIE.PA or US ADR: VEOEY or US foreign stock ticker: VEOEF)

A large international developer and operator of municipal infrastructure such as water, wastewater, recycling, and environmental remediation.

7) Enviva, Inc (EVA)

A vertically integrated wood pellet supplier to European and Japanese markets, where they mostly displace coal in electricity generation.

8) Umicore, SA (UMI.BR or US ADR: UMICY or US foreign stock ticker: UMICF)

A vertically integrated recycler of hard-to-recycle and specialty metals used in clean energy industries such as batteries, solar, wind, and catalytic converters.

9) Avangrid (NYSE: AGR)

One of the top producers and developers of renewable electricity in the United States.

10) Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure (NASD: AY)

An international owner and developer of renewable energy, efficient natural gas, electric transmission line and water assets." End quotes.

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2. Great Green Stocks

This next article recommends some leading health care stocks. Many ESG portfolios contain the healthcare stocks in this article titled Top Health Care Stocks To Buy Right Now? 4 To Watch by Joe Samuel at StockMarket.com. Here are some quotes by Mr. Samuel on each one. Quote.

"1) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX)

This is a company that focuses on the development of medicines… for the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF)… Vertex also has a pipeline of investigational therapies in other serious diseases… This includes sickle cell disease, type 1 diabetes, pain, beta-thalassemia, and more… The company announced earlier this week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted the clinical hold placed on its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VX-880. The drug is an investigational stem cell-derived, fully differentiated pancreatic islet cell replacement therapy for people with type 1 diabetes.

Furthermore, Vertex also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA)… Not only is this a huge milestone for the company, but this new recommendation will be a huge boost for all people living with CF in Canada. So, would you consider Vertex Pharmaceuticals stock as a top health care stock to buy?

2) Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX)

This is a biotech company that specializes in developing vaccines to treat infectious diseases… the company's portfolio consists of vaccines for Ebola, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus among other emerging infectious illnesses… the company is actively working on a coronavirus vaccine. Novavax stock is among the most bullish stocks in the health care sector today…

The latest (development) that contributed to its momentum (is) its Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine… the European Commission gave the green light for conditional marketing authorization of the vaccine in the European Union for adolescents aged 12 through 17… Keeping this in mind, would you consider jumping on the Novavax stock bandwagon?

3) Adaptive Biotechnologies (NASDAQ: ADPT)

Similar to Novavax, Adaptive Biotechnologies is a company that has been quietly building momentum recently. For those unaware, it is a commercial-stage company that focuses on the human adaptive immune system to develop the diagnosis and treatment of diseases… For now, the company's commercial research products include immunoSEQ and immunoSEQ T-MAP…

In June, the company launched the T-Detect™ Lyme. This is a test… that will identify… Lyme disease… With that in mind, should investors keep a closer tab on Adaptive Biotechnologies stock?

4) Beam Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BEAM)

Is a biotech company that focuses on precision genetic medicines based on its base editing technology… Therefore, it would not be surprising if investors will be paying more attention to BEAM stock moving forward…

Recently, it appears that the company has entered into an amended and restated collaboration and license agreement with Verve Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VERV). Under the amendment, Beam granted Verve a license toward an additional liver-mediated cardiovascular disease target… Overall, these new amendments appear to be a positive development. Having said that, does BEAM stock have a spot on your watchlist?" End quotes.

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3. Great Green Stocks

Now, do you want to invest in the Top 5 Companies That Pledged To Go Carbon Neutrality -- and yes, that's the title of this next article! It's by Samiya Saeed. It's found on inventiva.co.in. Here are a few quotes from Ms. Saeed on each company.

"1) GOOGLE (GOOG)

In 2017, Google became the first company to meet 100% of its yearly worldwide electricity needs with renewable energy… it has promised to decarbonize its electricity supply and run-on carbon-free energy seven days a week, 24 hours a day, by 2030.

2) Apple (AAPL)

By 2030, Apple's entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle would all be carbon neutral, the company announced in July 2020. According to the company, nearly 70 suppliers have committed to using only renewable energy in their manufacturing processes…

The company also said in March that the 2022 iPhone SE would be the first device to use its carbon-free aluminum smelting technology. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is likewise manufactured with low-carbon aluminum. Apple is also spending money on afforestation and other environmentally friendly methods to sequester carbon.

3) INTEL (INTC)

Intel, has made a commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040 as well as to increase energy efficiency and lessen the carbon impact of its platforms and products… The corporation aims to use solely renewable energy in all of its international operations by that time.

Intel will invest $300 million in energy-saving measures at its facilities, saving a total of 4 billion kilowatt-hours. Additionally, the company will build new buildings that meet the requirements of the US Green Building Council's LEED program in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

4) MICROSOFT (MSFT)

Microsoft has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The company also claims that by 2025, it will have either directly or indirectly eliminated from the environment all of the carbon it has released into the atmosphere since its foundation in 1975.

To hasten the global development of carbon reduction, capture, and removal technologies, it has established a $1 billion climate innovation fund.

5) IBM (IBM)

IBM stated in February that it would have zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030." End quotes.

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4. Great Green Stocks

Now we return to renewable energy stocks with this article titled Best Stocks To Buy Now? 4 Renewable Stocks For Your List by Jonathan Phillip from StockMarket.com. Here's some of what Mr. Phillip says about his picks.

"1) Clearway Energy (NYSE: CWEN)

The company is one of the country's largest renewable energy owners. Impressively, the company has over 5,000 net megawatts (MW) of installed wind and solar generation projects… Its 7,500 net MW of assets also include approximately 2,500 net MW of environmentally sound, highly efficient natural gas generation facilities…

Last week, the company announced that it has entered into an agreement with Capistrano Wind Partners to acquire its operating wind projects… these wind projects would be a perfect fit for Clearway's current portfolio… The acquisition… should boost Clearway's financials from 2023. Given this acquisition, should you invest in Clearway stock?

2) JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS)

One out of every ten solar modules in the world is produced by JinkoSolar. Since the start of the year, JinkoSolar stock has risen nearly 40% in price.

Earlier this month, JinkoSolar kicked off the construction of its latest n-type solar cell and module production plant in Jianshan in China. On this site, the company will produce 11 gigawatts (GW) of n-type cells with an average efficiency of 25%. This would mean that JinkoSolar could be the world's first 10 GW-scale factory to mass-produce solar cells of above 25% efficiency… With JinkoSolar making these advancements, should you keep an eye out for JKS stock?

3) First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR)

The company engages in the manufacture of solar panels and utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants. Besides that, it is a global provider of sustainably produced eco-efficient solar modules. The company's advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules represent the next generation of solar technologies…

Last week, the company inked an agreement to supply 2 GW of its solar modules to National Grid Renewables (NGR), further strengthening its partnership with the company… Through this, it would seem that First Solar's long-standing relationship with National Grid Renewables exemplifies the capabilities of its products. Therefore, should you add First Solar stock to your portfolio?

4) NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE)

It is a renewable energy company that owns the largest rate-regulated electric utility in the U.S., Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)… (which) serves more than 11 million residents across Florida with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. It also owns a competitive clean energy business, NextEra Energy Resources (NEER)… one of the largest generators of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage…

The renewable energy giant announced that it will be purchasing the wastewater system of Towamencin Township in Montgomery County, Philadelphia… NextEra's management recently increased its earnings per share expectations for the 2022 to 2025 period… Considering the news, is NextEra Energy stock worth watching?"

End quotes. Incidentally, JinkoSolar is still accused by some of employing forced labor.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order, links on this podcast's webpage

1) Title ETFs for investors willing to ride out the volatility in the clean energy sector - theglobeandmail.com. By Joel Schlesinger.

2) Title DividendChannel: Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock - VerizonPR (5.0% Yield) on coinsobserver.com.

3) Title Schlumberger a Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 2.1% Yield (SLB) on nasdaq.com. By BNK Invest.

4) Title 5 Best Robo-Advisors for Socially Responsible Investing – CEO Money on wfn1.com. By Barbara Friedberg.

5) Title This Solar Stock Continues To Rise As Consumers Seek Alternative Energy in Investor's Business Daily at investors.com. By Michael Molinsky.

Plus an article for UK investors — again link on this podcast's webpage

Title Want to invest ethically and cheaply? Find a responsible tracker fund on thisismoney.co.uk. By Tanya Jeffries.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Great Green Stocks."

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

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on July 29. Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens. Articles covered include: "ESG Investing: 7 Profitable Stock Picks for the Socially Responsible"; "Canada's Best 50 corporate citizens of 2022 continue to conquer the markets"; "This Renewable Energy Giant Sees Even More Powerful Growth Ahead"; "Looking for Passive Income? This Renewable Energy Company Is a Great Way to Go." Plus

Podcast: ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens.

Transcript & Links, Episode 86, July 1, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. First of all, I want to wish my fellow Canadians a very happy Canada Day and my American friends a great Independence Day!

Welcome to my podcast episode 86 published on July 1, 2022, titled "ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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1. ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens

Now my first article has this title: ESG Investing: 7 Profitable Stock Picks for the Socially Responsible by Tezcan Gecgil on InvestorPlace.com. Here are Ms. Gecgil's stock picks and brief comments that generally relate to the latest material developments of the company.

1. "Best Buy (BBY): A newly launched home pick-up recycling program will make it easier for customers to recycle old electronics.
2. Deere (DE): Announced a new joint venture that will improve productivity, growing more food using fewer resources.
3. iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD): Tracks the best ESG stocks.
4. Microsoft (MSFT): A new data center in Finland will provide carbonless surplus heating to the surrounding region.
5. Novo Nordisk (NVO): Positive results for a once-weekly insulin treatment will improve the quality of life for diabetes patients.
6. Procter & Gamble (PG): Developed a 3-in-1 product to clean, sanitize, and defend against 99.9% of bacteria and viruses for up to 24 hours.
7. Xylem (XYL): Developed a new wastewater treatment solution that will help improve nutrient removal, save energy and reduce costs.

To help investors choose ESG shares, MSCI (NYSE: MSCI), a leading supplier of investment decision support tools, provides the MSCI ESG Rating." End quotes.

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2. ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens

This annual ranking, though they're Canadian companies, could be of interest to ethical and sustainable investors everywhere. The following descriptive article is titled Canada's Best 50 corporate citizens of 2022 continue to conquer the markets. It's by the renowned Corporate Knights group and found on their website with this commentary by Toby Heaps. Here are some quotes from Mr. Heaps.

"Twenty years ago, Corporate Knights launched its quest for a more humane form of capitalism, placing people and planet ahead of profits, with the Best 50 Corporate Citizens sitting at the head of the roundtable to make business a force for good.

A lot has changed for the better in that time and a lot hasn't.

Thankfully, the glass ceilings in Canada's corporate boardrooms have been breached, with non-male members now making up almost a third of directors, double their one-sixth share in 2002…

Racial diversity on large corporate boards has also improved: 9% of members are now non-white, double the 4% level in 2011, when we first started tracking this metric…

While one workplace fatality is too many, it is encouraging that on a national level, a third less people died on the job in 2019 than was the case in 2002…

Over the last two decades, corporate profits have doubled, workers have been left behind and emissions have stalled, but the Best 50 firms are leading the way with 50% more gender diversity and triple the investments aligned with the clean economy…

The Best Corporate Citizens' stock market performance has outperformed its peers earning 499% gross return since it was first launched in June 2002, versus 366% for S&P/TSX Composite." End quotes.

Incidentally, the top three companies in the ranking are Hydro-Quebec, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (INE.TO), and Brookfield Renewable Partners LP (NYSE: BEP).

Go to this podcast's webpage for a great statistical table titled…

The 2022 Best 50 Corporate Citizens vs. the rest*

Indicator 2022 Best 50 Average Large Canadian Company (minus Best 50) CEO–Average Worker Pay Ratio 74:1 160:1 Board Gender Diversity 36.7% 23.3% Executive Gender Diversity 26.6% 13.1% Board Racial Diversity 8.8% 8.2% Executive Racial Diversity 12.0% 6.6% Cash Taxes Paid (% of EBITDA) 11.6% 8.9% **Clean Revenue (% Total Revenue) 36.8% 6.2% **Clean Investment (% Total Investment) 33.8% 12.7% Carbon Productivity ($ sales/tonnes GHGs) $1,517,909 $641,183

*Large Canadian companies (with more than $1b in annual revenue) excluding the Best 50

**Based on Corporate Knights' Clean Taxonomy

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3. ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens

It seems in every podcast I have an article and recommendation from Matthew DiLallo from fool.com! His latest article is titled This Renewable Energy Giant Sees Even More Powerful Growth Ahead. Here are quotes from Mr. DiLallo's article.

"NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is already growing faster than most utilities, powered by its focus on clean energy… That high-powered growth could enable NextEra Energy to continue generating market-crushing total returns for investors…

The company raised its 2022 and 2023 earnings ranges by $0.05 per share, while boosting 2024's forecast by $0.10 per share. Meanwhile, it sees 2025 earnings growing by 6% to 8% off 2024's higher base.

This updated forecast would see the company expand its adjusted earnings per share at a 9.8% annual rate from 2021 to the high end of 2025's forecast range…

Several factors are helping power that growth. The company plans to significantly increase its core wind, solar, and storage business, expand beyond the power sector, and grow its already large-scale transmission business to help support the decarbonization of the U.S. economy…

In addition, the company expects to build a leading regulated water business…

NextEra Energy also unveiled its Real Zero plan to eliminate all the carbon emissions across its businesses no later than 2045 without the help of carbon offset credits…

NextEra Energy has proven that going green can generate some serious green for its investors… That makes it a great stock to buy and hold for the long haul because it can potentially deliver massive returns as it leads the way in decarbonizing the U.S. economy." End quotes.

