EM equities: a shift from commodities-oriented sectors toward faster-growing tech and consumer sectors

According to the initial American Jobs plan factsheet just two of the key elements of the $621bn physical infrastructure plan called for are Investment in the electric grid network and rolling-out affordable reliable high-speed broadband across the country

Why was an old and unsafe Chinese factory trawler sold for USD 24.5 million in December 2020?

We keep hearing the phrase ‘Build Back Better’ but what does it mean in reality?

International migration provides much-needed incomes and remittances which support source countries. The chains of slavery aren’t always visible.

The Italian G20 presidency is helping to cement the progress in recent years, laying the foundations for a system in which every financial decision takes #climatechange into account.

This important report from the CFA Institute highlights critical impacts on financial markets, created by the pandemic and the reactions of government, business, and society from around the globe.

PLSA members were asked which social factors do your scheme’s investment and stewardship policies focus? Do you refer to any international standards, such as those relating to human rights or labour rights? Interesting answers.

Definitely in the category of ‘Put your money where your mouth is’ this report from PwC highlights the increasing momentum to see executive pay linked to the things that matter to the wider public, not just the bottom line.

PGIM asks what would happen if stocks and bonds moved in concert—as they did for more than three decades up until the turn of the 21st century?

More needs to be done to speed up progress of diversity & inclusion within the Financial sector. Sam Woods, Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive Officer of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) said:

Less hurry, more worry: Finances in the time of COVID - A comprehensive survey of it’s members by LGIM

The decision is dictated by the goals of promoting corporate social responsibility and improving financial and reputational risk management1.

A warning from the FCA: “When considering a fund’s performance, many firms did not consider what the fund should deliver given its investment policy, investment strategy and fees.”

Biodiversity loss and intensive food systems make zoonotic diseases more likely.

Inflation’s big comeback: Should corporate pensions care? Falling inflation has been a bigger risk to funded ratios, but rising inflation can lead to tail-risk outcomes. Something to think about from Wellington Management

• Most of the data in the world falls into a “blind spot” that lies outside the scope of traditional analysis

• Advances in natural language processing have opened the door to new opportunities for alpha generation

• One company is building their own NLP competency to harness the potential of unstructured data sets

The launch of a diverse, women-led, investment platform specializing in ESG-anchored portfolios and research for institutional investors and wealth managers by 2 speakers from RAO Global - the Americas in 2021

Without a much stronger and urgent effort, we will breach 1.5°C of warming in the early 2030s and remain ill-prepared for the future. G

It appears clear that the Chinese economy has navigated through the pandemic-induced growth slowdown. We see a continuation of robust manufacturing, powered by exports, and a solid rebound in service activities.