Impact Investing & ESG
Gitterman Says ESG Plays Well on Campus
Gitterman is working with 5,000 college professors to build ESG portfolios, in total valuing approximately $450 million in assets.
Demand for Responsible Investment Pushing Up the Value Chain
As the subject of impact investment has joined the mainstream, clients have increasingly started demanding better disclosures on responsible investment practices.
Unpacking Impact Investing – An Emerging Asset Class
In this interview, Kate Kohler, co leader of Korn Ferry’s Impact Investing Practice, notes that impact investing attracts both highly value-aligned under-30-year-olds, and accomplished financial and investment professionals seeking more fulfilment than what they obtain from ordinary investing.
Nestle Waters North America Announces $6 Million Investment in Closed Loop Fund
This contribution will join the $100 million social impact investment fund, which seeks to find a national solution to the gap in recycling infrastructure and programs in U.S. cities.
Investors See Tangible Returns in ESG Integration
Over two thirds of 475 surveyed institutional investors noted an increase in returns once ESG criteria were integrated into decision making processes.
United States and Europe
Boom Time Again for U.S. Oil Industry, Thanks to OPEC
After the price of oil dropped in 2015 and 2016, OPEC and Russia’s decision to cut their oil production helped push the price of oil back up. As a result, today there are twice as many U.S. oil rigs as there were this time last year.
Consumers Energy Investing Nearly $440 Million to Enhance Safety, Reliability of Natural Gas System
$75 million will be spent to complete 40 improvement projects and replace 67 miles of pipe in southern Michigan; $120 million will go to expansions, improvements, construction, and capacity increases for the natural gas system; and $183 million will go to improvements for pipeline integrity.
US Growth Rate Revised Up to 1.2%
The US economy grew at a faster pace than initially thought in the first three months of the year.
Michigan Good Food Fund Tops $10.5 Million Milestone in Statewide Good Food Investments
The fund provided financing to six food enterprises, which will boost job creation and healthy food access in underserved Michigan communities.
Emerging Markets
South Africa’s Western Cape Declares Drought Disaster
After experiencing the worst shortage in 113 years, water will now be harvested by drilling boreholes to serve key points in the region; over 40 million people have been affected.
Emerging Markets Remain a Good Bet and are Under Owned Despite Strong Gains: Deutsche
As U.S. interest rates rise, investors are looking overseas to generate returns; emerging markets are experiencing high real rates, positive growth, and consistent returns, and are expected to maintain their status as a worthwhile investment destination for at least the next three years.
Incoming Ecuador President Moreno Names Finance, Oil Ministers
The new finance minister is tasked with solving Ecuador’s large fiscal deficit, while the new oil minister must help the nation recover from low oil prices.
Asia Stocks Higher; South Korea Share Soar as Interest Rates Hold Steady
The increase and subsequent gains are the result of the nation’s central bank holding interest rates at a record low, in a vote of confidence in the economy.