Gender-Lens: Investing with Equality in Mind

What is Gender-Lens Investing?

There are a million and one reasons to invest. Many people focus on the cold-hard cash returns while others like to use their money to move forward a social cause. At Legacy Financial Partners, we believe in personalized investing in West Palm Beach. That’s why we help you find options that match your goals and perspective.  

What is Gender-Lens Investing?

What is Gender-Lens Investing?   

Gender-lens investing is the tactic of screening companies through female-centric filters. According to an analysis by the Wharton School of Business, these filters include: 

  • Advancing women in finance 
  • Advancing women in leadership 
  • Advancing products and services that improve the lives of women 
  • Advancing companies that have a positive effect on their female employees 
  • Advancing companies that improve the lives of women in their ecosystem (e.g., suppliers, distributors, customers)

While female business founders currently receive less than 3% of all venture capital in the U.S., there has been a significant rise in genderlens investing throughout the past few years.1 

 

Why Practice Gender-Lens Investing?  

Some people make detached and largely performance-based investment decisions. They seek returns to help them meet their financial goals, wanting only the best opportunities to meet that objective. But for others, investing can be more personal. After all, they give companies money and trust that those organizations will pursue best practices in terms of corporate governance, growth, and expansion, as well as environmental and employment responsibility. 

Gender-lens investing help promote gender equality and can help level the playing field when it comes to compensation, business funding, and management practices — factors known to improve overall economic growth.2 Whatever your investment philosophy and financial goals, we want to help you achieve them. 

 

Women’s Performance in the Financial Market  

Part of this trend has to do with the stronger role women have taken in managing their own money — a wave energized by young adults. A recent study by Merrill Lynch found that more women today enter marriage with their own money and manage their investments separately from their spouse. Also, younger married women are more than twice as likely to claim the role of primary decision maker than older married women. In fact, 75% of women under age 45 manage their own finances, compared to 50% of those over age 55.3   

Some economists have estimated the gap caused by gender-based inequality costs the economy about 15% of GDP. Companies with high levels of employment and leadership opportunities for women have been found to have higher organizational effectiveness and growth.4 Moreover, those that enforce policies promoting gender equality may provide better returns and less risk for investors.5  

Social justice and gender equality filters have been embraced by many female investors — who are projected to control about two-thirds of all wealth within the next decade. Venture capital is a particular focus for infusing gender-lens investments. On average, female CEOs are generating more revenue per dollar invested, and delivering investor returns faster than their all-male counterparts.6 

What is Gender-Lens Investing?

Want to Stay Informed About Investing in West Palm Beach?  

Sometimes investing is about more than just the money. Legacy Financial Partners keeps your preferences and sensibilities in mind for all our investment offerings. Schedule a meeting today to learn more!  

 

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications. 

1 Knowledge@Wharton. Oct. 2, 2020. “How Gender Lens Investing Is Gaining Ground.” https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-gender-lens-investing-is-gaining-ground/Accessed Nov. 3, 2020.  

2 Adi Gaskell. Forbes. May 14, 2020. “How Workplace Equality Can Drive The Economy (With A Little Help From AI).” https://www.forbes.com/sites/adigaskell/2020/05/14/how-workplace-equality-can-drive-the-economy-with-a-little-help-from-ai/?sh=2e2cda662c35Accessed Nov. 3, 2020. 

3 Merrill Lynch. Aug. 21, 2020. “Creating a better financial future for women.” https://www.ml.com/women-research.htmlAccessed Nov. 3, 2020. 

4 UN Women. July 2018. “Facts and Figures: Economic Empowerment.” https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figuresAccessed Nov. 3, 2020. 

5 Kristen Beckman. BenefitsPro. Oct. 16, 2020. “Gender lens investing highlights corporate progress, challenges.” https://www.benefitspro.com/2020/10/16/gender-lens-investing-highlights-corporate-progress-challenges/Accessed Nov. 3, 2020.  

6 Jenny Abramson. CIO Review. 2020. “What Does RGB’s Death Mean for the Investing World?” https://tech-startup.cioreview.com/cxoinsight/what-does-rbgs-death-mean-for-the-investing-world-nid-32220-cid-213.htmlAccessed Nov. 3, 2020. 

 

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.  

 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference. 

 

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