Show Summary:

Host Ethan Astaneh speaks with Jeff Ryan, Portfolio Manager of Nicola Wealth’s Sustainable Innovation Fund. Over the years, Nicola Wealth has received increasing interest from its clients to have more options to make purpose-driven investments. In many of these conversations, clients expressed a desire to invest directly into the companies and industries that are focused on renewable energy, clean technologies, as well as those operating sustainably.

While Nicola Wealth has made investments in these funds through their various others, they now have a mandate that’s specifically dedicated to it.

In this episode, Ethan and Jeff are explore what it means to make sustainable and innovative investments — specifically surrounding renewable energy, innovative transportation, water infrastructure, and clean technology. They discuss the benefits of investing in these spaces, current developments, and some of the advantages available to the companies and industries that adopt them.

Key Takeaways: [:33] About today’s episode. [1:06] Ethan welcomes Jeff Ryan to the podcast. [1:09] What renewable energy is. [1:54] How solar and wind work to produce energy. [2:41] Are existing companies exploring these alternative energy sources or are only brand new companies giving them a try? [3:53] Is it going to take a while for renewable energy sources to become a more popular alternative? What are some of the challenges that are preventing companies from taking the leap to renewable energy? [4:42] Jeff gives his take on the current status of innovative transportation and what he categorizes as innovative transportation beyond electric vehicles. [6:26] Are there any developments with regards to rail transportation? Is it considered innovative transportation?[7:21] Does Nicola Wealth’s Sustainable Innovation Fund’s water infrastructure include clean or dirty water — or both? [8:14] Which kinds of companies are involved in the space of water infrastructure? [9:18] Will the efficiency of water infrastructure become more important as populations expand? [9:48] Are there any specific technology that’s being developed in regards to water infrastructure? [10:38] Are the companies that operate in these various themes typically distinct? Which are the outliers? [11:57] The next theme Nicola Wealth invests in is clean technology. Jeff describes what it is and gives some examples. [14:27] Whether it’s the federal, provincial, or national government, how they are involved and how does it impact the companies? Do they get tax credits or tax breaks? [16:01] Jeff describes what the next theme, green bonds, is. [17:10] Is the basic premise that as an investor part of your return is knowing that you are making a difference or is it more competitive than that? [17:49] In terms of the themes Ethan and Jeff have discussed, are there any in particular that Jeff sees as advancing or ahead of the rest in terms of its investment opportunities? [18:32] Jeff talks about where we are currently in this long story of a movement towards sustainable and innovative investment.

Mentioned in this Episode: Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF)

Guest Bio Jeff Ryan is the Portfolio Manager of Nicola Wealth’s Sustainable Innovation Fund. Jeff joined the Nicola Wealth Portfolio Management Team in October 2015 after playing the integral role of Portfolio Trader on our Investment Services Team. When joining Nicola Wealth in 2013, Jeff brought his experience working as an Associate for one of Canada’s major financial institutions.

For his full bio, visit: NicolaWealth.com/Our-Team/Jeff-Ryan

About Your Host — Ethan Astaneh Ethan is a Financial Advisor in the firm’s Vancouver office. He provides strategic advice to high net worth business owners, professionals, and retirees, and offers his clients a wide range of financial services, including; retirement income planning, business succession, and continuation planning, investment management, tax and estate planning, charitable giving, and intergenerational wealth transfer.

For his full bio, visit: NicolaWealth.com/Our-Team/Ethan-Astaneh

For More Information on this Week’s Episode, Visit: www.NicolaWealth.com/Category/Podcasts

 

Disclaimer: This presentation contains the current opinions of the presenter and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material is distributed for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, accounting, tax or specific investment advice. Please speak to your NWM advisor regarding your unique situation. Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary research and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. NWM Fund returns are quoted net of fund-level expenses. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments contain risk and may gain or lose value. Projected returns are estimates only. Returns are not guaranteed. NWM is registered as a Portfolio Manager, Exempt Market Dealer and Investment Fund Manager with the required provincial securities’ commissions in Canada.