Thinking Business
Thinking Business
  • 13
  • 68 537
The Rise of ESG on Wall Street
Over the last decade, there’s been a profound change in the ways corporations interact with society. Gone are the days when large multinational corporations were just soulless profit-making machines. Instead, these days businesses are trying to give back to society, donating millions of dollars to charities and actively engaging in widespread social movements. At first glance, it's undoubtedly a noble pursuit; but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a much darker side to this story. Because behind the scenes, an entire industry on Wall Street has been propped up to inexplicably sabotage this growing movement, turning it into a profit printing machine designed to line the pockets of select financiers and corporate executives. It’s a story of unparalleled greed and perverse incentives; one that’s easily overlooked and often underreported despite its far-reaching consequences for our society.
Today, companies are constantly scrutinized on their ESG performance, with many companies plowing millions of dollars into business plans that promote these environmental and social ideals. But some of the strongest supporters for the ESG movement come from an unlikely group of proponents, Wall Street bankers; a corner of our economy not typically known for their interest in societal well-being but certainly known for, well, you know, making money. Despite this, many bankers have uncharacteristically called upon companies to do more than just generate profits and instead contribute to society at large.
And this all sounds good, right? I mean, why shouldn’t we reward good corporate behavior? But is that really what’s going on here? Why is Wall Street suddenly calling upon companies to prioritize societal well-being over profits and encouraging investors to make their voices heard by investing in companies whose business practices adhere to ESG values? So, in this episode, were going to take a look at what’s really behind Wall Street’s sudden interest in the ESG movement, who ultimately stands to benefit from the surge in demand for ESG investing, and why the very idea of a company’s commitment to ESG might not actually be everything it claims to be.
Chapters:
00:00-04:18 The Dawn of a New Day?
04:18-14:42 BlackRock’s Golden Ticket
14:42-24:22 Rating’s Obfuscation
24:22-29.37 A Societal Placebo
Переглядів: 1 975

