Just one Canadian pension fund ranked in the top 20 global funds based on their responses to the recommendations of the task force on climate-related financial disclosures, according to new research by the Asset Owners’ Disclosure Project. The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, which was awarded a BBB rating, placed No. 16 out of the top 100 […]
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is launching a Canadian bond framework focused on a commitment to promoting women in corporate leadership roles. The bond framework aims to meet the increasing demand by institutional investors for options to commit dollars to socially responsible investments, according to a press release from the bank. “This new social bond framework […]
Institutional investors that are integrating environment, social and governance factors into their decision-making process are taking note of Facebook Inc.’s latest troubles. Back in March, MSCI Inc. downgraded Facebook’s ESG ranking from BBB to BB. Its less-than-stellar rating of BBB before the downgrade was due to what MSCI called “long-standing concerns . . . with […]
Aon has developed a ratings system to more closely scrutinize how fund managers integrate environmental, social and governance issues into their investment strategies. The system begins with a proprietary questionnaire, followed by an examination of the manager’s responsible investing policy, should one exist, as well as its active ownership actions, stewardship policies and its ability to demonstrate how it’s previously applied the […]
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. The report, which surveyed 229 investment stakeholders, including pension funds, insurance companies, fund managers and foundations, also found 50 per cent of survey participants made […]
Very few American pension funds are incorporating environmental, social and governance issues, according to a new survey by NEPC Investment Consultants. Just 12 per cent of participants said they’re incorporating ESG factors into their investment manager selection process, while 59 per cent said they aren’t and 29 per cent said they aren’t but they’re interested in doing so. The majority […]
With the growth of investment strategies focusing on socially responsible investing, there are many angles for institutional investors to consider. A new report by Cambridge Associates indicated investors putting dollars to work with racial equity in mind will gain an advantage in the long term. While the report noted there are many potential definitions for social equity investing, it defines the […]
The mass shooting news cycle isn’t going away. In the wake of the Parkland, Fla., shooting in February, hundreds of thousands of protesters descended upon Washington for the March For Our Lives, a show of force aimed at generating support from U.S. lawmakers to take action on gun control. Just this past Tuesday, a young […]
Bolstered by research showing the majority of institutional investors are considering environmental, social and governance issues in their investments strategies, Russell Investments has created a new way to score companies on the particular factors that could have a material influence on finances and returns. “Our new material metric allows ESG investors to differentiate between companies […]
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System and U.S. investment manager Jana Partners have sent an open letter to Apple Inc. encouraging the company to address the problem of phone addiction among young people. Collectively, the two investors hold approximately US$2 billion in Apple shares, according to the letter, which expresses concern that if left unaddressed the […]