Swell Investing Blog | Invest with Intention.

No cars on Broadway, blockchain solves shipping, and solar panels are coming to more homes. Stay up to date with companies making big waves. Here are two exciting things happening in the markets this week.

Purpose Meets Profit: the Swell home

Swell’s Purpose Meets Profit events are all about bringing together local, socially conscious entrepreneurs to talk about how they do business at the intersection of money and morals. Our April event was a celebration of our new office.

It’s a small world after all, thanks to blockchain

Does Swell invest in cannabis?

Cannabis is not only the fastest-growing industry in the U.S., but its statistical rate of growth is unparalleled in history. Agriculture represents an enormous opportunity for impact investing, and we are keeping a close eye on agricultural focused products.

3 surprising things you can do with an IRA

An IRA is one of the best ways to save for your retirement, but what else can you do with it? There are a few non-traditional uses for this popular savings vehicle, including home buying, legacy planning, and tax savings.

Idacorp is powering the future of hydroelectric energy

Idacorp believes they can move toward a carbon-light future, and that’s the direction they’re headed by divesting from plants that are powered by coal and other fossil fuels, which includes pushing to close the North Valmy Power Plant by 2025.

Did your chicken have a nice life? Blockchain can tell you.

Will there be blockchain chicken nuggets?What happens when a major retailor works to band brands together? Stay up to date with companies making big waves. Here are two exciting things happening in the markets this week.

Use that tax refund to fuel your retirement

The average federal tax refund in America is $2,895 and almost 8 out of 10 Americans receive one. By investing that into an IRA you can turn your $3k into $30k and retire a little easier. The benefits and limitations of Traditional, ROTH, and SEP IRA's.

DaVita keeps your body in check

DaVita Kidney Care estimates that it has served nearly 200,000 people at its outpatient dialysis centers in America. DaVita is a proud part of Swell Investing’s Healthy Living portfolio.

Aecom constructs a better building from the ground up

Aecom is a defining name in its industry,working in commercial and residential properties, educational and governmental buildings, hotels, museums, and stadiums. They are a proud addition to Sell Investing’s Renewable Energy portfolio.

Unexpected ways you can vote for the planet during earth month

By collectively nudging our behavior and actions in the right direction, a happier and healthier planet is possible for us all. Together, we can stack up a bunch of seemingly tiny actions for some serious environmental impact.

Salad from the frozen tundra?

The veggies of tomorrow, today, a space station panic, and little kisses making a big difference. Stay up to date with companies making big waves. Here are three things people are talking about in the markets this week.

Earth Month Social Challenge

At Swell, we want to take Earth Day to the next level. It’s great to feel galvanized when April 22nd rolls around - you might recycle more that day, think twice about purchasing a disposable water bottle, etc.

How does Swell choose its stocks?

Swell uses a rules-based approach to stock selection and constructs portfolios using a combination of qualitative and quantitative impact and financial data. Previous generations innovated because they wanted to. Today, we innovate because we have to.

Perrigo puts medicine within reach

The Perrigo Company makes medications and household items - it is the the leading over-the-counter, private-label pharmaceutical company in the world and a proud addition to Swell Investing’s Disease Eradication portfolio.

Air Products is all around us

For more than 70 years,Air Products has spearheaded the industrial gas industry, and has grown into a lasting leader in its sphere. It’s market cap is $35 billion and it’s a part of Swell Investing’s Renewable Energy portfolio.

Every Day is Earth Day

Earth Day is a time to reinvigorate and be reminded of our passion for keeping this beautiful planet of ours clean and healthy. Swell wants to partner with you this April to bring impact investing to the next level and waive your fees for an entire year.

Smith and Nephew makes medical advancements every day

Smith and Nephew is committed to research and design that creates worthwhile medical products as practically as possible. They are a holding in Swell Investing’s Healthy Living portfolio.

Marine Harvest puts dinner on the table

Marine Harvest meets one-fifth of the world’s demand for fresh fish, and is the leader in supplying farmed Atlantic salmon anywhere it wants to be served. It’s a proud addition to Swell Investing’s Healthy Living portfolio.

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Purpose Meets Profit: Portland edition wrap up

Swell Investing’s Purpose Meets Profit events bring together local, socially conscious entrepreneurs to talk about how they do business at the intersection of money and morals. We took the show to Portland, OR for an impact investing event with women in mind.

Idacorp is powering the future of hydroelectric energy

DaVita keeps your body in check

DaVita Kidney Care estimates that it has served nearly 200,000 people at its outpatient dialysis centers in America. DaVita is a proud part of Swell Investing’s Healthy Living portfolio.

