Citizens Advisers Sees Positive Shift in Corporate Social Responsibility Commitment.Business Editors PORTSMOUTH, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2003 Socially responsible investment firm applauds Microsoft and others taking steps to improve transparency "Disclosure of corporate, social and environmental performance is an essential element of measuring investment risk, and a key component of our investment process," said Joanne Dowdell director of corporate responsibility for Citizens Advisers, investment adviser to Citizens Funds one of the nation's oldest and largest families of socially responsible mutual funds. "Microsoft (MSFT MSFT Microsoft (stock symbol) MSFT Movimento Sociale Fiamma Tricolore (Italy) MSFT Multi-Stage Fitness Test MSFT Master of Science in Family Therapy MSFT Macalester Students for Fair Trade ) is just one example of a number of companies taking a more active role to enhance and improve their corporate social responsibility initiatives," said Dowdell. Citizens acknowledges getting companies to recognize the intrinsic value Intrinsic Value 1. The value of a company or an asset based on an underlying perception of the value. 2. For call options, this is the difference between the underlying stock's price and the strike price. of disclosing corporate social performance will come over time. "One by one companies are changing the way they think, and are finding creative ways to make corporate social responsibility part of their core business model. Beyond looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. companies that have a promising fundamental outlook, Citizens seeks, as part of its social and environmental performance screen, companies that adhere to adhere to verb 1. follow, keep, maintain, respect, observe, be true, fulfil, obey, heed, keep to, abide by, be loyal, mind, be constant, be faithful 2. sound corporate governance Corporate Governance The relationship between all the stakeholders in a company. This includes the shareholders, directors, and management of a company, as defined by the corporate charter, bylaws, formal policy, and rule of law. practices. Other companies that stand out from their peers are Intel, BP, 3M and Johnson & Johnson. "These companies have produced and make public, sustainability reports that clearly outline their social and environmental performance, making it easier to develop investment risk profiles," added Dowdell. "While there is much progress to be made, we hope this is a sign of things to come." About Citizens Advisers As a leader in socially responsible investing Socially responsible investing describes an investment strategy which combines the intentions to maximize both financial return and social good. In general, socially responsible investors favor corporate practices which are environmentally responsible, support workplace diversity, (SRI), Citizens' mission is to generate superior returns by investing in companies that are fundamentally strong and socially responsible. Citizens offers individual and institutional investors Institutional Investor A non-bank person or organization that trades securities in large enough share quantities or dollar amounts that they qualify for preferential treatment and lower commissions. a wide array of investment options, including domestic and international equity, fixed-income and money market products. |
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