Pensions
Public Pension Funding Status Rose in 2022, NCPERS Says
The figure climbed to 77.8%, up 3 percentage points from the year before, a survey shows.
Tag: ESG
Newsmakers
25 States and 3 Fossil Fuel Industry Actors Sue to Block DOL Rule Permitting ESG Investing
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the rule, set to take effect Monday, which would allow ESG considerations in retirement plan investment decisions.
Regulation
No Smoke and Mirrors Here: Good ESG Ratings Help Stock Prices, Bad Grades Hurt Them
In the culture wars’ latest front, how sustainable principles affect equities is a burning topic addressed in a recent research study.
Research
ESG Themes to Be Aware of in 2023
Top concerns for ESG investing in 2023 include net-zero emissions targets, employee well-being and data scarcity, according to one annual global outlook.
Newsmakers
New York City Retirement Systems Emphasized Sustainable Stakeholder Value in 2022
Comptroller Brad Lander prioritized DEI reporting standards and combated legal opportunistic insider trading at portfolio companies.
Newsmakers
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Names Anna Murray Head of Sustainable Investing
The former head of ESG at Sun Life Capital Management will lead the $178.6 billion pension fund’s climate strategy.
Newsmakers
Vanguard Withdraws from Net Zero Group After State Pressure
Utah attorney general takes credit for getting Vanguard to review its relationship with Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.
Regulation
Goldman Sachs Agrees to Pay $4 Million to SEC for ESG Violations
The investment bank agreed to the penalty and a cease-and-desist order without admitting fault for allegedly violating their ESG research policies.
Regulation
Congressional Republicans Take Aim at SEC Climate Disclosure
Three bills have been proposed since late September which seek to limit or prevent the SEC’s ability to require climate change-related disclosure.
Research
Global Asset Allocators Continued to Grow in 2021, Hitting Almost $26 Trillion
WTW study shows the 9% pace wasn’t as high as 2020’s for the top 100 funds, but was still impressive.
Newsmakers
BlackRock’s Red-State Woes Continue as Florida Divests
Florida’s CFO freezes assets managed by BlackRock and says by early 2023, the state will have divested fully from the world’s largest asset manager.
News
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Invests in Scottish Hydroelectric Transmission System
The pension fund will pay $2.4 billion for 25% of SSEN Transmission, continuing the plan’s allocation to infrastructure, which has increased 60% since 2017.
Asset Allocation
Vatican Publishes Ethical Investing Guidelines
Church says underlying factors of ESG investing “resonate” with the aims of Catholic teachings.
Regulation
Mid-Terms Could Lead to More Regulation than Legislation
Republicans winning control of the House could force the Biden Administration to rely even more on regulations.
Regulation
Final DOL Rule Permits ESG in ERISA Plans
The DOL published a final rule that makes it easier for sponsors to take ESG factors into account in investments and shareholder activism, reversing a Trump-era rule.