Tag Archives: asset class

From Value to Worth – Why The Impact Investing “Asset Class” Debate Matters

Over two weeks ago, I posted a poll asking whether impact investing should be considered an “asset class”. The fact that the results currently come in at 60/40 (after many votes) in favor of NO asset class belies the considerable debate that has surrounded this topic both on this blog and other online forums. I am still a bit surprised about how many people have weighed in on a question that would appear to be mostly a technicality… but is it really just that?

Without being able to do justice to the many, many arguments constructed in favor and against the “asset class” question, I would like to take a moment to restate my understanding of what people have said on this topic. Then, in a broader sense, I hope to convert part of this controversy into something of meaning and, in typical fashion for this blog, will attempt to identify what really is at stake at the end of the day in dealing with this question.

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Weekly Poll #6 – Should Impact Investing Become An “Asset Class”?

Weekly Poll #6:

Should Impact Investing Become An “Asset Class”?

In a recent book I reviewed, the authors Antony Bugg-Levine and Jed Emerson ask an important question: should impact investing be considered an “asset class”, i.e., the view favored by some bankers or wealth managers in search for new business?

The other view is this: should impact investing otherwise not be considered a “transformational paradigm” by which all our investments should be subjected to their social + financial returns? Is that even possible, practical, or desirable?

Of course I have my own view, and I am interested to take that discussion further in the future but for now, I would rather love to get YOUR opinion which view you favor. Feel free to leave comments with your rationale.

Results are immediately visible as you click!

As always, please do feel free to share any suggestions for future polls you may find interesting to learn more about your fellow Good Generation comrades and their views on various topics. I’d be happy to pick up on some of these ideas in the future.

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