From Goodwill to Good Business: A Comparative Analysis of ESG and Earnings Performance

This interdisciplinary paper examines the relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings and earnings performance of publicly traded US corporations, with an emphasis on business-to-consumer (B2C) firms. The study investigates the significance of specific rating agencies, ESG metrics, and firm attributes (i.e., size and sector classification) in order to provide insight into how a company's ESG performance relates to its ability to meet market expectations – potentially fostering the improvement of investment decisions and sustainability reporting. Although significant relationships arise between ESG ratings (from three distinct providers) and earnings outperformance, inconsistencies in significant ESG components emerge between distinct subsamples of companies. Ultimately, this research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the correspondence between ESG and financial performance, providing insight into the value of environmental, social, and governance reporting for stakeholder value.