Fund selectors should be flexible when it comes to their ESG demands, and adapt these to the asset classes they invest in. That’s the conclusion of a study conducted by bfinance.
Category: ESG
Is large cap focus a problem for ESG trackers?
Passive ESG strategies tend to focus exclusively on large caps. This is a problem because they miss out on ESG opportunities in small cap companies that can only be exploited by active managers, according to Ryan Smith, head of ESG research at Kames Capital. Does he have a point?
Are ESG funds doomed to fail under Trump?
President-elect Donald Trump might not be all bad for funds that make impactful investments in clean energy, technology or innovative pharmaceuticals, says AXA Investment Managers global head of responsible investment Matt Christensen.
ESG leaves Munich’s fund buyers cold
ESG funds are fast becoming a staple that caters for the appetite of Northern European investors. But in the centre of Europe’s automotive industry, Bavaria, investors are not quite as bothered with sustainability.
European companies lead the way in ESG
Companies listed in the Eurozone score best on Environmental, Social and Governance criteria, according to Morningstar research, with Portugal getting the highest score. On the other end of the scale, two of the BRICS countries get the lowest marks.
Tracking responsibly – are ESG index-trackers any good?
The growing popularity of index investing is only just starting to be felt in the world of responsible investing but as the market for plain vanilla trackers becomes increasingly crowded, what does the future hold for ESG passive products?
Dutch pension funds take lead in ESG
Three quarters of pension funds in the Netherlands now have an ESG policy, up from just 45% in 2013, according to a study by pensions regulator DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank).
Strong corporate governance leads to outperformance – research
Companies with a sound corporate governance culture have significantly outperformed their poorly governed competitors since the beginning of 2009, according to fresh research by Hermes Investment Management.
Sustainable investing – is it time to consider ETFs?
Passive investing has made a rapid rise over the past couple of years. When it comes to sustainable investing, however, index-based funds are still relative newcomers.
Institutional investors hold 39% of assets in SRI
Some 39% of institutional assets in Europe are invested in sustainable mandates, according to a study commissioned by Union Investment, the German asset manager. The Nordics and the Netherlands are the frontrunners, while Germany and Italy are lagging behind.
