Coronavirus strengthens case for sustainable investing as ESG stocks outperform market in crisis
- UK companies with highest ESG scores outperformed broader market during pandemic last quarter
- Shunning company with risky behaviours and embracing those adopting sustainability values “crucial” in post-crisis market: UBS
The UK’s FTSE 100 ESG Leader Index, which tracks companies with the highest ESG performance, dropped 27.3 per cent in the year through March 24 while the broader market lost 33.7 per cent, according to Schroders, citing a Bank of America Merrill Lynch research. Most MSCI ESG Leaders indices globally have similarly outperformed mainstream markets, it said.
A recent study by investment manager Fidelity International on more than 2,600 companies revealed positive correlations between their ESG ratings and market performances.
“Stocks with higher sustainability characteristics have tended to outperform in this period of market volatility and we believe they will continue to do so when the crisis is over,” said Jenn-Hui Tan, global head of stewardship and sustainable investing at Fidelity. “The crisis has reinforced the underlying point that companies need to offer products and services that bring value, and do not only extract profit.”
In recent years, sustainable investing, measured by environmental, social and governance factors, has resonated with more fund managers as society demands a wider application of ethics in investing, while regulators impose disclosure requirements on the subject.
The Covid-19 outbreak, which triggered global border closures, city lockdowns and severe economic losses, highlights the interconnected and interdependent nature of the social and economic systems, according to global advisory firm Willis Towers Watson (WTW).
“Companies cannot operate independently from societal and environmental issues, as investors recognise that these present clear financial risks,” said Jayne Bok, head of investments for Asia. “Companies that can better manage ESG issues are likely to be more resilient through the current crisis.”
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That suggests a growing confidence in ESG strategies offering “higher quality companies with sound business models,” according to Mario Knoepfel, head of sustainable and impact investing advisory for Asia-Pacific at UBS Global Wealth Management.
Why it makes good business sense to focus on environmental, social and corporate governance practices
Some “risky behaviours” came to the fore as the Covid-19 pandemic pressured companies to trim working days or lay off workers. Some 7 per cent of working hours worldwide will be lost in the second quarter, the International Labour Organisation said last month.
“Companies realise that making rash decisions will have a negative impact on their reputations,” said Juan Aronna, managing director, head of investment solutions and products for RBC Wealth Management Asia. “In the long term, [this] would not serve them well.”
With a boost from the coronavirus outbreak and global markets crash, investors say sustainable investing looks set to accelerate.
While short-term volatility in financial markets is clearly a challenge, many investors are seeking out companies which can emerge with stronger stakeholder relations and business models, according to Schroders.
“In some cases, the choices companies are making are highlighting stark differences in priorities between companies,” said Andrew Howard, head of sustainable research for asset management company Schroders. “Sustainability, and how companies engage with the stakeholders they rely on for their long term corporate health, is therefore in the spotlight more than ever.”
