Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023 includes these articles: “Top 5 Picks for the Best ESG Stocks to Buy In 2023 by industryleadersmagazine.com,”; “12 Best Software Infrastructure Stocks to Buy,” by Fahad Saleem; “Best Green Stocks to Invest In,” by Yarka; “Top 10 Renewable Energy Companies,” by Lucy Buchholz; and references to several more articles.

Transcript & Links, Episode 107, June 2, 2023

Hello, Ron Robins here. So, welcome to my podcast episode 107 titled “Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023.” It’s presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. And look at my newly totally revised website at investingforthesoul.com!

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

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

Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief so that I can get as many companies covered as possible in the time allowed. Please go to this podcast’s webpage for links to the actual articles for more company and stock information. Also, some companies might be covered more than once and there are also ? article links below that time didn’t allow me to review them here.

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1) Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023

I’m starting this podcast with this article titled Top 5 Picks for the Best ESG Stocks to Buy In 2023: Sustainable Investment Funds. It’s by and found on industryleadersmagazine.com. Here are their picks with some quotes on each of them.

“1. Verisk Analytics Inc. (VRSK)

Has a very clear ESG policy that has previously helped it achieve the 3rd rank out of 100 companies. The company caters data and risk management solutions to the financial industry. Analysts believe that Verisk Analytics dominates a monopoly in the property and casualty insurance market. 

2. Microsoft Corporation (MFST)

The largest and most popular software company in the world, Microsoft Corporation has a variety of segments in cloud computing, digital infrastructure, and personal computing. The company has committed to transforming into carbon-negative by 2030.

3. Adobe (ADBE)

Adobe has been a dominant player in digital content creation, software, publishing, and cloud storage with its flagship Photoshop software. Marketing analytics tools for business and subscriptions to premium Adobe software make for a brimming multi-billion revenue stream…

With a global gender pay parity, Adobe’s half income is owed to renewable sources with goals of 100 percent attainment by 2035. 

3. Nvidia Corporation (NVDA)

Nvidia manufactures graphics processing units (GPUs) for the gaming sector. The company is positioned at strongholds in supercomputers (AI), autonomous cars, and gaming. This is one of the best ESG companies to invest in. 

4. JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (JBHT)

… primarily operates in the trucking and rail carrier segments of the United States… JB Hunt has been increasing its dividend payments in recent years.”

End quotes.

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2) Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023

Now an article in a segment that most ethical and sustainable investors would consider. The article is titled 12 Best Software Infrastructure Stocks to Buy, by Fahad Saleem, and found on finance.yahoo.com. Here are some quotes by Mr. Saleem on each of his picks.

“12. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides software-define infrastructure (SDI) solutions for businesses to help them manage their networking, storage, automation, and overall software development and deployment.

11. Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZS)

Hedge Fund Holders: 38

Zscaler focuses on the security side of software infrastructure since it’s primarily a Cloud security company. It’s known for its Cloud infrastructure modernization solution called The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. Zscaler also provides Infrastructure as Code services to provide Cloud security.

10. Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLK)

Hedge Fund Holders: 49

Splunk Inc. is known for its infrastructure monitoring solutions that help businesses see their systems’ backend in real time, detect and resolve solutions.

9. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)

Hedge Fund Holders: 49

IBM is the biggest provider of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions. IBM provides consultancy and deployment solutions related to Cloud infrastructure, storage, networking, AI infrastructure deployment, among other services.

8. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)

Hedge Fund Holders: 61

Cisco Systems provides various solutions for software infrastructure related to virtualization, networking, data centers, performance optimization and more. It is one of the oldest and strongest players in the industry.

7. Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ:ORCL)

Hedge Fund Holders: 67

Oracle Corporation is a one-stop shop for software infrastructure solutions and services. The Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) provides complete solutions for Cloud deployment, including services related to servers, storage, network, applications and services.

6. VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW)

Hedge Fund Holders: 68

VMware provides various solutions for software infrastructure deployment and management, including desktop hypervisor solutions, Cloud infrastructure solutions for Azure, AWS and other Cloud platforms, Cloud automation and more.

5. CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD)

Hedge Fund Holders: 72

Cybersecurity and Cloud services company CrowdStrike Holdings provides Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cloud infrastructure and infrastructure monitoring services. IaC includes automating infrastructure provisioning, deployment, configuration, and management, orchestrating infrastructure components, configuring and monitoring all systems.

4. Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE:PANW)

Hedge Fund Holders: 87

Palo Alto Networks provides Cloud security services that help businesses protect their software infrastructure. Palo Alto Networks Inc.’s Cloud NGFW solutions allows easy deployment of firewalls on Cloud platforms.

3. ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW)

Hedge Fund Holders: 96

ServiceNow provides products and solutions that help businesses keep a smooth flow of operations. ServiceNow Inc.’s services allow Cloud monitoring, IT management, automated deployment of software, easy integrations and more.

2. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Hedge Fund Holders: 243

Amazon dominates the Cloud markets. It provides software infrastructure solutions and services to small and large businesses. In the first quarter Amazon Web Services revenue jumped 16% on a YoY basis to $21.4 billion…

Amazon recently announced that it plans to invest a massive $12.7 billion in cloud infrastructure in India.

1. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Hedge Fund Holders: 289

Microsoft Corporation is the second biggest player in the Cloud market… As of the end of the first quarter, Microsoft Corporation’s market share in the Cloud markets stands at 23%, much higher than Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). Most importantly, Microsoft Azure grew faster than Amazon Web Services in the first quarter.”

