Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG), Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM): Making an Ethical Stand: Does It Matter to Investors?

CMG data by YCharts

Not too shabby for toeing the ethical line, eh? And remember, that’s from the 2007 market peak. If you invested during the recession, you’re doing even better.

I will acknowledge something else:  These are also three of the best-run businesses out there.  But when it comes to practices that are based on openness, inclusion, and not looking the other way in the face of things that don’t jive with the company’s beliefs, that’s something most investors should agree is worth getting behind.  The high level of operational excellence that these three companies share can surely be attributed to their focus on being good members of society as well as being excellent businesses.

Foolish final thoughts

I personally own all three of these companies, and would encourage any investor to buy today.  The bottom line is, not only are they dominating their markets, but the are dominating markets with a long run-way of growth.  Add in that they are actively doing it while choosing to make the world they operate in better, and more open and inclusive, and it’s a reminder that “profits first” isn’t the only way, or even the best way, to win.

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The article Making an Ethical Stand: Does It Matter to Investors? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by  Jason Hall.

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