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4. ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens

Now income from investments is particularly important for those who need cash flow in their daily living. So, this next article will interest those investors. It's titled Looking for Passive Income? This Renewable Energy Company Is a Great Way to Go. It's by Rekha Khandelwal, also on fool.com. Here's some of what Ms. Khandelwal writes.

"At current share prices, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure (AY) offers a dividend yield of 5.6%... Utilities focused on renewable energy offer a great way to generate regular dividend income…

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure owns over 2 gigawatts of renewable electricity generation assets, roughly 72% of which are solar. Renewable power generation is expected to contribute around 70% of the company's cash available for distribution (CAFD) from 2022 to 2026.

Atlantica also generates power using natural gas. The company expects its efficient natural gas and heat segment to contribute 15% of its cash available for distribution from 2022 to 2026. Transmission lines are expected to contribute 12%, and its water desalination assets are expected to contribute 3%.

The biggest positives for Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure as an investment are its stable and predictable long-term cash flows. At the end of 2021, the weighted average remaining term of agreements for the company's assets was 15 years. All of its revenue comes from contracted or regulated assets…

Its assets are also geographically diversified, with 46% of its cash available for distribution coming from North America, 31% from Europe, and 15% from South America.

Protection from inflation

Rising interest rates are impacting the stock prices of companies in capital-intensive businesses. But the interest rates on 93% of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure's project debt are either fixed or hedged…

Similarly, the company has escalation factors included in its contracts to protect it from inflation…

Management is targeting cash available for distribution per share growth of 5% to 8% through 2025…

In short, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure is a top renewables stock that can generate passive income for shareholders in the decades to come." End quotes.

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5. ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens

This next article is by Joel Makower of GreenBiz.com, a well-known and highly respected figure in sustainable business. It's not a direct stock recommendation but rather is here as a stock that some of you might want to look at.

The title of the article is In Brazil, Suzano harvests trees with deep roots in communities (BOVESPA: SUZB3). Here's some of what Mr. Makower writes.

"What if the company had planted those trees years earlier, on degraded land that's now been revitalized? And if it then planted millions more trees where the cut ones used to be — all to be harvested years later and replaced by yet more trees? And it did this for multiple generations in partnership with local and Indigenous communities?

Can that company be deemed sustainable?

These are among the questions I pondered last week during my visit to São Paulo, Brazil.

I was there as the guest of Suzano — a 98-year-old pulp and paper company, the largest in Latin America and one of the 10 largest in the world — to help host its annual ESG Call, an online event during which the company showcased its achievements and challenges to a global audience of investors, customers, activists and others. (I was paid for this work, but not for this article.)…

Suzano, founded in 1924 by Ukrainian immigrant Leon Feffer, pioneered the production of pulp and paper from eucalyptus as an alternative to pine. It invested in research and development — in the 1980s, for example, it began to apply biotechnology, adopting micropropagation practices in its plantations — and in sustainability measures, including the creation in 1999 of the nonprofit Ecofuturo Institute (Portuguese), with a focus on 'socio-environmental responsibility…'

Social studies

I was impressed by the environmental aspects of Suzano's operations, which have been informed by such global sustainability thinkers as John Elkington, Pavan Sukhdev and the late Tom Lovejoy…

The company has a longstanding rural development program in which it teaches communities how to make the best use of their land by producing high-value crops and helping them transform those crops into finished goods that go into local and global markets. For example, it supports honey producers and beekeepers in placing their hives inside Suzano's eucalyptus plantations, which has the added benefit of reducing poaching by people afraid of bee stings.

Among other things, there is a history of distrust to overcome. A few years ago, for example, activists in the northern state of Maranhao claimed Suzano had behaved badly, stealing land from traditional communities, displacing families and making livelihoods untenable. Suzano disputes these claims…

Walter Schalka, the CEO, struck me as earnest as any business leader about the company's social — and environmental — commitments.

'Not everything that we are doing is perfect,' he said. 'But we are humble enough to bring the problems to the table and try to address how we are going to build the action plan to the future.'" End quotes.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order, links on this podcast's webpage

1) Title Introducing the three largest ESG ETFs found on Trackinsight.com. By Eddie Barrak.

2) Title 2 Top Dividend Stocks You Can Buy and Hold Forever on fool.com. By Beth McKenna.

3) Title Top Seven Socially Responsible Funds on GoogleWebStory.com. By Teknika Raman.

4) Title Three Sharia-compliant growth companies on MoneyWeek.com. By Scott Klimo.

Plus an article for Australian investors — again link on this podcast's webpage

- Title 3 dividend-paying and ethical ASX shares to buy now: fund manager on monexsecurities.com.au. By Tony Yoo.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "ESG Picks. Great Corporate Citizens."

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

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on July 15. Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Articles covered include: "Meet the 50 fastest-growing green companies in Canada"; "An ETF to Save the Oceans Splashes into the Market"; "Jim Cramer says he likes this alternative energy play for a high inflation environment"; "A Guide To ESG Strategies For Municipal Bond Investors"; and "2022′s Top Sustainable Funds Weather a Tough Market." And more!

Podcast: Ocean's ETF. Fastest Growing Green Companies.

Transcript & Links, Episode 85, June 17, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 85 published on June 17, 2022, titled "Ocean's ETF. Fastest Growing Green Companies" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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1. Green Companies

Now I'm headlining with this article. Though it refers to Canadian companies, these companies could be of interest to investors globally. The article's titled Meet the 50 fastest-growing green companies in Canada. It's from the outstanding Corporate Knights group. About half of these companies are public. Here are some quotes from the article.

"Our objective was to identify outstanding Canadian entrepreneurs and companies that are gaining significant traction in the fight against carbon – with exciting new solutions that most of the world hasn't discovered yet…

These game-changing innovators include Calgary-based Eavor Technologies, which has a system to produce geothermal energy almost anywhere in the world, using looped water streams that tap the heat deep underground to augment solar and wind-powered electrical grids.

Toronto-based Hydrostor has another plan for augmenting wind and solar grids, to free utilities from fossil-based backups such as natural gas and nuclear. Hydrostor uses off-peak energy to heat utility-scale quantities of compressed air, which is stored in underground chambers until peak energy demand requires the air to drive a turbine again.

In Squamish, B.C., Carbon Engineering – founded by a Harvard professor – has created technologies to suck carbon dioxide right out of the atmosphere, for underground storage or processing into synthetic fuels. Bill Gates is an investor.

Oneka Technologies, founded by entrepreneur Dragan Tutic in Sherbrooke, Quebec, at age 23, brings affordable drinking water to coastal communities with scalable desalination systems, sustainably powered by ocean waves.

And one of the women leading the cleantech charge in Canada is electrical engineer Miriam Tuerk. Her company Clear Blue Technologies is bringing light and wireless service to remote regions through 'smart' off-grid wind and solar systems…

The Future

Still, most of these companies are works in progress, their ultimate fates unpredictable. In publishing this list, Corporate Knights makes no promises about their prospects, or their suitability for investment. Innovation doesn't work that way. But the future depends on their success." End quotes.