End quotes.

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3) Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023

And back to a favorite sector with this article titled Best Green Stocks to Invest In: In-Depth Analysis, by Yarka and seen on cryptosoho.com. Yarka has this to say about his picks. (Note: just brief comments by Yarka are included here.)

“1. Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) giant, is widely regarded as a compelling investment for several reasons.

Market Leadership

Technological Innovation

Sustainable energy ecosystem

Gigafactories and production capacity

Global Market Potential

Network of superchargers and infrastructure

Strong financial performance

2. NIO Inc. (NIO)

NIO is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer specializing in premium electric SUVs. They have gained popularity for their innovative designs, advanced autonomous driving capabilities, and battery swapping technology.

3. General Motors Company (GM)

General Motors offers a range of EVs, including the Chevrolet Bolt EV and the upcoming GMC Hummer EV.

4. SunPower (SPWR)

SunPower Corporation is a leading solar energy company that designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance solar panels and associated solar energy solutions…

In addition to solar panel manufacturing, SunPower… offers installation, maintenance, and monitoring solutions to ensure optimal performance and customer satisfaction.

Business advantages of investing in SunPower Corporation

Vertical Integration

Strong brand recognition

Diverse Geographic Presence

Focus on Energy Storage

5. Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND)

Beyond Meat produces plant-based burgers, sausages, and other meat alternatives that closely resemble the taste and texture of animal-based meat products. Beyond Meat’s products are made from plant proteins, such as peas and soy, and have gained popularity among consumers seeking plant-based options.

6. Impossible Foods, Inc. (Private)

Impossible Foods is another leading plant-based meat company that specializes in creating realistic meat substitutes. Their flagship product, the Impossible Burger, is made from plant ingredients, including soy protein and heme, which give it a meat-like flavor and texture.

7. Oatly AB (OTLY)

Oatly is a Swedish company that produces a range of plant-based dairy alternatives, primarily based on oats. They offer oat milk, oat-based ice cream, yogurt, and other oat-based products. Oatly focuses on sustainable production practices and aims to provide consumers with delicious, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional dairy products.” End quotes.

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4) Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023

And now to a best-loved industry with this article titled Top 10: Renewable Energy Companies, by Lucy Buchholz, found on sustainabilitymag.com. Here are some of her comments on each company.

“10. Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ)

Market cap: US$2.74bn

Canadian Solar specialises in the design and manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules while offering comprehensive energy solutions. The company undertakes the management of solar power projects and provides operation and maintenance services… Canadian Solar serves customers spanning more than 160 countries.

9. Plug Power Inc. (PLUG)

Market cap: US$8.18bn

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Latham, New York, Plug Power has grown to become a significant player in the hydrogen fuel cell industry.

8. Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP)

Market cap: $5.16bn

Brookfield Renewable Partners operates renewable power facilities worldwide. The company’s electricity generation comes from a diverse range of sources, including hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, pumped storage, cogeneration and biomass.

7. Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN)

Market cap: $5.2bn

Based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Algonquin Power & Utilities delivers regulated utility services and renewable energy solutions to a customer base exceeding one million across North America. The company actively invests in a diverse range of clean and renewable energy sources, including solar power, wind energy, hydroelectric power and thermal energy.

6. Siemens Gamesa (GCTAF)

Market cap: $12.97

With a presence in over 90 countries, Siemens Gamesa offers a range of equipment and services related to onshore and offshore wind turbines, turbine gearboxes, and off-grid systems.

5. Vestas (VWS.CO)

Market cap: $29.58bn

Based in Denmark, Vestas Wind Systems is a wind energy company that specialises in the design, manufacturing and installation of wind turbines. With a global presence, the company has successfully deployed wind turbines in numerous countries worldwide, by harnessing the collective expertise of 29,000 employees. 

4. Orsted A/S (ORSTED.CO)

Market cap: $36.19bn

Renewable energy company Orsted A/S excels in the development, construction and operation of offshore wind farms. The Danish company holds the prestigious title of being the world’s largest developer of offshore wind power.

3. Iberdrola SA (IBDRY)

Market cap: US$72.67

Iberdrola SA is… headquartered in Bilbao, Spain. It holds a prominent position as one of the largest utility providers globally… Iberdrola primarily engages in the generation, distribution and sale of electricity, and boasts a diverse energy portfolio, encompassing sources such as wind, hydro, nuclear and natural gas.

2. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE)

Market cap: US$147.57bn

Headquartered in Florida… NextEra Energy is… one of the largest renewable energy producers in the world… By 2025, NextEra Energy aims to decrease its carbon dioxide emissions rate by 67% in comparison to 2005 levels.

1. General Electric (GE)

Market Cap: US$89.02bn

The company has made significant strides in the development of green energy solutions and has emerged as a key player in the industry.

GE’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its focus on renewable energy sources, particularly in the development of wind turbines… GE has also invested in other renewable energy technologies, including solar power and hydroelectricity.” End quotes.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order

1. Title: Insiders Show Confidence in Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital with Stock Purchases Despite Stake Reduction by California Public Employees Retirement System on beststocks.com. By Elaine Mendonça.

2. Title: Investing in iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF: A Unique Edge in an Ever-Changing Investment Landscape on beststocks.com. By Yasmim Mendonça.

Article from Australia

1. Title: 3 ASX All Ordinaries shares I don’t think will stay cheap for long on fool.com.au. By Tristan Harrison.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips — for this podcast titled: “Best ESG Stocks to Buy for 2023.”

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© 2023 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul