PODCAST: Best Infrastructure and LGBTQ Friendly Stocks, Plus…

Ethical & Sustainable Investing News to Profit By!

Best Infrastructure and LGBTQ Friendly Stocks, Plus… Green Bonds, Renewable Energy and ESG ETFs. Covered entities include: Vulcan Materials, Caterpillar, AECOM, Nucor, ChargePoint Technologies, iShares Global Green Bond ETF, VanEck Vectors Green Bond ETF, Alphabet Inc., Visa Inc., The Charles Schwab Corporation, PayPal Holdings, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Starbucks Corporation, Apple Inc., and LGBTQ100 ESG ETF

PODCAST: Best Infrastructure and LGBTQ Friendly Stocks, Plus…

Transcript & Links, Episode 60, June 18, 2021

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to podcast episode 60 published on June 18, titled “Best Infrastructure and LGBTQ Friendly Stocks, Plus…” — and presented by Investing for the Soul. investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode’s podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

Now, just a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in this podcast. Furthermore, if you’re concerned about the ESG-sustainability or financial ratings of any stock or fund included in this podcast, check your broker’s online site for such information.

If your broker doesn’t have ESG-sustainability information, signup for free with Morningstar and you can gain access to such company and fund ratings. Please note, I receive no compensation from Morningstar or anyone else covered in these podcasts.

Also, if any terms are unfamiliar to you, simply Google them.

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1. Best Infrastructure Stocks

Now amid the continuing US talks on infrastructure Neha Chamaria has penned an article titled 5 Potential Winners from Biden's Infrastructure Plan. It appeared on fool.com.

I name her picks and follow them with some of her remarks.

“1) Vulcan Materials (NYSE: VMC)

Vulcan is the nation's largest producer of aggregates, operates across 20 states, and has equal exposure to private (residential and nonresidential) construction and public infrastructure markets, positioning it well to benefit from nearly all kinds of construction activity.

Vulcan is already experiencing strong demand… has a strong balance sheet (and) has steadily increased its dividend for years.

2) Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT)

… might be the leading construction equipment manufacturer, but it also has significant exposure to volatile sectors like mining and oil and natural gas. That's why a pure-play equipment stock like United Rentals (NYSE: URI) could be a better potential winner from Biden's infrastructure plan.

United Rentals is the world's largest heavy-equipment rental company… Its revenue grew at a compound annual rate of 14% over the past decade.

3) AECOM (NYSE: ACM)

Building anything requires planning, designing, and engineering, which is why an infrastructure consulting company like AECOM should benefit from an uptick in infrastructure spending in the U.S…. government is already its biggest client…

4) Nucor (NYSE: NUE)

… is the largest and most diversified manufacturer of steel and steel products in the U.S… (and) is North America's largest scrap recycler… (Its) mini steel mills use electric-arc furnaces -- a more flexible, cost-effective method than traditional blast furnaces. (Also, Nucor) has a solid balance sheet… increasing its dividend payouts for 48 straight years.

5) ChargePoint Technologies (NYSE: CHPT)

The (US) president's infrastructure plan includes a… network of 500,000 EV chargers across the nation by 2030. Currently, there are only around 42,500 charging station locations in the U.S…

ChargePoint operates one of the world's largest EV charging networks and has a nearly 70% share of the domestic Level 2 charging network market… ChargePoint… sells hardware to station operators, which then subscribe to its software to manage the stations.” End quotes.

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2. Best Green Bond Funds

More and more ethical and sustainable investors are turning their attention to green bonds and the benefits they offer. Here are two articles on that theme.

The first is titled How Eco-Conscious Is Your Portfolio? 2 Green Bond ETFs To Consider by Tezcan Gecgil at investor.com. Here are some quotes from the article.

“1) iShares Global Green Bond ETF (NASDAQ: BGRN)

The iShares Global Green Bond ETF provides access to global investment-grade green bonds that have been issued to fund environmental projects. Furthermore… the fund is U.S.-dollar hedged. Since its inception in November 2018, net assets have grown to $212 million.

(The iShares Global Green Bond ETF)… tracks the returns of the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI Global Green Bond Select (USD Hedged) Index. (It has) bonds issued by governments of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy as well as the European Investment Bank and KfW Group lead the names in the roster.

2) VanEck Vectors Green Bond ETF (NYSE: GRNB)

Another green bond ETF that could be of interest to readers is the VanEck Vectors Green Bond which provides exposure to U.S.-dollar-denominated green bonds for financing environmentally-friendly projects.