To see the Top 25 fastest-growing publicly traded green companies click the link on this podcast's webpage and scroll down the page.

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2. Green Companies

Next. A massive area of concern for many investors is climate change and its effects on the world's oceans. Now a fascinating ETF has launched with this concern and here's an article describing it. It's titled An ETF to Save the Oceans Splashes into the Market. It's found on an investopedia.com video podcast. Here are a few quotes from the transcript.

"The United Nations World Oceans Day is being celebrated this week, and while we should celebrate and protect our oceans every day, it's always good to focus on our most precious of natural resources, even for one day alone. And now you can invest in helping protect our oceans through a new exchange traded fund (ETF) from New Day Impact, a San Francisco-based asset management and financial technology company that brings responsible investing to those who seek investments that reflect their values, kind of like the folks who listen to the Green Investor Podcast.

The New Day Ocean Health Exchange Traded Fund, which trades under the ticker AHOY, launched this week, and it aims for long-term capital appreciation through investments in companies that are diverting ocean-bound plastic waste, supporting sustainable fisheries, controlling ocean acidification caused by CO2 emissions, and actively using strategies to combat ocean pollution and other threats to marine health. Doug Haski, the CEO of New Day Impact, is behind the team bringing that ETF to market, and they are doing it with EarthEcho International, an environmental nonprofit organization established by Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father, Philippe Cousteau Sr. and their grandfather, the legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau. Doug and Philippe, are our special guests this week to talk about the launch." End quotes.

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3. Green Companies

Next is an article quoting CNBC.com's renowned host/investor Jim Cramer (who) says he likes this alternative energy play for a high inflation environment. Quote.

"CNBC's Jim Cramer… gave investors his blessing to buy shares of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure.

'Atlantica's a real company that sells real stuff at a profit and returns those profits to shareholders, while still having a relatively cheap stock. It's exactly what we like in this high inflation environment where the [Federal Reserve] is slamming the brakes on the economy,' the 'Mad Money' host said.

Skyrocketing inflation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have put pressure on the global supply of commodities, including oil, which is driving up prices of barrels and gas at the pumps. Cramer noted that high-quality alternative energy companies benefit from the skyrocketing prices…

He added that Atlantica had solid results for its most recent quarter, reporting 7% comparable revenue growth, and has a 5.5% dividend yield." End quote.

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A Guide To ESG Strategies For Municipal Bond Investors

Now, most diversified portfolios will include bonds and they'll likely include municipal – or local government – bonds. However, it's rare to find a good guide for ethical and sustainable investors concerning these bonds – but this article offers some insight. It's titled A Guide To ESG Strategies For Municipal Bond Investors. It's by Erin Bigley, Marc Uy; Gavin Romm, and Larry Bellinger. It's found on seekingalpha.com.

Here are some quotes.

"Summary

• Municipal bond investors increasingly want to apply environmental, social, and governance considerations to their portfolios.
• Some muni investors may want to apply ESG screening to avoid specific issuers based on personal considerations and values.
• Muni impact investing can target many important ESG-related goals, ranging from improving water supplies and mass transit to energy efficiency and economic development." End quotes.

Also, you can get a good idea of what their article covers from these sub-headings. They are.

Integration: Measuring ESG Across Muni Portfolios

Screening: Customizing According to Investor Preferences

Measuring ESG Doesn't Have to Cost You

Impact: Improving Outcomes for Underserved Communities

Choosing a Muni ESG Approach Hinges on Investor Goals

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2022′s Top Sustainable Funds Weather a Tough Market

This next article from Morningstar.com in the US has this title that says it all: 2022′s Top Sustainable Funds Weather a Tough Market. It's by Katherine Lynch. Here's some of what Ms. Lynch has to say.

"This year has been difficult for many ESG funds. Energy stocks have been top performers, but most sustainable strategies hold little or no oil company stocks because of the link between oil and gas consumption and climate change. At the same time, sustainable funds tend to have outsize weightings in technology stocks, many of which have taken a beating in 2022.

As a result, 65% of sustainable U.S. equity funds sit at the bottom of their Morningstar Category rankings in terms of year-to-date performance…

Despite the headwinds in 2022, six sustainable funds covered by Morningstar analysts rank in the top half of their category. Five of them carry a Morningstar Analyst Rating of Bronze or Silver.

For the most part, the strong 2022 performance for this group of funds isn't limited to just this year.

For the past three years, five out of the six landed in top two quintiles of performance. In addition, over the past five years, four of the six funds ranked in the top 10% of all funds in their respective category."

End quotes. There's much more in this article, so I urge you to go to my podcast page and click the link to it.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order, links on this podcast's webpage

1) Title Merck a Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 3.1% Yield (MRK) on Nasdaq.com. By the Dividend Channel.

2) Title Companies Like Nexii Are Betting on Sustainable Construction -- in The New York Times. By Eilene Zimmerman.

3) Title Best Stocks To Buy Now? 3 Solar Energy Stocks In Focus. On Nasdaq.com. By Joe Samuel from StockMarket.com.

4) Title New ESG Fund from Engine No. 1 Leans on Activism. On Kiplinger.com. By Ellen Kennedy.

Articles for UK, Australian, and International Investors—again links on this podcast's webpage

1) Title One ASX share price opportunity I couldn't pass up if I started investing today on fool.com.au. By Tristan Harrison.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Ocean's ETF. Fastest Growing Green Companies."

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

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on July 1. Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Gun-Free Funds and Eco Crypto Picks. Articles covered include: "Opinion: This pacifist, faith-based fund-management company is fighting gun violence in its own way"; "Values-based Investing: 3 ESG, Sharia-compliant ETFs To Know"; "This Renewable Energy Stock Is Plugging Into 2 Potentially Massive Market Opportunities"; Kraft Heinz A Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 4.3% Yield"; and "The Five Best Eco-Friendly Cryptocurrencies."

Podcast: Gun-Free Funds and Eco Crypto Picks

Transcript & Links, Episode 84, June 3, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 84 published on June 3, 2022, titled "Gun-Free Funds and Eco Crypto Picks" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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1. Gun-Free Funds

With all the talk about the horrific gun violence in the US, investors often wonder if they can invest in gun-free funds? This article on MarketWatch provides insight into one such fund. It's titled, Opinion: This pacifist, faith-based fund-management company is fighting gun violence in its own way. It's by Debbie Carlson.

Here are some quotes.

"Faith-based investment funds have long tried to reduce gun violence through advocacy, with some success.

One fund family, Praxis Mutual Funds, has worked on this issue in conjunction with other faith-based groups for at least 20 years. The fund manager follows pacifist values, so it has no weapons investments in its $2 billion asset pool…

Mark Regier, vice president of stewardship investing and director of sales for Praxis Mutual Funds in Goshen, Indiana, spoke to MarketWatch about the company's work, some of the limits of investor advocacy and a solution he wishes for.

Q and A

MarketWatch: Faith-based investment funds have tried to reduce gun violence for many years now. What are some of Praxis' efforts?

