Published on 7/20/2022

GOLD = Easily passed C3 Moral Screening Tests.

PURPLE = Barely Passed C3 Moral Screening Tests (Essentially Neutral).

RED = Failed C3 Moral Screening Tests.

Diamondback Energy (FANG) –

A hydrocarbon exploration company that has made it on to C3’s radar once before. FANG was a Gold Company then and it remains one now. The innovative leader in the returns-enhancing  (A group of strategies to get returns regardless of market direction) for their specific energy space.

FANG is an unconventional oil and gas company that is also one of the lowest cost oil producers in the US. It is above my scope of knowledge to explain to you how they are so innovative, but this Texas based oil company is one of the few moral winners that C3 has come across. Now, this does not mean that FANG is donating to pregnancy crisis centers or led by a group of church elders, but it does mean they are a US company, that produces a product that the world actually needs and they do not participate in any obscene anti-Christian behavior.

Skyworks Solutions, Inc (SWKS) –

This American semiconductor company that specializes in communication systems is being recommended essentially because everyone and their brother needs chips right now. Especially chips that work with in the cellular world. Smartphones keep getting smarter and Skyworks is one of the companies who is trusted to make this happen. Emerging markets are the big dollar signs for SWKS as these markets shift away from handsets into more modern communications.

SWKS does not do anything that turned up red flags for C3 in our ethical screening process. However, the debate did go on about whether SKWS provides something for the common good. Cellphones are considered a modern necessity, but do they need to do all things that they can do? SKWS has made smartphones smarter and by some arguments have made us dumber. This is why SKWS only gets a PURPLE rating from C3 and not a GOLD Rating.

DGX Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX) – National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce member, Sponsor of Atlanta Pride Parade Festival, A perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality index.

Quest Labs keeps upping their game in offering high quality and more accurate tests that are also more complex. These advances in technology are also advances in profit margins. Esoteric and gene-based tests are becoming more readily available to the public. Quest has even been acquiring hospital-outreach programs that are very lucrative. All this combined with Quests Care360 program has made themselves a more likely physician referral location. The biggest thing hurting Quest is anecdotal complaints about poor customer service in certain areas.

DGX was very close to a positive rating from C3’s ethical screening process but their leadership at the end of the say seemed to liberal given their willingness to support the LGBT community in so many ways. AS C3 has stated over and over again, the healthcare field is a difficult one to navigate regarding ethics. Quest does a lot of good for expecting mothers and a lot of other groups of people, but their deep entanglement with hospitals across the world make us hesitant on recommending them as a morally good asset.

A bit of bonus here to get some more bang for your buck (JK everything on the C3 site is free, it’s all gravy) …

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) – This energy ETF has a lot of big names in the sector within it. Seasoned vets on the C3 site know that C3 does not specifically like ETFs all that much, but we cannot ignore the market when they start suggesting a specific industry so aggressively. Now anyone with half a brain can probably discern why the market is so big on energy right now (HINT: Gas Prices & Russia). So, the one ETF that is not completely awful in terms of moral red flags is the MLPX. We STRONGLY suggest doing your due diligence before buying, but it is one of the better energy ETF’s we could find.

You can find out all the holdings and financial information on the MPLX at the following site. MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MPLX) (globalxetfs.com)

Please remember to spend time in prayer with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ before making any major financial decisions. Speaking with friends and family is always great too. 

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