GC Asia
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The power of making a fuss
As head of BlackRock, the largest asset manager, Larry Fink’s pivot to responsible investing in recent years has been influential.
16 Jan 2020 -
Investors fight SEC curbs on ESG motions
The latest battle in the campaign to weaken corporate governance standards in the US is being fought over rule changes that would make it harder for investors to propose motions at shareholder meetings. The ‘proxy advisers’ so central to US governance also face new restrictions.
16 Jan 2020 -
Oil and gas ABS market grows despite push for ESG
Securitizations tied to oil and gas-related cash flows have emerged in recent months, despite growing support from the buy side for socially responsible investments (SRI). Though they run contrary to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, issuance of oil and gas royalty ABS may persist as long as the deals offer attractive yields, or until ESG investments pay a premium to brown ABS. Jennifer Kang reports.
16 Jan 2020 -
Commodities position limit debate to kick off again as NGOs eye ESMA consultation
As market participants sent in their final responses to the European Securities and Markets Authority's consultation on MiFID II’s commodity derivatives position limits, NGOs look set to fight against financial industry suggestions. An Oxfam official said he was “worried and disappointed” by the exercise.
09 Jan 2020 -
World Bank’s cat bonds a win for all, says analyst
Catastrophe bonds issued by the World Bank have been positive for both investors and the countries receiving protection from the securities, according to one market veteran. The organisation’s activity in insurance-linked securities has been highly innovative but has also received criticism from some quarters.
09 Jan 2020 -
Investors talk big on corporate responsibility, but act feebly
The noise about how capitalism is changing to a system in which social purpose is restored to the centre of companies' and investors' aims is now deafening. But look below the surface and the actual governance record of many companies and investors is dreadful. Most shareholders are too supine even to defend their own rights.
07 Jan 2020 -
MSCI launches ESG and factor indices
MSCI has launched a range of new indices aimed at corporate bond investors that want to increase their environmental, social and corporate governance and factor exposure.
07 Jan 2020 -
Short selling can promote greater corporate responsibility
Short sellers' detractors say they are detrimental to the responsible stewardship of companies. This is unfair; they can play a useful role in highlighting deceptive practices in a world of greenwashing.
07 Jan 2020 -
FTSE Russell grows ESG research coverage in Apac
Index provider FTSE Russell is expanding the remit of its sustainability investment research in Asia Pacific to include hundreds more Chinese and Japanese securities.
06 Jan 2020 -
Eurex ramps up ESG derivatives in bid to build 'ecosystem'
Trading in Eurex’s environmental social government-themed (ESG) derivatives has reached half a million contracts, with a nominal value of €7bn being reached in December.
18 Dec 2019 -
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TEG chief: Taxonomy is for disclosure, not prescription
Financial specialists will have two years to work out how to implement the European Union’s Taxonomy of Sustainable Economic Activities, which now looks certain to become law in the coming months. But investors, companies and banks are likely to start using the huge document much sooner than that, in a wide variety of ways.
18 Dec 2019 -
Taxonomy deal done as France accepts tweak
European member states have voted to approve the law introducing the Taxonomy of Sustainable Economic Activities at the second time of asking, after France and other objectors won concessions in favour of nuclear power that pro-green observers insisted were nothing to worry about.
18 Dec 2019 -
People moves in brief
Barclays’ head of corporate broking leaves — ESG finance academic joins Barings — Morgan Stanley ratings banker heads for exit
12 Dec 2019 -
Fund investors back London’s green revolution at year end
ESG funds listed on the London Stock Exchange have had substantial investor interest through December, capping off a particularly green year for the market.
10 Dec 2019