Aecom constructs a better building from the ground up

Earth Month Social Challenge

Perrigo puts medicine within reach

Air Products is all around us

Every Day is Earth Day

Smith and Nephew makes medical advancements every day

Smith and Nephew is committed to research and design that creates worthwhile medical products as practically as possible. They are a holding in Swell Investing’s Healthy Living portfolio.

Marine Harvest puts dinner on the table

Say hey to your newest companies

Every quarter, Swell’s team of impact specialists review and revise our portfolios. The companies we keep must align with our criteria and those we add must meet our high standards.

Merit makes medical equipment to change the world

Merit Medical has been designing, building, and distributing devices to assist the body’s primary functions for 30 years, mainly focusing on items related to cardiology, oncology, spinal treatments.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is cracking the cancer code

Though it’s tackled HIV, Bristol-Myers Squibb is currently focused on four main areas: oncology, cardiovascular disease, immunoscience, and fibrosis. Brist-Myers Squibb is a proud addition to Swell's Disease Eradication portfolio.

Purpose Meets Profit: Portland edition wrap up

Valmont Industries brings water to the people

For more than 70 years, Valmont Industries has been entwined in the backbone of the world’s growing cities: it builds the components of our infrastructure so that everything from buildings to street lamps to fire hydrants are in working order.

Are you ready for Obama x Netflix?

The FDA has approved a teeny tiny heart valve, now you can sync your steps and your moods, and the former first family is coming to a TV near you. Keep up with all the news that's changing the market this week.

Do you know how many retirement accounts you have?

In the latest edition of Swell’s “Money Meets Morals” study, we took a look at how younger generations’ work lives are evolving and how that shapes the future of money. Sometimes the results confirm what we’re thinking and sometimes they surprise us.

CryoLife keeps the beat going for heart transplants

It’s estimated that more than one million patients have benefited from CryoLife’s products and tissues throughout the world — and the company is working to fulfill even more chances at a renewed life with help from more research and donors.

The Ensign group makes aging easier to handle

For nearly 20 years, the Ensign Group has been offering a range of services from assisted living and nursing operations to a range of rehabilitative programs, the Ensign Group serves long-term residents and short-stay patients with knowledge and care.

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Interview with Cathy Clark

Swell Investing has launched a podcast! You’ll hear individual stories of impact and inspiring stories to make you a more informed investor, we’re very excited to begin this journey with our listeners.

Purpose Meets Profit: the Swell home

Unexpected ways you can vote for the planet during earth month

Interview with Cathy Clark

The women of impact investing

In the early days of the impact investing movement, women were arguably seen more as program beneficiaries than financial movers and shakers. Now they're leading the charge and making big moves.

Purpose Meets Profit: Portland edition

Swell Investing is taking its popular Purpose Meets Profit event on the road - our first stop is Portland, OR for International Women's Day. Speakers from adidas, GladRags, Modernist Financial, and Sugar Wheel Works will speak on ethical entrepreneurship.

February's Purpose Meets Profit

We are kicking off 2018 with a new take on our popular Purpose Meets Profit series, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. The theme is the beauty industry, subscription box services, and scaling your company in an ethical way when packaging is involved.

5 things I learned from...launching my own business

A Stanford graduate, Justine Lassoff is passionate about making a difference as a social entrepreneur. She is cofounder of Love Goodly, a fast-growing subscription box for women seeking a healthier lifestyle focused on cruelty free and non-toxic beauty.

Quest Diagnostics is all about the data

Data may come in many forms, but under the guidance of Quest Diagnostics, its use is only going to enhance our lives in its most basic form. Quest Diagnostics is part of our Healthy Living portfolio.

Clean Harbors is about more than just water

In a world where everything seems to have more than one focus, Clean Harbors appears to be yet another part of the hyphenated crowd. But its main goal is singular: it simply wants to make the environment safe from the products that people are bound to produce.

Hibbett Sports scores big

As a longtime underdog in its industry, Hibbett is the type of company that makes thrives under the radar. It had for decades in smaller to mid-sized markets across the country, and now that it’s in a fresh quarter, it hopes to do the same on a bigger scale.

How to retire a billionaire

You read that right, billionaire -- with a B. We know. Retirement savings doesn’t always feel like the most exciting topic. If you’re younger, it feels far away; if you’re older, it feels too urgent to consider nuances.

Brookdale makes your golden years glow

Although we know that it’s a part of life, few of us want to talk about it: getting older. We smooth out wrinkles with our fingers, ignore the constant pain in our knees, laugh off our growing affection for game shows.

UNFI knows what you want before you do

With its commitment to providing sustainable foods from equally sustainable sources, UNFI has fostered the type of dependability that’s vital in its field. Because when it comes to food, no matter what we’re thinking, all we really want is quality.

Sincerely, Swell

Here at Swell, we have a lot to be thankful for. Since our launch in May of this year, the number of new accounts has grown by more than 1,000%. We’re humbled by how many people have embraced our mission and joined us.

