Green Bonds – Page 4
-
FeaturesFixed income, rates & currency: Strong labour markets surprise
Global purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data, which measures the state of the US economy, has been mostly strong, although manufacturing indices have been considerably weaker than services, perhaps reflecting their greater sensitivity to higher interest rates.
-
FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator: June 2023
Continued loud bickering between the Wagner Group and the Russian army is protecting Putin from both, worsening the outlook for peace, while there are multiple signs that military supplies are approaching exhaustion. The coalition supporting Ukraine is stronger than ever, showing increasing willingness to provide military aircraft. Yet the offensive expected in February has not started. In the US, Florida governor Ron DeSantis is damaging his position with an unproductive row with Disney, while Trump has moved closer to a prison term. Gas consumption in the EU is falling faster than expected, due to efficiencies like heat pumps, changeover to electricity and solar panels. Macron scored nicely by sponsoring the participation of Zelensky at the Hiroshima G7; Sunak failed to centre political attention on China.
-
Asset Class ReportsPortfolio strategy – Fixed income
Last year ushered in a new era for global fixed income and credit markets. It was the worst, in terms of returns, for bond investors in years, but it signalled a regime change. Investors need to be prepared for structurally higher inflation and rates, as well as higher volatility. But for fixed income managers, this is an environment where value is easier to find. Our report looks at this new beginning for fixed income investors, and at how selectivity has become key in the high yield and loan markets.
-
Asset Class ReportsFixed income – New beginning for bond investors
A painful 2022 for fixed income means attractive opportunities and a possible normalisation in risk and return
-
FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator May 2023
Russian air superiority over Ukraine is coming to an end due to lack of equipment. Destroying civilian targets is counterproductive and consumes ammunition. Bakhmut is eating into Russian resources, while Ukraine is being re-armed. History teaches that better technology, rather than numerical superiority, wins wars. But even a lopsided Ukrainian win would not automatically mean peace.
-
NewsInvestors pin hopes on EU Green Bond Standard in fight against greenwashing
Most existing green bonds are unlikely to qualify as green under the new standard
-
FeaturesAhead of the curve: Introducing the concept of a carbon risk-free curve
As global investors and companies progress towards their net-zero emissions targets, the concept of a carbon risk-free curve becomes increasingly relevant within the fixed-income market. In our view, this curve should provide a reference for evaluating the risk levels of bonds in relation to their issuers’ CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) emissions and can therefore help investors to assess the impact of changes in CO₂e emissions on the yield spread of fixed-income bonds.
-
NewsEU rule makers settle on 85% taxonomy alignment for green bond label
The agreement states that all proceeds from an EU-labelled green bond must either be taxonomy aligned or be allocated to credible projects and activities not yet covered by the taxonomy
-
FeaturesFrom soft landing to no landing
Once again, the US jobs market has shown its capacity to surprise forecasters, if not astonish them. January’s non-farm payroll numbers came in way above consensus forecasts, swiftly reversing markets’ dovish take on that week’s central bank actions, with bond markets handing back much of their earlier gains.
-
Asset Class ReportsPrivate debt: Sustainable lending set for comeback
Issuance of sustainability-linked paper took a hit in 2022, but managers are now introducing ESG KPIs to incentivise borrowers
-
Special ReportNatural capital: Investors press for impact
The focus is starting to shift from pure risk reporting to ensure that investments have a positive effect on declining biodiversity
-
FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator March 2023
The next Ukrainian offensive will be in April at the earliest, as modern tanks will have arrived by then. US Republican pushback of ESG and climate-related investments are a new bone of contention in relations with the EU, already strained by the Trump presidency, and a bad sign for US-EU co-operation on China policy, an issue Japan seems to be ducking successfully. Aided by a soft winter, EU energy concerns have become quite manageable.
-
NewsNZAOA, BTPS, Church of England back climate performance tool
‘There is no rating or ranking or investment advice, just free, comparable data points for investors to use as they wish,’ says Barron
-
Asset Class ReportsFixed income: Transition plans and green bonds
Should companies publish climate plans before they can issue green bonds?
-
Asset Class ReportsAsset class report – Fixed income
Last year was the worst in recent decades for both government bonds and credit, with portfolio returns worse than most professionals have experienced in their careers. But is the tide finally shifting as inflation starts to moderate and terminal policy rates are in sight? In any case, geopolitical risks and inflation are not set to go away, and recession will inevitably take a toll on corporate issuers.
-
News
Dutch pension funds keep investing in green bonds despite market rout
In contrast, pension schemes’ exposure to regular bonds has decreased by some €200bn this year
-
News
Austrian Treasury plans commercial paper issuance to fund green projects
Austria raises €1bn in first issuance of green treasury bill
-
News
ESG roundup: Industriens Pension joins Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance
Plus: Finnfund issues €75m sustainability bond; AXA IM discloses own global carbon footprint
-
News
Switzerland raises CHF766m with first green bonds issuance
The Swiss green bond framework is aligned with the Green Bond Principles set by ICMA
-
NewsSustainable advisers call for green bonds to retain ‘taxonomy-aligned’ status
Platform on Sustainable Finance asked the Commission to ‘grandfather’ green debt under the taxonomy
