This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

Analysis of January 2025 Producer Price Index (PPI) by Geography and Industry for Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Women-Owned Businesses The January 2025 Producer Price Index (PPI) shows a 0.4% increase in final demand , following a 0.5% rise in December 2024. The 12-month increase reached 3.5% , reinforcing continued inflationary pressures on businesses. This analysis examines the implications of this data across industries and geographic regions for Black, Asian, Hispanic, and women-owned businesses . 1. Industry-Specific Impacts Retail and Wholesale Trade Final demand trade services increased by 0.1% in January . Margins for food and alcohol retailing and apparel retailing rose, affecting minority businesses in these industries. Apparel, jewelry, and accessories retailing saw price increases , which could disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic business owners who are overrepresented in this sector. Implications: Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs in retail may need to adjust pric...

From: American Banker Newspaper Wednesday, September 19, 2007 By Katie Kuehner-Hebert Banks that target minority groups, particularly Hispanics and Asian-Americans, are reporting asset growth well above the industry average, largely because of an influx of immigrants. However, on average these banks are less profitable and less efficient than mainstream ones, according to a report published last week by Creative Investment Research Inc. , a Washington consulting firm that focuses on minority banking. Assets at minority-owned banks are on pace to increase by an average of 17.43% this year, compared with the overall industry average of 6.38%, according to the report, which cited data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and other sources. William Michael Cunningham , the consulting firm's president and chief executive, said the trend reflects both the increased number of start-ups targeting Hispanics — about a dozen have opened since the end of 2005 — and the continued ...