Morgan Stanley Survey Finds Interest in Sustainable Investing Stronger than Ever
Investor Survey shows awareness and interest in sustainable investing continuing to climb steadily – 75% of
individual investors and 86% of Millennials are interested in sustainable investing1
Three-quarters of active individual investors and 86% of Millennial active individual investors describe themselves as
interested in sustainable investing, according to a new survey published today by the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable
Investing. The second edition of the investor survey, Sustainable Signals, examines the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of
individual investors towards sustainable investing and considers the broader implications for investors, corporations and
governments. Following the last Sustainable Signals report released in 2015, the new findings show interest in sustainable
investing continuing to increase with investors’ growing belief that their investments can make a positive social or environmental
impact.
“As widespread attention to sustainability continues to increase, consumers and investors alike are now more than ever factoring
sustainability issues into their investment decisions,” said Audrey Choi, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Marketing Officer
at Morgan Stanley. “The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing works to drive scalable investment solutions that seek
to deliver positive social or environmental impact alongside the market-rate returns that clients expect.”
Results from the survey identify sustainable investing trends reflecting the surging growth in the broader sustainability space.
Related findings include:
- Values Matter. Consciousness around sustainability has leapt from the consumer space to the
investment space. According to the latest survey, investor attention to sustainability factors is now growing faster than that of
consumers as a whole.
- Environmental impact. Increased interest in sustainable investing occurred despite a
heightened sense of market volatility, implying perhaps that in uncertain times, companies and funds with sustainable attributes
may be viewed as more stable over the long run. 71% of investors polled agreed that good social, environmental and governance
practices can potentially lead to higher profitability and may be better long-term investments.
- Focus on Customization. The poll showed a strong desire for the ability to customize
sustainable investments; 80% of individual investors and 89% of Millennials are interested in sustainable investments that can be
customized to meet their interests and goals.
- Sustainable Investing in the Workplace. With Millennials projected to make up 75% of the
American workforce by 2025, it’s interesting to note that nine out of ten Millennial investors (90%) expressed interest in
pursuing sustainable investments as part of their 401(k) portfolios. This implies that offering sustainable investment funds as
401(k) options may be an additional way for companies to attract and retain Millennial talent in competitive job markets.
Millennials continue to fuel growth. Nearly nine in ten Millennials surveyed (86%) are interested in sustainable investing,
compared with three-quarters of individual investors overall (75%). This heightened interest is likely tied to Millennials’ strong
belief that they can make a positive difference with their own investments. Related findings from the survey include:
- Influence. 75% agree that it is possible for “my investment decisions to influence the amount
of climate change caused by human activities," compared with 58% of the total individual investor population.
- Impact. 84% agree that it is possible for “my investment decisions to create economic growth
that lifts people out of poverty," compared with 79% of the total individual investor population surveyed.
For more information, please see Sustainable Signals: New Data from the Individual Investor.
The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing
The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing builds scalable finance solutions that seek to deliver competitive
financial returns while driving positive environmental and social impact. The Institute creates innovative financial products,
thoughtful insights and capacity building programs that help maximize capital to create a more sustainable future. For more
information about the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, visit www.morganstanley.com/sustainableinvesting.
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management
and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including
corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.
1Poll commissioned by Morgan Stanley but independently conducted by Brunswick Insight, February 17-22, 2017,
This is for informational purposes only, and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial
instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. This material contains forward looking statements and there can be no
guarantee that they will come to pass. Information contained herein is based on data from multiple sources and Morgan Stanley makes
no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley.
© 2017 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Members SIPC.
![](http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20170809005961r1&sid=mstr1&distro=nx&lang=en)
Media Relations:
Morgan Stanley
Sarah Higgins, 212-296-3648
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170809005961/en/