Regier: Starting in 2018-2019, we started looking at how the credit-card companies and banks are involved. Citigroup (C) imposed new restrictions on lending to retail clients involved in the gun business. Car rental companies like Hertz (HTZ) and Alamo, national hotels like Wyndham (WH) and Best Western, airlines like Delta (DAL) and United (UAL) stopped offering National Rifle Association-related promotions.

We've been involved with conversations that led to Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) and Walmart (WMT) ending the sales of some of their weapons. Kroger (KR) has chosen to exit the firearms business…

Marketwatch: Many gun manufacturers are small-cap and mid-cap stocks, so the direct financial effect is limited. But it's the cultural aspect that looms large and makes it a tougher fight — that's what it sounds like.

Regier: … On the cultural issue, there may be lessons learned with the advocacy of reducing tobacco use, like media not making it sexy. There's a lot to be explored there (to apply to lowering gun violence). But the hill to climb on this issue is a lot tougher because our cultural attachment to the renegade, lone-justice-seeking gunman … We also have easy access to guns and a desensitization to violence as a solution…

MarketWatch: How can investors think about this issue?

Regier: It's an opportunity to reflect on one's own values to understand how deeply do they go… I think then you begin to look at fund families that are out there that are not just carrying some ESG label, but that are actually working beyond that, that are doing shareholder advocacy." End quotes.

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2. Gun-Free Funds

In this next article, you'll find another faith-based fund as well as an ESG gun-free fund. It's titled Values-based Investing: 3 ESG, Sharia-compliant ETFs To Know by Eliezer Toh. It's found on syfe.com.

(Please note though that only the first fund might fully conform to Islamic Law). Here are quotes from the article.

"Many people want to make sure they aren't investing in companies that go against their beliefs and values…

This growing sector includes Sharia-compliant investments as well as funds screened through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors… Here are three ETFs to consider.

1) SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF (SPUS)

(This fund) invests in companies within the S&P 500 index, excluding those that don't comply with Islamic law i.e. firms involved in alcohol, tobacco, gambling, weapons, pork products, adult entertainment, credit cards, and charging interest…

The ETF also screens out companies with a lot of debt…

The top holdings (in this fund) include Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Tesla. Overall, the ETF has 215 holdings, less than half of a S&P 500 ETF like SPY…

In terms of performance, in 2021 (this fund rose) 35.2% (versus) SPY's 28.6%…

(This fund) is offered by SP Funds, a fund manager dedicated to halal, Sharia-compliant financial solutions. (It) has an expense ratio of 0.49%.

2) iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU)

(This fund) gives investors exposure to large- and mid-cap US stocks with favorable ESG ratings. It's designed for… the long-term.

(The fund) has an MSCI ESG fund rating of AAA (leader) and excludes companies involved in civilian firearms, controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal and oil sands.

Some of its top holdings include Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Johnson & Johnson…

(The fund) has an expense ratio of 0.15%, making it one of the cheaper ETFs in the ESG space."

3) Engine No. 1 Transform 500 ETF (VOTE)

VOTE aims to bring about transformational changes in companies through shareholder activism.

The activist hedge fund behind the ETF, Engine No. 1, came into prominence after winning three ExxonMobil board seats in June 2021…

The ETF buys shares in 500 of the largest US stocks and aims to lobby other shareholders of these companies to vote in favour of climate change and ESG agendas…

It carries an expense ratio of just 0.05%, similar to most low-cost S&P 500 ETFs. " End quotes.

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This Renewable Energy Stock Is Plugging Into 2 Potentially Massive Market Opportunities

Now, we return to a familiar theme, evident from this next article's title This Renewable Energy Stock Is Plugging Into 2 Potentially Massive Market Opportunities. It's by one of our great regular analysts, Matthew DiLallo from fool.com. Here are some quotes.

"Brookfield Renewable (BEPC)(BEP) started as a hydroelectric power producer. It has since become a large-scale renewable energy company by adding onshore wind, utility-scale solar, distributed generation (e.g., rooftop solar), and energy storage platforms… It (is) one of the largest renewable energy producers in the world…

Recently, the company added two new potentially massive long-term growth drivers in green hydrogen and carbon capture.

The economy needs a versatile fuel like natural gas to help manage seasonality and renewable energy's intermittency issues. Many believe that green hydrogen could be the solution…

Brookfield is seeking to tap into the hydrogen opportunity. In late 2020, it agreed to supply renewable energy to fully energize a planned green hydrogen plant by Plug Power (PLUG)…

Brookfield Renewable is also joining forces with energy infrastructure giant Enbridge (ENB) to build a green hydrogen plant in Canada…

Brookfield Renewable also sees a bright future in carbon capture. That recently led it to invest in a leading North American modular carbon capture solutions provider…

These emerging industries could be major growth drivers." End quotes.

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Kraft Heinz A Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 4.3% Yield

Now many of you seek dividends from quality ESG companies. This article might pique your interest. It's titled Kraft Heinz A Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 4.3% Yield at forbes.com from the Dividend Channel. Here are some quotes.

"Kraft Heinz (KHC)has been named a Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock by Dividend Channel, signifying a stock with above-average 'DividendRank' statistics including a strong 4.3% yield, as well as being recognized by prominent asset managers as being a socially responsible investment… According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, Kraft Heinz is a member of the iShares USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA)… which owns $4,959,267 worth of Kraft Heinz shares…" End quotes.

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1. Eco Crypto Picks

Numerous investors today are buying cryptocurrencies. For ethical and sustainable investors, which ones should they favor? This article might help you. It's titled The Five Best Eco-Friendly Cryptocurrencies by Justin Freeman. It appeared on asktraders.com. Here are some quotes from Mr. Freeman.

"One of the biggest challenges facing cryptocurrencies is the amount of energy needed to operate the blockchain systems which support them. Bitcoin and Ethereum currently use as much energy each year as Argentina, Malaysia, and the Netherlands…

The accounting methodologies of Cardano, Polkadot, Ripple, and Tezos have been designed to use less energy. They also offer faster processing times and a range of other features which make them better equipped to take crypto to the next level.

1. CARDANO (ADA)

Cardano was founded in 2015 and launched in 2017 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson. The aim was to take the best bits of Ether but use 'Proof of Stake' (PoS) protocols to manage the blockchain. PoS is a much more eco-friendly methodology than the 'Proof of Work' (PoW) system used by Bitcoin and Ether.

2. RIPPLE (XRP)

The Ripple network cuts down on its carbon footprint by using trusted validators to confirm transactions and keep track of its XRP tokens. The fact that all XRP coins have already been mined also helps, and Ripple has a stated aim to be carbon neutral by 2030…

An SEC lawsuit hangs over Ripple. The case was brought against the firm in 2020, but when it is resolved, the price of XRP can be expected to rise.

3. TEZOS (XTZ)

Tezos uses Liquid Proof of Stake protocols to manage its consensus mechanism. The energy savings are substantial and have also been audited by the internationally recognised accounting and auditing form PwC.

4. POLKADOT

Polkadot uses PoS protocols to take energy efficiency to another level. The Crypto Carbon Ratings Institute (CCRI) found that Polkadot emerged as the network with the least electricity consumption compared with Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, and other top cryptos.

5. BITGREEN (BITG)

BitGreen was created to offer an eco-friendly alternative to Bitcoin. It uses Proof of Stake protocols, and there is no need for energy-intensive mining of new coins. Energy saving is part of the coin's DNA, and it draws on behavioural science to encourage behaviour which is good for the environment. Users are rewarded for actions such as drinking sustainable coffee, carpooling, and volunteering." End quotes.

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2. Eco Crypto Picks

Now some thoughts from a crypto enthusiast who is also a socially responsible investor.The article is titled Here's Why I'm Putting My Crypto Investments on Hold by Emma Newbery in The Motley Fool. Now some quotes from Ms. Newberry.

"I'm passionate about cryptocurrency… More recently, I've paused my crypto purchases, at least for a little while.

To be clear, I'm not selling any of my existing investments. I plan to hold for at least 10 years, and probably more, and I'm earning decent rates of interest on many of my crypto assets. However, for me, it's a good time to take a step back. Here are four reasons why.

1. My portfolio is out of balance.

2. I want to see what regulation will bring.

3. The market may well fall further.

4. I'm increasingly uncomfortable with the shadier side of crypto.

I am extremely conscious about the way I spend and invest my money. I opt for fair trade products and prioritize socially responsible investments.

In crypto, I'm a big fan of Cardano (ADA), which has a mission to use blockchain to make the world a better place. But there are still too many elephants in the room to think that crypto is an ethical investment.

Here are a few:

• Money laundering.
• Ransomware.
• Lack of transparency.
• An overreliance on stablecoins.

Bottom line

Cryptocurrency remains an exciting and fascinating industry with huge amounts of potential. However, it also carries a lot of risk." End quotes.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: ""

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

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on June 17. Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Best US Corporate Citizens. And More. Articles covered include: "5 Renewable Energy Stocks To Watch In The Stock Market Today"; "100 Best Corporate Citizens"; "2 green stocks that I think are no-brainer buys for the future"; "A top fund manager has been buying these ASX tech shares after the market selloff"; and much, much, more

Podcast: Best US Corporate Citizens. And More

Transcript & Links, Episode 83, May 20, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 83 published on May 20, 2022, titled "Best US Corporate Citizens. And More" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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5 Renewable Energy Stocks To Watch

Now first off again to our favorite industry with this article titled 5 Renewable Energy Stocks To Watch In The Stock Market Today. It's by Brandon Michael and seen on stockmarket.com.

Here are some quotes from Mr. Michael.

"Investors keen on renewable energy stocks may be looking at the likes of Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ). The company yesterday made its first move in the battery energy storage space in the United Kingdom… Elsewhere, Algonquin Power's (NYSE: AQN) Liberty unit is working with Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: FB) on a new wind power project in Michigan…

With that being said, check out these renewable energy stocks…

1) Blink Charging (NASDAQ: BLNK)

The company currently operates and maintains over 30,000 charging ports across 13 countries. Additionally, most of Blink's charging stations are linked via its global network, allowing users to seamlessly charge at any of its locations worldwide…

The company announced record first-quarter results. Blink saw its total revenues soar to $9.8 million, a massive 339% increase year-over-year. The company attributes this massive growth in revenue to increased product sales and service revenues. Besides that, the company also sees 3,174 charging stations contracted or sold, a 99% year-over-year increase. With Blink expecting this momentum to persist through 2022, should you invest in Blink stock?

2) Ormat Technologies (NYSE: ORA)

Ormat is a geothermal industry leader that has supplied power-generating equipment for customers in over 30 countries. Apart from that, it also has expertise in energy storage solutions.

The renewable energy company reported its earnings for the first quarter of the year… Ormat generated revenues of $183.7 million, an increase of 10.4% year-over-year. The company owes this revenue growth to its Electricity segment performance as well as its strategic capacity additions. Next to that, its adjusted net income came in at $18.4 million, rising 20.8% from $15.3 million. Accordingly, diluted earnings per share were $0.33, growing 22.2%... The company also provided its guidance for the rest of the year. Ormat forecasts revenues to range between $710 million and $735 million… Is Ormat stock one to watch?

3) Sunrun (NASDAQ: RUN)

It has pioneered home solar service plans to make local clean energy more accessible to everyone. The company's innovative home battery solutions also bring more affordable and reliable solar energy… Sunrun reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2022.

The company saw its revenue increase by 48% to $495.8 million. Besides that, it saw a 27% growth in its Solar Energy Capacity Installed in the first quarter, exceeding its guidance. Sunrun also grew its customer base by 20%, now totaling 689,774 customers as of March 31, 2022. For the rest of the year, the company expects its Solar Energy Capacity Installed Growth to be 25% or more, an increase from its prior guidance of 20%. Considering Sunrun's performance, is Sunrun stock worth adding to your watchlist?

4) SolarEdge (NASDAQ: SEDG)

Its products include SolarEdge Power Optimizer, SolarEdge Inverter, SolarEdge Solutions, and SolarEdge Monitoring Software. It is noteworthy that the company's power optimizers provide module-level maximum power point tracking and real-time adjustments of current and voltage to the optimal working point of each PV module…

SolarEdge announced its first-quarter financial results… It reported a record revenue of $655.1 million, up 62% from $405.5 million in the same quarter last year. Its solar segment, which makes up most of its revenue, brought in a record $608 million, an increase of 62% year-over-year… Net income came in at $68.8 million in the past quarter, rising 24% from $55.5 million. Diluted earnings per share were $1.20, up from $0.98 in the same quarter last year. All things considered, should you add SolarEdge stock to your portfolio?

5) Enphase Energy (NASDAQ: ENPH)

Enphase is a renewable energy company that designs and manufactures home energy solutions. It is a global energy technology company and also the world's leading supplier of microinverters-based solar storage systems. With its smart and easy-to-use solutions, the company connects solar generation, storage, and energy management into one intelligent platform. Enphase's semiconductor-based microinverters convert energy at the individual solar module level and bring a system-based approach to solar energy management…

The company reported better than expected results for its first quarter. Its revenue came in at $441.3 million, exceeding the $420 to $440 million the company forecasted last quarter. Additionally, this signals a revenue growth of 46.2% compared to the same period last year. Besides that, Enphase raked a net income of $51.8 million, up by 63.5%. Accordingly, diluted earnings per share were $0.37 compared to $0.24 in the year prior. For its second-quarter outlook, it foresees revenue to range between $490 million to $520 million. Given the solid quarter, should you buy Enphase stock?" End quotes.

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Best US Corporate Citizens

This next piece is from a press release by 3BL Media announcing their terrific annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking.

Here are some quotes from the release.

"Recognizing outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies.

For the fourth consecutive year, Owens Corning (OC) tops the ranking. PepsiCo (PEP), Apple (AAPL), HP (HPE) and Cisco (CSCO) round out the top five.

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking is based on 155 ESG factors in eight pillars: climate change, employee relations, environment, finance, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance.

