In a move echoing student protests across the US, Trinity College Dublin recently announced it would divest from three Israeli companies linked to settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Protesting students are delighted, but does divestment actually work?
Divesting from so-called sin stocks can have unintended effects. In the US, tobacco was the best-performing stock market sector in the 20th century, while alcohol stocks took top spot in the UK. Ironically, researchers have noted that unpopular stocks become cheap, allowing less scrupulous investors to profit by buying in at lower prices.
Returns aside, evidence indicates it’s better to engage with companies than to divest from them.
In one study examining controversies faced by US-listed companies from 2010 to 2020, researchers found that divestment by investors had little impact. However, companies facing social issues were much less likely to repeat offences if investors held a 1 per cent stake and engaged with them. Other studies have come to similar findings.
Romantasy, QuitTok and other words from a dystopia-coded year
Have Ireland’s data centre builders shot themselves in the foot through their own greed?
The old order of globalisation may be collapsing – and bringing Germany with it
Wonderwallets: the cost of everything in 2024, from Oasis tickets to Leinster House bike shelter
When it comes to corporate change, engagement trumps divestment.
- Sign up for Business push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our Inside Business podcast is published weekly – Find the latest episode here
