Impact Investing & ESG
ESG Moves from the Margins to the Mainstream
Environmental, social and governance issues are often described by businesses and investors as “nonfinancial,” suggesting they have no materially significant impact on the bottom line, either as a risk to revenue or an opportunity for business growth.
How to Drive Competitive Returns with Impact Investing
Businesses that incorporate “material ESG factors into their strategy, operations and culture will outperform [others that do not] over the long term,” is the underlying philosophy at New York City-based Inherent Group.
United States & Europe
U.S. Economy Picked Up in 2017, but Growth Slowed at Year’s End
The economy grew 2.3% for the year, the Commerce Department said Friday. That’s well ahead of the 1.5% growth in 2016, but slower than 2015.
Robust Imports Slow U.S. Economic Growth in Fourth Quarter
U.S. economic growth unexpectedly slowed in the fourth quarter as the strongest pace of consumer spending in three years resulted in a surge in imports.
Developing Economies
A Global Convergence of Economic Conditions is Driving the Market Melt-Up
There’s a simple way to make sense of the tumbling dollar, the Treasury selloff and the emerging-market boom, all springing in lockstep. Investors are intensifying their bets on synchronized global growth, a dynamic that’s crimping demand for safe assets and fueling convergence trades.
The Recent History of the Global Economy in One Chart
In 1950, the average African had almost twice as much income as the average Asian. At 63% of the world’s average, she wasn’t far behind the typical global citizen, either.
The Fun is Just Starting for Emerging-Market Stocks
The key risk for investors in emerging-market stocks is not getting caught in a slump, but exiting the rally too early.
African Development Bank to Add $2Billion to Nigeria Loans
The African Development Bank plans to increase its loans to Nigeria by more than $2 billion next year with investments in energy, infrastructure and agriculture, its President Akinwumi Adesina said.
IMF Revises Up 2019 Asian Growth Due to India’s Strength
Indian economy picks up the slack from China as Asia outperforms.
Brazil Believes Its Growth Rate Will Be Double the IMF’s Forecast
Brazil expects to see upwards of 3 percent GDP growth in 2018, Brazilian Finance Minister told CNBC Tuesday, a figure that flies in the face of the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 1.5 percent.
Trust in Latin America’s Growth Outlook Strengthens: Poll
Economists’ confidence in Latin America’s prospects is strengthening ahead of major elections in the region as global growth accelerates, the latest Reuters survey found.