Research - Advantage Capital Strategies

Research Articles

PROXY VOTING POLICY AT ACS GROUP

Our Philosophy Our Approach Our Approach is to seek deeper impact on a more focused set of issues. We prefer this to a wider, but shallower approach, as it provides for more meaningful interaction in areas of higher concern. In a practical sense, it allows us to make best use of our resources and build […]

The ACS Group Perspective: Canada's New Drinking Guidelines

A January 2023 report from, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has brought one of our divestment areas at ACS Group into focus. The CCSA was created in 1988 by an Act of Federal Parliament to provide national guidance on substance use. The CCSA has released new guidelines on what constitutes low-risk […]

Investment in Synthetic Fertilizer

November, 2022 At ACS Group, we recognize that the application of a Socially Responsible Investing approach is not a one size fits all methodology. There is nuance in every investment and understanding this nuance and making a judgement call based on both Financial Investment and Socially Responsible Investing merits is at the heart of what […]

Industry Research - Responsible Investing - Thematic Investing

ACS Sustainable Future Fund Press Release

Toronto, October 3, 2022 – Advantage Capital Strategies Group (“ACS Group” or the “company”) is pleased to announce the successful launch of the ACS Sustainable Future Fund on October 3, 2022.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Industry Note

There exist several barriers for CCUS technology which impede it from occupying a larger role in achieving net zero emissions.

Industry Research - Responsible Investing - Sustainability - Technology

ACS Responsible Beta Funds Press Release

Toronto, April 26, 2022 – Advantage Capital Strategies Group (“ACS Group” or the “company”) is pleased to announce the successful launch of the ACS Responsible Beta Canadian Equity Fund and the ACS Responsible Beta US Equity Fund.

Weapons Industry Divestment

At Advantage Capital Strategies Group, we believe that the manufacture and sale of weapons inherently threatens the safety and wellbeing of our communities both locally and globally.

Industry Research - Weapons

Tobacco Industry Divestment

It is estimated that the total economic cost of smoking, accounting for both health expenditures and productivity losses together, is equivalent to 1.8% of the world’s annual gross domestic product.

Industry Research - Tobacco

The Socially-Responsible Investment Landscape

A central premise of SRI is that companies that exhibit negative environmental, social, and governance factors pose both a financial risk as well as a risk to local and global wellbeing. Ultimately, the industries or companies that an SRI firm decides to exclude vary depending on the firm.

Investing Theory and Practice - Responsible Investing - Sustainability - Thematic Investing - Trends

Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics make up 40% of all plastics produced and are designed to be thrown away after one use. Problematically, these plastics often end up in landfills or our oceans.

Industry Research - Plastics

Predatory Lending Divestment Note

Payday loans and other types of predatory lending are problematic because they ultimately prove unaffordable and they disproportionately affect vulnerable people who cannot afford to pay for them.

Industry Research - Lending

Nuclear Power Investment

Nuclear energy is created when nuclear reactions occur and release heat, which is used to produce steam that powers turbines and creates electricity. This electricity can then be used to power electric cars, heat and light our homes and businesses, and more.

Industry Research - Nuclear

Industrial Prisons Divestment

Advantage Capital Strategies Group is screening for companies involved in the prison industry primarily because of the detrimental social effects of this industry and because the industrial prison system is inherently at odds with the purposes of a prison.

Industry Research - Prisons

Gambling Industry Divestment

According to the Government of Canada, the gambling industry “comprises establishments primarily engaged in: operating gambling facilities, such as casinos, bingo halls and video gaming terminals; or providing gambling services, such as lotteries and off-track betting.”

Gambling - Industry Research

COVID-19 and The Return to “Normal”

COVID-19 has upended life as we know it. COVID-19 will undoubtedly be the biggest story of 2020, and quite possibly, the biggest story of the entire decade. Despite the negative news, with some confidence, we can anticipate that a vaccine will be developed and distributed by the end 2021.

Divestment from the Fossil Fuel Industry

The term ‘fossil fuels’ refers to forms of energy that are created from organic material that is millions of years old. Fossil fuels include: coal, petroleum, natural gas, oil shales, bitumens, tar sands, and heavy oils, all of which can undergo combustion to produce heat for energy.

Fossil Fuels - Industry Research - Sustainability

Information Note on Fast Fashion

Advantage Capital Strategies Group identifies industries that have detrimental environmental, social, and economic effects and takes action to mitigate risk through screening and advocating for change. We are not currently divested from fast fashion but are aware of the industry as a possible screen...

Industry Research - Sustainability