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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Socially responsible’ fund drops Starbucks

Associated Press

SEATTLE — A mutual fund company that invests only in businesses it deems socially responsible has dropped Starbucks Corp., citing the coffee giant’s launch of a java liqueur with whiskey maker Jim Beam.

Pax World Funds, a Portsmouth, N.H.-based fund family, steers clear of companies involved in defense or weapons, tobacco, liquor or gambling. It sold 375,000 shares of Starbucks worth an estimated $23.4 million, about 1.6 percent of its Pax World Balanced Fund portfolio, the fund said in a statement released Wednesday.

“While we continue to admire and respect many aspects of Starbucks’ business and corporate citizenship activities, the company essentially forced our hand in this matter,” said Anita Green, Pax World Funds’ vice president of social research.

In a written response to the fund’s announcement, Starbucks said it was disappointed but understood Pax World Fund’s strict policy on not investing in companies that make money from the manufacture of liquor.

“Starbucks is committed to responsible marketing, and proud of our history of corporate responsibility,” the statement said. “Prior to the introduction of this product, Starbucks worked diligently to research and understand its potential impact.”

Pax World Funds said it sent Starbucks CEO Orin Smith a letter in mid-February urging the company to end its deal with Jim Beam, which was announced last year.

Starbucks Coffee Liqueur is sold in restaurants, bars and stores licensed to sell liquor. It is not sold in any of the coffee chain’s stores.

In the statement it released Wednesday, Starbucks noted it is sponsoring a national program aimed at educating parents and children about the dangers of underage drinking.