PERSPECTIVES
Must-read ESG insights and much more
Our investment professionals and environmental, social and governance (ESG) specialists take on topics that matter.
Your question
Is ESG just a new investment fad?
Our insight
ESG-related issues have long been considered within The Capital SystemTM, even if they haven’t always been labeled in this way. New data, tools and investment frameworks are helping us to better integrate ESG into our investment process and develop deeper insights on those issues that we view as financially material.
Your question
Does focusing on ESG mean sacrificing returns?
Our insight
We believe incorporating material ESG information into investment decision-making can improve outcomes for investors. Poor governance can expose issuers to greater downside risk. And, in terms of potential upside, some long-term studies indicate that funds that incorporate ESG considerations into their investment decisions have outpaced broad market benchmarks over time (Morningstar*, MSCI†).
Your question
Do ESG ratings give investors a clear view of how an issuer is faring?
Our insight
Ratings from third-party providers can vary widely because of different methodologies and data; they can also miss nuances that bottom-up fundamental research discerns. We consider ratings as one of many inputs, but always go deeper — using proprietary tools, frameworks and insights to evaluate material ESG issues.
OUR APPROACH
Deciding what ESG issues matter most
Evaluating material ESG risks and opportunities is critical to how we invest. Our three-part process enhances our bottom-up, fundamental research and emphasizes materiality at the individual-issuer level.
Investment frameworks
Reflect the material ESG factors for 30+ sectors.
Monitoring process
Flag investments that require even more research and review.
Engagement and proxy voting
Ongoing dialogue with issuers to encourage ESG transparency and best practice.
How the power of 3 enhances our bottom-up research
Our integrated approach to ESG is powerful. The process is continually refined, shining a light on materiality and helping us focus on the most relevant ESG-related risks and opportunities.
WHY CAPITAL GROUP?
Striving for a superior ESG process
Put simply, we believe that integrating ESG analysis into our investment process is a crucial aspect of delivering superior long-term investment outcomes.
LONG TERM
For ESG, taking the long view is crucial. We’ve been long-term investors for 91 years.
DEDICATED ESG TEAM
We have 40+ ESG specialists and 25+ data scientists focused on proprietary research, tools and analysis.
INTEGRATED
Our 450+ analysts and portfolio managers across the globe embed material ESG considerations into their research.
Rob Lovelace and Jody Jonsson explain how ESG is weaved into The Capital SystemTM and how, at Capital Group, we're seeking to hold ourselves accountable, too.
Case studies and more
Find real-world examples of stewardship, engagement and proxy voting.
Capital Group Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures report
Explore our approach, actions and key metrics related to climate change.
Global citizenship and sustainability report
See how our business operations and investment process are supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
ESG DISCLOSURES
The UN Global Compact and UK stewardship code are just two of the industry-related initiatives that we've joined. Learn more and also find our ESG policy statement and global proxy policy here.
* Hortense Bioy, “Do Sustainable Funds Beat Their Rivals?,” Morningstar, June 16, 2020.
† Raina Oberoi and Guillermo Cano, "Quantifying ESG fund performance," MSCI, April 6, 2020.
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