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3 Sustainable Investing Stock Picks

On this episode of In the Money with Amber Kanwar we speak with Amber Fairbanks of Impax Asset Management to unpack the ESG backlash, the performance debate, and why she believes sustainable investing isn’t a label — it’s simply long-term investing done right. After years of inflows and hype, ESG has fallen out of favour, but Fairbanks argues the real opportunity may lie in focusing on durable secular trends, corporate culture, and risk management — not marketing buzzwords. From AI disruption to oil & gas exclusions, she explains where sustainability adds value, where it doesn’t, and why time horizon matters more than headlines.

This segment is brought to you by ATB Financial. With over $100 billion in assets, ATB Financial is powering possibilities for more than 843,000 financial services clients.  ATB Cormark Capital Markets is a leading North American investment firm providing holistic corporate and capital markets advice and full-service financial solutions. Visit www.ATB.com/inthemoney for more information.

Three sustainable investing ideas:

• On Holdings (ONON) – Premium running-shoe & active-lifestyle brand

  • Capitalized on Nike’s retail missteps to secure prime shelf space and build a powerful brand with still-low awareness, creating massive growth runway
  • Consistently blowing away earnings expectations while the market has not yet assigned a sustainable growth multiple; significant untapped opportunity in apparel expansion not in consensus numbers
  • Perfectly positioned to ride the secular wellness trend as younger generations prioritize movement, health, and well-being post-COVID

ESG characteristics

  • Innovative sneaker-leasing program: customers wear shoes for 3 months, return them for full recycling, and receive a new pair — reducing waste and promoting circularity
  • Extensive use of recycled materials already incorporated into product designs

• Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM) – Employer-sponsored childcare & family-support services

  • After a 30% YTD decline driven by conservative 2026 guidance and closure of underperforming centers, the stock offers an attractive entry point for a proven compounder
  • Poised to return to pre-COVID consistency: 8–10% topline growth, 50 bps annual margin expansion, and double-digit EPS growth as occupancy and pricing improve
  • Higher-growth, higher-margin backup-care segment is accelerating, while corporate partnerships deliver high ROI through better employee retention

ESG characteristics

  • Directly promotes gender equality by making daycare affordable, enabling more women to return to and remain in the workforce
  • Provides meaningful employee benefits that support work-life balance, family stability, and workforce participation

• Autoliv (ALV) – World leader in automotive safety systems (seatbelts, airbags, child restraints)

  • Benefiting from a powerful secular trend: rising global safety regulations and increasing safety content per vehicle, especially in emerging markets
  • Extending safety innovations to two- and three-wheel vehicles (e.g., motorcycle airbags), opening new high-growth addressable markets
  • Strong competitive moat due to brand trust and proven reliability — OEMs are reluctant to switch suppliers given the critical nature of safety systems

ESG characteristics

  • Saves lives and prevents serious injuries through life-saving automotive safety technology
  • Accelerating adoption in emerging markets directly improves road safety and promotes safer mobility for millions of people worldwide

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DISCLAIMERS: This text AI generated and should be checked against actual delivery. The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. The host and guests may maintain positions in any securities discussed on the podcast. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.

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