The "do-gooder" funds are doing well themselves. One of the more interesting bits of information to come out of the recent turmoil on the stock market is the fact that social funds are actually outperforming.
Yes, they’ve lost value like many other investments, but they haven’t lost as much. Social funds like Amana Growth (AMAGX) and Pax World Balanced (PAXWX) are outperforming other investments because their ethical guidelines and restrictions on included investments excluded many stocks that are seeing especially hard times.The Street reports on the performance of social funds:
During the past decade, domestic equity funds that invest according to social criteria have returned 4.7% annually, more than a percentage point better than the S&P 500. In the downturn of the past year, social funds lost 2 percentage points less than the benchmark.
While past performance is no indicator of future gains, it does appear that trends have the tide turning. Social funds are beginning to prove that it possible to stick to your values and still make money through investment.
Disclosure: I do not invest in AMAGX or PAXWX, although I am considering both.