The Next Wave of Socially Responsible Investors Has Arrived

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Swell Investing's 2018 "Money Meets Morals" study released today finds that the vast majority of Gen Z investors aged 18-24 (84%) are either already invested in socially responsible and impact investments or plan to invest in the future. The study was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Swell Investing and gathered insights from more than 2,000 US adults aged 18 and up.

Gen Z investors have higher intention around investing in socially responsible options, with 52% saying they haven't started yet but plan to in the future compared to 36% of Millennial (age 25-37) investors. But, Millennial investors were more likely than their older counterparts to have put their plans into action, with more than two in five (42%) saying they have already started investing in these strategies compared to 27% of Gen X investors (age 38-53).

"Gen Z and Millennials' world views have been shaped by global events from the 2008 financial crisis to the increase in natural disasters stemming from climate change," said Dave Fanger, CEO and Founder of Swell Investing. "But these generations are also deeply motivated to tackle those challenges, and that desire has shaped their approach to money and investing."

Younger generations voting with their dollars

For Gen Zers and Millennials, politics, environmental concerns and a sense of responsibility drive their interest:

• For nearly two in three Gen Zers (63%) and Millennials (65%), the current political environment influences their interest in socially responsible and impact investments.
• Nearly three in four of all Gen Zers (72%) expressed that decisions made around investing can have a meaningful impact on climate change and the release of greenhouse gases, compared to 62% of Boomers (age 54-72).
• The majority of Gen Zers (73%) and Millennials (74%) think that when someone builds wealth, they have a responsibility to make sure their investment choices are supporting positive social and environmental outcomes.

"The next generation of investors grew up with a smartphone in hand and instant access to news and information. Events that happen thousands of miles away can be seen immediately in the palm of their hands, and they've never known anything different," said Fanger. "This access developed in them a sense of responsibility and empathy that carries over to their financial lives."

Gen Z puts impact first in their portfolios

Nearly one in three Gen Z investors (31%) said they would be willing to allocate 50% or more of their investment portfolio to socially responsible or impact investments, compared to one in four Millennial investors (25%). This is compared to only 18% of Gen X investors and 11% of Boomer investors who said the same.

To learn more and to begin investing, please visit www.swellinvesting.com.

Money Meets Morals Study Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Swell Investing from September 6-10, 2018 among 2,026 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,413 have investments. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

About Swell
Swell Investing is on a mission to ensure every dollar you invest has a positive impact on the world. Swell was built on the belief that today's biggest challenges will result in tomorrow's leading industries. Swell's team identifies high-impact, high-growth companies that are solving global environmental and social challenges, making the information and investment opportunity widely available. Swell is an SEC-registered investment adviser incubated by Pacific Life, a company that has 150 years of experience in financial services. Learn more at www.swellinvesting.com, facebook.com/swellinvesting, twitter.com/swellinvesting, instagram.com/swellinvesting, linkedin.com/company/swellinvesting, blog.swellinvesting.com.

Swell Investing LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage services provided to clients of Swell Investing LLC by Folio Investments, Inc., an SEC-registered broker-dealer, and member FINRA/SIPC.

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[1] Those who have some type of investment

[2] Defined in the survey as investing in companies that are creating positive change in the world and have strong environmental and workforce policies

SOURCE Swell Investing

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