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Incorporating ESG into optimal stock portfolios for the global timber & forestry industry

Author

Listed:
  • Lööf, Hans

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

  • Sahamkhadam, Maziar

    (Linnaeus University)

  • Stephan, Andreas

    (Linnaeus University)

Abstract

This paper investigates how optimal portfolios of timber & forestry stocks perform relative to the global S&P timber & forestry index when corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered. We incorporate CSR in the construction of optimal portfolios by utilizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores. Historical as well as copula-augmented predictive models and ESG-constrained optimization are used to analyze out-of-sample performance of various portfolio strategies over the period 2018-2021. The results of copula-based portfolio strategies are better than of the historical models. Another insight gained by this study is that socially responsible investments in forestry stocks are feasible without sacrificing risk-adjusted returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Lööf, Hans & Sahamkhadam, Maziar & Stephan, Andreas, 2022. "Incorporating ESG into optimal stock portfolios for the global timber & forestry industry," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 490, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0490
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nagler, T. & Bumann, C. & Czado, C., 2019. "Model selection in sparse high-dimensional vine copula models with an application to portfolio risk," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 180-192.
    2. Wan, Yang & Clutter, Michael L. & Mei, Bin & Siry, Jacek P., 2015. "Assessing the role of U.S. timberland assets in a mixed portfolio under the mean-conditional value at risk framework," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 118-126.
    3. Lööf, Hans & Sahamkhadam, Maziar & Stephan, Andreas, 2022. "Is Corporate Social Responsibility investing a free lunch? The relationship between ESG, tail risk, and upside potential of stocks before and during the COVID-19 crisis," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    4. Alice Favero & Robert Mendelsohn, 2014. "Using Markets for Woody Biomass Energy to Sequester Carbon in Forests," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 75-95.
    5. Yue Qi & Xiaolin Li, 2020. "On Imposing ESG Constraints of Portfolio Selection for Sustainable Investment and Comparing the Efficient Frontiers in the Weight Space," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, December.
    6. Low, Rand Kwong Yew & Alcock, Jamie & Faff, Robert & Brailsford, Timothy, 2013. "Canonical vine copulas in the context of modern portfolio management: Are they worth it?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 3085-3099.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    portfolio optimization; ESG; forestry stocks; return; risk; vine copula;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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