Content (378)
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White papers
Private markets – A multi-faceted opportunity for sustainable investors
Asset managers are increasingly applying sustainability criteria to investments in private markets as they seek to take into account growing demand from investors and regulators for investment strategies that incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations. Maxence Foucault, ESG Specialist – Lead on Private Assets, explains.
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White papers
How creative financial approaches can advance climate adaptation
Climate change increases the likelihood of weather-related natural disasters. Their occurrence has increased tenfold since the 1960s, resulting in estimated daily costs of about USD 383 million globally from 2010-2019. We believe the time to adapt to climate change is now and creative strategies can help. Alex Bernhardt explains.
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White papers
‘Say on Climate’ voting: Losing steam – or set for a rebound?
Launched in 2020, the Say on Climate initiative encourages companies to consult shareholders about their climate strategies and net zero action plans at annual general meetings. The number of companies allowing such ballots doubled over the first two years, but 2023 has so far seen fewer initiatives. A recent paper from BNP Paribas Asset Management looks more closely at current trends, challenges still to be overcome, and the role investors can play.
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White papers
Eurozone commercial real estate reset creates opportunities for debt investors
The sharp rise in interest rates over the last year has lowered valuations and led buyers to demand higher yields when acquiring commercial property. Banks have increased their scrutiny and caution, reducing loan-to-value funding ratios. While there is still demand from borrowers, especially for refinancing maturing debt, the amount of debt offered by banks per square metre is lower. We believe this environment presents an attractive opportunity for investors.
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White papers
Is China falling into deflation?
China’s headline consumer price index fell by 0.3% year-on-year in July to register deflation for the first time in two years. This figure raised concerns that falling prices would lead consumers to delay spending in an already weakening economy. However, in our view, the data is not a harbinger for prolonged deflation.
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White papers
Could green hydrogen be the hero of net zero?
Green hydrogen has been put at the centre of many net-zero initiatives for good reason. Also known, on account of its versatility, as the Swiss army knife of long-term decarbonisation, it can provide turnkey solutions for those industries where greenhouse gas emissions are harder to suppress – solutions which can be seen as critical if climate goals are to be met. Edward Lees and Ulrik Fugmann explain.
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White papers
Household loans – Offering predictable performance, even in tough times
As growth in developed economies slows and higher central bank rates start to bite, investors looking for portfolio diversification and attractive returns could consider a relatively little-known, but high-quality asset class: Household loans. Tonko Gast explains.
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White papers
Should investors fret over talk of China heading for a ‘balance sheet recession’?
China’s economy shows symptoms of a ‘balance sheet recession’, which can destroy wealth and confidence, force economic agents to cut spending, and create a debt deflation spiral and prolonged stagnation. So should investors worry?
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White papers
The race to secure a green future – Legislation, challenges, competition
Policymakers across the world are taking action to address climate change by committing billions of dollars to support efforts towards a green future. But the lack of an organised approach could set off fierce competition for people, power and resources, hampering the realisation of global green objectives.
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White papers
Hydrogen – Tomorrow’s energy today
Green hydrogen is one of the fastest-growing clean energy technologies and looks set to grow exponentially in the coming decades. Many governments have placed it at the centre of their net-zero strategies thanks to its varied industrial applications.
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White papers
Accounting for AI risk in ESG investing – It’s a black box
Interest in artificial intelligence has ballooned, fuelling widespread expectations that AI technology could soon play a significant role across many industries. Talk of its benefits, however, is being matched by concerns over its environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact.
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White papers
The illiquidity premium in private asset markets
Investing in private assets can lead to higher returns when compared to public markets, at least over the longer term. In this last of our three-part overview* on private asset investing drawn from our recent paper, we look at how private asset outperformance – the illiquidity premium – can be seen as compensating investors for their willingness to lock up capital for five to 15 years, the usual lifecycle of private equity and private debt investments.