Service sector stocks are the largest group of Thaipat Institute's top 100 listed companies ranked by environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures this year, dubbed the ESG100.
Eighteen stocks in the service sector are on the ESG100 2017 list, followed by 16 industrial sector stocks, 14 stocks in property and construction sector, and 13 stocks in the technology sector.
Ten MAI-listed companies also made it to the list. They are Arrow Syndicate Plc, Bangkok Dec-Con Plc, Dental Corporation Plc, Fortune Parts Industry Plc, Interlink Telecom, Project Planing Service Plc, Siam Wellness Group Plc, TAC Consumer Plc, TPC Power Holding Plc and Winner Group Enterprise Plc.
This year's list of ESG100 covers companies from eight sectors, Thaipat said in a statement.
Companies in the ESG100 have a combined market capitalisation of 6.2 trillion baht, representing 40.6% of the total market capitalisation of 15.3 trillion baht.
Thaipat selected 100 out of the 656 companies listed on the Thai stock markets, excluding businesses that have been undergoing rehabilitation.
The institute assessed all of these companies based on more than 12,148 data points of publicly-available ESG information from six data sources.
With the ESG100 list, investors have a basic guidance for publicly-listed companies that have performed well in terms of environmental, social and governance measures. Such information in turn enables investors to pursue sustainable investment and still enjoy the attractive rate of returns.
Performance of the companies listed on the ESG100 outpaced the benchmark SET index, with a 236% increase over the past five years and 9.8% year-to-date.
In comparison, the SET index rose by 63% for the past five years and 3.9% year-to-date.
"This year we have conducted an integrated ESG assessment. ESG and financial information have been analysed together to ensure the ESG100 list reflects the rate of return and operating results related to the ESG activities of each company," Thaipat director Pipat Yodprudtikan said.