Amundi and LGIM, Europe's largest asset managers, have won several index mandates on behalf of Nordic pension companies over the past 12 months. A business developer and a product architect reveal their recipe for success to AMWatch.
As fund managers everywhere adapt to environmental, social and governance investing principles, there’s a growing consensus that the "S" in the acronym ESG leaves the most room for misinterpretation.
Perhaps never before have the world's biggest fund managers been so vocal about how they plan to vote in annual shareholder meetings.
Pension Danmark is making an exception by investing directly in developing cleantech company Stiesdal. "If successful, it will be a fantastic investment," says CIO Claus Stampe, who expects to make several direct co-investments alongside private equity firms in the future.
Greenwashing, a lack of common reporting standards and finding suitable green bond investments remain the main challenges facing institutional investors, say Varma's senior portfolio manager and State Street Global Advisors' fixed income strategist.
External partners of Storebrand and Swedish subsidiary SPP now have to adopt the net-zero emissions policy of the Paris Agreement. The firm is open to re-evaluating relationships in the coming year if external managers do not adapt.
Finland's Varma is one of the seed investors in a new range of three sustainable corporate bond funds launched by State Street Global Advisors.
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OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I has invested in an Ethiopian food producer and is helping to bring internet connectivity to underserviced areas in Indonesia.
Five Danish pension companies voted, much like the majority of Shell's shareholders, to approve the oil company's climate plan shortly before a Dutch ruling rejected it. The burden of proof is now on oil companies that have to show that they are on the right side of the Paris Agreement, according to Danish pension provider PFA.
Elo Mutual Pension Insurance is losing its head of ESG, who is moving to Switzerland.
Norwegian pension company's ESG-veteran leaves after 13 years to join Aker Horizons.
Shipping is a major CO2 polluter and thus it should view itself as a part of the solution, says Dutch climate activist Mark van Baal. He works as a shareholder to get major oil companies such as Shell and Chevron to think long-term and intensify their climate efforts.
The recent cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline and a new ruling against Royal Dutch Shell highlight that ESG criteria now set the agenda.
Lannebo and Nordea also own stock in France-based firm Solutions 30, which Swedbank Robur has already been slammed for having by US hedge fund Muddy Waters this week.
Approaching its annual general meeting, Exxon Mobil had urged shareholders to reelect the current board of directors, saying it was working to address the issue of climate change.
DNB Asset Management is strengthening its healthcare team.
A Swiss manager is entering the Nordic market through a partner, with a fund targeting the solar sector.
Nordea Asset Management notes fine initial traction from Chilean and Brazilian pension funds into its ESG strategies during Q1, says CEO Nils Bolmstrand, who also notes a positive momentum in Southern Europe.
Agriculture reduce its carbon emissions, according to a global AM and one of the world's largest agricultural investors. This development should, however happen through the agency of the farmers.
AMWatch sat down with fund managers Qblue and Navigera and broker Max Matthiessen in Stockholm to find out more about the new partnership.
Whilst Danish pension firm PFA has now divested equities in US oil companies, the investor is now betting on Total and Shell as the "winners of tomorrow" due to green energy engagement. Although it's not just about CO2, says PFA Asset Management COO.
Banks in the Nordic region are also working on designing green equity programs.
In 2017, Carsten Stendevad joined a one-year senior fellowship program at the world's largest hedge fund Bridgewater Associates. The former ATP CEO has since converted that fellowship into a career at the firm, known for its distinct corporate culture, where he is now responsible for constructing sustainable investment portfolios utilizing Bridgewater's world-famous investment know-how.
The investment has been made through a private placement in a green bond issued by Sweden’s fifth largest town.
The cost of funds is likely to go up, at least temporarily, as new sustainability regulations increase the workload of portfolio managers, Evli's head of responsible investments predicts.
Lead Legal Counsel, Santander Consumer Bank, Copenhagen