It depends entirely on the type of analysis they are conducting and the SRI strategy that they are pursuing:
- Ethical/negative screening analysts will look for clear, concise information on companies’ exposure to ‘unethical’ business activity
- Best-in-class analysts will look for comprehensive information across all aspects of companies’ sustainability performance and their interaction with all stakeholder groups
- Engagement analysts will look for information on how companies are managing their practice in contentious areas
- Integrating analysts are likely to review the report in conjunction with a company’s annual report, most recent results statement and latest strategy presentation to identify areas of sustainability activity that have a bearing on stock value
So, for effective communications, companies should not only differentiate between SRI investors and other stakeholders, but they should also differentiate between the different motivations of SRI analysts.
See here for more details of the issues and angles that interest SRI investors.
