Ethical bonds: a flight of fancy?

Fund managers are becoming more receptive to the possibilities and opportunities of socially responsible investing. As Hardeep Dhillon discovers, such an investment strategy can in many cases enhance, rather than jeopardise, returns

People who have ethical views and concerns about the environment or social issues have not always been pictured in a flattering light. They are often described as goofy green activists or tree-hugging hippies, albeit with a wholesome and moral nature.

Even in the capital markets, this rather dismissive view is hard to shrug off: socially responsible investors are still seen as the quirky citizens of the mainstream fund industry. Though the market for socially responsible investment (SRI) is