Відео

How Luxottica Dominates Sunglasses
Переглядів 5 тис.7 місяців тому
The fashion industry is one of the most romanticized yet ruthless markets out there. Competition is unrelenting, fashion trends are notoriously fleeting, and an impending recession threatens to destabilize an already volatile industry But there’s one product category that remains immune to these challenges: eyewear. While most other categories in the clothing industry continue to struggle, prof...
The Collapse of Subway’s Sandwich Empire
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
Across the fast-food industry, the rule seems to be: Bigger, Tastier, and Unhealthier. Chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King have flourished by riding this wave, offering customers excessive portions of high-calorie meals. But Subway stood in stark contrast to these traditional market norms, offering a uniquely healthy selection of sandwiches that seemed to contradict every facet of the ...
Live Nation & Ticketmaster: The Monopoly Behind the Concert Industry
Переглядів 27 тис.Рік тому
Attending a concert to watch your favorite artist perform their latest album has long been a thrilling and exciting experience for fans, one that very well might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But for others, it represents an opportunity to generate significant wealth at the expense of those very same fans. Because behind the scenes of the live entertainment industry, a select group of co...
Amazon’s Healthcare Obsession
Переглядів 2,1 тис.Рік тому
Amazon is notorious for its ambition to implicate itself in every facet of consumers life’s and, as a result, has grown to enmesh itself in virtually every market within our economy, all the while taking the market value, they’ve extracted from the corpses of companies they turned obsolete and added to the trophy collection that makes up the companies 1.4 trillion-dollar market capitalization. ...
Subscription Exploitation: How Adobe Pioneered the Subscription Model
Переглядів 1,1 тис.2 роки тому
The value of the global subscription market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025, more than double the $650 billion it is estimated to be worth today. Whether it be your music, movies, video games, or even your workouts, it seems like nearly everything is becoming a subscription-based service nowadays. Gone are the days of buying something for a simple one-off fee; instead, our economy is...
iBuyers & The Disruption of Residential Real Estate
Переглядів 7282 роки тому
Residential real estate is arguably one of the most fundamental markets within any economy. However, the way in which homes are exchanged between buyers and sellers has long resisted any form of meaningful innovation, resulting in a process that is overly complicated and time-consuming. But over the last 5 years, a new group of market entrants known as iBuyers, short for an instant buyer, are l...
Facebook’s Acquisition of WhatsApp & The Value of Strategic M&A
Переглядів 1,4 тис.2 роки тому
On a late summer evening in 2014, two titans in the Silicon Valley tech industry sat down to play a high-stakes poker game. But the outcome of the game itself was largely irrelevant because the two players, Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook, and Jan Koum, Cofounder of WhatsApp, were really there to negotiate the terms of Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp. At a price of 19 billion do...
The Genius Business Model of Buy Now Pay Later
Переглядів 12 тис.2 роки тому
If you’ve bought anything online in the last couple of years, you’ve probably noticed some new payment option when getting to the checkout page of many online retailers Companies like Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna have all started offering buy now pay later services that allow users to pay for their purchases over a series of instatement rather than paying up front and in full at checkout. The r...
Apple & Google: The Partnership That Rules Search
Переглядів 6462 роки тому
In 2017, pictures of Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai eating dinner together at a restaurant in California surfaced. To many industry observers, the CEOs of Apple and Google seemed like an odd dinner duo. Afterall, Google and Apple were fierce rivals in the technology industry, offering competing products in a variety of markets. Think iPhone Vs Android, Safari versus chrome, Or even Google Maps vs A...
Why Spotify Pivoted to Podcasts & The Horrible Business of Music Streaming
Переглядів 1,7 тис.2 роки тому
It’s tough to argue against the transformative effect that Spotify has had on the music industry and consumer’s audio listening experience. Gone are the days when users had to purchase individual songs from iTunes for 99 cents or manage the confusing process of syncing music from your iTunes library to your iPod. Instead, Spotify brought about a new age of music streaming, offering consumers on...
Rent The Runway: The Horrible Business of Rental Fashion
Переглядів 8 тис.2 роки тому
Among the numerous high flying growth stocks that have fallen significantly from all-time highs in recent months, Rent The Runway and its subscription business that allows users to rent designer apparel sticks out like a sore thumb in the sea of dubious business models. So, as we approach the 6-month mark since its IPO back in October of 2021, I figured it might be time to revisit the fledgling...
The Hidden Psychology of Early Product Reviews on YouTube
Переглядів 4962 роки тому
Over the years, tech reviews have grown massively in their popularity here on UA-cam. Leading many creators on these channels to have an outsized effect on consumers' purchasing decisions when it comes time to purchase a new phone or other electronic devices. And that’s Something that many of the biggest tech companies out there have definitely come to realize. But behind the scenes, companies ...

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @Hammster69official
    @Hammster69official 13 годин тому

    I wouldn't call what happened to Subway "evolution". However, words you used in your thumbnail ("fall") and title ("collapse") are perfectly fitting.

  • @TheLucasHiggins
    @TheLucasHiggins 4 дні тому

    He should have included that they also own major vision insurance companies. Then you go to buy glasses and the only stores that are in network are the luxotica retailers.

  • @antonnovo695
    @antonnovo695 13 днів тому

    Smart.

  • @tiusernamenabalw
    @tiusernamenabalw 14 днів тому

    A l g o r I t h m

  • @jacksanders5766
    @jacksanders5766 15 днів тому

    thank u for high yield on tobacco company stocks esg ppl!!

  • @rosecomeau-v4x
    @rosecomeau-v4x 17 днів тому

    The product looks nothing like the picture advertised.

  • @gzoechi
    @gzoechi 18 днів тому

    It's probably only to get governments subsidizing the businesses they invested in. That's easiest if you convince the population that it's for the greater good.

  • @OrangeGuy
    @OrangeGuy 18 днів тому

    Amazing quality video, deserves way more views

  • @Turbocrow69
    @Turbocrow69 18 днів тому

    I thought I was watching a Bloomberg or FT report, this channel is going places!!

  • @BetterSubstance
    @BetterSubstance 18 днів тому

    Crazy how you only have 1000 views. Looks more like a video with millions of views and subs. Great insights for real 🙌

  • @nb6525
    @nb6525 19 днів тому

    Great eye opening content. Very informative. Thank you!

  • @KalahariDesert-k5t
    @KalahariDesert-k5t 19 днів тому

    😮

  • @d0ubtingThom4s
    @d0ubtingThom4s 19 днів тому

    If only they'd have an ESG for the ratio of CEO to worker salaries, somehow i don't think they'll be adding that

  • @cockinyoursis7992
    @cockinyoursis7992 19 днів тому

    @

  • @mgzz7869
    @mgzz7869 19 днів тому

    algorithm

  • @uhyeah3045
    @uhyeah3045 19 днів тому

    how is this only 200 views

  • @tagefossgard-moser1745
    @tagefossgard-moser1745 19 днів тому

    Algorithm

  • @saltymonke3682
    @saltymonke3682 19 днів тому

    ESG is just a backdoor to propel the use of natural gas and coal by banning nukes and championing a false solution of the unreliable renewable with no proper grid power storage.

  • @tio301
    @tio301 19 днів тому

    Comment for the algorithm.

  • @pingupopp
    @pingupopp 20 днів тому

    I really hope we get to see more regulations around the term ESG, that is the only way to actually hold people accountable. We can also hold companies like BlackRock accountable for using deceitful practices that way. Thank you for making such an informative video!

  • @social-media-police
    @social-media-police 21 день тому

    Luxocttica - We filed a report to the European Union on this company as it clearly has a monopoly which is forbidden under EU law. Furthermore, the company he most wanted to buy was Maui Jim, and they told him to f*** off. So then he tried to buy the factory that made the Maui Jim frames in Italy and failed. Maui Jim of course are famous for their real glass sunglasses, rather than plastic. Eventually the EU will get around to breaking up his company, the sooner the better. He simply obtained the license to the brand and then destroys the quality of the glasses but maintains the price levels so for example Ray Bans that were worn by pilots years ago were the real deal. What you would buy now is way inferior. Not happy with that, he then starts to own all the retailers like Sunglasses Hut, for example.

  • @asullivan4047
    @asullivan4047 22 дні тому

    Last time I walked into one of their establishments then walked out without making a purchase. No lettuce/tomato available -!!!😳

  • @chaoscultus
    @chaoscultus 22 дні тому

    The least of our concerns are the negative affect on Taylor Swift. Even if you disagree that its trash, the importance in this is the tens of thousands of smaller selling artists and the future of music and culture

  • @jimferry4751
    @jimferry4751 23 дні тому

    I used to stand in line and camp out for seats to a good show that was coming to town. Thanks for putting this together. I only went to 1 show that I paid more than face value for a ticket and that show was David Gilmour at Radio City. Well worth it and was also my last concert.

  • @monkmane2345
    @monkmane2345 25 днів тому

    Dude this channel had so much potential, why did y'all quit?????

  • @lorenzo.
    @lorenzo. 28 днів тому

    Agree with the other comments, nicely done!

  • @OsmanOsman-jl5ig
    @OsmanOsman-jl5ig 29 днів тому

    0129

  • @steweslaxe-ts6fg
    @steweslaxe-ts6fg Місяць тому

    the way subway food is open air all day scares me

    • @asullivan4047
      @asullivan4047 22 дні тому

      Might do worse then that to you-???🤔

  • @russelljconquerslifehawkey
    @russelljconquerslifehawkey Місяць тому

    So I only have one question will we ever get the five dollar foot-long back is if not, I will never step foot in that restaurant ever again

  • @b54b32
    @b54b32 Місяць тому

    Said no more to Subway decades ago when they statted jamming "soy protein" and other additives, fillers, and extenders into their formerly real meat themed sandwiches, along with the noticeable decline in the freshness of the less expensive vegatable additions, which were already by then being used as litte more than a "crunchy (if it was fresh) water" filler, to take up space between the top and bottom slices of the bread, so as to make it look like you were getting something "bigger" for your money, and that hopefully would have more taste appeal than a 4 inch by 11 inch rectangle of an indoor/outdoor carpet pad.

