GULFPORT, Miss.— As the country observes National Women’s History Month this month, Hancock Whitney is announcing an investment option for clients that supports the cause of women’s advancement. Details were shared in a press release.
Hancock Whitney’s Diversity Leaders Investment Strategy(DLIS)is a separately managed investment strategy that invests in strong companies that support gender and ethnic inclusion in their workforces, business practices and corporate structure. The strategy reflects a new and growing national trend that finds investors seeking out companies with principles that align with their own goals, objectives and perspectives on gender.
“We believe in the performance of companies that use the talent and experience available to them. We support diversity and inclusion and believe it is a good business practice. That’s the premise behind Hancock Whitney’s Diversity Leaders Investment Strategy,” said chief investment officer David Lundgren. “Senior portfolio manager Tamara Wyre has strong experience with this type of strategy and is primarily responsible for creating the Hancock Whitney strategy. She has served as the lead portfolio manager since its inception."
“This strategy allows investors to support their social goals alongside their financial goals and really connect with their portfolios in a meaningful way,” Wyre said. “However, we begin our process by rigorously examining the financials of the companies selected for investment."
Prioritizing Impact Investing
More and more investors – notably women – are looking to include impact investments in their portfolios. A study by the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) found that 90 percent of women want to invest with an intent to make a positive impact in the world. Today, women control $11.2 trillion in U.S. investment assets, with that figure set to grow to $20 trillion in 2020, Wyre said. Even with that significant financial decision-making power, only 47 percent of women have financial advisors. (Source: www.morganstanley.com/articles/power-of-purse/)
Hancock Whitney wants to help show investors how they can make an impact with the companies in which they invest, from both a social and financial standpoint. DLIS is a potential core holding for any portfolio and comprises approximately 100 primarily large cap companies. The return, style and volatility characteristics of the portfolio are designed to track with the S&P 1500 Composite Index which combines three leading indices –S&P 500, S&P Mid Cap 400, and S&P Small Cap 600.*
The strategy’s stock selection process utilizes a proprietary fundamental stock score and workplace equality score independently applied to the companies selected for investment.
“Our goal is to seek investment returns that closely replicate or exceed the performance of the U.S. equity market through investing in companies that demonstrate commendable practices from a gender and equality vantage point,” Wyre said.
Making a Social and Financial Impact
“We believe there is a direct connection between gender, ethnic and cultural diversity and value creation,” Wyre said. “There is potential for social and financial impact through inclusion.Hancock Whitney recognizes that, by taking this information beyond the walls of the organization and into the portfolios of our clients, we can offer value, integrity and financial solutions that work to help them achieve their individual goals and dreams."
*The return on this strategy is uncertain and cannot be predicted.
