A hybrid approach that blends short-term and long-term views is needed when measuring the impact of ESG practices on fund performance, says Madhu Gayer, head of investment analytics for Asia at BNP Paribas Securities Services.
Chinese companies account for a tiny percentage of ESG-filtered emerging market ETFs, even though China is 26.5% of the MSCI EM Index.
ESG investing moved on from simple exclusion screening long ago, said Karine Hirn, partner at East Capital.
Instead of focusing on growth, the commodity and resources sector now stresses profitability, said Investec’s Tom Nelson.
ESG is making waves among socially responsible investors but, with some confusion as to the exact definition, Bruce Jenkyn-Jones of Impax says it is about giving a helping hand to companies making a positive change for good
Only one-in-three European insurance companies take environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into account when investing, and most of these do so because of regulatory pressure, according to a survey by Axa IM.
Lack of robust data and reporting standards hinders ESG implementation, according to Lou Maiuri, executive vice president at State Street.
Standard Life and Aberdeen have clearly defined the roles co-chief executives Keith Skeoch and Martin Gilbert will fill once the companies merge. Killik & Co’s Sarah Lord surprised many this week by announcing plans to move on from the company, while OMGI has parted ways with its fixed income head.
Lyxor Asset Management, the European fund manager wholly owned by Societe Generale, has launched what it claims to be the world’s first green bond exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Fixed income manager BlueBay Asset Management is expanding its environmental, social and governance (ESG) fixed income offering in response to client demand for greater incorporation of the ethical investment strategy.
Agnostic and ethically-minded investors are increasingly turning to Shariah compliant products with asset managers happy to meet demand, says Jad Shams, head of Mena for Mirae Asset.
Impax Asset Management can see opportunities in Asia but the lack of clarity on environmental issues from the new US president means a growth outlook for environment-themed investing is difficult, said Ian Simm, Impax Asset Management’s London-based chief executive.
