Weekly Impact Investment Market Update: March 29, 2018

Impact Investing & ESG
 

ESG and Supply Chain: Why Both Matter

There has been a rapid shift in the world of corporate disclosure. In the past 12 months, we have seen investment giants writing to CEOs urging them to report on their long-term strategies and socio-environmental goals, and the world’s first gender pay gap reporting regulation coming into effect.

Capitalism’s New Formula: Capital + Purpose = Social Impact

This equation is the catalyst for our movement, which shares characteristics of major social and political movements in the last century.

Europe’s $38 Billion Carbon Market is Finally Doing Its Job

Europe’s $38 billion a year carbon market is finally starting to work the way it was intended, reining in pollution with a minimum of squealing from industry.

It’s Cool to be Kind: Family Offices and Impact Investing

The term “impact investing” celebrated its 10th birthday in 2017, a year where it seemed every other investment house launched a new fund offering to tap into the trend. But what does it really take to be an impact investor?

 

United States & Europe
 

U.S. Economy Grew Faster Than Previously Estimated in Q4

Gross domestic product climbed by 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting an upward revision from the previously estimated 2.5 percent increase.

The Most Stable Economies in Europe
They’re not necessarily the ones you’d think of first.

German Jobs Bonanza Keeps Economy Swinging into Spring

Germany’s jobless total dropped more than expected in March and unemployment hit a record low, adding impetus to a labor market that has already become the linchpin of a consumer-led upswing.

 

Developing Economies
 

South Africa’s Economic Chief Hints at Privatization Drive

“Why not?” responded National Treasury Director General Dondo Mogajane, when asked by Reuters Saturday if it was possible for segments of South Africa’s publicly-owned firms to be sold.

Indonesia Continues to Build on Solid Economic Growth

Indonesia maintained strong economic growth in 2017 and the outlook continues to be positive, according to the World Bank’s March 2018 Indonesia Economic Quarterly.

Saudi Arabia Wins Emerging Status in Quest for Billions

Saudi Arabia won classification as an emerging market by a major index compiler for the first time, a key step toward the kingdom’s goal of attracting billions in additional stock investor inflows.

Spotlight Latin America: Key Trends and Challenges for the Region in 2018

The year 2018 is a particularly eventful one for Latin America.

Argentina to Sell $4.2 Billion Bond as Part of Provincial Fiscal Pact

Argentina said on Wednesday it plans to issue $4.2 billion in peso-denominated bonds at an interest rate of 6.73 percent as part of a fiscal pact signed late last year aimed at bolstering the financial position of the country’s provinces.