Global ETF News Older than One Year
Just Stopping Emissions May No Longer Be Enough to Stop Global Warming
November 13, 2020--Researchers argue that it's time to invest in aggressive carbon capture
Earlier this year, the Earth saw a huge dip in carbon emissions as nations around the globe locked down to slow the spread of the coronavirus. It offered a glimpse into what the world might look like if we took drastic steps to reduce our carbon emissions to slow the spread of global warming: For a brief moment, smog-choked cities around the world had clear skies.
But according to a new modeling study published in Scientific Reports today, even if we made such drastic reductions permanent, it would still not be enough. The study suggests that if we stopped all human-made greenhouse gas emissions immediately, the Earth’s temperatures would continue to rise because of self-sustaining melting ice and permafrost. These "feedback loops"- in which melting ice causes less sunlight to be reflected back into space, which in turn raises temperatures and causes more ice melt -have already been set into motion, the researchers argue.
Source: futurehuman.medium.com/
IEA Cuts 2020 Global Oil Demand Forecast On Virus Surge
November 12, 2020--The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday cut its 2020 global oil demand forecast, citing a resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic, with vaccines unlikely to have much of an impact until well into next year.
The IEA said that as a result of fresh restrictions imposed by governments in an effort to curb the disease, it expected full-year 2020 global oil demand to come in at 91.3 million barrels per day (mbpd)-- down by 8.8 mbpd compared with the drop of 8.4 mbpd given in last month's regular report.
Source: barrons.com
London gold body warns trade centres over ethical sourcing
November 12, 2020--Bullion business team threatens to blacklist companies which do not satisfy OECD criteria
Londons gold marketplace connection has warned countries that are centres for dealing the yellow metal that they chance being blacklisted as vendors unless they guarantee silver going into the marketplace is responsibly sourced.
The London bullion marketplace association blogged to countries like the United Arab emirates, the USA, British and Switzerland saying there was clearly a danger unethical silver was entering global markets.
Source: mercantile.solutions
Data Disruption: The Impact of COVID-19 on Inflation Measurement
November 10, 2020--Lockdowns, working from home, and physical distancing caused people to spend larger shares of their household budgets on food and housing, while fewer people bought nonessentials, like airline tickets and clothing. And with incomes down as millions have lost their jobs, spending on nonessential items will likely remain depressed.
The consumer price index (CPI) does not reflect these abrupt changes in spending patterns because the CPI weights are not continuously updated. For example, the CPI could be pulled down by a decline in the prices of nonessentials that are no longer purchased.
A new IMF staff paper uses spending estimates derived from credit and debit card data to adjust the CPI weights to match spending patterns during the pandemic. The study finds that inflation during the first three months of the pandemic was actually higher than we thought.
Source: IMF
Top 10 Emerging Technologies to Watch in 2020
November 10, 2020--Electric planes, pain-free needles and virtual patients, are among the top 10 emerging technologies to watch in 2020
The list is compiled by a group of experts convened by the World Economic Forum and Scientific American.
To be selected, technologies must be new and poised to impact the world in the next three to five years.
From virtual patients to pain-free needles, synthesizing whole-genomes, and digital medicine, these top 10 emerging technologies are transforming our post-COVID-19 lives.
An international steering group of experts singled out these and other emerging technologies as the ones most likely to impact the world in the next three to five years.
For example, a Swiss group was able to synthesize the entire COVID-19 genome by reproducing the genetic sequence uploaded by Chinese scientists. They were essentially teleporting the virus into their laboratory for study without waiting for physical samples. The ability to write our genome will inevitably help doctors to cure genetic diseases.
Source: World Economic Forum
Global Mobility Report: Measuring Progress Toward Safe, Clean, Efficient, and Inclusive Transport
November 9, 2020--Digital technologies are transforming economic opportunities, a trend being accelerated as businesses and workers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential to raise productivity and to expand opportunities for firms that are small or in less developed locations is real.
But it is not being fully realized according to Europe 4.0: Addressing the Digital Dilemma, launched today. The evidence shows a tension in the region's presence in the digital space and in building a vibrant digital economy that benefits more people. Those technologies where European firms are most competitive are those where the benefits are most concentrated in larger firms and existing production hubs; those technologies with the greatest potential for inclusion are those where European firms are less competitive.
Source: World Bank
What can commercial property performance reveal about bank valuations?
November 9, 2020--Summary
Focus
We ask whether commercial property markets affect bank equity prices. For this purpose, we use the prices of real estate investment trusts (REITs) as a proxy for the performance of commercial property markets. Our study is based on data from the euro area, Japan and the United States, focusing on the 2003-20 period.
The study includes the effects of the Great Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Contribution
We test the hypothesis that REIT prices affect bank equity prices, particularly during downturns. We have three reasons to consider this hypothesis valid. First, banks are exposed to commercial property. Second, REIT prices are likely to reflect commercial property valuations more promptly than publicly disclosed financial information. Third, as lenders, banks are more exposed to the downside than to the upside of real estate risk.
Source: BIS
Inside the regulatory sandbox: effects on fintech funding
November 9, 2020--Summary
Focus
The rise of fintechs promises to spur competition in the financial sector. This could lead to sizeable efficiency gains, more choice for consumers, and enhanced financial inclusion. However, the potentially disruptive growth of firms offering novel products and services poses new challenges for financial stability and consumer protection.
In response, policymakers around the world are creating "regulatory sandboxes" to foster innovation in the financial sector while keeping alert to emerging risks. One key objective of sandboxes is to facilitate start-ups' access to capital. The UK Financial Conduct Authority pioneered the world's first regulatory sandbox in 2015. To date, more than 50 countries have adopted sandboxes, but little evidence exists on whether they actually help innovative fintechs raise funding. And if so, why/how.
Source: BIS
Doubling back and doubling down: G20 scorecard on fossil fuel funding
November 9, 2020--Despite various commitments since 2009 to end government support for fossil fuels and make 'finance flows consistent with a pathway toward low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilient development', G20 governments continued to provide significant support to fossil fuels in 2017-2019.
Recent estimates of public money commitments for fossil fuels in response to the Covid-19 crisis indicate that G20 countries are moving in the wrong direction and are not likely to meet their phase-out commitments.
view the Doubling Back and Doubling Down: G20 scorecard on fossil fuel funding report
Source: odi.org
World Bank Releases Guide for Sovereign Issuers to Engage with Investors on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Issues
November 9, 2020 – The World Bank today published a guide to help public debt managers improve their engagement with investors on ESG topics. Titled "Engaging with Investors on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Issues -A World Bank Guide for Sovereign Debt Managers," it helps bridge the communication gap on ESG issues between sovereign issuers and investors.
The guide outlines how sovereign debt investors use ESG information in their investment strategies, how debt managers are engaging with them, and how engagement can be improved.
Sovereign issuers, who represent 50 percent of the fixed income market by volume, are facing increasing interest on ESG issues from investors. Rating agencies and investors have long considered governance-related information while assessing sovereign risk, the macro-fiscal outlook, and debt-default risk.
Source: World Bank
