Local Vs. Green: Cage Match

There is a lot of barking about green energy, sustainable lifestyles, and all things eco. In the end though, it's far more important to be local than green. Supporting local economies, especially agriculture, would save far more energy than any green solution. The cost of travel for a tomato out of season versus buying tomatoes locally during the season and canning them yourself is obvious, but even the externalities are obvious: more pollution, greater infrastructure strain, more exposure to disease (like the recent salmonella scare) when not buying local.

As an investor, I like the idea of having a small portion of my stock allocation in "local only" companies. Even when it means I own some volatile small cap stocks, it gives you a proxy vote and allows you to help shape your local community as a shareholder. Plus, you have a local knowledge of the companies you invest in: you may have friends that work there, you can see their expansions (or retractions), you know their community involvement... it's like rooting for a sports team. Investing locally is VERY HARD, takes a lot of research, and can be a money losing proposal - especially in tiny tiny markets or states. But there's no reason "local" can't be expanded to a more regional presence (ie, a Rhode Island native investing in Connecticut and Massachusetts companies as well). For more info on local investing, check this awesome listing on PBS's Nightly Business Report website.

On a macro level, you may not be able to invest locally quite the same way, but you can at least try the CRA Qualified Investment Fund:

Ticker: CRATX
Inception: March 1, 2007 (officially, but CRA Shares have longer track record)
Asset Type: Mutual Fund - Bonds
Markets: Domestic
Smug Category: Bond
Included in Smug Asset Pool?: Yes
Returns:

YTD	-0.23%
1 year	5.47%

Min Investment: $2,500
Min Retirement Investment: $2,500
Minimum Additional: $1,000
Sales Load:
$2,500 to $24,999.99: 0.00% of offering price
$25,000 to $99,999.99: 0.00% of offering price
$100,000 or more: 0.00% of offering price

Management Fees: 0.40% for 2007
12b-1 Fees: 0.25%
Other fees: 0.31%
Total Annual Fee: 0.96% for 2007

Another no-load no-redemption-fee fund, CRA fund actually has a 7+ year track record, but they changed their name and ticker last year, hence the shortened record. CRATX invests entirely in debt that qualifies for the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. Now, the CR Act has its detractors, and one could even argue that it helped perpetuate (some say "caused, which in my opinion is ridiculous) the subprime issue. In the end, CRA does a good job (if not bureaucratic job) of building housing in local communities for those who need it. CRA detractors usually forget that it's not the individuals to whom loans are made at fault, it's the securitization of loans, poor rating system, and Wall Street greed that caused subprime. But why take responsibility when you can pass the buck to poor folks?

As debt funds go, CRATX offers a good deal of leg on its income at 4.25% SEC yield, and they have some really nice details about the effect the fund has on local communities (see the charts in the PDF): 140,000 affordable rental units, 4,660 mortgages, $27.3M in affordable healthcare, $121.4M in community redevelopment, etc.

So feel smug and give it a look - another nice compliment to your socially responsible, sustainable portfolio. As always, see my disclaimer to the right of the page.

Not Quite Green Income

One of the basic things I learned in the non traded REIT (real estate) market is: it's all about the yield. Or at least it used to be before subprime. Now there's a question of credit and resale value. But, as a risk averse investor, I would rather take a stable 6% a year with virtually no volatility than a 10% return with moderate volatility. In my hedge fund, I spend all day watching volatility (or, at least, the model does), measuring vol, and scoring potential vol before investing. Most individuals don't have the tools, time, information, or understanding to measure vol at a constant basis, and that means it may be worth it to not take the risk. While green income doesn't yet exist (though, it's on it's way), there are responsible ways to invest in income vehicles - Pax World High Yield is one example

Ticker: PAXHX
Inception: October 8, 1999
Asset Type: Mutual Fund - Bond
Markets: Global
Smug Category: Bond
Included in Smug Asset Pool?: Yes
Returns:

YTD	1.67%
1 year	2.75%
3 year annualized	6.82%
5 year annualized	7.10%

Min Investment: $250
Min Retirement Investment: $250
Minimum Additional: $50 automatic investment, $250 otherwise
Sales Load:
$2,500 to $24,999.99: 0.00% of offering price
$25,000 to $99,999.99: 0.00% of offering price
$100,000 or more: 0.00% of offering price

Management Fees: 0.83% for 2007
12b-1 Fees: 0.25%
Other fees: 0.71%
Expense Waivers: -0.78%
Total Annual Fee: 1.01% for 2007

Pax, as a company, has several funds I like, including the Women's Equity Fund (formerly a separate entity, bought out last year by Pax) and the brand new-ish Global Green Fund. However, for income and stability, there aren't many funds like Pax High Yield with a commitment to socially responsible and sustainable investing. Interestingly, and I think calculatingly, Pax chooses to minimize it's emphasis on the socially responsible and sustainable message in their prospectus, but it's nonetheless a part of the company ethos. On the website are large sections devoted to community investing, responsible shareholder voting, and sustainable investing in general.

In terms of performance, PAXHX is currently yielding a hefty 6.8% and pays on a monthly basis. That's pretty attractive for the DIYer considering it's a no load fund (despite some high management fees). It's currently 25% or so globally allocated to defray some of the domestic risk, and is currently valued below it's year average as it (along with everything else) saw a dip last October. Pax as a company is definitely worth a look, and the High Yield Fund is a good place to start.

PAXHX is currently in my asset pool, and in the interests of disclosure, and I currently own shares personally. PLEASE READ THE PROSPECTUS BEFORE INVESTING. Though I may own and use this asset in my portfolios, it may not be the correct fund for your individual situation, so this post is by no means a recommendation that you purchase. Please read the prospectus in full before choosing to invest.