Content (268)
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White papersESG scores and beyond (part 1/3) - Factor control: isolating specific biases in ESG ratings
Following years of research and debates on ESG analysis, there is still only an emerging consensus as to its benefit, and also no internationally ratified formal agreement that would stipulate what indicators should be required information for performance assessment and wider impacts evaluation.
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White papers
Passive managers actively involved in transition to the green economy
Growth in ESG benchmarks are putting issuers’ sustainability performance in the spotlight and changing the notion that passive investment managers are always ‘forced buyers’
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White papers
Real Estate and defined contribution plans
While exposure to the real estate asset class is common in defined benefit (DB) plans, this has only become a more recent occurrence in defined contribution (DC) plans. Many target date funds (TDFs) have now started to provide exposure to real estate through stock exchange listed real estate investment trusts (REITs), though some also allocate to “direct” or “private” real estate. Considering that TDFs are commonplace in DC plans, and the majority of net cash flows are directed to them, the wider use of real estate allocations within them brings the need to better understand this asset class.
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White papers
FTSE Russell study on EU Paris-aligned benchmarks
Climate transition benchmarks have become a focal point for investors looking to integrate climate risks into their portfolios and align them with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement (or “Paris-aligned” benchmarks). This has fueled an active interest among investor groups and regulators to identify criteria that can be used to define such benchmarks. Accordingly, the EU tasked the Technical Expert Group (TEG) to develop recommendations for minimum benchmark requirements that are aligned with the Paris Agreement objectives and address the risk of greenwashing.
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White papers
Impact of COVID-19 on USD corporate bond liquidity
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted asset valuations, increased volatility and led to reduced liquidity in many cases. Most asset classes have been affected, and governments have stepped in to support financial operations. In this paper, FTSE Russell examines the effects of the crisis on the year-to-date liquidity of USD corporate bonds, as measured by the price liquidity ratio.
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White papers
Targeted Sustainability
More than ever, investors recognize the risks and opportunities associated with the low carbon transition and are incorporating a wider set of considerations, including carbon, green revenues and environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessments issues into their decision making.
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White papers
Trouble at home? COVID-19 challenges the US housing market
Despite the appearance of some normalization in the US housing market, a close examination suggests a number of COVID-19 related structural challenges.
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Blog | The first 100 days: CMBS after COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic began roiling US markets in March, few areas were hit harder or more swiftly than the commercial real estate (CRE) and CMBS markets. At the end of March, we published research demonstrating an already profound hit to several real estate sectors. Looking ahead, the length and depth of the economic downturn is still uncertain, and prospects for some real estate sectors remain dim. However, more recent data points to a steady recovery in other US real estate sectors.
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White papers
FTSE Russell China Bond Research Report
Foreign ownership of RMB-denominated Chinese government bonds rose to a record high in March as interest rates slipped in some markets; and as the global economy slumped due to the coronavirus crisis.
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White papers
Blog | Rallying markets pivot to riskier factors in May
Growing optimism fuels a strong rotation into riskier Size and Value factors in May, denting enthusiasm for defensive Low Vol and Quality.
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White papers
Blog | Would you credit it? Canadian high yield and the investment-grade credit anomaly
Risk rally and QE have driven in short-dated Canadian investment grade spreads relative to 7-10 yrs….
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White papers
Post-lockdown optimism propels Russell 2000 outperformance
US small caps have been the biggest beneficiaries of the global risk-on rally as economies begin to reopen.
