SRI Defined

The concept of socially responsible investment can be vague. Here are Neuberger Berman’s guidelines:

Neuberger Berman’s Socially Responsive Fund (NBSRX) believes that good corporate citizenship is good business and has the potential to produce positive investment results. NBSRX is designed to allow investors to put their money to work and also support companies that follow principles of good corporate citizenship. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in securities of companies that meet the fund’s value-oriented financial criteria and social policy. NBSRX focuses on companies that are agents of favorable change in workplace policies (particularly for women and minorities); are responsive to environmental issues; and are good corporate citizens. In addition, NBSRX avoids companies with products with negative public health implications.

The Fund endeavors to avoid companies that derive revenue from: tobacco, alcohol, gambling, weapons, and nuclear power. In addition to its exclusionary screens, NBSRX looks for companies that show leadership in three areas: environment concerns; diversity in the work force; and progressive employment and workplace practices and community relations.