iconik reposted this
Should Nestlé investors push for healthier food options? A shareholder proposal by ShareAction at the food giant asks it to produce sales reporting on the healthfulness of its products. Many jurisdictions have implemented taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, arguing that they contribute to obesity, diabetes, and the associated costs on our healthcare systems. As The Shareholder Commons points out, these costs are not only born by healthcare providers and governments, but potentially by diversified investors: "For diversified investors, a healthy economy is a far more important driver of overall portfolio returns than the performance of a single company. While selling products that are less healthy may generate short-term financial returns for Nestlé, the externalities this creates negatively affect its shareholders who don’t just own Nestlé, but rely on a growing economy to support their entire portfolios. Indeed, a number of studies have shown that broader economic factors explain 75-94% of average portfolio return." iconik's newest voting rule allows investors to easily have their shares automatically voted in support of proposals like these. #universalowner #proxyvoting #sustainableinvesting