In addition to bonds issued in the U.S. and various European countries, VanEck Vectors Green Bond ETF also holds bonds from China, South Korea, Brazil, India, Chile, Indonesia and others.” End quotes.

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3. Best Green Bond Funds

The second article on green bonds is titled $1.2tn US giant launches core impact bond fund into Ucits market. It’s by Chris Sloley and was on the citywireselector.com site. The fund is for investors in Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, UK, and Italy. Here are some quotes…

“Global investment giant Nuveen has launched its Global Core Impact Bond fund for Ucits investors to capitalise on opportunities created by ‘ESG leaders’.

The multi-currency bond fund will invest across all global fixed income markets…

Focusing on perceived ‘ESG leaders’, the bond fund will find companies setting an example in their respective industry or sector, with respect to ESG risks and behaviours…

The fund may allocate up to 40% in emerging markets and 15% in high yield, at the managers’ discretion. It will launch with $25m (€20.5m) of seed capital.” End quotes.

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4. Best LGBTQ Friendly Stocks

Since this is Pride Month and numerous LGBTQI+ investors are ethically and sustainably oriented, here’s an article for members of that community. It’s titled Ethical Investing for Pride Month: 10 Gay-Friendly Stocks To Buy. It’s by John Csiszar and was on the gobankingrates.com site. Here are some quotes from his article.

“1) Alphabet Inc. (GOOG)

Google, now trading under parent company Alphabet, has long been a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community. The company has a specific support group for the LGBTQ community, known as ‘Gayglers’.

2) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

IBM was one of the first companies to include sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy, back in 1984. The company established its Global LGBT Council, designed to make the workplace safe for everyone, in 1995.

3) Visa Inc. (V)

Visa has appeared on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for five years running, marking it as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ employees. Visa supports the United Nations Standards for LGBTI, which outlines five standards of conduct that the business community can use to combat discrimination against lesbian, bi, gay, trans and intersex people.

4) The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW)

Schwab has received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ inclusion for over 15 years… Internally, Schwab has created a diversity and inclusion group known as PRIDE, dedicated specifically to the LGBTQ+ network at Schwab.

5) The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

The company has scored 100% on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index every year since 2006. Coca-Cola has also designed a separate Business Resource Group specifically to address LGBTA issues. Other LGBTQ-focused resources that Coca-Cola supports include the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and The Trevor Project.

6) PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)

PayPal is another company scoring a perfect 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Index, and it strongly promotes LGBTQ rights. The company has a benefits flyer that outlines all its health benefits for transgender employees, from hormone replacement therapies and voice modification surgery to therapy sessions and more.

7) Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

Microsoft and its employees have donated over $2 million to organizations supporting the LGBTQI+ community just over the past year… Microsoft has received a perfect 100% score on the HRC’s Equality Index for 13 years running.

8) Target Corporation (TGT)

As with many of the other companies making the HRC Equality Index, Target has signed the Equality Act. Target has developed its own PRIDE Manifesto, designed to emphasize the company’s dedication to equality. Target also produces clothing and other products indicating its backing of the LGBTQ community.

9) Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)

In addition to receiving a perfect 100% score on the HRC’s Equality Index for 11 straight years, the company has recently donated $50,000 to the Lavender Rights Project.

10) Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Apple isn’t just the largest company in America, it’s also one of the most consistent supporters of the LGBTQ community. Apple has been rated a best place to work for the LGBTQ community for 15 years straight.” End quotes.

Also, note this article on a new Pride fund, titled, Pride Month meets Wall Street as new LGBTQ ETF hits the market by Ernestine Siu. Quote “ProcureAM, in partnership with LGBTQ Loyalty Holdings, launched the new LGBTQ100 ESG ETF.” End quote.

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Honorable Mentions

1. Title: My Top Renewable Energy Stock to Buy in June. “Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) is the stock I think will be one of the hydrogen winners” says Travis Hoium, the article’s author.

2. Title: Fidelity to Launch 5 New ESG Funds by Bernice Napach. Quoting the article, “All five new funds are actively managed and the two ETFs are Fidelity's first ETFs focused on ESG factors.” End quote.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: “Best Infrastructure and LGBTQ Friendly Stocks, Plus…”

To get all the links, stock symbols, or to read the transcript of this podcast -- and more -- go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this episode.

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Talk to you next on July 2. Bye for now.

© 2021 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul.