If you're looking to make an impact with your investments that go beyond mere profit, then consider the following stocks. These stocks all demonstrate serious commitments to serving community, whether at home or globally.
Interestingly, a new asset class is emerging for individuals interested in leveraging their money to create social impact that works to fight poverty and hunger in addition to making money. Called the impact investing asset class, these securities offer an alternative to traditional investing. JPMorgan
That being said, traditional investing opportunities exist in the stock market to trade companies that do a great deal of good. These companies have demonstrated rock-solid commitments to serving communities in which they do business and are excellent places to put your money if you seek to make an impact with your investing dollars.
Wal-Mart
Walmart contributed $467 million to nonprofits in 2009 with 2009 net income of $13.4 billion -- that's an astonishing 3.5% of yearly income, which sums up to a serious commitment to doing good. If you're interested in ending hunger in the United States, consider enfranchising yourself with your trading dollars and trading WMT.
Yum! Brands
With total giving of $4,100,000 in 2009 in addition to millions of pounds of harvest (75 million given away between 2003 and 2009), YUM is a leader in fighting hunger. With a net income of $1.4 billion, YUM gives away a respectable 0.3% of yearly income and is a leader in corporate philanthropy.
Pepsi
Finally, Johnson & Johnson
An investment in WMT, YUM, PEP, or JNJ helps create social impact in addition to doing good. While the impact investing class develops, feel comfortable investing in these companies that do good and make impact in addition to being profitable for shareholders.