Using a methodology developed by 3BL Media, all Russell 1000 Index companies are researched by ISS ESG, the responsible investment research arm of Institutional Shareholder Services. There is no fee for companies to be included in 100 Best Corporate Citizens…

To ensure companies in the ranking were not lobbying against Paris Climate Agreement-aligned policies, in 2021 3BL Media partnered with InfluenceMap to assess a 'red flag' penalty to such oppositional companies. Taking it a step further, in 2022 a 'green flag' bonus was introduced to recognize firms using their political influence and spending in support of Paris aligned policies. PepsiCo, Apple, Microsoft, PSEG and Salesforce were the only companies to receive this 'green flag.'

Click here to access the complete 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2022 ranking and methodology." End quotes.

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2 green UK stock picks

Now from the UK is this article 2 green stocks that I think are no-brainer buys for the future by Jon Smith. It's found on fool.co.uk. So to some quotes from Jon Smith.

1) ITM Power (LSE:ITM)

"The first green stock I like is ITM Power. The business designs, manufactures, and integrates electrolysers to produce green hydrogen. It has a range of commercial potential uses, including as fuel. The only waste is water and green hydrogen can be stored in tanks for long periods of time — it's easy to see why people are excited…

ITM Power is really starting to get up and running. The stock won a project grant from the German government in January. It has secured investment from the UK government last November for the first phase of an ongoing project at the Whitelee Windfarm hydrogen facility.

The share price is down 11% over the past year, but up 50% over two years. I think that with momentum from the recent investments and the prospect of increased production in the next year or so, the share price could really start to take off.

There is some risk that the market finds issues with green hydrogen in practice, but for the moment I think it's a viable form of clean energy for the future.

2) Greencoat Renewables (LSE:GRP)

Another company that fits the bill is Greencoat Renewables. I think this is a no-brainer buy not for share price growth, but rather for dividend income in my portfolio. The company invests in wind and other renewable energy projects in Europe, with the aim of distributing returns via dividends. Currently the dividend yield sits at 5.22%, with the share price up 1% over the past year…

I like the fact that Greencoat has projects in different countries in its portfolio. Although there is a lot of exposure in Ireland, it also has projects in France, Spain, Finland, and Sweden…

I do know that getting wind projects up and running can be very expensive. This might make it tough for Greencoat to step up to the next level as private investors might favour cheaper green energy options. However, I think there is enough funding already in this space to ensure the dividends stay generous and consistent." End quotes.

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2 Australian tech stock picks

Now to an Australian article that could be of interest to global investors. It's titled A top fund manager has been buying these ASX tech shares after the market selloff. It's by James Mickleboro and appeared on fool.com.au.

Here are some quotes from Mr. Mickleboro. Note, Bigtincan is a tech company billing itself as a 'sales enablement platform.' Now the quotes.

"1) Bigtincan Holdings Ltd (ASX: BTH)

According to a change of interests of substantial holder notice, Australian Ethical Investment Limited (ASX: AEF), has taken advantage of recent weakness in the Bigtincan share price to increase its stake.

The notice reveals that the fund manager has picked up over 8.5 million shares since its last notice. This has lifted its holding in the sales enablement platform provider to a total of ~55.8 million shares, which is the equivalent of a 10.15% stake.

With the Bigtincan share price down by almost 50% since the start of the year, it appears as though Australian Ethical sees this as a buying opportunity.

2) Nitro Software Ltd (ASX: NTO)

Another change of interests of substantial holder notice reveals that Australian Ethical has also been buying this document productivity software company's shares.

The fund manager has increased its stake by ~2.5 million shares to a total of just over 17.7 million shares. This represents a stake of 7.29%...

Once again, with the Nitro share price down 46% in 2022, its analysts appear to believe this has created a buying opportunity.

The team at Goldman Sachs would agree with this. The broker recently reiterated its buy rating and $2.35 price target on the company's shares." End quotes.

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Articles for UK, Australian, and International Investors—again links on this podcast's webpage

1. Title Best ESG funds from the UK Evening Standard. By Andrew Michael.

2. Title 3 top ASX growth shares I'd buy next week on fool.com.au. By Tristan Harrison.

3. Title AXA IM launches two new green investment funds from InvestorDaily, Australia. By Paul Hemsley.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Best US Corporate Citizens. And More."

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

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope in these deeply troubled times!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on June 3. Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds articles include: "4 ETFs targeting clean water, wind energy, the smart grid — and one that has them all"; "Best renewable energy to watch out for in 2022"; "3 Alternative Energy Stocks to Watch As Wind Power Expands"; and "2 Renewables Stocks That Could Have You Seeing Green". Seven more!

Podcast: Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds

Transcript & Links, Episode 82, May 6, 2022

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to my podcast episode 82 published on May 6, 2022, titled "Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds" — and presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

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

Also, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

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1. Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds

So let's begin with this article titled 4 ETFs targeting clean water, wind energy, the smart grid — and one that has them all by Rachel Koning Beals. It appeared on marketwatch.com. Here are some quotes from Ms. Koning Beals on each of her four recommendations.

"For some investment advisers and stock-pickers, so-called green investing is far from just a feel-good move… One such investment adviser is Daniel Milan of Cornerstone Financial Services in Southfield, Michigan…

1) Is First Trust Water ETF (FIW)

The fund holds 36 of the largest U.S.-listed water companies, ranked by market cap and weighted equally within five tiers. Milan says… 'Our water thesis is short-term, intermediate-term and long-term…'

In the U.S. alone, fixing the water infrastructure — including ridding groundwater of what are usually known as 'forever chemicals' — featured only behind transportation as the largest recipients of funding in last year's $1.2 trillion infrastructure law…

Milan said. 'I'm from Michigan. Flint lived its water crisis and we all lived it to some extent… I don't think that crisis water scenario is unique.'

2) First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID)

… is a concentrated fund targeting global equities determined to be in the smart grid and electrical energy infrastructure sector, Milan says…

The sector may include business in electric grid, electric meters and devices, networks, energy storage and management, and enabling software.

3) First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN)

Most wind ETFs are too small to pass Milan's sniff test… The best, meaning larger, option may be First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF. It saves roughly 60% of its weighting for pure plays in the wind industry, including turbine manufacturers and operators, and allocates the remaining 40% to diversified sector, says Milan.

This mix might frustrate some investors who envision a pure play. In fact, they may find more desirable wind opportunities in a broader clean-energy ETF.

4) First Trust NASDAQ Clean Energy Sector ETF (QCLN)

… holds a broad portfolio of U.S.-listed firms in the clean energy industry. Eligible companies must be manufacturers, developers, distributors or installers of one of the following sub-sectors: advanced materials (that enable clean-energy or reduce the need for petroleum products), energy intelligence (smart grid), energy storage and conversion (hybrid batteries) or renewable electricity generation (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.)…

Milan acknowledges recent volatility in this ETF and other macro-level sector funds as broader market consensus has favored names with high cash flow and strong balance sheets over high-growth companies." End quotes.