  • @Arcilios
    @Arcilios Місяць тому

    All subway has to do is bring back $5 footlongs and it will single handedly save their business.

  • @donwald3436
    @donwald3436 Місяць тому

    Absolutely moronic model lol.

  • @SaadHussain-y1d
    @SaadHussain-y1d Місяць тому

    From where do BNPL companies get the capital to provide merchants and consumers the flexibility of split payments

  • @francescoalberga3819
    @francescoalberga3819 Місяць тому

    Jokes on you…it doesn’t

  • @johnnymcneal5914
    @johnnymcneal5914 Місяць тому

    I'm not really worried about. Quiznos, I hear they used to have over 25000 location. Now they have less than a 1000 listen. Finding a location nowadays like trying to find him's teeth almost impossible

  • @goldfishbrainjohn2462
    @goldfishbrainjohn2462 2 місяці тому

    Are you still there? It's been 5 months since this video released. I really love this kind of content! Could you produce more like this?

  • @casualdecade
    @casualdecade 2 місяці тому

    All they had to do was just not enshittify their ingredients and product. I don't understand why companies shoot themselves in the foot like this when it's not even profitable?

  • @patrickchubey3127
    @patrickchubey3127 2 місяці тому

    Subway used to be good, in fact, they still are, but the prices went through the roof, to the point where I'm better off going to the local deli and buying fresh bread and thin sliced roast beef and other cold cuts and making my own. Plus I won't skimp on the toppings ... and I won't charge myself 3 god dam dollars for a slice of cheese. Make it affordable again and I'll come back again, otherwise no. That's the deal.

  • @VariasCapivarias
    @VariasCapivarias 2 місяці тому

    Idk, here in Brasil, subway started to get bad since the end of Subway melt sandwich. The price rose to the point it costs the same as McDonald's, and Mc is expensive here. Subway used to be a go-to, pretty much always with people inside, but now it's like a ghost town, always empty.

  • @WasabiDreams
    @WasabiDreams 2 місяці тому

    The size of them so called footlongs in the old ads are more than laughable

  • @ephraimmotho887
    @ephraimmotho887 2 місяці тому

    This was a really good breakdown. Really, really well done!!!👏👏👏

  • @patnewbie2177
    @patnewbie2177 2 місяці тому

    Everyone talks about You-Know-Who when it comes to "Why Subway Is Failing", but they gloss over the franchisee issue like it's just a footnote. Hell, one of the bigger videos on why Subway is sinking spends half its runtime talking about the origins of Subway, spends a few minutes floundering with inane social media dribble, and then spends another few minutes on You-Know-Who. Next to nothing about the franchisees.

  • @tatealfrobinson
    @tatealfrobinson 2 місяці тому

    Really excellent video. wishing the channel the best of luck

  • @rustylove3033
    @rustylove3033 3 місяці тому

    Everywhere I look on UA-cam there are documentaries and videos about the super rich figuring out how to get more and more money!! I MEAN ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE!! HEALTHCARE, FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, I MEAN EVERYTHING. HUMANS ARE THE GREEDIEST MOST DESTRUCTIVE THING ON THIS PLANET. THERE WILL BE A HUGE UPRISING IN OUR LIFETIME.

  • @MrNitPic
    @MrNitPic 3 місяці тому

    Damn.. This is Good!! Thanks!

  • @djyua9157
    @djyua9157 4 місяці тому

    I was looking for an in depth video that could educate me more on this Thanks

  • @meijboomm
    @meijboomm 4 місяці тому

    Great video! Monopoly's should be forbidden

  • @Ninja8021
    @Ninja8021 4 місяці тому

    Let's not forget that they also own EyeMed insurance lol. Literally it is still super expensive for prescription lenses with insurance 🙄

  • @chronokoks
    @chronokoks 4 місяці тому

    They simply overshot the prices and never adjusted. Goodbye! Hahaha

  • @mikekeeler6362
    @mikekeeler6362 4 місяці тому

    No such thing as fresh food