Talk:Social responsibility indices

Social responsibility index returns table
There is a request to update the Social responsibility index returns table. See: Re: Opinions on Social Index Fund (VFTSX)? --LadyGeek 09:39, 7 September 2014 (CDT)

I am attempting to update the index returns table, but could not find Calvert Social or FTSE4Good index information on their respective websites. Instead, I have found historical price information on marketwatch.com. Specifically, price quotes for:


 * FTSE4Good United States Benchmark Index
 * FTSE4Good Global Benchmark Index
 * Calvert Social Responsibilty Index

Which of the FTSE4Good indexes should be used, US or global? I would assume global.

How is the return calculated? I have taken the closing year end price for each index, but cannot match the table. For example, the Calvert Social Index return year-end prices are:

2001: 73.37 2000: 85.96

Calculated return for 2001 = -14.65 % = (73.37 - 85.96)/85.96 * 100% The table's return for 2001 = -13.80%

I am preparing a spreadsheet, but would like to be sure the calculations are accurate. I have updated MSCI index data from the fact sheets.

--LadyGeek 20:02, 7 September 2014 (CDT)

Additional references:

--LadyGeek 19:16, 9 September 2014 (CDT)
 * MSCI KLD 400 Social Index
 * MSCI USA ESG Select Index


 * Vanguard - FTSE's performance, Vanguard Institutional provides data on the FTSE 4Good US Select Index.--Blbarnitz 03:24, 8 September 2014 (CDT)

I will utilize the Vanguard site info for the FTSE 4GOOD US index.

For the Calvert Social Index, I found the SEC prospectus for the Calvert Social Index Series, Inc. (Jan. 31, 2014) and Calvert Social Index Series, Inc. Class Y (July 13, 2012).

The first performance chart in 2012 prospectus (Class Y) appeared to follow the Social Index within a percent or so. However, the 2014 performance was further off. Something happened for the Class Y fund in 2012.

Instead of a fund as a proxy of the benchmark, would it be acceptable to calculate the index performance using year-end returns as shown above? Or, should I leave the existing entries alone (do not update)? --LadyGeek 22:28, 8 September 2014 (CDT)
 * If the Calvert Social Index Series operated on a calendar fiscal year ending on Dec. 31 (or June 30) one could use the annual or semiannual reports to get the annual (Dec. 31) returns for the underlying index. Unfortunately, the series has a fiscal year that ends January 31, so the reporting periods do not match.

We can use the Vanguard returns data; however we should change the spreadsheet entry to the FTSE 4Good US Select Index for accuracy, since FTSE has a number of different 4GOOD indexes in the series.--Blbarnitz 03:56, 9 September 2014 (CDT)

Calvert Social Index
I found additional data sources. First, by Calvert: Calvert Social Index Performance - contains both price and total return indices. It's only a few data points, but can be used as an authoritative reference.

Next, I obtained the historical prices for 8/31/2014 and 12/31/2013 from MarketWatch so I can align with the Calvert YTD performance as of 8/31/2014.

My result is 8.06% = (129.15 - 119.52)/119.52 * 100%, which aligns with the Calvert price index YTD return of 8.05%. I'm now confident I have an accurate Calvert Social Index price return.

I found the Calvert Total Return index on Morningstar. It's hidden rather well, here's how I accessed it:


 * 1) Go to Calvert Social Index A CSXAX, on Morningstar. The menu should be under Performance --> Total Returns --> Collapsed View.
 * 2) On the Growth of 10K chart, select Expanded View. Then, Compare (right-hand side).
 * 3) From the drop-down list Add Benchmark, select Primary Prospectus Benchmark. Calvin Social TR USD is the only choice; select it.
 * 4) Calvert Social TR USD now appears in the table, starting from 2004. (Ignore the chart info, we're only interested in the index here.)

Here is the result: The return from 2004 of 8.55%, the latest data point in the wiki table, aligns with the 2004 TR index. Also, the data aligns with the Calvert index for YTD as of 8/31/2014. I now have both price and total return indexes.

I assume that the TR index is the one to be used (?). If not, I can change it to the price index.

--LadyGeek 19:07, 9 September 2014 (CDT)


 * Yes, use the total return index. Nice detective work. --Blbarnitz 02:06, 10 September 2014 (CDT)