Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa

The study examines the impact of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings on portfolio performance. In addition to using the individual ESG components, we also overcome the shortcomings of an alpha-based performance evaluation by applying a wide range of portfolio performance indicators an...

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Main Authors: Jared A. Short, Godfrey Ndlovu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Applied Economics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15140326.2025.2464507
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author Jared A. Short
Godfrey Ndlovu
author_facet Jared A. Short
Godfrey Ndlovu
author_sort Jared A. Short
collection DOAJ
description The study examines the impact of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings on portfolio performance. In addition to using the individual ESG components, we also overcome the shortcomings of an alpha-based performance evaluation by applying a wide range of portfolio performance indicators and examine how the performance indicators vary over different time periods. Using data from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, over the period 2012 to 2022, the study found that portfolios with higher ESG scores have superior returns, particularly at the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that ESG fund construction should not be overlooked, and that portfolio managers who consider ESG ratings in stock selection may achieve better overall fund performance.
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spelling doaj-art-55d3c41128564b4fa4bb47aa7e0969a22025-08-20T02:29:59ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Applied Economics1514-03261667-67262025-12-0128110.1080/15140326.2025.2464507Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South AfricaJared A. Short0Godfrey Ndlovu1School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaSchool of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaThe study examines the impact of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings on portfolio performance. In addition to using the individual ESG components, we also overcome the shortcomings of an alpha-based performance evaluation by applying a wide range of portfolio performance indicators and examine how the performance indicators vary over different time periods. Using data from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, over the period 2012 to 2022, the study found that portfolios with higher ESG scores have superior returns, particularly at the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that ESG fund construction should not be overlooked, and that portfolio managers who consider ESG ratings in stock selection may achieve better overall fund performance.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15140326.2025.2464507ESG scoresportfolio performancestock marketSouth Africa
spellingShingle Jared A. Short
Godfrey Ndlovu
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa
Journal of Applied Economics
ESG scores
portfolio performance
stock market
South Africa
title Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa
title_full Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa
title_fullStr Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa
title_short Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores and portfolio performance: evidence from South Africa
title_sort environmental social and governance esg scores and portfolio performance evidence from south africa
topic ESG scores
portfolio performance
stock market
South Africa
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15140326.2025.2464507
work_keys_str_mv AT jaredashort environmentalsocialandgovernanceesgscoresandportfolioperformanceevidencefromsouthafrica
AT godfreyndlovu environmentalsocialandgovernanceesgscoresandportfolioperformanceevidencefromsouthafrica