By Brandon Miller–
Happy Pride, all!
A year ago, Brio launched Brio Pride, a dedicated investment portfolio for our community. We’ve been humbled by our clients who have made a choice to have their investments match their values. Just to be straight (ha!), Brio Pride isn’t solely gay-centric. In fact, many of our clients who are opting in are wonderful allies who just want to lend their support to companies that don’t threaten LGBTQ folks!
This investment strategy also doesn’t just include LGBTQ businesses but rather means we are proud of and stand by the companies and their practices for doing right on social and environmental issues that matter to us. Our portfolio puts these critical issues under the microscope:
• LGBTQ Justice;
• Corporate Diversity & Inclusion;
• Women’s Rights;
• Racial Justice;
• and Climate Change.
The holdings in each portfolio can change at any time based on companies conforming with meeting the aspirations of each of these pillars. The companies that make the cut today could be excluded in the future if news comes out about not meeting the expectations and standards of these tenets. Those corporations that get their ducks in a row could be added. It’s fluid, kinda like sexuality!
Brio Pride is executed through a unique direct indexing platform. What’s that? Well, imagine you’re at a buffet, and instead of grabbing the premade meal, you pick and choose each dish to create your perfect plate. That’s sorta what direct indexing is like in the investment world. Instead of buying a ready-made index fund or ETF, you directly buy the individual stocks that make up an index. It’s like having your cake and eating it too, with a cherry on top.
Equally important is you can pick what you don’t want to support.
To get an idea, Brio Pride currently includes companies who meet criteria for:
• Workplace Diversity;
• Labor Relations & Working Conditions;
• Human Rights and Community;
• Product Quality and Safety;
• Ethics and Fraud;
• Water and Waste;
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions;
• Plants and Animals;
• and Risk Management.
Excludes companies who deal in:
• Firearms;
• Exploitative Products;
• War;
• the Fossil Fuel Industry;
• and Fossil Fuel Reserves.
We couldn’t do it without our partner, Ethic, Inc. We work in concert with Ethic to make sure Brio’s values are upheld. There are many firms that may try to execute on impact investing to various degrees, but what makes the Brio/Ethic approach unique is Ethic’s commitment to detailed research, their ability to tailor solutions to those needs and desires, and ultimately their ability to help Brio craft a tangible investment for our clients to commit financial resources to.
What’s even cooler is that we can craft a custom strategy down to a level of focus across these and other pillars to have your portfolio just as unique as you. This additional level of granularity could allow for increased tax efficiency as well. Historically, direct indexing was a high-roller game. But with the rise of technology, it’s becoming accessible to more investors. Could that be you? Let us know if you want to learn more on how direct indexing can make a difference.
Direct indexing is like a custom-tailored suit. It fits you perfectly and lets you showcase your style. It’s a bit more work and might cost a bit more, but the benefits can be well worth it if it matches your needs and investing philosophy. Intersectional investing sounds like a win-win for all during Pride month and beyond.
Brio utilizes unaffiliated third-party managers to achieve clients’ ESG goals. Brio has partnered with independent advisory firm Ethic to offer the new BRIO PRIDE strategy. Brio relies on Ethic for our primary research and security screenings, and given their expertise in this area, primarily uses their metrics when constructing the portfolio. More information about our process and the criteria used by Ethic to construct the strategy is available upon request.
The opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. The material is presented solely for information purposes and has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Brio cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source. Brio does not provide tax or legal advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital; please seek advice from a licensed professional.
Brio Financial Group is a Registered Investment Adviser. SEC Registration does not constitute an endorsement of Brio by the SEC nor does it indicate that Brio has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brio Financial Group and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Brio Financial Group unless a client service agreement is in place.
Brandon Miller, CFP®, is a financial consultant at Brio Financial Group in San Francisco, specializing in helping LGBT individuals and families plan and achieve their financial goals. For more information: https://www.briofg.com/
Money Matters
Published on June 27, 2024
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