Municipal Bond ESG Data & Ratings
Our evaluation criteria are sector-specific and carefully founded on reliable and material data points. HIP Investor’s ratings allow investors to see precisely how and where an issuer is generating its impact.
HIP Investor's Quantitative Model
HIP data and ratings are build a quantitative framework to fund positive impact and optimized risk-adjusted investments.
Reduced Risk
HIP Municipal ESG Ratings are considered a measure of risk. Not only have we seen default in municipalities with historically low impact ratings, but HIP Investor clients have reported tighter spreads and lower price volatility for impact entities rating above 50%.
HIP Ratings & Metrics are refreshed and enhanced with best available data. When new data sources become available, HIP will amend their scorecards and build out analysis to best capture social and environmental impact.
When a municipal agency is not fulfilling its stated mission, it is likely to be at a higher risk of mismanagement or default. When a hospital has poor patient outcomes, or a University has low graduation rates, it may not attract future patients or students (revenue). And when an energy utility is not preparing for a low carbon future, long term solvency could be questioned.
Impact Entity & Issuer Ratings
HIP Investor starts by rating “impact entities.” Impact Entities may be bond issuers, but can be more specific than an issuer. For example, when a government entity issues on behalf of a municipality, the Impact Entity will be the governmental unit. Similarly, when a unique use-of-proceeds makes a specific subsector rating more relevant, the Impact Entity will be more granular than the issuer.
To create HIP Ratings for Impact Entities, we use a systematic data-driven approach.
VanEck's podcast "Trends with Benefits" Interviews HIP Investor
R. Paul Herman, CEO and Founder of HIP Investor, is interviewed by Ed Lopez on VanEck's podcast Trends With Benefits. The two discuss the risks of climate change and the growing demand for investments in sustainable projects. Ed Lopez hosts. Sept 28, 2021. (35 minutes).
Bond Buyer Interviews HIP Investor
Paul Herman and Adam Mason of HIP Investor examine environmental, social and governance risks, ratings disconnects, transparency needs and HIP’s deep dive into hospital systems. Paul Burton hosts. Recorded Dec. 14. (25 minutes).
Product Offerings
In addition to these data and ratings products offered by HIP Investor, we have maps available to map HIP’s framework to other popular frameworks, such as the UN SDGs.
- Impact Entity Ratings
- Weekly Primary / New Issuance Ratings
- Batch Secondary Market Issuance Ratings
- Pillar & Metric Ratings
- Comprehensive Data
Customization, Powered By HIP
Take the HIP Ratings into your portfolio model to create a custom framework that suits your organization’s investment strategy.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial of the HIP Ratings portal
HIP’s new Impact Investing Portal helps you identify dirty and low/negative impact investments that can be more risky and find replacements that support our changing economy