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2. Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds

It seems that the media is again filled with analysts reviewing renewable energy-related stocks and funds. So, most of the following articles refer to that space.

This next article is titled Best renewable energy to watch out for in 2022 by Alex Artenie. It's on medium.datadriveninvestor.com site. Here are some quotes from Mr. Artenie on each of his picks.

"1) NextEra Energy (NEE)

While not a household name, this company is the world's largest wind and solar energy producer. It has production facilities in Florida and sells power through purchasing power agreements (PPAs) to other utility companies and also directly to consumers.

You should watch NextEra Energy closely as it has yielded about 700 percent in returns in the last decade. The company has enjoyed above-average growth, increasing its dividend yearly for more than a quarter of a century.

2) Brookfield Renewable (BEP)

Brookfield is one of the global leaders in hydroelectric power production. Hydropower makes up more than 62 percent of its energy portfolio in 2021. However, the company is also into wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage businesses.

Steady cash flow comes from long-term energy contracts with PPAs, which buy most of its energy.

Brookfield stock has generated an annual return of 20 percent for its investors since it began operating. Dividend payments have grown at a 6 percent compound annual growth rate starting from 2012.

The company is projecting more growth based on its extensive renewable energy projects billed to come online soon.

3) Clearway Energy (CWEN)

Clearway is a big-time player in the American renewable energy market. In addition to extensive wind and solar energy portfolios, the company operates highly efficient power plants running on natural gas. It also sells its energy to PPAs, ensuring a constant revenue stream.

Since its inception, investors in Clearway stocks have reaped annual returns that total almost 10 percent. The firm is controlled by Global Infrastructure Partners, a private equity company. Clearway is gunning for between 5 and 8 percent annual dividend growth in the nearest future." End quotes.

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3. Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds

My next renewable/alternative energy article is titled 3 Alternative Energy Stocks to Watch As Wind Power Expands by Aparajita Dutta. Found on zacks.com. Here are some of Ms. Dutta's comments on her stock picks.

"1) TotalEnergies (TTE - Free Report)

Based in France, TotalEnergies is among the top five publicly traded global integrated oil and gas companies based on production volumes, proved reserves and market capitalization. Earlier this month, TotalEnergies and ENEOS Corporation announced a collaboration to jointly conduct a feasibility study to assess the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in ENEOS Negishi Refinery in Yokohama City, Japan. The proposed unit, with a capacity of 300,000 tons per year of SAF, once operational will allow TotalEnergies to offer a sustainable supply chain of SAF in Japan around 2025.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TotalEnergies' 2022 earnings has improved 31.8% in the past 60 days and implies an improvement of 58.7% from 2021's reported earnings figure. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 18.88% in the last four quarters… TotalEnergies currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

2) Evergy (EVRG - Free Report)

Based in Kansas City, MO, this company provides clean, safe and reliable energy to 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri… Its 2021 adjusted earnings per share were $3.54, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase and a 7% increase over the $3.30 mid-point of the company's original 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range. This indicates the company's operational strength.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Evergy's 2022 earnings has improved 0.6% in the past 60 days. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 87.44% in the last four quarters. It boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 6.1%. Evergy currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

3) Brookfield Renewables (BEP - Free Report). (Yes again!)

Based in New York, Brookfield Renewables operates renewable power assets in the United States, Brazil and Colombia. In April 2022, Brookfield formed a strategic partnership with SSE Renewables for participation in the 1.4GW Hollandse Kust (west) offshore wind farm zone tenders, which are currently underway in the Netherlands…

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Brookfield Renewables' 2022 earnings has improved in the past 60 days while that for sales implies an improvement of 11.6% over 2021's reported sales figure. Brookfield Renewables currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold)." End quotes.

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4. Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds

The last article I'm reviewing today is titled 2 Renewables Stocks That Could Have You Seeing Green. It's by someone I feature in almost every podcast, Matthew DiLallo, on fool.com. Here's s some of what Mr. DiLallo has to say about these two stocks.

"1) Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure (AY)

… focuses on owning environmentally sustainable infrastructure assets like renewable energy generating facilities, water desalination plants, electric transmission lines, and cleaner-burning natural gas power plants. These assets generate relatively predictable cash flow backed by long-term contracts and government-regulated rate structures. That gives Atlantica the funds to pay an attractive 5.7%-yielding dividend…

Atlantica is targeting to invest at least $300 million per year in renewable energy and other sustainable infrastructure projects. This investment rate should grow its cash available for distribution by 5% to 8% per year. That will enable the company to continue growing its high-yielding dividend… investors should also benefit from a steadily rising stock price, adding to their returns.

2) Clearway Energy (CWEN)(CWEN.A) (Yes, again!)

Clearway Energy focuses on producing cleaner electricity from wind, solar, and natural gas power plants. It sells this energy under long-term contracts to end users like utilities. That enables it to generate relatively stable cash flow to support its 4.3%-yielding dividend.

The company has also steadily increased its payout by expanding its portfolio, primarily through acquisitions. It invested $820 million across a range of transactions last year, including purchasing projects developed by its sponsor Clearway Energy Group (CEG). These deals help support Clearway's target to grow its dividend by 5% to 8% per year.

The company believes it can deliver dividend growth toward the high end of that target range through at least 2026. One key power source is the upcoming sale of its thermal business. It will receive $1.35 billion in net proceeds, giving it the cash to reinvest in higher-returning opportunities. It already has $600 million in deals lined up. That leaves it with $750 million to allocate toward future acquisitions.

Given (the company's) vast development project pipeline, Clearway should have plenty of options. (It) has 19 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects in its backlog, including 2 GW that it plans to start building this year. That's a sizable opportunity set for Clearway, considering its current portfolio size of 9 GWs…

Clearway Energy offers investors a high-powered dividend that should generate a lot of green in the coming years. Add in the potential appreciation in its stock price, and Clearway could be a big-time green investment." End quotes.

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Other Honorable Mentions—not in any order and a reminder that for links to these articles go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this podcast page.

1) Title Bank of New York Mellon a Top Socially Responsible Dividend Stock With 2.9% Yield on Nasdaq. By BNK Invest.

2) Title What are the most responsible (Canadian) funds? On the Corporate Knights site. By Tim Nash.

3) Title LGBTQ+ Friendly Investments: What They Are & How to Find Them on investorjunkie.com. By Christopher Murray.

4) Title Green Bonds Become ESG Fixed Income Cornerstone on ETF Trends. By Tom Lydon.

Articles for UK, Australian, and International Investors—again links on this podcast's webpage

1) Title How to invest in sustainable food: Six best fund ideas on This is Money. By Tara Clee.

2) Title Here are 2 top ETFs for ASX investors to buy next week on fool.com.au. By James Mickleboro.

3) Title Top 10 most-popular investment trusts: April 2022 on ii.co.uk by Kyle Caldwell.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: "Best Clean Energy Stocks and Funds."

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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Thank you for listening.

Talk to you next on May 20. Bye for now.

© 2022 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul