Global ETF News Older than One Year
MSCI ESG Research Scores Funds on Sustainability
Over 100 ESG Metrics for each fund measuring exposure to ESG factors including carbon footprint
March 8, 2016--MSCI today announced it has expanded its MSCI ESG Research coverage to include approximately 21,000 mutual funds and ETFs
MSCI ESG Fund Metrics will measure the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) characteristics of portfolio holdings and rank or screen funds based on a diverse set of factors including sustainable impact, values alignment and ESG risks, including carbon footprint.
Source: MSCI
Lyxor ETF Research : WILL CENTRAL BANKS REASSURE ?
March 7, 2016--1-US data improvement: Market performance was driven by the US ISM survey bouncing to near the 50 level. Additionally, there were some signs of moderate but sustained growth in the US.
The Fed Beige Book depicts a moderate and stable expansion. Consumer confidence is holding up more or less. ADP employment data came above expectations (214K for February), a good omen for official payroll numbers (expected at 195K after 151K in January).
Source: Lyxor
IMF WOrking paper-China's Imports Slowdown: Spillovers, Spillins, and Spillbacks
March 7, 2016--Summary: The paper models international spillovers from a hypothetical drop of China's imports as a result of China's rebalancing of its growth model.
A network-based model used in the paper allows capturing higher round network effects of the shock, which are largely unaccounted for in the existing literature. Such effects include direct spillovers from China on its trading partners, subsequent spillins among them, and spillbacks on China itself. The paper finds that the network effects most likely will be substantial, may amplify initial shock, and change the direction of its propagation. The impact on Asia and Pacific will be the strongest followed by the Middle East and Central Asia. The impact on sub-Saharan Africa would be noticeable only for some countries. Spillovers on Europe, including the Euro area, will be moderate, and spillovers on the Western Hemisphere, including the United States, would be very marginal. Metal and non-fuel commodity exporters may experience the largest negative impact.
view the IMF WOrking paper-China's Imports Slowdown: Spillovers, Spillins, and Spillbacks
Source: IMF
March 2016 BIS Quarterly Review: Uneasy calm gives way to turbulence
March 6, 2016--Markets have been roiled since the start of the year by concerns about growth in China and other emerging market economies, and about the health of large global banks.
"The tension between the markets' tranquillity and the underlying economic vulnerabilities had to be resolved at some point. In the recent quarter, we may have been witnessing the beginning of its resolution," said Claudio Borio, Head of the Monetary and Economic Department.
view the BIS Quarterly Review, March 2016
Source: BIS
Deal could scramble industry with 4 of top 5 companies in mix
March 6, 2016--Consolidation would leave losers in proposed deal far behind
A fight for control of London Stock Exchange Group Plc could get bare-knuckled as potential buyers jockey for dominance in an industry that's quickly consolidating.
Source: Bloomberg
Chinese Renminbi to be Identified in the IMF's Currency Composition of Foreign Exchange Reserves
March 4, 2016--The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will separately identify the renminbi (RMB) in its official foreign exchange reserves database starting October 1, 2016.
The change will be reflected in the survey for the fourth quarter of 2016 that will be published at the end of March 2017.
Source: IMF
Investors Buy Gold ETFs at Record Pace
March 4, 2016--February had $7.9B in Gold ETF inflows -and the miners aren't doing too bad either.
The Chart of the Week is a weekly Visual Capitalist feature on Fridays.
What were the three most popular investments over the last month?
If we're judging by ETF inflows, the three areas that investors piled into were precious metals, government bonds, and low-volatility equities.
Notably, it was gold ETFs that set a new record with their highest monthly inflows in eight years, as investors bought $7.9 billion of securities in February.
Source: visualcapitalist.com
Women in ETFs and Five Partner Organizations Ring the Bell for Gender Equality at 34 Stock Exchanges Around the World
March 4, 2016--For the second year in a row, Women in ETFs (WE) will ring the bells at stock exchanges around the world to celebrate International Women's Day (8 March).
This year, WE is partnering with five other organizations in a growing momentum behind gender equality. WE is leading 15 of the 34 stock exchange bell ringings at which WE will also host speakers to present the business case for women's economic empowerment.
Source: WE (Women in ETFS)
Alain Dubois exits MSCI
March 4, 2016--Alain Dubois has stepped down as head of index product development at US-listed index giant MSCI.
An MSCI spokesman said: "We can confirm Alain Dubois has decided to move on from MSCI after joining the firm in 2013. We wish Alain all the best in his future pursuits."
Dubois was unavailable for comment.
Source: Financial News
Gold Settles At 13-Month High
Investors bet Federal Reserve is no closer to raising interest rates after U.S. employment data
March 4, 2016--Gold prices settled at a 13-month high Friday as investors bet the Federal Reserve was no closer to raising interest rates after U.S. employment data showed wages fell in February.
Gold for April delivery, the most actively traded contract, settled up 1% at $1,270.70 a troy ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Source: Wall Street Journal
