23 Jun 2021
5 May 2021 | By Maria Municchi and Marie-Benedict Senou
Over the course of only a few years, economic, social and governance (ESG) integration has become a mainstream feature of investment funds. Together with regulatory requirements, the availability of ESG-relevant data and clients’ demands have driven a shift towards the inclusion of financially material ESG parameters across many investment strategies.
Source: UNPRI
At the same time, broad standards of ESG integration approaches have been identified, especially for equity and corporate bond investing. However, when it comes to combining top-down and bottom-up investment decisions, as well as assessing a variety of asset classes within the same strategy, such as in multi asset strategies, ESG integration can become more complex.
The broad set of investment decisions found in multi asset strategies have a variety of ESG integration implications:
As multi asset investors, our aim is to allocate capital across asset classes according to their risk and return characteristics, while considering the current macroeconomic trends. Economic activity, demographics, monetary and fiscal policies are some of the key determinants of the macroeconomic background we operate in. However, ESG factors also have an important role to play; these can alter economic beliefs and shape the risk and return characteristics of the investments we make. Therefore, when assessing the asset classes we invest in, we believe it is important to incorporate the different levels of ESG risks and opportunities that characterise them.
Real yield vs ESG score of asset classes
Source: M&G Multi Asset, ESG score is the MSCI ESG adjusted ESG score. Real yield is defined as an inverted p/e ratio, using forward consensus data. The above data is a hypothetical representation for illustrative purposes only and is not representative of any M&G product or strategy.
Today, we observe how the current economic and social environment is being increasingly impacted by sustainability trends (climate change risk and mitigation being one aspect of it), making ESG factors ever more relevant.
ESG integration needs to be ‘explicit and systematic’ and therefore embedded within the investment process. ESG factors remain relevant throughout the four-step investment process – from the asset allocation, to the portfolio construction, the implementation phase and overall portfolio analysis.
Source: M&G
Asset Allocation: We consider financially material ESG factors alongside other investment criteria at the asset class level. For example, when investing in emerging market sovereigns we take into account the fact that ESG risk might be higher than developed market sovereigns. This, together with other investment criteria, might lead to higher volatility but also higher expected return.
Portfolio construction: When constructing our portfolios we aim to assess and manage specific financially material ESG risks. For example we would observe the overall ESG score of the portfolios as well as identify areas of the portfolio with particularly high ESG risks.
Source: M&G Multi Asset, MSCI ESG adjusted score (0 to 10)
Implementation: When implementing our asset allocation views we include ESG factors alongside other investment criteria. Interestingly, as the availability of ESG integrated indexes and relative instruments (ETFs) is growing this should enable us to implement our views via ESG integrated collective or derivative instruments in the future.
Source: M&G
Portfolio analysis: We aim to identify and monitor ESG risks and opportunities at the overall portfolio level. For example, a number of our funds invest in renewable energy infrastructure, which can be a reliable source of income. We also aim to identify opportunities for active ownership and engagement on climate and diversity related issues.
ESG characteristics of sample US equities
Source: MSCI
Integrating ESG within our investment approach enables us to capture risks and opportunities that are linked to environmental, social and governance factors. However, we do not see this as a ‘revolution’ for our established investment strategy but rather an ‘evolution’. As the macroeconomic background continue to change, the availability of ESG data and our ability to analyse and integrate it across the investment process should enable us to make better investment decisions.
The value of investments will fluctuate, which will cause prices to fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount you invested. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.