Stakeholders Versus Shareholders: The Politics and Economics of ESG with Matt Cole (Ep. 45)

Stakeholders Versus Shareholders: The Politics and Economics of ESG with Matt Cole (Ep. 45)

A few years ago, investors wanted to make sure their investments were in companies focused on positive environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) efforts. Today, that term has become politically charged, causing investors to shift their views.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Matt Cole, the CEO and CIO of Strive, about ESG investing and how it shifted from one of the most important factors to a hot-button issue for investors and individuals. 

Listen in as Matt explores the difference between the public’s view of the term ESG compared to its role in investment planning and the reasons ESG investing will likely continue without any label.

Matt discusses:

  • How the shift between shareholder capitalism and stakeholder capitalism impacted investment planning for businesses
  • The importance of having values that allow investments to adapt to an increased need for profit
  • How the politicization of ESG has shifted investors away from the term while maintaining their values
  • Ways Strive continues to differentiate itself from other businesses without competition
  • And more!

Resources:

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About Our Guest:

Matt Cole is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Strive. He’s also the Portfolio Manager for Strive’s existing passive equity ETFs and will be the lead portfolio manager of the firm’s upcoming actively managed Fixed Income ETFs. 

Before joining Strive, Matt was a portfolio manager at CalPERS, where he oversaw more than $70 billion in actively managed and beta replicating fixed income portfolios. 

During his 16 years at CalPERS, the actively managed portfolios Matt directed were among the best performing in the investment industry and did not underperform their benchmark in any single year.

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