News & Commentaries
Report: time to rethink ESG index construction.
"Traditional index construction not effective because it makes it difficult for investors to assess source of outperformance." [COMMENTARY]This interesting article discusses a study which highlights the difficulty in pointing to ESG factors as a standalone factor in ESG fund alpha. The report suggests ESG funds need improved construction to isolate all causes of outperformance.Report: time…
New: The Big Book of SI by Robeco.
"In our new, 102-page, The Big Book of SI, we analyze the present status of sustainability investing and the big trends that are shaping its future. The book also zooms in on sustainability reporting and the link between ESG and performance." [COMMENTARY]Netherlands-based Robeco has long been a pioneer in sustainable investing. The information and reports…
Companies with strong ESG scores outperform, study finds.
"Portfolios in large and medium-sized groups in developed markets, excluding the US, record best results." [COMMENTARY]Actually, the US portfolios did well too. Just not as well as those in Europe, most particularly. Incidentally, it’s interesting to see how the EU and US governments seem to be diverging on encouraging ESG in funds’ management. The US…
Majority of impact investors satisfied with investment performance: survey.
"The majority of impact investors said their investments have met their expectations for both impact (82 per cent) and financial (76 per cent) performance since inception, according to a report by the Global Impact Investment Network." [COMMENTARY]It’s great news that most impact investors are really happy with their investment results. Such data will inspire many…
ESG adoption gaining among U.S. asset owners – Callan survey.
"More than 40% of U.S. asset owners have incorporated environmental, social and governance factors into their investment decisions, up from 37% in 2017 and 22% in 2013, said Callan’s annual ESG survey report, released Wednesday." [COMMENTARY]Of course, when a respondent says they’ve incorporated’ ESG into their investment decisions, it’s difficult to know if that’s really…
Investors ask 500 companies to come clean on treatment of workers.
"More than 100 institutional investors, which together manage $12trn in assets, have sent a survey to 500 companies demanding that they disclose detailed information on how they manage their global workforces." [COMMENTARY]Finally, this issue is receiving the attention of some of the biggest investors on the planet. It’ll be quite interesting to see who responds…