5 investing influencers you need to know

When you find a great resource, you want to share it with everyone you know, which is why today we’re celebrating some of our favorite podcasts, websites, and vlogs that cover topics we care about, namely personal finance, green tech, and healthy living.

The silliest (and most fun) 5ks you can run

Running a 5k is a fun way to spend the weekend, get some exercise, and even support a good cause. Whether it’s a 5k, one-mile run, or an obstacle course, getting out on race day can be a great way to show your spirit and stay fit.

Jordan Cohen, SnackNation

Jordan Cohen is the Director of Brand Partnerships at SnackNation. His team is responsible for sourcing the best snack brands to deliver to the best offices and cultures in the country, reaching over 3,500 offices and over 2,500,000 people every month.

Cecilia Sibony, Sesamaise

Cecilia will join us for our November 14th Purpose Meets Profit discussion on ethical foods. She will speak on running a sustainable company committed to change, and how she plans to grow.

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It’s a small world after all, thanks to blockchain

How Does Swell Differ From a Robo Advisor?

Unlike many online investment advisers, Swell does not use an algorithm to manage its client accounts. Swell uses a “rules-based” investment approach designed to identify companies that are making a positive impact and addressing global challenges.

The Heart and Brains of a Swell Impact Portfolio

The portfolio curation process is a labor of love here at Swell. It’s a chance for our portfolio management team to delve into the financial markets and surface companies that are making a positive impact in the world.

Impact Investing Glossary

Figuring out all the abbreviations used when discussing impact investing can be tough. Here's a handy guide. This forum leads the talks in advancing sustainable, responsible, and impact investing across all asset classes.

3 little ways climate will change your everyday life

Danone, in our healthy living portfolio, is a leader in sustainable agriculture. Their key priorities are to preserve and improve the quality of soil, protect water resources, protect biodiversity, minimize greenhouse gas emissions and maximize carbon capture.

Stocks vs mutual funds

Not every investing tool is best for every investor, and that’s ok. When it comes to choosing between mutual funds and stock portfolios, the good news is that you don’t have to. They both have a place in your financial life.

Don't panic when the markets are down

Being rash and exiting the stock market or selling shares in response to a drop is not the best way to react. Rather than panic, wise investors understand that ups and downs are a part of the process.

Can donations be cancelled out?

Examine your investment portfolio. Take a look at the company names in your investment products. If you see ones you don’t like, divest. Then, reinvest. There are a host of investment products that do not hold companies you might find objectionable. Donate.

Boring, but important: retirement savings

Most of have some kind of retirement savings program through our work, and some of us are even lucky enough to get a match from our employer on the funds we deposit. Always take the match!

What we're reading now

September 8th is International Literacy Day. For the 50th anniversary the UN is focusing on Reading the Past, Writing the Future. Despite the steady rise in literacy rates over the past 50 years, there are still 750 million illiterate adults around the world.

Ecotourism spots that are closer than you think

It’s more than just feeling exhausted and overworked, vacations have been scientifically linked to benefitting your health both physically and mentally — from lowering blood pressure to reducing stress levels.

Introducing: Impact IRAs

Investing in your future is a good thing, that’s a no brainer. But where do you put that money? We’ve recently introduced Impact IRAs to our line of products to make the decision a little simpler.

Need to know stats on the pumpkin spice latte

The autumnal equinox is September 22nd, which means it's finally ok to indulge in your PSL addiction. Since its release in 2003, more than 200 million of the spicy drinks have been sold.

How to open a Swell Investing Account

Setting up a Swell Investing account is super simple. You just need some basic info that you’ve probably got memorized. We’ll also ask you a few questions about your finances so that we can serve you best.

Live your best financial life in 5 steps

A survey from GoBankingRates found that one in three Americans has no money saved for retirement. With fewer and fewer companies offering pensions to employees, the need to save for retirement has become even more crucial.

Which IRA is right for you?

What makes IRAs so magical? They allow you to maximize the benefits of a retirement savings account without having to invest as an employee at a corporation, as you would with a 401(k).

Your financial plate

Dave Fanger, Chartered Financial Analyst and Swell's CEO and founder, opens up about creating a healthy, balanced "financial plate." Here are the four best ways to divvy up your money

GoPro makes your movie dreams come true

GoPro was started in 2004 by Nick Woodman, a surfer looking for a better way to film his adventures. At the time, the only way to film someone surfing was to shoot video from the shore or with an expensive hand-held grip.

What's really in your fund?

Log into your online portal for your retirement account. If you poke around, you should be able to locate the tickers for the funds you invest in. A “ticker” is a five letter code for mutual funds, and a three or four letter code for ETFs.

The Current

STORIES THAT MAKE YOU A MORE INFORMED INVESTOR