What is ethical investment?

[Egalitarian]

Thus far, I have never invested any money in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, etc.

My perspective thus far has been that it is unethical to invest in a system that capitalizes on others, or the environment.

Enlighten me please.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Here's one.

No real return on your money, though you do get it back. Not helpful to your wallet but good for your soul.

http://kiva.org/app.php?gclid=CMCuzp35qYkCFSdIYQodPCBCOQ

So far we've made 11 loans.

[Egalitarian]

4. Thanks (nt).

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. "Ethical investment" usually means....

Investing in companies that have a track record of social activism, support of unions or working conditions that make unionizing less of an imperative (health benefits, family leave policy, good pay, etc.) It can also be used to mean investment in companies that avoid questionable and unethical practices common in their industry, such as the use of child labor or foreign out-sourcing.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. check out co-op America

they give you banks that only invest in companies that only follow stringent co-op America guidelines on living wages, environmental protection, and social justice.

[Egalitarian]

6. Thanks. Bookmarked for now,

but at a glance this is the kind of info I'm seeking.

[Warpy]

5. There are socially conscious mutual funds out there

and the good news is that they generally outperform mutual funds that have military contractor, alcohol, and tobacco stocks. They do tend to have higher fees, so watch your food stamps if you're a very small investor.

Dreyfus Third Century is one, Working Assets another, Parnassus yet another. A Google of "socially responsible mutual funds" might turn up a few more.

Here's an article on them: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mutualfund/03/030503.asp

[Egalitarian]

7. Thank you(nt).

[Cleita]

8. IMHO for instance, when we went to war with Iraq, I was

getting emails from brokers advising me how to make money from the war. This is really unethical as far as I'm concerned. Yet, I knew buying Halliburton stock would make me money. No I didn't and Halliburton, I believed tripled in value, but I would not make money this way although as a retiree, I could have used the money.

You really can't be 100% sure if your investments are ethical, but it isn't hard to figure which investments are definitely unethical even when you know you are missing out on the gravy boat.

[Egalitarian]

9. Exactly and good on you.

I'm surprised by many of my friends who consider themselves progressive, or socially conscious etc. who invest in ways contrary to their stated understanding of the world we find ourselves living in.