| From across the nation and around the world, INSIGHTS-edge brings you news, commentary and research in key areas of interest regarding ESG, Sovereign Wealth Funds and US Public Sector Pension Funds. We watch the watchers...who are watching you. ESG / Sustainability More Than 50 Companies Voluntarily Adopt“Say on Pay” as Institutional Investors Continue to Press for an Advisory Vote
(Source: Walden Asset Management) Washington, DC—Investors pushing for annual advisory shareholder votes on executive compensation have announced that more than 50 companies have now voluntarily adopted giving their shareholders an annual advisory vote on executive compensation, colloquially known as “Say on Pay.” ANSWERING THE QUESTION: IS ESG IS HERE TO STAY?
(Source: Richard Barr, featured commentator) In a word, yes. However, to offer some encouraging support to the argument pro and con, a company simply named “Mercer” has assessed the state of the field of academic research into environmental, social, and corporate governance (“ESG”) factors, again finding (there was a previous survey in 2007) that consideration of ESG factors can lead to positive investment performance. MSCI buys RiskMetrics for $1.55bn
(Source: Responsible Investor) MSCI, the index and risk group is buying RiskMetrics, the New York-listed risk management and corporate governance firm, in the latest twist to consolidation in the ESG research and governance space. It is paying approximately $1.55 billion in a cash and stock transaction that values RiskMetrics at $21.75 per share. RiskMetrics last traded at $18.69 and its highest ever share price was $25.50 during 2008. MSCI’s offer, which is subject to approval by shareholders of RiskMetrics, consists of $16.35 in cash and 0.1802 shares of MSCI per share of RiskMetrics. Sovereign Wealth Funds China's investments in U.S. up sharply
(Source: LA Times) Made in China now has a fast-growing sibling: Bought by China. Beijing is using its accumulation of billions of American dollars to step up its investments around the globe. In the last year, Chinese acquisitions in the U.S. have ranged from a relatively obscure theater in Branson, Mo., to stakes in such famous brands as Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson. Sovereign wealth fund assets seen soaring 44% by end of 2012
(Source: Pensions & Investments) Total assets under management at sovereign wealth funds globally are expected to increase 44% to $5.5 trillion by the end of 2012, after having fallen by 3% in 2009 to $3.8 trillion, according to a report published by International Financial Services London. Norway's fund sharpens ethical investment rules
(Source: Reuters) OSLO- Norway has launched revised ethical guidelines for its $450 billion fund, Europe's biggest equity investor, putting increased emphasis on active ownership of the fund's investments, the finance ministry said on Tuesday. |
Visit INSIGHTS-edge to get the most up to date information.
Contents © 2009
All Rights Reserved Copyrights for other providers are
noted where appropriate.
Please credit the source if quoted. |
| US Public Sector Pension Funds Giant California pension funds may lower earnings expectations
(Source: Sacramento Bee) - Bruised by heavy losses and wary of the economic road ahead, California's two big public pension funds are considering reducing their official forecasts of future investment results. City pension-fund shortfall comes to $5B ... & counting
(Source: Philadelphia Daily News) – After $1 billion in investment losses, Philadelphia's municipal pension fund has sunk into its biggest hole yet - about $5 billion short of the assets it should be holding to pay future retirement benefits to thousands of city... Texas pension funds in good shape
(Source: Houston Chronicle) Recent headlines from New Jersey and California indicate problems for some state public pension funds that manage the retirement investments and benefits of public school teachers, police, firefighters, municipal and other employees. But headlines tend to paint with a broad brush: There's a much brighter picture in Texas. Watching the Watchers Pesticide Action Network North America Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Established: 1982 OVERVIEW / MISSION
The Pesticide Action Network of North America (PANNA) writes that its works focuses on replacing traditional pesticide use with “ecologically sound and socially just alternatives.” Based in the USA, PANNA is one of five autonomous PAN Regional Centers worldwide, linking local and international consumer, labor, health, environment and agriculture groups into an international citizens' action network. Reason for being: “This network challenges the global proliferation of pesticides, defends basic rights to health and environmental quality, and works to ensure the transition to a just and viable society." |
