K-means and agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis of ESG scores, yearly variations, and stock returns: insights from the energy sector in Europe and the United States Cover Image

Analiza prin metodele de clusterizare K-Means și clusterizare ierarhică aglomeratică a scorurilor ESG, variațiilor anuale și randamentelor bursiere: Perspective din sectoarele energetice din Europa și Statele Unite
K-means and agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis of ESG scores, yearly variations, and stock returns: insights from the energy sector in Europe and the United States

Author(s): Ștefan Rusu, Marcel Ioan Boloș, Marius Leordeanu
Subject(s): Economy, National Economy, Supranational / Global Economy, Business Economy / Management, Energy and Environmental Studies, Financial Markets, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Editura Mustang
Keywords: Stock market; clustering; ESG; machine learning; k-means clustering; agglomerative hierarchical clustering;

Summary/Abstract: This study employs k-means clustering and agglomerative hierarchical clustering techniques to visually examine the potential relationship between Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) scores, their year-over-year variations, and annual stock returns for a sample of 34 energy sector companies operating in Europe and the United States. While the agglomerative hierarchical clustering dendrogram suggests two clusters, the elbow method of the k-means algorithm suggests 2-4 clusters. The results indicate that neither ESG scores nor their year-on-year variations had an impact on the annual returns of the stocks. The conclusion is further confirmed by the Pearson correlation coefficient. However, the ESG scores of European energy companies show a tighter dispersion and smaller year-over-year change, making them more predictable ESG score-wise and thus, potentially, more attractive to ESG-driven investors.

  • Issue Year: 8/2023
  • Issue No: Special
  • Page Range: 166-180
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: English