Episode Details
Back to EpisodesThe Rise and Fall of ESG — And What Comes Next
Description
Is sustainable investing still relevant — or was ESG just a pandemic-era trade?
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.
In the Mailbag, we tackle some of the most talked-about names in the market: Nvidia (NVDA) ahead of earnings and whether its AI dominance can continue; Salesforce (CRM) amid the SaaS scare; Tyler Technologies (TYL) — a beat-up software name she believes is worth considering given its deep government relationships; Boston Scientific (BSX) after its sharp drop on guidance; Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) in medtech; Novo Nordisk (NVO) following its stunning fall from grace; and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) as cybersecurity faces AI disruption. Which selloffs are an opportunity — and which deserve caution?
In Pro Picks, Fairbanks shares three sustainable high-conviction ideas positioned for long-term secular growth. She highlights On Holding (ONON), the premium athletic brand capitalizing on the global wellness trend and expanding brand awareness; Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM), the employer-sponsored childcare provider she believes is misunderstood after conservative guidance but poised to regain consistency; and Autoliv (ALV), the auto safety leader benefiting from rising global safety regulation and increased safety content per vehicle. Each reflects her disciplined focus on durable growth, competitive advantage, and corporate culture — core pillars of her sustainable investing framework.
If you’ve been wondering whether ESG still delivers alpha — this conversation is for you.
Timestamps
00:00 Trailer
02:00 Intro
04:40 What does sustainable investing mean to Amber Fairbanks?
06:10 The evolution of sustainable investing
09:10 What’s on Amber’s checklist?
12:30 The sustainability lens a long-term driver of outperformance
15:00 Would Amber ever invest in oil & gas?
17:40 We can’t look at the world the way we want it to be
17:20 The AI factor
20:40 The right questions to ask AI companies
23:25 ITM Mailbag: Nvidia stock (NVDA)
26:30 Salesforce stock (CRM)
28:30 Tyler Technologies stock (TYL)
29:30 Boston Scientific stock (BSX)
31:55 Intuitive Surgical stock (ISRG)
34:30 Novo Nordisk stock (NVO)
35:40 Palo Alto Networks (PANW)
37:50 Amber’s Pro Picks (ONON, BFAM, ALV)
Sponsors
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Pro Picks is brought to you by ATB Financial. Visit https://ATB.com/inthemoney for more information
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DISCLAIMERS
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 com